20,000 Miles Later: Best Headphones for Travel Reviewed (and What to Avoid)
Looking for travel headphones? WATCH THIS VIDEO! I go over the headphones I’ve most commonly seen when traveling. Which should you choose? #Travel #headphones
NOTE: All product links below are affiliate links. I may earn commission from them. Using these links doesn’t cost you anything, and helps me bring more videos to you.
# PRODUCT PRESENTED
* AirPods Max Travel Case by WiWu – https://amzn.to/3qi68db
# REVIEWED PRODUCTS
* Apple AirPods Max – https://amzn.to/3rS8FLr
* Sony WH-1000XM5 – https://amzn.to/3qhk1Zc
* Sony WH-1000XM4 – https://amzn.to/3qjBccy
* Bose QuietComfort 45 – https://amzn.to/3KrCZ64
* Bose NC 700 – https://amzn.to/3OH2kLP
* SoundCore Life Q30 – https://amzn.to/3OJ7UO0
* SoundCore Space Q45 – https://amzn.to/44VtNiv
* Beats Studio3 – https://amzn.to/44XkLlo
# OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
* Beats Studio Pro – https://amzn.to/3OIohdu
* Sennheiser Momentum 4 – https://amzn.to/47gF8eJ
* Focal Bathys – https://amzn.to/3DOo2ap
* Bowers & Wilkins PX8 – https://amzn.to/3DOo7Lf
* Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX – https://amzn.to/3Ykcoh4
# PANDOPINIONS
* See my friend, Panda! http://twitch.tv/pandopinions
# FULL REVIEWS
* AirPods Max – https://youtu.be/lzr2xdykeBY
* Sony WH-1000XM5 – https://youtu.be/FQeEHAIA3H4
* Sony WH-1000XM4 – https://youtu.be/NnaIRNdzIQk
* Bose QuietComfort 45 – https://youtu.be/p-jja6SMhr4
* Sennheiser Momentum 4 – https://youtu.be/RtUq_6ifOSs
* Focal Bathys – https://youtu.be/S3miH54g1Wk
# REAL PEOPLE REVIEWS
* AirPods Max (Real People Review) – https://youtu.be/YtLZ2QF9MLA
* Sony WH-1000XM5 (Real People Review) – https://youtu.be/EgpnJANYlTs
* Bose NC700 (Real People Review) – https://youtu.be/aQAt1mTuguk
* SoundCore Life Q30 (Real People Review) – https://youtu.be/n3p1SoGBEhs
# COMPARISONS
* AirPods Max vs Sony XM4 – https://youtu.be/efdO1OpPDro
* Focal Bathys vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 – https://youtu.be/9xgFyJrHeWY
# TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro: What this video is all about
00:35 AirPods Max
03:42 Sony WH-1000XM5
06:05 Sony WH-1000XM4
08:26 Bose QuietComfort 45
10:06 Bose NC 700
12:00 SoundCore Life Q30
13:10 SoundCore Space Q45
14:11 Beats Studio3
16:12 Conclusions & Other Options
# DISCLAIMERS
* Music is “Lose Yourself” by Drew Banga (YouTube License)
* Product links may be affiliate
My rigth ear of my xm5 doesn’t sound or work now so looking for one for my next flight 👀, your video really helps much
Perfect timing. I’m supposed to fly on Friday and I feel pretty good about my Bose now. (Though they are 35 II and not 45, their differences aren’t that important to me.) Thanks!
Nothing beats the Sony XM4s for travel, nothing.
these are too huge and bulky for travel imo.I like smaller buds
I have large ears I guess, and I dislike when they touch the driver or cushion.
Wich one(s) do you think is best for that comfort wise?
What would be your fav for work (music sound and calls are priority)?
LOTS of links mentioned in this video, so posting in the comments for visibility. Listed in order of appearance, NOT recommendation.
*Note: Product links are affiliate and help me bring more of these reviews to you.
