Flying was never the most stress-free way to travel, but thanks to never-ending airline delays, unruly passengers, and the incredible shrinking airline seat, it can be a nightmare. If you’re ready to add some peace to your flying experience, picking up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way.
You definitely have options: plenty of headphones, from over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. And in 2026, it’s not too hard to find ANC headphones for under $100. That said, spending a little more to enjoy maximum calm at 35,000 feet is recommended. To ensure the investment is worthwhile, top noise-cancelling headphones on the market have been tried and tested, from budget options like the JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones to newer flagship models like the second-gen Bose QC Ultra line and Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying?
Noise-cancelling headphones are at their most useful on airplanes. It’s difficult to find a moment’s peace when so much is going on around you. Frequent flyers may prefer to rest or work, and the best way to prepare for either is by using the best ANC headphones to block out the chaos.
Because shopping for headphones shouldn’t be as stressful as heading to the airport, extensive testing has been done to identify the top options. The top pick is the second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but other great picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones for airplanes in 2026 are available — all based on Mashable’s hands-on testing.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Best overall
The Good & The Bad
- The most comfortable headphones money can buy
- Excellent active noise cancellation
- Well-balanced sound quality, with improvements in highs and lows over previous generation
- USB-C lossless listening
- Slightly more expensive than previous generation, without many differences
- Bose app lacking in comparison to other apps on the market, especially with the equalizer settings
Who it’s for
The standout comfort of these headphones makes them a top pick for long haul travel days, along with their top notch ANC, great sound quality, 30 hour battery life, and newly added passive playback.
Why we picked this
The first gen QC Ultra headphones have long been a top pick for the best headphones for flying, so it is not surprising that Bose’s next version of the headphones are taking their spot.
While these are not necessarily a must-upgrade if you already own the first generation QC Ultras, they do make improvements across the board that makes them an overall better option for travel.
For starters, they come with the top notch noise cancellation and sound quality expected from a brand like Bose. While they are outdone slightly on both fronts by the Sony XM6 headphones, they are a more comfortable pair of headphones, making them great to wear for longer flights. The 30 hour battery life (an improvement over the 24 hour battery life of the first gens) also gives more insurance for any long travel days. The folding ear cup design also makes them one of the more compact pair of over-ear headphones available, which comes in handy when limited to a carry on.
Other upgrades come in the form of the addition of passive playback and USB-C lossless audio. The latter does require the headphones to be powered on, but the former can be used with the headphones both off and on, which wasn’t possible on the first gen headphones. Priced on par with other premium headphones at $449, these stand out as the best all-around option for travel.
Details
- Battery life: 30 hours
- App-connected: Yes
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Best earbuds for travel
The Good & The Bad
- Offer premium comfort and ANC for less than over-ear headphones
- Significantly reduced noise on airplanes
- Comfortable to wear for long periods of time, with minimal adjustments needed
- Impressive sound quality with spatial audio features
- Wireless charging compatibility
- Battery life isn’t great, especially compared to competitors
- Expensive
Our review
Read Mashable’s full review of the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.
Who it’s for
Top of the line isn’t just found on over-ear headphones, and the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are proof of exactly that. If you prefer a compact, in-ear design, these are the best travel earbuds available.
Why we picked this
The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds offer some of the best noise cancellation you can find in earbuds, making them an excellent option for taking on a plane.
That’s thanks to the eight microphones Bose packs into these earbuds, coupled with a design that manages to provide a strong seal for passive noise cancellation. With three sizes of ear tips and three sizes of stabilizers, it’s easy to find a fit that both enhances noise cancellation without causing any ear soreness.
If first gen users are noticing a lot of similarities so far, it’s because these buds aren’t that different from their predecessors. In addition to a nearly identical design, both generations of earbuds also come with six hours of battery life per charge and 24 in the case, which is maybe their biggest con in the context of travel, especially considering the seven to eight hour battery life has become more commonplace on ANC earbuds.
The major upgrades on the second generation QC Ultra earbuds come in the form of wireless charging and AI voice enhancement which does add noticeable clarity to calls (although it’s probably not the most useful feature for flights). The noise cancellation and sound quality alike also felt improved over the first gen buds, but the difference was small enough only to be most apparent in side by side testing.
At this point, the main reason to recommend the second gen earbuds over the first is for availability — with first gen buds being phased out of the lineup, they’ll likely be harder to find. With that in mind, if you already own the first gen earbuds, holding on to them is recommended.
