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 New QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds are well-suited for airplane travel, primarily due to their impressive noise cancellation feature. This technology allows you to immerse yourself in your music or podcasts without the disruptive sounds of the cabin or fellow passengers. With a commendable battery life of up to 8.5 hours, these earbuds can comfortably last through long flights, and if you need a quick boost, a 20-minute charge provides an additional 2 hours of playtime.

Comfort is another strong point; the earbuds come with multiple eartip sizes and stability bands, ensuring a snug fit that stays secure during travel. Additionally, the sound quality is notable, offering a rich audio experience, which enhances entertainment while you’re in the air.

On the connectivity front, Bluetooth 5.3 technology ensures a reliable connection with a range of up to 30 feet, allowing you to move freely without worrying about losing your audio. The customizable touch controls and the Bose app for adjusting sound settings add convenience, making it easy to manage your listening experience. There are a few considerations to keep in mind. While 8.5 hours of battery life is solid, some competing products offer longer playback time. Additionally, the earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which means they are water-resistant but not fully waterproof. This could be a limitation if you encounter heavy rain or plan to use them during intense workouts.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds are a strong choice for airplane travelers looking to minimize cabin noise. Their noise cancellation is impressive, claiming up to 98.5% reduction with adaptive technology that adjusts to both your ears and surroundings. This means you can expect a peaceful experience even in noisy environments like airplanes. Battery life is excellent too, offering up to 8 hours of continuous use with noise cancelling on, and a total of 40 hours including the charging case—great for long trips without frequent recharging.

Comfort and fit are generally good with an in-ear design, though personal fit can vary, so it’s worth trying them on if possible. Sound quality stands out with 11mm drivers and Hi-Res audio support, delivering detailed, crisp music that can be customized via adjustable EQ and presets for a personalized listening experience. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.3, easy pairing, and multi-point connection, useful if you want to switch between devices like phone and tablet smoothly. The earbuds are compact and come with a wireless charging case, making them very portable for travel.

Additional perks include IPX4 water resistance and clear call quality thanks to multiple microphones and AI noise reduction, helpful for in-flight phone calls or video chats. On the downside, while the battery life is strong, charging still takes about 10 minutes for a quick boost, which might be a bit long for urgent needs. Also, the fit and comfort may not suit everyone perfectly due to the in-ear style, and some users might find the touch controls sensitive or tricky. These earbuds deliver a compelling mix of noise cancelling, sound quality, and battery life tailored to frequent flyers seeking a quiet, enjoyable audio experience on planes.