Which is the best Sony headphone for long flights?

Question

I am finally doing it—I booked a 14-hour flight from JFK to Tokyo for my sister's wedding next month and I am already low-key panicking about the engine noise and the inevitable crying babies. I have these old wired Bose ones from like 2018 but they are literally falling apart and the pads make my ears sweat after an hour so I definitely need an upgrade before I go. Everyone keeps pointing me toward Sony because apparently they own the noise cancelling game right now but I am stuck in this weird loop of indecision between the WH-1000XM4 and the newer XM5.

I did a bunch of digging online and the consensus seems to be that the XM5 has superior noise cancelling because of the extra mics and the new processor, but then I saw a few threads where people were complaining about the auto-optimizer thing. Apparently you cant manually set the ANC to max? That sounds like a total nightmare for a plane where the hum is constant and you just want it to stay at one level. My logic was that the newer tech would be better for cabin pressure changes but now I am not so sure. Plus the XM5 doesnt even fold up? I am trying to pack light and the case for the 5 looks massive compared to the 4 which actually collapses down into a decent size.

Budget-wise I am fine with spending the $300 to $400 range if it actually buys me silence, but I am worried about comfort for such a long stretch. I have a kinda big head and some people say the headband on the XM5 is thinner and starts digging in after a few hours of use. But then other reviews say the XM4 gets way hotter on the ears because the pads are thicker. It is like every time I find a reason to buy one, I read something that makes me want the other.

Has anyone actually used both on a long-haul flight recently? Is the noise cancelling difference on the XM5 actually noticeable when you are sitting right over a wing or is it just marketing hype? I really need something that wont give me a headache by the time I hit the 7 hour mark...

kkee3 · Accepted Answer

@Reply #1 - good point! Portability really matters when you are trying to maximize space for a Tokyo trip. I have spent years analyzing the hardware on these and the technical trade-offs are actually quite significant for long-haul flights.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones utilize the QN1 processor. A major benefit is the manual atmospheric pressure optimization. It lets you recalibrate as the cabin pressure changes, which is far more reliable than the XM5 auto-adjust.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones feature a 30mm driver and eight microphones. While it suppresses voice frequencies better, the thinner headband design increases the pressure on the crown of the head after about four hours.

For your big head concern, look at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. In my experience, their hinge design and wider headband distribute weight much better for 10-plus hour sessions. The XM4 is the travel king, but the Bose Ultra is the technical winner for ergonomics imo.

Karenhfajoine · Answer

Adding my two cents here since I actually returned my XM5s after a similar long-haul. I was so hyped for the silence but unfortunately, the auto-ANC was a massive letdown. Every time I shifted my head or the plane adjusted its pitch, the noise cancelling would recalibrate and it drove me crazy... literally felt like my ears were popping constantly. For a 14-hour trek, comfort and consistency should come first:

The <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= Sennheiser+Momentum+4+Wireless+Headphones&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones are a great alternative if you find the Sony headband too thin.

You get a massive 60-hour battery life which is perfect for travel.

The ear cups are deeper so your ears wont get as hot. Ngl, I really wanted to love the Sonys, but they just werent as good as expected for marathons. <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= Sennheiser+might+be+your+best+b&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Sennheiser might be your best bet if you want manual control over the ANC levels.

adlerdal · Answer

Honestly, for a flight that long, just get the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. I have used both and the XM4 is much better for travel because it actually folds. The case for the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones is way too bulky in a carry-on. Plus, the auto-ANC on the 5 can be finicky on planes. The 4 is solid, cheaper, and more comfortable for long stretches imo.