For flights, XIAOMI Redmi Buds 4 Pro are my pick among active noise cancelling over ear headphones, with up to 43dB ANC and up to 36 hours of stated battery life.
Fisher is the runner-up if you prefer an over-ear fit, with 40mm drivers and a 3.5 mm jack.
Fisher is the runner-up if you prefer an over-ear fit, with 40mm drivers and a 3.5 mm jack.
active noise cancelling over ear headphones at a Glance
• XIAOMI Redmi Buds 4 — best for compact listening and adjustable noise control; pick these if you want in-ear earbuds with three ANC levels and a transparency mode.
• Fisher Pro Active Noise — best for a straightforward over-ear option; pick these if you want Bluetooth 5.3, touch controls, and the flexibility of a 3.5 mm jack.
• Fisher Pro Active Noise — best for longer listening sessions and described comfort features; pick these if you want memory-foam cushions, a foldable design, and ANC specified at up to 25dB.
Despite the shorthand name used here, the listed model is the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 4 Pro, a pair of wireless in-ear earbuds rather than over-ear headphones. I’d choose them for flights when keeping a full-size headset off my head matters more than having earcups around my ears. Their case and earbuds are described as supporting up to 36 hours of battery life, so the stated total is useful for thinking about a trip with listening breaks.
The standout detail is the advertised active noise cancellation of up to 43dB, with adaptive control that switches among light, balanced, and deep modes. That gives you options rather than a single fixed ANC setting. The figure is a manufacturer specification, not a promise that every cabin sound will disappear. Still, the different modes could be useful when you want a lighter setting in a quieter space and stronger cancellation against steady background noise.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
The sound hardware is also unusually specific: each earbud combines a 10mm aluminium-alloy driver with a 6mm titanium driver for higher frequencies. The earbuds support LDAC and Hi-Res Audio Wireless, and Xiaomi describes an immersive audio mode for video. Those features will matter most to someone listening to compatible audio sources; they are not a substitute for choosing comfortable earbuds that fit securely.
I also like the practical listening options on paper. Transparency mode lets outside sound through, and an enhanced-voice option is intended for face-to-face conversation. Three microphones per earbud, paired with noise reduction for calls, are a plus if you expect to take calls while travelling. The main trade-off is the fit: these are in-ear earbuds, not over-ear headphones. If you dislike having eartips in your ears or specifically want earcups, look at one of the Fisher models instead.
This Fisher model is an over-ear Bluetooth headset with a 40mm driver, Bluetooth 5.3, touch controls, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The listed battery life is up to 16 hours. I see it as the simpler choice for someone who wants the familiar over-ear shape and the option of wired listening, rather than the smallest possible travel setup.
For flights, the earcup design may appeal if you prefer headphones that sit around the ears instead of earbuds that fit inside them. The 3.5 mm jack gives you a wired connection option, while Bluetooth supports wireless listening. The supplied details do not specify how ANC performance is measured or give a noise-reduction figure for this version, so I would not assume that it cancels more cabin noise than the other Fisher model.
The stated 16-hour battery life is a meaningful planning detail, but it is shorter than the 36-hour total listed for the Xiaomi earbuds. That may be enough for a shorter trip or intermittent use, while a long itinerary with extended listening makes battery planning more important. A USB-C charging cable is listed among the included items, but the provided information does not state a charging time.
This version’s trade-off is the limited detail about its ANC and comfort features. It is described as lightweight, and its 40mm driver and Bluetooth 5.3 give you clear points of comparison, but there are no listed cushion materials or adjustment details. I’d consider it if you want over-ear headphones with a wired fallback and straightforward controls; I’d choose the other Fisher option if its specified cushions and foldable build better match your priorities.
The second Fisher listing is also an over-ear wireless headset, with Bluetooth 5.3, 40mm drivers, touch controls, and a 3.5 mm jack. It adds more detail about noise cancellation and fit: its ANC is specified as reducing ambient sound by up to 25dB, and its description names memory-foam ear cushions, an adjustable headband, and a foldable swivel design.
Those comfort features make this the Fisher option I’d consider for someone expecting to wear a headset for a long stretch. The adjustable headband gives you a way to tailor the fit, while the foldable design may be convenient to pack. The product description calls the headset lightweight, but no specific measurement for its dimensions is provided, so I would not assume how much bag space it takes up.
Its ANC specification is more concrete than the information provided for the other Fisher listing, though the up-to-25dB figure should not be treated as a guarantee that all aircraft noise will be removed. The described reduction targets sounds such as traffic, engine noise, and chatter. For a flight, that makes it the clearer over-ear choice if you want a stated ANC figure, but the Xiaomi earbuds have a higher listed maximum ANC figure and a longer stated battery total.
The main compromise is the listed battery life of up to 16 hours, alongside the fact that this is still a full-size headset rather than an in-ear option. The 40mm drivers are described as covering a 15Hz–20kHz range, and the package information lists both a USB-C charging cable and a stereo cable. I’d favor this model over the other Fisher listing when comfort details and a specified ANC figure matter more to me than a longer stated battery life.
I compared the published specifications and features, including fit, ANC information, battery-life claims, controls, and wired connectivity.
The ranking is my independent editorial opinion based on those details. No brand paid for placement.
No. They are wireless in-ear earbuds. Their ANC, transparency options, and stated battery life may suit some travellers, but shoppers who want earcups should consider a Fisher model.
The Xiaomi earbuds list up to 36 hours of battery life. Each Fisher listing gives up to 16 hours; battery performance in practice can depend on use and settings.
Both Fisher listings include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and their included items list a stereo cable. The provided details do not specify how ANC behaves during wired listening.
They can be if you prefer an in-ear fit and want a compact listening option. The Xiaomi model also lists transparency modes, but it is not an over-ear headset, so fit preference is an important distinction.
My recommendation for flights is the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 4 Pro if you’re comfortable with in-ear earbuds and value its adaptive ANC modes and longer stated battery life. If you specifically want active noise cancelling over ear headphones, I’d lean toward the Fisher listing with memory-foam cushions, an adjustable headband, and a stated ANC figure.
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