If you’re anything like me, you already have a favorite pair of headphones. But when it comes to travel, your favorite pair might not be the ideal pair. Airplanes are loud, carry-ons are crowded, and the last thing you want is to misplace a pair of earbuds mid-flight. The best headphones for airplane travel can make all the difference—offering noise cancellation, comfort, and seamless connectivity while you’re on the move.
Best Headphones For Airplane Travel
With Apple releasing the Airpods 4 with noise cancelation back in September, the question of “which earbuds are right for me” becomes even more prevalent. Is it better to stick with the headphones you already have from the last release? Or are the Airpods 4 with active noise cancellation worth the swap?
Questions like these are exactly why two Gravel employees, Lance and Katelyn, stepped up to the plate. They took it upon themselves to do their very own airpods review and get to the bottom of the issue. What are the best headphones for airplane travel? We put the Airpods 4 vs Airpods pro 2 debate to the test!
If you’d like to see the full vlog, scroll to the bottom and click on our YouTube video, or click here to go straight to the video on our channel.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2
Lance, cofounder of Gravel, and Katelyn, content creator with Gravel, took a trip in the air to test the AirPods 4 vs Airpods Pro 2. They compared everything you need when it comes to AirPods and air travel. Additionally, they bought both pairs of airpods with their own money, so these are their true opinions, unbiased, and unsponsored.
Airpods 4 and Pro 2 Cases
Let’s start with the most visible feature, the case. Apple decided to make the AirPod 4 case smaller than the Airpod Pro 2 case and took the magsafe off of the back as well. Although you can still charge your case wirelessly, this does mean you don’t have the magnetic feature. Katelyn also noticed that because the case is smaller, it’s a little more difficult to grab the pods out. Taking them out seems a little awkward as there isn’t a lot of space for your fingers.
In her opinion, the smaller case of the Airpods 4 isn’t as good as the larger case of the Airpods Pro 2.
The Airpod Shake Test
As Katelyn explains, her small ears are extremely picky when it comes to earbuds. If you have smaller ears like her, or any other non-typical ear shaping, you might know the feeling. In Katelyn’s experience, no matter what she tries, earbuds usually irritate her ears and tend to fall out as well. On the other hand, Lance has never had this problem.
To perform the airpods review shake test, Katelyn and Lance took turns putting the airpods in and shaking their heads every which way to see how well the Airpods 4 vs the Airpods Pro 2 stayed in the ears. These are their results:
Airpods Pro 2:
- Lance: Great! No issues, the Airpods stayed in without a hitch.
- Katelyn: Terrible. Lost both fairly easily with minimal shaking.
Airpods 4:
- Lance: Great! No issues, the Airpods stayed in without a hitch.
- Katelyn: Great! No issues, the Airpods stayed in without a hitch. In Kat’s own words, “These are giving Airpod 1 quality”.
Noise Cancelling Airpods On A Plane
It’s difficult to relay the effectiveness of noise cancelling without experiencing it yourself. If you’re interested in hearing the next best thing, Lance attempted to replicate the noise cancelling on the YouTube video of the airpods review.
Essentially, the Airpods 4 are about 80% as effective as the Airpods Pro 2. This is likely due to the fact that the Airpods Pro 2 have silicone earbuds that can seamlessly seal into your ears and prevent any sound from sneaking by.
However, if you’re like Lance, you might not like the feeling of the airpods sealing fully into the ear when you turn on the noise cancelling. He finds that it isn’t comfortable, and ends up hurting his ears.
So when it comes to the best headphones for an airplane, Lance says he prefers the Airpods 4 vs Airpods Pro 2. He can wear them for longer periods of time without discomfort, as opposed to the Airpods Pro 2. The 80% effectiveness is worth it to him.
Transparency Mode
The transparency mode is a new feature Apple has added to both the Airpods Pro 2 and the Airpods 4. Essentially, in transparency mode the volume will automatically lower if you go to speak.
For an airplane this can be beneficial for when the flight attendant comes to ask you what drink or snacks you want. With transparency mode on you can answer without having to mess around with the volume settings, or popping one out to hear.
Swapping Modes
To prevent the need of pulling out your phone to switch your airpod mode, you can simply tap the handle of the airpod. While this is a great feature, Lance and Katelyn did find a minor issue in both pairs of airpods on a plane or in the airport.
Because there’s no silicone earbud in the Airpods 4 vs Airpods Pro 2, Katelyn noticed that it’s difficult to tell which mode you’re changing to. If you’re in a very loud situation it’s easy to tell the difference with the Airpods 4. Otherwise, it’s almost imperceptible when the noise cancelling mode takes effect.
On the Airpods Pro 2, the seal makes it much easier to tell what mode you’re in as you change. Although, while this is an advantage in one way, Lance noticed that you get an intense pressure when turning on the noise cancelling mode. In the airpod review, Lance says it’s his least favorite part, even though the noise cancelling is nice.
Some Additional Things To Note About The Airpods 4 vs Airpods Pro 2
Katelyn and Lance didn’t go over these points specifically in their video. Most likely because you can find this information on the Apple website. But I’ve gathered them here since they’re important to note when you’re trying to decide which are the best headphones for airplane travel.
The Price
- Airpods 4: $129
- Airpods Pro 2: $249
Battery Life
- Airpods 4: 30 hours of listening time with the case. 4 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge.
- Airpods Pro 2: 30 hours of listening time with the case. 6 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge.
Wireless Charging
- Airpods 4: Yes
- Airpods Pro 2: Yes
Dust and Water Resistant Protection
- Airpods 4: Yes, both airpods and case. They’ll withstand anything from rain to heavy workouts.
- Airpods Pro 2: Yes, both airpods and case. They’ll withstand anything from rain to heavy workouts.
Airpods Review Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best headphones for airplane travel, the AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2 both have their strengths. The AirPods Pro 2 offer top-tier noise cancellation, but the silicone tips and pressure effect might not be for everyone—especially on long flights. On the other hand, the AirPods 4 deliver solid noise cancellation (about 80% as effective) without the discomfort, making them the best choice for those who prefer a more natural fit.
For travelers who can’t stand the suction-like seal of the AirPods Pro 2 but still want decent noise cancellation, the AirPods 4 are a game-changer. They’re comfortable for long wear, and in noisy environments—like an airplane—you won’t need to blast your volume to hear your music.
Ultimately, your choice depends on what matters most: top-tier noise cancellation with a snug fit or solid ANC with all-day comfort. Either way, Apple has the options for best airpods on a plane, and made it easier than ever to tune out the world and enjoy your flight.
Want to see the full test in action? Be sure to check out our YouTube video below, and subscribe to our channel for more tech and travel insights!
Safe travels!!