Minor notes:
1. Not all Android phones handle LDAC, but those that do are a treat.
2. Noise canceling on the Beats Studio3 is on par with the SoundCore Life Q30.
3. See my friend, Panda! http://twitch.tv/pandopinions
# AIRPODS MAX
* Product – https://amzn.to/3rS8FLr
* WiWu Travel Case – https://amzn.to/3qi68db
* Full Review – https://youtu.be/lzr2xdykeBY
* Real People Review – https://youtu.be/YtLZ2QF9MLA
* Versus Sony XM4 – https://youtu.be/efdO1OpPDro
# SONY WH-1000XM5
* Product – https://amzn.to/3qhk1Zc
* Full Review (vs XM4) – https://youtu.be/FQeEHAIA3H4
* Real People Review – https://youtu.be/EgpnJANYlTs
# SONY WH-1000XM4
* Product – https://amzn.to/3qjBccy
* Full Review – https://youtu.be/NnaIRNdzIQk
(This was one of my first reviews, so expect awkwardness.)
* Versus AirPods Max – https://youtu.be/efdO1OpPDro
# BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 45
* Product – https://amzn.to/3KrCZ64
* Full Review – https://youtu.be/p-jja6SMhr4
* Real People Review – https://youtu.be/aQAt1mTuguk
# BOSE NC 700
* Product – https://amzn.to/3OH2kLP
* Real People Review – https://youtu.be/aQAt1mTuguk
# SOUNDCORE LIFE Q30
* Product – https://amzn.to/3OJ7UO0
*Real People Review – https://youtu.be/n3p1SoGBEhs
# SOUNDCORE SPACE Q45
* Product – https://amzn.to/44VtNiv
# BEATS STUDIO3
* Beats Studio3 – https://amzn.to/44XkLlo
(I don’t recommend them for travel, but great for looks)
# OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
## SENNHEISER MONENTUM 4
* Product – https://amzn.to/47gF8eJ
* Full Review – https://youtu.be/RtUq_6ifOSs
* Versus Focal Bathys – https://youtu.be/9xgFyJrHeWY
## FOCAL BATHYS
* Focal Bathys – https://amzn.to/3DOo2ap
* Full Review – https://youtu.be/S3miH54g1Wk
* Versus Momentum 4 – https://youtu.be/9xgFyJrHeWY
# OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
* Beats Studio Pro – https://amzn.to/3OIohdu
* Bowers & Wilkins PX8 – https://amzn.to/3DOo7Lf
* Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX – https://amzn.to/3Ykcoh4
Great video! What do you recommend for people with smaller head and who wear glasses. For instance, I have pair of Bose QC 35s. They are too big at the smallest settings. Thaks!
What I miss in your review of the Souncore Q30’s, I personally think you should’ve mentioned that ANC does not work when the cable is attached. This is quite a crucial feature for (international) travel, where you make use of the audio/screen in the seats.
The thumbnail shows the focal… but its not in the video. Was curious how it would stack vs the rest. Am still on the verge to buy a focal.
Great comparisons! Important to remember that context for use matters so much for a pair of headphones. Being good in one area and not in others doesn’t suddenly make them bad, just need to consider what *you* actually want them for.
I have a question though: As someone with a large headphone ‘collection’ do you ever go about your day with more than one pair, for reasons other than testing? I value aesthetics and sound a lot, and am very happy with my new pair of HD450BT’s for that. I also do a lot of travel on loud buses and trains, and while the ANC on them is an improvement over my old faithful bare-bones headphones, I know it’s not as good as much of the field. I’m wondering how reasonable it may be to have two different sets of headphones for different contexts throughout the day.
Ldac is not that great because it is unstable
The Air Pod Mac Sounds better than the Focal Bathys?
In terms of the sound quality alone, the Focal Bathys trumps all of those.
Why isn’t the momentum 4 on your list? 🙁
Hi i am an android user and am looking for a compact and comfortable set that i will be primarily using for travel. I think that both of the bose headphones would work best for me but i am just wondering if the fact that i will be using them with an android device is a deal breaker. Thanks
Great vid, I was wondering if you had any opinion on whether I should go with the xm4s or wait it out for any potential releases (I haven’t looked into this). I currently have the sony mdr 100x and they have served me well, I don’t find anything particularly wrong with them, the sound is good enough (not an audiophile by any means), and I love the anc. The xm4 seems like a good option, a familiar chassis with a few generations of improvements. Although I could just get some new ear pads for my 1000x’s and wait for something more polished. I was really interested with the momentum 4s sound quality that I could be missing out on but it seems like they have an abundance of issues you mentioned in your videos, like the anc not being up to par amongst other things. Love the content.
Do you know how to get the best audio quality on a laptop? Or an iPhone?
