Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel

Whether you want headphones for your daily commute or drown down the conversations of your annoying co-worker, headphones are a must. In this post, we have curated a list of 10 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel in 2021.

Noise-canceling headphones are increasingly common in the consumer industry, and they are used every day in both recreational and professional settings all over the world.

Active Noise Cancelling headphones  have historically been reserved for high-end headphones, but in recent years, some surprisingly good ANC headphones with a much lower price have shown up.

But other than being noise-canceling, you will want headphones that are easy to wear, have a long battery life, and have a well-balanced sound profile.

Top 3 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel

1. Sony WH-1000XM4

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

What We Like

  • Auto Pause & Play
  • 30 hours of battery life
  • Active Noise Cancellation

What Is Missing

  • App needs improvements

2. Shure AONIC 50 

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

What We Like

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 20 hours of battery life
  • Active noise cancellation

What Is Missing

  • Cannot fold the headphones

3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

What We Like

  • Transparency Mode
  • 25 hours of playback
  • Active Noise Cancellation

What Is Missing

  • Priced at a premium

10 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel

  • 1. Sony WH-1000XM4
  • 2. Shure AONIC 50 
  • 3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9
  • 4. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
  • 5. Master & Dynamic MW65
  • 6. Anker Soundcore Life Q30
  • 7. Bose 700 
  • 8. JLab Audio Studio ANC
  • 9. Sony WH-CH700N
  • 10. Bowers & Wilkins PX7

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 – Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel

Sony WH-1000XM4

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Auto Pause & Play
  • 30 hours of battery life
  • Active Noise Cancellation

They fix the previous product’s two major flaws: you can now pair to two devices simultaneously, and the new mics should result in smoother calls.

For easy setup, Sony now supports Android’s Fast Pair.

You can also use this to locate missing headphones by playing a sound through them, and you’ll get low-battery warnings when the 30-hour battery life is nearly depleted.

The 1000XM4s features “Precise Voice Pickup technology,” which optimizes audio processing from the five built-in microphones for clearer voice recording, and the difference is noticeable.

Finally, you can pair two devices at the same time. Sony’s multipoint was a little buggy when I first got the headphones, and switching between audio sources took a long time on occasion.

However, I think that’s with every headphones. There’s no mention of water resistance, which is something I wish Sony had included.

Rain has a habit of finding its way into those upward-facing microphone grills.

The noise cancellation algorithm is based on a new Bluetooth audio device on a chip that analyses the music and surrounding noise 700 times per second.

Speak-to-Chat is another cool smart feature in which the WH-1000XM4 recognizes your voice and stops playing audio as soon as you start speaking.

Bluetooth 5.0 is available on the WH-1000XM4.

It includes high-quality codecs as well as the required profiles for secure yet simple connections.

The headphones have a 30-foot wireless range. These headphones are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.

Foamed urethane is used in the super-soft, pressure-relieving ear pads to uniformly disperse pressure and improve ear/pad contact for a comfortable fit.

Pros

  • App included
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Auto Pause & Play
  • Transparent Mode
  • 30 hours of battery life
  • Active Noise Cancellation

Cons

  • App needs improvements

2. Shure AONIC 50 

Shure Aonic 50 

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 20 hours of battery life
  • Active noise cancellation

Don’t let the price stop you from considering this headset; it’s well worth the investment.

These are some of the best ANC headphones available, and I am sure that you will enjoy them as much as I do.

The stitched leather headband looks sleek and eye-catching, while the plastic housings look fantastic and keep things lightweight.

Leather-wrapped earpads are similarly desirable and can be removed. 

Many of the controls for the headset are located on the right ear cup, including a noise-canceling and ambient listening switch.

The noise cancellation is excellent, particularly for blocking out low-frequency noises.

The AONIC 50 has an Ambient Mode that allows external sound to pass through the headphone in addition to excellent active noise cancellation.

This helps users to hear their surroundings without the use of headphones. 

Additionally, with 50mm dynamic neodymium drivers and a professional-grade premium headphone amplifier, these Shure headphones sound great.

You can change the ANC between two levels (max and normal) in the ShurePlus PLAY app, depending on your needs.

The Environment Mode levels can also be adjusted with this app.

Pros

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Shure PlusPlay App
  • 20 hours of battery life
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Transparent hearing mode

Cons

  • Cannot fold the headphones

3. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9

Bang & Olufsen

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Transparency Mode
  • 25 hours of playback
  • Active Noise Cancellation

While the build quality and materials make the B&O Beoplay H9 feel as opulent as its $500 price tag implies, sound quality and features fall short.

