Why I always travel with both headphones and earbuds, and you should too

When I pack for a trip, whether a vacation or attending a tradeshow for work, I don’t just bring one set of headphones or earbuds; I bring both. And no, this isn’t some “audiophile excess” thing. Over the years, I’ve learned that carrying both gives me flexibility, comfort, and peace of mind in ways I didn’t initially expect. Here’s why I swear by this two-audio-device travel rule, and why you might want to as well.

Headphones and earbuds do different jobs

Over-ear headphones excel when I want to relax and shut out the world. Not only to the big ear cups create a comfortable and secure seal with reliable isolation, their larger drivers can produce deeper bass, clear midrange, and strong treble, covering the full range of hearing more evenly than most earbuds. Most models nowadays also have noise cancellation strong enough to reduce the steady drone of a plane’s engine or the rumble of a subway. They’re also more comfortable to wear for long stretches at a time, without any ear canal pressure that earbuds can create, and without the need to constantly adjust them in place. When I’m on a work call on my laptop, headphones also tend to have cleaner microphone pickup.

Wireless earbuds, on the other hand, win on portability and convenience. They slip into your pocket or jacket without a thought, taking up far less space in a bag than headphones. With a good transparency mode, you can stay aware of your surroundings while on the go, which is handy for when navigating a busy train station. Earbuds are also ideal in hostels or shared spaces where I want to be discreet, or for quick interactions where taking off headphones would be cumbersome. They’re more comfortable for lying down, wearing hats or hoodies, and jumping on quick calls on my phone without feeling like I’m putting on a full headset.

Why both is better than one

The biggest advantage of packing both is flexibility. Travel is unpredictable. Your surroundings, schedule, and even your listening needs can change quickly. Having both headphones and earbuds means I can instantly adapt to the situation.

There’s also redundancy. If my headphones run out of battery mid-flight, earbuds are ready as a backup. I often swap between them during the day, letting one charge while using the other. Some products even add extra versatility, like the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2, whose case can plug into airplane entertainment systems via 3.5mm or USB, or the JBL Tour One M3, which can share audio wirelessly with multiple Auracast-compatible headsets.

Finally, there’s the social factor. Headphones can signal that I want uninterrupted time, which can be useful in airports or on long rides. Earbuds are more discreet, making them better when I want to remain approachable or avoid blocking my peripheral awareness.

This is my personal loadout that works for almost any trip:

• Headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra for consistent noise cancelation, comfortable fit, and long battery life during extended flights and travel days.
• Earbuds: Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for pocketable convenience, a reliable transparency mode when I need to stay alert in busy areas, and the fast-pairing convenience of working with my Galaxy S25 phone. If it weren’t for the ecosystem benefits, the CMF Buds 2 Pro would be my second go-to for the convenience of the smart dial on the case, which lets me control my earbuds without touching them or going through an app.

For iPhone users, a similar combination might be AirPods Max paired with AirPods Pro, taking advantage of Apple’s ecosystem integration for seamless pairing, device switching, and spatial audio.

Final boarding call

Travel throws a lot at you: the steady rumble of engines, last-minute announcements, crowded terminals, and the occasional quiet moment worth savoring. Having both headphones and earbuds means you’re prepared for all of it.

It’s not about overpacking, it’s about tuning in and out of your trip the way you want to.