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Best wireless headphones with mic for conference calls
Let’s face it: conference calls are rarely ever smooth. Best-case scenario, you only say “what” a few times, and worst-case scenario, you spend an hour of your day parodying an old Verizon commercial. Seeing how the ability to work from home has become more relevant even post-pandemic, the right equipment for telecommuting is essential. We’ve put together a list of the best headphones for conference calls to make remote work a little less frustrating.
What's new?
- This article was updated on January 2, 2024, to refresh our Top Picks and Notable Mentions.
- Whether you work from home or at the office, check out our list of the best gaming headsets with good microphones for more options and the best headphones for work to suit every need besides just conference calls.
For our top five picks, you can find the isolation and frequency response charts at the end of each image gallery. You can learn more about how to read our charts.
Why the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the best headphones for conference calls
Sony’s flagship noise canceling headphones receive plenty of praise, all of which is well deserved. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is one of the best all-around headphones you can buy and has a great microphone system for hands-free calls. Sure, the headset is pricey, but it is a smart investment for anyone beholden to telecommuting in these odd times.
Compared to its predecessor, the microphone on the WH-1000XM5 is much better. A speaker’s voice comes through clearly with the XM5 microphone system, even in sub-optimal conditions like a windy day or typing at the office. This is about as good as embedded mic systems get, and if you want something better, you’ll need to attach an external boom mic.
Microphone quality aside, this is a great headset: it supports a slew of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, such as AAC and Sony’s proprietary LDAC. No matter what device you’re streaming from, you’re guaranteed to enjoy optimal sound quality here. If you want to kick it old school and plug-in via the 3.5mm cable, you can do so for high-resolution audio. This is great for anyone who wants to enjoy lossless FLAC files from Amazon Music HD or Qobuz.
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For anyone who works in an office, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a wonderful pick. Take a listen to our samples below.
Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal):
Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Office):
How does the microphone sound to you?
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Noise canceling is the best in the business. The WH-1000XM5 is reliable and combats external noise more effectively than the WH-1000XM4 or Noise Canceling Headphones 700 from Bose. Even if you’re just a casual commuter, the headphones attenuate subway hums and chatter well, too. Out of the box, you’ll enjoy a more neutral frequency response than its predecessor, meaning you won’t get that slight emphasis in the low-end—as common among consumer headphones.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are future-proof
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones impress with high-performing active noise canceling (ANC) capability, ensuring that background noises like traffic or office chatter are significantly reduced. This feature, coupled with the headphones’ excellent noise isolation, creates an ideal auditory environment for both the wearer and the listener on the other end of the call.
Comfort is another critical factor for prolonged wear during long meetings or conference calls, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra excels in this area. The headphones are designed with wide, soft-padded ear cups that accommodate even those who wear glasses, ensuring comfort over extended periods. Weighing a mere 253g, their lightweight nature reduces wearer fatigue, making them suitable for all-day use.
For call quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are equipped with a capable microphone array, ensuring clear voice transmission. Additionally, the headphones offer convenient controls for managing calls and playback, ensuring that users can easily mute, play, or pause without distraction. The incorporation of Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless, alongside Bluetooth 5.3, further enhances connectivity and audio quality, ensuring that every word is heard with precision and without lag.
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Office conditions):
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The large, dense ear pads do a great job sealing your head, leading to excellent isolation, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones do a rock-solid job of dispelling outside noise. In the real world, this means that noises like bus engines, train screeches, and airplane whines will have their loudness reduced by about 87% — not too shabby.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is a more affordable true wireless option
Of course, not everyone wants to spend a bunch of money on wireless earbuds. For that crowd, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC isn’t a bad option to look for. At just under $100 on most e-commerce sites, this model represents the most affordable option on this list. Though it won’t last as long as some of the over-ear headphones out there, ninety bucks aren’t exactly a lot for a professional chatting device nowadays.
