Yo, I get the struggle with engine drone on 12-hour hauls. Basically, you're choosing between newer tech or better portability.

* Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: Folds smaller, 40mm drivers, ~$248.
* Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: Slightly better ANC, non-folding, ~$399.

I'm gonna recommend the XM4s. Honestly, they're the best technical value for travelers and save you $150!

oh man, I totally feel u on those 12-hour flights. Over the years, I've tried many different setups cuz I literally cant stand that constant engine drone, it's honestly the worst! For your situation, I would suggest going with the older model.

Here is how they compare based on my experience:
- Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones: These are still my favorites because they actually fold up. When youre trying to squeeze stuff into a carry-on, that folding hinge is a lifesaver. Plus, I find them super comfy for sleeping against a travel pillow.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: These definitely have slightly better ANC for blocking out chatter, but the case is SO big. It doesn't fold at all, so it just sits there taking up way too much room in your bag.

Basically, the lesson I learned is that portability matters way more than a tiny improvement in silence when youre traveling light. I'd go with the XM4s for sure. peace

To add to the point above: everyone is spot on about the folding mechanism. If you're willing to look at other brands, I've been incredibly satisfied with a couple of alternatives that might actually beat Sony on those ultra-long hauls. I'm kind of a specs nerd and the data on these is pretty impressive.

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones: These fold up just as small as the XM4. The ANC is technically more effective at blocking out that specific 20Hz-500Hz engine rumble range. I've used them on three international trips now and they work well for sleeping too because the earcups are deeper.
• Sennheiser+MOMENTUM+4+Wireless+Headphones&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones: If you're worried about battery, these are the winner. 60 hours on a single charge. No complaints about the sound quality either; the 42mm transducer provides a much cleaner frequency response than the Sony drivers imo. Both of these give you that portability the XM5 lacks while still keeping the silence you need. Definitely worth checking the weight specs too—the Bose are only 252g so they wont feel heavy halfway through your flight.

Big if true

Sooo, I went through this last year when I was prepping for a 14-hour trek to Seoul. Honestly, I thought I was being smart by getting the absolute newest tech, but I ended up having a bit of a weird experience with it.

I bought the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones thinking they'd be life-changing, but unfortunately, they weren't as good as I expected for the price. Don't get me wrong, the silence is great, but the way they don't fold is literally the worst design choice for travelers. I struggled sooo much trying to cram that massive case into my backpack under the seat... it just takes up way too much prime real estate. Plus, I noticed the "optimizing" feature for the noise cancellation would sometimes glitch out when I leaned my head against the window to sleep, which was super frustrating.

I ended up trying my friend's Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones on the way back, and honestly? The difference in noise cancellation wasn't realy noticeable to me as a beginner. But the fact that they fold up into a tiny brick is a game changer for carry-ons. Also, you can usually find the XM4s for around $250 vs the $400 for the XM5s. That extra $150 covers a lot of airport snacks and drinks!!

TL;DR: My experience was that the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones offer way better value. They're cheaper, more portable, and basically do the same job of killing engine drone without the bulky case drama.

Anyway, just my two cents... definitely think about the space! gl with the long flight!

> the way they dont fold is literally the worst design choice for travelers. I totally agree with that point about the folding. I have been hanging around these boards for ages and its honestly weird how the market is moving away from portability lately. Tbh, while everyone is obsessed with Sony right now, you should be careful about just buying into the hype without looking at how other brands handle long-term wear on these 12 hour trips. From what I have seen in market research lately, some brands like Bose actually focus way more on that weird pressure feeling in ur ears. A big mistake I see people make is only looking at the noise cancellation specs and forgetting about how heavy they feel after six hours.

• Sony usually wins on the tech features
• Bose is often cited for better long term comfort
• Other brands focus more on the actual sound quality Does Sony still have that issue where the hinges start to creak after a few months of travel??? I am always a bit worried about the build quality when spending that much. Just make sure there not just selling you on the name because the competition is getting really good these days!!!