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Best noise canceling headphones for flying on an airplane

Take off in silence.
By
August 8, 2023
The Best
Sony WH-1000XM5
MSRP: $399.00
8.6
Check price
Positives
ANC performance
Outstanding microphone
App features, including custom EQ
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and wired connectivity options
Bluetooth multipoint
Find My Device enabled
Negatives
Price
No IP rating
The Bottom Line.
The predecessors to the Sony WH-1000XM5 were king of the hill, and this new headphone takes that crown. With new drivers, features, and design, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is an intriguing set of headphones among the flagship active noise canceling (ANC) devices on the market. It excels in travel or at the office, in particular.Read full review...
Best battery
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
MSRP: $349.95
8.5
Check price
Positives
Excellent battery life
Excellent sound quality
Connectivity options
Price
Negatives
Middling ANC
Mic noise rejection
The Bottom Line.
If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD.Read full review...
Best comfort
Bose QuietComfort 45
MSRP: $329.00
7.9
Check price
Positives
Outstanding noise-cancelling
USB-C port
Comfortable over long periods of time
Wired and wireless playback
In-app EQ
Negatives
Sound quality
SBC and AAC only, no aptX
Only way to turn off ANC is to turn on Aware mode; no true off listening mode
The Bottom Line.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 has all the parts to be a great ANC headset, but it doesn't quite have the finish. Sound quality isn't all that great, even if the ANC is among the best in class.Read full review...
Best style
Apple AirPods Max
MSRP: $549.00
8
Check price
Positives
Nice design and solid build quality
Amazing active noise canceling and transparency mode
Comfortable ear pads and fabric headband
Decent battery life
Button and digital crown are great to use
Good sound quality with no distortion
Great connection strength with Bluetooth 5.0
Negatives
No 3.5mm headphone jack becomes a pain
Uses a Lightning connector instead of USB-C
Proximity sensors and voice assistant activation do not work on Android or Windows
No aptX or LDAC high quality codec support
The smart case is absolutely terrible and provides no protection
Microphone quality is just okay
The Bottom Line.
While the Apple AirPod Max is a great pair of headphones with best-in-class active noise canceling (ANC) and a good sound signature, it also has a few annoying quirks that make it very obviously an Apple product. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, then the AirPods Max is more of the same just in a pair of over-ears.Read full review...
Bang for your buck
Monoprice BT-600ANC
MSRP: $99.00
8.1
Check price
Positives
Bluetooth 5; aptX HD and AAC support
Multi-device pairing
Noise cancelation performance
Battery life
Compact and folds into travel-friendly case
Negatives
Not very accurate frequency response
No companion app
No auto play/pause
The Bottom Line.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless makes some big improvements in less flashy areas, while maintaining the parts of the original Arctis 7 design that already work really well. The SteelSeries GG app is very good and expands upon SteelSeries Engine, a formerly standalone app. You can connect the Arctis 7+ Wireless to pretty much any device, and the result is a real workhorse of a gaming headset.Read full review...

Your passport is ready, and you’ve packed your bags. You got through security and made it to the gate. Getting on the plane, you remember, no matter where you’re flying, airplane cabins are noisy. Flights can take a long time, so you might as well get comfortable with the best noise canceling headphones for airplanes. We’ve reviewed many of the considerations that particularly impact folks when up in the air and whittled down the list to make your flight more pleasant. Strap in for takeoff.

What's new?

  • This article was updated on August 8th, 2023, to ensure the product selection was up to date, include more notable mentions, answer more frequently asked questions, and ensure all formatting adheres to our style guides.
  • If you are thinking about picking up the Bose QuietComfort 45, you may want to hold off until the Fall, as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra could soon be on the way. Read our rumors hub for all the deets on the release date, price, features, and more.
  • Likewise, if you are an Apple user eyeing the AirPods Max, the second-generation AirPods Max 2 may arrive next year if you can wait that long.

The best Best noise canceling headphones for flying on an airplane is the Sony WH-1000XM5

With its excellent isolation and active noise canceling (ANC) technology, as well as its comfortable fit, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is our pick for the best noise canceling headphones for flying on an airplane for most people. It also happens to be one of the best headphones, period. But for flights, the headband of the WH-1000XM5 is supportive and light, while the ear cups effectively seal around your ears without a lot of pressure, making it easy to wear for hours, even if you fall asleep.

