In the past, we’ve talked about our hunt for silence on flights, which, as far as we know, means noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. Truly, we never realized just how loud planes are until we started on this journey. But…gosh. So here we are. We’ve been through a few different models and wanted to pass along our two cents (assuming you’re familiar with the humble ¢).

Earbuds v. Headphones

Most people have thoughts about the earbud v. headphone discussion, goodness knows we do. Because you’re reading our blog, it seems reasonable to assume you’re curious about our opinion. So here it is: it depends, as different options have unique pros and cons. For us, it’s hard to beat the total immersion that comes with headphones. The model we have completely surrounds the ear, which, when it comes to noise-cancellation, is important. Yes, they’re bulkier. No, they aren’t easy to sleep in. Yes, they’re larger and take up more room in your luggage. Still, their ability to drown out the world around you is pretty remarkable. All of sounds…gone. That said, we’d be remiss to say earbuds aren’t worth the investment. It’s true, the noise-cancellation isn’t exactly as good as with headphones; however, they have other benefits that might sway their pro-to-con ratio. Probably most obvious, earbuds are much smaller, making it easier to sleep with them in your ears and easier to pack. Moreover, noise-cancellation technology is always improving, making them nearly as good as their over-the-ear counterparts.

Cut the Wire or No?

It’s also important to decide whether you want to spend the extra money on a wireless option or opt for an often lower-priced wired version. We’ve tried both. When it comes to wired options, we’ve stayed loyal to Bose. Our very purchase was in 2019, and, though now discontinued, they’re still great contenders. The biggest plus with a wired option is the noise-cancellation works considerably longer and when you run out of battery, they still function as regular earbuds. Keep in mind the wired connection is for the audio signal, not the noise-cancellation functionality. For example, our wireless headphones often last for 18-24 hours; after that they stop working entirely. By comparison, our wired earbuds last for well, technically ever. The noise-cancellation setting requires battery power and lasts about 8 hours, but after that they continue to work like regular earbuds. So, in our experience, the wired version has never not worked.

That said, we prefer the wireless versions. Yes, they’re a bit more expensive (but not always) and you do need to remember to recharge the battery before you head out. Yes, your flight may be longer than the battery will last. That said, not getting wrapped up in wires makes it easier to (try to) sleep. Also, if you’re plugged in, anytime someone needs to get out you have to pause what you’re watching/listening to, unplug, get up, let them out, sit back down, and reverse the process. Without the wires, all you do is get up. Beyond this, the other issue is that wireless options connect via Bluetooth to another device (e.g., your phone) which isn’t super helpful on most planes. Until recently, that meant we needed a cord to connect our wireless headphones to the plane’s entertainment system. Fortunately, we recently found a wireless transmitter device that plugs into your TV monitor and sends the audio to your wireless headphones/earbuds via a unique Bluetooth connection. Win! Of course, this means one more thing to purchase, carry, and charge. Fortunately, the device is small, about 2”x2”x1”. Also, newer planes have the ability to connect your wireless headphones/earbuds directly to your screen via Bluetooth, meaning the extra device might only be a temporary addition.

Battle of the Brands

When we first started our search for quiet on planes, our research showed one brand consistently outranked the others: Bose. So, our first purchase was Bose wired noise-cancelling earbuds, and they changed our world (made it quieter, in fact). Since then, Jason has bought a pair of their regular wireless earbuds (not noise-cancelling) and we both have their over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones (which Tasha thinks are glorious for focus when doing sewing calculations). More recently we’ve been curious about other brands as the technology seems to be improving and we’re always trying to pack smaller. After more research, we decided to go separate ways: Jason got the Soundcore noise-cancelling earbuds, while Tasha went with Raycon Fitness noise-cancelling earbuds to test out a Bluetooth earbud for flying. What we’ve found is there’s a reason Bose consistently tops the rankings: they’re awesome. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re worth it. That said, the other brands were better than we expected, and because are less expensive than Bose, we think you should consider them in your search for silence.

In the following reviews, we factor in the quality of the noise-cancellation, battery life, the bulkiness of the product, the overall comfort, and the sound quality.

