The Curator: The best headphones for workouts, commutes and travel – National

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 stand out for their combination of workout-focused features and everyday versatility, including built-in heart rate monitoring, active noise cancellation and Transparency mode. Their flexible earhooks help keep them in place during movement, while up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case means fewer interruptions to recharge.

For running, cycling or hiking, look for open-ear headphones that let you hear your surroundings without sacrificing sound quality. The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 offer a secure fit, up to 12 hours of battery life and a dual-driver design for clear highs and deeper bass.

If you want workout earbuds that stay put while you run or hit the gym, the JLab Go Air Sport+ feature a secure earhook design and an IP55 rating for sweat and splash resistance. They also offer more than 35 hours of total playtime with the charging case, making them a budget-friendly pick for regular workouts.

These Sony headphones combine impressive noise cancellation with rich, detailed sound, making them a worthwhile pick for tuning out the world on your commute or next flight. A comfortable over-ear fit and noise cancellation that adapts to your surroundings make them just as suited to long listening sessions as everyday use.

For everyday use, look for wireless earbuds with a secure fit, reliable noise cancellation and enough battery life to get you through your commute and daily errands. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 offer up to eight hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled, plus immersive audio, heart rate sensing for workouts and Live Translation.

For long-haul flights, look for headphones with strong noise cancellation to help reduce engine noise and cabin chatter. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) offer up to 24 hours of battery life, a comfortable over-ear fit and immersive audio for movies, music and podcasts in the air.

For long flights and busy travel days, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver premium sound and advanced noise cancellation to help block out engine noise and surrounding distractions. With up to 30 hours of battery life, quick charging and soft leather ear cushions, they’re a comfortable travel companion from takeoff to landing.

If you want to tune out subway noise without spending a fortune, the JBL Tune 770NC headphones offer adaptive noise cancelling and up to 70 hours of battery life. The lightweight, foldable design is also handy for slipping into your bag between commutes.