Best Products Style Travel Accessories The 12 Most Comfortable Headphones for Traveling in 2023 Sony’s WH-1000XM4 will make you forget you’re even wearing headphones. By Joel Balsam Updated on November 8, 2022 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact checker, and researcher with more than 25 years’ experience in consumer-oriented content. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T + L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of Amazon There's arguably nothing more important to bring on a trip than a good pair of headphones. Well, other than your passport. Headphones help you zone out on long-haul flights and zone in when you need to get some work done. They keep you entertained on a jog and combat loneliness when traveling solo. However, anyone who's used the free headphones given out on planes knows how painful some pairs can get. Luckily, there are plenty of headphones out there that won't stop you from getting cozy on a red-eye. For the most comfortable pair with best-in-class noise cancellation, opt for Sony's WH-1000XM4. But if you're looking for a different style of earpiece or something optimized for long-distance calls home, this list has you covered there, too. Here are the most comfortable headphones to shop: Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Panasonic RP-HJE120 ErgoFit Earphones at Amazon Jump to Review Best Over-ear: Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones at Amazon Jump to Review Best In-ear: 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones at Amazon Jump to Review Best Earbuds: Apple Apple AirPods Pro at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Sleeping: Sony Noise Canceling Wireless Earbud Headphones at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Exercise: Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth Earbuds at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Gaming: HyperX Cloud Earbuds at Amazon Jump to Review Best Noise-canceling under $100: Anker Soundcore Life Q30 at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Calls: Jabra Elite 65T at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Why We Love It: The most comfortable headphones on the market also have the best noise cancellation technology. What to Consider: Over-ear headphones are inherently chunky, and they aren't waterproof. If you want the most comfortable pair of headphones, Sony's WH-1000XM4 model takes the cake. Originally released in 2020, this model has a light plastic headband that doesn't clamp hard on your head like other headphones — but the earcups are where the magic really happens. Excellent sound quality and active noise canceling combine to beat all rivals, and all the buttons you need are right there on the earcups. Plus, an extra wire means you can plug them into in-flight entertainment systems. Although this isn't Sony's latest model (that would be the WH-1000XM5), the XM4 is still the best for travelers because they can be balled up for easy transport. They also cost less, which means you'll have more money to spend on your next adventure. Price at time of publish: $350 Battery life: 30 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Wireless/wired over-ear | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes Best Budget Panasonic RP-HJE120 ErgoFit Earphones 4.2 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It: They come with three sizes of ear pads for an ideal fit. What to Consider: Spending more on headphones would be an investment in better sound quality and comfort. Remember Panasonic? The maker of your mom's favorite camcorder is still around and dishing out the best budget headphones on the market. For $11, you get a decent pair of headphones with a few fittings for different ear sizes. They come in over a dozen colors, including a stylish rose gold, metallic blue, and bright hues like orange and pink that will help you spot them in your overstuffed carry-on. You can opt for the model that includes a microphone for just a couple extra bucks. What more could you ask for? Price at time of publish: $10 Type: Wired in-ear | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: No Best Over-ear Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abt.com Why We Love It: They're some of the most comfortable headphones with spectacular noise cancellation. What to Consider: They're awkward to sleep in when seated, and Sony's WH-1000XM4 offers slightly better noise and wind cancellation. No discussion about the most comfortable headphones would be complete without a nod to Bose. The brand has long been at, or near the top, of the headphone game, and the QuietComfort 45 over-ear set are the most comfortable it's ever made (even compared to the newest Bose 700 model). I personally own a pair of the Bose QuietComfort 35, an older, wired pair that I use for editing, and being able to block out the world around you with noise cancellation is such a treat. This newer model is even better at noise canceling, plus they also have the option of going wireless. Price at time of publish: $329 Battery life: 24 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Wireless/wired over-ear | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes The 12 Best Wireless Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best In-ear 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones 4.2 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Adorama.com Why We Love It: The angled design keeps things comfy for long periods and the wire is convenient for in-flight entertainment. What to Consider: Bluetooth earbuds offer a more seamless experience and noise isolation won't stand up to active noise cancellation. Sure, there are plenty of in-ear headphones and earbuds on the market, but you can't do any better than 1MORE for the price. Designed by a Grammy-winning sound engineer, 1MORE's