For working at home, the best headphones and headsets combine great sound quality and a clear microphone to make calls and answer questions.
A quality headset can make it easier to communicate with coworkers, especially if you have a dual work environment. They can also be used to enhance your multiplayer gaming experience in downtime.
A variety of microphones are included in many headphones today, including the best wireless headphones as well as the best wireless earrings. These microphones are useful for any active noise cancelling (ANC), or transparent modes. However, they also provide additional benefits for voice and video calling.
There are a few ANC models that are not created equal. However, even the most expensive headphone designs can be disappointing with poor-quality mics, which can cause speech blurring. Some models may not have call connectivity.
This list includes a variety of headsets and headphones that we have tested. Please read on to find the right model for you.
Which headphones and headsets are best for working at home?
The Bose 700 headphones are the best for home listening, according to our extensive testing. The company uses intelligent microphone arrays to reduce ambient noise and improve sound quality.
We recommend the Razer Kaira Pro as our second choice. It is a great option for gamers who spend as much time playing games as they do working. The boom mic allows for great call quality whether you are talking to friends in Fortnite or colleagues during a Zoom meeting. It’s also comfortable to wear.
Each option on this list is highly recommended. Scroll down to find the one that’s right for you.
These are the best headphones and headsets for working at home.
1. Bose 700
The best headphones for video and voice calls
Specifications
Battery life (rated), 20 hours (ANC on).
Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 m)
Additional features: Customizable EQ, Adjustable ANC; Charging case (optional).
Weight: 8.8 ounces
There are many reasons to buy
+Adjustable ANC levels+Slick design+Excellent music and call cancellation+Smart buttons and touch controls
Avoidable reasons
-A more expensive option than ANC competitors-No voice control support to Google, Bixby, or Siri
Bose is the world’s leader in active noise cancellation (ANC), and it extends its expertise to voice calling. The Bose 700 headphones are by far the most comfortable pair of headphones for making phone calls.
We found that the 700’s large microphone array picks your voice with exceptional clarity. It also blocks out ambient noises so calls can be made even in busy areas. Bose 700s offer a great fit, exceptional sound quality, and the best ANC available.
2. Razer Kaira Pro
The best headset to use for multiplayer gaming and calls
Specifications
Battery life (rated as): 15 hours
Bluetooth range: 30 feet (10 m)
Extra features: Memory foam earpads; EQ settings
Weight: 11.6 oz
There are many reasons to buy
+Works with almost every system+Great sound+Comfortable fit
Avoidable reasons
-Sound quality is better elsewhere for music playback
Razer Kaira Pro has been a long-standing top wireless gaming headsets. This Xbox Series X/S-friendly option is also a great choice for those who work from home. Why? Its boom microphone is the answer. This mic delivers clear, crisp audio, whether you are chatting with friends and colleagues over Zoom or in heated multiplayer sessions.
We also found it to be comfortable and has good sound quality. However, if you are primarily concerned about music, then this list will suit you better. It has a lot to offer. Its beautiful looks combine a refined chassis with a stylish black-and-green color scheme. Bluetooth connectivity is also slick and robust.
3. Apple AirPods Max
The best Apple headphones to make video and voice calls
Specifications
Battery life (rated), 20 hours (ANC on).
Bluetooth range: 33 feet (10 m)
Special features: ANC; Spatial Audio; Audio sharing; Siri
Weight: 13.6 oz
There are many reasons to buy
+Luxury design +Excellent noise cancelling+Great spatial audio sounds
Avoidable reasons
-Extremely expensive when compared to the competitors here
Apple is not as good as Bose, but they know a lot about headphones that double up as great calling headsets. The AirPods Max are the most expensive and best-looking, but they have some tricks that make it worth the extra cost. One is transparency mode. This allows you to hear your voice and adjust the volume so you can communicate clearly.
The latter is not difficult, and the AirPods Max did a great job in reducing ambient sound’s impact on the microphones. The ANC headphones are also lighter than their weight, which can be useful for long listening sessions, meetings or if you have a lot of talkative friends. These headphones sound fantastic, especially if you use Apple’s Spatial Audio feature.
4. Cleer Audio Alpha
These headphones are amazing! They sound great and have excellent call quality.
Specifications
Battery life (rated), 35 hours (ANC on).
Bluetooth range: 50 feet
Special features: ANC; Customizable EQ; Spatial audio; 3.5mm jack
Weight: 10.2 ounces
There are many reasons to buy
+Premium sound+Quality noise neutralization+Long life+Premium audio features+Attractive and well-built design
Avoidable reasons
Poor comfort levels – Multipoint technology requires work
The Cleer Audio Alphas offer the highest quality audio quality. These drivers are equipped with 40mm ironless speakers, aptX adaptive codec support, customizable EQ, spatial sound, and a 3.5mm audio jack. This dynamic feature allows for rich sound and a wider range of frequencies when Dirac Virtuo spatial music is enabled.
The Alphas offer great sound quality and noise cancellation. They also have a Smart mode, which automatically adjusts to the environment. Ambient noise control mode offers 10 levels of transparency, while Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity provides wireless listening up to 50 feet away.
Qualcomm’s two-mic beamforming architecture, cVcTM, picks up lots of ambient sounds, but it also emphasizes vocals. This means you can still sound loud over background noises.
