David Bridges
Traveling by air has often been a source of stress, but in recent times, the experience has escalated into a true ordeal due to persistent airline delays, disruptive passengers, and the ever-decreasing space offered by airline seats. The anxiety is further compounded by recent incidents involving airplane crashes. If you seek to transform your flying experience into a more tranquil one, investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can significantly enhance your comfort and peace during flights.
When it comes to choosing the right headphones, you have a wealth of options available. From over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, many products now feature active noise cancellation (ANC). As we look ahead to 2025, you’ll find that ANC headphones can often be purchased for under $100. However, for the best flying experience, we recommend spending a bit more to ensure a serene environment at cruising altitude. To help you make a wise investment, we have rigorously tested and reviewed the leading noise-cancelling headphones available on the market.
Are you scared to fly? The internet is, too.
Understanding the Investment: How Much to Spend on Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
To discover the most effective noise-cancelling headphones for air travel, you should be ready to invest between $250 and $500. Premium-grade headphones not only offer enhanced active noise cancellation but also provide customizable settings and transparency modes that allow you to hear essential gate announcements and safety instructions.
While many inexpensive headphones advertise “noise-cancelling” capabilities, a random pair of $50 over-ear headphones featuring only passive noise cancellation will likely let a significant amount of sound in. Additionally, they might struggle with connectivity issues or lack the comfort necessary for extended wear.
What does Airplane Mode do?
Ultimately, investing in a high-quality pair of headphones is worthwhile. On a long flight, having effective active noise cancellation alone won’t suffice; otherwise, we’d simply direct you to our guide on the best noise-cancelling headphones. Comfort also plays a vital role; if you find yourself only able to wear your headphones for a fraction of your flight, their sound-blocking capabilities become irrelevant. In this flying-focused roundup, we have prioritized headphones with thoughtful designs that facilitate easy storage.
If the thought of spending over $250 seems daunting, we have included a selection of budget-friendly earbuds priced under 0, though these options come with some compromises. For those who prefer a mid-range selection, we suggest considering wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation rather than traditional over-ear headphones.
If the price of a quality pair of headphones feels prohibitive, you might consider waiting for a sale. Major brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple frequently offer discounts throughout the year. If you prefer not to monitor prices yourself, Mashable’s deals coverage is an excellent resource for discovering significant headphone discounts. For our recommended picks, we suggest holding out for the following price points:
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — Target a price of at least $349, ideally 9
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Sony WH-1000XM5 — Look for prices starting at $329, preferably $299
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Apple AirPods Pro 2 — Aim for a price of at least $189, or $179 or lower (though $199 is a common sale price at Amazon)
The best gifts for people who love to travel
Discovering the Top Choices: Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Air Travel
When it comes to air travel, noise-cancelling headphones prove to be invaluable. The cacophony of sounds associated with flying can make it challenging to find a moment of peace. Frequent travelers often prefer to rest or work during their flights, and equipping themselves with the best ANC headphones is essential for blocking out the surrounding chaos.
To ensure that shopping for headphones is not as stressful as navigating through an airport, we have conducted extensive testing and research to present you with the best options available. Our top recommendation is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but keep reading to discover additional excellent choices for the finest noise-cancelling headphones suitable for air travel in 2025, all based on Mashable’s thorough hands-on evaluations.
Latest Updates on Headphone Testing and Recommendations
As of May 2025, we are currently assessing whether the Panasonic Technic AZ100 earbuds provide a superior alternative to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, as well as evaluating the potential of the new Skullcandy Method ANC 360 earbuds as a viable budget-friendly option.
After several weeks of testing, we concluded in February 2025 that the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds have earned a place in our guide as our top budget-friendly choice, successfully replacing the less effective Anker Soundcore P3i earbuds. Shortly thereafter, we included the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones in our recommendations due to their impressive battery life.
For September 2024, we opted to maintain our existing lineup, choosing not to include the Dyson OnTrac headphones. Although we appreciate their long battery life, boasting 55 hours of charge, we found them to be somewhat bulky and overpriced for travel purposes.
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