We’re all on the same page when it comes to flying. After long lines, airport security, and a lack of quality seating, most of us don’t want to listen to screaming kids, barking dogs or a seat neighbor that insists on orating their entire life. We’re not encouraging any of you to act like a jerk when it comes to airplane etiquette, but there’s nothing wrong with popping in some noise-cancelling earbuds to tune out the world around you on a particularly crowded flight. These are our favorites–the best 8 pairs of noise-cancelling earbuds for your next flight.
TaoTronics Wireless Earbuds
If price is your primary concern over things like build quality, compatibility, style or brand recognition, you can’t go wrong with the TaoTronics Bluetooth Earbuds. If you’ve never shopped the lower end of the Amazon electronics section you might have never heard of TaoTronics, but the products they produce have the same features you’ll find in higher end models at a much lower price. These earbuds are Bluetooth connected, lightweight, comfortable, ergonomic, lightweight, sweatproof and built with CVC 6.0 noise cancellation technology. In other words, they’re not so much cheap as they are an affordable and effective alternative to other far more expensive Bluetooth options on the market. $26
Audio-Technica QuietPoint In-Ear Headphones
Audio-Technica is no slouch in the world of quality, portable audio, and the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 QuitePoint Active Noice-Cancelling In-Ear Headphones are the perfect example why. Noise-cancelling that leverages a miniature microphone in each earpiece and is controlled via switch. 4 sets of different buds. Included airline adapter. Reduction of environmental noise by up to 90%. Yes, they’re wired. Yes, some of the significantly more expensive options perform better. But at the end of the day, for $50 or less these Audio-Technica options block out all of the noises you don’t want to deal with and still give you really good audio for all your in flight entertainment. $45
Phiaton BT 220 NC Wireless Bluetooth Earphones
The Phiaton BT 220 NC Wireless Bluetooth Earphones pack everything you want into a package small enough to fit in a pocket: Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, multiple earbud sizes, active noise cancelling technology and up to 10 hours of play time with noise-cancelling engaged. They’re fantastically comfortable and high-performing headphones that also have a power/call button and noise-cancelling on/off button, along with multi-function inline controls for play, pause, stop, etc. Bundled together, those features make these some of the best travel earbuds on the market, but the reason they’re really on this list is because they have a multi-point connection setup that allows you to connect two devices at the same time. $159
Apple AirPods
Depending on your setup and desired outcome you’ll either love or absolutely hate Apple AirPods. On one hand, the dual-mic setup paired with Apple’s clever noise-cancelling tech and the effortless pairing makes these earbuds a pleasure to use on a regular basis, but the sound quality and noise-cancelling are outperformed by other, more expensive options on this list. Where the AirPods truly excel compared to other options is the combination of comfort and call quality. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad and traveling for business you won’t find a better pair of buds to catch up on Game of Thrones in the air and also have crystal clear conference calls when you land. $159
B&O PLAY Beoplay H3
Crafted from a solid block of aluminum and available in four different colorways (black, champagne, gunmetal gray, natural) the B&O PLAY Beoplay H3 by Bang & Olufsen is an in-ear headphone with active noise cancelling that combines ultra-light construction with surprising sound performance and a dynamic full tone design that authentically reproduces your source material. Hear what you want, and ignore what you don’t for up to 20 hours while enjoying Bang & Olufsen’s acclaimed “Signature Sound” the entire time with the comfort of a three-button remote design that you’re familiar with. And when you land you’ll still be able to take calls and close deals with ease because the microphone is one of the clearest you’ll ever use. $180
Sony Premium Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones
In the world of premium headphones there are few brands as renowned as Sony. All of the headphones that bear the brand’s name are great for just about any situation, but we’re particularly fond of the performance of the Sony Premium Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones. Individual earbuds that have a 9 hour battery life with the hard carrying case. Digital noise cancelling. Smart Listening technology with auto-settings designed to selectively sensor ambient noises. These earbuds are essentially a giant pair of noise-cancelling studio monitors tiny enough to carry in your pocket. $200
Bose QuietComfort 20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
With more “Top Pick,” “Editor’s Choice,” and “Bestseller” recommendations than any other option on the market, the Bose QuietComfort 20 is an easy pick for best noise-cancelling earbuds for your next flight. If you’re comfortable with the price tag, the cords and the fact that there are separate versions for Apple and Android devices, these earbuds are pretty much perfect. The most important feature of the Bose QC20 is the best-in-class active noise-cancelling that allows you to decide how much or how little of the world around you you need to be aware of. The TriPort technology and an active EQ deliver audio that sounds great, but is slightly outpaced by the Bose QC30 below when it comes to music. But again, if active noise-cancelling is your primary purchase concern, this is the pair for you. $249
Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones
The other highly regarded listening option from Bose is the Quiet Control 30 Wireless Headphone setup that combines earbuds with a lightweight neckband collar of sorts for truly wireless listening. With up to ten hours of battery life and adjustable noise-cancelling these headphones are perfect for all but the longest flights. You don’t want to have to worry about twisted cables or accidentally ripping the cable out of your device as you fumble to let someone into or out of their seat, giving them quite the leg up over their wired counterpart. We’ll be the first to admit that the collar takes a little getting used to, but once you do, the sound quality and convenience makes it all worth it. $299
