We’ve all been on a plane with a crying baby, a person who won’t stop talking, or with a little too much ambient noise to get comfortable while watching a movie. This list is something for everyone, from tiny earbuds to head huggers with superb audio quality, so babies and loud neighbors aren’t an issue. Before diving into the list, let’s review a few things.
What’s the difference between headphones and earbuds?
Generally, when people say headphones, they mean over-ear headphones. These are the classic head huggers that have been around for decades. They typically have better sound quality and noise cancellation, as they completely surround your ear. However, they’re often much larger and heavier than earbuds, so they come at a price. Earbuds are small and fit into your ear canal. These are much more portable but often don’t have as long of a use time, as they have smaller batteries. Still, these are much more convenient for travel, as they’ll fit into your tech pouch or pocket much easier. What you plan to use your headphones for and how much space you have to store them will determine which kind you should get.
Do you need noise-canceling headphones?
Like most questions, there’s a lot of nuance here. The quick answer is no, but you sure might like to. Noise cancellation is a great way to get comfortable on a plane, drown out background noise while watching a movie, and destress in a hectic environment. Still, headphones with the feature often cost more, and not all situations require it. Often, many travelers have two pairs of headphones, one with it and another without it. We’re not telling you to bring two pairs on every trip but to pick and choose which trips call for it and which might require both.
What are standard, noise cancellation, and transparency modes?
Generally, noise-canceling headphones have three modes. First, there’s standard operation. This does not use any technology to cancel noise; however, depending on the headphones, it may have some inherent noise cancellation. Noise cancellation does just that—it cancels all the noise around you. This is great when you want to be completely immersed in whatever you’re listening to or watching. Next, there’s transparency mode, which blocks out some noise but still enables you to hear what’s happening around you. This is ideal if you’re sitting near family members who want to chat or if you’re walking through the city and want to hear what’s going on around you.
Why You Should Trust Us
In addition to being gear experts, most of the Pack Hacker team loves tech, music, and podcasts. This, combined with decades of travel expertise, means a lot of time spent using headphones on planes and in foreign places. We’ve figured out what works while traveling, how it’ll fit into your travel backpack, and what features are snake oil products that you’ll never actually use. Travel and entertainment go hand in hand because you typically have to wait around to see popular destinations, whether you’re on a long-haul flight or waiting in line for a museum. The Pack Hacker team has aspiring DJs, music snobs, and audiobook aficionados, so we cover all the bases!
How We Tested It
Test 1: Sound quality is one of the most important aspects of headphones, so we tested each pair of headphones with music that has thumping bass and high-frequency strings, then podcasts and audiobooks. After considering the different kinds of audio you might listen to with the headphones, we gave it a rating out of ten, where one is bad, and ten is perfection.
Test 2: Noise cancellation is huge for some travelers, so we tested each pair of headphones under a few conditions, including music in the background, ambient noise, and conversations. Then, we rated each category based on how it blocked that kind of noise. After considering how it performed in each of the categories, we gave it a rating out of ten, where one is bad, and ten is perfection.
Test 3: Sound quality and noise cancellation are important, but they don’t mean much if the headphones aren’t comfortable. We wore each pair of headphones for an extended period while sitting and walking around doing various tasks at home. After wearing each pair for a while, we gave it a rating out of ten, where one is bad, and ten is perfection.
Let’s dive into the music!
Though the Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones aren’t rated the highest in any category, they have the second-highest average in our first round of testing, which makes them a solid shout for travel. They’re well-rounded, scoring a six on our noise canceling scale in all three modes (immersion, quiet, and aware). The sound quality landed a seven, with bass that performs well, even when listening to thumping basslines. The output was balanced but still had enough depth to enjoy the sound.
In terms of comfort, we pegged these headphones at a seven, as the pads don’t press too firmly on your ears and remain comfortable even in extended use. The case isn’t tiny, but these aren’t earbuds, so we didn’t expect them to be. It’s roughly the size of a Nerf football and durable, though we wouldn’t recommend tossing it around, as it isn’t the hardest case we’ve tested. These headphones might be too good in every category to be considered a master of none; however, they’re better than headphones that only master one category.
