I’m curious, am I the only one who has given up on traveling with bulky over-ear headphones, and now just uses Apple AirPods Pro 2 (or something similar), because they’re good enough?
In this post:
My experience with the Apple AirPods Pro 2
I recently picked up the Apple AirPods Pro 2, after having the previous generation earbuds for some time, but losing them. I wanted to share my thoughts on these, as I’m quite impressed. For those not familiar, AirPods are Apple’s versatile in-ear headphones, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are arguably the best there currently are.
Just to cover the basics of the Apple AirPods Pro 2:
- They offer active noise cancelation (twice as good as the previous generation earbuds), though there’s also a “transparency mode,” if you want more ambient sound awareness
- They come with four different ear tips for a more customized fit
- They’re sweat and water resistant
- They offer easy setup for all Apple devices
- They come with a compact charging case that you can always easily keep with you
- They offer quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
What’s the battery life like on the Apple AirPods Pro 2?
- On one charge, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 can get you up to six hours of listening time or 4.5 hours of talking time
- The charging case can get you up to 30 hours of listening time or 24 hours of talking time
- Putting the AirPods Pro 2 in the case for just five minutes will get you an hour of battery life, while a full charge takes around an hour
- You can charge the case with a USB-C cable, which is the same as you’d use for an iPhone
As far as the cost goes, Apple AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249. However, they’re sometimes on sale. Right now I even see them on sale for $169, which is among the lowest prices I’ve seen.
I’ve ditched other travel headphones altogether
Back in the day, having Bose over-ear headphones was almost a rite of passage to being a frequent flyer. However, nowadays I’ve completely ditched travel headphones, and instead travel exclusively with Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Admittedly these earbuds aren’t cheap, and they don’t look that exciting, but my gosh, I find that they get the basics right:
- The sound quality and noise cancelation for playing music (or whatever else) are much better than you’d expect
- The microphone is excellent for making phone calls
- Thanks to the customizable tips, they do a good job actually staying in my ears, including when working out, doing cardio, etc.
- They’re so easy to use, as you don’t have to turn them on or off, you just put them back in the case, and they also automatically and easily connect to your linked devices
At this point, I’ve just ditched the Bose QuietComfort Headphones altogether. Do they have marginally better sound quality? Absolutely. But I’m all for traveling light, and I just don’t find that they’re worth lugging around, given how much space they take up, and the limited situations in which I use them.
If I’m walking around a city, or am trying to make a phone call, or am at the gym, I simply prefer Apple AirPods. So a huge pair of headphones is a lot of space to take up when traveling, for the limited amount of time I spend enjoying inflight entertainment.
I should also mention one useful accessory that could be worth having for travelers, in conjunction with Apple AirPods. While we’re increasingly seeing airlines introduce bluetooth audio with inflight entertainment (which I love), that’s still the exception rather than the norm. In other words, you can’t really use AirPods Pro 2 for inflight entertainment, and you’d be stuck with whatever (inferior) headphones an airline offers you (and in some cases you even have to purchase headphones on planes).
Fortunately there’s a useful accessory for that — AirFly is a wireless transmitter and receiver that offers audio sharing for up to two devices. This can be useful on airplanes, since it allows you to hook up your Apple AirPods to virtually any inflight entertainment.
Not losing Apple AirPods is the challenge
Now let me share my one point of frustration with Apple AirPods, or similar devices. They’re not wired and are super small, so the challenge is not losing them. This applies to the entire case as such, plus the individual earbuds, in situations where one might fall down.
I bought my first pair of the previous generation Apple AirPods back in 2021, and I only recently lost them, so I guess it’s not the worst track record on earth, but still, I hate losing things. When it comes to travel, my trick is to always store them in exactly the same place in my bag.
If I’m not using them, the entire case and earbuds are always in one specific pocket of my bag. If I am using them, I still always keep the case in the same place in my bag, and then just take the actual earbuds, so that I don’t forget the case. I’m curious if others have any tips I haven’t thought of.
Bottom line
This is a travel blog and not a tech blog, but I still like to share the accessories that I find really useful for travel. Personally I’m very happy with the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which I recently upgraded to. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting they’re life changing, or anything, but I find that they’re very good. For those of us in the Apple ecosystem, I think they’re worth having.
I used to travel with Bose over-ear headphones back in the day, but I just don’t find that to be worthwhile anymore. They take up a lot of space, and my Apple AirPods have excellent noise cancelation, and are much easier to carry around.
Where do you stand on Apple AirPods, and on the general value of still traveling with over-ear noise canceling headphones?
@ Ben - How do you manage the 6 hour battery life on long 12+h flights ? Do you re-charge them at cruising altitude when the plane engine sound is less ?
