Recommend Travel Headphones, wireless, closed back, under $500msrp

Depends also on your music taste. Loved the very detailed AKG noise cancelling headphones, but replaced them by the more sturdy Sony ones. Traveled with these all over the world for many years. If you like rock music then Bose is a good choice too.

The noise canceling Sony's have served me very well the last few years although I only use them when traveling and on flights and watching movies, not really music. Very durable so far for last 3 years or so.

@douglas_schroeder Other options welcome. 

wireless earbuds? If so, I have an older Hifiman and Noble Pro wireless earbuds. I also purchased Technics EAH-AZ100-S(Silver) last year 2025. My Noble Pro sounds best for music. Maybe check out Noble’s current offerings here

Also, I agree that better engineering and parts in more expensive components typically outperform lower priced components. But some Agoners can be touchy about advocating this due to limited budgets.