Review Of The Best Travel Headphones

Travelling with headphones is the perfect way to zone out from the noise around you and spend some time enjoying your favourite music.  If you're planning to spend hour upon hour being transported from one location to another, whether it's via aeroplane or underground train, a comfortable pair of headphones that reduces the noise around you is a wise investment.

Whether you need headphones for commuting or long haul flights the requirements are nearly identical.  Comfort is often the first consideration, with noise isolation very high on the list and superb quality sound reproduction also important (after all you will have plenty of time to find fault if the sound quality is not upto par).

Noise Cancelling v In-Ear Sound Isolating

The first choice for many travellers, commuters and holiday makers is a pair of noise cancelling headphones, but it's definitely also worth considering a good quality pair of sound isolating earphones that have been designed for comfort and high levels of noise isolation.

Noise cancelling headphones work very well on airline flights at subduing the noise of aircraft engines and air conditioning systems, but the need to keep feeding the with headphones batteries and the larger over ear design makes them far less convenient than in-ear sound isolating earphones.

Some people choose noise cancelling headphones because of the over ear design, thinking they will be more comfortable than in-ear earphones, but with soft foam ear tips (e.g. Comply Foam) and an ergonomic design (e.g. the Phonak Audéo PFE) it's possible to wear earphones comfortably for many hours.

Travel Headphone Reviews - Noise Cancelling

Below is our comparison review of the best noise cancelling travel headphones available - reviews are in price order from LOWEST to HIGHEST:

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC1 Noise Cancelling Headphones

Lightweight design and excellent sound quality make the Audio Technica ATH-ANC1 a great choice for travelling with.

While the headphone has an on-ear design, the earpads are particularly soft and well padded to ensure they are comfortable and external noise is well attenuated.  The noise cancelling electronics add further noise reduction, meaning you travel without distraction.

As we've come to expect from Audio-Technica the build and finish on the ANC1s is excellent.  The ANC1s come with a handy carry pouch and all the accessories needed to hook them up to aircraft entertainment systems.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

A well thought out package that is perfect for travelling with.  Well rounded sound and robustly built design make this a travel headphone to seriously consider.

Blackbox M10 Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Blackbox M10 are a sensibly priced noise canceling headphone with sound that rivals much more expensive competitors. Powerful technology in a stylish new design, great for any budget!

With the high performance Active Noise Rejection delivered by the M10 you can listen to your music at lower levels reducing the risk of damage to your hearing. Active audio compensation, common to all Blackbox products, provides a harmonious balance between deep bass, natural vocals and exciting highs.

The full sized over ear design helps keep out external noise passively and the ear pads are soft and comfortable.

The ear cups fold flat for easy transportation , supplied with a well though out selection of accessories the Blackbox M10 also comes with carry bag to keep your headphones safe whilst travelling.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

With tough design, great sound quality and a sensible price, the Blackbox M10 is a serious contender.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Noise Cancelling Headphones

Boasting the latest generation noise cancelling electronics the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7b is a top of the range headphone with very high levels of noise isolation and comfort.

The ear pads on the ANC7b are ultra-soft and padded, making them very comfortable for long journeys and excellent at sealing out external noise.

The sound is warm and punchy as you would expect with a closed back headphone design and upper frequency sound reproduction is also well represented.  These headphones are enjoyable to listen with and offer a sound that is easy to live with for many hours at a time.

A full kit of accessories is provided, including a very well design carry case and adapters required for aircraft and Hi-Fi connectivity.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

Very high levels of sound isolation, well balanced sound and ultra comfortable ear pads make the ANC7b a favourite for long haul travel.

Travel Headphone Reviews - In ear Sound Isolating

Below is our review of the best in-ear travel headphones available - reviews are in price order from LOWEST to HIGHEST:

SoundMAGIC PL11 Sound Isolating Earphones

If you're looking for a cheap, good quality pair of in-ear headphones for taking on holiday with you then the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a perfect choice (RRP £22.95).  SoundMAGIC have pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level earphone with the SoundMAGIC PL11.  The sound is a quantum leap up from the cheap earbuds supplied with most MP3 players, with warm, deep bass and plenty of detail in the trebles.

While you might expect a cheap earphone to be badly made, the PL11 comes fitted with good quality cabling and strain relief that is built to last.  The quality of the product is truly commendable.

Supplied with a neat carry pouch and three size ear tips to get a good seal in the ear, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a very well thought out package.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

In-ear sound isolating design keeps out the noise around you and sound quality compares with earphones costing two or three times the price.  A bargain earbud perfect for taking on holiday.

dB Logic EP-100 Pro Fit IEM Earphones

These innovative earphones from dB Logic fit securely (thanks to the over ear cable fit system), ensure you are listening a safe volume level and sound superb.

The dB Logic EP-100 earphones feature a patented sound limiting technology called SPL2 that ensures that you will always be listening at a safe volume.  The technology does not require batteries and you just plug the earphones into your MP3 player as normal.  We asked the manufacturer how the sound limiting works without batteries, but they said they would have to kill us if they told us!

If you are listening for hours at a time while travelling then it's reassuring to know that you're not damaging your hearing. Thankfully the sound quality is left untouched by the SPL2 technology and the EP-100 sounds excellent.

Fit is comfortable and secure, with the small earphone body shaped to fit snug in the ear and the double flange eartips giving a good seal and ensuring external noise is blocked out.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

The dB Logic EP-100 are small, comfortable earphones with superb sound quality and best of all you know you are listening at safe a volume level that will not damage your hearing.

Sennheiser CX6 Sound Isolating Earphones

Based on the ever popular IE6 the Sennheiser CX6 travel earphones have well rounded sound and a complete set of accessories useful for travel.

The CX6 has a punchy, well defined sound that is an enjoyable listen.  The sound isolation is good, although can be improved by adding Comply Foam ear tips.  The cabling on the CX6 is particularly durable and obviously designed for daily use.

Included in the pack is a double mono jack adapter for connecting with airline entertainment systems, a protective case and ear guides to ensure the earphones stay put while on the move.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

Well balanced sound, nicely made cabling and plenty of accessories make this an ideal travel partner.

Phonak Audéo PFE Sound Isolating Earphones

With 60 years experience developing hearing devices Phonak have the know-how when it comes to getting a comfortable and secure in-ear fit, which makes the Phonak Audeo Perfect Fit Earphone (PFE) aptly named.  Based on their market research Phonak found that many people have problems with earphone fit, either due to the earphones falling out or simply being uncomfortable to wear.

The PFE solves the comfort problem with a secure over ear cable fit, ergonomically designed earphone body (it fits the shape of your ear) and ultra soft heat reactive foam ear tips.  Even people with smaller ears will find these earphones fit with no issues.

Audio performance is excellent, with exceptional levels of clarity and insight (you will hear instruments and sounds in your music that are veiled with lesser earphones).  Bass response is at the lighter end of the scale with the standard grey filter fitted, but can be beefed up by swapping for the supplied black filter.  Phonak are currently developing more filters for an even bigger bottom end (available mid-2010).

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

These innovative Swiss designed, precision made earphones are very comfortable for all ear sizes and have clear, detailed sound that will satisfy audiophiles. With the supplied Comply Foam tips the PFE offers very high levels of noise isolation and long term wearing comfort.