Best headphones for travel
On a plane you want strong low-frequency noise cancelling, all-day comfort, long battery life and a wired option for seatback screens.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
On a plane you want strong low-frequency noise cancelling, all-day comfort, long battery life and a wired option for seatback screens. Best overall: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), $449. Best sound: Sony WH-1000XM6, $459.99. Best battery life: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, $449.95. Best for traveling with others: JBL Tour One M3, $449.95. Best budget: JLab JBuds Lux ANC, $99.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Best overall | $449 list |
| Best sound | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Best sound | $459.99 list; about $379 at Amazon |
| Best battery life | Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | Battery life | $449.95 list; often about $200 |
| Best for traveling with others | JBL Tour One M3 | Traveling with others | $449.95 list; about $199.95 on sale |
| Best budget | JLab JBuds Lux ANC | Budget | $99.99 |
We picked these headphones using manufacturer specs, prices checked October 2026, and lab measurements published by SoundGuys[1] and other reviewers. Battery figures below are reviewers’ measured results where available.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Headphones | Price (Oct 2026) | Battery | Wired option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) | $449 list | Long (see Bose specs) | USB-C and 3.5mm | Best overall |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | $459.99 list; about $379 at Amazon | About 37 hours (SoundGuys) | 3.5mm | Best sound |
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | $549 at Apple | About 20 hours | USB-C | IPhone owners |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | $449.95 list; about $200 on sale | About 56 hours (SoundGuys) | 3.5mm, airplane adapter included | Battery life |
| JBL Tour One M3 | $449.95 list; about $200 on sale | 55+ hours (SoundGuys) | USB-C lossless and 3.5mm | Traveling with others |
| JLab JBuds Lux ANC | $99.99 | About 44 hours (SoundGuys) | USB-C | Budget |
The picks in detail
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Best for: Best overallSoundGuys[1]’ top pick for flights: Bose’s noise cancelling is especially good with low engine rumble, the soft pads are comfortable with glasses on long trips, and you can listen wired over USB-C or 3.5mm. Compare it head-to-head in Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): $449 list Source
Pros
- Excellent low-frequency ANC
- Comfortable for long flights
- USB-C and 3.5mm wired listening
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky case
- Large case for carry-on bags
2. Sony WH-1000XM6
Best for: Best soundSony’s flagship pairs top-tier ANC with detailed sound and a highly customizable app. SoundGuys[1] measured 37 hours and 14 minutes of battery life, enough for most long-haul trips. It has a 3.5mm jack but no USB-C audio.
Price (Oct 2026): $459.99 list; about $379 at Amazon Source
Pros
- Excellent ANC and sound
- Long battery life
- Folding design
Cons
- No USB-C audio
- Some find the fit tighter than Bose
- Pricey at full MSRP
3. Apple AirPods Max 2
Best for: iPhone ownersIf you’re all-in on Apple, AirPods Max 2 offer strong ANC, automatic device switching and spatial audio. They’re heavy and expensive, and battery life (about 20 hours) is shorter than rivals.
Price (Oct 2026): $549 at Apple Source
Pros
- Strong ANC
- Seamless with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Premium build
Cons
- Heavy
- Shortest battery life here
- Most expensive pick
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Best for: Battery lifeSoundGuys[1] measured 56 hours and 21 minutes of battery life, so you can do several flights between charges. Sennheiser includes an airplane adapter for seatback entertainment. It often sells well below its $449.95 list price.
Price (Oct 2026): $449.95 list; often about $200 Source
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Airplane adapter included
- Big discounts are common
Cons
- Doesn’t fold flat
- ANC a step behind Bose and Sony
- Touch controls take practice
5. JBL Tour One M3
Best for: Traveling with othersJBL’s Smart Tx accessory can broadcast audio from a seatback screen or laptop to other Auracast headphones, so travel companions can watch together. SoundGuys[1] measured over 55 hours of battery life and rated its ANC highly.
Price (Oct 2026): $449.95 list; about $199.95 on sale Source
Pros
- Smart Tx transmitter for sharing
- 55+ hours of battery
- Lossless USB audio
Cons
- Bulky
- Auracast sharing needs compatible headphones
- Full price is high
6. JLab JBuds Lux ANC
Best for: BudgetFor under $100, JLab’s folding ANC headphones measured 44 hours and 22 minutes of battery life in SoundGuys[1]’ test and support USB-C audio. ANC won’t match the flagships. For more cheap options, see best noise-cancelling headphones under $200.
Price (Oct 2026): $99.99 Source
Pros
- Low price
- Long battery life
- Folds for travel
Cons
- Weaker ANC than premium models
- Needs the JLab app for features
- Plasticky build
Also considered
Prefer earbuds for travel? AirPods Pro 3 are excellent but rated for about 8 hours with ANC and have no wired option. See best earbuds for iPhone and best noise-cancelling earbuds.
What matters on a plane
Engine noise is mostly low-frequency, which over-ear ANC handles best. Look for a wired option (3.5mm or USB-C) for seatback screens, at least 30 hours of battery, and a case that fits your bag. A two-prong airplane adapter costs a few dollars if your pair doesn’t include one.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best headphones for flights?
Can I use wireless headphones with a seatback screen?
Are earbuds or headphones better for long flights?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- SoundGuys: Best noise-canceling headphones for airplanes (soundguys.com)
- What Hi-Fi?: Best iPhone headphones (whathifi.com)
- Apple: AirPods Max (apple.com)
- Sony: WH-1000XM6 (electronics.sony.com)
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