Details
- Battery life: Six hours (Up to 24 with charging case)
- App connected: Yes
$299.00 Amazon$299.00 Best Buy
JLab JBuds Lux ANC
Budget pick
The Good & The Bad
- Frequently on sale for under $60
- Impressive sound quality for the price point
- Decent ANC that you can adjust with companion app
- Battery life that beats most premium options
- Four different color options
- Some creaking with head movement
- App can lag
- Comfort for long periods of wear can be more contingent on the user
Who it’s for
Whether you don’t travel frequently enough to justify a $450 pair of headphones or simply aren’t keen on that price point, a solid budget pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a gamechanger, and the JLab JBuds Lux ANC are exactly that.
Why we picked this
The best budget headphones should have unbeatable value, and these JLab headphones have exactly that.
Despite being $80 at full price (and as cheap as $30 at their record low sale price), they have a sound profile that easily matches headphones twice their price, especially once the equalizer settings are toggled to preferences. Even better is their battery life — where premium options on this list average around 30 hours of battery life, these come packed with 40 hours with ANC, so the likelihood of having to recharge headphones mid-flight is low.
Mashable’s Haley Henschel wrote that her favorite aspect of these headphones was their fit: “I have a really hard time finding headphones that don’t squeeze my head, and I can wear these comfortably for hours at a time.” On the other hand, Mashable’s Bethany Allard found them to squeeze her head, so their price point may show more, depending on fit preferences. Their design earns points across the board for its portability, however, thanks to the foldable ear cups.
They may not be the perfect pair of headphones, but for what they cost, they’re more than worthy to pick up ahead of a trip, especially as an affordable option.
Details
- Battery life: 40 hours with ANC
- App-connected: Yes
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Best for battery life
The Good & The Bad
- Significantly better battery life than other headphones on this list
- Excellent sound quality
- Nice design options
- Comes with airplane jack adapter for in-flight entertainment
- ANC is not quite as good as Sony and Bose options
- Overly sensitive touch controls
- Some colorways cost extra
Who it’s for
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have incredibly balanced sound quality, but what really made them stand out was their battery life, which lasts for 60 hours with ANC on. They’re a great pair of headphones for anyone taking a longer trip who wants one less device to worry about charging.
Why we picked this
A lot of over-ear headphones, including many premium options, have battery lives that max out at around 30 hours. While it’s not impossible to find impressive battery life — the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones and the Dyson OnTrac headphones have 40 and 55 hours of battery life, respectively — but each of those headphones comes with a drawback.
The Life Q20 headphones are budget-friendly, so you lose the top-of-the-line ANC and premium sound, while the Dyson OnTrac headphones are bulky and don’t feel well-suited to travel. The Momentum 4 headphones, on the other hand, sound crystal clear out of the box. In testing, they made the bass on Magdalena Bay’s “Killshot” stand out in a way never heard before, without losing the complexity of the rest of the song. Plus, at $379.95, they’re cheaper than the flagship Sony and Bose headphones. You can also catch them for about $280 on sale.
They also feel more thoughtfully designed for travel, with ear cups that have a slightly flatter profile than you’ll find on the Sony XM5s, and an included airplane audio adapter in the case (an offering that would be beneficial from all premium headphones). The ANC doesn’t quite match up to Sony’s — it’s just ever so slightly worse — but on a plane, a drastic difference is unlikely to be noticed, especially if listening to audio.
One other drawback found so far is the overly sensitive touch controls on the right ear cup, which were often accidentally bumped, especially when taking off the headphones to put them around the neck. The controls ended up being turned off altogether by mistake, which isn’t ideal.
Details
- Battery life: 60 hours
- App-connected: Yes
$249.95 Amazon$297.99 Best Buy$299.95 Walmart
Sony WH-1000XM6
Best sound quality
The Good & The Bad
- Fantastic sound quality and ANC
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
- Foldable earcups make them easier to pack in a carry-on
- Can be used passively (without powering the headphones on)
- Not the absolute best ANC in the game
- Expensive
- No improvement on battery life from previous generation
Our review
Read Mashable’s full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
Who it’s for
For frequent travelers who held off on getting the XM5s, the XM6s bring an important travel-friendly upgrade in the form of foldable ear cups, all the while retaining the XM5’s updated design, along with improved sound quality and ANC. If you already own XM5s, these headphones might not be worth the upgrade just yet.
