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Noise-canceling headphones are a must-have for frequent flyers, and the right pair can make long-haul flights more than just bearable. Our always on the go editors are constantly testing audio gear, meaning we have some thoughts on the best headphones for travel. 

For starters, travel headphones should be able to block out a variety of noises, particularly the roar of a jet engine, but also the bustle of an airport terminal, crowded trains, and everyday hubbub. And while noise-canceling is arguably the top factor, it’s not the only one.

In addition to noise-canceling, key factors when buying travel headphones include battery life, case design, and comfort. Headphones should have a long battery life to keep up with hours spent in the air, particularly because features like noise-canceling can quickly drain battery life. 

Case design is a top factor as well, particularly for anyone who likes to pack light; a case that is too large or unprotective can make you hesitant to actually take your headphones with you. That’s why we prioritized cases that are compact yet protective, with bonus points if they have additional storage for items like charging cables and audio cords (that means that some of our favorite noise-canceling headphones, like the AirPods Max, didn’t make the cut due to the lack of a protective case and so-so battery life).

Finally, comfort is key, particularly if you’re going to be wearing the headphones for hours at a time. For this roundup, we focused on noise-canceling over-ear headphones, but if you’re looking for earbuds, we have suggestions for best noise-canceling, best for phone calls, and best open-ear. 

Sony’s XM6 headphones strike the right balance when it comes to comfort, sound quality, and noise canceling. There are 12 microphones, compared to the previous generation’s eight, giving these headphones more advanced noise canceling. Plus, four beamforming mics make for clear calls if you’re traveling for work. 

While the XM6 headphones look a lot like their predecessor, one of the biggest changes was the redesigned hinge. The earcups now rotate, which means Sony was able to shrink the case substantially. They also swapped the zipper for a magnetic clasp, making the headphones easier to grab in a pinch. 

Battery life is also a standout. While 30 hours isn’t record-setting, it’s more than sufficient for all but the longest long-haul flights. There are also nice-to-have features, like speak to chat, which pauses the music when you start talking and switches to transparency mode, or you can also cover the right earcup to switch to transparency mode. They’re handy features if the flight attendant comes by or you need to listen for a gate change. 

Crucially, the ANC is class-leading, as is the audio quality, which is pleasingly neutral with plenty of detail. 

Review: The WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones Are Yet Another Hit From Sony

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones nail comfort and noise canceling. The earcups are plush, and the headband is amply cushioned. The headphones also offer great sound quality, albeit with arguably less detail than brands like Sony. 

The standout feature of Bose’s noise-canceling is its adjustability. There are up to four ANC modes, including two permanent modes, Quiet and Aware, plus up to two customizable modes with 10 levels of noise-canceling. The case design is excellent as well, with a contoured interior that keeps the earcups secure, a pocket for cables, and a protective but not oversized case. 

The headphones lack some of the extra features found on the XM6, such as speak-to-chat or the ability to temporarily pause music by covering one earcup. One drawback with these headphones is battery life. At 24 hours, it’s hardly a slouch, but some options on this list top 30 or more. 

Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Who Makes the Better Noise-Canceling Headphones?

If you’re the type to forget to charge your headphones, Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 may be the headphones for you. With up to 60 hours of battery life, they can handle long trips without needing a charge. Plus, the earpads have comfortable cushioning for all-day wear, and the headphones don’t exert too much clamping force. 

While the case is overly large, the headphones come with a two-pronged travel adapter for airplanes, plus a charging cable and 3.5mm audio cable, with convenient slots for the accessories. The zippered case is also secure and offers ample protection for the headphones. 

Crucially, the audio quality is excellent, with crisp detail and stereo imaging. The noise canceling is solid as well, and you can adjust the transparency mode to let in more or less ambient noise. Sennheiser’s intuitive app offers plenty of functions, including customizable controls, EQ, and more. The tap controls are similar to Sony’s XM6 headphones, with intuitive swipes and taps for playback and volume.  

Bose’s QuietComfort headphones have several key advantages that make them great for travel — and perhaps even better than their pricier Ultra counterpart. For starters, they can be used passively, meaning that even if the battery is drained or the headphones are turned off, you can listen to music by plugging them into a 3.5mm jack. 

Like the QC Ultra headphones, these feature adjustable ANC, with two preset modes (Quiet and Aware) and up to two custom modes with 10 levels of noise-canceling. They’re impressively lightweight and comfortable, with a widely adjustable headband to suit different wearers. The QuietComforts are also highly portable; they fold in and rotate for easy storage, and the carrying case is compact yet protective. 

The headphones have intuitive physical controls, with separate volume controls, a playback button, and a multifunction button to switch between ANC modes. The audio quality is solid, although Sony’s XM6 headphones have the edge, and the headphones lack certain features like wear detection, so they won’t pause when you take them off. 

Review: Bose QuietComfort vs. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: We Put Both to the Test

Beats Studio Pro headphones offer up to 40 hours of battery life, and a quick 10-minute charge provides up to 4 hours of playback, making them a great option for long travel days. The headphones have impressive audio quality and noise canceling, too, including a transparency mode for awareness. 

For light packers, the Studio Pro headphones have among the most compact cases. The soft zippered pouch, akin to a toiletry bag, is easy to take on the go, while still offering sufficient protection for the headphones. 

The Studio Pro headphones can also be used with a 3.5mm cable or wired USB-C connection for a lossless listening experience. The physical controls are intuitive, although the multifunction/power button is somewhat small. 

The headphones are durable, although they feel somewhat plasticky, lacking the high-end refinement of some of our other picks, and they’re not as comfortable as some other options. Still, they’re an appealing option, particularly on sale. 

Related: Beats Studio Pro vs. Apple AirPods Max: We Put Apple’s Flagship Headphones to the Test

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