August 2, 2026 · 12 earbuds tested
Gold Tested
Travel earbuds need three things: ANC strong enough for airplane engines, comfort for 8+ hour flights, and a case that fits in a jacket pocket. We tested 12 earbuds on 20 flights ranging from 2 to 14 hours.
Bose
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds block more low-frequency airplane noise than any earbud we tested — and they're the only ones our panelists wore for a full 8-hour flight without discomfort. The case is flat
We measured ANC attenuation at airplane-relevant frequencies (100-500 Hz), comfort ratings at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours of continuous wear, and battery consumption during flights with ANC on and immersive audio enabled.
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds block more low-frequency airplane noise than any earbud we tested — and they're the only ones our panelists wore for a full 8-hour flight without discomfort. The case is flat enough for a shirt pocket.
Specifications
| ANC | CustomTune adaptive |
| Battery | 6h (24h w/ case) |
| Codec | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Weight | 6.3g per earbud |
| Spatial audio | Immersive Audio |
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds earns our recommendation because it outperformed the competition in the metrics that matter most. When you consider the testing data alongside real-world usability, it delivers the best overall experience in this category.