Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • BookTandL.com
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

LIVE
  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Travel Accessories
  4. 13 Travel-friendly Headphones That Will Make Any Trip More Enjoyable

13 Travel-friendly Headphones That Will Make Any Trip More Enjoyable

By Dobrina Zhekova
February 22, 2018
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Travel Headphones
Credit: Izabela Habur/Getty Images
Whether you're hoping to listen to that album you’ve been meaning to for months, to binge-watch movies, or take a nap without having to listen to the passengers around you, our number one piece of advice is: Never board a plane or a train without headphones.

Of course, finding the right pair takes some research and time. The first thing you should look for in a nice pair of travel-friendly headphones is noise cancellation. This feature not only isolates ambient noise so you can enjoy your movie without hearing the baby in 19B cry for the entire flight, it will also serve your fellow passengers by blocking the sound from whatever movie you're watching while they try to read a book. Basically, it’s a win-win.

Related: 17 Tech Gadgets T+L Editors Never Travel Without

And since you can spend hours at a time wearing headphones while traveling, they must also be light and comfortable. Your ears or head should not hurt after watching only one episode of your favorite show. My personal rule of thumb is if I can fall asleep with the headphones on and not wake up with a headache, then I know I’ve invested my money well.

It is also essential for your headphones not to take up a third of the room in your travel tote. This is not an issue you’ll have with earbuds, but if you’re shopping for over-ear headphones, opt for a foldable or collapsible pair.

Obviously, great sound quality is a must and the good news is that nowadays you don’t have to break the bank to get headphones that offer crisp sound and punchy bass.

Keep scrolling for 14 travel-friendly pairs at every price point to make your next trip more pleasant.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Frequent and business travelers take note — Bose’s new version of their QuietComfort 35s is absolutely worth the investment. Not only do they have superior noise-canceling qualities, but you can now adjust the level of noise-canceling to better fit your environment. The battery lasts an impressive 20 hours and a quick 15-minute charge will give you two and a half hours of battery life. The headphones also come with Google Assistant built in, so you can manage your daily tasks or receive texts via voice command.

To buy: amazon.com, $349

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jabra Sport Pace Wireless Earbud Headphones

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Jabra

For all you sports enthusiasts who don’t like skipping workouts while on a trip, these cool wireless headphones are everything you’d wish for — sweat-resistant with a built-in microphone and a reflective cable that keeps you safe in case you decide to go for a night run.

To buy: amazon.com, $48 (originally $99)

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

The updated version of these popular headphones is lighter, more comfortable, and will play your favorite tunes longer. The improved dual-mode Adaptive Noise Canceling feature lets you block outside noise even if you’re not listening to music, and the 12-hour rechargeable battery will surely last one very long flight. And last but not least, the headphones are foldable so they won’t take up much space in your carry-on bag.

To buy: amazon.com, $270

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bose QuietComfort 20

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Bose

Bose’s noise-canceling technology “shuts out the world” and lets you “focus on your music.” The great thing about that feature is that you can turn it on or off so you can hear those pilot announcements in case of turbulence, for example. The soft tips form a gentle seal so it doesn't hurt your ears and contribute to noise reduction. The QuietComfort 20 headphones are available for Apple devices as well as Samsung and Android.

To buy: amazon.com, $249

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Etymotic Research MC5

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Etymotic

With great sound accuracy and a very high noise-isolation level, this pair of headphones is not only a great option for that price point but you can also be certain they are a durable one. They come in a box that includes an assortment of ear tips so you can find the best and most comfortable seal for you.

To buy: amazon.com, $79

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sony MDRXB950BT/R

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Sony

You’ll be lying if you said these Sony headphones don’t grab your attention. And trust us they are worth it — with impressive sound quality and a Bass Boost button that delivers an extraordinary bass response, they will make you feel like you’re in a club and not stuck on a train or a plane. The built-in rechargeable battery will last a remarkable 20 hours and the wrap-around-the-ear cushions are a good seal for the ultimate listening experience.

