Portability/foldability

Folds down compactly for easy packing and everyday portability, especially when paired with the included travel case.

The earbuds and compact case are easy to carry for commuting and travel, with multiple reviewers calling the pocketability a strong point.

The QuietComfort Headphones fold and rotate to pack small, and together with their compact travel case this review confirms they remain particularly easy to carry in backpacks or carry-on luggage compared to bulkier over-ear designs.

Very portable thanks to smaller buds and a compact case that slips into pockets easily; size reduction versus prior generations is a meaningful daily-use upgrade.

Portability is a strong suit thanks to the lightweight build and foldable design that folds flat and packs down neatly; several reviews emphasize the travel friendliness, especially compared to bulkier or non-folding competitors.

These headphones remain highly packable thanks to a fold-up design and compact, pouch-like case that make them easy to slip into a bag, even if they do not fold completely flat like some alternative over-ear ANC models.

The inward fold and rotating cups make the XM6 much easier to pack than the XM5, boosting travel-friendliness; the overall bundle is still not the absolute smallest compared with ultra-compact rivals.

Foldable earcups and the included hard case make the headphones easy to pack and protect in a bag when commuting or traveling.

Portability is a strong point: the buds and case are compact and pocketable, though a few reviews note the case is a bit thicker than some competitors.

Overall portability is good thanks to a slim pocketable case and smaller buds than the prior model; a minority still find the case/buds bulky compared with the smallest competitors.

Earcups fold/rotate inward to fit the hard case, making the Aventho 300 generally travel-friendly for commuting and flights. The pack-down isn’t the smallest in class and at least one comparison review argues they don’t fold in the traditional sense, but most still find them easy to stow.

Portability is helped by earcups that swivel flat and a protective case, but the headphones do not fold into the headband, so they are not the most compact option. Several reviews still call them backpack-friendly, with the main portability downside being case size compared with the smallest competitors.

Portability is improved versus earlier Px7 models thanks to a slimmer, flatter profile and a travel case with a smaller footprint, making packing easier. However, multiple reviews note the PX7 S3 do not fully fold like some competitors, so they are not the most compact option. Overall, travel-friendliness is good with the case, but foldability remains a limitation.

Portability is decent but not class-leading: the case fits in pockets yet is repeatedly called bulky, and the earbuds themselves are large. If you prioritize compact carry, smaller competitors may suit better.

Portability is good overall but not class-leading: the case is a bit bulky compared with some rivals and the buds can protrude depending on ear shape. Some testers find the profile reasonably flush once fitted, helping for active use.

The non folding design and large earcups limit compact storage versus the WH 1000XM series, but rotating cups and a soft pouch keep the H9 II reasonably portable for travel.

Portable enough for daily carry, but the case is often described as bulkier than AirPods/Sony alternatives; still pocketable, just less discreet.

Portability is the biggest compromise, with multiple reviewers calling the case notably large and less pocket-friendly than typical earbud cases. It remains travel-friendly for bags, but not ideal for minimalist carry.

These over ear headphones do not fold especially small and their sturdy hard case occupies a noticeable amount of space in a bag, making them less ideal for travellers who prioritise compact packing.

The design folds flat but does not fold inward into a compact bundle, so it takes more bag space than older folding designs and some competitors. Multiple reviews call out the larger case and bulkier footprint as the main portability tradeoff, even though the flat lay still packs neatly in its case.

Multiple reviews point out the headphones don’t fold down particularly small, and the travel case can take up a noticeable amount of bag space. Great for long trips thanks to battery life, but not ideal if you travel ultra-light.

Earcups rotate flat but the headphones don’t fold up compactly, which hurts packability versus rivals that fold inward.

Portability is limited: the headset does not fold and many reviews note it does not swivel flat, so it is bulkier in a bag than travel headphones. The cable-connected dongle can also be awkward for handheld consoles, though the headset still moves easily between desk and living-room setups.

Portability is a weak point due to the headphone’s large size and bulky case, making it more of a luggable home/desk option than a travel staple.

Because the earcups do not fold and the smart case prioritizes sleep mode over protection, AirPods Max take up more room in a bag unless paired with a bulkier third party case.