How we tested
These seven headphones were field tested by Mashable writers and editors, including past and current tech journalists, senior tech writers, and business reporters and editors. All these headphones were chosen taking into account the following criteria:
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Comfort: As we mentioned above, active noise cancellation becomes much less pleasant if the headphones that deliver it squeeze your head during your entire flight. Headphones that were not preferred for long-term wear did not make our list.
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Battery life: If your earphones' battery should die 30 minutes into your flight, they won't cut it even for the shortest journey. Our picks were generally in a higher price range, offering better battery life and fast charging options for those times when you forget to charge your earbuds the day before you leave.
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Active noise cancellation quality: There are less expensive options for ANC, but not all active noise cancellation is delivered equally. That's why we focused on choices that offered multiple levels of ANC or that provided a strong level of ANC on their own, which didn't require the music to make a noticeable difference.
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Portability: Over-ear headphones will provide the best possible noise cancellation, but they are bulky. To keep these picks travel-friendly, we looked for headphones that fold or come with stylish carrying cases.
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Sustainability: Taking your headphones with you through TSA lines just exposes them to more wear and tear, so we opted for more expensive choices that are likely to survive the trip. Plus, we made sure to choose headphones that will last for years, so the initial investment is worth it.
Recent testing updates
For September 2024, we have not changed our programming, deciding not to include the Dyson OnTrac headphones – while we really like their long battery life, we imagine the scenario is rare when you'll be without access to charging for more than 55 hours – plus, they're a bit too bulky and expensive to recommend specifically as a good pair of travel headphones.
Since August 2024, the Bose 700 headphones are no longer our pick for the best adjustable ANC headphones, as they are no longer on store shelves after being discontinued almost a year ago. At the time of writing, we don't have a replacement because many headphones don't offer adjustable ANC levels like the 700 did.
In June 2024, we also phased out Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones from our recommendations. We knew they were no longer made, but as of this writing you can no longer find them on the shelves of virtual stores. We will test the most recent Bose QuietComfort Headphones to see if they are a worthy replacement.
In May 2024, we tested the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones. While we were impressed with their premium design and impressive sound profile, we felt mediocre about their active noise cancellation and noticed their Bluetooth connection was unstable when paired with multiple devices . For $399 headphones, we'd expect better on both fronts, which is why we chose not to include them in this roundup and instead recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for a blend of excellent sound and performance. ANC.
In April 2024, we added the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones in our range of field-tested products. (Prior to this update, we recommended them based on research and customer reviews.) We also recently added the Anker Soundcore Life P3i headphones as a budget-friendly option for those who prefer not to use over-ear headphones.
Other more recent additions include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which we added in November 2023. Since February 2024, we have tested the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the JBL Tour One M2 headphones, and added the first. The JBL headphones didn't make the cut even though we liked their long battery life, comfort, and surprisingly functional multi-point pairing – we just didn't think the $300 price matched the quality of the active noise cancellation. It wasn't bad, but it didn't blow us away, and if you're willing to spend that much, we recommend opting for Bose headphones instead.
