Here are the requirements that every good pair of travel headphones needs to meet: They must be small enough to fit in a carry-on, they must drown out ambient airplane noise (and crying babies), the batteries must last long enough for a trans-ocean flight, and they must have killer sound. Achieving all that is easier said than done.
We tested the best new models on the market to find six pairs that met the mark—no matter where we took them. Just pick the one that best suits your travel style.
For the Multitasker
Memory foam ear pads are just one draw for the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 SE.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 SE ($250)
Go totally hands-free with these second-generation wireless headphones, which automatically answer calls or play music when you put your headphones on and stop playing music when you take them off. Audio is warm and detailed, and an upgraded design with memory foam earpieces makes these more comfortable than ever.