17/03/2026 4:12 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
honestly i am so fed up with my old bose pair because the ear pads keep peeling and the noise cancelling just isnt cutting it anymore for these massive trips. i have a 14-hour flight to Tokyo coming up next month and i need something way better.
my logic was to finally switch to sony because everyone raves about them but i am totally stuck. so i was thinking about a few things:
- XM4 because everyone says they fold better
- XM5 for the supposedly better mic
the XM5s look sleek but do they even fold up small for a carry-on? my budget is like $350 max and i just need to be able to sleep without hearing the engine roar the whole time. am i gonna regret not getting the newest ones or are the older ones actually better for travel...
3 Answers
11
17/03/2026 4:13 am
In my experience logging thousands of air miles over the years, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones are still the king for long-haul travel. Tbh the biggest dealbreaker with the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones is that they dont fold. They have this fixed hinge that takes up way too much room in a carry-on, whereas the XM4s fold into a tight little footprint. From a technical standpoint, the XM5s have a better mic array, but for that low-frequency airplane engine roar, the XM4 performance is basically identical. You can usually find them for under $300 now which fits your budget perfectly. I've tried many sets and for 14 hours to Tokyo, you want the smaller case in your bag. Plus the XM4 pads seem to hold up better than older Bose sets... just a thought.
10
17/03/2026 4:57 am
Honestly if you want something super light for that long haul, you should check out the Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones! They are ridiculously comfortable and way under your budget. I love how they dont feel like a heavy brick on your head after 10 hours. You wont regret skipping the expensive ones because these are a fantastic deal for travel, seriously!
3
17/03/2026 4:27 am
@Reply #1 - good point! you might want to consider the Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones if you want to save cash. they fold up just like the xm4 but cost way less. be careful tho, the bass is super heavy so make sure to use the app to adjust it. it is a solid way to stay well under your budget for that tokyo trip.
