The Best Wireless Headphones and Earbuds for Every Type of Traveler
With the new, headphone jack-less iPhone 7, everyone who's upgrading to the new device will be looking for a new wireless wearable if they haven't already been converted to using a Bluetooth-enabled audio accessory.
While Apple does supply an adaptor that enables traditional headphones to plug into the iPhone 7, users will not be able to charge their device and listen to music at the same time, which can be a real drag.
To help you embrace the wireless lifestyle, we've researched a range of wearable audios for all types of travelers to help make tangled headphones a thing of the past. Here's a look at the best options out there.
WIRELESS HEADPHONES
For Style-Conscious Travelers
Master & Dynamic's MW60 Wireless Over Ear Headphones are an ultra-stylish option thanks to a body designed in a combination of premium grain leather, lambskin leather memory foam and stainless steel and aluminum components. Additional features include an above average signal range and a 16-hour rechargeable battery. There's also a detachable 1.25m standard cable in case you do feel like being wired for a while. ($549, www.masterdynamic.com)
For Travelers That Need No Distraction
The AKG N60 NC is perfect for those who want to cancel out all the background noise while they're on the go, which you can do thanks to AKG's nifty active noise-canceling technology. With a 30-hour battery life, the headphones also produce a clear acoustic sound with a warm base response. The ultra-compact design and travel carrying case are a nice addition. ($249, www.harmanaudio.com)
For Eco-Friendly Travelers
With a minimalist and eco-conscious design, House of Marley Rebel BT headphones feature a regrind silicone rubber headband made of recycled materials for ultimate comfort, plus grips molded with blended materials of bio-mass and eco-plastics. You'll get eight hours of continuous wireless play via Bluetooth technology. The Rebel BTs are available in black, grey and navy, so take your pick. ($59, www.thehouseofmarley.com)
For Travelers Who Want to Minimize Charging Time
As part of the Apple family, Beats is going to be rolling out three new wireless audio devices this fall to go with the new iPhone 7, and the first one available is the Solo3. While these can have up to 40 hours of battery life when fully charged, the device has a fast fuel feature that can grant three hours of playback after just a five-minute charge. The headphones are adjustable, while cushioned ear cups make listening more comfortable. On-ear controls and specially-designed mics make calls, music play, volume adjustment and Siri activation easy to do on the go. ($299, www.apple.com)
WIRELESS EARBUDS
For Travelers Who Want Total Wireless Control
Plantronics' BackBeat GO 3 wireless earbuds provide a total cord-free experience. Now only can users skip tracks, change the volume and answer calls, but they can also activate Siri, Google Now or Cortana without ever needing to touch the phone. Custom speakers deliver high-resolution sound, while the audio codec is said to allow for every detail of the music to be experienced. You'll get 6.5 hours of listening time — select models also come with a charging case providing an additional boost of 13 hours. ($99, www.plantronics.com)
For Active Travelers
Designed for superior audio performance, Jaybird's Freedom wireless earbuds have an elegant, sand-blasted, all-metal housing instead of plastic to help remove distortion. The product's micro size and sweat-proof qualities make the style perfect for everything from running and biking to relaxing and listening to some music on the way to work. You'll get a combined total of eight hours of usage — four hours to start, plus another four when you use the included Charging Clip — and users can customize the sound settings through the brand's nifty MySound app. ($199, www.jaybirdsport.com)
For Techie Travelers
A truly wireless option, Bragi's Dash appears to be a pair of earbuds from the future. Dash features touch controls for volume, skipping tracks and taking calls, while it's sensors can track your workouts and provide live feedback of your heart rate, steps, cadence, strokes and duration, among other details, when connected to its app. You can expect a battery life of three hours — with a charging case that can allow up to five charges in a day. These earbuds are also waterproof for up to three feet, and come with 4GB of storage, enough space to hold about 1,000 songs. ($299, www.store.bragi.com)
For Travelers on a Budget
For an inexpensive pair of Bluetooth-enabled earbuds without sacrificing quality, don't miss Skullcandy's Method. Featuring a sweat-resistant, around-the-neck collar that allows for a secure hold, these earbuds were designed to meet the demands of high intensity interval training. They'll also give you up to nine hours of battery life, which isn't bad considering the price. ($59, www.skullcandy.com)
What are your favorite go-to wireless headphones and earbuds? Tell us about them, below.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.