The B&O Beoplay H9 are wireless headphones that wrap over your ears rather than being worn on top of them.

As a result, the headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The headphones have no buttons on the outside because the touchpad operates playback and volume on the right earcup.

Swiping to skip tracks fails most of the time, and clicking to play/pause takes half a second longer than it should to register.

Unfortunately, the sound quality of the B&O Beoplay H9 falls short.

The bass is overly emphasized. The H9 has a 14-hour battery life rating with noise cancellation turned on, which is decent but not exceptional.

Noise cancellation works well, drowning out much of the sounds from a street. With noise cancellation turned on, there is a slight strain on the head, something to be mindful of.

Additionally, the B&O Beoplay H9 wireless is excellent over-ear headphones in a vacuum.

They have a strong bass response, a long battery life, and great build quality and materials.

When you compare the H9 to the competition, though, the headphones fall short of being exceptional. 

The Bang & Olufsen application can be used to fine-tune the headphones.

These excellent headphones will provide us with the exact sound we need, thanks to a completely customizable EQ with presets.

Pros

  • Transparency mode
  • Seamless streaming
  • 25 hours of playback
  • Premium build quality
  • Active Noise Cancellation

Cons

  • Priced at a premium

4. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

Sennheiser Momentum 3

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Auto On/Off
  • Transparent hearing
  • Active noise cancellation

The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is the most attractive choice on this list.

The classic combination of a leather headband and a steel frame will catch your eye right away.

Apart from their ultra-premium appearance, these headphones also feature cutting-edge technology.

Tile Monitoring is possible with the Momentum 3 Wireless.

Within 150 feet, if you ever lose these headphones, you can easily find them.

It can reduce up to 30dB with three different modes: Anti-Pressure, Anti-Wind, and Max, in addition to being foldable.

Not to mention the fact that it has a 17-hour playback time.

The sound quality of the Momentum 3 Wireless rivals that of the critically praised Sony WH-100XM4.66.

The battery life on this isn’t great. That isn’t to say it’s a negative thing; 17 hours of ANC playback is still amazing.

However, when you consider the price and competition, it becomes a problem.

Pros

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Auto On/Off
  • App included
  • Transparent hearing
  • Three button interface
  • Active noise cancellation

Cons

  • App needs improvements

5. Master & Dynamic MW65

Master & Dynamic MW65

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • 24 hours battery life
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Custom 40mm Beryllium drivers 

These headphones are the lightest on the list, weighing just 0.54 lbs. They’re also the lightest in this price range that we’ve ever seen.

They’re so comfortable that you can wear them for hours without feeling exhausted.

The MW65 can also be folded. This light and airy style should appeal to those who are always on the move.

For its ANC, the MW65 has both a high and low power mode. In noisy conditions, such as city streets or air travel, the High Power mode enables noise cancellation.

Low-power will, on the other hand, cancel out wind and other low-level noises.

Two buttons are devoted to volume controls, while the middle button has been coded to perform several functions.

A single click on the button plays/pauses the game. A double click skips the track, and three clicks backward the track.

Furthermore, various button combinations result in different behaviour. Google Assistant/Siri/Alexa is can be accessed with a long click.

When you hold the volume up button, Google Assistant alerts are activated, and when you hold the volume down button, they are disabled.

There is yet to be an app launched along with these headphones, and their price is quite steep.

Furthermore, the headphones continue to work with Bluetooth 4.2. Master & Dynamic is probably also trying to figure out how to get Bluetooth 5.0 without boosting the price too high.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • 24 hours battery life
  • Durable build quality
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Custom 40mm Beryllium drivers

Cons

  • No Bluetooth 5.0

6. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Hi-Res Certified
  • 40-Hour Playtime
  • Advanced Noise Cancellation Technology

The Soundcore Life Q30 headphones have a lightweight build with soft ear cups, making them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

With ANC on, this modified version of the Soundcore Life Q20 provides up to 40 hours of playback.

The Soundcore Life Q30 also has greatly improved active noise cancellation, with noise attenuation improved across all frequencies.

Although it does not equal the output of Sony or Bose, the Soundcore Life Q30’s noise cancellation will be more than satisfactory in conditions where noise is constant, such as on a train.

The Soundcore Life Q30 offers just what you’d expect from a pair of below $100 headphones in terms of sound quality.

If you listen to rap or EDM, the headphone’s focus on lower frequencies will make kicks and sub-bass lines stand out in a mix.

These headphones also prefer treble frequencies, which enables vocals to stand out in a mix.

