Top Travel Headphones for 2025: Options for Every Taste

Explore the top travel headphones of 2025 with the best noise cancellation and sound quality for every budget and style.

A Decade of Headphone Testing and Travel Essentials

Over the last ten years, I've tested countless earbuds and headphones tailored for travel. Unsurprisingly, my current favorites aren’t just comfortable—they also deliver impressive sound quality and potent noise cancellation.

True wireless earbuds are usually a fantastic travel companion because they're compact and easy to stash in your pocket. However, they often can't connect to wired in-flight entertainment systems unless their charging case features a built-in Bluetooth transmitter. You can also purchase separate transmitters like the AirFly Pro 2 by Twelve South or similar devices.

What Are the Best Travel Headphones Overall?

Picking a single top model is tricky, but the new Sony WH-1000XM6 currently stands out. Among full-size noise-canceling headphones, I also recommend Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sonos Ace, and the lightweight, budget-friendly Sony CH-720N (lighter is better for travel). All these models boast active noise cancellation (ANC) to block outside noise and perform well during voice calls.

There’s also a great selection of ANC earbuds, such as the highly rated Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, Apple AirPods Pro 2, and Sony WF-1000XM5.

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel

1. Sony WH-1000XM6

Pros:

• Improved design with a wider headband and more comfortable fit
• Dual hinges allow folding into a smaller, sleek case
• Industry-leading noise cancellation and naturally sounding transparency mode
• Excellent sound quality with enhanced detail, clarity, and bass
• New, powerful QN3 chip, seven times faster than the previous QN1
• Premium voice call quality with six beamforming microphones
• Spatial audio with head-tracking via 360 Reality Audio

Cons:

• Pricey, about $50 more than the previous model
• No USB-C audio option for wired digital listening
• Spatial audio controls lack clear on/off toggles

Sony has delivered some of the best noise-canceling headphones in recent years, and the WH-1000XM6, arriving three years after the XM5, is a major release. While the XM5 remains excellent, the XM6 brings subtle design fixes and performance boosts, often edging out competitors to lead the class.

Buy if…

• You travel frequently, work remotely, or spend lots of time on the road and want top-tier sound, noise cancellation, and call quality in a comfortable package.

Skip if…

• You’re on a tight budget or already own the WH-1000XM5; the upgrades don’t justify rushing to buy at full price.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones now hold a leading position in their class.

Top Noise-Canceling Headphones from Bose

2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Pros:

• Refined design
• Lightweight and extremely comfortable
• Excellent sound and top-notch noise cancellation
• Superior voice call quality
• Immersive Audio mode enhances sound quality

Cons:

• Price higher than previous model
• No USB-C audio input
• Immersive Audio reduces battery life

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may not be a giant leap from the Noise Cancelling 700, but they sport a premium design and introduce Bose Immersive Audio for richer sound. They excel in call clarity thanks to excellent background noise reduction, making them standout 2024 ANC headphones competing with Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

Flagship ANC Headphones from Sony

3. Sony WH-1000XM5

Pros:

• More refined sound and improved noise cancellation
• Slightly more comfortable
• Best-in-class voice call quality
• Rich feature set

Cons:

• Higher price than previous model
• Larger carrying case; headphones fold flat only

Sony’s fifth-generation 1000X series, launched initially in 2016, continues to evolve. The WH-1000XM5 introduced a major design shift and improvements in call quality and noise cancellation. While pricier, they remain a solid choice for those seeking premium travel headphones.

Sonos’ Answer to AirPods Max

4. Sonos Ace

Pros:

• Thoughtful design and comfort
• Great sound and noise cancellation
• High-quality voice calls
• Spatial audio with head tracking
• USB-C wired audio support
• TV Audio Swap feature for Sonos users

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not true Wi-Fi headphones
• TV Audio Swap initially works only with Sonos Arc and can be unstable

Sonos Ace earbuds were expected to stream lossless audio over Wi-Fi but the company prioritized battery life, opting for Bluetooth with Wi-Fi chip used for private home viewing with TV Audio Swap. They weigh 312g—heavier than Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra but lighter than AirPods Max. Their design includes multi-directional rotating ear cups with magnetic replaceable pads.

Sonos Ace offers powerful ANC, clear sound, and good call quality, balancing bass and clarity with a wide soundstage.