Why we picked this
Sony’s flagship headphones have been a popular option since at least the days of the WH-1000XM4s, thanks to their excellent sound profile and top tier active noise cancellation.
The WH-1000XM5s lost some points in the portability area when Sony nixed the folding ear cups design, giving them a larger case (and more real estate in your carry-on). With the XM6s, Sony’s gone back to folding ear cups, which results in both a thinner and more compact carrying case. The snap-lock closure on the case also makes it incredibly quick to store.
As for how the headphones hold up out of the case, Sony didn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, but they made small improvements that result in an all-over better product, especially for folks who don’t already own over-ear headphones or are upgrading from older models. The sound signature is warm and full without any tinkering on the equalizer — noticeably more so than on the XM5 headphones. With the equalizer, they’re some of the best sounding headphones on the market, providing clarity and balance on songs from Adele’s “Hello” to the Eagles’ “Hotel California.”
Their 30-hour battery life remains the same as its previous gen — while an increase would’ve been nice, it is not a complaint. The ANC significantly dampens sound (though Bose does a slightly better job than Sony in this department). The design is comfortable, with plenty of padding in the headband and earcups. The subtle change of a circular power button also makes operating the on-ear controls even easier than on the XM5s.
Details
- Battery life: Up to 30 hours
- App-connected: Yes
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best earbuds for Apple users
The Good & The Bad
- Comfy fit
- Pairs well with Apple products
- Some of the best value ANC earbuds out there
- Will barely take up any space in your bag
- Fitness and live translation features included
- No customizable equalizer
Our review
Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
Who it’s for
Apple users will not only appreciate the easy pairing of the AirPods Pro 3, but how well features like the built-in heart rate monitor and live translation work in tandem with more standard features like excellent ANC and sound quality.
Why we picked this
The AirPods Pro are a fixture on lists of best headphones thanks to their exceptional integration into the Apple ecosystem, top notch ANC, and excellent sound quality.
Apple upped the ante with the AirPods Pro 3. On one hand, they’re simply an impressive pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. In his review of the earbuds, Mashable contributor Adam Doud writes, “ANC used to be great at removing constant noises, but fell short with sudden noises like a person talking or a car horn. That’s still the case with lower-end ANC earbuds, but Apple does a remarkable job at eliminating sudden noises, too.”
Doud also calls the sound profile on these buds flat, but it’s not a knock against them for anyone who likes to plug and play their audio equipment. While the sound can be adjusted somewhat with presets, in a deviation from other premium earbuds the AirPods don’t have a custom equalizer.
What they do have is a built-in heart rate monitor and live translation capability. Both features are exceptionally useful for travelers who like to pack light (and maybe don’t want to risk keeping track of too many devices while they’re on the go), providing one convenient package of earbuds and a basic fitness tracker. The live translation, naturally, is also great for traveling abroad. As the cherry on top, Apple upped the Pros battery life from six hours per charge on the previous gen to eight hours per charge, putting them on par with some of the top performing noise-cancelling ANC earbuds.
Despite all the extras (and the Apple name), the Pros will cost less than earbuds like the Bose QC Ultras and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ1000, both of which will run buyers $299.
Details
- Battery life: 8 hours (up to 30 hours with charging case)
- App-connected: No
$239.95 Amazon$249.00 Apple.com
EarFun Air Pro 4
Best under $100
The Good & The Bad
- Noise cancelling that compares to earbuds twice its price
- Different levels of noise cancellation available
- Extensive app options, including customizable touch controls and custom EQ
- Multipoint pairing with two devices works without a hitch
- Affordable price point
- Case is on the bulky side
- Touch controls could be more consistent
Who it’s for
The EarFun Air Pro 4 are the best earbuds you can get under $100, but compare easily to earbuds double their price. If you want a budget pick that punches above its weight class, you’ll find it in these earbuds.
Why we picked this
The Air Pro 4 earbuds look like most other budget earbuds out there, but their appearance is where the similarities stop. After powering them on, their active noise cancellation worked impressively well, and that feeling didn’t fade as they were put to the test against forces like people talking loudly. Once these earbuds were connected to their companion app, the five different levels of noise cancellation were even more impressive.
