10 Best Airplane Headphones For Adults 2025 in the United States

The Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones excel in providing high-quality noise cancellation, which is ideal for airplane travel. The active over-ear noise-cancelling feature effectively reduces ambient noise, allowing for an immersive listening experience. Comfort is another strong point, thanks to plush earcup cushions and a padded band, making them suitable for long-duration use without discomfort.

With up to 24 hours of battery life, these headphones are perfect for long flights and can be quickly charged for an additional 2.5 hours of playtime in just 15 minutes, a handy feature for travelers on the go. The sound quality is impressive, featuring high-fidelity audio with adjustable EQ settings that let users customize the bass, mid-range, and treble for a personalized sound experience. Additionally, the multipoint Bluetooth connectivity allows seamless switching between different devices, which is convenient for those using multiple gadgets.

However, it's worth noting that these headphones are not water-resistant, so they need to be handled with care around liquids. The carrying case is lightweight and adds to their portability, but the headphones themselves might feel slightly bulky for some users due to their over-ear design. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are a top choice for adults looking for reliable, comfortable, and high-quality noise-cancelling headphones for airplane travel.

The Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones offer several strengths for airplane travel. They come with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency modes, which are excellent for blocking out airplane noise while allowing you to hear announcements when needed. Comfort is well-addressed with their over-ear design and faux leather material, suitable for long flights. Battery life is impressive, providing up to 40 hours of listening time, and a quick 10-minute charge gives 4 hours of playback, ensuring longevity even on extended journeys.

Sound quality stands out with BEATS' custom acoustic platform delivering rich, immersive sound and personalized spatial audio for an enhanced listening experience. Additionally, the headphones are compatible with both Apple and Android devices, making pairing straightforward and versatile. Portability is convenient with a woven carrying case included for easy transportation. Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a strong and stable connection with fewer dropouts when moving around the airplane cabin.

However, the headphones are not water-resistant, which could be a drawback in case of accidental spills or rainy conditions during travel. They are also relatively heavy at 9.2 ounces, which might be less comfortable for some users during prolonged use. Furthermore, the price point may be higher compared to other headphones in the market. If you value high-quality sound, extended battery life, and advanced noise cancellation features during your flights, the Beats Studio Pro is a solid option for adult airplane headphones.

The Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones offer impressive noise cancellation thanks to their Dual Noise Sensor Technology and Integrated Processor V1, making them a solid choice for airplane travel where background noise can be a concern. Weighing just 192g, these are Sony’s lightest overhead headphones with noise canceling, which enhances comfort for extended use during long flights. The all-day comfort design further ensures that wearing these headphones for several hours won't be a burden. The battery life is another strong point, with up to 35 hours of use on a single charge and a quick charging option that provides up to 1 hour of playback from just a 3-minute charge, which is perfect for those on the go.

In terms of sound quality, users can expect clear and balanced audio, with the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) ensuring music sounds as the artists intended. The smart features like Adjustable Ambient Sound mode and Adaptive Sound control help tailor the audio experience to the surrounding environment, which can be quite handy while traveling. Additionally, these headphones support multipoint connection, allowing users to switch between two devices seamlessly and feature beamforming microphones for clear hands-free calling.

However, while they offer superior comfort and noise cancellation, some users might find the 35-hour battery life limiting compared to other models with even longer battery lives. Furthermore, the high impedance of 325 Ohm might not be compatible with all low-powered devices, which could affect sound quality. Despite these minor drawbacks, these headphones are an excellent choice for adult travelers looking for comfort, excellent noise cancellation, and good sound quality.