Flying can be a stressful experience, but it can be made much more enjoyable with a pair of noise cancelling headphones. Noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes are designed to block out the ambient noise of an airplane engine, allowing you to listen to music or watch movies without having to turn the volume up to maximum levels. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 best noise cancelling headphones for flying on an airplane, with a focus on comfort, durability, wireless connectivity, microphone and call quality, and price.
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is widely considered one of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. It is extremely comfortable to wear, with soft ear cushions that rest gently on your ears. The headphones are also lightweight, making them perfect for long flights. The noise cancelling technology is top-notch, blocking out all outside noise without affecting the sound quality of your music or movie. The headphones also come with built-in Google Assistant and Alexa, which allow you to control your music, make calls, and receive texts without taking out your phone. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is another top contender in the noise cancelling headphone market. The headphones are extremely comfortable to wear, with soft ear cushions that mold to the shape of your ears. The noise cancelling technology is excellent, blocking out all outside noise and letting you enjoy your music or movie without any distractions. The headphones also have great battery life, lasting up to 30 hours on a single charge. They also come with a quick charging feature that gives you 5 hours of playback time on a 10-minute charge. The headphones have a built-in microphone that offers excellent call quality, and they also support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
3. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is premium noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes that offer exceptional sound quality and noise cancelling technology. The headphones are comfortable to wear, with soft ear cushions that mold to the shape of your ears. The noise cancelling technology is top-notch, blocking out all outside noise and letting you enjoy your music or movie without any distractions. The headphones have great battery life, lasting up to 17 hours on a single charge. They also come with a built-in microphone that offers excellent call quality.
4. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 is great noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes that offers exceptional comfort and noise cancelling technology. The headphones are comfortable to wear, with soft ear cushions that rest gently on your ears. The noise cancelling technology is excellent, blocking out all outside noise and letting you enjoy your music or movie without any distractions. The headphones have great battery life, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge. They also come with a built-in microphone that offers excellent call quality, and they support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
If you’re a Microsoft user, the Surface Headphones 2 is the way to go. These headphones feature touch controls, allowing you to manage your music and call with ease. They also have excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and impressive sound quality, with rich bass and clear highs. The battery life is also solid, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge.
5. Jabra Elite 85H
The Jabra Elite 85h is a great choice if you’re on a budget. They have advanced noise cancellation technology that can block out distracting noises on your flight. They also have a ton of features like touch controls, voice assistant compatibility, and a water-resistant design.
The battery life on these headphones is also impressive, with up to 36 hours of playtime on a single charge. And if you need a quick charge, just 15 minutes of charging can give you up to 5 hours of playback time. The earpads and headband are made with soft memory foam, making them comfortable to wear for long periods. They also have a great microphone and call quality.
6. Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max is premium noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplane that offers exceptional sound quality and noise cancellation. It features Apple’s proprietary H1 chip, which enables hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands and seamless connectivity with Apple devices.
The AirPods Max also has an innovative design that includes a breathable mesh canopy, providing a comfortable fit even for long listening sessions. It features a Digital Crown for easy control of volume, playback, and Siri, and has up to 20 hours of battery life. It also includes a Smart Case that puts the headphones in an ultra-low-power state to preserve battery life when not in use.
One downside to the AirPods Max is its high price point, which makes it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers. It also does not support aptX or LDAC codecs, which may be a downside for audiophiles who prefer lossless audio quality.
7. Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro is a popular noise-cancelling earbud that offers excellent sound quality and noise cancellation in a compact and portable form factor. It features Apple’s proprietary H1 chip, which enables hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands and seamless connectivity with Apple devices.
The AirPods Pro also has an innovative design that includes three sizes of silicone ear tips, providing a comfortable and customizable fit for different ear sizes. It features Active noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplane that blocks out external noise and has a Transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings when needed. It also has up to 5 hours of battery life and a compact charging case that provides up to 24 hours of total listening time.
One downside to the AirPods Pro is that it may not fit securely for all users, especially during physical activities. It also does not support aptX or LDAC codecs, which may be a downside for audiophiles who prefer lossless audio quality.