As mentioned in the intro of this guide, comfort is a key factor in choosing the best headphones for travel, and while these don’t reinvent the wheel, they stayed put much better than other earbuds (including the first-gen AirPods Pro). EarFun provides five different silicone ear tips with these buds to help find the right fit.
So where do they show their lower price point? Not in the sound quality, which was found to be well-balanced and easily adjustable with the equalizer presets and custom EQ feature in the app. Where it will likely be noticed most is in the finicky on-ear touch controls, which though adjustable, wouldn’t always register properly. A single press to pause music, for instance, might actually be treated as a long press to turn on noise cancellation. The touch controls can be toggled off, but a small level of convenience is lost.
Though the inconsistency of the touch controls is not ideal, they were never overly sensitive — while wearing them with a hood, these buds never registered the jacket’s fabric or hair as a button press (the same can’t be said for other earbuds tested).
Finally, in a few weeks of testing these earbuds by wearing them regularly, their battery has only completely run out once, and they have only been put on the charger twice. In other words, with the Air Pro 4s, it’s not likely to find oneself halfway through a five-hour flight enduring some forced mindfulness while the earbuds juice back up.
Details
- Battery life: 7.5 hours with ANC, 27.5 hours with case
- App connected: Yes
Apple AirPods Max
Best for Apple loyalists
The Good & The Bad
- Excellent sound quality
- Five different color options
- Super simple Bluetooth pairing, especially with Apple devices
- Now with USB-C charging
- Expensive for the features offered
- No headphone jack
- Battery life is lacking
- Storage case leaves much to be desired
Our review
Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple AirPods Max.
Who it’s for
These headphones are expensive as all hell, but for those deep in the Apple ecosystem who want a pair of over-the-ear headphones, they could very well be worth the price. Plus, the noise cancellation is pretty great. Apple did release a “new” version of the Maxes in Sept. 2024 with a USB-C charging port and a new set of colorways, but the 2020 version continues to be recommended as they’re more likely to be on sale and offer the exact same performance as the newer version.
Why we picked this
The AirPods Max aren’t just a pretty pair of headphones. With the help of eight microphones, these headphones provide excellent active noise cancellation. Switching into transparency mode happens with the push of a button, so there’s no messing with finicky touch controls to hear what’s going on around you. In addition to ANC, they have fantastic sound quality and support for spatial audio that will make cinephiles happy.
Their battery life, however, is a bit lacking compared to similarly priced headphones, thanks to the fact that they have no power button. (They’re also missing a headphone jack, so a Bluetooth adapter will be a must if in-flight entertainment is desired). They will go into a low-power mode, but can never be completely turned off. However, this does allow for easy switching in between devices, and for the “Find My” feature to always work. Plus, 20 hours of battery isn’t bad, as that should last for even the most long-haul flights. In a pinch, five minutes of a charge can get an hour and a half of battery life.
The carrying case is unfortunately, as former Mashable Tech Reporter Brenda Stoylar wrote in her review, “possibly the dumbest thing Apple has ever designed,” so these headphones are probably best for people who don’t mind wearing them around their neck for the entirety of their trip.
Details
- Battery life : 20 hours
- App connected : No
$449.99 Amazon$549.00 Apple.com
How much should I spend on noise-cancelling headphones?
If you want to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, you should be prepared to pay $200 to $450 for most options. Premium headphones offer improved active noise cancellation, customizable settings, and transparency modes that allow you to hear those all-important gate announcements.
Many cheap headphones claim to offer “noise-cancelling” features, but a random pair of $50 over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation will let a lot of sound through. They’ll also struggle to connect and switch between devices easily, or simply feel uncomfortable.
Ultimately, going for that good all-around pair is worth it, because on a flight, ANC on its own won’t save the day — otherwise, you’d just be directed to a guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones. For long flights, comfort is also key. It won’t matter if headphones block sound if they are only comfortable for two out of five hours of a flight. And because this is a flying-focused roundup, extra points were given to headphones with thoughtful design that makes storage easy.
If that $200-plus price range feels totally out of the question, a couple of budget earbuds and headphones in the under-$100 category have been included, but they come with tradeoffs. If a mid-range pick is acceptable, consider buying wireless earbuds with ANC instead of over-ear headphones.
If the cost of a pair of headphones is off-putting, waiting for a sale is always an option. Headphones from Bose, Sony, and Apple get marked down year-round — if you don’t want to keep your eyes peeled yourself, Mashable’s deals coverage is a great place to find any noteworthy headphone deals.