These are definitely a contender for some of the best affordable noise canceling earbuds based on performance and value. Anker uses six microphones and an AI algorithm for the Liberty 4 NC. In an office, the buds filter most noises well, although they struggle with keystrokes, occasionally overwhelming your speech slightly. The Liberty 4 NC handles street and windy conditions better, filtering most ambient street noise leaving a slight background haze but nothing distracting. Upu also get Adaptive Noise Control (which you can turn on/off), five levels of manual noise canceling, wind reduction (on/off), and even transportation-specific ANC so you can listen to your calls wherever you are.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC microphone demo (Office conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
Have an iPhone? Get the AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
iPhone users should consider the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) for its compact build, H2 chip integration, and noise canceling properties. Not to mention, the microphone array is very good for a set of true wireless earbuds.
Ever since the nozzle-less AirPods, Apple has impressed us with its mic quality. This is the headset to get if you plan to take a lot of phone calls. Pretty much anyone who uses the AirPods Pro for calls will sound as they do in real life with minimal distortion.
As far as sound quality goes, Apple’s buds have a fairly neutral frequency response where it matters from 100-1,500Hz. This is where most instrumental frequencies lie, particularly fundamentals. Most music will sound good so long as you’re able to get a proper fit.
The new USB-C charging case is compact and compatible with Qi wireless chargers. The AirPods Pro’s compact size is definitely a big plus and great for people who onebag their way through life. The AirPods Pro is also a great option for travel due to ANC performance, which is even better in this new generation than the last. Heck, Apple even throws in a special DSP to optimize noise canceling if the seal isn’t ideal. Pretty intelligent stuff there, Apple.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Ideal):
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) microphone demo (Office):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless is for serious gaming and audio
You can use gaming headsets as your headphones for conference calls, too. After all, discreet designs like the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless look like they mean business with a dedicated boom mic and without any RGB light show glitz. The Arctis 7+ boasts an exceedingly impressive 71 hours 42 minutes, and as if that weren’t enough, it connects to almost anything.
You get a 3.5mm hardwired connection and a USB-C dongle that connects to your computer and most game consoles. The Arctis 7+ can connect to your phone (using the dongle) if it has a USB-C port, as well. This pretty much guarantees you’ll avoid any hiccups Bluetooth can introduce. The fit is comfortable for long sessions, and you can use the software to alter the EQ settings.
SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless microphone demo (Ideal):
SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless microphone demo (Office):
SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless 3.5mm connection microphone demo (Ideal):
How does the microphone sound to you?
Is the Sony WF-1000XM5 good for teleconference meetings?
With the included set of four foam ear tips, the Sony WF-1000XM5 isolates very well, with excellent ANC too. A long battery life of 9 hours and 32 minutes ought to carry you through the majority of your work day. Its LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs transmit over Bluetooth 5.3, meaning your audio will remain stable and sound good no matter which operating system you use. Finally, the companion app supplies Sony 360 Reality Audio for when you’re off the clock.
Can you use the Logitech G435 Lightspeed gaming headset for work?
Yes, you absolutely can use the Logitech G435 Lightspeed as a pair of work headphones thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity and low latency USB-A RF adapter. When you enable Bluetooth, you get your pick of just SBC and AAC, the latter of which works more reliably on Apple hardware than it does on Android hardware. The headset really stands out when it comes down to value. For much less than $100, you get a solid microphone and comfortable headset with 24-hour battery life. We wish you could enjoy wired playback over the G435 Lightspeed, but you can’t win everything. Luckily, for the professionals out there, it comes in notably more subdued colors.
Logitech G435 Lightspeed microphone demo (Ideal):
Logitech G435 Lightspeed microphone demo (Office):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The best Bluetooth headphones for conference calls: Notable mentions
- Anker Soundcore Life Q35 ($99.99 at Amazon): The incredible battery life of well over 40 hours can get you through an entire week of conference calls. With AAC- and LDAC-powered sound, multi-device pairing, ANC, and great noise isolation, you’ll also enjoy these headphones during your off hours.
- Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($149 at Amazon): With support for LDAC (or AAC and SBC), Bluetooth 5.3, decent ANC, and 55 hours and 48 minutes of battery, you’d be surprised how good the mics sound in less-than-perfect conditions.
- Apple AirPods Max ($424.99 at Amazon): Is your job subsidizing your headset? If yes, take the opportunity to pick up the AirPods Max, assuming you have an iPhone and other Apple devices to use with it. This has great microphone quality on the right device.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT2 ($198 at Amazon): If you’re looking for no-nonsense Bluetooth headphones that sound great, last forever, and give you the option of wired listening, get these. Microphone quality isn’t perfect, but you won’t find much to complain about, especially relative to cheaper headsets like the Anker Soundcore Vortex.
- Jabra Elite 45h ($99 at Amazon): For some of the best battery life on a wireless headset and useful tactile buttons, get the Jabra Elite 45h. So long as active noise cancelation is not a concern (because there is none).
- Jabra Elite 85h ($190.99 at Best Buy): Try this if you like everything about the Elite 45h but you really just want ANC and a more comfortable fit.
- Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 ($249.99 at Amazon): Microphone quality is fine, but the Surface Headphones 2 made it on our list because Microsoft included a dedicated mic mute button. This is a must-have feature for anyone who spends their days clicking in and out of various Zoom calls.
- Razer Barracuda X (2022) ($99 at Amazon): Don’t let its light weight fool you. This pair of gaming headphones packs a punch. We loved the great sound quality and the solid battery life of almost 60 hours. You can connect the Razer Barracuda X (2022) via a 3.5mm audio jack, the included USB-C dongle, or Bluetooth.
- Shokz OpenComm ($159 at Amazon): This bone-conduction headset looks a lot like the popular AfterShokz Aeropex, but it also has an external boom mic for better mic quality. If you already like all the perks of bone-conduction headphones and want to bring them to the office, get the OpenComm.
- Sony WH-1000XM4 ($278 at Amazon): Even if it’s no longer top dog, it uses the same app as the newer WH-1000XM5, with broadly the same features, and holds its own against most Bluetooth headphones.
- Sony WH-XB910N ($148 at Amazon): The “XB” here stands for “extra bass,” so if you’re a bass head, this is the option for you. It doesn’t have the absolute best mic quality on the market, but it’s good enough to get you through regular meetings and family calls.
- Sony WF-1000XM4 ($278 at Amazon): The predecessors to Sony’s latest flagship earbuds carry many of the same features, such as foam ear tips for excellent isolation and decent, if not a bit outdated, ANC. They are also cheaper now that the newest version has been released.
- Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 ($99 at Amazon): This Bluetooth-enabled gaming headset has a very good boom microphone and bass-heavy frequency response (typical of gaming headsets). You can connect this to your phone over Bluetooth 4.2 or to your PC with the 2.4GHz USB RF dongle adapter.
If you want a more portable headset, check these options out
- Beats Fit Pro ($159 at Amazon): For use with iPhone and Android alike, the Fit Pro fits securely, boasts a six-hour battery life per charge, ANC, and the mic isn’t bad either. Bonus H1 chip integration for your iPhone is handy too.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds ($169 at Amazon): These earbuds may not be the youngest on the block, but are very good all ’rounders with stellar noise canceling, similar to the Jabra Elite 85t. As an added bonus, you can find it at a discount due to the QuietComfort Earbuds II release.
- Google Pixel Buds Pro ($199 at Amazon): The first Google Buds with noise canceling, outfitted with good mics, and a fairly comfortable fit. So long as your meetings don’t take place with you jogging on a treadmill, the earbuds will stay in.
- Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC ($150 at Amazon): If you’re looking to cancel out the office air conditioner or the din of your daily commute, the Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC can help. Active noise canceling easily combats low-pitched frequencies, and as far as sound quality goes, vocals are pleasantly emphasized.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro ($179 at Amazon): Possibly one of the comfiest earbuds on the list, Samsung’s earbuds sound good, with some of the best ANC on tap, and the mics handle sub-optimal conditions well. The battery life is a bit shorter than some other picks.