Bose Quiet Comfort

Bose stands out as the clear winner, at least for us. The noise-cancellation is remarkable; on the plane, both the headphones and wired earbuds drown out almost all the noise around us, from the drone of the plane engines to the crying babies a few rows back, even to the flight attendant asking for our drink order. From a comfort perspective, Bose is again our pick. Their over-ear headphones are cushions of pure bliss, encompassing your ear in soft comfort. The earbuds, as with most of the rest of their earbud options, have silicon ‘wings’ that hold their position in your ear (so they don’t spin and fall out) while still being comfortable from the time you put them in until you take them out. And because the wings maintain the earbud’s place in your ear, that creates a better seal which makes the noise-cancellation even better. The sound quality is also tops: really clear treble tones and deep, booming bases. All the stuff Bose is known for…all right in your ear. Bulkiness depends on which version you have, but in general, this is where Bose loses ground. Their headphones are similar to other brands, but their earbuds are large and stick out from your ear, which can make them more challenging to sleep in. All things considered, we’d rate our Bose models – both the earbuds (wired) and headphones (wireless) with an A. Unfortunately the wired earbuds have been discontinued, but you can still find refurbished sets on Amazon.

Raycon [Tasha’s New Earbuds]

Tasha ordered the Raycon Fitness noise-cancelling ear buds because she didn’t want to bring her bulky Bose headphones on our most recent trip. Plus we wanted to test a wireless version that wouldn’t break the bank. This meant she also ordered Bluetooth transmitters for both of us for the plane. Fortunately, the price was still reasonable with both the earbuds and transmitter.

While the noise-cancelling portion of these earbuds is definitely on par with Bose, you can still tell the difference between the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and regular modes. It’s just not immediately noticeable when you turn on the ANC like it is with Bose. It seems like they wait for sound to come through the earbuds from your device before they try to cancel the noise around you. Because of that, they don’t really work as earplugs when you’re trying to catch some shut-eye like our wired Bose earbuds do. She uses the Loop Switch earplugs for that now instead. The sound quality is decent. You won’t get that full base like you do with Bose, but they’re not tinny and completely acceptable. A very technical description from her.

The battery life on these is remarkable! We had FOUR flights (about 16 hours ON the plane) and between wearing them in her ears and giving them a quick recharge boost from the case during layovers, they never ran out of power. Then she continued to use them for tours and some quick video editing on her phone for 2 weeks and STILL didn’t recharge them – mostly because she forgot and they just kept going. The battery life is definitely a huge win for these. Maybe she can get the whole lawn mowed now without her headphones dying now. Woo!

The comfort level is also great. She also has a pair of Jabra Elite Active 65t earbuds that she practically lives in, but the battery life in those is only about 3-4 hours and they constantly fall out of her ears. The Raycon earbuds last at least 6 hours at a time, based on our recent overseas flight. They claim to last 12 hours on their own, plus an additional 44 hours for a total of 56 hours on one case charge. Holy smokes. The Raycons also feature a small fin at the top to hold them in your ear and come with 4 adjustable sizes to get the right fit. She keeps raving about how snug and comfortable they are.

The magnetic case is tiny, about 2”x2”x1”, and has a loop and carabiner to clip them onto your bag if you wish. The satisfying little snap when the magnet clips the earbuds into the case is a nice touch. They are also water/sweat resistant, which will be great for workouts (ha), or working outside in the sweltering Missouri heat and humidity. Plus…they came in purple. She’s happy.

Overall, we’re calling these a win. They get a B+ because the battery life and comfort are phenomenal, but the noise-cancellation and sound aren’t quite top of the game.

Soundcore [Jason’s New Earbuds]

Admittedly, this wasn’t a brand I was familiar with before doing some research, but it’s one I’m glad we found. The Soundcore Space A40 noise-cancelling earbuds are, in most ways, a winner. The case is small, measuring about 3” wide by 1” long or so. The earbuds are magnetically held in their case but are easy to remove when you’re ready for action. The earbuds come with a charging cable, but the instruction manual says the case accommodates wireless charging, though I haven’t tested this yet. The earbuds themselves are smaller than I was expecting, and much smaller than the Bose version. Because of their small stature, they fit down into my ear better than the Bose option, which makes it easier to sleep with them in (or…try to sleep). If you’re someone who prefers a lower profile to your technology, these might be the earbuds for you.

