Headphones can get expensive, very expensive. And while our lab tests reveal that the very best audio experience will cost you, they've also revealed some relatively more affordable sets that will do the job.
We've also included our top tips on the things to look for when buying summer holiday headphones.
from in-ear to over-ear, discover the headphones that aced all our lab testsSoundcore by Anker Liberty 4NC (typical price, £80)
Soundcore by Anker is becoming well known for releasing feature-filled, truly wireless in-ear headphones that won't break the bank. Noise-cancelling, four differently-sized changeable eartips and wireless charging support are all standouts here. We clocked battery life at just under 10.5 hours without noise-cancelling, 7 hours 43 minutes with. That's enough to keep you listening on a flight from London to Dubai.
For those worried about getting them wet, they have a water resistance rating of IPX4, meaning they can survive contact with light splashes of water. This is good if you want to use them poolside, but they won't be protected from full submersion in water.
Skullcandy Rail True Wireless In-Ear (typical price, £60)
These Skullcandy earbuds have a lot of standout features, but one of the best is the built-in Tile support. By downloading the Tile app (free for both Android and iOS devices) and linking it to these Skullcandy headphones, you can locate lost earbuds by playing a sound on them and seeing their last known location.
They're also rated IP55, meaning they have limited protection from both water and dust, so you can confidentially listen to your favourite soundtrack, audiobook or podcast while relaxing on the beach.
JBL Tune 670NC (typical price, £90)
Released last summer, these JBL on-ear headphones have noise-cancelling, which is uncommon for this type of headphone. Despite not covering your ears entirely, they still blocked out a good amount of background noise in our tests, and also leaked relatively little amount of sound out to your surroundings (ideal when on a quiet plane or train).
Battery life is strong, both with and without noise-cancelling active, and they also come with an audio cable, so you can keep listening even if the battery does run flat.
Like many on-ear and over-ear headphones, the earcups can be rotated when not in use. This makes them more compact and easier to store in your bag. They don't come supplied with any kind of travel case, however, so you may want to invest in one before your trip.
Is the sound and comfort up to scratch? Find out in our full .Sony WH-CH520 (typical price, £50)
These Sony on-ear headphones lack noise-cancelling but can be paired with two devices simultaneously. This could be useful if, for example, you're watching a video on your tablet but receive a call on your smartphone (the headphones will automatically redirect to your phone so you can take the call, and then reconnect with your tablet once finished). No more fumbling through bags or your pockets when sitting in the airport lounge or train terminal.
They're also Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair compatible, meaning they can connect to Android and Windows devices almost instantly. We also found them to have a stable fit and substantial 57.5 hour battery life.
Lots of connivant features, but how do they sound and are they comfortable? Check out our fullr all the details.JBL Tune 720BT (typical price, £50)
These budget-priced over-ear headphones lack noise-cancelling but impress with a decent microphone, making them ideal for calls. This makes them a versatile choice to not only listen to content with, but also make your friends and family jealous as you regale them with your holiday adventures. Additionally, a lack of noise leakage means no one will overhear your conversation (lucky for them).
They also lasted a whopping 82 hours before running flat in our battery test, and the supplied 3.5mm audio cable means you can also listen via wired connection.
Goji GTCBTNC24 (typical price, £35)
These budget-friendly over-ear headphones from Goji, a British electronics and audio company, include noise-cancelling that works even when you're listening via a wired connection with the supplied 3.5mm audio cable. This means you can block out the hustle and bustle of your surroundings and enjoy your holiday in blissful peace, no matter how you use them.
The battery lasted a respectable 21 hours with noise-cancelling, which is more than enough for a long-haul flight to Los Angeles, Tokyo or even Singapore.
Noise-cancelling and good battery life for an affordable price, but what's the sound quality like? Read our full to find out.This model currently has low availability, but as a fairly new set, it might be restocked in the future. They're worth tracking down if you can.Check out our for more information on our tough lab testsWhat to look for when buying summer holiday headphones
Active noise cancelling
All headphones block out a certain amount of background noise, but active noise cancelling works to neutralise the sounds around you, such as a plane’s engine noise or general beach commotion.
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Waterproofing
Noise leakage
If you don't want to risk sharing your music with fellow passengers, pay particular attention to how a set of headphones performs in terms of noise leakage. Our reviews measure how much sound leaks out from your headphones.
Build quality
When travelling with headphones, you want to be sure that they can handle being transported and are able to withstand the occasional bump. We inspect the build quality of not only the headphones, but also any charging case.
Travel case
Many on-ear and over-ear headphones come with a travel case, ideal for protecting them when not in use during your trip. However, the quality of these cases can vary and some models don't come with one at all.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/lab-tested-summer-holiday-headphones-for-under-100-aEOmR2o1enX6