The London commute is loud. The Tube can be one of the noisiest places you'll sit all day, buses rumble, and mainline trains are full of announcements and phone calls. A good pair of headphones makes the journey a lot more bearable.
We're an online shop based in Wembley, north-west London, and we've picked the three headphones from our range that suit commuting best. All of them are dispatched from our Wembley warehouse and delivered across London and the UK.
The short answer: For the Tube and long journeys, choose the Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (£65). For a light, foldable everyday pair, choose the Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in Black (£24.95). For something that fits in a pocket and never needs charging, choose the USB-C Wired Earphones (£14.95).
Three Commuter Headphones Compared
| Feature | ANC Over-Ear Headphones | Wireless Headphones – Black | USB-C Wired Earphones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £65 | £24.95 | £14.95 |
| Noise cancelling | Adaptive Hybrid ANC | No | No |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C cable (1.2m) |
| Stated playback | Up to 41 hrs (ANC on), 54 hrs (ANC off) | Up to 28 hours | No battery needed |
| Fast charging | 10 mins = up to 2 hrs | 10 mins = up to 2 hrs | Not applicable |
| Portability | Full-size over-ear | Foldable, lightweight | Pocket-sized |
| Calls | Enhanced call clarity | Built-in for calls | In-line mic and controls |
Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (£65)
The best choice for the Underground. Adaptive Hybrid ANC is designed to help reduce background noise, which means you shouldn't need to turn the volume up as far to hear over the train. Battery life is long: the listing states up to 41 hours with ANC on and up to 54 hours with it off, so most commuters will only charge them once a week or so.
They connect over Bluetooth 5.4, support multi-device pairing, and a 10-minute USB-C charge gives up to 2 hours of playback if you forget to charge them overnight. At £65, they also qualify for free UK delivery on their own, excluding certain postcodes. See the Over-Ear ANC Headphones.
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Black (£24.95)
A lightweight, foldable everyday pair. They fold down to fit in a bag, use Bluetooth 5.3, and have a stated playback time of up to 28 hours. They don't have noise cancelling, so they're better suited to buses, Overground trains and walking than to the deep Tube lines. See the Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Black.
USB-C Wired Earphones (£14.95)
The simple option. Plug them into a USB-C phone and they work, with no pairing and no battery to run flat. They have in-line controls for music, calls and volume, a built-in microphone, and a 1.2m cable. Check that your phone supports USB-C audio before buying. See the USB-C Wired Earphones.
See Them Side by Side
Commuting Tips
- Protect your hearing. If you have to turn the volume right up to hear over the train, that's a sign noise cancelling would help.
- Stay aware when walking or cycling. Keep the volume low, or take one side off, near roads and at crossings.
- Charge once, commute all week. Long stated battery life means fewer evenings hunting for a cable.
- Keep a backup. A pair of wired earphones in your bag is handy if your wireless pair runs flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do noise cancelling headphones work on the Tube?
Active noise cancelling is designed to reduce constant background noise, like the rumble of a train. It won't block every sound, but it can make a noisy journey noticeably more comfortable.
Which headphones have the longest battery life?
The Over-Ear ANC Headphones, at up to 54 hours with ANC off and up to 41 hours with ANC on, according to the listing. Real battery life varies with volume and use.
Do the USB-C earphones work with iPhone?
They're designed for devices with USB-C audio. Check that your phone has a USB-C port and supports USB-C audio before ordering.
How fast is delivery in London?
We dispatch from our Wembley warehouse within 2–3 working days, subject to stock. Delivery starts from £4.95, with free delivery on orders over £65, excluding certain postcodes.
Need Help Choosing?
Tell us how you commute and your budget, and we'll recommend a pair.
You can also browse the full Headphones collection.