Advertised battery life: Up to 30 hours
Why We Like It- They have three modes: noise cancellation, regular use, and ambient sounds
- The included case is handy and easy to pack
- For the price, we expected noise cancellation to be a bit better
- They can get a bit sweaty after a while
Before we dive too far into this one, it’s worth mentioning that the Soundcore Space Q45 headphones aren’t cheap; however, with a sub-$150 price tag, they perform nearly as well as some of the models that cost three times as much. Essentially, for the price of a concert ticket, you can get a pair of headphones with killer sound quality and comfort that aren’t bad at noise cancellation, either. Though they don’t have the best ANC we’ve tested, we gave these headphones a five on our scale, which will work for most users.
Sound quality and comfort both landed a six, as the bass thumps fairly well without compromising the highs or mids, and you can even customize the levels using the Soundcore app. We also like that we can wear these for an extended period without them getting uncomfortable around the ears. In warmer climates, they can feel a little hot; however, that’s the case for most of the headphones that we’ve tested! Plus, all this fits into a manageable case, though it isn’t as small as the earbuds on this list.
You can also connect up to two devices at once, though the headphones often swap back and forth without prompting from either device, so we sometimes have to disconnect this feature to have a smooth listening experience. That said, it’s a minor gripe with otherwise well-performing headphones.
Advertised battery life: Up to 50 hours
Why We Like It- For the price, they perform very well in all three categories
- The bass and highs are quite good
- The noise cancellation isn’t top tier
- We wish the case was smaller
A whole generation of audiophiles associate Bose with quality, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones prove their assumptions correct. In our first round of testing, these headphones score the highest average with a flat seven rating. The lowest score was a six in noise cancellation, which is still a solid rating, and the headphones have immersion, quiet, and aware modes. The sound quality is excellent, scoring a seven, and the comfort lands an eight, which is the highest of any in our first round of testing. The padding is supple without being suffocating and doesn't compress your ears.
While the case isn’t tiny, you won’t get scores as high as these in a tiny pair of headphones, so we think it’s a solid compromise. If you’re traveling with a large travel backpack or carry on rolling luggage, you should be able to find a place for them on your next trip!
Advertised battery life: Up to 24 hours
Why We Like It- They’re incredibly well-rounded, from sound quality and noise cancellation to comfort
- There are three modes to ensure you’re comfortable in multiple environments
- They’re on the pricier side compared to other headphones on the market
- They tend to get a little sweaty in warmer climates
The AirPods Max are a newer addition to the over-ear headphone game; however, Apple has been a competitor in the market longer than people might remember. Multiple Pack Hacker team members still have 3.5-millimeter Apple Headphones from their iPods, which says something about their longevity. Still, the AirPods Max aren’t your old corded headphones, and that’s why they’re on this list.
The AirPods Max noise-canceling qualities are no joke, scoring a seven on our scale, which is the highest of any that we tested in the first round. That noise blocking comes at a cost, as these headphones are pretty heavy and start to weigh your head down over time, especially at the top. This landed a comfort score of five, but your mileage may vary depending on the strength of your neck.
Sound quality scores a six, which is quite good, but the bass feels a little flat sometimes, especially if you’re listening to something with a lot going on, like Memphis rap from the 1990s (looking at you, Tommy Wright III). In our opinion, these headphones' most significant selling point is that they integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, which is handy for people already invested in the system. Plus, they pause the audio when you take them off, so you won’t miss anything. The case is included and looks like a sleek leather purse, which we dig.
Advertised battery life: Up to 20 hours Why We Like It- They fit seamlessly into the Apple Ecosystem
- The noise cancellation is some of the best that we’ve tested
- The sound quality and comfort feel lacking for the price point
- Long hair can get tangled in the earpads
At this point, we all know what AirPods are. So, what makes the Apple AirPods Pro 2 worth taking on your next trip? For one, they scored a five on our noise cancellation scale, which is quite good for a set of in-ear headphones. Plus, they have a transparency mode, too. In terms of sound quality, we pegged them at a seven, which is the highest score for in-ear headphones in our first round of testing. Comfort landed at a six, and you can wear them for multiple hours without discomfort, which is perfect for a long flight or train ride. That said, we’ve noticed sore ears after extended use, so you may need to take a break from your media during a long-haul flight or a long day of working in the coffee shop.
