With the current technological advancement, earphones and headphones have become essential gear for some people. Many people, including us, carry earphones everywhere we go, just like how we carry our phones, wallet, and keys. We take them for both short and long trips to accompany the whole journey. But the best earphones for airplane travel are particularly unique as they need to drown out the noise during the journey. And that’s probably the least entertaining noise out there, isn’t it? Plus, when we had to be on super-long flights, we needed them all the more. That’s why we began looking at the best earphones, or in-ear headphones, in business.
That said, the best products we saw went beyond their main function as an accessory. After all the airport protocols, long queues, and everything else that comes with it, we just wanted to rest in the comfort of our seats. Picking the right noise-canceling earphones for our long hauls was one of the best ways to ensure that we still got all the proper rest. On that note, we’ll help you to tune out the world for a bit with these best earphones for planes.
Table of contents
- SoundMAGIC E11C In-Ear Headphones
- findTop in-Ear Headphones
- Phiaton PS 202 NC Active Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds
- MINDBEAST Noise-Isolating Earphones
- Lenovo Go USB-C Active Noise Cancelling in-Ear Headphones
- Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Headphones
- Phiaton BT 220 NC Wireless Earphones
- Symphonized NRG 3.0 In-Ear Headphones
- BOLOXA Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds/Earphones
- BOSE QuietControl 30 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
- Sephia SP3060 Wired In-Ear Headphones
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H3 ANC In-Ear Headphones
- BOSE QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Our Verdict!
SoundMAGIC E11C In-Ear Headphones
13
Finding the best earphones for air travel online can be a difficult task, especially since we didn’t get to test the item before we bought it. One way or another, we had to rely hugely on the reviews and hoped that they didn’t let us down. And that’s where the SoundMAGIC E11C In-Ear Headphones excelled, gaining great praise from its users. These earphones were highly reviewed for the balanced sound and decent depth to the bass, and we agree.
When used with a Bluetooth connection, these earphones lasted for a good 15 hours, which is more than enough for most air journeys that we took. What’s more, the noise-isolating tech worked really well, blocking out annoying passengers’ voices – and so much more. To complete the package, these earphones were equipped with three different ear fittings sizes as well as a hard case. So, we didn’t have to rummage in our bags every time we wanted to use them, making it easy for us to take them anywhere.
Check out what Louder Sound has to say about these earphones in this detailed review.
What We Love
These decent noise-isolating earphones can take you anywhere.
Pros
- These earphones offer a snug fit and balanced sound.
- They have Bluetooth and boast good call quality.
- The magnetic buds stayed together when we were not wearing them.
Cons
- There’s a delay when paired with Bluetooth.
Buy on:
findTop in-Ear Headphones
12
Best value-for-money. We were looking for earphones that provide a great fit and excellent sound when we stumbled upon the findTop In-Ear Headphones. For one, the headphones boast 12mm drivers that ensure precision-driven bass for an authentic music experience. We loved the two different-sized rubber earbuds, allowing us to ensure the perfect fit for our ear shapes. Plus, we were impressed by the ergonomic design that not only offered comfort but also ensured that they stayed put in our ears. But, the top feature definitely was the noise isolation, which canceled out any annoying surrounding noise. Wrapping up the features is the fact that these earphones were compatible with a ton of electronic devices.
“For a mere amount of 11 USD, these are one of the best pairs of earphones we could have found!”
WOW Travel
What We Love
These are excellent fitting in-ear Bluetooth earphones with clear sound.
Pros
- They’re ridiculously affordable at just 11 USD.
- These earphones offered a great fit.
- They’re compatible with a ton of devices.
Cons
- Some reviewers reported build quality issues.
Buy on:
Phiaton PS 202 NC Active Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds
11
Best no-snag cable. Since we were looking for a noise-canceling feature specifically, we looked at the Phiaton PS 202 NC Active Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. The active noise-canceling technology in these reduced 95% of interference from noises in flights as well as outdoors. What’s more, the earphones boast a touch interface, so we could conveniently control our calls and music with a single touch.
We also loved the elegant, ergonomic design with a metallic black and silver finish. And, of course, the earbuds deliver excellent, high-quality sound, thanks to the brand’s in-built dynamic drivers. But what we loved the most was the textured, no-snag cable. As someone who always keeps getting their wires crossed, this one was a blessing!
What We Love
This is a great pair of earphones whose cables don’t get snagged.
Pros
- These headphones have a 15-hour ANC feature.
