The Best Noise-canceling Headset with Mic for Working-from home
Do you ever feel like your home office is more like a jungle gym for sound? Between barking dogs, noisy neighbors, and the constant hum of household appliances, focusing on work can feel like an uphill battle. If you find yourself constantly battling background noise distractions, you’re not alone. Millions of work-from-home professionals struggle to maintain productivity in less-than-ideal acoustic environments.
The good news is, there’s a powerful solution: noise-cancelling headsets with microphones. These innovative devices not only block out unwanted background noise, but also come equipped with high-quality microphones for crystal-clear communication during calls and video conferences.
The best headphones with a mic we recommend in 2024
We’ll explore crucial buying factors, compare top contenders on the market, and address common user concerns to help you find the perfect headset to boost your focus and productivity.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: Closed-back | Wireless: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 30hrs | Charging: USB-C | Weight: 250g
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
The award-winning WF-1000XM5 sounds much better than its predecessors in terms of music and calls. Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup technology uses four beamforming mics and AI-powered noise-reduction, plus wind-noise reduction to help your calls sound as clear as possible. The result? Your voice comes through the WH-1000XM5 clearly and without distortion. They also do a great job of suppressing general noise and any gusts of wind that can threaten to drown you out when using fewer headphones.
The XM5 can also pair wirelessly with more than one device at a time, letting you effortlessly switch between music on one, and calls on another.
When we saw the official pictures of the Sony WH-1000XM5, we were more than a bit surprised. We wondered whether it was a wise move to give one of Sony’s biggest success stories in recent memory a major redesign, but it’s paid off.
The XM5 might feel a little less premium than before, but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one, and rivals once again have their work cut out. If you are looking for a new pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones for calls as well as music, your auditioning should start here. The older XM4 (below) was already the best around, but the XM5 is undoubtedly better for those who can afford to pay the premium.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: In-ear | Wireless: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 8hr (+16hrs from charging case) | Wireless charging: Yes | Weight: 250g
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are currently the top option and overall recommendation in our general best wireless earbuds guide. Thankfully, as well as sounding great delivering class-leading levels of detail and clarity in our checks, they are also very good for taking and making calls.
Using them in the office, windy outdoor conditions and busy signal areas, the mics consistently delivered reliable audio, with our test subject on the other end of the line reporting clear audio during all our checks.
We were particularly impressed with how well the mics dealt with wind noise, a factor aided by their new noise reduction structure, which is designed to help them work in difficult outdoor environments. The inclusion of a new bone conductor sensor, which uses AI wizardry to help the earbuds know when you’re talking also made them feel more responsive than most rivals when taking calls.
This is why our testers reported:
“The design and tech changes seem to have done the job. Wind noise is largely subdued, even in the blustery conditions in which we found ourselves during testing. Our voice sounded detailed, clear and easy to follow, which isn’t always the case with wireless earbuds.”
The combination of factors means the WF-1000XM5 are the best headphones with a mic for most people at the moment.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: In-ear | Wireless: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 15hrs (buds: 7.5hrs; case: 7.5hrs) | Charging: USB-C | Weight: 4.6g each
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
These are the middle children in Sony’s earbuds range, sitting neatly between the budget WF-C500 and newest WF-1000XM5.
And they’re a brilliant option that more than justify their price tag. The buds are impressively small, and their lightweight design helps make them even more comfortable than Sony’s new flagship WF-1000XM5, while battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours.
Calls are a joy thanks to Sony’s Wind Noise Reduction Structure blocking out background sound. This helps voices sound natural and clear. Even large gusts of wind didn’t affect the clarity of our conversations. Compared to something like the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS, our voices sound more refined and dynamic.
They lack aptX HD and LDAC but do feature noise-cancelling tech, which the cheaper WF-C500 lack. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality. A software update has seen Bluetooth Multipoint also added so you can be connected to two devices simultaneously.
The sound quality is superbly balanced too, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. They’re a very musical listen for the money, and utterly worthy of a 2023 What Hi-Fi? Award as part of Sony’s dominance of the wireless headphone market.
Downsides? The lack of support for aptX HD and LDAC is disappointing, and, the charging case only provides one extra charge which seems a little mean. But the superb sound and great feature set make these easy to recommend as some of the best Sony headphones available.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: In-ear | Wireless: No | Noise-cancelling: No | Battery life: N/A | Charging: N/A | Weight: 20.4g
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
With a noise-isolating design (no noise cancellation tech), wired connection and 3.5mm headphone jack, you might think these Shures are a little out of step with most modern headphones. And that price! They’ll have to do something pretty spectacular to convince us they’re worth considering.
Thankfully, they do and they are – having now won three consecutive What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023. They time nigh-on perfectly, able to separate strands and knit them together in one glorious musical tapestry. The sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard to be believed.
The same can be said of their dynamic ability. In the nicest possible way, they’re the kind of headphones you can put on and just forget about. There isn’t a single element that sticks out – bass notes don’t protrude and highs don’t cut too deep. They’re honest, transparent and true to the original recording. There’s detail and analysis, but never at the expense of the music’s life and emotion.
They’re comfortable and lightweight, too, and with nine different pairs of eartips, you’re guaranteed a good fit. An in-line mic seals the deal, serving to make calls clearer than many rivals.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: In-ear | Wireless: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 30hrs (buds: 6hrs; case: 24hrs) | Charging: Lightning | Weight: 5.4g each
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
Apple’s in-ear AirPods have always been decent, but unremarkable – something their string of four-star reviews attests to. But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has made a pair of true wireless buds capable of cracking that fifth star.
How? Better noise-cancelling, better battery life, new features and, more importantly, better audio performance. They also cost the same as their predecessors at launch, which helps.
For calls, they’re still decent, just like the first-generation Pro. But throw in all these other improvements, and they’re a real step up.
A new XS size of eartips should help with fit, and thanks to their vents, they feel a lot less intrusive than some in-ears. Apple has finally added on-bud volume controls, which is a lot more intuitive than digging out your phone or barking commands at Siri.
The noise-cancelling blocks out twice as much background sound as their predecessors, while Adaptive Transparency muffles loud noises when letting in ambient sounds. And the sound quality? With added weight, greater detail and even greater dynamic subtlety than the original Pro, they really are a class act.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Style: In-ear | Wireless: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes | Battery life: 6hr (+18hrs from charging case) | Charging: USB-C | Weight: 59.8g
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
REASONS TO BUY:
REASONS TO AVOID:
If noise cancelling is a top priority alongside mic and audio performance, then the Bose Ultra Earbuds are a reliable option, based on our checks.
After thoroughly putting them through their paces in our listening rooms and while out and about we found they deliver a wonderful punchy, musical, sound with plenty of weighty bass alongside the iconic ANC performance Bose has become famous for. Whether it was the high-frequency background engine noise on the Underground, or the low but constant rumble of background office noise, the ANC dealt with it.
But it is the reworked mic design, which performed exceptionally well during our tests, that earns them a place on this list. The big change on past Bose sets is that the Ultra can intelligently detect which mic is experiencing the least noise and tweak its mic’s settings to improve call quality on the fly.
The results led to significantly improved call quality during our checks, especially compared to their predecessors, leading to our testers’ conclusion:
“During testing, we found the new model does provide a big step up. Background noise was more heavily suppressed and broke through less often, while our voices came through much more clearly.”
The only reason they’re not higher on this list is that we feel some of the sets higher on this list offer better value for money.
Factors to consider when buying a headset
Budget
Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on new wireless headset. The quality of value-priced headsets continues to improve, so you can find good affordable headsets and headphones for less than $100. But the premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost $200 or more — sometimes much more.
Boom microphone or not?
When a headphone has boom microphone, that’s when it technically becomes what we describe as a “headset.” While many consumer headphones work well for making calls, having an extended microphone that sits closer to your mouth can improve how well your voice gets picked, making it sound clearer. When retracted, some boom microphones will mute the headset so people can’t hear you. And some boom mics now feature mute buttons on them. This is an important feature for video calls where you want to easily mute and unmute yourself. The downside to having the boom microphone is that it makes you look like you’re wearing a headset instead of headphones. That’s a bit of factor if you plan on wearing whatever you buy outside your home or office.
Fit, aka comfort
It’s key that the headset or headphones you buy fit your head well. They should offer a comfortable fit that’s snug yet not too snug. Ideally, you want a headset of headphones you can wear over the course of a day with minimal breaks.
Durability
You want headset that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality.
Return policy
It’s critical to buy your headphones at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer’s remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days, and then return one.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HEADPHONES WITH A MIC FOR YOU
As a baseline, given our focus on audio, all the headphones on this list need to deliver solid musical performance, though for this specific guide, we’ve weighted mic quality more heavily than we normally would.
That’s why you’ll see the entries are different to our best headphones, best wireless earbuds and various other buyer’s guides where mic quality is less of a core focus. With that in mind, here’s what we look for when testing headphones and earbuds with a mic.
Call quality is the core area we expect headphones with a mic to deliver on. If the mics can’t deliver crystal clear call quality then they’re not going to appear on this list. But that’s just the start of our mic checks. On top of voice delivery, for wireless sets we also factor in connection stability. No matter how good a mic is, the headphones won’t be able to deliver good call quality if they’re prone to signal dropouts.