Buy if…

• You want a premium alternative to flagship models, especially if you’re a Sonos soundbar owner.

Skip if…

• You want the absolute best at the price; Sony’s WH-1000XM6 may have an edge.

Best Mid-Range Noise-Canceling Headphones

5. Sony CH-720N

Pros:

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Good sound with strong noise cancellation
• Good voice call quality
• 35 hours battery life

Cons:

• No carrying case included
• No ear detection sensors
• No LDAC codec support

Sony’s budget-friendly CH-720N headphones come with a plastic look but deliver surprisingly premium sound and comfort compared to their predecessor CH-710N. Priced around $150, they’re a solid value but expect discounts soon.

JBL's Noise-Canceling Flagship Headphones

6. JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx

Pros:

• Refined design and comfortable fit
• Enhanced noise cancellation and sound quality
• Broad feature set
• Great voice call quality
• Includes Smart Tx audio transmitter

Cons:

• Pricey
• Some users may find the audio transmitter less useful

This third-gen JBL model marks a big improvement with a lighter 278g build and better noise cancellation. The included Smart Tx transmitter enables wireless audio from USB-C or analog sources like in-flight systems. Sound is balanced with dynamic bass and crisp highs, but noise cancellation and sound don’t quite beat Sony and Bose competitors at this price point.

Read our full review of JBL TOUR ONE M3.

Best True Wireless Earbuds with Noise Cancellation

7. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Pros:

• Excellent sound and best-in-class noise cancellation
• Secure and comfortable fit with included Fit Kit
• Immersive Audio for a unique listening experience
• Slightly better call quality than before

Cons:

• No wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth
• Immersive Audio reduces battery life

While not a huge upgrade over Bose’s 2022 QC Earbuds 2, these earbuds offer superb noise cancellation, making them some of the best for travel. ActiveSense mode adds a touch of ANC to the transparency setting for better ambient control.

Sony's Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds

8. Sony WF-1000XM5

Pros:

• New, more compact design
• Improved sound, ANC, and call quality
• Updated processors and drivers

Cons:

• Expensive
• No Find My integration in app

Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds won the CNET Editor’s Choice in 2021 but were bulky for some ears. The XM5 address this with smaller size and better performance across the board. At $300, they’re pricier but still among the top earbuds on the market.

Budget-Friendly Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel

9. QCY H3 Pro

Pros:

• Surprisingly good sound for the price
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Decent ANC and call quality for budget headphones
• USB-C wired audio and LDAC support

Cons:

• ANC disables in wired mode
• No carrying case included

QCY is a Chinese brand delivering budget headphones that outperform expectations. The 2024 H3 Pro model feels comfortable with memory foam tips and offers respectable sound and noise cancellation at about $66. Some tracks might expose minor distortions, and highs lack crispness compared to premium models.

Buy if…

• You want solid performance without breaking the bank.

Skip if…

• You’re a picky listener craving clear highs and flawless sound.

Apple’s Best Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds

10. Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

Pros:

• Significantly improved sound and noise cancellation
• Longer battery life and updated microphones
• Runs on Apple’s new H2 chip

Cons:

• Nearly identical design to previous generation
• No high-res audio support

Powered by the new H2 chip, AirPods Pro 2 offer improved computational power and efficiency. They provide clearer, deeper sound with “twice better” noise cancellation versus the original. Battery life extends to six hours with ANC on, plus a helpful find-my feature with case speaker.

Another Budget ANC Pick for Travelers

11. Earfun Wave Pro

Pros:

• Great value for money
• Comfortable fit
• Good sound for the price
• Decent ANC and call quality

Cons:

• ANC disables in wired mode
• Slight lack of clarity

Earfun offers solid budget earbuds and now presents a full-sized ANC headphone at an affordable price. They deliver punchy bass and respectable noise cancellation, plus 55 hours battery life with ANC on, and include a hard case and wired cable.

Classic-Style Noise-Canceling Headphones from Bose

12. Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Pros:

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Very good sound and noise cancellation
• Good voice call quality
• Headphone cable now includes a built-in microphone

Cons:

• Mostly the same as previous model but $50 more expensive

Bose replaced its QuietComfort 45 with a subtly updated QuietComfort Headphones model, maintaining the classic comfortable design. It offers solid sound and noise cancellation with improved battery life (24 hours) and new mic-equipped cable.

