AirFly SE vs Pro — Compact Wireless Audio Guide

You’ve got noise-cancelling headphones and you hate tangled cords on flights. Enter the AirFly family: tiny Bluetooth audio transmitters that let you use AirPods Pro, AirPods Max or other Bluetooth cans with seatback entertainment, gym machines, or older stereo gear. I’ve thrown one in my travel pouch and used it on three routes this year—quick anecdote: on a red-eye to Lisbon I swapped between in-flight movies and a partner’s playlist without passing cords back and forth. This outline walks you through differences, real-world tips, and the best way to pick the right AirFly for your life.

Side by side comparison — AirFly SE vs AirFly Pro

If you’re deciding on AirFly SE vs AirFly Pro, this side by side comparison focuses on what changes your day-to-day use: battery, pairing, modes, portability, and price. In simple terms, the AirFly SE is the budget-friendly, ultra-portable transmitter for solo listening, while the AirFly Pro adds sharing and more flexibility.

AirFly SE vs AirFly Pro: table-ready specs

Quick verdict (pick fast)

• Best for solo travelers: AirFly SE (simple TX, strong battery, lowest cost).
• Best for sharing + advanced audio: AirFly Pro (dual pairing) or Pro 2 (TX/RX versatility).

Ramses Hernandez: "Setup was straightforward and it noticeably improved my in-flight entertainment experience."

Darnell Burgess: "Compact, reliable, and a must-have for frequent flyers — just remember to charge your headphones too."

One practical note: you may see rare connectivity hiccups after long sessions, so a quick restart of the adapter or your headphones can help.

AirFly SE: budget option and everyday portability

Why the SE works so well as a Budget friendly option

If you mainly need a simple headphone jack adapter that turns any 3.5mm port into Bluetooth, the Twelve South AirFly SE keeps things easy. It’s a TX-only transmitter, so you just plug it into an airplane screen, treadmill, or older stereo and pair your wireless headphones (like AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Bose) in seconds. That “plug-and-play” feel is why it’s one of the most practical travel audio solutions for solo listening.

Portability is the other big win. The SE is tiny (about 0.38 x 1.25 x 1.75 inches) and super light (0.48 oz), so it disappears into your carry-on, tech pouch, or jacket pocket. You also get a carrying bag, which helps keep it from getting scratched or lost.

AirFly SE battery life: built for long travel days

AirFly SE battery life is a standout: you get 20+ hours per charge. In real use, that often outlasts your earbuds, which means the adapter is rarely the thing that dies first on a long day of flights, layovers, and gym time. You can recharge with the included USB charging cable.

Practical limits to plan around

• No dual-headphone pairing (audio sharing is for Pro models).
• No receive (RX) mode, so you can’t stream from your phone to a car stereo or wired speaker.
• No two-prong airline adapter included, so some planes may require a separate accessory.

Quick real-life moment: saving a short flight

You plug in the airline’s worn cabin headphones and the sound is thin and scratchy. Instead, you pop the AirFly SE into the seat’s 3.5mm jack, tap pairing, and connect your AirPods. In seconds, the movie is clear, noise is lower, and you’re not fighting a cable every time you shift in your seat.

Ramses Hernandez: "Perfect for solo travelers who just want quiet, cordless audio without fuss."

Safety tip: avoid high heat and crushing pressure in tightly packed bags to protect the battery. It’s also an Amazon’s Choice pick with 10,000+ units sold, which matches its “everyday reliable” reputation.

AirFly Pro & Pro 2: premium features and upgrades

What the Pro models add: Dual headphone pairing and smarter controls

If the AirFly SE is your simple “plug in and transmit” option, the Pro line is where you upgrade for flexibility. Both AirFly Pro and AirFly Pro 2 support Dual headphone pairing, so you can connect two sets of earbuds or headphones at the same time. That’s ideal when you and a seatmate want to watch the same in-flight movie without sharing wired splitters.

You also get more hands-on control with quick pair and onboard buttons (volume/mute on supported setups). On the AirFly Pro 2, a dedicated power button makes it easier to turn on/off and avoid accidental battery drain in your bag.

AirFly Pro 2 features: Transmit receive modes + future-proof Bluetooth

The biggest jump is that AirFly Pro 2 adds Transmit receive modes (TX/RX). In TX, it works like the SE: it sends audio from a 3.5mm jack (plane screens, treadmills, Switch, older stereos) to your wireless headphones. In RX, it flips the direction and turns any AUX input into a Bluetooth receiver—perfect for a car stereo or powered speakers at home.

• TX mode: plug into a headphone jack and stream to AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Bose, and more
• RX mode: plug into AUX-in and stream from your phone to wired speakers/car audio
• Bluetooth 5.3: a more future-proof connection with better efficiency and stability

Advanced audio codecs: why they matter for sound

One of the most important AirFly Pro 2 features is support for Advanced audio codecs like aptX-HD and aptX Adaptive (with compatible headphones). Codecs affect how Bluetooth compresses audio. Better codecs can mean higher bitrates, which often translates to richer bass, cleaner highs, and fewer artifacts—especially noticeable with music and movies.

Real-world upgrades for travel, cars, and home setups

Darnell Burgess: “Dual pairing and receive mode turned my old car AUX into a streaming hub — genuinely handy.”

Battery is another “Pro” consideration: the source figure lists AirFly Pro up to 16 hours, but you may see 25+ hours mentioned for certain Pro SKUs—so check the exact listing before you buy. Also note that some Pro Deluxe bundles may include a two-prong airplane adapter and a nicer case, but not every package does.

Real-world use cases, quirks, and travel hacks

Everyday wins: from In flight entertainment to the gym

AirFly is one of those travel audio solutions you end up using more than expected. On planes, it’s perfect for In flight entertainment: plug it into the seatback 3.5mm jack, pair your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Bose headphones, and you’re set. At the gym, it helps you connect to treadmills and bikes that still rely on headphone jacks. You can also revive classic stereo systems (older receivers, CD players, portable radios) by streaming audio wirelessly from the stereo’s 3.5mm output to your headphones.

For gaming, it’s handy with devices that offer a 3.5mm jack—think handheld consoles, controllers, or older monitors—so you can keep audio private without a long cable snagging on your bag or armrest.

Pro-only perks: sharing and Car speaker streaming

If you choose AirFly Pro/Pro 2, dual pairing is the big real-world upgrade. You and a seatmate can listen to the same movie with two sets of headphones—no splitter needed. Pro 2’s RX mode also unlocks Car speaker streaming: you can plug it into a car’s AUX port or a wired speaker and send music from your phone over Bluetooth.

Quirks you should expect (and quick fixes)

Reliability is strong overall, but after long sessions you may hit rare connection hiccups—audio drops, or pairing gets “stuck.” A simple restart usually fixes it: power-cycle AirFly, then reconnect your headphones. If you’re troubleshooting fast, try this:

1. Hold the pairing button until it re-enters pairing mode.
2. On your headphones, disconnect/reconnect Bluetooth.
3. If needed, reboot both devices.

Travel hacks: a tiny kit that saves your flight

Practical prep (adapter + spare power) maximizes the AirFly experience on flights. Some aircraft require a two-prong adapter for seatback audio, and no two-prong airline adapter is included in AirFly packages. Also, AirFly’s battery often outlasts your earbuds, so plan to top up your headphones on long flights.

• Pack a cheap two-prong airline adapter.
• Bring a USB-C charger or power bank for mid-trip charging.
• Add a small pouch—carrying case included helps, but a cable organizer keeps everything together.

Ramses Hernandez: "I kept the SE in my carry-on for months — saved me from swapping airline earbuds more than once."

Where to buy, price points, alternatives, and final checklist

Where to buy (and what you’ll actually get)

For most people shopping for budget wireless audio, the easiest place to start is Amazon. The Twelve South AirFly SE (model TS-2259) is listed at $34.97 under ASIN B0BQZBMXD4, and “Like New” used units can start around $19.49. You’ll often see FREE Prime shipping, a FREE 30-day refund/replacement window, and delivery estimates like Tuesday, January 20 (timing varies by location).

AirFly SE also carries an Amazon’s Choice badge and has 10,000+ sales, which helps if you want a proven travel pick. Just remember the big “Airplane adapter included” question: the box typically includes the AirFly and a USB charging cable, but a two‑prong airline adapter is not always included, so you may need to add one for certain seatback systems.

Price points in this AirFly models comparison

If you mostly listen solo, the SE is the value play. If you want shared listening (two headphones at once) or extra flexibility like RX mode (on Pro 2), you’ll pay more for the Pro/Pro 2—but you’ll also match better with higher-fidelity needs and more use cases across travel audio devices.

Alternatives worth considering

If codec support is your priority, the Avantree SoundJet R1 stands out with a claimed 25-hour battery and aptX Adaptive. If your goal is video transmission rather than a 3.5mm headphone jack solution, the Travel Depot Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver is a different category at about $75.99, but it can fit specific setups.

Darnell Burgess: "For the price, the SE is tough to beat; step up to Pro if you share audio a lot or crave better codecs."

Final checklist before you buy

Before checkout, confirm whether you need dual pairing (Pro/Pro 2), RX mode (Pro 2), and any advanced codec support to match your headphones. Double-check package contents for a carrying case and charging cable, and decide if you should add a two‑prong airline adapter so you’re not stuck mid-flight. If you keep those details straight, choosing between these AirFly models is simple—and your next trip is cord-free.