It really doesn’t matter if you just commute daily to and from work, are planning a long overseas trip, or anything in between. A good set of headphones can make a world of difference to your traveling experience, especially if there is some active noise cancellation thrown in.
The idea of being able to melt into your own little bubble and properly relax while traveling is a dream that many of us are still chasing. And while having the best Bluetooth headphones for commuting may not totally fulfill this dream, they can give an almighty push in the right direction!
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But what exactly makes a Great Set of Wireless Headphones?
We chatted extensively about this in the office, and were able to break it down to what we think are the few key factors:
- Comfort – The best headphones for commuting have to provide only the best and longest-lasting comfort levels. The last thing you want on a long-haul flight is sore or overheating ears.
- Sound Quality – It doesn’t matter what particular niche a set of headphones is trying to fill; sound quality is always a make or break factor for us.
- Wireless/Wired – For commuting, we always suggest a wire-free option. It just makes life while traveling that little bit easier.
- Price – Not everyone has the same budget. Luckily there is a range of options these days, and we have covered all the bases in this review.
- Size and Sturdiness – We traveled with a large and bulky set of studio headphones last year and regretted it from the second we hopped in the cab on the way to the airport.
- Noise Isolation – While we prefer sets with ANC (active noise cancelation) for commuting, there are some options on the market that lack this and still do a high-class job!
In this review, we have only listed our favorite headphones for commuting, so if you are looking for Bluetooth earbuds for commuting, then you are unfortunately out of luck with this list.
But maybe, just maybe, you should stick around and see what’s available. Headphones offer functionality and comfort that most earbuds cannot match. So, let’s go through the best Bluetooth wireless headphones for commuting or traveling and find the perfect ones for you!
Best Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting Reviews
1 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones – Best Sounding Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting
Just like every set of headphones on this list, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II are not just an amazing set of best Bluetooth headphones for commuting. They are just an amazing set of headphones straight out, and one of the highest-reviewed headsets in the past two years.
Why is that?
It’s simple. Bose (along with Sony) have been the class leaders in terms of ANC, and nowhere else is this on better display than with the QuietComfort 35 II Bluetooth headphones. And while some reviewers claim that Sony’s tech sounds better, we disagree.
Plus, the Bose offerings are considerably lighter, which, in turn, makes them one of the most comfortable options on the market!
Sound quality is second to none, with the 35mm drivers being a bit smaller than some of the competition but still somehow sounding better than most. A soundstage that has mass appeal – slightly boosted low end with a roomy midsection and tweaked highs. The Bluetooth 5.0 system with multi-codec support gives a strong and stable connection up to 33 feet (10 meters).
Sturdy and portable…
The build quality is again second to none. Bose has unsurprisingly stuck to the aesthetic qualities that they have become known for – simple matte black, high-grade plastic, which feels great in the hand. The folding hinges are sturdily constructed, and the whole unit retracts to a small size and packs easily into the carry case.
And you will never have to worry about the battery. In testing, we got an average of 22 hours 13 minutes when using 75% full volume, and they recharge in less than three hours. Overall, an amazing set of headphones and a set that will be very hard to beat.
For more info on these great headphones, check out our in-depth review of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Exquisite ANC (active noise cancellation).
- Great sound.
- Strong connectivity.
- Long-life battery.
- Sturdy.
Cons
- Price may be restrictive.
2 Sony WH1000XM3 ANC Bluetooth Headphones – Best ANC Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting
Since we mentioned them repeatedly in our last review, we thought we should take a look at Sony’s best Bluetooth headphones for commuting! And, in our estimation, it’s the Sony WH1000XM3 ANC Bluetooth headphones. This is Sony’s flagship ANC model, making these not just amazing for travel, but one of the best overall sets of headphones available today!
Simply the best…
Along with the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, these headphones offer the best ANC experience available right now. These feature heavy ANC headphones not only offer the very best in sound, but they also come in an ultra-modern, sleek design that will have heads turning.
They weigh slightly more than the Bose, but in all honesty, we found the extra weight to be, well… Comforting? They fit snugly to the head and cup the ears with just the right amount of pressure, providing amazing passive noise isolation, which only helps the overall sound.
Intuitive and easy…
The redesigned touch controls are intuitive and easy to grasp an understanding of quickly and are also able to be remapped through the companion app. You can also take full control of the soundstage through the app, and just like the Bose, there is a dedicated voice control button.
Sony has upped the game in terms of microphones…
And the setup in the QuietComfort 35 II is the best we have seen to date. This can be particularly important for commuters looking to work on the go. And with Bluetooth 5.0, multiple codec support, and a 27-hour battery life, pretty much every base is firmly covered!
There is not a whole lot else to say other than if you can afford these, then you won’t get better!
Want to know even more? No problem, it’s all in our comprehensive Sony WH1000XM3 review.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Amazing ANC.
- Huge battery.
- Class-leading sound.
- Extremely comfortable.
- 3.5mm AUX port.
- Strong and portable.
Cons
- Expensive.
3 Master & Dynamic MW65 ANC Headphones – Best Wireless Headphones for Commuting
Since we are looking at top-end models, we couldn’t go past the bespoke Master & Dynamic MW65 ANC wireless headphones. These are the most expensive on our list today, but there is some solid reasoning behind the price. And with this new model, Master & Dynamic have gone a long way to catch the class leaders in ANC technology with their very first try!