Hold up! Something’s different:
Some of our picks’ frequency response and isolation charts were measured with our old testing system. We have since purchased a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 test fixture (and the appropriate support equipment) to update our testing and data collection. It will take a while to update our backlog of old test results, but we will update this article (and many others!) once we’re able with improved sound quality measurements and isolation performance plots. These will be made obvious with our new chart aesthetic (black background instead of white).
Thank you for bearing with us, and we hope to see you again once we’ve sorted everything out.
What you should know about Bluetooth headphones for conference calls
No matter what headphones for conference calls you’ve decided to run with, the odds are pretty high that your conference call will still sound bad, even if you sound good.
There are plenty of reasons for this poor audio quality and transmission, one of them being a consequence of limited bandwidth: dynamic range compression. This processing reduces loud sounds’ volume levels while increasing quieter ones, effectively stripping the unnecessary frequencies from your voice. This is great for efficiency purposes but can make people, especially those with cheap headsets, sound bad. To get a better idea of issues surrounding telecommuting and how you can improve call quality.
A proper fit will optimize audio quality
To get the best sound quality during your call, you need to find a proper fit. When external noise permeates your headphones’ barrier, auditory masking occurs. This can result in poor audio clarity and make it difficult to perceive details from your music or during a call.
When using over-ear headphones, finding a proper fit requires that your ears fit within the ear cups. On-ear headphones are a different story: you want the ear cups to lay flat against your outer ear. This positioning will lessen any chance of background noise masking your music. Bespectacled workers may need to invest in third-party ear pads. SoundGuys recommends velour material as it’s forgiving and still wraps nicely around eyewear arms.
What makes a good headset microphone?
The best wireless headset microphone is one that is separate from the headset itself, so the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC or the V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless Codex with its proprietary BoomPro attachment. The main benefit of having an external microphone is that it more effectively mitigates the proximity effect. This way, your voice won’t be unevenly amplified across the frequency spectrum. When irregular emphasis does occur, your voice sounds unnatural and could be considered “echoed” or “distant.”
If you opt for one of the more versatile headsets without an integrated boom mic, the quality will still be good. Still, there are some things to be aware of: clothing may rub against the microphones and transmit an irritating crinkle sound to the person on the other end of a call. An easy way to fix this is to forgo your style inclinations and un-popping your collar. It’s also good practice to be aware of hoods that could do the same thing.
What’s more, make sure you’re placing the left ear cup on your left ear and the right cup on your right. It sounds silly, but if you’re in a rush, there’s a good chance for you to accidentally flip the directions here. Wearing the headphones incorrectly can have a huge negative impact on microphone quality since the mics operate under the assumption that users wear them the right way.
There are a few things we prioritized when picking out headphones for conference calls. Although background attenuation is important, and all picks perform above average in this regard, it’s second to raw microphone quality. Yes, reducing external noise by way of an advanced system is great, but if the actual microphone still isn’t up to snuff, it doesn’t matter how well tertiary mics cancel ambient noise.
What’s more, amplification doesn’t always mean better sound quality. There are plenty of headset mics that use loudness as a crutch at the expense of clarity. We made sure to avoid adding those products to the list of the best headphones for conference calls.
Keep your expectations realistic: headsets rarely have a passable microphone, making every listed pair of headphones for conference calls an exception to the rule. Even though there are some great options highlighted, the fact remains that microphone quality won’t compare to a dedicated XLR or even a USB mic.
These picks are headphones first, conference call tools second
Although we do have one specific set of professional headphones listed, the fact remains that most of us are looking for a versatile pair of headphones for conference calls, something that does it all well. That’s why most of our top picks are consumer headphones with top-notch mic systems built-in. If you’re looking for more professional, office-oriented headsets, we have some great options in the notable mentions section.
