Best Headsets for Working From Home Being productive while working from home can sometimes be a battle. Aside from setting up a dedicated space to do your work, you also need the proper equipment. This often includes the right headphones, headset, or speaker. If you need to make a lot of calls, check out Bluetooth headsets that come with boom microphones and noise cancellation. These features help to block out any sound other than your voice so people on the other end can hear you. If you want to reduce distractions, consider noise-canceling headphones. They reduce ambient noises before they hit your ear, so you can concentrate on work. So many headsets are available on the market that you’re highly likely to find one you like that suits your needs, budget, and design style. Start with our list of the best headsets for working from home. Sony WH-1000XM4 If you’re looking for a top-notch pair of headphones for working from home, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is worth the money. It has great sound quality, noise-canceling technology, and good battery life. It also has smart features like auto-pause and Bluetooth multipoint. Multipoint access allows users to connect to two devices at once, so shifting from listening to music from your phone to getting on a Zoom call is quite easy. Download the Sony Headphones Connect app to access other features like speak-to-chat, which pauses your music whenever the headphones detect that you’re speaking. Price: $349 Pros: Can connect to two devices at once Auto-pauses when you take them off Comfortable and has hinges for folding Cons: Expensive Double-tap to pause doesn’t always work Custom button controls either the assistant or noise cancellation Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are lightweight and easy to use, with a very sleek design. This is one of the best wireless headsets on the market. Bose claims they’re the company’s most advanced headphones ever. The device includes their proprietary active noise-canceling (ANC) technology that lets you control how much or how little of the outside world you can hear. This Bose product includes high-fidelity audio with an adjustable equalizer so you can customize the type of sounds you want. It also has unmatched voice pickup for the clearest calls. Price: $379 Pros: Great active noise canceling Sleek and beautiful design The gesture pad works perfectly Cons: No folding hinges Expensive Incomplete app experience Poly Voyager 5200 Born from Plantronics and Polycom, the Poly company offers the Voyager 5200 Series, fairly standard as Bluetooth headset designs go. It comes with a thin boom microphone and responds to built-in voice commands. The Voyager headset also includes a ton of customization options for phone calls, and the buttons are easy to use even when you’re in the middle of a call. A 98-foot wireless range allows you to be away from your computer while talking. Price: $119.99 Pros: Comfortable to wear for long periods Built-in voice commands Solid noise cancellation Cons: Your voice may come out muffled on phone calls Ear hook may be challenging to fit over glasses Battery life isn’t quite as promised (up to 7 hours of talk time) Earn Air Pro The EarFun Air Pro is fully equipped with noise-canceling microphones and components, so it’s a solid ANC wireless earbud. Even though this product appears larger than other earbuds on the market, many users consider it quite comfortable for long listening sessions. The Air Pro has well-balanced sound, and the built-in microphone makes for clear phone calls. You can access remote commands like start, stop, skip, and call control by tapping on the earpieces. For instance, you can answer a call, end a call, or access Siri on your iPhone by double-tapping the left earpiece. Two taps on the right bud pause or resume playback, and a triple-tap on the left scrolls between Earfun’s noise-canceling modes. Price: $79.99 Pros: Comfortable for long listening sessions Effective noise canceling Long battery life (up to 32-hour playtime) Cons: Touch control commands are somewhat complicated Some sound leaks may occur (others can hear your music) There’s no dedicated app for equalizer adjustments Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 isn’t too flashy, but it sounds great and is sturdy. These over-ear headphones are among the few on the market with a Bluetooth 5 radio, which means no compression errors or added noise to your music. The controls are on the back of the left ear cup, including volume up or down, a slider to turn the headphones on and off and touch controls to toggle your voice assistant of choice. You’ll need to install the Audio-Technica CONNECT app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to get the most out of your headphones. Price: $199 Pros: Great sound quality Excellent battery life of around 50 hours Bluetooth and wired connection options Cons: Thin padding may not be comfortable for long listening sessions Bluetooth carries some drawbacks It May have some heat buildup Jabra Elite 85t The Jabra Elite 85t focuses on improving the audio experience and ANC. This is why these earbuds come with a new pair of built-in speakers, making for a great listening experience. Active noise canceling also works great to block out any loud sounds in your environment. And even though the Jabra Elite 85t product isn’t aimed at sports, thanks to the IPX4 water resistance, you can still use the earbuds for low-impact fitness, such as light jogging while you’re listening to a webinar. The easy-to-use button on each earbud controls music playback, volume, and a feature called HearThrough allows you to temporarily remove noise cancellation to let the outside world in. Price: $199.99 Pros: Adjustable ANC Water-resistant Great audio quality with impressive bass Cons: Much bulkier, which may affect fit More expensive than competitors Noise-blocking technology lessens battery life (up to 25 hours) HyperX Cloud MIX The HyperX Cloud MIX is a closed-back stereo gaming headset with a detachable boom microphone. It has a metal frame wrapped in thick leatherette earpad cushions, making it comfortable for gamers or workers on conference calls to wear for long periods. The HyperX Cloud MIX connects to consoles and PCs through an audio jack, and it’s also compatible with just about every kind of device. These headsets support wireless connections via Bluetooth, but they can’t handle simultaneously wired and wireless connections. So, you have to unplug the audio jack and the boom mic before you can pair them to a Bluetooth device. Price: $199.99 Pros: Very comfortable for long listening sessions Bluetooth and wired connection options Comes with a detachable boom mic Cons: Underwhelming sound quality Bluetooth means no wireless gaming Wireless doesn’t work when plugged in Grado GW100 The Grado GW100 is a lightweight, on-ear, open-back design with foam earpads and that retro feel typical of Grado styling. It’s the brand’s first Bluetooth headphone and it sounds superb, but note that it doesn’t have ANC or acoustic isolation. This headphone is great for working from home but not so great in noisy environments like public transit. It’s super comfortable and can work up to 33 feet away from the source device. All the controls and connections are located on the lower back of the left earpiece. Price: $249 Pros: Clean and clear sound Long battery life (up to 40 hours) Super-comfortable for extended listening sessions Cons: Expensive Allows ambient noise and sound leaks Open-back design isn’t practical for noisy environments Shure AONIC 3 If you don’t mind wires but appreciate excellent sound quality, the Shure AONIC 3 is for you. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and feels secure at all times because you can position the headphone cables over the tops of your ears, instead of just having them hang down. These are the smallest earbuds in Shure’s current lineup, and they come with eight pairs of ear tips spanning four different styles, including silicone, foam, and flange designs. The AONIC 3 also has an in-line remote with a mic along the cable for the right ear to take calls. Depending on whether you’re using an Apple or Android phone, you can flick a switch to enable the playback and volume controls to work. Price: $199 Pros: Balanced sound and superb musicality Lightweight and comfortable Excellent quality and design Cons: Not noise canceling Finding the right ear tip makes or breaks the experience Can transform into wireless in-ear headphones but need an expensive adapter Jabra Evolve2 75 If you’re looking for a Bluetooth headset with excellent sound quality that also works as noise-canceling headphones, the Jabra Evolve2 75 is a good choice. This versatile headset has solid ANC circuitry, an on-ear stereo design, and excellent mic quality. The mic also features a small mute button that you can press even when the boom is retracted and doubles as a voice assistant button when you aren’t on a call. It has a long battery life and a 15-minute quick charge for even more time. You can wear it for hours because it doesn’t get too hot. This makes it ideal for making phone calls and listening to music. Price: $384 Pros: The excellent call quality from the retractable boom mic Quality audio performance with rich bass and bright highs Extremely comfortable Cons: Expensive Combined functions on control buttons can be complicated ANC depends on the headset’s positioning Sennheiser RS 135 The Sennheiser RS 135 wireless headphones are sleek, lightweight, and feature an all-black design with a few silver accents. They come with well-cushioned over-ear pads that make them exceptionally comfortable for long listening experiences. They deliver excellent audio at almost any volume, and the bass mode is a really fun extra touch. However, the Sennheiser RS 135 isn’t a Bluetooth headphone; instead, you get a transmitter box to carry the sound to your ears. Originally intended for delivering a home-theater experience, it’s great for working from home if you don’t make a lot of calls. Price: $122.98 on Amazon Pros: Excellent audio quality Comfortable earpads The strong connection even through walls, up to 328 feet from the source Cons: No Bluetooth connectivity Not portable No mic for making calls AKG N60NC Wireless The AKG N60NC Wireless are closed-back, on-ear headphones versatile enough for everyday use. The headset offers a great combination of quality sound and noise cancellation. The ANC feature blocks an impressive amount of background noise so you can focus on your work. The headphones have a decent battery life that will last you a full workday, although the on-ear design can start to feel uncomfortable over long listening periods. But they support multi-device pairing, which is convenient if you want to switch between your phone and office computer. Price: $59.99 Pros: Noise-canceling Lightweight Competitively priced Cons: Battery life may not be enough for some (up to 15 hours) Not meant for long listening periods Controls can be confusing BlueParrott B550-XT If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that can block out all kinds of noise with an excellent microphone for making calls, then you’ll like the BlueParrott B550-XT. It has a top-notch mic, and its earpiece is the best for blocking out ambient sound so you can hear over children playing in the background of your home office. This headset is also comfortable, so you can use it for a whole day of Zoom meetings. The B550-XT has a BlueParrott button, a power or pairing button below it, and dedicated plus and minus buttons for volume. Although the voice control assistant is limited, you can assign functions using the app. Price: $199.99 Pros: Excellent mic clarity with solid intelligibility, even in loud situations Comfortable Can be controlled by voice using the app Cons: Expensive Wireless connection can be spotty Bulky design and rigid feel Mpow Jaws 6 The Mpow Jaws 6 are portable headphones with earbuds connected to the neckband by non-retractable wire. The headset comes with four sets of ear tips in a variety of sizes to ensure a tight, reliable seal. The Jaws are comfortable in-ear headphones as long as you don’t mind the around-the-neck design. They block a lot of noise and don’t leak sounds. They’re a good option for loud environments and private listening and come at a very affordable price. Price: $23.99 Pros: Good noise isolation Minimal leakage Comfortable Cons: Doesn’t have the best sound quality The build feels plasticky and flimsy Around-the-neck design may feel weird for some Apple AirPods Max The Apple AirPods Max is the most expensive headphones on this list, but they win in the design category. Like most Apple products, the headset is gorgeous and comes in multiple color options ( green, pink, silver, sky blue, or space gray). The earpads are memory foam, lined with an attractive cloth, and fit comfortably. The headset is comparable to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 when it comes to ANC. And the product comes with a lot of features, including Adaptive EQ, spatial audio, and hands-free Siri access. Price: $549 Pros: Excellent audio performance High-quality ANC Hands-free Siri access Cons: Expensive The user can’t adjust the equalizer (Adaptive EQ) Smart Case doesn’t protect the headphones Marshall Major IV If you’re looking for a pair of wireless headphones with a comfortable fit, a nice design, and quality sound without all the bells and whistles, you’ll like the Marshall Major IV. It has comfortable, cushioned earpads and an intuitive knob that easily controls everything. Push the knob once for play/pause and once to answer or end a call. A long push on the knob controls power and Bluetooth pairing. Price: $149.99 Pros: Easy-to-use controls Comfortable to wear Strong battery life (80+ hours of wireless playtime) Cons: No noise cancellation No voice assistance Can be difficult to properly balance wireless charging pads Logitech Pro X The Logitech PRO X is a wired headset marketed to gamers, but many of its features are also attractive to remote workers. This includes comfort, audio quality, and a good microphone. Plus, its price is reasonable for those who don’t want to spend a lot on a headset. The removable boom microphone includes a noise reducer, compressor, and limiter for cleaner, professional-sounding voice communications. This means these headphones are well-suited for work meetings. Price: $129.99 Pros: Comfortable and durable Impressive sound quality Customizable Cons: A narrow headband may not be comfortable for some Wired only Needs both G Hub software (free) and a USB external sound card (included) to access all features Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE The Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE is a gaming headset built almost entirely from aluminum, with a leatherette-covered headband and hinges that rotate to lie flat in either direction. The headphones are well-constructed, so there’s no creaking or reverberating noise while you’re wearing them. The headset comes with a high-end microphone, decent audio, and good battery life. It appeals to at-home workers who need something that can last all day and sound good on a Zoom call. Price: $209.99 Pros: High-quality microphone Comfortable High-end build and design Cons: Expensive Heat buildup with the earpads could be an issue Doesn’t block a lot of ambient noise HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless Gaming Headset The HyperX Cloud Flight Wireless is a simple, versatile headset that works. It’s built comfortably with memory foam cushions, and the earpads are both wide and deep enough to feel pretty roomy. The headset has an excellent battery life (30-plus hours) that can get you through a few full workdays. Although it blocks very little background noise and leaks a lot of your audio, it’s good for working from home (though we wouldn’t recommend it for a busier office). Price: $79.99 Pros: Comfortable design Very good mic performance Easy to use Cons: Poor noise isolation Sound quality varies between platforms 3.5mm jack is not included Why get a headset when working from home? Working from home comes with a lot of benefits, including not having to commute to work and being able to have a better work-life balance. But anyone who’s worked from home also knows of the many challenges, such as distractions from kids, pets, neighbors, and other interruptions. There are also the temptations to do non-work-related things such as household chores. Having a dedicated work setup and accessories like an ergonomic chair and a quality headset can help get the job done. A good pair of headphones can also improve your voice quality during Zoom meetings and phone calls, helping to increase efficiency and reduce the frustration of the whole team. Plus, a headset frees your hands and you don’t have to cradle a phone on your shoulder. Opt for a headset with noise-canceling capabilities to block out background noise. A headphone can also help you focus without distractions or make your favorite background music sound better. Factors to consider when purchasing an at-home office headset Let’s explore some factors to consider when looking for a headset