Best Noise-Cancelling Headphonesfor Flying Under $400
Updated
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Short answer
This page is for travelers who want quieter flights and a battery that lasts a long-haul day. My pick is the Sony WH-1000XM5. It now sells for about half its launch price and runs about 30 hours with noise cancelling on.
The three
Sony
WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
- About 30 hours with noise cancelling on
- Connects to 2 devices at once
- Includes a 3.5 mm cable that works with the headphones off
- The ear cups don't fold, so the case is bulky
- Battery, noise cancelling on
- 30 hours
- Weight
- Not listed
- Folds
- No, lies flat only
- Price
- $$$
Bose
QuietComfort Headphones
- 230 g, lighter than the Bose QC Ultra
- Larger ear openings and physical volume buttons
- Includes a USB-C to 3.5 mm cable
- Up to 24 hours of battery, the least here
- Battery, noise cancelling on
- Up to 24 hours
- Weight
- 230 g
- Folds
- Not listed
- Price
- $$$
Soundcore by Anker
Space One Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Anker lists 40 hours with noise cancelling on; SoundGuys measured 42 hours 57 minutes
- Folds, and comes with a case and a 3.5 mm cable
- About a quarter of the Sony's launch price
- Noise cancelling tested below average for the category
- Battery, noise cancelling on
- 40 hours (43 tested)
- Weight
- 259 g
- Folds
- Yes
- Price
- $$$
Ratings from the source shown, checked October 26, 2026. Price tiers compare the three; Amazon shows today's price.
Side by side
Swipe to compare →
| Best overallWH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones | Most comfortableQuietComfort Headphones | Best valueSpace One Active Noise Cancelling Headphones | For referenceBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Long flights on a mid-range budget | Larger ears and people who want physical buttons | A budget pair with the longest battery | The premium pair many flyers compare against |
| Battery, noise cancelling on | 30 hours | Up to 24 hours | 40 hours (43 tested) | - |
| Weight | Not listed | 230 g | 259 g | 260 g |
| Folds | No, lies flat only | Not listed | Yes | - |
| Wired for seatback screens | 3.5 mm cable included | USB-C to 3.5 mm cable included | 3.5 mm cable included | - |
| Common complaint | Bulky case, no folding | Shorter battery | Weaker noise cancelling | Touch volume strip, tighter ear cups |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | Premium |
The fine print
Watch out for
The most common catch with each, from reviews and specs.
- WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesThe ear cups don't fold, so the case is bulky
- QuietComfort HeadphonesUp to 24 hours of battery, the least here
- Space One Active Noise Cancelling HeadphonesNoise cancelling tested below average for the category
Skip it if
Who each one is wrong for
Saves you a return.
- WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesYou need them to fold small. They only lie flat.
- QuietComfort HeadphonesYou fly 20+ hours door to door without a charger.
- Space One Active Noise Cancelling HeadphonesEngine noise is what bothers you most. The 2 pricier pairs block more.
The details
-
What separates them
Noise cancelling and price track each other here. SoundGuys measured the Bose QC cutting perceived noise by about 85%. It rated the Soundcore's noise cancelling below average for the category.
The Sony is the value story right now. It costs about half as much as the Bose and about twice as much as the Soundcore.
-
What buyers complain about
Sony owners miss the folding design of the older XM4, and the USB cable in the box is very short. Bose's trade-off is battery life. Soundcore reviewers point to a soft case and bright, bass-heavy sound.
-
Cost per flight hour
If you fly 10 round trips a year at 5 hours each way, that's 100 hours. Over 3 years, the Soundcore works out cheapest per flight hour, the Sony costs about twice as much per hour, and the Bose costs the most.
So which is yours?
WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Pick it if you want: long flights on a mid-range budget.
Skip it if you need them to fold small. They only lie flat.
QuietComfort Headphones
Pick it if you want: larger ears and people who want physical buttons.
Skip it if you fly 20+ hours door to door without a charger.
Space One Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Pick it if you want: a budget pair with the longest battery.
Skip it if engine noise is what bothers you most. The 2 pricier pairs block more.
My pick
WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
A top-rated pair from testers, with 30 hours of battery and a wired cable for seatback screens.
Also considered
Good options that didn't make the top three.
How I compared
- Took battery, weight and box contents from SoundGuys, Digitec and the Soundcore product page.
- Compared Amazon prices on 2026-10-26, and SoundGuys for the Sony's original launch price.
- Used SoundGuys' lab results to compare noise cancelling.
- Left out star ratings. I couldn't get a retailer rating with a review count for these models.
Sources: SoundGuys: Sony WH-1000XM5 back to $198 · Consequence: Sony WH-1000XM5 October deal · Digitec: Sony WH-1000XM5 test · SoundGuys: Bose QuietComfort vs QuietComfort Ultra · Best Buy: Bose QuietComfort Headphones · Soundcore Space One · SoundGuys: Anker Soundcore Space One review
Questions
Can I plug these into the seatback screen?
Yes. All 3 come with a cable. Some planes use a 2-prong jack, so you may need a separate airplane adapter.
Are over-ear headphones better than earbuds on a plane?
Usually for long flights. They cover more of the ear and last longer per charge. Earbuds are easier to sleep in.
Which pair is the best gift?
The Sony, now that it sells for about half its launch price. On a tight budget, the Soundcore.