You may not expect a gaming headset to be a great option for conference calls, but the fact that most models include external microphones makes them ideal candidates for calls. The downside is sometimes, the microphones aren’t removable, or the headsets have a specific aesthetic that won’t please most users. However, if you just want good microphone quality in your headphones, a cheap gaming headset will be a good bang for your buck.
Headphones can cause tinnitus, but if you’re using them properly and listening at safe volumes, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Plenty of people experience what the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) classifies as a normal degree of hearing loss. This happens with exposure to loud sounds over time and age. There are also more specific variants of hearing loss (e.g. sensorineural and conductive hearing loss) that are preventable. With regards to headsets, the easiest way to prevent auditory damage is by keeping volume levels below a dangerous output. It’s unlikely that you’ll crank up the volume to dangerous levels during a conference call, but you may be tempted to do so when listening to music. We encourage you to avoid this and either invest in one of the noise canceling options or go to great lengths to find a proper fit.
Why you should trust SoundGuys
We strive to educate our readers on the perpetually evolving world of consumer audio. When approaching any audio product, we acknowledge that assessing it requires a combination of objective testing and subjective reflection: not everyone wants a studio sound, and that’s just fine. At the end of the day, we want you to be happy with your purchase if one is made. Although SoundGuys does use referral links, none of our writers benefit from awarding one product over another.
Frequently asked questions about the best Bluetooth headphones for conference calls
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II has a microphone that does a good job of rejecting external noise. If you want something more compact, consider the Bose Sport Earbuds.
It depends on what you’re doing while teaching. If you’re going to be sitting at the computer the whole time, you may want to opt for a standalone mic for better audio quality. Still, you’ll probably also want to be wearing headphones so that, when your students speak, it doesn’t echo through your microphone.
If you’re going to be standing and drawing on a whiteboard, having a wireless headset might be a more ergonomic solution. The long and short of it is this: a standalone mic will almost always have better quality than a headset, but a headset is usually more convenient.
For one thing, having a headset improves ergonomics because it frees up your hands and allows you a larger range of movement. Call quality is also better with a headset because you can hear through both ears rather than one, and speakerphone is typically low quality too. Additionally, if your headset has a dedicated boom microphone, your colleagues will be able to hear you crystal clear.
Whether a pair of headphones fit you well depends on your particular ear shape, if you wear glasses or have ear piercings, and, of course, the build of the headphones themselves. If you are wearing headphones for many hours at a time, you’ll probably want to go with over-ear headphones because they don’t squish your ear in any way. Of this list, we recommend the Shure AONIC 50 because of its thick memory foam ear cups and headband adjustability for any head size.
To answer your question, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series are pretty good true wireless headphones. However, because you’re using a MacBook, there are certain features you may miss: for example, Siri won’t work, and you won’t have Google Assistant either. For a true wireless earbud, the microphone is surprisingly decent. There’s no noise cancelation, which may or may not be important for your environment.
With that said, for the price, there are other options that might suit you better and lend some Apple functionality, like the Jabra Elite 7 Pro, which has a great microphone for a wireless earbud. You get Apple compatibility via app support.
Dive into those Zoom calls with the Jabra Elite 45h. Specially designed for those sporadic Zoom encounters, they not only pack a battery punch but also come with some seriously user-friendly tactile buttons. Fancy hearing your own voice during those long calls? The Elite 45h’s got your back with its sidetone effect.
If noise canceling is the game, Sony WH-1000XM5 is the name you ought to remember. These headphones don’t just play; they dominate. Boasting an ANC unit that’s in a league of its own, they tackle external nuisances with unparalleled finesse.
Noise canceling headphones are they’re fantastic at immersing the wearer in a cocoon of silence, blocking out the chaotic hum of the world around. But, when you’re chatting on a call, your listener might is not as lucky. Noise cancelation works wonders for the headphone user, but for the person on the other end? Not so much. They will still catch wind of background noises. So, while you’re shielded from the ambient sounds, your conference call buddies might still get an earful of that lively cafe background.