for your at-home office setup. Noise cancellation The noise-cancellation feature on headphones blocks out background noise and distractions. It improves your ability to hear and keeps your conversations clear. When a headphone lists noise canceling as a feature, it means your microphone filters out noise from your end. So, the person on the other side hears you clearly, but you’ll still hear the noises in your environment. If you also want to filter noises for yourself, look for headphones with ANC features. These features use more advanced technology to detect ambient noise and generate a reverse sound wave to cancel it out. The result is that you hear a drastically reduced level of noise. Sound quality Sound quality is highly subjective, but it refers to how accurately headphones can reproduce the audio as intended. A good headset will sound great no matter what you’re listening to. Note that headphones will sound slightly different depending on how the earpads fit on your ears. Play with the positioning and try the ear tips to get the best sound quality. Microphone quality Aside from blocking out ambient noises, you’ll also want the person to hear you clearly and you hear them. If you’re doing most of the talking on your calls, look for a headset with a microphone. Microphones will pick up your voice and reduce the ambient noise in your environment. So, the person on the other side will be able to hear you better and you’ll get better overall sound quality. Comfort Comfort refers to how pleasant headphones are to wear over an extended period. There are several options to choose from when it comes to personal comfort, including over-ear, on-ear, earbuds, and in-ear headphones. A comfortable headset will leave you feeling less fatigued by the end of the day. Of course, nothing beats trying headphones to gauge their comfortability. Factors to consider include: The weight of the headset If the earcup has a complete, comfortable seal How snug the headphones fit against your face The cushioning on the earcups and the headband Price Today’s market has many headsets available at every price point. Selecting the one to buy depends on your preferences and the features you want. With the list above, you’re likely to find the right solution to meet your needs and budget. Brand reputation With the number of headphones on the market, knowing where to start can be hard. Even if you’ve narrowed down your needs to something fairly specific, such as a headphone with ANC, the final process to select what fits your needs best may still be overwhelming. To help you choose, consider the features you’re looking for and see if one brand is a better match than the rest. Trusted headset brands Headphones are available from many great companies. The biggest brands usually have products for every customer, while some brands focus on specific groups like professional musicians or gamers. Bose Bose is one of the leading brands in audio and has been making speakers, headphones, and audio equipment for over 50 years. The company sells the Bose 901 speaker, an updated version of one of its very first products, the Bose 2201 speaker. Bose headphones have been worn by astronauts, while its car audio systems have been factory-installed in luxury brands including Maserati and Maybach. Bose even produced the first commercial acoustic noise-canceling headset for pilots. Today, Bose is well-known for its noise-canceling technology. Sony Sony’s first hugely successful product line in the 1960s was transistor radios, which brought international recognition to the company’s name. Today, Sony is one of the largest electronics manufacturers, with a wide array of products from cameras to TVs. Sony has a large selection of headphones that cater to everyone. But their high-end wireless headsets are among the best and most versatile. Apple Apple is an iconic company that makes much-loved electronics including speakers, smartphones, and computers. The company has also been one of the most valuable in the world since 2010. Even though Apple is one of the biggest companies in the industry, its headphone lineup is a lot smaller than those of its competitors. But its easily recognizable products and streamlined designs garner a significant share of the market. Logitech The Swiss company Logitech was founded in 1981. The company is known for manufacturing computer mice and keyboards, and it also makes worthy gaming headsets. Its well-known brands include Logitech, Logitech G, ASTRO Gaming, Ultimate Ears, Jaybird, Blue Microphones, and Streamlabs. These brands focus on console-oriented gaming headphones and PC gamers. Logitech’s high-end headphones come with a ton of customization options. Jabra Jabra is a Danish audio company that doesn’t shy away from innovation. The brand is known for its great sound quality. More often than not, it’s the first to market cutting-edge, in-ear headphone designs, taking compact headsets mainstream. Jabra has been producing call center and office-oriented headphones for a long time. In recent years, it’s expanded its products to offer more casual and sports-oriented true wireless headphones. Jabra’s Bluetooth headphones also feature solid microphone performance, which is good if you make many calls throughout the day. Use this guide to find the best headphones for you Sometimes, having too many options can be overwhelming. And with the number of headphones on the market, knowing where to start may be hard. It’s best to narrow down your options with a list of needs and preferences, and a budget. From there, you can start your search. Use our list of the best headphones for remote working and work-from-home jobs to find the pair that gives you the optimal choice of comfort, quality, and price.