10 Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds For Airplane Travel 2026 in the United States

The Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds are designed with airplane travelers in mind, offering strong active noise cancellation to help block out the loud background noise typical on flights. This feature makes them a solid choice for anyone seeking quiet and immersive listening during travel. With up to 8.5 hours of battery life plus an extra 2 hours from a quick charging case, they can easily last through most long-haul flights without needing a recharge. The earbuds come with multiple sizes of ear tips and stability bands to ensure a comfortable, secure fit for extended wear, which is important for long journeys.

Sound quality is impressive, delivering deep bass and clear audio that makes music and calls enjoyable. The IPX4 rating means they are resistant to sweat and light splashes, adding durability for various travel conditions. Connectivity is stable with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, so you can easily switch between devices like your phone and laptop without hassle.

Portability is well handled by the compact charging case that also offers quick charging, making it convenient to carry in a bag or pocket. The earbuds support touch controls and customizable sound settings through the Bose app, offering user-friendly ways to adjust playback and sound to your liking. While they come at a premium price and the noise cancellation may not fully eliminate very low-frequency airplane engine noise for all users, these earbuds are an excellent option for frequent flyers seeking effective noise cancellation, long battery life, and good sound quality in a portable, comfortable package.

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 Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones are a solid choice for airplane travelers looking for effective noise cancellation without breaking the bank. Their hybrid active noise cancelling uses multiple microphones to reduce up to 90% of background noise, which can really help block out engine sounds on flights. The sound quality is boosted by large 40mm drivers and BassUp technology, offering detailed audio with strong bass, and the option for Hi-Res audio through the included AUX cable is a nice bonus for those who want richer sound.

Battery life is impressive, providing up to 40 hours of playback with noise cancellation turned on, so you won't need to worry about charging during long trips. Plus, a quick 5-minute charge gives you an extra 4 hours, which is handy for last-minute top-ups. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 and can connect to two devices at the same time, letting you easily switch between your phone and laptop. Comfort-wise, these are over-ear headphones with faux leather padding. While they should fit snugly and block sound well, some users might find over-ear designs a bit bulky compared to in-ear earbuds, which affects portability. The included carrying case helps protect them when you’re on the move.

Additional features like the Soundcore app allow you to customize the sound with EQ presets and switch between noise cancellation, transparency mode (to hear announcements or conversations), and normal mode. This makes them flexible for different situations. Consider that at around 9 ounces and with an over-ear style, they aren’t as compact as typical earbuds, which might be less convenient if you prefer something smaller. Charging takes about 2 hours, which is fairly standard but not the fastest available. The Q20i headphones deliver strong noise cancellation, excellent battery life, and good sound quality for airplane travel, especially if you prefer comfortable over-ear headphones and don’t mind carrying something a bit larger in your bag.