Top Headphones for Travel in 2024
Traveling can often be a noisy affair, whether it’s the constant hum of an airplane engine, the chatter in a crowded train, or the bustle of a city street. In these situations, noise-canceling headphones become an essential travel companion, creating a personal oasis of calm and letting you enjoy your music, podcasts, or audiobooks without the intrusion of outside noise. But it’s not just about sound isolation; when you’re on the move, portability becomes equally important. Foldable designs, compact cases, and long battery life are key features that make headphones travel-friendly.
Whether you prefer the full immersion of over-ear headphones or the convenience of in-ear models, this guide will help you find the perfect audio partner for your journey.
Over Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones are ideal for travel due to their excellent noise cancellation, which blocks out ambient noise, creating a peaceful listening environment. They offer superior sound quality and comfort, perfect for long journeys. Additionally, their foldable design and long battery life make them convenient and travel-friendly, providing an uninterrupted, high-quality audio experience on the go.
Top Pick: Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphone ultimate choice for travelers seeking an unparalleled over-ear audio experience. For years, these headphones have been celebrated for their industry-leading noise cancellation technology and the newest model pushes the bar even higher. Beyond just silencing the ambient noise, they deliver top-notch sound quality, offering a rich, immersive listening experience.
A notable aspect of the WH-1000XM5 is its design evolution from previous models. The latest design has been tweaked to enhance audio performance significantly. This improvement is especially apparent in the clarity of the mid and high frequencies, as well as in the depth and definition of the bass, making it a delight for audiophiles like me.
While they have sacrificed a bit of their foldability compared to their predecessors, the trade-off comes with a sleeker profile and a more robust build quality. The carrying case, though slightly larger, remains highly portable and thoughtfully includes space for extra cables – a boon for those who often forget these small but essential accessories when bluetooth is not an option.
Battery life is another area where the WH-1000XM5 shines. With up to 30 hours of playtime, they are perfect for long journeys. The quick charging feature is a lifesaver, providing several hours of playback with just a few minutes of charging – a feature that can make a significant difference during tight travel schedules.
The headphones also excel in user comfort. The ear cups and headband are designed with long-term wear in mind, making them ideal for extended listening sessions without discomfort. The touch-sensitive controls are intuitive and responsive, allowing for easy adjustments on the go.
Connectivity and additional features further enhance the WH-1000XM5's appeal. With seamless Bluetooth pairing and excellent call quality, they are as functional for business calls as they are for entertainment. The companion app allows for detailed customization of sound profiles and noise cancellation levels, tailoring the listening experience to individual preferences.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a premium choice for travelers and the pricetag reflects that. They will be worth every penny when they are blocking out the sound crying baby in the seat behind you.
Check Prices for Sony WH-1000XM5Budget Pick: Soundcore by Anker Life Q30
The Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 headphones are a standout choice for those seeking high-quality audio without the hefty price tag often associated with premium headphones. While they may not completely match the sound quality of some top-tier competitors, they come impressively close, offering a rich and detailed sound experience. One of their key features is the advanced noise cancellation technology. This technology includes three distinct modes tailored for different environments, such as indoor, outdoor, and travel, allowing for a customized listening experience that effectively blocks out unwanted ambient noise.
Sound quality is a strong suit of the Life Q30, delivering clear and customizable audio with an emphasis on impressive bass performance. This makes them ideal for a variety of music genres, ensuring a dynamic and immersive listening experience. Additionally, the headphones boast memory foam ear cups, which are not just comfortable but also enhance the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. This comfort factor, combined with the premium build quality, makes the Life Q30 suitable for extended listening sessions or long days of travel, without causing ear fatigue or discomfort.
The headphones feature an exceptional battery life. They offer up to 40 hours of playtime with noise cancellation enabled, which is significantly higher than many competitors in the same price range. This long battery life ensures that you can enjoy your music or podcasts for extended periods without the need to frequently recharge, making them a reliable companion for travel or daily commuting.
The headphones also come equipped with a companion app that offers customizable EQ settings. This app allows users to fine-tune their audio experience according to their personal preferences or specific types of content, adding another layer of customization to the headphones.
In terms of design, the Life Q30 headphones boast a sleek and modern look, making them visually appealing as well as functional. They are also relatively lightweight, which contributes to their comfort and portability. The headphones come with a carrying case, adding to their convenience and making them easy to take on the go.
These headphones deliver on their promise of a high-quality audio experience without the hefty price tag.
Check Prices for Soundcore by Anker Life Q30In Ear Headphones
In-ear headphones are a popular choice for travelers seeking a compact and discreet audio solution. Their small size and lightweight design make them extremely portable, easily fitting into a pocket or a small bag. Many models provide effective noise isolation, keeping external sounds at bay. They are also less cumbersome than over-ear headphones, making them ideal for active use or when space is at a premium. With advancements in technology, many in-ear headphones now offer impressive sound quality and battery life, rivaling their over-ear counterparts. Their snug fit ensures they stay in place during various activities, making them a versatile and practical choice for travelers. The biggest downside is that bluetooth models don’t have a direct corded solution for in flight entertainment systems that do not support bluetooth (a majority at this point). An external adapter is required in these situations.
Top Pick: AirPods Pro
When it comes to in-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Pro stand out as a top pick for travelers. With excellent noise cancellation and sound quality they stand out against other in-ear options.
The fit is customizable with three sizes of silicone tips, ensuring comfort for a wide range of ear shapes, ensuring the best sound isolation to block out the in-flight sounds. The integration with Apple devices is seamless, offering features like easy pairing, Siri voice control, and spatial audio for a more immersive experience.
Battery life is another strong point, with the AirPods Pro offering up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge, and more than 24 hours of total listening time with the wireless charging case. This makes them not only convenient for daily use but also reliable for long travel days.
The build quality is solid, and with an IPX4 rating, they're resistant to sweat and water splashes, adding to their versatility. Whether you're an Apple user or not, the AirPods Pro are a top-tier choice for anyone seeking quality, convenience, and cutting-edge features in their travel headphones.
Check Prices for AirPods ProBudget Pick: Sony WF-C700B Earbuds
The Sony WF-C700B is an in-ear earbud with effective noise cancellation and excellet sound quality. They feature an ergonomic design for a comfortable fit, making them ideal for extended wear during travel or exercise. The earbuds offer respectable battery life, along with a compact charging case for all-day use. These earbuds are a solid choice for those seeking portable, high-quality audio with the convenience of noise cancellation at an affordable price.
Check Prices of Sony WF-C700NAdapter Pick
Avantree Relay - Premium Airplane Bluetooth Adapter
The Avantree Relay is an essential travel accessory for those who prefer to use their own Bluetooth headphones on flights. You can plug this adapter into the in-fliught entertainment sytem's headphone jack and connect your headphones to the adapter via bluetooth, eliminating pesky wires. The headphone jack cord of the adapter is flexible making it even more adaptable to install no matter if the headphone jack is on the seat back, the arm rest, or elsewhere.
With up to 16 hours of battery life, it can last through long-haul flights. The Relay also supports dual-link technology, allowing two users to listen simultaneously, making it perfect for couples or shared listening. Durable and portable, the Avantree Relay is a convenient way to enhance your in-flight entertainment with your preferred headphones at a reasonable price.
Check Prices of Avantree Relay - Premium Airplane Bluetooth Adapter