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Travel-friendly headphones to make any flight bearable

Joshua Buchwald

Updated June 11, 2026 - 9.48am

If you’re someone who likes to travel a lot, whether by plane, bus or train, a good pair of headphones is a must-have to listen to music, watch your favourite movies and block out the surrounding noise.

It's important to look for a pair with great comfort, great noise cancellation, or both. But which pair has it all?

To help you choose, here are the headphones perfect for your next long haul.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing

The best we've tried

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, was $549.95, now $339

Save 38% off

Comfort and sound quality aside, the 60-hour battery life (from a full charge) is the most appealing feature of these top-tier headphones when you’re travelling – especially when you’re on a long-haul journey with flight cancellations thrown in, these headphones will keep you locked in.

Going travelling? We've found 6 suitable power banks for you

The adaptive noise-cancellation feels like it's made to block out noisy cabins and the ear-aching hum of planes, while the transparency mode is a quick tap away if you want to stay in touch with your surroundings, and the cabin crew for meal service.

Often, over-ear headphones can cause pain on top of the head and around the ears when worn for too long, but the comfort of the Momentum 4's lightweight design needs to be commended; you can even sleep (upright in your crammed economy seat) in these without feeling suffocated.

These headphones probably aren't what you'd take to the gym if you like your workouts sweaty, but they are definitely the perfect choice for short and long haul travel, as well as those daily commutes and cruisy morning strolls.

Want to shop the latest instead? Pre-order the Sennheiser Momentum 5 here.

Sony WH1000XM6, $699.95

Shop here!

These headphones deliver serious noise-cancelling power. So that baby on the flight or your partner's loud snoring won't interrupt your peace. A bonus for long trips: the ear cups are comfortable enough not to suffocate your ears.

Best value headphones

Bose QuietComfort SC, was $499.95, now $269.99

Save 46% here

Here's what we look for when it comes to the perfect pair of headphones: Good noise cancellation and battery life, fast charging speed, good microphone quality, adjustable settings and comfort, comfort, comfort!

Bose is no stranger to making great headphones with this criterion in mind, and for the value they provide, they're always a top suggestion.

Sony WH1000XM4, now $324.63

Order here

Released back in 2020, this is still a high-value pair to wear in 2026. They remain a great choice due to price, good sound quality, noise cancellation and the swipe to control mantra Sony has adopted. They last up to 30 hours, which is enough juice to last you on a flight.

CMF Headphone Pro, was $118.03, now $90.25

Save 24%

For under $100, you can score these comfy pair of CMF Headphone Pros that offer serious value. You get up to 100 hours of battery life, hybrid noise cancellation built in, and an intuitive, customable experience using the Nothing X app. Plus, physical dials on the headphones themselves make it easy to control volume and bass.

Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 3, was $429, now $347

Save 19%

If you're an Apple user, AirPods are a no-brainer for their high-quality sound and easy integration into the ecosystem. This new generation offers a new design that Apple claims has "unbelievable sound quality and the world's best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation."

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 4, now $399

Now $399

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro is Samsung's latest release in their S26 line-up. They offer fantastic in-ear comfort, superior noise cancellation and have a well-rounded sound profile. More than that, they're stylish with their new blade design and transparent case that's easily pocketable.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds (2nd Gen), was $449.95, now $314.97

Get 30% off

Bose's second-generation earbuds offer great audio and a secure and stable fit with enough ear-tips for you to find the most comfortable size. You get "world-class noise cancellation" that adapts to the shape of your ear. Neat!

Budget-friendly headphones

JBL Tune 510BT, was $79, now $53.10

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Boasting a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with over 30,000 reviews, these wireless headphones come with a long-lasting battery offering up to 40 hours of life, and JBL's Pure Bass Sound for an enhanced listening experience.

Anker soundcore Q30, was $138, now $94.99

Get 31% off

With up to 50 hours of playtime in noise-cancelling mode, Soundcore’s latest Anker Q30 offers rich details in sound. Plus, it’s made of polyurethane leather and memory foam to sit comfortably while you listen on long commutes or planes.