What do you think of the coming Bose QuietComfort ultras?
Personally for the AirPods Max sounds so sterile. It was offensive .
Just god the NC700 refurbished for 179 on the bose website!
Thanks my dude for the vid
Look for an upgrade from my 5 years old Sony hear on 2 and don’t know what to pick. I can get the Bose QCSE (45) for 190$ or the XM4s for 220$ 🤔
Norb! Are there any alternatives to the XM5’s? I just got those, but I can’t stand it due to discomfort. It really presses my ears and the top of my head. I’m returning them today, which is so unfortunate, cause the ANC and features are just perfect for my day-to-day use.
I’m really considering the QC45’s. Great ANC and comfort are a must for me. Do you have any other suggestions? Airpods are way too expensive to me, and I’m not part of apple ecosystem either. I thought of the Momentum 4’s, but as i mentioned, i need top notch ANC because of my noisy work environment. What do you recommend besides the QC45?
New Subscriber
I Have a blue pair of sound core space Q45 headphones. I think there great. I also own soundcore lifenote c bluethooth headphones ( look like airpods) black ones. there way better and i own an android
Great review
What if sound quality and portability are primary, you have zero qualms with wired and you don’t care "at all" about Bluetooth or noise canceling??
@NorbReviews
Have you ever tried Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones?
Dre3 does not sound great, but honestly they are super light weight and have been the most comfy pair I’ve had. Got them as an addition with a laptop. If I were to purchase something now, I’d much rather get 700ANC or QuietComfort. Much better balanced sound quality, better ANC, better cold resistance—as the Dre3 turns OFF to save battery when it’s really cold. Not ideal in Norway 😆
Yo! Yeah-amazing ~ 🤚
Nice video, what about hifi headphones for flying? you mentioned PX8, but what about connectivity on a plane of those?
Bathys in your thumbnail but not review argh! Haha
20,000 miles? Those are rookie numbers you’re putting up. I think my kids do that just going to school and back. :).
I’m still a fan of the AirPods Max. I’ve never noticed a change in noise cancelling during takeoff, but next time I fly I’m going to listen for it. The noise canceling changes depending on my position sometimes (maybe I’m breaking the seal).
The one thing that works great for me is switching devices with it. I used to have a pair of Bose QC35s and switching between my laptop and phone would never work right. The AirPods Max work perfectly almost every time.
Thta’s strange, I see everywhere that the Bose has the best ANC but here the sony is much better…
i wanna get the bose qc45 but I listen to a lot of bass heavy music. ive heard they are not really good when it comes to the low ends. should i buy them?
The Sony XM5 headset’s ANC is awesome BUT the headband cause pain on top of my head after an hour of wearing the XM5 headset. I do have a large manly head so proceed with caution. I returned them for a refund and will try the Bose Ultra headset
Would you go with the Bose q45 or Soundcore q45?
these Sennheiser’s HD 450BT’s are 129 ( Canadian ) 95 ( USD ) for black friday….i just need a set for watching netflix and my ipad for movies and utube….the noise cancellation and calls are not important but good sound is ….would these be a good buy ?….cheers from Canada
This is the best video I have seen on this topic so far!
Question: Did you experience any soreness at the top of your head, caused by the headband, during the first few days of use with of any of these headphones? I recently bought the bose QC 45s and the top of my head got pretty sore after about one and a half hours of use during my first time taking it with me traveling, which was shortly after I had bought them, meaning I had barely worn them at the time. I am definitely used to more plush up top, as I use the extremely comfortable DT 770 pros at home all day.
Great video, just a note: not all android devices support LDAC.
I have the Soundcore Life Q30 and I can definitely recommend them. Some additional information about them: The microphone picks up on everything and it makes it impossible to be on the phone outside if there is wind or other noise like cars, escalators etc. Also the fake leather fabric feels great, but expect a lifespan on it for about 3 years. It may be because I dropped them several times when jumping over a gate or skateboarding etc, but it has started to break off in small pieces, hence why I’m here. The sound is still great, absolutely nothing wrong with that, sounds like new. Also note that this is pretty much daily use to and from work and on the train etc, going for walks and whatnot.
I am buying headphones for my father. He has an iPhone and iPad, and he needs things as easy as possible so I am tempted by the Apple product- but he is going to be using whatever I buy for a 24-hour train ride first. You would say a definite no for that?