Best Headphones for Traveling 2025

SENNHEISER ACCENTUM PLUS

For people looking for a budget-friendly option, Sennheiser has you covered. Their Bluetooth headphone rivals some big names in the industry with its durable build, balanced sound, and comfortable wear. At $250, the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus is a great headphone for people looking for a quick purchase to make it through a car ride or a long subway ride uptown. The active noise canceling makes it so you are focused on your music, and the sound you get is perfect for easy listening. You have 50 hours of battery life as well as an option for wired listening, which makes this headphone all the more valuable. If you're looking for a solely Bluetooth connection and don't care about a wire, the regular ACCENTUM from Sennheiser is a great option for under $200 that you can consider. Same battery life, same great sound. 

SONY WH-1000XM6

This is a classic: The Sony WH-1000XM6. Released just this year, the Sony XM6 has made waves to be one of the best Bluetooth headphones on the market. The sleek design makes it as much a fashion accessory as a piece of gear, and the comfort level is top of the line. Wearing these for long periods of time is no issue, and the noise cancellation makes the world around you fade away. The adaptive noise canceling allows you to let in just enough ambient noise to stay aware of your surroundings, so you won’t miss your flight announcement or your stop on the train. The app makes customizing your sound easy as ever, and the immersive soundstage makes all your favorite tracks sound the best they can be. On top of that, Sony brought back the beloved foldable design that the XM5 does not have. It's easy to throw these in your bag for whatever traveling journey you may find yourself on this coming year. 

NOBLE FOKUS APOLLO

If it's top-tier noise cancellation you’re looking for, look no further than the FoKus Apollo from Noble Audio. With pristine audio quality from the unique dual-driver build, the Apollo delivers stunning sound on a wide soundstage that doesn’t falter for the entirety of the 80 hours of battery life. The Apollo uses stellar active noise cancellation, and I have to admit: it's the most effective ANC I’ve ever experienced to date in a high-end headphone. You have an app to control EQ and multipoint connection, which are perfect for when you want to block out the world and wait for the flight to be over. The Apollo comes with a host of accessories to make it adaptable to any environment, including a detachable microphone for better call quality. For someone who may have to work on the train or take phone calls throughout the day, this is a great headphone to have at your side while traveling. 

FOCAL BATHYS

Looking for something to match the audio setup you have at home? If you’re hesitant about Bluetooth headphones, let Focal guide the way for you. This renowned French company is consistent when making top-quality headphones for audiophiles, and their Bluetooth model is no different. With crystal clear detail on a wide soundstage that can’t be beat, the Bathys are an excellent pair of headphones for people unwilling to compromise on quality on the go. The Bathys sit apart from other Bluetooth headphones because of their enhanced wired option. Yes, other headphones give you the option for wired listening, but the Bathys have an included “DAC Mode” where you can plug directly from the headphones into your phone, all without the need for an extra piece of gear. 

Focal recently released the Bathys MG, an upgrade from the original model of Bluetooth headphones. The Bathys MG is very similar to its predecessor, offering a more immersive soundstage and greater detail. It retails for $1,499, and it's a nice upgrade if 

AUDIO TECHNICA M-SERIES

The great thing about Audio-Technica is its adaptability. For people looking for wired headphones, any pair from Audio-Technica’s M-series is a great choice. They all have the same basic build and are made of the same durable material. Audio-Technica headphones are ideal traveling headphones, as their swiveling earcups allow them to lie flat around your neck or slip easily into your bag without much hassle. The foldable design makes them perfect for compact packing when space in your bag is limited. They are easy to drive, and won’t need much amplification apart from what your device can supply. Depending on your budget, you can get great quality sound for as little as $60 or as much as $350. 

** For those who want that same durability without the wire, there are a couple of Bluetooth options available. The M20x and the M50x both have Bluetooth models available, listed as the ATH-M20xBT and the ATH-M50xBT2. **

BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770 PRO X

For bass lovers, Beyerdynamic is a great brand for you to look into. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 is a standard, studio headphone that delivers powerful sound at a reasonable price. Like Audio-Technica, there are a few different models in the DT series that are great for wired headphones. The DT 700 or the DT 1770 are both great headphones as well, sitting at slightly higher price ranges. The DT 770 Pro X is a great headphone at the $200 price point, especially given its versatility and replaceable parts. The cable, earpads, and headband are all interchangeable, so when they start to get worn down from extended use, you can extend the life of your headphones by simply replacing those parts.  For people who may be looking to do some production work on the go, or want to still be able to get a lot of clarity and detail out of their headphones despite their location, Beyerdynamic has definitely got you covered. 

MEZE 99 CLASSICS V2

Meze Audio makes great headphones for people who want a relaxing tone for their tracks. They are known for their luxury style as well as sound, and that is consistent in the Meze 99 Classics V2. This updated version is a newer release from Meze and delivers great quality sound for a fairly decent price point. The walnut wood outer casing makes these an aesthetic dream, and the suspended headband means optimal comfort during use. The hardshell carrying case makes taking these on the go super simple, with all the wires and adapters fitting into one place. The smooth sound and wide soundstage makes listening nice and easy, which is perfect for traveling when you just want to relax. 

DAN CLARK NOIRE X

Dan Clark Audio has impressed audiophiles for years, with sound and style unique to the brand. A model that would be great to take on the go would be the Noire X, a closed-back planar magnetic headphone for people who don’t want to compromise on their audio quality when not at home. This headphone comes in as a more affordable version of the renowned E3, sitting at just over $1k in price. The warm bass and crisp detail are pleasant to listen to in a host of different genres, and the main appeal comes in the clever design. The way these fold neatly and pack into a handy carrying case makes this fit perfectly inside your carry-on. You won’t need to worry about potentially damaging them, and you’ll be able to enjoy your music with the highest quality. 

IFI GO LINK

This is probably one of the best portable DAC/Amps you’ll find around. Taking the shape of a traditional dongle adapter, the iFi GO Link is a great portable DAC that has three different interchangeable connections to ensure you can connect to any device. People with older iPhones can use the lightning plug, and newer iPhones as well as Samsung users can use the USB-C plug. It even comes with USB-A for computers or larger equipment, making it accessible in many environments.

FIIO BTR17

When talking about DAC/Amps, FiiO is a brand that must be mentioned. Personally, FiiO is my go-to company when I need an amplifier for my headphones. Apart from desktop amps, they have a great selection of portable DAC/Amps that will drive nearly every headphone on this list. The FiiO BTR17 is a great choice that offers a lot of versatility with 3.5mm and 4.4mm connection ports. It can go into your phone or computer via USB-C, and with its compact size and included protective case, it is ideal for using on the go. 

CHORD MOJO 2

For the audiophile who needs adaptability and high-quality on the go, the Chord Mojo 2 is an amazing choice. With the ability to drive headphones up to 800 Ω, the Mojo 2 promises to deliver the stellar audio quality that you expect from your favorite pair of headphones. The numerous connection ports allow you to have multiple headphones running the same audio at once, so sharing with your friend on that long flight. The Mojo 2 is quite up there in price, but with its versatility and intense power supply, it is well worth the investment.