headphones are some of the comfiest on the market with angled fittings that come in nine different sizes to fit any ear canal. They also feature noise isolation that will help dull that pesky airplane hum. These headphones are wired, but wires do tend to deliver a slightly better sound than Bluetooth, and you'll be happy when you can plug into in-flight entertainment systems without using those shoddy ear-stabbing headphones they give out for free. Price at time of publish: $100 Type: Wired in-ear | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: Yes Best Earbuds Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation 5 Courtesy by Apple View On Walmart View On Abt.com View On Apple Why We Love It: Noise-canceling earbuds. I repeat, noise-cancelling earbuds. What to Consider: They're pricey and they can pop out of your ear rather easily if the tail gets knocked. I personally own a pair of these and don't leave the house without them. Heck, I don't even leave a room in my house without them. Apple's AirPods Pro are very light and didn't hurt at all during my recent nine-hour flight home from Italy, which is a testament to their comfort (I did take them off to charge for a bit because the battery died halfway through). The best part about the AirPods Pro — and what puts them above the AirPods 3 — is that they have active noise cancellation, which makes a big difference for tuning out the chatty Cathy next to you at the café. Price at time of publish: $235 Battery life: 4.5 hours | Bluetooth range: 40-60 feet | Type: Earbuds | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes Best for Sleeping Sony Noise Canceling Wireless Earbud Headphones Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Abt.com Why We Love It: They have surprisingly great noise-cancellation and battery life in a tiny package. What to Consider: When you're spending more than you would on a competing Apple product, you know you're making a huge investment for a set of earbuds. If you're the kind of person that likes to fall asleep to podcasts, music, audiobooks, and meditations, these Sony earbuds will send you off into snooze-land gracefully. They're tiny and fit snugly into your ears without any gaps for sound to come through. Meanwhile, they're probably the best noise-canceling earbuds available, so you should be able to get some shut-eye even if the person beside you on the plane is chatting away (I won't say they'll block out babies crying, because nothing can). The battery life is also better than the AirPods Pro and the microphone is great for virtual meetings.Price at time of publish: $278 Battery life: 8 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Earbuds | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes The Best Luggage Scales, According to Travel Experts Best for Exercise Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth Earbuds 4.2 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It: They have a snug fit and excellent sound, especially for bass. What to Consider: The neon-accent design is a love it or hate it kind of thing. Specifically designed for exercise, Sennheiser's CX Sport has fins that prevent them from falling out during your workout and various ear tips ensure they fit whatever ear size you have. If these do happen to come loose, the neck wire will prevent you from losing them, which is a downside of competing earbuds. As for sound, you can always trust Sennheiser, and this model has a particular emphasis on bass, which is great for those pump-up tracks. They're also sweat-resistant, so feel free to push yourself as much as you'd like. Price at time of publish: $130 Battery life: 6 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Around the neck in-ear | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: No Best for Gaming HyperX Cloud Earbuds Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Focuscamera.com Why We Love It: They're easy to transport with sound quality designed to amplify your gaming experience. What to Consider: They don't have noise cancellation and they're less comfortable than competing earbuds, especially for those with smaller ear canals. There are better gaming headsets if you're at home, but when you're on the road, you'll need something light and portable. HyperX's wired in-ear headphones do the trick. Their silicone ear tips come in a few different sizes for comfort, and they have a decent mic for bickering at your friends in any time zone. They also come with a sturdy, zippered carrying case that helps protect them throughout your travels. At less than $50, they're a great value for gaming on the go. Price at time of publish: $40 Type: Wired in-ear | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: Yes Best Noise-canceling under $100 Anker Soundcore Life Q30 4.2 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Soundcore.com Why We Love It: You can't beat these noise-canceling headphones for the price. What to Consider: They don't stack up to similar models from Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser, so you get what you pay for. Noise cancellation tends to come only on pricier headphones, but Anker has managed to do the impossible with its affordable noise-canceling technology. The brands Q30 over-ear model can block out 95 percent of low frequency ambient sound — and they're comfy, too. These wireless headphones come in black, blue, and pink and roll up nicely into a solid carrying case similar to the one you get with a pair of Bose headphones. As a fun unique feature, you can turn on Sleep Mode with Anker's app, which includes 11 ambient sounds like rain, birds, and wind, to help you snooze. You'll also get better battery life (40 hours) and Bluetooth range (65 feet) than other models on this list, and the addition of a cable is key to connect to in-flight entertainment. Price at time of publish: $80 Battery life: 