As for sound quality, these are better than expected and nearly as good as Bose. The treble sounds are clear and crisp, while the base is good; not quite as deep as with Bose, but still good enough to enjoy good sound quality in your tunes and movies. The A40’s have three sound options: a normal option (like using regular earbuds without noise-cancelling technology), a noise-cancelling option, and what I can best describe as a more focused version. The noise-cancellation is good, not quite as good as Bose, but given the lower price-point, it was much better than I was expecting. For the focused version, when I had them in and was talking to Tasha, it focused on and amplified her voice while quieting everything else. This had some trouble on the plane with the ambient noise, but could be a neat option to use in crowded places.

The battery life with these was pretty great, too, and lasted the duration of each of our recent flights to Europe. Once we touched down, I’d pop them back in their case and they were fully charged for our next flight. Plug the case in during the flight so it stays charged, and you’re good to go for the full travel day.

The one place that dropped my rating is in comfort level. At first, the A40’s were really comfortable and fit snugly into my ear canal, but after a few hours, my inner ear was sore, to the point where it felt bruised by the end of the flight. That made it a little tender when putting them in again for the next flight. It’s possible I had them pushed too far in my ear and/or had the wrong size end on them, so we need to experiment a bit more before giving a final opinion. Still, something to be mindful about.

Overall, Jason gives these a B rating, potentially a B+ if we can get the sizing sorted out.

You can find links to all the headphones and earbuds we’ve mentioned throughout the post or on the “Products We Recommend” page of our website.

The post The Hunt for the Most Elusive: Noise-Cancelling Silence first appeared on The DeBode Way.

In a prior travel technology post we talked about the benefits of noise-canceling earbuds for flights. Seriously, they’re amazing. You really can’t appreciate how loud a plane is until you’ve experienced noise-canceling technology…and then have to go without it. As we explained earlier, our first foray into the world of noise-canceling things was our Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Earbuds. Lots of folks asked why we opted for earbuds rather than headphones, and our main answer was focused on their smaller size, which is helpful given our preference to travel only with carry-on luggage. However, Jason recently purchased a pair of Bose QuietComfort 700 Noise-Canceling Headphones, so now we’re able to compare the two.

Cost.

Headphones. When I bought them from BestBuy, my headphones cost $255.65 and were on sale. I suppose if you did enough sleuthing, you might find them less expensive somewhere else, but make sure you factor in the value of your time when doing all that looking around. Their regular price is $379, so I feel like I got a pretty good deal. Along with the carrying case, there’s a small compartment that includes an audio cord and a charging cable. The charging cable is USB-C and does not come with a wall adaptor. The audio cord is mostly for flights: the headphones have a Bluetooth connection to your devices, but most planes don’t have that capability…yet. Until then, you can use the cord to connect the headphones to the plane’s in-flight entertainment system, or you can purchase an additional Bluetooth adaptor unit like an AirFly for the cordless experience.

Earbuds. We got these a few years ago, so while we don’t remember what we paid back then, they currently go for $350. Along with the carrying case, the wired earbuds also come with a small USB charging cord, though they don’t come with a wall adaptor for the cord, or at least they didn’t when we got them. Also, be aware the cord ends in a regular headphone jack, so if you want them to use with your phone, you might need a dongle to convert it to either USB-C or the end that works with your iPhone.

Battery Life.

Headphones. I’ve been impressed with the battery life of the headphones. When fully charged, they can last for around 20 hours of noise-canceling bliss before needing a recharge.

Earbuds. I’m not actually sure how long the noise-canceling ability of the earbuds last, but it’s a long, long time. I’ve taken them on day-long travel adventures and never need to recharge them. I’ve even waited for a few days, used them again, and still didn’t have to recharge them. Fortunately, if the battery does die, you’re still able to use them like regular earbuds; not the case with the headphones.

Comfort.

Headphones. When you first put them on, the QuietComfort 700s are really comfortable. The parts that cover your ears have lots of cushy padding, so there’s no rubbing or hard surfaces to irritate your head handles. The band that goes over the top of your head is similarly padded, so it won’t hurt when it rubs against the top of your noggin. On a recent flight from Chicago to Edinburgh, Scotland (about 7 hours), the headphones remained comfortable the entire time. The only minor exception is if you’re wearing a ballcap: beware that the headband will put pressure on the button (is that what it’s even called?!) at the top of your hat, which can make your head a little sore. However, at least in my experience, that happens with all headphones, not just these.

