The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel 2025
Embark on your next adventure with the ultimate travel companion: the best noise-canceling headphones. This guide for 2025 meticulously curates the top headphones for travelers, considering factors like noise cancellation effectiveness, comfort, battery life, and portability. Whether you're seeking tranquility on a long-haul flight, focusing on work in a bustling airport, or simply enjoying your favorite music on the go, discover the perfect pair to enhance your travel experience and minimize distractions. We've reviewed a range of options, from premium models packed with features to budget-friendly choices that deliver exceptional value. Stay connected, entertained, and relaxed with our top picks for noise-canceling headphones, all thoughtfully selected for the discerning traveler.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Soundcore Space One Pro Wireless Headphones
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
JBL Live 770NC Noise Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Over-Ear Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Top-Rated Noise-Canceling Headphones Overall
Our expert picks for the best noise-canceling headphones, excelling in all areas.
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are our top-rated travel pick for 2025, thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation and comfort. They deliver up to 30 hours of playback, making them perfect for long journeys, though their non-foldable design requires a larger case. Despite some concerns about fit during extended wear, their versatile features and stellar sound quality justify their premium status.
What We Like
- ✓Excellent active noise cancellation that handles low and mid frequencies very well.
- ✓Comfortable ear pads and light overall weight for long-haul wear.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Battery life is around 30 hours with ANC enabled, which may be shorter than some competitors.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Flights
Specifically designed to combat the roar of airplane engines and in-flight noise.
For travelers prioritizing portability, the Soundcore Space One Pro folds into a compact donut-style bundle yet still delivers excellent sound and very comfortable wear in our testing. Battery life is a standout—around 40 hours with ANC on (up to 60 with it off)—and pairing is effortless, though ANC isn't quite at Sony or B&W flagship levels. Its chunky look and physical button controls feel a bit dated. Still, at $185.49 and an 8/10 score, it's a smart value pick for frequent flyers.
What We Like
- ✓Long battery life—up to 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off.
- ✓Foldable donut-style design makes them unusually compact for travel.
Room for Improvement
- ✗ANC is strong for the price but not class-leading against flagship rivals.
- ✗Bulky/chunky in appearance when worn despite the compact folding mechanism.
- ✗Physical button controls are less intuitive and responsive than touch controls.
JBL Tour One M2 provides excellent active noise cancellation and a robust 50-hour battery life without ANC, which is impressive. However, during our review, we found it lacked standout features and support for high-res codecs, making it less compelling compared to top-tier travel headphones. Its overall comfort is good, but some users might find it too heavy after long periods.
What We Like
- ✓Long battery life with about 30 hours using ANC and up to 50 hours without ANC.
- ✓Adaptive True Adaptive ANC that adjusts to surroundings for effective noise suppression.
- ✓Foldable, lightweight design makes the headphones more portable for travel.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Bluetooth (wireless) audio quality is only decent compared with wired listening.
- ✗Microphone / call quality is mediocre and can distort deeper tones in the voice.
- ✗No LDAC or aptX support, limiting higher-resolution Bluetooth codec options.
Beats Studio Pro earned an 8/10 in our review for travel-ready ANC and a dependable 40-hour battery that breezed through cross-country flights. We loved the convenience of USB-C lossless playback and spatial audio with head tracking on compatible devices, though on-device tuning is limited and there's no multi-band EQ. In our testing, the fit ran tight and the microphones lagged behind rivals in busy terminals. If you value strong noise blocking over customization, it's a smarter pick than JBL's Live 670NC.
What We Like
- ✓Active noise cancellation is strong and effective for travel and busy environments.
- ✓Battery life lasts around 40 hours on a full charge, suitable for long trips.
- ✓Supports lossless audio over USB-C and spatial audio with head tracking on compatible devices.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Microphone and call quality are sub-par compared with rivals.
- ✗Fit can feel tight for some users and may become uncomfortable over long sessions.
- ✗Limited on-device sound customization and no multi-band EQ in the app.