Recent testing updates
In July 2025, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones were swapped for the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
After testing them for a few weeks, it was decided in February 2025 that the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds earned a spot on this guide as the top budget pick, knocking out the cheaper but inferior Anker Soundcore P3i earbuds. Shortly after, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones were added as a recommendation, thanks to their long battery life.
For September 2024, the lineup remained unchanged, with a decision against including the Dyson OnTrac headphones — although their long battery life is notable, 55 hours of charge might be overkill for air travel. Additionally, they are considered a little too bulky and expensive to recommend as travel headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Noise-cancelling earbuds vs. over-ear headphones: Which are better for flying?
When on a plane, over-ear headphones typically offer the best experience for noise cancellation. Over-ears create a better seal around the ear that helps block out even more sound. They also are more likely to have a 3.5mm cable and audio jack so they can be used as wired headphones, which some travelers prefer for in-flight entertainment. Active noise-cancelling wired earbuds are not common, so if a wired connection is preferred, wired over-ear headphones are the better option.
However, one of their major downsides is that they take up more suitcase or carry-on space than any pair of earbuds will. Earbuds are also generally more comfortable to wear for longer plane rides, but they are more likely to run out of battery (for comfortable noise-cancelling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra buds are recommended).
Ultimately, when deciding between earbuds or over-ear headphones for flying, it comes down to individual preferences and travel style. In most cases, over-ear headphones are preferred, as reflected by the recommendations in this guide.
What is noise cancellation?
Noise-cancelling headphones work by reducing unwanted ambient sounds using active noise control. A microphone captures the ambient sounds around you in real-time; meanwhile, an amplifier generates sound waves out of phase with those unwanted sounds. That way, the music being listened to shines through the chaos. With ANC engaged, crying babies, people talking, or general airplane noise will fade away like magic.
Generally, noise cancellation works best with constant droning sounds like a plane engine rather than sharp sounds like voices, but the best noise-cancelling headphones still do a good job of blocking these out to some degree.
Is there a difference between noise cancellation and active noise cancellation?
Some headphones offer passive noise cancellation (also known as noise isolation) rather than active noise cancellation (ANC). Instead of using microphones to filter out undesired sounds, these headphones rely on soundproofing by physically blocking outside sounds. It’s less effective than using a pair of headphones that use active noise cancellation, but it does mean there’s less of a strain on battery life.
Some people also prefer passive noise cancellation, as active noise cancellation has been known to make people feel pressure in their ears. However, when searching for the best headphones for travel, this is less of an issue and something that frequent flyers will learn to live with.
Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work on a plane?
The ever-present engine hum of the plane isn’t likely to completely disappear, even with the best active noise cancelling. However, ANC can significantly reduce that hum (and the sounds of fellow passengers), making them a genuinely good accessory to finding more peace on a flight.
Just make sure headphones are charged beforehand: because ANC typically works by using microphones and amplifiers to cancel out unwanted noise, active noise cancelling won’t be experienced while using Bluetooth headphones passively (aka with a cable) or with wired earbuds.
How we tested
All of these headphones were hands-on tested by Mashable editors and writers, including past and current tech reporters, senior tech editors, as well as shopping reporters and editors. To learn more about how headphones and earbuds are tested in general, the comprehensive guide can be checked out. All of these headphones in this piece were chosen with the following criteria in mind:
- Comfort
As mentioned above, active noise cancellation becomes much less enjoyable if the headphones delivering it squeeze your head for the entirety of your flight. Any headphones that weren’t favored for long-term wear didn’t make this list.
- Battery life
If headphones’ battery is going to die 30 minutes into a flight, they’re not going to cut it for even the shortest of trips. The picks were typically in a higher price range that have better battery life and quick charge options for the times when charging headphones the night before leaving is forgotten.
- Active noise cancellation quality
There are lower cost options for ANC, but not all active noise cancellation is delivered the same. That’s why the focus was on picks that either offered multiple levels of ANC, or delivered a strong level of ANC on its own, that didn’t require music to make a noticeable difference.
- Durability
Taking headphones through TSA lines just opens them up to more wear and tear, so higher-cost picks that are likely to survive the journey were chosen. Plus, care was taken to choose headphones that will last for years, so the upfront investment is worth it. Headphones and earbuds with good (and portable) cases earned extra recognition in this category.
