When you're traveling on an airplane, there are all kinds of noises you cannot control. However, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can block out those sounds to various degrees, making them great for planes. "Active noise canceling" technology, or ANC, refers to headphones that emit sounds that specifically cancel out certain unwanted sounds.
Tune everything out with the best noise canceling headphones
Why you can trust iMore Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Pocket wonder
Apple's AirPods Pro slip easily into a pocket and connect to your iPhone seamlessly. Unlike previous AirPods, the AirPods Pro have an active noise-canceling feature you can turn on, making them a perfect travel companion on your next flight. As you can tell from our review, these are an iMore favorite.
Luxurious choice
These special headphones offer three noise cancellation levels, a noise-rejecting microphone, built-in Alexa, and even audio-only AR (augmented reality.) Get 20 hours of battery life from a single charge. Want to spoil yourself when you travel? This is how you do it.
Beautifully designed
Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus True Wireless Earphones offer 40 hours of total playtime with the stainless steel charging case and include active noise cancelation, as we raved about in our review. What's not to love?
Secure freedom
Read about the superior sound, secure ear hooks, and nine hours of listening time (24 hours with the charging case) with the truly wireless Beats by Dr. Dre - Powerbeats Pro in our review. Connect to any smartphone, as they are compatible with iOS and Android.
Colorful choice
While these active noise-canceling headphones come in a bunch of fun fashion colors, they are serious tech. Get 30 hours of wireless talk or playtime from a four-hour charge.
Sleep aid
I gave Bose Sleepbuds II five stars when I reviewed them, and I've continued to use them on every long flight (and every night for that matter) since. I can't sleep without them, and that goes double for sleeping on a plane. Note that these are NOT for listening to music other media; they are only for relaxing/sleep sounds. So, technically, these aren't "headphones," but if sleep is your goal, this is what you want.
Bargain true wireless
As I pointed out in my review, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good pair of wireless noise-canceling earbuds. Earfun Free Pro Wireless Headphones give you a lot of bang for the buck. The charging case charges via USB-C or wirelessly, and gives you up to 32 hours of listening on a single charge. The earbuds come with several sizes of ear tips so everyone can have a perfect fit.
Ultimate headphones
While the price point may put this one out of reach for some, Apple undeniably knows sound. Get the ultimate personal listening experience with Apple's AirPods Max, the high-fidelity wonder we loved reviewing. Choose from a handful of color options.
Excellence
You can't go wrong with Sony's popular premium over-ear headphones. The WH-1000XM4 gives you great sound, battery life, and comfort. They come in several neutral colors. The active noise canceling is top-notch.
Nicely priced
Proving once again that you don't have to spend a lot to get a great pair of headphones, Anker's offering blocks up to 90% of ambient noise. Get up to 40 hours of nonstop play time while in active noise canceling mode, or up to 60 hours in standard mode. A five-minute quick charge buys you another four hours.
Apple sauce for less
Get that Apple magic in a pair of over-ear headphones that cost far less than AirPods Max. You'll get the Apple W1 chip and Class 1 wireless Bluetooth connectivity plus 40 hours of play time. Note that these do not offer active noise canceling, but the over-ear style means you'll get some passive noise blocking.
Plug in
Air travel headphones don't have to be wireless; in fact, if you want to plug into the airplane's sound system, you need that headphone jack. Plug in with these nicely priced over-ear headphones from sound expert brand Sony. Watch the in-flight entertainment with these; they'll be a major upgrade over the free headphones offered by the airline.
Which headphones are best for plane travel?
Noise-canceling headphones are fantastic for air travel, though not strictly necessary—if your headphones fit well, the passive noise isolation may be sufficient. If you're looking for something more compact and pocketable, I'd go for Apple's AirPods Pro, especially if you're already in Apple's ecosystem. They "just work" beautifully. Turn on active noise cancellation for fully immersive sound, or put on transparency mode for important airplane announcements or conversation with your travel companions. Choose from the three different-sized ear tips included to ensure a perfect fit and comfort for the entire flight.
No list of headphones could be complete without mentioning Apple's AirPods Max. If they are in the budget, I'd highly recommend checking them out.
However, if you're looking for something more bargain-friendly, you'll enjoy the Earfun Free Pro Wireless Headphones. I brought these on a recent flight and watched several television shows without being disturbed by the sounds around me. The sound, battery life, features, and price are quite nice.