11 Best Headphones for Travel 2025, Ideal for Every Traveler

These 11 best headphones for travel offer noise cancellation, comfort, and style—ideal for frequent travellers looking for excellent sound and convenience.

Choosing the best headphones for travel can make a difference, whether you’re trying to tune out the noise of a busy airport or want high-quality sound on a long-haul flight. With so many options on the market, from noise-cancelling giants to lightweight, ultra-comfortable models, finding the perfect pair for your needs can be challenging.

In this article, we’ve curated a list of the 11 best headphones for travel, designed to suit every type of traveller and budget. Each pair offers a unique blend of features, whether you’re after premium sound quality, superior noise cancellation, or something compact for easy packing.

A solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a game-changer when travelling, especially by plane or train. Look for models that offer multiple levels of noise cancellation, allowing you to adjust based on your environment.

Some headphones even offer adaptive noise cancellation, automatically adjusting to the ambient noise around you. This is particularly useful when moving from a noisy cabin to a quieter lounge, as it allows you to manage sound levels without manual adjustments.

11 Best Headphones for Travel in 2025

Comfort becomes essential when wearing headphones for long hours. The best travel headphones feature adjustable headbands and cushioned earcups that don’t feel too tight but provide a secure fit, ensuring comfort throughout the journey.

Lightweight designs that reduce pressure on your ears and head work best. Memory foam earcups and materials like lambskin or soft leather enhance comfort and help create a better seal for sound isolation.

Travellers need long battery life, especially on international long-haul flights and layovers. A good pair of travel headphones should offer at least 20 hours of playtime, with some models offering up to 80 hours.

Fast-charging capabilities are another key feature to look out for, as a quick top-up between flights can give you several hours of playback. Wireless headphones should also offer stable Bluetooth connectivity, ideally multipoint, and allow for a wired option, so you’re never left without sound if the battery runs low.

Although an older model, the XM4’s lower price makes it a great bargain for those seeking premium features without the price tag.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 delivers excellent noise-cancelling performance, powered by dual noise sensor technology, which makes it ideal for flights. They offer 30 hours of battery life with quick charging that provides 5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. The sound quality is supported by LDAC and DSEE Extreme audio processing. Insider tip: this is the first device I look for during sales events! (review)

The JBuds Lux ANC Headphones are a budget-friendly option for travellers seeking effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) without the premium price.

These headphones offer 60+ hours of wireless playtime and the added convenience of dual connectivity—Bluetooth and wired. Their Be Aware mode lets you easily switch between ANC and ambient sound, perfect for staying alert in busy environments like airports. They are excellent value for solid performance without breaking the bank.

The Edifier STAX SPIRIT S5 Over-Ear Headphones stand out for using planar magnetic drivers, delivering high-resolution audio that offers a detailed and immersive listening experience. These headphones are designed for audiophiles on the go and feature Qualcomm’s aptX HD codec for wireless sound quality that rivals wired performance.

With up to 80 hours of playback on a single charge, they easily cover multiple long-haul flights or extended trips without recharging. The lightweight build and memory foam ear cushions ensure comfort, while their foldable design makes them easy to pack. These are a premium pick for those prioritising sound quality and portability. (review)

The Bose QuietComfort SC Headphones are the answer for travellers who want big-name brand performance without the price tag. These entry-level Bose headphones offer adjustable noise cancellation with three distinct levels, making them perfect for adapting to various environments.

The headphones’ battery life is up to 24 hours, and a quick 15-minute charge adds 3 hours of playback. They feature Bluetooth 5.1 for stable connectivity and custom-tuned drivers for crisp sound, delivering reliable performance for frequent travellers. Their lightweight design and soft ear cushions enhance comfort during extended wear, and they fold flat for easy storage in a carry-on.

This will not go well with everyone, but for the asking price and silly travel case, Apple’s AirPods Max comes in at 7th place. However, they combine premium sound quality with high-end materials that make them one of the most eye-catching pairs of headphones around. AirPods Max features custom-designed drivers that deliver rich audio across the full spectrum.