- They’re lightweight, compact, and affordable.
- We loved the elegant and ergonomic design.
Cons
- Durability issues
- Some people are dissatisfied with the ANC feature
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MINDBEAST Noise-Isolating Earphones
10
For less than 30 USD, we got ourselves an excellent pair of earphones in the form of the MINDBEAST Noise-Isolating Earphones. They’re fantastic for long flights as they come with a noise-isolating feature, which is anything but a marketing gimmick and works pretty well.
While inexpensive earphones usually come with trade-offs (non-existent bass, low-quality sound, or durability issues), it’s not the case for these earphones. For one, these earphones are very well-made and durable and come in a lightweight, sweat-proof design. Secondly, the 3 pairs of large, medium, and small-sized soft-designed silicon replacement earbud tips ensured that they stayed in our ears without falling out. Heck, there was even an exclusive driver belting out an ultra-clear sound. Finally, the 120-degree 3.5mm jack is compatible with a range of devices.
What We Love
These are great earphones for long air journeys as they keep the noise out and guarantee undisturbed rest.
Pros
- They’re comfortable to wear.
- These earphones provided great sound & bass.
- They were easy to pack and carry.
Cons
- They’re not so good for making calls.
Buy on:
Lenovo Go USB-C Active Noise Cancelling in-Ear Headphones
9
Imagine a pair of earphones being certified by Microsoft Teams – yes, you heard that right! Presenting the Lenovo Go USB-C Active Noise Cancelling in-Ear Headphones, whose certification makes them the perfect pair of earphones for studying, working, and traveling. These portable and lightweight headphones were the perfect on-the-go companion for us, thanks to the talk-through and advanced active noise cancellation feature. We also liked the inline separate mic, which ensured better voice pickup. So our calls while on the go were clearer and not garbled. But most of all, we appreciated the multi-functional control box, which is designed such that we found it very easy to use it.
What We Love
These earphones were very lightweight and portable to wear on an air journey.
Pros
- The inline separate mic ensured better voice pickup.
- The multi-functional box was excellent.
- They’re lightweight and portable.
Cons
- They’re slightly expensive.
Buy on:
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Headphones
8
The reason why these earphones are one of the best earphones for air travel is that they work great in most environments. Even when we took them on a long flight, the Panasonic Ergo In-Ear Headphones were comfortable enough to distract us from noises we didn’t want to deal with. Although they aren’t equipped with a noise-canceling feature, they did block a decent level of noise. So, we did get a fair amount of undisturbed sleep on our long flight. Not only do these earphones work great for such air journeys, but we could also use them for our daily routine. Hence, long conference calls and Zoom meetings were absolutely hassle-free as they provided clear sound and proper microphone feedback.
What We Love
These affordable earphones are up for the job and provide so much more.
Pros
- They’re affordable and durable.
- They’re very comfortable to wear.
- They offer a clear, low bass and stable sound.
Cons
- The manufacturer only provides a 90-day warranty.
Buy on:
Phiaton BT 220 NC Wireless Earphones
7
One of the reasons why we like wireless earphones is because we want to be able to control everything without having to reach our phones. With the Phiaton BT 220 NC Wireless Earphones, our experience was elevated to levels we didn’t expect we’d need. Firstly, the device came with a multipurpose control button which meant that we could control everything with just our thumb. Whether we wanted to adjust the noise-cancellation feature, skip a song, or turn the device off, it was much easier with the all-in-one control button. What’s more, we could connect these earphones to two devices at the same time, thanks to its multi-point connection setup.
In addition to all those features, we even got a noise-canceling device that lasted for 12 hours. Plus, they’re also lightweight and comfortable to wear, so much so that we didn’t even feel like we were wearing them! These are decent-quality earphones featuring ANC tech. And they cost half the price of high-end earphones, which makes them one of your best alternatives.
What We Love
We could control everything from the tip of our thumb, and it was a great user experience all-over.
Pros
- These earphones have Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX.
- They have active noise-canceling tech.
- We loved the multipurpose control button and the multi-point connection setup.
Cons
- There’s no visual indicator of how much battery is left.
Buy on:
Symphonized NRG 3.0 In-Ear Headphones
6
Most color options. Living in a city and all the hustles and bustles that come with it can be exhausting. So, we’d embrace any chance we could find to tune our surroundings out. While not everyone can appreciate this, we were able to do it in our own way with the Symphonized NRG 3.0 In-Ear Headphones. Even though they cost just 30 USD, it didn’t mean that they were lacking quality. In fact, we got ourselves quite a fantastic pair of earphones. Despite not having the ANC feature, we loved how these earphones blocked sound and noises out very well. In fact, even without music, they provided some much-needed silence when we needed a restful night throughout our flight. The best bit? They come in five fantastic colors!