To buy: amazon.com, $119

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Jwait Bluetooth Headphones

Jwait best travel headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

These in-ear headphones feature superior Bluetooth technology and offer a faster and more stable connection between devices. The battery lasts for up to ten hours and it will take only about an hour and a half to recharge it. Expect HD sound quality and an impressive bass performance, especially for this price point.

To buy: amazon.com, $20

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apple AirPods

apple airpods
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Apple's tiny, tangle-free AirPods are the most effortless way to get rich, high-quality sound. They'll connect automatically to your iPhone or other Apple devices. And the case holds up to 24 hours worth of extra power; just 15 minutes of charge will give you three hours of listening time.

To buy: amazon.com, $145 (originally $159)

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ghostek soDrop series

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Ghostek

With top-of-the-line sound quality and an uber cool design that will turn a few heads at the airport, these headphones basically look just as great as they sound. There’s a built-in microphone in one of the earcups so you don’t have to remove them to take a phone call. And the bi-directional noise reduction feature will ensure your full attention is on the sound.

To buy: amazon.com, $70

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Symphonized NRG 3.0 Earbuds

symphonized best travel headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Crafted from real wood, these headphones produce impeccable sound while blocking out any surrounding noise. They come with three silicone ear tips, in three different sizes, for a custom and comfortable fit.

To buy: amazon.com, $26

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

TaoTronics Active Noise-canceling Headphones

Travel Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Listen to music or binge-watch your favorite TV show for up to 15 hours with these headphones. The built-in noise-canceling microphone also lets you have undisturbed voice calls.

To buy: amazon.com, $46

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Even H3 Bluetooth Headphones

Even H3 Bluetooth Headphones
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

It’s relatively easy to find wireless headphones that deliver on either price or sound quality, but a set that achieves a happy medium between the two is rare. Developed with input from musicians and sound, software, and hardware engineers, the latest iteration of this over-the-ear set by Even is both affordable and made with the high standards music aficionados have in mind. After being paired with your device, the headphones’ app takes you through a quick quiz to determine how you hear a handful of frequencies, then creates a personalized “audio print” that optimizes music to your hearing — one of our editors was shocked by the difference. What better way to tune out plane cabin cacophony?

To buy: weareeven.com, $149

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Oucomi Active Noise-cancelling Bluetooth Headphones

best travel headphones oucomi
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

These foldable headphones weaken surrounding noise by 20dB with the switch of a button. They deliver impeccable connection via Bluetooth which makes them perfect for hands-free calls (they have a built-in microphone) as well as listening to music. The battery lasts 12 hours.

To buy: amazon.com, $60

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Dobrina Zhekova

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
    2 of 13 Jabra Sport Pace Wireless Earbud Headphones
    3 of 13 Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
    4 of 13 Bose QuietComfort 20
    5 of 13 Etymotic Research MC5
    6 of 13 Sony MDRXB950BT/R
    7 of 13 Jwait Bluetooth Headphones
    8 of 13 Apple AirPods
    9 of 13 Ghostek soDrop series
    10 of 13 Symphonized NRG 3.0 Earbuds
    11 of 13 TaoTronics Active Noise-canceling Headphones
    12 of 13 Even H3 Bluetooth Headphones
    13 of 13 Oucomi Active Noise-cancelling Bluetooth Headphones

    Share options

    Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Sitemap
    • Travel Guide Sitemap

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Travel + Leisure Group
    Other Meredith Sites

    Other Meredith Sites

    • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
    • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
    • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
    • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
    • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
    • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
    • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
    • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
    • Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
    • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
    • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
    • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
    • More this link opens in a new tab
    • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
    • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
    • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
    • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
    • Parents this link opens in a new tab
    • People this link opens in a new tab
    • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
    • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
    • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
    • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
    • Shape this link opens in a new tab
    • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
    • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
    • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    13 Travel-friendly Headphones That Will Make Any Trip More Enjoyable
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.