5 Top Travel Headphones for Your Next Adventure

​Whether you're heading to the outback, chasing the sun on the French Riviera, or heading to Vegas for a fun weekend, one thing’s for sure — good headphones are a must. Whether you want to block out airplane engine hums, enjoy a podcast, or just drown out your travel buddy’s third retelling of that one time in Bali, quality headphones make a big difference.
Here are five awesome travel headphone picks for every budget and travel style:

​1. Sony WH-1000XM5 — The First Class Choice
💰 Around $450 AUD
🎧 Over-ear | Noise Cancelling | Wireless
These are the gold standard of noise-cancelling headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5s are basically a portable cone of silence — perfect for zoning out on long flights or trains. They're comfy, the battery lasts about 30 hours (long enough for Melbourne to London, with a layover), and the sound quality is absolutely dreamy. Pricey, yes. But if you value peace and your eardrums, worth it.

​2. Soundcore Space A40 — Budget Friendly, Big Sound
💰 Around $130 AUD
🎧 In-ear | Noise Cancelling | Wireless
Don’t want to spend a fortune but still want to tune out that bloke coughing three rows back? These little guys from Soundcore punch well above their weight. Great sound, excellent battery life (10 hours on a single charge, plus extra in the case), and surprisingly good noise cancellation for the price. Perfect for backpackers or anyone saving their dollars.

​3. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — For the Loyal iPhone Traveller
💰 Around $400 AUD
🎧 In-ear | Noise Cancelling | Wireless
If you're part of the Apple ecosystem, these are a no-brainer. Seamless connection to your devices, excellent active noise cancellation, and a compact case that’s easy to slip into a pocket or backpack. They’re also great for transparency mode — so you can hear flight announcements without taking them out (or when your barista calls your name in the café).

​4. Bose QuietComfort — Built for Long-Haul Legends
💰 Around $350 AUD
🎧 Over-ear | Noise Cancelling | Wireless
Bose knows travel. These headphones have plush ear cushions, and serve up that signature Bose sound — rich, clear, and warm. The fact they come in 6 different colours means you can find something to suit your vibe. Noise cancellation is excellent, especially for cutting out airplane hum or rowdy hostel mates. Ideal if you like your comfort, and your music, turned up a notch.

5. JBL Tune 510BT — No-Frills, All-Fun
💰 Around $70 AUD
🎧 On-ear | Wireless
Not ready to drop hundreds on headphones? No worries, the JBL Tune 510BTs are cheap, cheerful, and reliable. They’ve got solid sound, decent battery (up to 40 hours!), and they fold up nice and compact. Great for kids, teens, or anyone who’s prone to losing stuff between hostels.

So there you have it — five solid headphone options for every type of traveller, whether you're living the digital nomad life or finally taking a road trip. Just remember to charge them before you go and maybe beware the noise cancelling working too well — you still want to hear your stop being called.
Happy travels and happy listening! 


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