OSRReviews has a lot to say about this product in this detailed YouTube video review.
What We Love
These are the perfect travel companion. Anywhere you go, take them with you to tune unnecessary noises out.
Pros
- They fit comfortably in the ear.
- These earphones have great sound quality.
- They have a highly-functional microphone
Cons
- The earbuds sizing felt a bit disproportionate.
Buy on:
BOLOXA Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds/Earphones
5
Best wireless. The BOLOXA Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds/Earphones are one of the best overall earbuds for flight journey we found. These U8I Bluetooth sport earphones, which offered a secure and comfortable fit, boasted a lightweight and ergonomic design. For one, adjustable and flexible ear hooks enhanced our wearing experience, staying put and never falling out. That’s because we had the choice of three pairs of soft and differently-sized ear tips. Secondly, these earphones have a charging time of just 1.5 hours, running up to as many as 16 hours. Clear acoustics aside, the earphones were hassle-free to use, thanks to the easy button control. The best bit? The earphones boasted an IPX7 waterproof rating, which was perfect for us butterfingers!
What We Love
We love these flexible and adjustable earbuds.
Pros
- They offer great, clear sound.
- The package comes with 4 different earbud sizes.
- The magnetic earpieces keep them safe in one piece.
- These comfortably fit on our ears.
Cons
- The earphones have durability issues.
Buy on:
BOSE QuietControl 30 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
4
Since they come from a long-standing audio company, the BOSE Quietcontrol 30 Wireless In-Ear Headphones are far from disappointing. In fact, they had everything we expected from noise-canceling earphones – and then some. So, where do we begin?
For one, we were able to control the ANC feature as it was adjustable to several levels. The great thing about BOSE’s employed ANC tech is it was able to not just reduce noise but also amplified external sound. Have you ever wondered how it felt like to still be able to talk to people around you without pausing your audio? We experienced it firsthand with these earphones! And should we begin talking about the sound quality? It’s absolutely top-notch!
Even though these earphones were built specifically for a great audio experience, even other things about them are great. For instance, NFC and Bluetooth pairing allowed us to connect to many devices seamlessly. Finally, the lightweight neckband design conformed to our ear for all-day comfort and wearability.
What We Love
You get what you pay for, and these are quality noise-canceling earphones for the longest flights.
Pros
- These come with an adjustable noise-canceling feature (Level 1 – 11).
- They are very comfortable to use.
- They allow simultaneous connection for two devices at the same time
Cons
- They’re not the best choice for calling.
Buy on:
Sephia SP3060 Wired In-Ear Headphones
3
Best wired. Everything we needed in the best earphones for airplane travel was to be found with the Sephia SP3060 Wired In-Ear Headphones, which has a cult following online. Apart from doing the job well – from reducing surrounding noise to a clear sound system – and being so comfortable to wear, they offered so much more. What we particularly liked about these earphones is the coated wire that was just impossible to get tangled with the cable. That was a big relief for us as it was one big issue for us with wired earphones. Aside from that, these earphones were perfect for travel since we even had a small carrying pouch to store them safely.
Despite there being no microphone, these earphones, which cost less than 20 USD, were perfect for us. That’s because we used them solely for air travel and blasting our favorite songs!
What We Love
These provided so much more than we expected, considering the price point.
Pros
- They offered a clear sound.
- Different sizes of buds came equipped in the package.
- The coated wire prevents tangled cables.
- They came with a small carrying pouch.
Cons
- There’s no microphone
Buy on:
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H3 ANC In-Ear Headphones
2
Bang & Olufsen is one of the world’s premier audio manufacturer companies, so we were excited to try out the B&O Beoplay H3 ANC In-Ear Headphones. These headphones have gained a great number of fans thanks to the Active Noise Canceling feature. That, combined with their ultra-light construction, certainly won us over!
We were able to choose between the available sleek color designs; champagne, black, gunmetal gray, and natural. Being a Danish company, the minimalist design incorporated in these earphones was a rather welcome departure from the usual. That’s what also made them different from other earphones in the market today. To complete this picture of perfection, the device is also equipped with a dynamic full-tone design. Hence, it authentically reflected whatever we were listening to. Thanks to these, we were able to tune in and out for up to as many as 20 hours with Bang and Olufsen’s Signature Sound. Finally, we had full control of this device at the tips of our fingers with the three-button remote, complete with a microphone.
