The holidays are coming up! With the holiday season comes a lot of traveling. As you embark on the adventure to see friends and family or to get away from work for a bit, having music with you always makes the journey more entertaining. Question is: what’s the best headphone to do it?

Below, we’ve comprised a list of the top headphones that will fit all your travel needs. Whichever plane, train, or automobile you take, we’ll have the right headphone to get you quality sound for the entire journey. 

Bluetooth Headphones

If you’re going to be traveling, likelihood is you’re going to want a pair of wireless headphones to accompany you. The best part of Bluetooth headphones is their adaptability into everyday life, so even after you’ve used these for the long plane ride, you’ll find you want to use them again and again. Below we have some of the top options for Bluetooth headphones, in all different price ranges, that are sure to be a great travel companion. 

Strauss & Wagner ANCBT501 – $129.95

For people looking for a budget friendly option, Strauss and Wagner have you covered. Their Bluetooth headphone rivals some big names in the industry with its durable build, balanced sound, and comfortable wear. At $99, the Strauss and Wagner ANCBT501 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. 

Final Audio UX3000 – $149.95

Another great affordable headphone comes from Final Audio. Their UX series is great for Bluetooth sound, in either the UX2000 or the UX3000. Of the two, I would recommend the UX3000 first. It is the later model and comes with updated Bluetooth codecs and overall smoother sound. I like the attention to detail in the UX3000, as well as the included carrying bag to keep the headphones in good condition throughout travel. 

Sony WH-1000XM5 – $398

This is a classic: The Sony WH-1000XM5. 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. 

Noble FoKus Apollo – $649

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. With an app to control EQ and multipoint connection, these are perfect for when you want to block out the world and wait for the flight to be over. 

Focal Bathys – $699

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 of an extra piece of gear. 

Wired Headphones

Not a fan of Bluetooth? No worries, we have some great wired options available. With wired headphones, it's best to steer towards closed-back as opposed to open-back. The open-back headphones have more of a tendency to let sound bleed out into your ambient environment when listening, and vice versa. For better on-the-go listening where you don’t get as much interruption in your music, closed-back headphones are the way to go. That being said, let’s take a look at some recommendations!

Audio-Technica M-series – min. $49 / max. $169

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. They are ideal traveling headphones, and their swiveling earcups allow them to lay flat around your next or slip easy into your bag without much hassle. They are easy to drive, and won’t need much amplification apart from what your device can supply. 

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

Sivga Oriole – $199

Another headphone that doubles as a fashion accessory and a quality headphone is the Sivga Oriole. The closed-back rosewood finish is clean and lightweight, and paired with the plush ear pads makes these comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Sivga delivers a crisp sound that is bright on the highs and still warm and rich on the low end, and the sound is dynamic without being fatiguing. These headphones come with a leather carrying case, making it easy to keep them safe in crowded public transport or in a stuffed suitcase. 

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X – $199.99

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 decent 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 different price ranges. 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. 

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro – $299.99

Another option from Beyerdynamic would be something from the gaming headphones series. In particular, the MMX 300 Pro is a fantastic closed-back headphone that has an attached boom mic on the left side. If you’re going to be traveling during a work day and need to hop on some online calls, this headphone will provide great clarity for both ends. Beyerdynamic gives you excellent precision on a wide soundstage, as well as clarity coming through the headphones and being picked up by the mic. 

Meze Audio 99 Classics – $309

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. 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 AEON 2 Noire – $899.99

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 AEON 2 Noire, a closed-back planar magnetic headphone for the people that don’t want to compromise on their audio quality when not at home. The warm bass and crisp detail is 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. 

Bonus! Portable DAC/Amp Adapters

Let’s say you already have an audio setup at home, and you want to take the headphone component with you on your travels. Or, you have a pair of wired headphones you’re set and ready to take on the road with, but you need an extra adapter or power boost to get them hooked up properly.  Fear not, as we have an answer! There are a host of different portable DAC/Amps to help you power your favorite pair of cans, and it won’t cost an arm and leg to do it. 

iFi GO Link – $59

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 KA17 – $149.99

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 KA17 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. 

iFi GO Blu – $199

Another great choice from iFi would be the GO Blue amplifier. This device may seem small, but it packs quite a punch when connected to your favorite pair of headphones. Its Bluetooth capabilities are the highlight of this device, and the super small design makes this weigh less than a AA battery. The dual ports for 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination cables makes this easy to use with any headphone, and without the extra cable going from the amp to your phone, you can easily slip this in your pocket and not have to touch it again. 

Astell&Kern HC4 – $220

For people who need a bit more juice for their headphones, Astell&Kern is the perfect brand to look at. With cables for USB-C and Lightning, the HC4 is an excellent amplifier that will boost your sound and give it a touch of color as well. It is sleek and lightweight, and doubles as a dongle for easy adaption into any portable setup. Astell&Kern is known for their digital audio players (DAPs), and those normally come with a built-in amplifier. 

Mojo 2 – $650

For the audiophile who needs adaptability and high-quality on the go, the 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. 

Questyle CMA 18 – $699

Staying in that audiophile zone, Questyle has an equally stylish and powerful portable DAC/Amp that would be a great travel buddy. The CMA 18 is an amplifier with an exposed circuit board, expertly designed so that you can see all the finer details of the build. It has Bluetooth capabilities and special wires so you don’t get confused between charging and signal flow for your music. Its size is optimal for fitting right on the back of your phone, so everything stays compact during travel. 

Summary

To conclude, there’s a lot of great options for people looking to take some quality sound on-the-go. Be it wired or Bluetooth, with some extra pieces or not, we’ve got options in every price range for people who need some travel gear. Hopefully with these options, you’ll find just the right thing to take with you on that long plane ride to the in-laws or for the subway ride back to your parents’ place. 

Check out all the items from this list and more at Audio46.