Boasting 31 hours and 53 minutes of battery life on a single charge, the WH-1000XM5 will last most around-the-world trips. It may not be the longest battery life we’ve tested, but considering what the battery is powering: DSEE Extreme, ANC, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, the figure is impressive. Using the Sony Headphones app, you can hone in on your EQ preferences, control preferences, noise canceling preferences, and your codec choice.

A Bluetooth 5.2 connection with LDAC, AAC, or SBC codecs suits any accompanying device and ensures you won’t run into latency issues. Furthermore, Sony continues to support hardwired connections by including a detachable cable with a 3.5mm headphone jack. This allows you to plug into in-flight entertainment media consoles to watch TV or movies. Really, the only downsides to contend with are the price, and unlike the previous Sony flagship, Sony WH-1000XM4, this pair does not collapse into a smaller footprint. Although, it’s worth noting that if you wear the headphones around your neck on the plane, it may not matter to you if they collapse.

Sony WH-1000XM5Sony WH-1000XM5
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Sony WH-1000XM5
ANC performance • Outstanding microphone • Useful app features
MSRP: $399.00
The king of the ANC pack extends its reign

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is a competent runner-up

A man wears the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless around his neck while outside.
For $350 USD, this is a very good headset but it doesn’t have the best ANC performance.

Sennheiser has airplanes in mind with the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless. The first sign that Sennheiser has designed the headphones for flying is the airplane adapter included in the package for use with the detachable 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable. While the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless does not have class redefining ANC on tap, it still cancels out a lot of environmental noise. In our review, we found the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless feels comfortable with glasses, and the leatherette and fabric combination works well for longer listening sessions.

With an awe-inspiring battery life of 56 hours and 21 minutes, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is at the ready for several trips without needing a top up charge. That the case has ample storage and some rigidity to protect your investment does not go unnoticed either, even though the headset lacks hinges to fold down. For many, it’s the excellent sound quality of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless that pushes the Sennheiser cans to the forefront. In addition, the AAC, SBC, and extensive aptX support (aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive) means you don’t need to concern yourself as to whether latency will crop up as an issue with videos.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 WirelessSennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
App for EQ changes • Simple, elegant design • USB-C charging
MSRP: $349.95
High-end ANC over-ear headphones focus on style and comfort
If you need total immersion in your music, you need some ANC over-ears. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 focus on style and comfort while delivering the core features high-end shoppers need with their headphones.
See price at Amazon
Save $65.72
Sennheiser Momentum 4
See price at Best Buy
Save $49.99
Sennheiser Momentum 4

What about the Bose QuietComfort 45?

The 3.5mm headphone jack on the Bose QuietComfort 45
If you prefer wired listening, make use of the included cable.

Bose didn’t call it the QuietComfort 45 for no reason. For many, the QuietComfort series was the entry point into noise canceling headphones on airplanes and possibly the first example we saw of someone donning such headphones on airplanes. The general design has not changed drastically. The QuietComfort 45 is built with a folding design, unobtrusive dimensions, and just enough grip to stay put without clamping your skull—all features ideal for traveling.

Its default frequency response tends to amplify the treble frequencies more than necessary, however, the Bose Music app includes a couple of useful EQ presets. Meanwhile, the 24 hours and 49 minutes of listening time outlast virtually any flight. One odd quirk of the otherwise excellent ANC onboard the Bose QuietComfort 45 is that you only have the option of listening with ANC on or in transparency mode. This is fine for airplanes generally but nevertheless unusual.

The QuietComfort 45 uses a pretty basic suite of AAC and SBC codecs, which works for Apple users, but AAC does not always perform as efficiently with Android. This potentially can lead to latency between audio and video when watching videos for Android users. For flying, however, Bose also includes a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable, so you can directly connect to the media console on the airplane or your own laptop or tablet.

Bose QuietComfort 45Bose QuietComfort 45
SG recommended
Bose QuietComfort 45
Excellent ANC • EQ adjustable • Comfortable ear pads
MSRP: $329.00
An ANC headset that provides comfort and ease of use.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 does an excellent job cancelling outside noise, and it sounds great for podcast listening. It has a decent battery life, and the fast-charging USB-C adds another 180 minutes with only a 15-minute charge.

Apple users may want to check out the Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) together on a wooden slab.

