The 8 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026

If your daily carry includes an iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, the AirPods Max eliminate the friction that other headphones create. They switch between Apple devices automatically — no manual pairing, no app, no toggling Bluetooth. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking makes in-flight movies feel like a private cinema, tracking your head movement to anchor sound in space.

The trade-off is weight. At 385g, the AirPods Max are the heaviest headphones in this roundup — 135g more than the Sony XM5. You feel that difference after 6+ hours. The 20-hour battery is also the shortest here, though it covers most international routes. The Smart Case is oddly designed and doesn't fully power off the headphones, so battery drain in your bag is a real concern. Despite these quirks, Apple users consistently rate these as their favorite travel headphones because the ecosystem integration is that good.

The JBL Tour One M3 solves the single biggest annoyance of using wireless headphones on planes: connecting to seatback entertainment. Its built-in Bluetooth LE Audio transmitter means you pair directly with the screen — no adapters, no dongles, no wires. It's the only headphone that does this natively.

Beyond that trick, the M3 is a genuinely competitive ANC headphone. Its True Adaptive noise cancellation is in the same tier as the Sony and Bose, and the 50-hour battery provides plenty of margin for multi-leg trips. JBL's spatial sound with head tracking is well-implemented for movies. The main caveat: this is a newer model with fewer long-term reliability reviews than the established Sony and Bose. If you watch movies on seatback screens regularly, though, the M3's built-in transmitter is a genuine differentiator that neither Sony nor Bose offer.

The XM4 is arguably the smartest buy on this list. It's last generation's flagship — which means it was the best noise-canceling headphone available until the XM5 replaced it. Now it sells for $228, a $120 discount from the XM5, while delivering 90% of the same ANC performance. The difference in noise cancellation is detectable in a side-by-side comparison, but on a real flight, most people wouldn't notice.

The XM4 actually has one advantage over its successor: it folds flat. Sony removed the folding hinge in the XM5 for aesthetic reasons, but the XM4's compact folded footprint is noticeably better for carry-on travel. You also get the same 30-hour battery, LDAC Hi-Res Audio support, and Speak-to-Chat feature. For travelers who want premium ANC without the premium price, the XM4 is our pick.

Three years ago, the noise cancellation in the Soundcore Space One would have been flagship-tier. At $80, you're getting ANC that blocks 80-90% of airplane cabin noise — not the 95% of a Sony XM5, but more than enough to transform your flight experience. The 40-hour battery and LDAC Hi-Res Audio codec support are features that still cost $300+ from Sony and Bose.

Where the budget shows is build quality and long-wear comfort. The plastic construction feels lightweight rather than premium, and the ear pads retain heat more than leather-padded competitors — noticeable after 4+ hours in a warm cabin. But if you fly a few times a year and can't justify $350 for headphones, the Space One is a dramatically better experience than flying without ANC. It also folds flat, which is more than the $348 Sony XM5 can say.

For travelers who want noise cancellation without the bulk of over-ear headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 are the best option. Their H2 chip delivers ANC that genuinely rivals some full-size headphones — not the top tier, but surprisingly close for something that fits in a coin pocket. Adaptive Transparency mode lets ambient sound through naturally, which is perfect for airport navigation and gate announcements.

The main advantage for travel is sleep compatibility. Unlike over-ear headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 don't press against the seatback when you lean your head to the side. For red-eye flights where you want both noise cancellation and the ability to sleep against the window, earbuds are unmatched. Battery life is 6 hours per charge with 30 hours total including the case. The biggest limitation: full features require an Apple device. Android users should look at the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds instead.