16/03/2026 8:12 am
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im literally losing my mind trying to pick headphones for my 14 hour flight to tokyo next month. i looked at the WH-1000XM5 but i read they dont even fold down which is just... why? i have zero space in my personal item bag. people keep saying the older XM4 are the way to go because they actually collapse but then other reviews say the noise canceling on the XM5 is way better for engine hum. im so confused and i dont want to drop 300 bucks on something that takes up half my bag or doesnt work. which ones are actually better for being stuck on a plane forever?
4 Answers
11
16/03/2026 8:57 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, have you looked at the neckband style? In my experience, the Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones are a total travel secret. I've tried many setups over the years and these are just easier for long hauls.
- They fold flat so they dont take up room
- You can plug them into the planes movie screen
- No losing a bud in the dark Theyre usually 250ish and honestly more practical for 14 hours.
10
16/03/2026 8:12 am
Honestly, id suggest grabbing the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. I have them and they fit way better in a carry-on. Just be careful with the hinges tho, they can be a bit fragile if you jam them in.
- check for refurbished deals to save like 100 bucks
- noise canceling is still top tier for engine noise The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are nice but that case is a total space killer.
4
16/03/2026 8:27 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually ditched my bulky over-ears for the Sony WF-1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds on my last trip. The engine isolation is quite effective and dont underestimate them just cause theyre small.
- Fits in a pocket, saves bag space
- Easier to sleep in
- Foam tips seal well Check the isolation charts on SoundGuys. They show how these handle low-frequency drone better than most older models.
2
19/03/2026 2:13 pm
Like someone mentioned, the folding hinges are a weak point. I totally agree that the non-folding ones are a space hog, but honestly, my experience with the folding models was pretty bad too. On a flight to Seoul last year, the hinge on my pair just snapped while I was sleeping. It was so disappointing... basically ruined the whole trip because I had nothing to block out the noise for the rest of the way. The build quality just isnt as good as expected:
- the plastic hinges feel cheap and creaky
- the sensors stopped working after a few months
- the headband lost its tension way too fast I learned that more moving parts just mean more failure points. I eventually gave up on the high-end stuff and went back to a basic pair of wired plugs I had. They dont have the fancy tech, but at least they dont break when I actually need them.
