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The best travel pillows you can buy

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

best travel pillow

  • Trying to fall asleep on a plane is incredibly difficult, but having the right travel pillow can help you get some shut-eye during your epic flight across oceans and continents.

  • The Trtl pillow is our top pick — even though it's not a pillow per se — because it is comfortable, very portable, and affordable.

I love flying in business class. It’s not something I can do very often, but using points and miles for upgrades and free tickets, I’ve gotten to fly in that front cabin a few times.

The reason I love it so much is that I’ve always been a terrible airplane sleeper, and the added comfort of business class helps. When I sit in a regular coach seat on a red-eye flight, I have a lot of trouble getting any decent rest. That means spending much of the next day like a zombie until I can get to the hotel, hop in the shower, take a nap and start adjusting to the jet lag.

Over the last few years, though, I’ve been figuring out a better routine to help me get at least a bit of rest on planes. First, I eat dinner in the airport, not on the plane. I make sure to brush my teeth, and I wear earplugs and a sleeping mask once we take off. Finally, I use a travel pillow.

I used to think those pillows weren’t helpful. You know the ones, the U-shaped things that look kind of like life preservers. My moment of clarity came when I realized I could simply turn the pillow around and wear it backward. That meant that as my head nods forward, my neck and chin are supported.

For people like me who tend to have trouble getting settled in economy seats, and who might not find the traditional travel pillow useful when nodding off, now is a great time to try a new pillow. There are a ton of fresh, innovative options today, as well as fresh takes on the classic U-shaped travel pillow.

Whether it’s a regular U-shaped travel pillow or something a bit more advanced, Insider Picks has you covered with the best travel pillows you can buy.

Here are the best travel pillows you can buy:

Updated on 11/16/2018 by Lulu Chang: Added two new travel pillows and updated prices and formatting.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best travel pillow overall

Why you'll love it: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a ... scarf? Nope, it’s travel pillow! Despite its unique design, the Trtl offers huge support for your neck.

At first glance, the Trtl pillow looks nothing like a pillow. It seems more like a scarf or blanket, and in some ways, that’s actually what it is. A soft, lightweight fleece wrap hides and cushions a plastic neck support on one side, which rests on either shoulder or your chest to keep your head in a comfortable position.

The neck support consists of a few stiff ribs on one end of the scarf. To use the Trtl, simply place the ribs in the position you find most comfortable, then wrap the scarf around your neck. Velcro on the other end of the ribs holds the wrap in place while you doze off. The ribs have a little bit of flexibility to eliminate any pressure points or discomfort.

It’s actually pretty ingenious, and, despite the weird design, surprisingly comfortable. The strengthened ribs almost look like one of those emergency neck braces, but since they only rest on one side, instead of both, it’s more comfortable and less restrictive. Trtl, which is based in Scotland, was founded by two mechanical engineers in 2010. The inventors claim that the design is based on scientific research into sleep positions and independent testing.

Because there’s no stuffing and the pillow is made of soft fleece — aside from the ribs — the Trtl is both lightweight and low profile, which makes it easy to stash in a bag on your way to and from the airport or train station.

The biggest downside to the pillow is that, since it only offers support on one side, you’re out of luck if you toss and turn or shift positions during the flight. Some buyers also report that the support is a bit too short for taller people — the pillow only comes in one size — but this was easily remedied by using a folded airline blanket. You can read our full review here for more details.

Pros: Comfortable, low profile, innovative design, soft, not too warm, easy to pack

Cons: Only offers support on one side, only comes in one size

Buy the Trlt pillow on Amazon for $29.99 (originally $39.99) 

Read our full review of the Trtl Travel pillow on Insider Picks.



The best traditional travel pillow

Why you'll love it: The Clöudz pillow is a simple microbead travel pillow that works for just about everyone.

I’m personally a big fan of the Clöudz pillow. This is the first pillow that was comfortable enough to help me sleep during a trans-Atlantic red-eye flight. It’s simple and straightforward, which makes it a perfect solution for most people's needs.

The design is mostly traditional — it’s exactly what comes to mind when you hear the words “travel pillow.” Shaped like a giant U, the pillow is designed to go around the back of your neck, supporting your head if you lean backwards or to the side — although when I use it, I spin it around.

A helpful feature that makes this pillow stand out is the nifty snap at the ends. The strap is perfect for attaching the pillow to a bag handle or strap when you’re walking through the airport. When I use the pillow, I close the snap when the pillow is on my shoulders before turning it around. That way, it doesn’t fall off my neck when I lean forward.

Something that makes the Clöudz pillow stand out is the fact that it’s can accommodate people who tend to feel either too warm or too cool when they’re sleeping. The top side of the pillow is covered by a warm, cozy felt-like material, while the bottom has a cooler spandex fabric. It’s filled with tiny microbeads, which conform to your head and face as you lean on them. At the same time, though, they hold enough shape to stop the pillow from collapsing under you and falling flat.

Pros: Snap closure, warm and cool sides, soft, affordable

Cons: Doesn’t shrink, fold or compress to fit in a bag

Buy the Clöudz pillow on Amazon for $10.35 and up



The best memory foam travel pillow

Why you'll love it: The Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam Travel Pillow uses ergonomically-molded memory foam to keep your head supported in flight.

The Cabeau looks similar to the Clöudz pillow because it’s the same traditional U shape. The pillow is designed to go around the back of your neck and rest on your shoulders. Like the Clöudz pillow, the Cabeau closes around front, but instead of snaps, it has a drawstring with a fastener that you can use to turn the U into an O. The biggest difference is that instead of microbeads, the pillow uses memory foam.

When you pull the drawstrings taut, it pulls the two ends of the U together, allowing for 360-degrees of coverage, so that if your head falls forward when you sleep, you don’t need to spin the pillow around. The back portion is a bit thinner and is designed to sit flat against the seat and conform to the back of your neck so that it doesn’t push your head forward.

Instead of a smooth tube-like shape bent into a U, the Cabeau pillow has an ergonomically designed hump running the length of the pillow to support your head more effectively. The cover is removable and machine washable. In reviews all around the web, buyers say the Cabeau is helpful and comfortable, even if they haven’t liked past travel pillows.

Some people will prefer memory foam to a bead-filled pillow, but there’s a big drawback. Some buyers report that the pillow can get pretty warm, which can make you sweaty and uncomfortable. Beyond that, the pillow is a bit less convenient to attach to the outside of a bag while you’re in transit — the workaround is that the pillow can be compressed to about 1/4 of its size for stowing in a bag. The company warns against compressing it for long-term storage so that the pillow doesn’t lose its shape.

Pros: Ergonomic design, 360-degrees of coverage, comfortable

Cons: Can get warm and sweaty, no “cooler side”

Buy the Cabeau pillow on Amazon for $39.99



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 cars that changed the world

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1948 Ford F 1 pickup truck

  • We selected two cars from each decade that lived up to our criteria.
  • The best cars ranged from pickups to supercars.
  • Yes, Tesla made the cut.


We're always trying to figure out what the Golden Age of cars was, but the truth is that ever since World War II, we've lived in something of an endless Golden Age. 

For eight decades, cars have been incredible: gorgeous, innovative, powerful, and even reliable and affordable. As we spend more time talking about not owning cars and enjoying them drive themselves, we thought it would be appropriate to look back on the glories witnessed and pick a few big winners.

Our criteria was simple: Was the car a smash hit at the time, historically important, and did it change the game or exert a huge influence? Bonus points if a model is still in production in 2017.

Here's what we came up with, the two best cars from each decade from 1940 to the present. 

FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content!

The 1940s: Original Jeep

Why it's here:

The Willys-Overland Jeep was the vehicle than helped the Allies win World War II. The original rugged, throw-anything-at-it set of wheels, its legacy remains strong in vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler.

Military vehicles have sometimes made the transition to civilian life. Think of the Hummer, for example.

But the Willys Jeep is one of the vehicles that said it all in victorious fashion. Simple, easy to maintain, tough, ready for action. It was used by the US military and its allies as a scout car, so it saw front-line duty. Study it today and you can't help but be impressed at its perfect combination of form and function.



The 1940s: Ford F-Series pickup truck

Why it's here:

The F-Series pickups were originally introduced as work trucks and delivery vehicles for businesses, farms, and ranges. Fast forward Almost eight decades later, the F-Series has become America's bestselling vehicle, reigning at the top since the 1980s. Ford will sell nearly a million in 2017. That astounding run had to start someplace.



The 1950s: Citroën DS

Why it's here:

The Citroën DS marked France's automotive comeback after World War II. Ahead of its time in both technology and styling, the DS has and will always be considered a pinnacle of the peculiar Gallic aesthetic attitude toward cars: sleek, suave, worldly.

It's iconic styling, advanced hydropneumatic suspension, and numerous Citroën design quirks made the DS truly unique. 

The beautiful machine went into production in 1955 and stayed there until 1975. America had tailfins, Mustangs, and muscle cars during that period. France had the beautiful DS.



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Mott & Bow's incredibly comfortable jeans are up to 35% off right now through Black Friday

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Mott & Bow

  • One of our favorite denim startups is known for making under-$150 jeans that look and feel a lot more expensive.
  • As Black Friday nears, the pairs have become even more affordable. Mott & Bow is now offering 25% off sitewide through Cyber Monday for new customers, and you can save up to 35% off if you spend $300 or more.
  • To potentially save more on Black Friday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

If you've been reading Insider Picks for a while, you may have stumbled across one or two articles about Mott & Bow jeans before. The company's denim is extremely comfortable (so comfortable we've even accidentally slept in them), and its women's skinny jeans, in particular, are among the most flattering and slimming we've tried.

For the last four years, Mott & Bow has made a name for itself by selling premium jeans at affordable prices, and now the deals are better than ever before with its Black Friday sale.

During Black Friday weekend, new customers can enjoy 25% off sitewide. You'll save more above certain order totals: 30% off orders of $200 or more and $35% off orders of $300 or more. 

With great savings on jeans, shirts, and sweaters for men and women, you'll want to take advantage of these savings while they last. When Black Friday officially rolls around on November 23, there's a chance the pieces you're after may already be sold out in your size.

Shop the Mott & Bow Black Friday Sale now, so you don't miss out on any styles you really want. And if you need some ideas for what to buy, check out some of Mott & Bow's jeans and shirts for men and women on sale for Black Friday below.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: 

Mom Jean

Mom Jean in Benson, $88.50 (originally $118) [You save $29.50] 

The waist-defining and comfortable Mom jeans were a hit among the women of Insider Picks, and we bet they'll be for you, too. 



High Rise Skinny

High Rise Skinny in Bond, $96 (originally $128) [You save $32] 

Flattering on all body types, the skinny jean is made from a power stretch fabric that also resists fading. 



Mid Rise Skinny

Mid Rise Skinny in Grove, $96 (originally $128) [You save $32] 

This mid-rise fit in a dark blue is an equally sleek skinny jean choice.



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This 140-day cruise for the '1% of the 1%' visits all 7 continents — here's a look inside the ship, where suites cost up to $240,000 per person

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seven continent cruise ship

  • A luxury cruise ship will take passengers on a 140-day journey that spans all seven continents and costs up to $240,000 per person.
  • The cruising company Silversea says the ship, Silver Whisper, will be the first to cruise to all seven continents.
  • The cruise is set to kick off in 2020 and visit 62 ports in at least 32 countries.
  • It will begin in Florida and end in Amsterdam, stopping at ports including Singapore, Mumbai, Rome, and Antarctica.

If a typical seven-day cruise that stops at only a few ports isn't appealing, then maybe a new ultra-luxurious world cruise is for you.

In 2020, the cruising company Silversea is set to kick off a 140-day cruise making stops on all seven continents — for $62,000 to $240,000 per person.

Dubbed "Legends of Cruising," the trip will begin in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 6, 2020, and stop at 62 ports in at least 32 countries before ending up in Amsterdam on May 25. Up to 382 guests will be aboard.

"Unlike any other world cruise ever conceived, Legends of Cruising takes you on a journey that lets you set foot on all seven continents," Silversea's website says.

"There are those who believe they belong to the 1%, and those who actually do. And then there are those who are part of the 1% of the 1%," the website says. It's those people Silversea envisions embarking on its Legends of Cruising trip.

Here's a look at the super-luxe ship for the cruise, Silver Whisper:

SEE ALSO: This cruise ship is full of apartments that were designed to look like luxury condos in NYC and London — and wealthy people are dishing out up to $36 million for them

DON'T MISS: What it's like living in Monaco, the glamorous city-state on the French Riviera that's home to a glitzy annual yacht show and where an estimated 1 in 3 people is a millionaire

Silversea says Silver Whisper is its "world-cruisers preferred ship" with "the amenities of a grand resort" and "the charms of a stylish boutique hotel."

Source: Silversea



The 2020 world cruise on Silver Whisper will last 140 days and be the first to visit all seven continents, according to Silversea.

Source: Silversea



The ship is set to stop at 62 ports in at least 32 countries.

Source: Silversea



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The most successful GoFundMe campaigns of all time

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marjory stoneman douglas high school

Since 2010, GoFundMe has been an invaluable source for individuals or grassroots movements looking to raise money for their causes. 

GoFundMe sent us a list of their most successful campaigns of all time. From the Time's Up Legal Fund to fundraisers for the victims of mass shootings across the US, these GoFundMe pages have raised the most money in the site's history. Some of the funds are still active, so you can donate today.

Here are the 20 highest-earning GoFundMe campaigns of all time.

20. Veterans for Standing Rock (#NoDAPL): $1,155,660

In the wake of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests of 2016, also known as "Standing Rock,"US veterans assembled to protest the proposed plan that would drill through ancient Native American burial grounds, as well as threaten the region's clean water supply.

Veterans came together at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota between December 4 and 7, and were described by their GoFundMe campaign as "peaceful, unarmed militia." They raised over a million dollars for the cause, money that was donated to "providing transportation and supplies for the brave patriots" that came and stood in solidarity.

 



19. Gaytan's Quadruple Pregnancy: $1,167,460

Kayla Gaytan was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2016. After receiving chemotherapy, she was told she couldn't have any more children (she already had two), but became pregnant with quadruplets only one month into her disease's remission.

During that pregnancy, her cancer came back. The quadruplets had to be delivered at 30 weeks so Gaytan could receive treatments, and that's when her family created a GoFundMe campaign that went on to raise over $1.1 million for medical expenses and the new babies' overall care.

Gaytan told People about the campaign, "It renews my faith in humanity. To know that people that don't even know us just wanted to help our family is amazing." 

As of 2017, Gaytan's cancer is remission.



18. Tree of Life Synagogue Victims: $1,181,758

On October 27, 2018, 11 people were shot and killed, and another six injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shay Khatiri, a 29-year-old who felt passionately about the shooting, decided to set up a GoFundMe the next day.

The campaign surpassed its goal just nine hours after Khatiri created the page, and it has since raised over $1 million in order to "help the congregation with the physical damages to the building, as well as the survivors and the victims' families."

You can still donate to help victims of the shooting here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We asked some of the top young healthcare entrepreneurs in America for their advice — here's what they said

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Helium Health

Healthcare is not an easy field to break into as an entrepreneur. Beyond the operations of business, a grasp on complex science and tech is also needed. 

This year's spotlighted members of Forbes' 30 under 30 list for healthcare is diverse in both interests and in age. The youngest entrepreneur clocks in at only 18. 

Business Insider asked these healthcare superstars what advice they would have wanted to hear when they were first starting out. Here's what a few of them told us. 

SEE ALSO: A medical diagnostics startup that wants to use CRISPR technology to detect diseases raised $23 million in venture funding

Megan Blewett, 29, is an associate at Venrock

Blewett joined healthcare and tech venture firm Venrock firm in 2017, and her areas of focus are biotech and pharmaceutical investments. Prior to joining the firm, she completed her chemistry PhD at The Scripps Research Institute. Blewett is especially intrigued by the opportunity to use new tools like CRISPR for basic research and tackling disease. 

Blewett was also profiled in Business Insider's under 40 silicon valley biotech venture capitalists list

The advice I’d like to share is actually a line my dad would tell me growing up. He would say, “If you want to be great at something, you have to do three things: find your mentors, find your peers, and then do more of that thing than anyone else.” Many years later, I still think that is some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten. With most any career, you need a great coach, great teammates, and then you need to work really hard. 



Inmaculada Hernandez, 28, is an assistant professor of pharmacy and therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh's school of pharmacy

Hernandez was appointed as a professor when she was 25, and has since conducted and published numerous research studies in various areas relating to the operations of the pharmaceutical industry. 

A recently published study in the Annuals of Internal Medicine that she was first author on found that from 2015 to 2016, manufacturers increased their prices on drugs under shortage almost double the expected rate in absence of a shortage.

My advice is to work hard, be constant, think critically, speak up, and fight the good fight. For an idea or a project to hit it off, it has to have some sort of crazy—otherwise it would be to conventional and hence probably already explored. Tolerance to frustration is highly important as well—I work in science and the norm is to be rejected. The key to success is then to not give up and keep trying.

I love this part of Steve Job’s speech at Stanford: “you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” This is probably not what he meant by this, but my interpretation is that you can’t figure out upfront the results of your hard work. You need to give it all every day, because in the long term, you realize how all of those efforts that may have appeared to be in vain were actually necessary to achieve the outcome. In other words, you need to trust that your hard work will pay off in the future, because it does. And you need to put those hours.



Adegoke Olubusi, 25, is a co-founder of Helium Health

Helium Health wants to be the all-in-one electronic medical record for hospitals across West Africa. The system is currently being used by 5,000 doctors and it has raised $2 million in funding. 

Before creating Helium, Olubusi was a tech analyst at Goldman Sachs. His advice for young entrepreneurs is to carefully chart their startup trajectory before jumping in. 

There’s a fine line between a for-profit enterprise in healthcare and a non-profit and it’s important to define clearly where your business falls in the two categories. In healthcare, particularly in emerging markets, it’s very easy to slide from one to the other and this has huge impact on the course of your startup.



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12 car brands that have the worst customer experience

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2011 jeep wrangler unlimited rubicon

  • The market research company JD Power released on Wednesday its ranking of auto brands based on the quality of the sales experience they provide.
  • Genesis received the lowest score, with 736 out of a possible 1,000 points.
  • Kia and Jeep received the second and third-lowest scores, with 737 points and 749 points, respectively.

 

The market research company JD Power released on Wednesday its ranking of auto brands based on the quality of the sales experience they provide.

Genesis received the lowest score, with 736 out of a possible 1,000 points, while Kia and Jeep received the second and third-lowest scores, with 737 points and 749 points, respectively. Mitsubishi and Honda rounded out the bottom five.

Porsche received the highest score, 828, while Infiniti and Lexus received the second and third-highest scores, with 824 points and 823 points, respectively. Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac rounded out the top five.

Read more: The 20 best cars that cost less than $65,000

The list was based on responses from over 25,000 people who purchased or leased a new vehicle in April or May. The study found that car shoppers increasingly prefer to receive digital communication, like text messages, from dealerships. According to the study, shoppers who exchanged text messages with their dealer reported higher levels of satisfaction than those who didn't.

"Automotive dealerships are slowly moving toward more frequent digital communication, but as customers come to expect this opportunity for engagement, dealers need to pick up the pace for incorporating texting and emailing into the day-to-day sales process. For younger customers, this is how they engage," Chris Sutton, JD Power's vice president of the automotive retail practice, said in a release accompanying the study.

Customers rated brands based on dealership employees, price offered, the delivery process, the negotiating process, paperwork completion, the dealership facility, the dealership's website, and the dealership's inventory. The study took responses from consumers who purchased a vehicle at a specified brand's dealership and consumers who shopped at a specified brand's dealership before buying elsewhere.

These are the 12 car brands that provide the worst sales experience.

SEE ALSO: The 10 least reliable cars of 2018

12. Nissan

Satisfaction score: 767



11. Hyundai

Satisfaction score: 764



10. Dodge

Satisfaction score: 763



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Leaked photos show Google could be working on a budget Pixel 3 with a headphone jack that costs $400 — and it could have the same amazing camera (GOOG, GOOGL)

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pixel 3 lite rumor leak

Google apparently isn't done with its Pixel 3 smartphone just yet, as a "budget" that costs between $400 and $500 could have just been leaked via Russian tech site Rozetked.me. We originally saw it on 9to5Google

To compare prices, Google's flagship Pixel 3 lineup starts at $800 for the regular Pixel 3, and $900 for the larger Pixel 3XL. 

So far, this "budget" device is being called the "Pixel 3 Lite."

Indeed, the rumored device has "lite" specs compared to the full-fat Pixel 3 phones that Google released last month. But overall, the new phone looks pretty similar. It could even have the same camera as the Pixel 3, which would make the Pixel 3 Lite the ultimate mid-range phone.

That is, of course, if this thing is a real product that will actually be released into the world, which is up in the air.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Check out some of the leaked photos, specs, and details of the Pixel 3 Lite:

SEE ALSO: Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S10 smartphone could be an impressive overhaul in design and features — here are 10 rumors about what it'll look like

The Pixel 3 Lite is said to have a 5.56-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution.

That's a similar display to the flagship Pixel 3. The main difference appears to be the LCD display in the Pixel 3 Lite, versus the OLED displays on the flagship Pixel 3 models. 



It'll have the same camera as the flagship Pixel 3, but a mid-range chip.

The Pixel 3 Lite will supposedly come with the same 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel selfie camera as the flagship Pixel 3 models, reports Roketzed.me, but it's not clear whether it'll take the same quality photos.

Indeed, Google's flagship Pixel smartphones take the best photos out of any smartphone. It would be pretty significant if a "budget" Pixel 3 that costs less comes with the same camera quality as the flagship Pixel 3.

The "Lite" name for this phone could also have something to do with the chip. It'll apparently run on a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 that's less powerful than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip that powers the top Android phones of 2018. 

As for other specs, it's said the Pixel 3 Lite will have 4GB of RAM, which is the same amount of RAM the flagship Pixel 3 has. That's great for the alleged Pixel 3 Lite, but it would also highlight how the high-end flagship Pixel 3, which costs between $800 and $900, doesn't really have enough RAM in the first place. 

It also looks like it'll come with 32GB of storage, at least. 



The Pixel 3 Lite may come with a headphone jack, setting it apart from most of this year's batch of flagship phones.

Google removed the headphone jack from its phones starting with the Pixel 2 in 2017, but it's unlikely that Pixel fans who want a headphone jack will find solace in the mid-range — and still only alleged — Pixel 3 Lite, which would have worse specs.



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6 expensive things that are totally worth the money

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Money

  • Money priorities differ from person to person, depending on what you value.
  • There are some things, like a college education, that cost a lot of money but can give you a great return on investment through your salary later on.
  • Here are six pricey things, from a financial expert, that are well worth the money.

 

We all like to be — or at the very least try to be — smart with our money. But that doesn’t always mean choosing the least expensive option. In fact, sometimes the pricier item or experience can be the one that is most worth your hard-earned cash, while the cheapest can be the biggest waste.

“Most of us spend money on things we don't really care about at the expense of the things we do without even realizing it,” Stefanie O’Connell, financial expert and author of “The Broke and Beautiful Life,” told Business Insider. “So step one is defining your priorities, then tracking your spending (an app or a simple pen and paper works) to see if you're actually spending in alignment with those priorities, and making adjustments as needed.”

You should also weigh the added value something can bring to your life. “Before spending a lot of money on an item or service, it may be good to understand what value it brings to you,” Roger Ma, certified financial planner and founder of Life Laid Out, told Business Insider. “Does it help you save time or help you avoid doing something you don't enjoy, does it make you feel more confident, or will the experience be something you remember for a long time?”

Here are six expensive things, from financial experts Ma and O’Connell, that are completely worth the money.

SEE ALSO: 5 things you may be wasting your money on

1. Education

About 70% of students graduate from college with student loan debt, and there have been plenty of debates on whether getting a higher education is even worth it. Despite this, Ma said that education is most definitely worth spending money on.

An investment in yourself is typically worth it,” Ma said. “Increasing your knowledge could ultimately increase your human capital — that is, how much money you're able to command from your employer. Besides, learning new material keeps life interesting and exciting.”



2. Travel

Travel can be good for your body and your overall well-being, NBC reports. O’Connell said that it’s something she spends money on herself. “I love to splurge on travel because it brings me joy,” O’Connell said.

As Business Insider previously reported, people are happier when they spend their money on experiences rather than things.



3. A mattress

Sleep is essential to good health, according to the National Institute of Health. It only makes sense to invest in a mattress that provides optimal comfort, even if we can’t get the suggested seven to nine hours nightly.

“We spend 5-8 hours a night on our mattress, depending on our sleeping patterns. Getting a good night's rest affects every other part of our life,” Ma said. “If we don't get a good night's rest, we won't be productive at work, may not get that promotion, and may just feel like crap. A good mattress is good for your health and will pay for itself in the long run.”



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

14 of the coolest luxury vacation rentals around the world, from an 18th-century Italian villa to a Swiss chalet with views of the Matterhorn

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tulum homeaway

  • For your next vacation, treat yourself luxuriously.
  • We teamed up with HomeAway to find home rentals with some of the best luxury amenities around the world.
  • From a villa in Spain with a helicopter landing pad to a home in Jamaica with a chef and butler, these luxury vacation rentals range from about $1,300 to $14,400 a night.

Vacation is always "treat yourself" time.

We teamed up with HomeAway to find home rentals with some of the best luxury amenities around the world, from France to Mexico. They don't come cheap — prices per night start at four figures and go up to five figures, but if you have the means (or bring your friends and family along to split the cost), these spots are worth it.

There are two villas in Spain, one with a helicopter landing pad and one with a wellness and mindfulness private trainer; a beachfront villa in Jamaica with a full staff including a chef, nanny, and butler; an estate in Croatia with a wine cellar; beach bungalows in The Bahamas with a private beach club; and a villa in Thailand with a private spa and massage therapists.

Take a peek at them all below, ranked by cost per night.

SEE ALSO: 9 of the coolest tiny homes around the world to rent on your next vacation

DON'T MISS: What a $1 million vacation looks like in Mykonos, Greece, where you'll fly in on a private jet, sleep in an ocean-view villa, and cruise the seas in a yacht

Ibiza, Spain — $1,367 per night



A modern villa in the Balearics with a full range of therapists at your service and a large saltwater pool.

See the listing »



Nantes, France — $1,519 per night



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20 of the best Thanksgiving movies of all time, according to critics

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Funny PeopleIf you're not ready to start watching festive holiday films just yet, there are still plenty of Thanksgiving films that have gotten some great reviews from critics.

Here are 20 of the best Thanksgiving movies according to critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and curated by the company on their sister streaming site, FandangoNOW

"Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow" is about a magical Thanksgiving adventure.

Critics' score: 60/100

This 2015 film is about two kids who embark on a magical adventure while visiting their strange aunt's farm for Thanksgiving. They stumble upon the mythical Hollow Hoodoo, who help them to stop their aunt's farm from being taken over by a dangerous neighbor.



The 1996 war drama "The War at Home" is an unconventional but fairly applauded choice for Thanksgiving.

Critics' score: 60/100

1996's "The War At Home" follows Jeremy, a soldier who recently returned home after serving in Vietnam. He lives with his parents and is deeply troubled by everything he did and saw while at war. As Thanksgiving comes around, Jeremy struggles to re-adjust to civilian life. 

The movie has some famous faces including Emilio Esteves, Kathy Bates, and Martin Sheen. 



"The Myth of Fingerprints" is another family drama that many critics enjoyed.

Critics' score: 60/100

This one follows the adult children of a very conservative New England family as they return home for Thanksgiving weekend. The holiday forces them to realize how dysfunctional their family is and they start to work through their issues. 



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Meet the 22-year Oracle veteran executive who's going to lead Google in the cloud wars against Amazon and Microsoft (ORCL, GOOG)

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On Friday, Diane Greene announced she would be stepping down as Google Cloud's chief exec

Greene's replacement will be the 22-year Oracle veteran Thomas Kurian, who before resigning in September, was president of product development with the company, and a key player in its cloud efforts. When he steps into the role in January, he'll be leading Google Cloud as it continues its quest to topple Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud wars.

But who exactly is Google Cloud's new CEO?

Here's a closer look at Thomas Kurian's life and career:

Thomas Kurian is 51. He was born in Kerala, India. His father was self-educated and became a successful executive in the manufacturing industry. His mother was born to Indian parents living in Sri Lanka. She immigrated to India to go to college, which was uncommon for women at the time.

Source: Business Insider



Kurian has an identical twin brother named George. The twin brothers have both become high-powered Silicon Valley execs: George is CEO of the $5.5 billion storage company, NetApp.



Kurian came to the US in 1986 to study electrical engineering at Princeton University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He would later go on to earn his MBA from Stanford University.



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20 tech gifts for women that she'll love

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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The old stereotype used to be that women wouldn't like tech unless it was dumbed down, pink, or sparkly, but now, the industry is changing. You can find tons of excellent tech for women out there that is as stylish as it is powerful.

Instead of buying a bedazzled fitness tracker or a pair of pink headphones and calling it a day, why not get her the tech gifts she actually wants?

As a woman in the tech world, I've looked over hundreds of tech products that are made for women to separate the good gadgets from the bad.

Whether your leading lady wants a pair of excellent headphones that look as good as they sound, wants to track her fitness in style, or craves stylish accessories for her phone that aren't hot pink, we have a gift for her in our guide to the best tech gifts for women.

Still shopping for more gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
 Keep scrolling to check out the best tech gifts for women.

SEE ALSO: 20 useful Android accessories and compatible gadgets that make great gifts

DON'T MISS: 20 innovative and cool iPhone accessories that make perfect gifts

A phone grip and stand

PopSocket Grip, available at PopSocket, $9.99+

PopSocket grips make it super easy to hold even the largest of phones no matter how small a woman's hands may be. The grips stick onto almost any phone case, pop out twice to give excellent grip, and double as a stand when she wants to watch videos. PopSockets come in a multitude of colors, patterns, and styles, so you'll be sure to find one she'll love. I have PopSocket grips on all the different phone cases I use because I can't imagine using my phone without one.



An attractive hybrid smartwatch

Fossil Q Harper smart hybrid watch, available at Fossil, $155

If the women in your life don't like smartwatches, but they still want to feel connected to their phones, a smart hybrid watch is a great gift to give. The Fossil Q Harper hides high-tech features inside a classic, attractive, simple, analog watch body. You'd never know that this watch is so smart by looking at it, but it can buzz with notifications, adjust to different time zones, track fitness, and wake her up peacefully with a silent alarm.



A pair of stylish headphones

V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, available at Amazon, $350

V-MODA makes some of my favorite headphones. The Crossfade 2 are wireless, so she doesn't have to deal with wires or worry whether her phone has a headphone jack or not. These are definitely statement headphones, but they are classy looking and the rose gold accents look gorgeous. Most importantly, these headphones sound great.



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The 19 most successful GoFundMe campaigns of all time that helped animals in need

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Animals do so much for us, it's only fair we do what we can to help them in return.

Countless GoFundMe campaigns have been started to raise money for various causes concerning animals in need, from stray cats to Sumatran elephants. INSIDER gathered data for the most successful GoFundMe campaigns for animals of all time, excluding one campaign that has since been deleted.

Read on to hear about the various animals that have been saved with the help of these GoFundMe campaigns.

19. Elephant Conservation: AUD $99,641 ($73,076)

The Elephant Conservation campaign seeks to create an Elephant Patrols Unit for the protection of Sumatran Elephants. In Indonesia, there are fewer than 1,000 elephants left as a result of rampant poaching. The campaign is still taking donations.



18. Homeless People & Animals Together: $83,890

Journalist Glenn Greenwald and his husband, David Miranda, oversee this project based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The couple cares for 23 dogs in their home, all of which were found on the streets of Rio. They are working to create a new form of animal shelter, run entirely by homeless people.

The shelter aims to "create a top-flight animal shelter devoted to finding homes for abandoned and homeless animals in need, while providing homeless people a purposeful job based on their passion for animals, along with a wide array of support to help them exit life on the street and find permanent employment." The project is still taking donations.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

 

 



17. SAVING THE ANIMALS: $86,347

The Pickens County Humane Society in Pickens County, South Carolina, has been working to rescue animals and prevent animal cruelty for over 47 years. Its GoFundMe campaign raised money for a mobile vet unit so that the society can expand its work to more communities.



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10 tips for getting through a hectic Black Friday sale like a pro

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Many people look forward to Black Friday every year — it’s an opportunity to hit the stores with family and friends after Thanksgiving and to score some major deals on holiday gifts. But packed stores and parking lots can lead to a lot of dangerous situations, and sometimes does. There have even been incidences when people have gotten seriously hurt during Black Friday crowds. 

But there is a way to shop and be safe at the same time, even when you’re dealing with crowds. With a few tips from experts and survivalists, you can ensure that your Black Friday experience doesn't end poorly. 

When driving in the dark follow some safety tips.

If you're heading out to get some of the best sales, chances are you're going to have to set out in darkness. Driving at night can be a dangerous situation and it's important to keep on your toes. Give other drivers more space as they may be tired and be sure not to dazzle them with your lights. Give yourself plenty of time to get there so you're not rushing. 



Know how to keep safe in a crowd

Paul Wertheimer, an expert on crowd control, told World Nomad that if you find yourself in a crowd that seems to be on the verge of a stampede, there are a few actions you can take. Stay on your feet, don’t use any more energy than you have to, and keep your hands up by your chest to protect it.

Experiencing an emergency and need to get out of the crowd fast? The best way to do so is by asking the people around you to crowd surf you out.



Prepare yourself for being involved in a stampede

Although you want to do everything you can to avoid being in a stampede situation, sometimes, it’s out of your control. If a stampede is happening, Wertheimer says you should use something called the accordion method.  

"After you're pushed forward, like in a wave there's a lull. In that lull is your chance to move, and the way you move is on a diagonal, between pockets of people,” he said. “There's always space between people. A couple of steps sideways, another wave surge, then another couple of steps in the next lull. You work your way out that way till you get to the periphery."



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The 21 biggest questions we have after seeing 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald'

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald."

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is in theaters and there's a lot to unpack in the sequel.

While you're processing the many subplots of the very stuffed two-hour movie, you're probably asking yourself a lot of questions. What is going on with Queenie? Is that final reveal for real? And did Tina really spend half the movie mad at Newt because of a typo? (Yes.)

We hear you. Keep reading to see the biggest questions we have after "The Crimes of Grindelwald."

Why is Grindelwald even being moved at the film's start?

The plan was for Grindelwald to be transported to Europe to confront his unspecified crimes, but no one explains why he needed to be taken across the pond in the first place. Couldn't MACUSA handle Grindelwald on their own? 



What exactly ARE Grindelwald's crimes?

The title of the first film, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," made sense because it introduced Newt as a magizoologist running through New York and trying to get a hold of magical creatures on the loose. 

The sequel is set in motion by Grindelwald's clever plan to escape while in transit to Europe to "answer for crimes he has committed," but fans never learn specific details about his wrongdoings. 



What happened between Leta Lestrange and Newt Scamander?

It's clear there was something between the two of them at some point. In the first movie, we see Newt have a photo of Leta. At the start of "The Crimes of Grindelwald," Leta appeared to have feelings for Newt from the moment she's introduced, despite being engaged to his older brother, Theseus. Leta also told Newt she wished he would accept the couple's invitations to dinner.

In a flashback, we learn that Leta and Newt grew close while studying at Hogwarts. Leta constantly felt judged because of the assumptions that came with her identity as a Lestrange, while Newt took comfort in befriending and caring for various magical creatures. They bonded over feeling like outsiders, but beyond that, it's not clear if they ever became more than friends.

Before we could ever learn, Leta dies in the movie.

"I think Jo [JK Rowling] wrote something really interesting where it's not so loud,"Kravitz told "E! News" of the love triangle. "You know, relationships evolve. Family is complicated. Love is complicated. And I think it just adds a layer of humanity to all of the scenes that we're all in together."

 



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I’ve tried every single iPhone currently available — here’s my ranking of the 7 iPhones you can buy right now (AAPL)

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iPhone XS

If you want to buy an iPhone right now, you have seven different options to choose from. 

From the brand-new, futuristic iPhone XS to the old-but-good iPhone 7, the current iPhone lineup has a range of devices and price points. 

At this point, I've tried all seven of Apple's current iPhones. And although the iPhone XS is gorgeous and powerful, it's not the phone I would recommend to most people. 

It's worth noting that in September, Apple discontinued a bunch of its older phones, including the iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone X. If you're curious about any of those devices, you can still see how they ranked last year.

Here's my ranking of all the iPhones you can buy today: 

SEE ALSO: I spent a day taking photos with the iPhone XS Max — and it's hard not to be impressed with what this thing can do

7. iPhone 8 Plus

The iPhone 8 Plus is in a weird position. It's only a 1-year-old phone, but there's not much incentive to buy it. 

The device has some solid features — wireless charging, Apple's year-old A11 chip, and a top-of-the-line camera — but it's certainly not a bargain, especially compared to the iPhone XR, which you can get for only $50 more.

Price: Starts at $699



6. iPhone XS Max

The iPhone XS Max is an absolutely beautiful device, but it's cursed by two things: its giant size and its giant price tag. 

The phone starts at $1,099, but can cost as much as $1,449 if you max out the capacity.

And while the screen is the biggest on any iPhone, ever, that's not always a great thing. It's impossible to use one-handed — even with reachability enabled. 

Still, the iPhone XS Max is a powerful iPhone. It sports Apple's new A12 Bionic chip, an incredible camera, a beautiful OLED display, and a flashy new gold color.

Price: Starts at $1,099



5. iPhone 8

The iPhone 8 has a slight advantage over the iPhone 8 Plus: its size. 

The iPhone 8 is a standard-sized smartphone, and that combined with its all-glass body means it feels great in your hand — though the screen is certainly smaller than the iPhone XS, XR or 8 Plus. 

The one other downside of the iPhone 8 versus the iPhone 8 Plus is the lack of a dual-lens camera, but for $100 less, I think most people can make do without. 

Otherwise, the iPhone 8 has all the same features as its big sister: fast charging, wireless charging, water resistance, a great camera, the year-old A11 bionic chip, and 64 GB of starting storage space. 

Price: Starts at $599



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These are the 7 best Black Friday gaming deals you'll find in stores

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Black Friday is fast approaching and it's the season for holiday deals on video games.

As the current generation of consoles reaches the end of its life span, now is a great time to invest in an Xbox One or PlayStation 4 for cheap and start building a library of great games.

This year seems to have surprisingly few exclusive deals, with gaming products from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo carrying nearly identical discounts across major retailers. We scrubbed early Black Friday ads from Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Newegg and more to find the most essential video game deals for the holiday.

SEE ALSO: The 3 biggest games on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this holiday season

PlayStation 4 Slim with "Marvel's Spider-Man" - $200

The PlayStation 4 is the most popular video game console on the market and Sony is offering the slim redesigned model with the year's most popular PS4 exclusive. "Marvel's Spider-Man" broke sales records with a massive launch in September and the PlayStation 4 recently reached 86 million unites sold worldwide.



$100 off PlayStation VR Bundles

The PlayStation VR is one of the most well-received virtual reality headsets, and it's reached its lowest price point so far. There are a few PSVR bundles out there offering different games, but I'd recommend the "Astrobot: Rescue Mission" and Moss" bundle pictured above. Both games came out this year and offer a wonderfully immersive VR experience. Keep in mind that the headset must be hooked up to a PlayStation 4 to work.



Xbox One S Minecraft Creators Bundle - $200

While the Xbox One is a bit behind the PlayStation 4 in sales, it's still one of the best home-theater devices on the market. Unlike the standard PS4, the Xbox One S offers 4K playback and added compatibility with smart home devices and cable boxes.

If you're looking for added power, the Xbox One X is actually stronger than the premium PlayStation 4 Pro, and will also be on sale for $399, a $100 discount.



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11 signs someone might be lying to you

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  • The signs that someone is lying aren't always easy to decipher.
  • And, unfortunately, there's no way to determine whether or not someone's being honest with 100% certainty.
  • But there are some obvious signs that someone might be lying. Keep reading for a list of signs you can watch out for.


How can you tell if someone is lying to you?

Well, it's complicated.

Research by Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, a forensic psychologist at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and her collaborators, suggests that our instincts for judging liars are actually fairly strong — but our conscious minds sometimes fail us.

Luckily, there are signs we can look for when trying to detect a lie.

Dr. Lillian Glass, behavioral analyst, body language expert, and "The Body Language of Liars" author, said when trying to figure out if someone is lying, you first need to understand how the person normally acts. Certain habits, like pointing or over-sharing, might be perfectly within character for an individual.

Keep in mind that these signs are just possible indicators of dishonesty — not definite proof. Plus, some liars are so seasoned that they might get away with not exhibiting any of these signs.

With that in mind, here are some signs that someone might be lying to you:

SEE ALSO: 15 signs your coworker is a psychopath

DON'T MISS: 4 signs your job isn't enough for you anymore

SEE ALSO: There's a lesson for any manager or exec in how United handled its PR nightmare

1. People who are lying tend to change their head position quickly

If you see someone suddenly make a head movement when you ask them a direct question, they may be lying to you about something.

"The head will be retracted or jerked back, bowed down, or cocked or tilted to the side," said Glass.

This will often happen right before the person is expected to respond to a question.



2. Their breathing may also change

When someone is lying to you, they may begin to breathe heavily, Glass said. "It's a reflex action."

When their breathing changes, their shoulders will rise and their voice may get shallow, she added. “In essence, they are out of breath because their heart rate and blood flow change. Your body experiences these types of changes when you’re nervous and feeling tense — when you lie.”



3. They tend to stand very still

It's common knowledge that people fidget when they get nervous, but Glass said that you should also watch out for people who are not moving at all.

"This may be a sign of the primitive neurological 'fight,' rather than the 'flight,' response, as the body positions and readies itself for possible confrontation," said Glass. "When you speak and engage in normal conversation, it is natural to move your body around in subtle, relaxed, and, for the most part, unconscious movements. So if you observe a rigid, catatonic stance devoid of movement, it is often a huge warning sign that something is off."



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Bose's $350 noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have if you want to live in a quieter world – and they sound great, too

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At $350, Bose's comparatively expensive QC35II headphones aren't for everyone, especially if all you want is a simple, good pair of Bluetooth headphones.

But Bose's Quiet Comfort headphones come with noise cancelling, and they're usually the best at drowning out unwanted ambient noise. If you're in the market for noise cancelling headphones, the QC35II should certainly be near the top of your shortlist. 

They deliver premium audio quality, but they're not my favorite headphones for music, as I personally prefer a little bit more bass than they deliver for bass-heavy music. But their excellent noise cancellation and extreme comfort make the QC35II my go-to pair of headphones for every day use. 

Check out the Bose QC35II headphones:

SEE ALSO: I’d recommend these almost-perfect $150 Bluetooth headphones to everyone I know

The QC35II are perfect for the office.

The QC35II creates a sound proof bubble in the office. They totally remove the hum of the office air conditioners at BI, which can be incredibly loud. Other sounds like office chatter, doors closing, and footsteps are muffled, but they're still audible. Don't expect the kind of silence you get at a library, but these headphones absolutely make the office a less distracting place to work in. 



It might not seem like they do a great job in a noisy environment, but they do.

The QC35II muffle the sounds of commuting, like subways and noisy streets, but everything is still largely audible. I wasn't very impressed at first, but then I took the headphones off in the middle of a subway ride and realized just how much sound they were cancelling out.

The same thing goes for walking around NYC. I initially thought the city was still pretty loud while using QC35II. But once I took them off, I wondered how people live without ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones. It's pretty amazing, and it makes commuting a lot more comfortable. 

 



They're the next best thing after ear plugs for air travel.

The headphones don't completely remove an airplane's hum, but they're close! It's the same experience as during my commute. You don't realize just how much noise the QC35II headphones cancel out until you take them off. I wondered the same thing as I did with my commute: How could anyone possibly go through a flight without ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones?

The headphones also come with an aux cord that plugs into the headphone jack of any device that still has a headphone port, like an airplane's entertainment system.



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