04/03/2026 7:27 am
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ive been staring at my screen for three hours trying to decide and honestly im just getting more annoyed the more I read. i have this 14 hour flight from jfk to haneda coming up in about ten days and i absolutely need to drown out the engine noise and crying babies or i will lose my mind. my budget is around $380ish which is a lot for me so i really dont want to mess this up. i saw everyone raving about the sony wh-1000xm5 but then i started seeing all these people complaining that they dont fold up like the older xm4s do. like if im already cramming a neck pillow and a laptop into my carry-on does it really make sense to have this giant case that takes up half the bag?? also some people say the auto-anc on the xm5 is buggy and changes when you move your head which sounds incredibly distracting when youre trying to sleep. but then others say the xm4 feels clunkier on the ears after like five hours of wearing them and might have more clamping force. i just want something that wont make my ears sweat or feel like my skull is being squeezed while im over the pacific. so for those of you who actually spend 10+ hours in a plane seat which one is actually better for the long haul?
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04/03/2026 7:28 am
I'm very satisfied with the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones.
- Superior folding design
- Consistent noise cancellation It works well for 14-hour flights and fits easily into bags.
5
05/03/2026 2:53 pm
Regarding what #1 said about "I'm very satisfied with the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless..." - they are definitely a solid choice for the price, but if youre really worried about the bulk and ear sweat on a long haul, you should consider the Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds instead.
- Portability: The case is tiny so it wont take up any room in your carry-on compared to those giant headphone cases.
- Comfort: Earbuds are way better if you want to use a neck pillow or sleep on your side against the window. No headband squeezing your skull for 14 hours.
- Performance: The ANC is honestly on par with the over-ear versions for drowning out jet engines these days. If you really want over-ears but hate the way the newer Sonys dont fold, look at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. They are usually around $379 on sale and they fold down much smaller than the Sony XM5. The clamping force is also way lighter, which is a lifesaver when youre 10 hours into a flight and your head starts feeling sensitive. Plus the noise canceling on the Bose is much more consistent than the Sony auto-anc that tends to jump around when you move your head.