Pros

  • Fast Pairing
  • Soundcore App
  • Hi-Res Certified
  • 40-Hour Playtime
  • Advanced Noise Cancellation Technology

Cons

  • Average output

7. Bose 700 

Bose 700

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Bose Music App
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Up to 20 hours of playback

Prices below 500$, the noise cancelling headphones is one of the best in the world.

In a circular (over-ear) closed-back headphone configuration, the Bose 700 offers controllable active noise-cancellation with 11 settings.

The Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology has a 33-foot range of service.

The headphones can withstand water splashes from any angle. While this ranking does not seem impressive at first glance, it is already outstanding for noise-cancelling headphones.

Its overall construction standard is something you won’t find anywhere else.

For a premium and long-lasting feel, it uses a lightweight stainless steel headband. The ear cups are also tilted for added comfort.

For these headphones, they created an adaptive microphone device.

As a consequence, the speech is intelligently separated by an eight-mic device.

You will be heard, whether you are in the midst of a group or in the middle of a train station.

The 700 has 11 sound reduction options, ranging from complete noise cancellation to complete transparency.

The highly functional Bose Music App helps you to customize the settings for your particular situation.

The headphones are set to three favorite noise cancelling levels by default:

  1. Full noise cancellation
  2. Some awareness
  3. Full transparency

Conversation Mode is enabled with a single click, pausing the music/audio while also enabling Full Transparency for a brief break from solo listening.

The 700 headphone has ten built-in microphones, six of which function together to cancel noise around the listener.

A four-microphone system is designed to enhance voice pickup for calls and voice assistant activation while reducing background noise.

All of this occurs in real-time, and it adjusts as the ambient noise changes. Bose’s 700 has a battery life of up to 20 hours and a charging time of 2.5 hours.

Moreover, the battery life can be improved by 3.5 hours with a simple 15-minute charge. The USB-C cable that comes with the unit can be used to charge it.

The Bose 700 headphones are not as noisy as the headphones they compete with.

Again, louder does not imply superiority. High-quality, balanced highs, mids, and lows compensate for the lack of volume in these headphones.

The Bose Music app is also a disappointment. However, with a few implementation tweaks and updates, this isn’t an issue.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Bose Music App
  • Premium build quality
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Up to 20 hours of playback

Cons

  • App needs improvements

8. JLab Audio Studio ANC

JLab Audio Studio ANC

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 28 hours of playback
  • Active noise cancellation

Longer periods of listening cause these headphones to become uncomfortable.

Its architecture is redeemable, with a sleek, streamlined aesthetic and lightweight construction.

The noise cancelling technology in these headphones can effectively muffle your neighbor’s construction.

However, these cans fall short when attenuating low-frequency sounds like an airplane engine’s rumble.

Mids and highs are fairly balanced in sound, though the low-end lacks clarity.

Fans of electronic dance music can find the lack of emphasis on kick drums and bass lines to turn off.

You can get a pair of on-ears with acceptable sound quality, noise cancellation, and design for less than $60.

Pros

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Value for money
  • Cloud Foam earcups
  • 28 hours of playback
  • Active noise cancellation

Cons

  • Uncomfortable for long periods of time

9. Sony WH-CH700N

Sony WH-CH700N

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • Voice Assistant
  • Alexa voice control
  • up to 35 hours of wireless playback

Although it isn’t a high-end pair of headphones, its simplicity will appeal to most budget-conscious buyers.

It has a rigid plastic structure, rotating hinges for lie-flat storage, and soft padding for a relaxed listening experience over long periods.

The WH-sound C700N’s quality is adequate, with a relatively neutral frequency response that accurately reproduces mid-to-high frequency sounds such as strings and vocals.

Fans of indie, acoustic, or vocal-heavy music should enjoy its sound. 

If you’re a fan of electronic or hip-hop music, you may be disappointed that the low-frequency roll-off, which begins about 200 Hz, de-emphasizes low-end sounds like bass guitars kick drums, which isn’t ideal.

Active noise cancellation works well in the workplace, blocking out background noise like co-worker conversations and clicking keyboards and mouses.

However, it falls short of higher-end headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 in terms of noise cancellation.

Pros

  • Voice Assistant
  • Value for money
  • Alexa voice control
  • up to 35 hours of wireless playback

Cons

  • Sound quality is average

10. Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Best-noise-cancelling-headphones-for-travel

Key Highlights

  • aptX Adaptive
  • 30 hours of playback
  • Active noise cancellation

A closed-back circumaural (over-ear) headphone with adaptive active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless communication from Bowers & Wilkins.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7’s hybrid active noise-cancelling employs four microphones.

For feedback ANC, a microphone is located within each earcup, and the second pair of microphones is located outside the earcups.