40 hours | Bluetooth range: 65 feet | Type: Wired/wireless over-ear | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes Best for Calls Jabra Elite 65T True Wireless Earbuds & Charging Case 4.3 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Why We Love It: It's specifically tailored for mobile use and its microphones cut wind noise. What to Consider: It doesn't have noise cancellation and its battery lifespan is short. Another budget-friendly buy, Jabra's earbuds are incredibly comfortable and fit snugly without goofily hanging off your ear like AirPods. Many headphones skimp on the microphone, but Jabra's four-mic technology delivers excellent sound quality while cutting out wind noise, so they're great for calls. This model is specifically designed for mobile devices, so they'll do well if you pick up a call from your boss while traveling. You're sacrificing on battery life (just 1.5 hours) and noise cancellation (there isn't any), but these earbuds are an affordable option, especially since they're currently selling for less than a third of what they originally cost. Price at time of publish: $100 Battery life: 1.5 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Earbuds | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: Yes Most Durable Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Headphones Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It: The memory foam earpads are comfortable without feeling bulky. What to Consider: At this price-point, these headphones are definitely an investment, and you should be sure to utilize their carrying case. With a stainless steel headband and earpads made of memory foam covered in leather, these headphones are sure to endure even the most adventurous trips. This set comes with a compact case and the headband folds up for more durable and secure travel. Sennheiser's NoiseGard technology eliminates background noises so you can enjoy the highest sound quality or even use these headphones to cancel out travel noise and get some shut eye. The microphones are also designed to enhance your voice while filtering out background noise, so you can feel confident taking a call on the go. Price at time of publish: $100 Battery life: 22 hours | Bluetooth range: Not listed | Type: Wired/wireless over-ear | Noise Canceling: Yes | Microphone: Yes Best for Kids Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Volume Limited Kids Headphones Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Purosound.com Why We Love It: These headphones have an 85dB-limited volume range to protect the eardrums of younger listeners. What to Consider: These are not considered noise-canceling headphones, but rather noise isolating and will block most ambient noise. For little listeners on-the-go, this headphone set is a comfortable and health-conscious option that should protect kids from hearing damage. The Daisy chain cable also allows two headsets to connect to the same device for more fun while watching your favorite show or listening to some tunes. With an adjustable headband, cushioned ear pads, and a 20-hour batter life, your child is sure to stay entertained for the duration of their trip. Price at time of publish: $99 Battery life: 20 hours | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Type: Wireless over-ear | Noise Canceling: No | Microphone: Yes Tips for Buying Comfortable Headphones Find a pair that fits your ears properly Everyone's ears are different, so comfort is unfortunately not a one-size-fits-all. That's why most earbuds on this list come with various silicone ear tips for every ear canal. Over-ear headphones should fit most ear shapes, so you don't have to worry about that, but you may want to look for headphones that maximize adjustability. However, on-ear headphones tend to hurt after wearing them for a while, so they aren't ideal if comfort is your priority. Identify your top feature priorities Decide how you're going to use your headphones. Do you want to run with them? Use them to make calls? Take them on an ultra-light backpacking trip? Neck straps are great for exercising without worrying about an earbud going wayward. For the best noise cancellation, you'll need to buy clunky over-ear headphones that might not pack well. You can't have everything, so you'll have to identify which features will be most important for your intended use. Consider the padding and materials Most over-the-ear headsets are made with PVC, polyurethane, and silicone, but the padding and foam of the earcups can very dramatically. Leather and faux-leather padding is generally more comfortable and effective when it comes to noise cancelation because it creates an airtight seal around your ear. You may also want to look for metal headphones over plastic since they're usually more durable and will likely last longer. Frequently Asked Questions Wired or wireless: which type of headphones are better for travel? Both wired and wireless headphones available today have amazing sound quality, bluetooth capabilities, and optimized comfort, so at the end of the day, you should travel with whatever pair of headphones you like the best. The quality of a pair of headphones will largely depend on the brand, fit, and style, but we do recommend the Sony's WH-1000XM4 as the best overall headset for traveling.You should note that if your adventure includes airplane travel, pack a back-up pair of wired headphones — or wireless transmitter — since most in-flight entertainment systems are not compatible with bluetooth headsets. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, writer Joel Balsam, a frequent traveler who has visited more than 50 countries, reviewed and selected the best headphones for ultimate comfort while traveling. The 10 Best Noise-canceling Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Instagram Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit