We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a cheap, lightweight pair you can hand out, pack in multiples, or treat as a disposable set for a flight or a classroom, choose EXMAX HWE-05; if you need a single durable USB-C headphone with an inline microphone and a foldable build for everyday travel, choose KVIDIO USB C Headphone.
• EXMAX HWE-05 — biggest strength: Sold as a 5-pack of ultra-light (50 g) over-ear headphones with a 3.5 mm plug and passive noise reduction, so you get several sets for shared or short-term use.
• EXMAX HWE-05 — biggest trade-off: EXMAX itself frames these as disposable/short-term headphones, and the 3.5 mm jack won't fit newer phones or tablets that dropped the headphone port.
• KVIDIO USB C Headphone — biggest strength: A foldable over-ear design with a USB-C plug, an inline microphone, a 4.9 ft tangle-free cord, and a 6-month warranty — built for repeat daily use.
• KVIDIO USB C Headphone — biggest trade-off: It's a single headphone rather than a multi-pack, it has no active noise control, and USB-C means it won't work with older 3.5 mm-only gear.
• Choose EXMAX HWE-05 if you want several lightweight sets to distribute or replace.
• Choose KVIDIO USB C Headphone if you want one sturdier headphone for your own USB-C phone, tablet, or laptop.
The EXMAX HWE-05 is built around one idea: a light, comfortable over-ear headphone you can buy in a bundle and not worry too much about. Each unit weighs about 50 g, uses a slim adjustable headband and soft padded ear cushions, and ends in a standard 3.5 mm plug. The 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range and 100-ohm impedance put it in straightforward stereo territory — clear enough for music, movies, and spoken audio, without pretending to be audiophile gear.
Where it makes the most sense is exactly where EXMAX points it: schools, testing rooms, hotels, gyms, tour groups, and giveaways. The 5-pack format is the whole point. If you're equipping a classroom, a front desk that lends out headphones, or a family where several people each want a cheap set, buying five at once is simply more practical than buying one. For airplane use specifically, the soft cushions and passive noise reduction help take the edge off cabin drone, and the 3.5 mm plug fits the seat-back entertainment jacks that many airlines still use.
Skip it if you want a headphone to live in your bag for years. EXMAX is upfront that these are disposable and not meant for long-term use — the company notes they can last a few months with proper care, but they're not a buy-it-once product. Also skip it if your phone or tablet is USB-C only, because the 3.5 mm plug won't connect without an adapter. And if you need a microphone for calls, this isn't the one.
The KVIDIO USB C Headphone is the opposite philosophy: one headphone, made to be used again and again. It's an over-ear design in blue and white with faux-leather ear cushions, a foldable frame, and a 4.9 ft tangle-free cord that terminates in a USB-C plug. That USB-C connection is the headline feature — it matches modern phones, tablets, and laptops that no longer carry a 3.5 mm jack, so you're not hunting for a dongle.
It also includes an inline microphone with push-button controls, which is the practical difference for anyone who takes calls, joins classes, or sits in meetings. The foldable build makes it easier to toss in a bag without it getting crushed, and KVIDIO backs it with a 6-month warranty — a meaningful signal for a wired headphone at this tier. The listed age range covers adults, teens, and bigger kids, so it's a reasonable pick for a student heading off to school or a traveler who wants one reliable corded set.
The trade-offs are worth stating plainly. There's no active noise control here, so it won't silence a plane cabin the way an ANC model would — you'd be relying on the over-ear seal alone. It's a single unit, not a multi-pack, so it's not the right buy if you need to outfit a group. And because it's USB-C only, it won't plug into older 3.5 mm-only devices, seat-back entertainment jacks included, without an adapter. Skip it if you specifically need multiple cheap sets or if your gear is all 3.5 mm.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for airplane seat-back jacks → EXMAX HWE-05. The 3.5 mm plug matches the port many airlines still provide, and the soft cushions help with cabin noise.
• Best for buying in bulk → EXMAX HWE-05. It ships as a 5-pack, ideal for classrooms, hotels, gyms, and giveaways.
• Best for everyday durability → KVIDIO USB C Headphone. A foldable frame and a 6-month warranty point to repeat use rather than short-term disposal.
• Best for calls and online classes → KVIDIO USB C Headphone. The inline microphone and push-button controls are the deciding factor.
• Best for the lightest possible fit → EXMAX HWE-05. At roughly 50 g per unit, it's about as light as over-ear gets.
• Best for noise reduction → EXMAX HWE-05 for passive reduction only. Neither model offers true active noise cancellation in practice; EXMAX relies on padded cushions, and KVIDIO lists no noise control at all.
• Best for a mixed household or classroom → EXMAX HWE-05. Multiple sets mean everyone gets one.
For a single headphone you'll actually keep and use, I'd buy the KVIDIO USB C Headphone. In my opinion, the USB-C plug, inline microphone, foldable design, and 6-month warranty make it the more useful, longer-lasting choice for a phone, tablet, or laptop — and it's the one I'd hand to a student or take on a trip. I'd only choose the EXMAX HWE-05 if my goal were quantity: several cheap, lightweight sets for a classroom, hotel, or event. Both are wired and neither offers real active noise cancellation, so decide on connector and quantity, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
what headphones for airplane
For airplane use, the connector matters most. EXMAX HWE-05 uses a 3.5 mm plug that fits older seat-back jacks, while KVIDIO USB C Headphone fits USB-C devices but may need an adapter for a plane's 3.5 mm port. Both are over-ear and rely on their cushions for passive noise blocking.
what is the best headphones for airplanes
There's no single answer — it depends on your gear. EXMAX HWE-05 suits shared or short-term use and fits 3.5 mm seat jacks, while KVIDIO USB C Headphone suits travelers with USB-C devices and adds a microphone. Neither offers active noise cancellation, so expect cushion-based passive reduction only.
what earphones for airplane
Strictly speaking, both of these are over-ear headphones rather than in-ear earphones. If you specifically want in-ear models, neither fits that description. For over-ear travel use, EXMAX HWE-05 works with 3.5 mm jacks and KVIDIO USB C Headphone works with USB-C.
what kind of headphones for airplane
Wired, over-ear, closed-back designs are the practical choice for flights because they don't need charging and use a physical connector. EXMAX HWE-05 is a lightweight 3.5 mm option; KVIDIO USB C Headphone is a foldable USB-C option. Confirm which port your seat and devices use before deciding.
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