For shorter flights I recently bought the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ear buds and they have a fantastic noise cancellation. It works great when vacuuming the house too !
I bought after-market memory foam tips for mine. The fit is tighter and more secure while also more isolating and comfortable.
Comply brand works great for me.
While I do agree all the points in the article these are a great set of earbuds, no matter what I do I can't seem to keep the left one from falling out of my ear. Tried all of the little attachments too with no go. It's happened with other brand earbuds as well, so I don't think it's the fault of the hardware and more my ear anatomy lol.
I'm always afraid that one will fall out if I sleep on the plane so I still bring my Bose QC35s
For those who prefer the "other" earbud shape, Amazon has a number of comparable alternatives. Same features, longer lasting, and a fraction of the price. And, given the lower price, shelling out for back-up pairs is not even a thought should the primary pair be misplaced.
I recently purchased the top of the line Bose QC over ear headphones and have been very impressed. Ironically I ONLY use them on planes and everywhere else (running, car, phone calls etc I use my non NC AirPods)
For me I travel with both, I just find the comfort and extra noise cancellation is worth it due to how close proximity everyone is on a plane (even in business) that extra NC makes a...
I recently purchased the top of the line Bose QC over ear headphones and have been very impressed. Ironically I ONLY use them on planes and everywhere else (running, car, phone calls etc I use my non NC AirPods)
For me I travel with both, I just find the comfort and extra noise cancellation is worth it due to how close proximity everyone is on a plane (even in business) that extra NC makes a noticeable difference.
Granted they do take up a lot of space but what I do is I don’t travel with the case and I either wear them around my neck as I board and go through security or hold them by the headband - works a treat!
Tip: if you live in the UK and have Revolut Ultra, when purchasing from the app store with the URL from the Revolut App you get 21 points per £ spent. That converts 1:1 to most airlines, but I find BA Avios being the best value.
I still do both. Sony xm-5s for longhaul and sleeping. Airpod 2 pros for shorter flights. The airpods are small enough to not matter.
Thanks I’m considering switching from my wired Bose NC earbuds but share the concern about losing one.
I switched from over ear Bose after losing my 2nd pair years ago - loft on plane but why I’m concerned about the iPods ;-)
But like my 25 year old Briggs & Riley Baseline wheelie, I’ll use my wired Bose earbuds until they quit or go missing :-)
I prefer the Sony xm5 earbuds for sound and anc. Airpods win for iPhone compatibility but not enough to make me switch. I still lug around the QCs for long haul. Better anc for sleeping, and not worth the risk in case somebody inconsiderate brings their crying baby on board.
DO THE BOOGIE WOOGIE BOOGIE YEAH YEAH YEAHHHHHHHHH
The "Find My" feature, and playing a sound on them is definitely useful for finding either the case or one of the pods. But definitely agree it's an issue trying to keep track of them. I like over-ear headphones for the convenience of putting the headband around my neck, and the longer battery life. But agree it's hard to beat the combo of size and capability of the AirPod Pros. The instant connect with Apple devices is my favorite feature.
Yes, and actually airpods double as an extra airtag - they are just as traceable and can help you find your luggage / backpack
Worked great on recent Newark to Madrid flight 3/4 yo screamed the whole flight even before boarding at the gate and then saw a newborn baby as quiet as a mouse sleeping, I put my AirPods Pro 2 on noise cancellation and slept great.
Would you consider getting separate over-ear headphones especially for those long-haul flights or the AirPods would be good enough for you?
@ Mike O. -- The AirPods are good enough for me. I no longer travel with over-ear ones, including on long haul trips.
Do you find the noise-cancelling capabilities sufficient on the AirPods, comparing to over-ear style headphones?
As a regular air traveler, one has to agree with those who praise these AirPods.
As for those who express concerns about sleeping with them in, again one has to agree, however, my solution is to remove them when intending to sleep and replace them with old fashioned foam ear plugs. These are far less expensive to replace.
Get the AirFly pro deluxe, for the 2pin adapter (or get the adaptor alone off Aliexpress) on some more older airplanes.
Same here, 3x different PLT UC 8200s over ears ANC that I use at home but gave up travelling with. Airpods are perfect, including business travel needs.
Be careful sleeping with them on planes, the can easily fall and into the seat. I've sadly lost a single bud this way and while you can buy just the single bud it's pretty steep. Totally agree though, my over ear headphones are for home. My Samsung equivalent buds are for the road.
I use a silicone strap that wraps around the base of each AirPod to tie them together. Then if one falls out, it won't go far. It is a hassle to remove the strap whenever you want to put them back in the case, but worth it for the peace of mind when I'm sleeping. Just search "AirPods silicone strap" on Amazon for options.