Read our full review of Bose QuietComfort.

New Mid-Range JBL ANC Headphones

13. JBL Live 770NC

Pros:

• Well-thought design and comfort
• Good sound and noise cancellation
• Feature-rich
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Voice call quality suffers in windy conditions

JBL Live 770NC offers modest upgrades over previous models including better battery life (up to 65 hours), Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio (upcoming update), and solid sound with punchy bass.

Wireless Earbuds with Best Sound & Transmitter Case

14. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

Pros:

• Outstanding sound
• Smaller size with better fit
• Improved noise cancellation
• Charging case doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter with wireless charging
• Highly sensitive touch controls

Cons:

• Expensive
• Other premium earbuds offer better ANC and call quality

Pi8 earbuds deliver fantastic sound with improved design over previous models. The case transforms into a Bluetooth transmitter for in-flight use. ANC is solid, but call quality lags behind Apple AirPods Pro 2.

Best Full-Size Beats Headphones

15. Beats Studio Pro

Pros:

• Enhanced sound, ANC, and ear pad design
• Excellent voice call quality
• Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
• USB-C audio support

Cons:

• No Apple H2 chip
• No ear detection sensors
• Minimal design updates apart from case

Beats Studio headphones have been a staple since 2008. This fourth generation keeps the price steady with significant internal upgrades, making them somewhat like more affordable plastic alternatives to AirPods Max.

Premium Noise-Canceling by Sennheiser

16. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Pros:

• Great sound
• Improved ANC and call quality
• Impressive battery life
• Good sound personalization features

Cons:

• Bland design
• ANC not as strong as Sony or Bose

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 offers a more subdued design than previous retro-style models, with big improvements in ANC, call quality, and a standout 60-hour battery life. Sound is energetic with smooth highs and good bass definition.

What to Consider When Choosing Travel Headphones

Budget

Determine your spending limit first. Budget ANC headphones have improved steadily, with good options under $100. Premium models with better build and performance usually start at $200 and up.

Fit (Comfort)

Your travel headphones should fit comfortably with a snug, but not too tight, fit. Ideally, you want headphones that you can wear all day with minimal breaks.

Durability

Choose durable headphones that can withstand travel wear and tear.

Performance and Features for Your Money

Look for the best sound, noise cancellation, call quality, and features within your budget.

Return Policy

Buy from sellers with a good return policy in case you need to test and compare models.

How We Test Travel Earbuds and Headphones

We evaluate based on six key criteria:

• Design: Comfort, build quality, and control implementation.
• Sound Quality: Listening to specific playlists and comparing with competitors.
• Noise Cancellation: Testing near indoor noise sources and busy outdoor environments.
• Extra Features: Transparency modes, ear detection, and more.
• Voice Calls: Testing call clarity in noisy settings.
• Value: Balancing strengths against price.

Other Travel Headphones We've Tested

• Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: Extremely durable earbuds with smart USB-C LE Audio case.
• Beats Fit Pro: Sporty AirPods alternative with Apple H1 chip and spatial audio.
• JBL Live 670NC: Budget over-ear ANC headphones with memory foam cushions.
• Master & Dynamic MW75: Premium over-ear headphones with exceptional build quality.
• Master & Dynamic MW09: Stylish earbuds with improved battery and ANC.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: Smaller size, better ANC, and high-res streaming support.
• Beats Studio Buds Plus: Upgraded sound and ANC with great call quality.
• Google Pixel Buds Pro: First Google ANC earbuds with unique design and fit.

Travel Headphones FAQs

• Are noise-canceling headphones worth the investment?
  A few years ago, ANC headphones were expensive, but now the technology is widespread. If noise cancellation matters to you, investing in a quality pair is worthwhile.
• Do noise-canceling headphones block all noise?
  They excel at low-frequency noise like airplane engine hum but less so at high frequencies like children crying or conversations. Recent improvements have broadened frequency effectiveness but can’t silence everything.
• Does ANC affect battery life?
  Yes, ANC reduces battery life—earbuds typically offer 5-8 hours with ANC on, 7-12 without. Over-ear headphones may last 25-30 hours with ANC on, 40-50 hours off.
• Does noise cancellation impact sound quality?
  ANC can slightly degrade sound quality if poorly executed, sometimes adding a faint hiss. High-end ANC headphones balance great sound with effective noise cancellation.

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