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 or just shutting out the chattering seat mate or nearby crying baby. While premium models often come with a hefty price tag, there are now many options for under $100 that offer good performance.
Bose pioneered the active noise cancelation (ANC) headphone, but many of their patents have expired and new chips have been developed that have allowed other manufacturers to provide similar capabilities. As a result, in the under $200 category, headphones selection is now more about comfort, the controls to manage the music, battery life, and audio quality.
Below is a sampling of the top selling noise-canceling headphones.
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 | $50 | 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 wider range of ambient sounds than the cheaper models. My personal favorite among all ANC headphones is the Sony WH-1000XM5. Their previous model, the WH-1000XM4, is my second choice and is available for under $250, a bargain for a headphones that originally sold for almost $500. All of these models are very comfortable with their plush leather covered ear cushions and offer good audio quality for both music and speech.
- Budget-friendly options: A product such as the $70 Anker Soundcore Life Q30 provides effective noise cancelation suitable for most environments, but is a bit less effective over a large range of frequencies. Build quality is also lower than the top models/
- Compactness – I have never traveled with headphones in their supplied case because the case 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 models with the best performance for their size is the Apple AIrPods Pro 2 and the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds. The Sony’s audio quality is superior to the AIrPod, but neither are as effective for noise cancellation as over the ear headphones.
- Battery Life: For long-haul travelers, battery longevity is crucial. Most models 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 them.
