Gemini on Question 24, Sep 21

For long-haul flights, the criteria for the "best" headphones change slightly from everyday use. You need top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to drown out the low-frequency drone of the engines, supreme comfort so they don’t hurt your ears after 10 hours, long battery life, and portability (including a cable to plug into the in-flight entertainment).

Here is the ranked top 5 based on those specific travel needs:

1. Bose – QuietComfort Ultra

• •The Verdict: The absolute best for long-haul travel.
• •Why for flights: Bose practically invented aviation headsets, and it shows. The ANC on the QC Ultras is arguably the best on the market at eliminating airplane engine rumble. More importantly, they have a very low clamping force, making them the most comfortable headphones for a 15-hour flight. Unlike their main rival (the Sony XM5), they fold up compactly into a small travel case.
• •Battery: 24 hours (with ANC on).
• •Wired for In-Flight TV: Yes (cable included).

2. Sony – WH-1000XM5

• •The Verdict: The best all-rounder with the smartest tech.
• •Why for flights: The ANC is neck-and-neck with Bose, and they feature an "Auto NC Optimizer" that automatically adjusts the noise cancellation based on the atmospheric pressure in the airplane cabin. The battery life is stellar, and they charge incredibly fast (3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge). The only reason they are #2 is that they do not fold on hinges, meaning their travel case takes up noticeably more room in your personal item.
• •Battery: 30 hours (with ANC on).
• •Wired for In-Flight TV: Yes (cable included).

3. Sennheiser – Momentum 4 Wireless

• •The Verdict: The battery life king.
• •Why for flights: If you are flying from New York to Singapore, having a layover, and flying somewhere else, these are for you. They boast an astonishing 60-hour battery life with ANC turned on. You can leave your charger packed away for the entire trip. While the ANC isn't quite as absolute as Bose or Sony, it is still excellent, and the sound quality for music is noticeably superior to both of them.
• •Battery: 60 hours (with ANC on).
• •Wired for In-Flight TV: Yes (cable and airplane two-prong adapter included).

4. Sony – WH-1000XM4

• •The Verdict: The frequent-flyer favorite that refuses to step down.
• •Why for flights: Even though these are the older generation (replaced by the XM5 at the #2 spot), seasoned business travelers still buy these specifically for flights. Why? Because they fold up. You get 95% of the ANC and sound quality of the newer XM5, but in a much more travel-friendly, compact form factor. They also frequently go on sale now, making them a great value.
• •Battery: 30 hours (with ANC on).
• •Wired for In-Flight TV: Yes (cable and airplane two-prong adapter included).

5. Bowers & Wilkins – Px7 S2e

• •The Verdict: The premium luxury upgrade.
• •Why for flights: If you find the plastic builds of Sony and Bose a bit cheap, B&W offers aluminum arms, memory foam, and premium fabrics. They look and feel like first-class travel accessories. The clamping force is well-balanced for long wear, the ANC is highly effective at blocking cabin noise, and the high-fidelity sound profile is incredibly rich.
• •Battery: 30 hours (with ANC on).
• •Wired for In-Flight TV: Yes (USB-C to 3.5mm cable included).

(Note: The Apple AirPods Max are noticeably absent from this list. While they have incredible ANC, they are very heavy for 10+ hour wear, have a battery life of only 20 hours, feature a highly protective-lacking travel case, and do not come with a cable to plug into the airplane TV—you have to buy a $35 proprietary cable separately).