We know it’s not cheap, but the Apple AirPods Max is still an incredibly comfortable, stylish, and effective noise canceling headset. Impressively, Apple has produced soft mesh ear cups that airily conform to the shape around your ears while still isolating out high-pitched noise. That Apple continues to update its flagship headphones means that throughout its life so far, the AirPods Max has seen improvements to what started as already excellent ANC. That it sounds good and has spatial audio supports it as a candidate for flying.

At just over 21 hours of battery life, you’re unlikely to find yourself without audio. However, on the list of downsides, the AirPods Max requires a separate purchase of a Lighting to 3.5mm adapter if you have any interest in plugging into the media player onboard the airplane. If you choose to mainly connect your Apple device, the H1 chip, and AAC codec will ensure your connection remains stable. On an airplane, the AirPods Max is totally in its element.

Apple AirPods MaxApple AirPods Max
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Apple AirPods Max
One of the best ANC • 20-hour battery life • Well-built pads
MSRP: $549.00
A spectacular pair of headphones with best-in-class ANC
The AirPods Max wireless headphones offer best-in-class noise canceling with twenty hours of battery life. They provide excellent frequency response and great audio features.

Who should buy the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)?

Clearly, each pair of headphones on this list takes up more space than a set of true wireless earbuds, like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). In terms of packing light, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) fits in virtually any pocket. The latest Apple buds possess some excellent noise canceling capabilities too, and for the iPhone users out there, the H2 chip integration means you can reliably enjoy whatever media you’ve got on your device.

Of course, there are downsides compared to over-ear headphones, such as long-term comfort and shorter battery life (5 hours and 43 minutes). Also, the Bluetooth-only connection prevents you from plugging into any media console provided by the airline. With that said, if you’re hopping on a relatively short flight and your iPhone is readily packed with your favorite podcasts and movies downloaded, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) can cancel airplane noise very well.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
MSRP: $249.00
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improve upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and feature the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better noise canceling and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are an obvious choice.

Save your money with the Monoprice BT-600ANC

Monoprice BT-600ANC side profile on head

Supplying noise canceling to the masses, the Monoprice BT-600ANC punches above its price point. Its ANC effectively competes with many of the other entries on this list and for as little as a fifth the price (depending on what you’re comparing). As with any budget-friendly headset, that means compromising elsewhere, but not as much as you would think in this case. Basically, your main compromise with the BT-600ANC is that by default, its frequency response sounds a bit wonky, and it’ll improve if you add a third-party EQ app. That does mean living with the imperfect sound when plugging into the airline’s media console.

Lasting an impressive 36 hours and 20 minutes, the Monoprice BT-600ANC battery life can handle your flights. When pairing the headphones with your device, Monoprice includes not only the usual AAC and SBC codecs but also the rarer (and welcomed) aptX HD, capable of transmitting high-bitrate audio, which is great for Android users. That you can optionally plug in the headphones with the included cable rounds out the value-driven package, alongside its carry case.

Notable mentions

The Sony WH-1000XM3 and Sony WH-1000XM4 sit on a marble surface folded up.
These headphones are almost physically identical.
  • Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($149 at Amazon): Striking up a nice balance between price and feature set, these cans include a surprisingly good app with an equalizer, as well as good ANC. That you get LDAC and AAC codecs mean it pairs with any operating system, while the 3.5mm cable means you can use it with the airplane media player.
  • Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($59 at Amazon): This is the headset to get if you want barebones, no-nonsense active noise canceling (ANC) on a budget. Sure, the lack of bleeding-edge features and an outdated USB port may be a drag, but this headset does very well for the price.
  • Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 ($229 at Bose): This pair of premium headphones cancels out noise handily. That it does not fold down and isn’t as comfortable to wear as the QuietComfort 45 is unfortunate, given that the aesthetics are more slick. For the accident-prone, the IPX4 rating is a nice feature.
  • Shure AONIC 50 ($298 at Amazon): For the folks who wear glasses, the AONIC 50 has been tested as providing a pleasant fit. It’s made of premium materials and sounds good, with a huge slew of high-quality Bluetooth codecs and wired listening options.
  • Sony WH-1000XM4 ($348 at Amazon): The older sibling of the WH-1000XM5 topping our list, this set doesn’t isolate noise quite as well, although it still does a very good job canceling noise generally. It also has the added benefit of folding hinges to take up less space in your bag.
  • Sony WH-XB910N ($148 at Amazon): First off, these headphones are too bassy for most listeners, but they are comfortable, and you can use the Sony Headphones app to improve the sound with EQ. The fact it costs less than the flagship WH-1000XM5 is nothing to snub your nose at.