As a hi-fi focused brand, while we factor in mic quality more than normal in this list, audio quality is another key metric any headphone needs to deliver on before we can recommend it. Whenever we check headphones we have our testers listen to a variety of different tracks from various genres using a range of sources to make sure they deliver good audio.
If the headphones support the technology, reliable ANC is another key area we expect most modern headphones with a mic to deliver on. ANC (active noise cancellation) is a key area that can help headphones with a mic block out background noise
Many of the sets on this list are wireless, which is why we also want them to deliver reliable battery life. If you’re looking for headphones with a mic specifically, you’re likely on calls regularly. So having a set that’ll run dry after a few hours of use isn’t practical.
Comfort is the final big factor we check for when choosing the best wireless headphones and earbuds with a mic. Like any pair of headphones or item you wear, comfort is a key factor. With that in mind, we expect any headphones or earbuds with a mic we test to offer a comfortable fit, and reliable seal even when worn for prolonged periods.
HOW WE TESTED THESE HEADPHONES WITH A MIC
Multiple testers making direct comparisons: We test headphones with a mic with the same methodology we do with any product. Specifically, multiple reviewers test the products independently and then compare notes. This ensures it is never one tester’s opinion.
When making performance comparisons with competing products we think buyers will also be considering, we test the two directly against each other to ensure our findings are based on real-world use, not our memory.
Call quality: When testing headphones for mic quality we run a variety of call quality tests. These include taking calls in indoor and outdoor conditions. Indoors we use them with general office background noise and light conversations in the background. Outdoors we run them in windy conditions, an area most mics struggle with, and busy train stations. In each instance, we get a team member in a controlled quiet environment to report back on the call/voice quality.
Audio: Testing audio quality, we play a variety of test tracks in our dedicated listening rooms and out in the world, with the headphones connected to our reference system, and any other sources we think are appropriate to the product’s price. The tracks we use are designed to gauge key factors including their detail, dynamism, rhythmic precision and more.
Battery life: Where applicable we always check how much battery life headphones with a mic offer. To do this we check how many hours of music playback they offer with ANC on and off. We also check how much battery life is drained when using the mic on video and voice calls.
ANC: When testing headphones with a mic, we check how effective their active noise cancellation is. To do this we use them to listen to music and take calls in environments with various levels of background noise. These range from our office to busy train stations and windy outdoor environments.
Comfort: We check if headphones with a mic can provide a comfortable fit for a variety of head sizes during our testing process. This involves multiple members of the team wearing and using them during the review process. During this, we check everything from the clamping force and the number of band adjustment options on over-ears. For in-ears, we check if they have enough tip options to provide a comfortable fit, with a solid seal for most common ear sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The benefit of a boom microphone is that it extends out, which puts it closer to your mouth and makes picking up your voice easier. Some headphones and earbuds with beam-forming microphones do a very good job of picking up your voice, but a good boom microphone is often the superior option. The only downside is that unless it truly retracts and is able to blend into the headphone’s design when retracted, it makes the headset less attractive looking as a standard headphone for mobile use.
Yes. Many gaming headsets have retractable microphones and are designed for chatting online with fellow gamers. That makes them good for video-conferencing apps but not everybody likes how they appear wearing a gaming headphone for a business call.
People tend to look better wearing small earbuds than full-size headphones. But it’s really just a matter of personal preference. The one downside to earbuds is that they usually have far less battery life than full-size headphones, so you’ll probably have to charge them during a break to use them for an entire day.
Yes, there are several headsets specifically designed to cancel background noise. These include models like the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, Sony WH-1000XM4, and the Jabra Evolve2 85. These headsets use advanced noise-canceling technology to minimize ambient sounds, making them ideal for both listening and communication in noisy environments.
As of now, the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are widely regarded as the top contenders for the highest noise cancellation. Both models use cutting-edge technology to provide exceptional noise reduction, making them favorites among users who need to block out external sounds effectively.
For blocking out open office noise, the Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort 45, and Apple AirPods Max are among the best options. These headphones offer superior noise-canceling capabilities and comfortable designs, making them suitable for long hours of use in a busy office environment.
Noise-canceling headphones use electronic processing to generate an “anti-noise” signal that cancels out ambient sounds. They are most effective at reducing low-frequency noises, such as airplane engines or traffic. Noise-blocking (or noise-isolating) headphones, on the other hand, rely on physical barriers to block external sounds. This is achieved through the design of the ear cups or ear tips, which seal the ear to prevent sound from entering.
The title of “king” of noise-canceling headphones often goes to Sony or Bose. Currently, the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are frequently cited as the leaders in this category, offering top-notch noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. However, preferences can vary based on personal needs and specific use cases.