Sporting 40mm Beryllium drivers, the Master & Dynamic MW65 produce class-leading sound while weighing less than both the QuietComfort 35 II and the WH1000XM3.
And don’t worry…
Don’t think for a second you are getting any cheap leather imitation or dodgy construction materials with these headphones. Whichever color style you prefer comes with a fully anodized aluminum frame, memory foam padding, and pure leather outers.
Class-leading sound?
Look, we know that sound is a deeply personal category, and it can be hard to compare these top-end products because they all sound amazing. But the sound is simply fantastic.
And with 24-hour battery life and a fast charge time of 15 minutes for 12 hours – almost unbelievable until we tested it – and double the standard Bluetooth range, the Master & Dynamic MW65 blow most of the competition out of the water!
Truly top of the line…
So, if you are one of the lucky ones among us who can afford to splash out, consider the Master & Dynamic MW65 as your next set of headphones, whether you plan to use them for commuting or not!
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Bespoke design and materials.
- Solid ANC.
- Highly comfortable.
- Entire soundstage is perfectly balanced.
- Great looking.
Cons
- Heavy price.
4 Jabra Move Style Edition Bluetooth Headphones – Lightest Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting
If ANC is not the biggest selling point for you, but you are still looking for a great set of low priced headphones to use while commuting, then check out the Jabra Move Style Edition Bluetooth headphones.
These were originally designed to tackle the over-ear workout headphone market, but quickly became a fan favorite across genres! The Jabra Move Style Edition offers top-class wire-free sound quality at a fraction of the price we are used to seeing, without skimping on functionality.
What exactly is on offer then?
The Jabra Move Style Edition combines all the important elements of good Bluetooth headphones, including great sound. You wouldn’t be the only person to mistake them for a much more expensive pair, with many color options available and a fabric topped headband.
The ear cups are fully plastic but feel anything but flimsy. They exert less pressure on the head than we expected, which helped the comfort levels – particularly for long listening sessions.
No Mistake…
The Bluetooth system handles just as well as some of the more expensive sets, and although the battery life is a little shorter than the Master & Dynamic MW65, we were still able to squeeze an average of 17 hours 13 minutes during our testing. There is also a 3.5mm AUX port for when the juice runs out totally.
For the price, there really isn’t much to complain about or many competitors that can match the functionality… except for one, which we are going to review next!
Interested and want to know more? Well, everything you could ever want to know is in our Jabra Move Style Edition review.
(4 / 5)Pros
- Awesome value.
- Well constructed.
- Stable Bluetooth connectivity.
- Long-lasting comfort levels.
- 3.5mm AUX port.
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Not much at this price, but ANC is lacking.
5 Cowin E7 PRO ANC Headphones – Best Budget Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting
Ok, we have made it to our last entry on today’s list. But don’t think for one second that because this is the cheapest offering, it doesn’t deserve a look at.
Quite the opposite, actually!
This is hands-down the best sub $90 dollar set of wireless headphones that includes ANC. And, although the ANC may not be as effective as the more expensive sets, for the price you are paying, there is absolutely nothing to complain about! What you are getting is still one of the best ANC systems going, plus a huge battery, and gorgeous sound for a ridiculously low price.
In this upgraded version of last year’s original model, Cowin has made a few key changes. The chunky ear cans now have a sleek brushed aluminum cover; the drivers have been sized up from 40mm to 45mm, and so has the battery – 600mAh to 800mAh. The active noise cancelation has also been overhauled.
It really adds up…
All this adds up to make a superbly versatile set of headphones! With the dual mic assembly, they make a great headset for calls, Zoom meetings, or gaming.
The battery life averages out at 28 hours 43 minutes, and the fast-charge adds a full hour of playback from 10 mins of charge time. Oh, and there is an AUX cord provided in case you ever run the batteries dry. Industry-standard Bluetooth 5.0 is on show granting up to 33 feet (10 meters) of range before you experience any stability issues.
There’s not much else to say…
The Cowin E7 PRO ticks every box and does for a fraction of the cost of the big names. Grab yourself a pair right now!
(5 / 5)Pros
- Unbeatable value.
- Great ANC.
- Bold and sturdy design.
- 28-hour battery life.
- Well balanced sound.
Cons
- Not foldable.
Looking for even More Options?
If so, then check out our reviews of the Best Podcast Headphones and Best Headphones Under 200 dollars.
And for more of the best headphones, check out our reviews of the AKG N60NC wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Beats Solo 2 WIRED, the Bose SoundLink Around-Ear, the Beats Solo3 Wireless, and the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC.
Which are the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting?
Ok, it’s time to choose a winner. There was a fair bit of back and forth when trying to decide on the overall favorite in the office, with every set bringing the goods.
But, when we take into account the huge price difference, you just can’t beat the…
Cowin E7 PRO ANC Bluetooth Headphones
Yes, the Sony and Bose offerings are better overall sets, and if you have the money to spend, then we still recommend going for one of those two. But before you do, check out what Cowin, you might be very, very surprised at how good they are considering the price!
Happy listening!