What you should know about noise canceling headphones for flying on an airplane

Airplanes are loud, but with the advent of ANC, the din of the cabin need not bother you as much. Technically, you can use any noise canceling headphones on a plane and probably have a better experience than with non-noise-canceling headphones. With that said, if you’re shelling out the dough, we have a few tips to make your purchase more wisely.

The Beats Solo3 Wireless in grey on a green cloth surface.
The on-ear fitting Beats Solo3 Wireless looks good but feels uncomfortable.

Some simple features to keep in mind when looking for noise canceling headphones for flying, besides the noise canceling feature, include getting closed-back headphones. Pretty much all ANC headphones have closed-backs, but this is just a reminder to leave the open-back headphones at home. Using open-back headphones will annoy your seatmates because they will hear virtually everything you’re listening to. Not to mention, all of the cabin noise will still reach your ears.

We recommend going for over-ear headphones rather than on-ear headphones. They may take up less room, but on-ear headphones typically aren’t comfortable over long periods of time. In addition, from an engineering perspective, it’s simply more difficult to create an isolating seal when the ear cup pushes against your ear rather than hugging around it as with over-ear headphones. That’s also why on-ear headphones feel less comfortable, as a general rule. They’re fine for short periods of time, but they cause discomfort on a long flight. Save yourself a literal headache, and choose closed-back over-ear headphones.

What you need to know about noise canceling and flying in an airplane

The Sony WH-1000XM5's ANC unit does a good job of canceling noise, but it also isolates very well.
An example of some excellent isolation and active noise canceling to compare all other options against.

Given that airplane cabin noise runs the gamut of 60dB all the way up to 114dB, averaging 85.6dB, it makes complete sense that you should want to turn it down. Ideally, your noise canceling headphones will have both good isolation and ANC. Isolation typically blocks high-pitched sounds, like crying babies or constant chatter. It achieves this effect by creating a seal around your ear. Because airplanes tend to involve prolonged listening sessions, you’ll want to strike a balance between effective isolation and comfort.

For instance, some headphones can isolate very well but have vice-tight grips, which do not bode well for hours on end. This is particularly true for people who wear glasses because some headphones clamp down too hard for comfort.

Whereas isolation blocks those incidental high-pitched sounds, you’ll want ANC that comprehensively filters the midrange and low-pitched noises in the airplane cabin. In particular, you want your ANC to cover around 1000Hz and below roughly. ANC is well suited for the cabin environment and the droning sounds of the aircraft’s engine. Considering that ANC works by inverting waveforms to “cancel” out the noise, a droning waveform that has minimal variability (unlike the baby that starts and stops crying) is the perfect application of the technology. What you want to make sure is that whichever headset you pick affects the important lower frequencies because not all ANC is created equal.

Battery life is important for flying, but so is a headphone jack

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 sitting in its case.
Over-ear headphones have more room for large batteries than true wireless earbuds.

You might have moved on and away from the headphone jack, but in-flight entertainment has not necessarily moved with the same speed. Indeed, some flights feature apps that allow passengers to access media from devices and laptops, in which case your Bluetooth headphones will do just fine, but not all airplanes have this. So, you’ll want to make sure your headphones have the option of using a headphone jack. In addition, check that the headphones you pick don’t have any odd quirks like turning off the ANC when you plug in a cable, for instance.

Plenty of airplanes still require a hardwired connection to watch movies on the media players built into the back of seats.

If the in-flight entertainment of your choice consists of downloaded selections of podcasts, music, and videos on a personal device, then you’ll want to check your headphones have the battery life to last your flight. Nobody wants to get caught with a dead battery in the midst of a show. Bluetooth headphones have reached a point where you don’t really need to worry if the battery will last your flight if fully charged. However, if you’re planning to board with noise canceling earbuds, you’ll definitely want to check that the battery life can handle the length of your flight. In imperfect circumstances, a fast charge function might be important if you board with a battery not fully charged, eking out an hour or two from a few minutes of charging.

If you’re just listening to music, AAC is best for Apple when asking which codecs are best for flying (it’s also the only codec other than SBC that Apple device support, so you don’t exactly get to pick). For Android, something like aptX or LDAC yields better audio than AAC, and if you’re watching a video, definitely aim for something better than SBC or AAC. Otherwise, you may encounter latency in audio and video synchronization.