Best of all, AirPods are incredibly small, including the case, which charges the headphones so that you can stow them anywhere, from your pants pocket to a travel sling. If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods are a great shout for continuity between devices.
Advertised battery life: Up to 30 hours (with case)
Why We Like It- They’re small enough to fit into your pocket and are easy to use with Apple products
- The noise cancellation is top-tier for earbuds
- The battery doesn’t last as long as over-ear headphones
- Your ears may get sore after extended use
The Jabra Elite 10 are some of the smallest earbuds we’ve tested, and that’s worth commending for a few reasons. First, they don’t feel as heavy in your ear. Second, they aren’t as noticeable while walking through the city, so people won’t necessarily know you have earbuds in. Third, they’re less likely to get caught on things, as they don’t stick out as far as other headphones do, which means they’re less likely to accidentally fall out. Plus, none of that compromises usability, as this model did well enough in our tests to be included on this list. The Jabra Elite 10 scored fives across the board, which isn’t top tier, but makes these a well-rounded performer that will cut out annoying conversations on the airplane, will allow you to bump music and listen to podcasts, and will stay comfortable for a few hours on the plane before you want to take them out. Plus, you can connect to two devices simultaneously, which is handy for switching between your computer and phone.
While the case isn’t particularly small, it still easily fits inside a sling or personal item bag for quick grabs on the plane. And, since it’s both Qi-certified for wireless charging and USB-C compatible, you have plenty of charging options while you’re on the road.
Advertised battery life: Up to 27 hours (with case)
Why We Like It- They’re some of the smallest earbuds on the market
- There are multiple inserts for different sized ears
- Because of their size, they’re easier to lose
- Our ears get sore quicker than with other earbuds, though they’re just as comfortable to begin with
If you’re looking for budget headphones, look no further. At the time of writing, the JBL Tune 510BT headphones come in at just under $50. They don’t have noise canceling, which will be a no-go for some travelers. Still, not everyone values noise cancellation, and the sound quality is pretty good, scoring a five and a half on our scale. Comfort lands at a five, but that will depend on the size of your ears. We noticed that these headphones have tiny earpads, so larger or sensitive-eared travelers may find them uncomfortable, as our primary tester did at times. This may also lead to ambient noise sneaking into the mix, as they won’t completely cover all ears. Still, for the price, you get a solid pair of headphones with good sound quality that won’t break the bank. There’s no case included, though the headphones feel pretty sturdy. For the price, we don’t mind missing out on a case, especially considering the headphones fold up pretty easily.
Advertised battery life: Up to 40 hours
Why We Like It- They retail for less than $50 at the time of writing
- The sound quality is quite good for the price
- The earpads are small, which may cause discomfort for larger-eared travelers
- They have no noise cancellation capabilities
The Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro from Anker is unique looking, which we dig, as most headphone cases are similar. The case is entertaining to play with, as it slides up like a futuristic device you’d see in a science fiction movie in the 1990s. There’s a small screen inside that shows the battery power of both headphones, so you’ll know when it’s time to plug them in to charge. Regarding noise cancellation, we gave these headphones a five on our scale, so they’ll work well for most flights (bar a screaming baby) or working in the coffee shop or Delta Lounge. In terms of sound quality and comfort, we gave the Liberty 4 Pro a six for both, as the bass is surprisingly good, the lows don't muddy the highs, and they’re comfortable enough to wear for a few hours without a break.
The controls on the headphones are a bit tough to get used to, especially if you have larger fingers, as you need to pinch and slide a finger to turn noise cancellation on and off or change the volume. Still, the case, features, and style make them a solid contender to take on your next trip!
Advertised battery life: Up to 50 hours (with case)
Why We Like It- The case is intuitive thanks to battery percentages and fun to play with
- The noise cancellation is quite good for the price
- Changing the volume or using the buttons is challenging if you have larger fingers
- Though unique, we worry about the durability of the case long term
So, there you have it! Hopefully you’ve got a few leads on what the best travel headphones are for you and what you should look for when making a purchase. Whether you’re playing rap, rock, classical, podcasts, or audiobooks, you’ll enjoy the listening experience more when you get something tailored to your needs. Enjoy the sound!