8. Beats Solo Pro
The Beats Solo Pro is premium on-ear noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes that delivers impressive sound quality and active noise cancellation. It features Apple’s H1 chip, which allows for easy pairing with Apple devices and hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands.
The Solo Pro has a sleek and modern design with comfortable fit and intuitive controls. Its active noise cancellation is effective at blocking out external noise, making it ideal for use in noisy environments. It also has a Transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings when needed.
In terms of sound quality, the Beats Solo Pro delivers a well-balanced sound profile with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. It also has up to 22 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled and up to 40 hours with it turned off.
One downside to the Solo Pro is that its on-ear design may not be comfortable for extended listening sessions, especially for users with larger ears. It also does not support aptX or LDAC codecs, which may be a downside for audiophiles who prefer lossless audio quality.
9. Bowers & Wilkins PX7
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 is high-end wireless noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes that boasts impressive sound quality and a comfortable design. It features advanced noise-cancelling technology that adapts to your environment, providing a personalized listening experience.
The PX7 has a stylish and durable design, with carbon fiber composite arms and soft leather ear cups that provide a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. Its noise cancellation is effective at blocking out external noise, and it has a Transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings when needed.
In terms of sound quality, the PX7 delivers a rich and dynamic sound with deep bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. It also supports the aptX Adaptive codec, which provides high-quality wireless audio streaming with low latency.
The PX7 has a long battery life of up to 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled and up to 50 hours with it turned off. It also has intuitive controls that allow you to easily adjust the volume, skip tracks, and activate voice assistants.
One downside to the PX7 is its weight, which may be slightly heavy for some users. It also has a higher price point compared to other noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplanes on the market.
10. AKG N700NC M2
If you’re looking for high-quality noise cancelling headphones for flying on airplane that won’t break the bank, the AKG N700NC M2 is a great option. Despite its lower price point compared to other high-end headphones, the N700NC M2 still delivers excellent noise cancellation and sound quality.
The headphone features adaptive noise cancelling that adjusts to your surroundings and provides up to 20 hours of battery life. It also has a comfortable and ergonomic design, making it ideal for long flights. The N700NC M2 also has the option to use either Bluetooth or a wired connection, giving you more flexibility in how you use it.
The only downside to the AKG N700NC M2 is that it may not be as durable or long-lasting as other headphones on this list. However, with proper care and maintenance, it should last for a long time.
Noise Cancelling Headphones for Flying on Airplane Conclusion
In conclusion, noise-cancelling headphones can make a significant difference in the comfort and overall experience of flying on an airplane. We have reviewed 10 of the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, taking into consideration important factors such as comfort, durability, wireless connectivity, microphone and call quality, and price. When selecting a noise-cancelling headphone for flying, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and needs. Whether you prioritize noise cancellation, sound quality, or battery life, there is a headphone on this list that will meet your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are noise-cancelling headphones worth the investment for flying?
A. Yes, noise-cancelling headphones are definitely worth the investment for flying, especially for frequent travelers or those who are sensitive to noise. They can make a significant difference in reducing ambient noise and provide a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
Q. Do noise-cancelling headphones completely cancel out all airplane noise?
A. While noise-cancelling headphones can significantly reduce ambient noise, they cannot completely cancel out all airplane noise. However, they can make a significant difference in reducing engine noise, cabin noise, and other background noises.
Q. Can noise-cancelling headphones be used for other purposes besides flying?
A. Yes, noise-cancelling headphones can be used for a variety of purposes besides flying, such as for commuting, studying, or even just for everyday listening. They can provide a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience by reducing unwanted background noise.
Q. Can noise-cancelling headphones cause ear damage?
A. Noise-cancelling headphones do not cause ear damage as they do not produce sound waves. However, it is important to use them responsibly and not listen to music at dangerously high volumes, which can cause permanent hearing damage.
Q. Are wireless noise-cancelling headphones better than wired ones?
A. Both wireless and wired noise-cancelling headphones have their own advantages and disadvantages. Wireless headphones offer more convenience and freedom of movement, while wired headphones typically provide better sound quality and may not require charging. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences and needs.