Which accessories will make your noise canceling headphones for flying better?

In the included case the Yamaha YH-E700A fit the 3.5mm cable, USB-C cable, and airplane adapter.
You won’t be caught without audio if you have an airplane adapter and a 3.5mm headphone connection in your case.

Everyone has their own preferences and rituals with flying, but you may want a couple of items to improve the experience. For your headphones, you probably want a case. Some of our selections already come with a case. Typically, look for something that occupies minimal real estate in your bag but offers some protection from crushing. Internal pockets in a case can help keep your accessories together, like the charging cable too.

You might’ve noticed that some airplanes use an unusual two-pronged connector for the built-in media players. Sometimes you can just plug your headphones into one of the jacks, and it’ll still sort of work. Sometimes it doesn’t work. To save you the hassle of purchasing the crummy earphones airlines hock, just get yourself an airplane adapter. It’s small and pretty cheap. You can stow it in your headphones case when not in use.

Check with your airline about capacity limits, but a battery power bank pack can improve most travelers’ experiences. Some cabins have USB ports for convenient charging, but it’s not unusual to discover the one at your seat doesn’t actually work. Given that many folks fly with power-hungry devices, keeping a battery pack on hand can help if your headphones’ battery drains before you land.

How we test the best noise canceling headphones for flying on airplanes

The Sony LinkBuds sit inside the Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head and torso simulator.
All headphones are reviewed using the same tests with our Bruel & Kjaer 5128.

We subject all of our headphones to the same set of tests, from repeating battery life tests to utilizing our Bruel & Kjaer 5128 for finding frequency responses and noise canceling efficacy. In addition to using our objective measurements to support our findings, we also review each set of headphones hands-on to see how well they perform their intended uses. At the end of the day, some products are better on paper than in reality, which is why we test and try everything we review.

How we choose the best noise canceling headphones for flying on airplanes

Through consulting our staff’s extensive knowledge and comparing all of our objective tests, we’ve selected the best noise canceling headphones for flying on airplanes. The Best list here is not representative of a single individual’s opinions. Rather, it is the culmination of our shared expertise as an organization, as informed by objective measurements and reviews. For this list, we consider the variable and unique needs of individual travelers with particular features that are necessary criteria to meet. To name a couple of features, we look for good noise canceling, comfort, and connectivity.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

A person wears the Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones while sitting on a sidewalk.
Our team uses real-world tests when we review products.

SoundGuys is not paid to endorse any products. Our editors and writers do not benefit financially by privileging one product over another. Furthermore, our advertising team is strictly separate from our editorial team. While SoundGuys does earn money through affiliate link sales, the money funds the organization and does not go toward individuals. Because of this, the editors and writers at SoundGuys rely on our expertise and desire to share knowledge when recommending any single product. Our editorial staff has no stake in pushing any one product unless it is measurably better than another product. Guided by our objective scoring scheme, we abide by strict journalistic ethics.

Frequently asked questions

The best noise canceling headphones are the best because they do most of what you want and need in the best headphones. So, it’s no surprise that you’ll see some similarities between our selections. The list here attempts to capture some of the central concerns for folks on airplanes, like comfort, optional wired listening, and effective ANC.

Yes, you can use Bluetooth on an airplane. You will need to put your device into airplane mode. Unless told otherwise by the flight attendants, you can use Bluetooth while in airplane mode. Most of the time, you’ll also need a hardwired connection to use the media player console aboard your plane.

Yes, noise canceling headphones are designed to reduce ambient noise, making them especially effective at diminishing the consistent drone of airplane engines.

For airplanes, it’s preferable to have headphones with noise canceling capabilities to counteract cabin noise. Over-ear or in-ear styles both work, depending on your comfort preference. Also, ensure they are compatible with any devices you’re bringing or the airplane’s entertainment system.

Here are some tips to block out loud noise on a plane:

Yes, Bose noise canceling earbuds are suitable for use on airplanes and are designed to reduce ambient noise, such as the sound of the plane’s engines.

Policies may vary by airline, but generally, it is fine to use noise canceling headphones so long as the device they are connected to is in Airplane Mode during takeoff and landing. Some airlines allow the use of headphones once the aircraft is airborne, while others require passengers to wait until the plane reaches cruising altitude.

Yes, Bose noise canceling earbuds can cancel out noise even if you’re not listening to music. The noise canceling feature works independently of the audio playback.