Earbuds. Do your earbuds stay in? Yea? Good for you; wish I could say the same. Unfortunately, almost all the earbuds I’ve tried seem to wiggle their way out of my ear. This happens more when I’m up and moving around (or mowing, for example), but still seems to happen when I’m sitting down. Fortunately, the smart folks over at Bose seem to have a solution to this program. On their earbuds, there’s an extra piece of silicone that presses against the inside of your ear, holding the bud firmly, though comfortable, in place as long as you have them in. As good as that is, I can only have them in for around 4 hours until my ears start getting a little sore, and this is true both at regular times and while traveling and on flights.

Noise-Canceling Quality.

Headphones. The only way to describe this is an immersive experience. Once you slide these babies on (and remember to push the noise-cancelling button), the whole world fades away, or at least the sounds it makes. Or well, that’s mostly true. The thing is, the padding that goes around your ears that makes these so comfortable is also the thing that somewhat undermines the headphones’ noise-canceling abilities.

For example, if you’re wearing a hat, the slight difference in the surface where the end of the hat meets your head creates a small gap that can let noise in. In other words, you need that padding to create a seal around your entire ear for optimal noise canceling. It’s still good even with the small gap, but not as good as without.

This particular model of headphones also has 10 levels of noise-canceling. I’m not sure why you’d ever want less than a level 10, but the option is there if you want it.

Earbuds. Contrary to what I was expecting, I think the earbuds are actually better when it comes to noise-canceling ability. Why? Well, the folks at Bose had the good sense to create a funnel-shaped end on the part of the earbud that goes into your ear canal. That means the sound you want to listen to is channeled directly into your ear rather than played around your ear as with the headphones. All the silicone pieces of the earbud also create a pretty effective seal around your inner ear, making for a better noise-canceling experience. That all makes it easier for the noise-canceling technology to actually do its job. Because of that, I’d give a slight nod to the earbuds over the headphones in this category.

Also, unlike the headphones, the earbuds have a single noise-canceling level: on or off.

Sound Quality.

Headphones. Bose is known for the quality of its sound, especially the base, and these headphones do not disappoint. Putting them on and watching a movie or listening to music creates something like a surround sound-like experience, allowing you to get fully immersed in whatever you’re doing. As with the noise-canceling levels, there are a few other functions you can play around with to customize your experience.

Earbuds. Again, regardless of what you have, if it’s a Bose product the sound is going to be top-notch. These earbuds are great, as are our other Bose earbuds that aren’t noise-canceling. Are they as good as the headphones? No. Why? I’m not sure. Maybe the bigger size of the headphones (read below) give the engineers more space to pack in more abilities and features. Maybe it’s just my ears. Either way, while the sound is great, it’s not as immersive as with the headphones.

Size.

Headphones. As we alluded to earlier, the headphones are bigger and bulkier than the earbuds. A lot more. For me, that means if I’m trying to sleep on the plane (ha!), it’s not happening with my headphones on. Yes, they also take up more space in my backpack, though not as much as I’d expected. The ear cups fold out to the side, so the case they come in is relatively flat and makes for easier stowage.

Earbuds. Obviously, there’s no way for headphones to take up less space than earbuds, so no surprises here. Our earbuds come in a small zippered hard-ish shelled pouch that’s super easy to toss into a bag of nearly any size. They also fit nicely in the pocket of the seat in front of you. Yes, yes, I know how gross those are. That’s what Clorox wipes are for.

Overall Thoughts.

In the end, which option you go with is largely up to your personal preference. As I’ve said above, it’s hard to go wrong with a Bose product, so you’ll be well taken care of regardless of which way you go. That said, if you’re someone who has trouble sleeping on planes but still gives it the good college effort, the headphones might not be for you. However, if you’re able to sleep sitting up and/or with a neck pillow, it might not be a big deal. If, like me, you’re someone who continually gives the stink eye to the people sleeping on your flight, this difference might not matter at all to you.

Speaking strictly about price, I don’t think there’s a big enough difference to influence the purchase. You get what you pay for, so if you’re not willing to spend much on noise-canceling technology, just beware. On the other hand, if you view these as an investment in your comfort while traveling (or whatever you do with them), and are willing to spend the money, the prices are close enough that you can go either way.

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