JBL's Live 770NC notched a 7.5/10 thanks to very effective ANC that tames engine hum and a stellar 55-hour battery life with ANC on (up to 65 with it off). During our testing, pairing was painless and sound was confidently tuned, but call quality came across muffled and the ear cups can feel pressuring for larger ears. For long-haul trips, its endurance outlasts Beats Studio Pro, though calls are no better. It's the better JBL travel pick versus the Live 670NC.
What We Like
- ✓Effective active noise cancellation that reduces low frequencies very well.
- ✓Long battery life, roughly 55 hours with ANC enabled in real-world tests.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Microphone and call quality are reported as muffled or distorted in some tests.
- ✗Ear cups may feel slightly pressuring or cramped for users with larger ears.
Looking for marathon battery life? The Sennheiser Accentum Plus kept playing for around 50 hours with ANC in our testing, making it a reliable pick for multi-leg flights. Wireless performance is rock solid thanks to Bluetooth multipoint and aptX Adaptive, and sound quality is good, though the ANC isn't class-leading versus our top-rated Sony WH-1000XM5. The smaller earcups may feel snug for larger ears, and some app features require a Sennheiser account, but at $249.95 it's a practical, 7/10 travel companion.
What We Like
- ✓Very long battery life lasting around 50 hours with ANC enabled.
- ✓Supports Bluetooth multipoint and modern codecs including aptX Adaptive for stable wireless connections.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Active noise cancellation is effective but not class-leading compared with top flagship models.
- ✗Earcups may feel small for some users, causing fit and comfort issues.
- ✗Some convenient app features (Sound Zones, My Sound) require creating a Sennheiser account.
Best Value Noise-Canceling Headphones
High-quality noise cancellation and sound at a more affordable price point.
The Soundcore Life Q30 is an affordable choice with excellent battery life—up to 40 hours with ANC—making it practical for long flights. Its comfort is good, and the foldable design adds to portability, but sound quality tends to emphasize midrange frequencies over highs. It's a decent option for budget-conscious travelers who need reliable noise cancellation without extra frills.
What We Like
- ✓Effective active noise cancellation for low-frequency sounds like airplane engines.
- ✓Very long battery life with ANC enabled (around 44 hours reported).
- ✓Comfortable over-ear fit for extended travel use.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Build quality can feel plasticky and some users report cracking over time.
- ✗Audio leaks at high volumes, which may disturb nearby passengers.
- ✗Microphone and call performance are only mediocre compared with higher-end models.
The Edifier W830NB offers an impressive 94 hours of battery life and decent noise cancellation, especially considering its budget-friendly price. Its plush ear cups and lightweight design make for comfortable extended wear during travel, although sound quality leans toward midrange emphasis. Its simplified build and basic features suit budget travelers who prioritize duration and value over premium materials.
What We Like
- ✓Very long battery life — up to 94 hours with ANC off and about 54 hours with ANC on.
- ✓Supports LDAC for higher-resolution wireless audio playback.
- ✓Lightweight and comfortable fit suitable for long travel sessions.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Noise cancellation is useful but not the strongest compared with premium ANC competitors.
- ✗Build materials feel somewhat plastic and less premium than higher-priced rivals.
- ✗No included hard carry case for travel protection in the box.
The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro stands out for its impressive 65 hours of battery life and effective noise cancellation at a budget-friendly price. Its comfortable design makes long listening sessions easy, though build quality feels plasticky and less durable. While the sound quality is good, it doesn’t reach audiophile levels, and the limited portability may be a concern for frequent travelers.
What We Like
- ✓Very long battery life with up to 100 hours (ANC off) and 65 hours with ANC on.
- ✓Supports Hi-Res LDAC codec for higher-quality Bluetooth streaming.
- ✓Includes a hard carry case and a wired 2.5mm-to-3.5mm cable for travel versatility.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Build quality and button controls feel plasticky compared with more expensive models.
- ✗App situation and feature placement are confusing, making some settings harder to find.
- ✗A faint rushing/hearing noise may be noticeable in very quiet environments.
