Best headphones with mic for conference calls

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Let’s face it: conference calls are rarely smooth. In the best-case scenario, you only say “what” a few times, and in the 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.

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.

The WH-1000XM5’s microphone is much better than its predecessor. The XM5’s microphone system clearly conveys a speaker’s voice, 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.

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.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is a comfy gaming headset with a stellar mic

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is an excellent wireless gaming headset that is also well-suited for remote workers and those who take a lot of calls from home. It delivers outstanding microphone quality, with review tests showing that the detachable boom mic captures clear, natural voice audio even in noisier environments. The mic is able to reject a good amount of background noise, like keyboard clacking and outside traffic sounds.

In addition to the stellar mic performance, the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) offers very good sound quality, a long battery life of up to 55 hours, and new connectivity options like USB-C and Bluetooth 5.2. Its comfortable design with thick memory foam padding makes it ideal for wearing over extended periods.

While designed as a gaming headset, BlackShark’s strengths in mic quality, wireless freedom, long battery life, and all-day comfort make it an outstanding option for anyone looking for a wireless headset solution for video calls and working remotely from home or office. At $199, it provides excellent value for those seeking a multipurpose wireless headset.

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, and leaving a slight background haze but nothing distracting. You 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.

The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO is a solid open-back headset with a detachable microphone

The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO is a solid open-back headset choice for those wanting excellent microphone quality. Its open-back design allows sound to pass through freely, creating a more natural and spacious soundstage that excels for gaming, music, and movies in quiet environments.

Despite being targeted at gamers, the VIRTUOSO PRO works incredibly well for remote workers and those who take a lot of video calls from home. It features a detachable microphone that provides clear voice transmission, making it viable for professional use in virtual meetings and conferences. In our review, we were impressed by the mic’s ability to capture voices naturally while filtering out ambient noise.

The premium build utilizes breathable fabric ear pads on aluminum earcups for long-lasting comfort during extended wear. While light on extra features such as wireless connectivity, the open-back design, and incredible mic flexibility make the VIRTUOSO PRO a standout $199 option for a professional-grade audio solution suited equally well for gaming or working from home. Just be aware that the lack of noise isolation means it performs best in quieter environments.

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.

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.

The best Bluetooth headphones for conference calls: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Life Q35 ($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 ($429 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.
• Logitech G435 Lightspeed ($29 at Amazon): This gaming headset makes for a great pair of work headphones thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity and low latency USB-A RF adapter. For much less than $100, you get a solid microphone and comfortable headset with 24-hour battery life.
• 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 ($139.95 at Woot!): 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 ($154.96 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.

What you should know about Bluetooth headphones for conference calls

No matter what headphones you decide to use for conference calls, 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 you’ll 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.

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.

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