Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel
We've tested 25+ noise-canceling headphones on flights, trains, and in busy airports to find the models that actually deliver peace and quiet. From premium options that silence crying babies to budget picks that handle engine drone, here's what works.
$
Why we chose it: Industry-leading ANC, 30-hour battery, superior comfort for long flights
Check Price$
Why we chose it: Legendary Bose comfort and ANC quality at a more accessible price point
Check PriceSoundcore Life Q30
$79.99
Hybrid ANC (95% reduction), 40-hour battery with ANC, Hi-Res Audio, 3 ANC modes, Custom EQ app
Why we chose it: Impressive ANC performance for under $100, perfect for occasional travelers
Check PriceQuick Comparison - Top 10 Models
| Best For | Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
WH-1000XM6 Wireless Premium Pick ✓ Foldable for travel, Latest ANC technology, Co-created with audio engineers, Premium sound quality✗ Most expensive option, Newer with fewer reviews | $449.99 | 4.6★ | Premium buyers wanting latest technology | View |
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Premium Pick ✓ Best-in-class comfort, Excellent ANC performance, Immersive spatial audio, aptX Lossless codec support✗ Higher price than Sony, Bass-heavy out of box (needs EQ), No wired USB-C audio | $429.99 | 4.6★ | Comfort-focused users, spatial audio enthusiasts, long listening sessions | View |
AirPods Pro 2 Premium Pick ✓ Best-in-class ANC for earbuds, Hearing test and aid features, Excellent Apple ecosystem integration, IP54 water resistant✗ Apple ecosystem only for best features, Premium price, White color only | $249.99 | 4.6★ | Apple users, hearing health conscious, premium earbud seekers | View |
MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Premium Pick ✓ Best-in-class 60-hour battery, Excellent sound quality, Competitive price vs Sony/Bose, Comfortable for long wear✗ ANC not quite as strong as Sony/Bose, Plastic build vs metal, App experience could be better | $379.99 | 4.5★ | Audiophiles on a budget, long-haul travelers, value seekers | View |
WH-1000XM5 Wireless Premium Pick ✓ Industry-leading ANC, Excellent sound quality, Crystal clear calls, Quick charge capability, Lightweight design✗ Does not fold for travel, Premium price point, No aptX support | $399.99 | 4.5★ | Frequent travelers, remote workers, audiophiles | View |
AirPods Max Premium Pick ✓ Best spatial audio implementation, Premium materials, Excellent transparency mode, Seamless Apple integration✗ Very expensive, Heavy at 385g, Smart Case design controversial, No 3.5mm jack | $549.99 | 4.4★ | Apple ecosystem users, spatial audio enthusiasts, luxury buyers | View |
Soundcore Life Q30 ✓ Excellent value for money, Long battery life, Comfortable for extended wear, Multiple ANC modes✗ Build quality concerns over time, Bass-heavy default tuning, Plastic construction | $79.99 | 4.4★ | Budget-conscious buyers, first-time ANC users, students | View |
QuietComfort Headphones Premium Pick ✓ Legendary Bose ANC, More affordable than Ultra, Long battery life, Very comfortable✗ No spatial audio, Basic feature set, Heavy bass tuning | $349.99 | 4.3★ | First-time ANC buyers, comfort seekers on budget | View |
Soundcore Space Q45 ✓ LDAC high-res codec support, Adaptive ANC technology, Excellent battery life, Good microphone✗ App experience could be better, Sound quality just okay, Not as refined as premium brands | $149.99 | 4.3★ | Commuters, remote workers, LDAC users on budget | View |
Soundcore Life Q20 ✓ Incredibly long battery life, Very affordable, Comfortable fit, Good for the price✗ Micro-USB charging, No app support, Basic ANC performance, No carrying case | $59.99 | 4.3★ | Ultra-budget buyers, casual listeners, backup headphones | View |
Prices and availability are accurate as of 6/21/2025. Click product names for full reviews.
In-Depth Reviews
29,876 reviews
H2 chip, 2x better ANC, Hearing health features, 6-hour battery (30 with case), Spatial audio, USB-C charging
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class ANC for earbuds, Hearing test and aid features, Excellent Apple ecosystem integration, IP54 water resistant
Cons
- ✗Apple ecosystem only for best features, Premium price, White color only
12,543 reviews
Spatial audio with head tracking, CustomTune personalized sound, Up to 24 hours battery, aptX Lossless support, Premium comfort design
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class comfort, Excellent ANC performance, Immersive spatial audio, aptX Lossless codec support
Cons
- ✗Higher price than Sony, Bass-heavy out of box (needs EQ), No wired USB-C audio
3,241 reviews
Next-gen processor, Studio-quality sound, Foldable design, Enhanced ANC, 30-hour battery
Pros
- ✓Foldable for travel, Latest ANC technology, Co-created with audio engineers, Premium sound quality
Cons
- ✗Most expensive option, Newer with fewer reviews
85,432 reviews
30mm drivers, 8 microphones for ANC, 30-hour battery, 3-min quick charge for 3 hours, LDAC codec, DSEE Extreme
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading ANC, Excellent sound quality, Crystal clear calls, Quick charge capability, Lightweight design
Cons
- ✗Does not fold for travel, Premium price point, No aptX support
5,632 reviews
60-hour battery life, Adaptive ANC, aptX Adaptive codec, Premium sound quality, Foldable design
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class 60-hour battery, Excellent sound quality, Competitive price vs Sony/Bose, Comfortable for long wear
Cons
- ✗ANC not quite as strong as Sony/Bose, Plastic build vs metal, App experience could be better
82,710 reviews
Hybrid ANC (95% reduction), 40-hour battery with ANC, Hi-Res Audio, 3 ANC modes, Custom EQ app
Pros
- ✓Excellent value for money, Long battery life, Comfortable for extended wear, Multiple ANC modes
Cons
- ✗Build quality concerns over time, Bass-heavy default tuning, Plastic construction
21,543 reviews
Spatial audio with head tracking, 20-hour battery, Premium build, Digital Crown control, Computational audio
Pros
- ✓Best spatial audio implementation, Premium materials, Excellent transparency mode, Seamless Apple integration
Cons
- ✗Very expensive, Heavy at 385g, Smart Case design controversial, No 3.5mm jack
85,046 reviews
Basic ANC, 60-hour battery, BassUp technology, Memory foam ear cups
Pros
- ✓Incredibly long battery life, Very affordable, Comfortable fit, Good for the price
Cons
- ✗Micro-USB charging, No app support, Basic ANC performance, No carrying case
Key Features for Travelers
1. Noise Cancellation Quality
Look for headphones that handle multiple noise types:
- Low-frequency noise: Engine drone, air conditioning
- Mid-frequency noise: Conversations, announcements
- Adaptive ANC: Automatically adjusts to your environment
- Transparency mode: Hear announcements without removing headphones
2. Comfort for Long Flights
- Cushioned headband that doesn't create pressure points
- Ear cups that fully surround your ears
- Breathable materials to prevent sweating
- Weight under 10 oz for all-day comfort
3. Travel-Friendly Design
- Foldable design with included carrying case
- Durable construction that survives bag stuffing
- Controls that work with gloves on
- Airplane adapter included (though less common now)
4. Battery and Charging
- Minimum 20 hours with ANC on
- Quick charge feature (3+ hours from 10 minutes)
- USB-C charging for compatibility
- Battery indicator on device
Price vs. Performance
Under $150
Good ANC, basic features, great for occasional travel
$150-300
Excellent ANC, comfort, and features for regular travelers
$300+
Best-in-class everything for frequent flyers and audiophiles