How to choose headphones for your commute
Noise cancelling, comfort and battery life: what matters on a train, a bus or a bike, and what does not.
Start with where you listen
A noisy train needs strong noise cancelling. A quiet bike lane needs awareness of the traffic around you. Decide where you spend most of your time before you compare any specifications.
What to compare
Ignore the biggest numbers and look at the ones that change your day.
- Comfort over a full hour
- Battery life for your week
- Microphone quality for calls
- A fit that stays put when you move
Our recommendation
For most commuters, over-ear headphones with good noise cancelling and a 30-hour battery are the most comfortable choice. If you walk or cycle, a lighter pair of earbuds with a transparency mode is safer and easier to carry.