They offer industry-leading Active Noise Cancelling alongside a Transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings when needed. With a battery life of up to 20 hours, they’ll last through most long trips, and their fast charging provides 1.5 hours of listening after just 5 minutes of charging. The stainless steel frame and memory foam ear cushions ensure a comfortable yet durable design, making these a solid choice for travellers who don’t mind the handbag-style travel pouch! (review)

This may well be stating the obvious, but the B&O Beoplay H100 are possibly the most stunning pair of Headphones I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. They combine sophisticated Scandinavian design with high-fidelity sound, making the H100 headphones a stylish yet expensive choice for travel.

These headphones feature advanced Active Noise Cancellation to block background noise, while Transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings when needed. With up to 35 hours of battery life, they are perfect for long trips, and a fast-charge feature gives you several hours of playtime in just minutes. The lightweight aluminium frame and lambskin ear cushions ensure durability and comfort, and an exclusive leather pouch is included for the eyewatering price!

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is a big step up from its sibling, the SC. These headphones feature standout new Immersive Audio technology, which enhances the spatial depth of sound, creating a richer listening experience. They are equipped with Bose’s renowned noise-cancelling technology and are now adjustable with Quiet and Aware modes to adapt to different environments.

They are designed for extended travel use with up to 24 hours of battery life in standard mode and 18 hours with Immersive Audio active. The headphones also support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, connecting two devices simultaneously, and the earcups feature capacitive touch controls for quick adjustments. For those prioritising audio immersion and ease of use, the QuietComfort Ultra offers a balanced, feature-rich experience.

As the winner of my Best Travel Gadgets 2023, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones kept Bose at bay by offering the best noise cancellation on the market. This is no easy feat for travellers when it comes to headphones. They are powered by two processors controlling eight microphones, which ensures exceptional sound isolation in noisy environments.

With a sleek design, the snug-fitting headband and soft, pressure-relieving earcups provide maximum comfort during long flights or commutes. These headphones offer 30 hours of battery life and support quick charging, giving 3 hours of playback from just 3 minutes. They also feature adaptive sound control, automatically adjusting noise cancellation and sound based on your activity. These headphones will likely still be the number one choice for many travellers! (review)

The combination of build quality and exceptional Noise Cancellation pushed me to name the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 as my best travel headphones for 2024. Featuring premium materials like aluminium and leather, they have been so well engineered that in a blind touch test, I believe most would pick these over any others on this year’s list.

These over-ear headphones offer studio-grade audio quality, providing a balanced, clear sound signature perfect for audiophiles. They adapt well to any travel environment with adjustable noise cancellation and a natural Transparency mode. The battery life delivers up to 45 hours of playback, making them ideal for long trips. If you’re seeking the highest craftsmanship and professional-level sound, the AONIC 50 Gen 2 is the perfect choice. (review)

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e stands out for its meticulously engineered soundstage, providing unparalleled clarity and depth for music and movies alike. The headphones feature six advanced microphones that enhance noise cancellation and ensure clear calls in noisy environments.

They’re ideal for long journeys with up to 30 hours of battery life and fast charging, delivering 7 hours of playback in just 15 minutes. The premium build combines a sleek profile with luxurious memory foam earcups for exceptional comfort. If you value immersive sound and premium craftsmanship, the Px7 S2e is hard to beat.

The Soundcore Space Pro headphones deliver exceptional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with three adjustable modes, effectively blocking distractions on a plane or in a bustling terminal. Their standout feature is their ultra-portable design, which fits into an impressively small size and is perfect for slipping into a carry-on or backpack.

They’re built for extended trips with up to 50 hours of battery life and fast-charging capabilities that provide 4 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging. Lightweight and durable, these headphones offer a travel-friendly solution for travellers seeking convenience without compromising performance.