Best Headphones for Travel and Flights

What separates the best headphones for travel?

Noise cancelling is the heaviest criterion here at 30 points, and it is where these six split. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones took the deepest cut of aircraft rumble in the test, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless trails Bose and Sony by 5–6 dB. The Anker Soundcore Space One cut 22 dB of cabin noise, more than some $300 pairs, at $99.99.

Sound quality is 25 points. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless had the most accurate frequency response measured and won the blind listening, with 58 hours measured with ANC on. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is tuned warm out of the box and needs the EQ. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is slightly less detailed than Sony or Sennheiser on music.

Comfort and build is 15 points. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the lightest pair in the test at 240 g, with Bose's cushions. The QuietComfort Ultra has the lightest clamp and softest cushions, best after two hours. The Sennheiser does not fold and ships in a large case; the Sony WH-1000XM6 folds again, the XM5 did not.

Battery and features is 15 points. The Sennheiser runs 58 hours with ANC on, twice the field. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones run 24 hours, the shortest apart from AirPods Max. The Anker gives 40 hours with ANC and 55 without, plus LDAC, multipoint and a full EQ app.

Value is 15 points. The Anker Soundcore Space One is $99.99. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is $399.99 and regularly $100–$150 below list since the XM6 launched. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are $349, the QuietComfort Ultra $449, the Sony WH-1000XM6 $449.99, the Sennheiser $379.95.

What should you check before buying travel headphones?

• Cabin noise: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cut aircraft rumble deepest; the Sony WH-1000XM5 came within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise.
• Folding and case size: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM5 differ here — the XM6 folds, the XM5 does not.
• Battery: 58 hours on the Sennheiser against 24 on the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
• Wired option: the Bose QuietComfort Headphones have physical buttons and a 2.5 mm cable for planes.
• Codecs: aptX Adaptive on the Sennheiser, LDAC on both Sony pairs and the Anker; the Bose QuietComfort Headphones have neither aptX nor LDAC.

Which one for whom?

For the quietest flight, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. For the best sound and longest battery, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. For calls and wind, the Sony WH-1000XM6. For the same Sony cancelling on a budget, the WH-1000XM5. For light weight and buttons, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. For under $100, the Anker Soundcore Space One.

If cancelling and comfort on long flights matter most, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the pick. If you want the best sound and the longest battery, take the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. For calls, wind and a folding hinge, the Sony WH-1000XM6; for the same cancelling cheaper, the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones suit light weight and physical buttons, and the Anker Soundcore Space One covers the under-$100 end.