10 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds For Airplane Travel 2025 in the United States

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are designed to cater to travelers seeking effective noise-cancelling earbuds. A standout feature is the Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, which adjusts to your surroundings, potentially making them ideal for reducing airplane noise while still allowing you to hear important announcements. The sound quality is enhanced with an Adaptive Equalizer, promising an immersive listening experience tailored to different wearing styles.

Comfort is prioritized with a redesigned fit, which suggests long-duration wearability, crucial for lengthy flights. The earbuds are lightweight and come in a sleek, modern design that’s both appealing and functional. In terms of battery life, the earbuds offer about 6 hours of continuous use, with the charging case providing an additional 26 hours. While this is adequate for most travel scenarios, frequent fliers might desire a longer battery life between charges.

Connectivity is supported by Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring a decent range and stable connection with compatible devices such as cellphones and tablets. Touch controls add convenience for managing music and calls without needing to access your device directly. Portability is enhanced by a compact carrying case, which is easy to slip into a pocket or bag. However, users focusing on minimalism might find the case a bit bulky compared to the earbuds' small size. Additionally, the durability aspect is addressed with a water-resistant design, offering some reassurance against accidental splashes or exposure.

On the downside, some users might feel that the 6-hour battery life per charge is on the shorter side, especially for long-haul flights. Also, while the adaptive sound features are impressive, they rely heavily on AI, which may be a hit or miss depending on the user's environment and preferences. The Samsung-exclusive features, such as real-time translation and sound optimization, might appeal particularly to users within the Samsung ecosystem, potentially limiting appeal for those using other brands.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are solid noise-cancelling earbuds that suit airplane travelers well. Their standout feature is excellent noise cancellation, enhanced by CustomTune and ActiveSense technologies that adapt to your ear shape and smooth out loud interruptions—perfect for blocking out engine noise. The earbuds offer up to 6 hours of battery life per charge, which is decent for a long flight, and the wireless charging case provides up to three additional charges, ensuring you can keep listening throughout your trip. Comfort is addressed by multiple sizes of soft eartips and stability bands, helping them stay secure and feel comfortable in your ears for hours. Sound quality is immersive with deep bass and spatial audio that can make music and movies more enjoyable during travel.

Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, so you can switch easily between your phone and laptop without hassle. The earbuds are also IPX4 rated, meaning they resist splashes of water, which could be useful in various travel scenarios. On the downside, while the 6-hour battery life is adequate, some travelers might prefer longer playback between charges. The charging case is a bit larger than ultra-compact models, so it’s portable but not the smallest option available. Also, the price tends to be higher compared to some competitors, reflecting Bose’s premium positioning.

These earbuds deliver a combination of strong noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort, making them an excellent choice for frequent flyers seeking a reliable and pleasant listening experience on planes.

The Beats Studio Buds are well-suited for airplane travel, offering effective active noise cancellation (ANC) to help block out ambient cabin noise. They also feature a Transparency mode, allowing you to hear surroundings without removing the earbuds. With up to 8 hours of listening per charge and a compact charging case providing an additional 16 hours, the battery life supports long flights comfortably. Comfort is addressed through three sizes of soft ear tips that promote a secure and stable fit, which is important for extended wear.

Sound quality is balanced and powerful thanks to their custom acoustic platform, delivering clear audio for music, podcasts, or calls. Connectivity stands out with Class 1 Bluetooth, ensuring a strong, stable connection with fewer dropouts over typical distances you’d experience on a plane or in the airport. The earbuds are IPX4-rated, meaning they resist sweat and light moisture, which is handy for travel but not waterproof for heavy exposure. Their small, lightweight design and pocket-sized case make them very portable, easy to carry in a bag or pocket.

While 8 hours of battery life is good, some competitors offer longer playback times per charge, which could be a consideration on very long flights without easy charging access. Additionally, the charging case requires USB-C charging but does not include a power adapter, so you’ll need your own charger. The earbuds are compatible with both Apple and Android devices, making them versatile for most travelers. The Beats Studio Buds balance solid noise cancellation, comfort, and sound quality in a compact design, making them a strong choice for frequent flyers looking for reliable wireless earbuds.