Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work in providing free travel tips. Thank you for your support!
Why You Need Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel
Traveling, whether by plane, train, or bus, often means dealing with loud background noise that can disrupt your peace. Noise-canceling headphones are essential for blocking out unwanted sounds, enhancing your listening experience, and ensuring a stress-free journey. In this guide, we’ll explore the best noise-canceling headphones for travel in 2025, helping you choose the perfect pair for your next trip.
What to Look for in Travel-Friendly Noise-Canceling Headphones
Before diving into our top picks, here are a few key factors to consider:
Noise Cancellation: Active noise-canceling (ANC) technology reduces external sounds, making travel more comfortable.
Comfort & Fit: Long flights require comfortable, lightweight headphones with cushioned ear cups.
Battery Life: Look for headphones with at least 20-30 hours of battery life to last through long journeys.
Portability: Foldable or compact designs make packing easier.
Sound Quality: Crisp audio and deep bass enhance music, podcasts, and movies.
Connectivity: Wireless Bluetooth options offer tangle-free convenience.
Top 10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2025
1. Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Industry-leading noise cancellation for immersive listening.
Up to 24 hours of battery life.
Lightweight design with plush ear cushions for comfort.
Crystal-clear calls with built-in microphones.
The Bose QuietComfort headphones provide an unbeatable noise-canceling experience, making them a must-have for travelers who prioritize peace and high-quality sound.
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
2. Sony WH-1000XM5 – The Best Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Adaptive sound control automatically adjusts noise cancellation.
30-hour battery life for long-haul flights.
High-resolution audio for an immersive sound experience.
Lightweight and foldable for easy travel.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones offer state-of-the-art noise cancellation, making them perfect for drowning out airplane noise and enhancing your entertainment.
THE BEST NOISE CANCELLATION: Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto NC Optimizer, noise canceling is automatically optimized based on your wearing conditions and environment.
3. Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Active noise cancellation with Transparency Mode.
Spatial audio for theater-like surround sound.
Premium aluminum design with memory foam ear cushions.
20 hours of listening time on a single charge.
For Apple users, the AirPods Max delivers an incredible audio experience with deep bass, crisp highs, and seamless connectivity with Apple devices.
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE — Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio. Computational audio combines custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences.
- FIVE FRESH COLORS — AirPods Max come in five fresh colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange. A color-matched Smart Case is also included.
4. Sennheiser Consumer Audio HD 650
Why You’ll Love Them:
Audiophile-grade sound quality.
Open-back design for natural and detailed sound.
Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions.
Premium build quality ensures durability.
The Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are ideal for travelers who appreciate rich, detailed sound while relaxing at their destination.
- Specially designed acoustic silk ensures precision damping over the entire frequency range and helps to reduce THD to an incredible 0.05 percent
- Improved frequency response is 10 39,500 Hertz ( 10 dB)
5. Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Personalized spatial audio for an immersive experience.
Up to 40 hours of battery life with ANC off.
Fast Fuel charging—10 minutes provides 3 hours of playback.
Stylish and durable with premium materials.
Beats Studio Pro combines noise cancellation with deep bass and stylish design, making them a fantastic option for frequent travelers.
- BEATS' CUSTOM ACOUSTIC PLATFORM delivers rich, immersive sound whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO via USB-C plus three distinct built-in sound profiles to enhance your listening experience
- HEAR WHAT YOU WANT with two distinct listening modes: fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode
6. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Over-Ear Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Adaptive noise cancellation for superior quiet.
30-hour battery life with fast charging.
Precision-tuned sound for balanced audio.
Sleek and premium design.
These headphones offer a luxurious listening experience with premium materials and top-tier noise cancellation.
- AN UPGRADE TO THE AWARD-WINNING PX7 - With a redesigned and optimized acoustic system, an all-new angled drive unit design, and a more powerful motor system, the B&W Px7 S2 over-ear headphones deliver class-leading audio performance with increased clarity.Control Type:Voice
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES WITH MIC - The all-new active noise cancellation is designed to block unwanted noise and ensure superior musicality; Features (2) adjustable external microphones that enhance voice clarity, significantly improving call quality
7. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Adaptive noise cancellation and crystal-clear calls.
60-hour battery life for extended use.
Lightweight and foldable design.
High-resolution sound with deep bass.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones provide an exceptional mix of comfort, long battery life, and incredible noise-canceling capabilities.
- Maximum audio resolution with Sennheiser Signature Sound: Enjoy premium music quality all-day long thanks to the headphone's audiophile-inspired 42mm transducer system and aptX Adaptive.Specific uses for product : Music
- Stay immersed in your music: Thanks to the headphone's Adaptive Noise Cancellation, you stay distraction-free - and with the Adjustable Transparency Mode you stay in touch with the world around you.
8. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
11 levels of adjustable noise cancellation.
Comfortable design with plush ear cushions.
Bluetooth multipoint pairing for seamless device switching.
Deep bass and clear vocals for a superior listening experience.
Bose continues to be a leader in the noise-canceling headphone space, delivering an elite listening experience with this premium model.
- SPATIAL AUDIO HEADPHONES: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with spatial audio give you an immersive experience that makes music feel more real; CustomTune technology offers personalized sound, shaped to you
- NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES: These wireless noise cancelling headphones feature Quiet Mode, Aware Mode and Immersion Mode, which combines full noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio
9. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
Why You’ll Love Them:
Hybrid noise cancellation for total immersion.
Luxurious materials with memory foam cushions.
Ultra-clear sound with refined acoustic tuning.
30-hour battery life with quick charge support.
For travelers looking for a premium, high-end option, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 offers unparalleled sound and comfort.
- INDUSTRY-DEFINING AUDIO PERFORMANCE - With a redesigned and optimized acoustic system, an all-new angled, ultra-high-resolution carbon drive unit,
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES WITH MIC - The all-new active noise cancellation is designed to block unwanted noise and ensure superior musicality.
- PREMIUM LUXURIOUS DESIGN FOR A COMFORTABLE FIT - With soft Nappa leather and lightweight aluminum arms, and all-round improvements to ear cushion fit.
10. Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2
Why You’ll Love Them:
Superior Noise Cancellation
45-hour battery life with quick charge support, ideal for long trips without frequent recharging.
Premium Build Quality and Exceptional Sound Quality
For travelers seeking a combination of high-quality sound, effective noise cancellation, and premium comfort. Their extended battery life and superior build quality make them a reliable choice for frequent flyers.
- PREMIUM, STUDIO-QUALITY SOUND through custom-engineered 50mm dynamic drivers.
- SPATIALIZED AUDIO technology uses a proprietary algorithm to enhance the depth of your listening experience by widening the sound stage without introducing unnatural artifacts. Available in three unique modes - Music, Cinema, or Podcast.
- NEW HYBRID ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC) technology blocks out distractions for a truly immersive and natural listening experience improved over the prior generation.
- UP TO 45 HOURS BATTERY LIFE with quick charge capabilities, more than doubling runtime from the prior generation. Fifteen minutes of charge provides 5 hours of use.
Final Thoughts
Investing in the best noise-canceling headphones for travel in 2025 can transform your journey by eliminating distractions and improving your overall travel experience. Whether you’re on a long-haul flight, commuting by train, or simply relaxing at your destination, these headphones offer superior sound quality and noise reduction.
Which of these noise-canceling headphones is your favorite? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our other travel gear recommendations to make your trips even more enjoyable!