Moreover, the effect is outstanding noise cancellation that covers low-frequency rumble and reduces a surprising amount of mid-frequency and percussive noises.

The passive noise isolation offered by the circumaural closed-back design allows for higher-end cancellation. 

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 has two-way contact mics in addition to the built-in ANC mics.

Facilitates crystal clear voice pickup for fast calls and voice assistant use since it has two microphones for telephony (CVC2 – Direct Voice Communication v2). 

Additionally, the PX7 uses Bluetooth 5.0 to pair quickly and maintain a secure wireless link over a distance of 33 meters (10 feet).

Over the entire frequency spectrum, the high-end codecs and internal DAC keep audio sounding clean and as expected.

The headphones can also be used to attach to two devices at once. Unfortunately, you can only listen to music or make phone calls from one computer at a time.

The battery on the PX7 provides 30 hours of Bluetooth and ANC use.

This time can be extended by 5 hours with a 15-minute fast fee.

With the provided USB-C charging cable, connect the headphone to a charging block.

This B&W headphone will link to audio sources directly using the supplied 3.5mm audio or USB cables, in addition to Bluetooth.

Along with its exceptional durability, the PX7 is also incredibly comfortable, with an adjustable headband that can be modified to achieve the optimal fit. Power, Volume +, Multi-function, and Volume – are the standard controls on the right earcup.

To play/pause/skip music or make/take calls, use these controls in several ways.

Pros

  • Wear Sensors
  • aptX Adaptive
  • Ambient Pass-Through
  • 30 hours of playback
  • Active noise cancellation

Cons

  •  Average quality sound

Buying Guide For Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Travel

Buying noise cancelling headphones for travel purposes can get difficult because of the numerous options available.

Hence, we have curated a buying guide that you should consider while buying noise cancelling headphones in 2021.

Wires: Most common noise-canceling headphones are Bluetooth headphones, which allow you to listen to music without wires.

If you don’t mind using a cable to connect to your phone, wired noise-canceling headphones will save you money.

Noise isolation vs Noise cancellation: Noise-isolating headphones use physical barriers to filter out external noise.

This type is often referred to as “passive noise cancellation.”

Additionally, these headphones effectively filter out noise by forming a tight seal between your ear and the headphone.

Noise-isolating earbuds have a snug fit and shut out external noise.

The thickly padded cups of over-ear models that go all the way around your ear are designed to keep out as much outside noise as possible.

The aim is to build the tightest, most secure seal possible around your ears or ear canal so that you can only hear your music.

On the other hand, noise-isolating headphones are typically designed to be used at lower levels than other headphones, so outside noise is muffled.

Similarly, it would help if you exercise caution while wearing them when out and about, as you might not be able to hear your surroundings sufficiently.

Battery life: Noise-canceling headphones must be recharged whether they are wired or wireless.

The listed battery life should be taken into consideration.

On a full charge, most models now have at least 25 hours of noise cancellation. 

Moreover, many models allow you to listen without using noise-canceling circuitry.

This is helpful if the battery runs out before you have time to recharge it.

Fit and comfort: This is perhaps the most basic but critical requirement for any headphone.

Weight, touch strength, earpad shape/material, stiffness, and overall dimension all play a role in comfort, though they are highly subjective.

If possible, try on the headphones you want to buy and switch on the noise-cancelling feature.

Pay attention to the fit as well.

Before making a decision, shop around and try on as many styles as possible.

Warranty: Check the warranty and read consumer reviews—not only of the headphones, but also of the company’s customer support policies.

Just in case, familiarise yourself with how you can contact them.

You don’t want to spend a bomb on headphones and keep running circles if there are any issues with it. 

Compatibility: Check if it is compatible with your android or apple device. 

Try all features: Many people purchase noise-cancelling headphones primarily to reduce background noise.

They don’t listen to music because the noise cancellation circuit is turned on. That’s awesome if it’s you.

However, if you want to enjoy music or podcasts, you’ll have to go the extra mile. Listen to different genres of music the next time you go out testing.

This will give you a better understanding of how your music will sound from your system, both with and without noise cancellation.

You’ll be able to tell the difference between headphones that prioritize noise cancellation over audio quality fairly easily, as well as which ones sound better.


Ending Thoughts On Best Noise Cancellation Headphones For Travel

Noise-canceling headphones are generally costly, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive pair on the market.

You can get a good pair of headphones for a fair price that will allow you to listen and enjoy in peace.  

If you want a pair that provides active noise cancellation, premium features, and excellent audio, you should be prepared to pay a premium.

Shop around, do your research, and read a lot of reviews—we’re confident you’ll find a perfect pair that suits your needs.

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