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Best Headphones for Commuting: Our Top Picks for 2026

We've tested dozens of options to bring you our top headphone picks for 2026.

Best Headphones for Commuting: Our Top Picks for 2026

We've tested dozens of options to bring you our top headphone picks for 2026.

What to Look For

  • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
  • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
  • Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
  • Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
  • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

Our Top Picks

Sony WH-1000XM5 — £299

Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent

Our top pick for most people. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £299

Rating: 8.5/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Very Good

Best for runners and gym-goers. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259

Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent

The budget-friendly champion. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229

Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good

The budget-friendly champion. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

How We Test

We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.