An aeroplane is basically an aluminium tube screaming at 85 decibels while the person next to you cracks open a tin of tuna. Noise-cancelling headphones won't save you from the tuna, but they'll handle the engine drone just fine.
This guide tells you what you actually need to know about headphones for flying – and why we sell exactly that kind. Yes, we want your money. That doesn't mean the advice isn't honest.
What does noise cancelling actually do on a plane?
Active noise cancelling (ANC) removes low, steady sounds. Aeroplane engine hum is exactly that. This is where ANC shines.
What it doesn't do: eliminate a baby crying, your neighbour's small talk, or the rattling drinks trolley. Those are high-pitched and irregular sounds. No headphone removes them completely – if someone claims otherwise, they're lying. But with music on and ANC engaged, you'll get pretty close to your own little bubble of peace.
The three things that matter most in headphones for flying:
- ANC quality – does it actually kill the drone or not
- Battery life – does it last to Bangkok or does it die in Riga
- Comfort – you're wearing these for hours, your ears can't be grinding
How does the VMK25.2 stack up?
Jasse's tuned hybrid ANC handles the low rumble of the engines effectively. In practice, you put the headphones on, press the ANC button on the left cup, and the engine hum disappears. What's left is a quiet background hiss, and music or a podcast on top of that gets you to complete silence.
Battery lasts 55 hours with ANC on. Fifty-five. Helsinki to Singapore is about 11 hours. You could fly there five times on a single charge. Or once to Sydney and back and the battery still won't be dead. USB-C charging works on the plane too, if your seat happens to have an outlet.
45mm composite drivers and Jasse's DSP tuning mean the sound is balanced and accurate. Jasse is the bloke whose ears are insured – he refuses to let a product out the door until the frequency response is as straight as Henri's Alfa Romeo repair bill.
On comfort: the ear cushions are thick and replaceable. At around 300 grams, they're light enough for a long flight. Note for glasses wearers: cushion seal affects ANC performance. If your frames break the seal, noise cancelling weakens. That's physics, not a defect.
Bonus: a 3.5mm AUX cable is included. The plane's entertainment system works with it directly, and the battery doesn't even need to be on.
Who should pick something else?
Let's be honest.
Sony WH-1000XM5 is a hair ahead on ANC. If your only criterion is the absolute best possible noise cancelling and price is no object, Sony is a safe bet. Nobody can remember its model number, but it works.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra is another serious contender, especially if comfort is your number one priority. Bose cushions are legendary.
But: both cost roughly double. Neither is repairable. When the Sony breaks after two years, it's e-waste. When a Valco breaks – hopefully it won't, but electronics are electronics – Jasse or someone else fixes it in Kajaani. The ear cushions twist off and you swap them yourself.
If you've got an unlimited budget and want that last 5% of ANC performance, buy the Sony. If you want 95% of the same performance at half the price and headphones that last longer than one flight, read on.
Why Valco?
- Price: Half the price of Sony's and Bose's flagships. With the savings, you can buy an airport lounge pass.
- Battery: 55 hours. More than any competitor in this price range.
- Repairability: Parts are replaceable, serviced in Finland. These headphones aren't disposable.
- Sound quality: Jasse's tuning. Flat frequency response, no bloated bass hiding bad engineering.
- AUX cable included: The plane's entertainment system works without draining the battery.
- Multipoint: Connect to your phone and laptop at the same time. Switch between a movie and a call mid-flight.
Summary
For flying you need ANC, long battery life, and comfort. The VMK25.2 delivers all three at a price that doesn't require a business class ticket. Sony and Bose are slightly ahead at the very peak of noise cancelling, but the difference is small and the price tag is big.
Valco is like economy plus: you get everything that matters without paying extra for a brand name.
Every VMK25.2 purchased funds 0.000001% of our Death Star. Henri's Ferrari budget thanks you too. You get silence on a plane – we get money. Everybody wins.
