The latest headphones combine superb sound with sleek looks. David Phelan rounds up some of the best
Decent headphones are invaluable for travellers. Whether you’re on a train or plane, noise-cancelling is essential. While some airlines provide headphones in premium cabins, you almost certainly won’t have them if you’re further back, and even in business they are rarely anything special.
Note that noise-isolating, whereby the headphones merely form a seal between you and the outside world, is different from noise-cancelling. The latter is a clever electronic system that uses a microphone to measure ambient noise. This noise is then reversed in phase and fed back into the earpieces. The out-of-phase “anti-noise” cancels the real noise. Sounds weird, but it does the trick.
Two pairs here lack noise-cancelling technology: Apple’s AirPods and Sennheiser’s Momentum Free wireless in-ear headphones. They go loud enough, just, to be heard over a jet engine, but team with a gadget such as the Twelve South Airfly (see overleaf) and you’ll have a winner on your hands.
The latest headphones on the market feature rechargeable batteries that can easily last the longest-haul flight, so sit back, tune in and chill out.
Sony WH-1000XM3, £329
Sony makes some of the best wireless headphones and these are the only ones with better noise-cancelling than that of Bose (far right) – some noise-cancelling technology can feel oppressive to the ears but here it’s alive and comfortable. Sony’s cans also have exceptional audio even when noise-cancelling is turned off, sounding rich and detailed with plenty of bass that doesn’t overwhelm subtler tones. The
WH-1000XM3 over-ears fit comfortably for even the longest flight and battery life is up to 30 hours, although a ten-minute recharge gives you five hours of listening time. To hear when someone talks to you, simply rest your hand on the left ear cup and a microphone will let the outside world in. Choose from a discreet black or punchier off-white finish.
Nuraphone, £349
Nuraphone headphones are unusual – as well as over-ear fitting, an internal piece juts into your ears, as with in-ear buds. The design takes some getting used to, but the sound is tremendous. First, you have to train them. That’s done by the companion smartphone app playing test tones while a microphone inside measures your ears’ faint responses. The app then calculates your hearing profile – the difference is striking. Nuraphone headphones gained noise-cancelling functionality through a software update last year and it works well. The update also included “social mode”, which turns on an external microphone so you can hear when someone is talking to you, controlled by a touch-sensitive panel or the app. Battery life is 20 hours.
Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II, £300
Bose has long ruled the market in terms of noise-cancelling, and still would if it weren’t for Sony. The latest Quiet Comfort headphones have lightweight, comfortable ear cups and a cushioned head band. The design was created years ago and has slowly and elegantly evolved. Battery life is 20 hours when used wirelessly. They are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant if they are plugged into your phone and it has internet access; this is activated by tapping the left ear-cup button. Alternatively, you can set that button to adjust noise-cancelling levels. Audio is consistent: solid and appealing with strong fidelity and satisfyingly good bass notes. There’s a classic black option and more delicate silver finish to choose from.
JBL Tune 600BTNC, £90
JBL’s wireless headphones are a real bargain, combining comfort and strong audio. These are on-ear headphones – that is, they don’t fit right over the ears to encase them as over-ears do. They fold flat so can squash into your carry-on, and battery life is 12 hours (jumping to 22 hours if noise-cancelling is off). Noise-cancelling isn’t as stellar as on the Sony and Bose over-ears, but it’s still good. As you might expect from the price, the build quality is not in the same league as the other headphones here, but they are robust – note, though, that the plastic ear cups can scratch easily and there’s no carry case. Still, they work well and are a relaxed fit. You can even choose your favourite colour, providing it’s black, blue, pink or white.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless, £299
Now that Apple owns Beats, it has put the chip found in the original AirPods in these headphones, too, making for seamless connectivity to Apple gadgets. Beats, though, is best known for its thumping bass and if that’s what you’re after, these don’t disappoint. The headphones use something called Adaptive Noise Cancelling to adjust the level of the sound multiple times a second. Even so, they are no match for Sony. The big, soft ear cups and gently insistent hold of the headband make the Beats great at noise-isolation even before you turn noise-cancelling on. At 22 hours, the battery life is enough to fly you to the other end of the world.
Apple AirPods, £159
Apple’s wireless in-ears have been upgraded with a new chip that means you can summon Siri, plus extra features including a faster connection with your iPhone. They are also available with an optional case that charges wirelessly and costs £40 more. Excellent for hands-free phone calls, they now offer talk time of three hours rather than two. Battery life is five hours, plus another 19 hours of charge in the case, while 15 minutes of charging gives three hours of listening. Audio quality is great, and there are clever touches: if you remove one of the pods to talk to someone, the music stops until you put it back. AirPods work with all Bluetooth-capable phones but are best with Apple devices.
Sennheiser Momentum Free In-Ear Wireless, £170
These small headphones fit snugly in your ears and the tight fit helps with noise isolation in the absence of active noise-cancelling. The cable wraps around your neck, which helps to stop them from getting lost if they fall out. Where these little headphones really stand out is in irreproachably good sound quality with deftly accurate bass and convincing detail throughout. Arguably the best-sounding in-ears, they are sophisticated and easy to use. Battery life is six hours but there’s no charging capability in the handsome leather carry case.
Sony WF-SP700N, £180
In-ear noise-cancelling headphones are rare, but Sony has managed it with this wireless set. These fit well thanks to the range of ear-tip sizes supplied with them. The sound is good and the price competitive. Because they’re so small, battery life is much less than some of their rivals, at three hours, although the carry case provides another six hours’ charge. The other downside is a slightly fiddly pairing process that requires you to take the left earbud out of the charging case to link to your device, but leave the right one inside until pairing is complete. Still, as they are sweatproof, they are great for working out in a hotel gym. Available in white, black, pink and yellow.
Best audio gadgets
Bose Sleepbuds, £230
It can be hard to sleep in an unfamiliar hotel but Sleepbuds can help. These tiny, super-light in-ear devices nudge you towards slumber using gentle sounds. They fit tightly and you can choose from different ambient noises, including gentle rain, a babbling stream and white noise.
Flare Audio Isolate Earplugs, £25
Sometimes what you really want to listen to is silence, and those earplugs in the amenity bag just don’t cut it. These block sound using a solid metal core, while long-lasting foams ensure a snug fit. The ear foams are replaceable and come with three sizes of tips. There are also ones designed for sleeping, called Sleeep, and you can opt for earplugs with titanium or even gold cores, for a price.
Twelve South AirFly, £40,
This neat gizmo allows you to use your wireless headphones in the air. It has a jack that plugs into the in-flight entertainment system and connects wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones. It’s simple and effective, and it works with entertainment systems in gyms as well, for instance.