5. Bose QuietComfort 45
High-quality ANC headphones that make natural-sounding calls
Specifications
Battery life (rated), 24 hours (ANC on).
Bluetooth range not specified
Special features: ANC, Pairable with Bose products; Volume optimized Active EQ
Weight: 8.5 oz
There are many reasons to buy
+Elite active noise cancelling+Refined sound signature+Increased Battery Life+Self-Voice mode to make natural-sounding calls
Avoidable reasons
-Can’t switch off ANC -Lacks many features on older Bose headphones
Bose QuietComfort 45 is an excellent upgrade to its QuietComfort 35 II. It has better ANC, sound quality, and longer battery life. The sound is rich and detailed thanks to the unique TriPort Acoustic architecture. Bose’s microphone array is very powerful. It blocks out large amounts ambient noise and also makes it easy to use voice commands with your native assistant. As long as the environment is quiet, the mics can be used for voice and video calls. We found that wind noise resistance is not the best feature.
It is a big deal to have a longer battery life (24 hour on a full charger) than the predecessors. However, it is also a great deal not being able turn off ANC mode for power preservation. There are some features that were missing from the Bose models in the past.
6. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Excellent call quality and ANC make this the best ANC for productivity.
Specifications
Battery life (rated as): 20 hours
Bluetooth range: 40 feet
Special features: ANC, Customizable EQ and Microsoft 365 integration
Weight: 10.22 oz
There are many reasons to buy
+Clear calling quality+Adjustable ANC, lively sound+Excellent wireless performance
Avoidable reasons
-Battery life is less than that of the competition
Surface Headphones 2 provide solid performance and can boost productivity. The Surface Headphones 2 are clear and loud for voice calls. Microsoft’s eight-mic system filters out as much as 75% of the ambient noise to ensure your ears have uninterrupted listening. The dial controls at the sides of each earcup make it easy to adjust ANC or volume levels.
These headphones shine in productivity features. Voice dictation with Microsoft 365 allows you to record notes in Office programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and multipoint technology which allows you to connect to up 10 devices simultaneously.
7. HyperX Cloud II Wireless
This is a great option for gamers and home-workers
Specifications
Battery life (rated as): 30 hours
Wireless range: 65 feet (20 m)
Special features: Detachable mic
Weight: 10.9 ounces
There are many reasons to buy
+Extraordinary comfort+Good performance all around+Simple and intuitive controls+Long battery lifetime
Avoidable reasons
-Few additional features-Bass could be a little punchier
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless is a great option for anyone seeking a comfortable headset that delivers more-than-serviceable sound quality. The headset’s lightweight design, cordless connectivity and removable microphone make it versatile. It can be used with the included USB adapter to perform triple-duty: as a gaming peripheral, work-from home companion, and portable accessory for your Nintendo Switch or laptop.
The headset’s black-and-red design is very subtle. The headset won’t be as noticeable next to more flashy gaming equipment, but it won’t attract any unwanted attention while you’re out and about. In our testing, the mic delivered clear audio and you can remove it. Bluetooth is not available, but that might be an issue for some.
8. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT
Amazing gaming headset that can handle calls and music.
Specifications
Battery life (rated as): 15 hours
Bluetooth range not specified
Extra features: Customizable Eq
13.5 ounces
There are many reasons to buy
+Unique sound quality+Comfortable to Wear+Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm connectivity
Avoidable reason
-Lackluster battery lifetime
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT’s crystal-clear microphone is one of our favorites for phone or video calls, as well as multiplayer gaming. The microphone is removable and flexible, and also features a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm port, and many other controls.
It’s also an excellent choice for music. The comfort levels are great for long-term use. The battery life is limited to 15 hours. This is a problem as most of its rivals offer longer run times. It took three to four hours for the battery to fully recharge using USB-C, which is attached to a computer.
How to select the best headphones and headsets for working at home
When choosing the best headphones and headsets for working at home, you should consider the price and whether the headphones are wired or wireless. Also, think about whether the headphones will be geared towards music or gaming.
While wired models are useful for making work calls, you may need an adapter depending on the phone. Both Bluetooth and wired models are compatible, but you will likely lose battery life.
All of the wireless models we tested have either array microphones in the earcups, or boom microphones. Boom mics, which are usually found in gaming headsets, can sometimes outperform other headphones in call quality but have different platform compatibility.
Every model has excellent call handling and can play music and podcasts. To ensure that the headset works with your platform, or any future platforms, it is important to identify the model you are looking for.
How to test the best headphones and headsets for working at home
The calling capabilities of microphone-equipped headphones and headsets are tested exactly the way you would expect: by making phone calls. This allows us to make sure that each pair is clear and audible. We also ask the person we call for feedback about how they sound. This allows us to identify problems with the microphone’s volume and clarity, or, conversely if we sound clear enough for others.
While comfort is another important metric, it is subjective. The headphones should be worn for at least two hours per day. This will give you an indication of how comfortable each pair is and how long they can last.
We also evaluate overall audio performance by comparing how each pair plays different music genres and measuring how long it takes to run out of battery.
Final, each pair is scored on a scale of 1-5. The lowest score is 1, while the highest is 5, and the most outstanding headphones may be awarded an Editor’s Choice badge.
More information: Should you make a decision to buy ANC headphones, be sure to check out the best headphones for noise cancellation and best noise cancelling earbuds.