Sony WH-CH720N offers a great balance of affordability and performance with 35 hours of battery life and lightweight comfort, making them perfect for casual travel. Its noise cancellation isn’t as advanced as premium models, but the sound remains well-balanced. They're a reliable, budget-friendly choice, though their non-foldable design slightly limits portability during extended trips.
What We Like
- ✓Long battery life (about 35 hours with ANC on, up to 50 hours with ANC off).
- ✓Effective active noise cancellation for the price thanks to Dual Noise Sensor and Processor V1.
- ✓Comfortable, lightweight over-ear design suitable for long travel sessions.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Call microphone can sound metallic and may struggle in very noisy environments.
- ✗Using multipoint pairing or extra features can noticeably reduce battery life.
- ✗Some users report inconsistent wired connection behavior when switching between wired and wireless modes.
JBL Tune 760NC headphones deliver solid active noise cancellation and seamless Apple device integration, making them appealing to iOS users. With 35 hours of battery life, they support all-day use, but lack advanced features and higher-end codec support. Their practicality and affordability make them a good choice for everyday travel but not for audiophiles seeking top-tier sound.
What We Like
- ✓Long battery life (up to 35 hours with ANC on, 50 hours with ANC off).
- ✓Decent active noise cancellation for mid- and high-frequency sounds.
- ✓Good JBL-branded bass-forward sound for casual listening.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Struggles to block low-frequency noises such as airplane engine rumble.
- ✗Fit can be tight and may become uncomfortable during long listening sessions.
- ✗Some users report durability issues with earcup padding and hinges over time.
Cleer Alpha scored 7.5/10 in our testing for pairing excellent, detailed sound with Dirac processing and aptX Adaptive - great news for Android travelers who want better-than-Bluetooth SBC quality. Battery life reached about 35 hours with ANC on, enough for a weekend away, though not as marathon as JBL's Live 770NC. Noise canceling is decent but can't quite match Beats Studio Pro on planes, and multipoint switching proved flaky. The fit runs snug, so long sessions may require breaks despite the strong sonic payoff.
What We Like
- ✓Long battery life — up to 35 hours with ANC enabled.
- ✓Strong, detailed sound with Dirac spatial processing and aptX Adaptive support.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Fits snugly for some users and can feel uncomfortable during long sessions.
- ✗Multipoint connectivity is inconsistent and can fail to switch audio reliably.
Among travel cans, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 earned its 9.5/10 rating with very effective ANC that tames jet-engine rumble and a balanced, high-quality sound we enjoyed during our review. Battery life hit about 30 hours with ANC, and pairing was quick and painless. Comfort is generally good, but larger ears may find the cups a bit tight, and we've seen reports of occasional static or uneven ANC plus headband/leather wear. At $183.82, it rivals pricier flagships for performance.
What We Like
- ✓Very effective active noise cancellation that reduces low frequencies strongly.
- ✓Balanced, high-quality sound that reviewers rate as good for music and voice.
- ✓Long battery life of around 30 hours with ANC enabled.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Earcup fit can feel a bit tight for larger ears, affecting comfort over long use.
- ✗Some users report intermittent static/popping or uneven ANC performance on one side.
- ✗Build or finish issues (headband/leather wear) have been reported by multiple owners.
Noise-Canceling Headphones with Exceptional Comfort
Prioritizing comfort for long journeys, perfect for extended wear during travel.
Bose QuietComfort headphones deliver very good noise cancellation and a comfortable, lightweight profile, perfect for long flights. During our testing, their 24-hour battery life was adequate, but sound quality is good rather than outstanding at this price point. Build quality feels solid, though not as premium as some competitors, making them a reliable choice for noise reduction and comfort.
What We Like
- ✓Effective active noise cancellation that blocks cabin and city noise.
- ✓Extremely comfortable for long flights and extended wear.
- ✓Battery life around 24 hours with ANC on, suitable for long travel days.
Room for Improvement
- ✗No adjustable levels of ANC beyond simple Quiet and Aware modes.
- ✗Call quality and occasional Bluetooth dropouts reported by reviewers.
- ✗Cannot be used while charging on some firmware/implementations.