Headphones for the airplane that won't break the bank...

[kristenrice]

Ok, Budget-Boarders...I need help

We leave in 19 days and the kids still don't have headphones for use on the airplane. I need to find the over-the-ear type (no earbuds) because they wear EarPlanes while in flight. I am having all sorts of problems finding some because the cheap ones are just that...cheap... and the ones that I think will actually work are $50-$80 a pair. The kids are 9 and 11 so the "kids" headphones (the ones with noise suppression) are definitely NOT what I need.

For reference, I bought a pair of $20 Sony's for my trip last November and, even with the volume on my iPod (and iPhone...and computer!) turned ALL the way up, I was barely able to hear any dialog over the ambient noise of the plane. Because it was the same across all three devices, I am fairly confident it was the headphones. There is no sense in my buying "cheap" headphones if they are not going to drown out the noise of the plane, but are there any affordable, over-the-ear, noise-cancelling ones on the market?

Are there any "off-brands" that folks have found that work particularly well? The girls do not use headphones at home and that is another reason I do not want to shell out a small fortune. The ONLY time they use them is when we travel, which is about once or twice a year.

Thanks for any input you may have

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This is I one area you are not finding a bargain. Good noise canceling headphones are costly. Anything under $150 probably won't make a difference



Your options are cheap regular headphones or costly noise canceling.

 

[minushka72]

Ok, Budget-Boarders...I need help

We leave in 19 days and the kids still don't have headphones for use on the airplane. I need to find the over-the-ear type (no earbuds) because they wear EarPlanes while in flight. I am having all sorts of problems finding some because the cheap ones are just that...cheap... and the ones that I think will actually work are $50-$80 a pair. The kids are 9 and 11 so the "kids" headphones (the ones with noise suppression) are definitely NOT what I need.

For reference, I bought a pair of $20 Sony's for my trip last November and, even with the volume on my iPod (and iPhone...and computer!) turned ALL the way up, I was barely able to hear any dialog over the ambient noise of the plane. Because it was the same across all three devices, I am fairly confident it was the headphones. There is no sense in my buying "cheap" headphones if they are not going to drown out the noise of the plane, but are there any affordable, over-the-ear, noise-cancelling ones on the market?

Are there any "off-brands" that folks have found that work particularly well? The girls do not use headphones at home and that is another reason I do not want to shell out a small fortune. The ONLY time they use them is when we travel, which is about once or twice a year.

Thanks for any input you may have

I found iConcepts over ear headphones in the Target dollar spot for $5 a pair. I bought 2 for my kids to use on out trip next month. I have tested them with my Kindle Fire and they work very well. I had the volume at about a 3rd of the bar and everything sounded clear. They came in a couple different colors and they seem comfortable. They fit my 4 year old and my 8 year old easily (a little loose on the 4 year old. I can also wear them easily as they are not actually children's headphones.

 

[stacieps]

I bought a couple pairs of "travel" headphones (the sides can fold to put in your bag) from TJ Maxx for around $15 - I think they are iHome brand. I also bought a pair that doesn't fold (again, I think iHome brand). 2 kids and I have used them for about 3 trips (and some home use) they have held up well. When I bought them a couple of years ago, TJ's had a pretty decent selection

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is I one area you are not finding a bargain. Good noise canceling headphones are costly. Anything under $150 probably won't make a difference



Your options are cheap regular headphones or costly noise canceling.

I don't agree. You can find decent noise canceling headphones for under $75.00 and less. Browse the offerings on Amazon.

I do agree that these are a necessity on planes, at least for me. I can't hear anything through regular headphones. And don't you love sitting next to someone on a plane wearing Apple earbuds with the volume blasting because they can't hear? Super annoying.

 

[OZMom]

I just bought iHome Disney headphones for my boys for 20-30$ a piece. We haven't tested them yet, but they got very good reviews on Amazon.

 

[KKB]

Have gotten 2 different pairs off ebay & have been very happy. Around $30 each.
Ebay is good for electronics from reputable buyers--many like to upgrade all the time & just want to make a few $ off their perfectly good "old" stuff.

 

[ellochka]

I got a Minnie Mouse themed headphones for $25 at Amazon for my little one, and yes, they barely go up in volume to be audible on the airplane. I believe, all kids headphones will have this restrictions on volume because kids ears are more delicate. You can get adult headphones - they will be much louder.

 

[disneylove69]

You can get Sony isolation for around $30. I have gotten the Disney style for $20 at Target.

 

[jedijill]

I love my Sony noise cancelling headphones. Got them for about $30 at Best Buy.

Jill in CO

 

[iheartwalt]

These are the ones we bought for DS http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000QJBG2G/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1412136226&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70 I forgot my headphones and snagged these for a little bit to watch the inflight movie and I thought they worked good (a bit small for an adult though)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't agree. You can find decent noise canceling headphones for under $75.00 and less. Browse the offerings on Amazon. I do agree that these are a necessity on planes, at least for me. I can't hear anything through regular headphones. And don't you love sitting next to someone on a plane wearing Apple earbuds with the volume blasting because they can't hear? Super annoying.

I tried the cheap ones. We will have to agree to disagree I thought they were a waste of money. The difference between having them on or off was negligible I sent them back and bought the good ones. Night And day difference.

 

[puffkin]

DS8 has the skull candy ones. I bought them on Amazon for around $20.