Check out the official product page.
What We Love
The sophisticated design completes the already perfect package.
Pros
- It’s available in 4 different styles and colors.
- The ANC feature and ultra-light construction are highlights.
- These earphones have a dynamic full-tone design.
- There’s a three-button remote with a microphone.
Cons
- Some users reported static and feedback.
Buy on:
BOSE QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones
1
For the best of the best earphones for airplane travel, we picked the BOSE QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise-Cancelling Headphones. This perfect air travel companion of ours is amongst the “Most Recommended,” “Top Pick,” and even “Editor’s Choice” items of this year – and has been that way for quite a few years. If you have 300 USD to spend on earphones, we’d tell you to spend on these without batting an eyelid. For one, the ANC feature is simply the best in class, and we didn’t have issues with getting undisturbed sleep on every flight.
What’s more, they even have separate versions for Apple and Android devices. So, Apple users won’t have to worry about connecting the earphones to a Jack adapter. And we Android users didn’t have to worry about connectivity, thanks to the presence of the 3.5mm jack. Speaking of its audio quality, BOSE equipped these earphones with active EQ deliver audio as well as TriPort technology. To say that we had a clear sound is an understatement, for the overall audio listening experience is BOSE quality.
What We Love
These are all-around the perfect earphones for air journeys.
Pros
- They’re equipped with TriPort technology.
- These earphones have active EQ delivering audio.
- They sit comfortably in our ears.
- They have the best-in-class ANC feature.
- These earphones have separate versions for Apple and Android devices.
Cons
- None, really.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
These options below are a more specialized list based on some specific best features:
- Best value-for-money: FindTop In-Ear Headphones
- Best no-snag cable: Phiaton PS 202 NC Active Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds
- Most color options: Symphonized NRG 3.0 In-Ear Headphones
- Best wireless: BOLOXA Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds/Earphones
- Best wired: Sephia SP3060 Wired In-Ear Headphones
How to Choose the Best Earphones for Airplane Travel?
There are several things that we considered before choosing our earphones, especially when we wanted them to excel when it came to specific conditions.
Noise-canceling feature
Besides providing us with the best sound quality, we also looked at whether the earphones featured noise-canceling tech. At the beginning of its development, noise-canceling headphones were first designed just for airplane pilots. These days, almost all high-end earphone products are equipped with said technology. And using them during our flight was a revelation, indeed. Whether we decided to put on music or just leave them in for the rest of the flight, tuning out the world for a while was a much-needed break.
Wireless or Wired?
When we come to think of it, we’ve grown so much going from hands-free to wireless technology. In this decade, we’ve seen the advanced development of wireless technology more than ever. From wireless phone charging, consoles, and, of course, earphones and headphones, they’re all competing in the market. While we prefer wireless earphones due to their practicality, it doesn’t mean that we stop using wired earphones altogether. In fact, most earphones in the market today are still dominated by wired earphones.
Hence, choosing wired or wireless headphones boils down to personal preferences. If you’re tired of tangled wires every time you need to use your earphones, go for wireless. But if you prefer the simpler way, wired ones are great too.
Price
With everything a pair of earphones can offer, it comes as no surprise that this item is among the most expensive accessory out there. Sure, we did find some amazing budget headphones that didn’t break the bank. But between the brand’s reputation and the earphones’ qualities, investing our money in the best buds for flight travel was a reasonable choice – especially since we travel a lot.
If you’re looking for gym earphones, check out the best wireless gym earphones and the best budget wireless gym earphones.
Can I bring earphones on a plane?
Yes, you can. Passengers are allowed to bring earphones or headphones (including wireless headphones) during air travel, according to the TSA. Whether you include them in your baggage carry or checked luggage, there’s no prohibition on carrying earphones to a plane.
What earbuds work with airplanes?
Earbuds or earphones with Active Noise Canceling (ANC) feature generally work best with air journeys. Using the microphone, a listening device equipped with ANC will reduce background and surrounding noises. At the very least, they work to reduce the noises around you. While the best earphones for travel can effectively block out noise.
Can I use noise-canceling headphones on a plane?
There are no particular prohibitions that rule out noise-canceling headphones to be used on a plane. However, some airlines will ask you not to use them during important flight announcements, especially safety procedures before takeoff and immigration requirements before landing.