The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travelers
Among travel accessories, noise-canceling headphones have become indispensable for frequent travelers seeking to reduce the ambient noise on planes while enjoying music, or just shutting out the chattering of a nearby passenger or a crying baby. While premium models often come with a hefty price tag, there are now many options for under $100 that offer decent performance. While Bose became known for inventing the ANC (active noise cancelation) headphone, many of their patents have expired, new chips have been developed, and less expensive options proliferate.
Below is a comparison of a few of the top selling noise-canceling headphones, many of which are on sale right now.
A Sampling of Comparison of Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travelers
| Model | Type | Noise Cancellation | Battery Life | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Over-Ear | Advanced | Up to 29 hours | $349 | Exceptional ANC, plush comfort, balanced sound profile. |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Over-Ear | Advanced | Up to 30 hours | $329 | Adaptive sound control, high-resolution audio, touch controls, multi-device pairing. |
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | In-Ear | Advanced | Up to 20 hours (with case) | $249 | Seamless Apple integration, spatial audio, premium build quality. |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | In-Ear | Advanced | Up to 6 hours | $299 | Compact design, class-leading ANC, rich sound quality. |
| Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds | In-Ear | Advanced | Up to 8 hours | $299 | Adaptive sound control, high-resolution audio, customizable touch controls. |
| Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless | Over-Ear | Effective | Up to 44 hours | $69 | Three ANC modes, customizable sound via app, multi-device pairing. |
| JBL Tune 760NC Wireless | Over-Ear | Moderate | Up to 35 hours | $79 | Lightweight design, decent ANC performance, quick charging capabilities. |
| Xpods Pro ANC True Wireless Headphones | In-Ear | Adaptive | Up to 25 hours | $49.99 | Adaptive noise cancellation, ambient transparency, IPX5 waterproof rating, quick charging. |
| Nothing Ear | In-Ear | Good | Up to 30 hours | $79 | Budget-friendly, decent noise cancellation, IP54 water resistance. |
| Soundcore by Anker Space One | Over-Ear | Effective | Up to 40 hours | $99 | Excellent noise cancellation, comfortable design, suitable for various environments. |
Key Considerations for Travelers
- Noise Cancelation Performance: Premium models like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5 offer advanced noise-canceling capabilities, effectively reducing a broad range of ambient sounds. My personal favorite is the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their previous model, the WH-1000XM4, is my second choice and is available for under $250 (A Best Buy). All of these are a 10/10 for comfort, performance and audio quality.
- Budget-friendly options: Products such as the $70 Anker Soundcore Life Q30 provide effective noise cancelation suitable for most environments, but noise reduction over a large swatch of sound and comfort are not as good.
- Compactness – I have never traveled with the larger headphones in their supplied case because it takes up too much room. Instead I use a soft pouch and a model whose earpieces fold flat within the headband to more easily fit into a briefcase. The most compact model with the best performance for its size is the Apple AIrPods Pro 2.
- Battery Life: For long-haul travelers, battery longevity is crucial. Models like the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 and Sony WH-1000XM5 offer extended battery life, ensuring uninterrupted use during extended journeys. Most all will work without charging on flights as long as 20 hours.
- Audio Quality: Audio quality is generally very good on most of these products. The more expensive ones offer better clarity and less boominess, making them excellent for the spoken word such as podcasts.
- Comfort and Design: Comfort is paramount, especially during prolonged use and the more expensive models use more comfortable and more durable ear cushions. But try before buying because all ears are not the same.
Final Thoughts
This is the number one travel accessory for serious travelers and unlike my expired Amex card, I never leave home without it!