The 7 Best Earbuds & Bluetooth Headsets For Phone Calls - Fall 2023 Reviews

The best Bluetooth headset for phone calls we've tested is the Bose 700 Headphones Wireless. These over-ears have an integrated mic that performs very well. Your voice sounds clear and natural, and it can separate your voice from moderate background noise if you're talking in a noisy environment. Thanks to their ANC system, they also do an exceptional job blocking noise, like ambient chit-chat, which is handy if you work in a noisy office. If you need to take calls throughout the day, their battery lasts over 20 hours continuously, and their auto-off timer can help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off.

You can pair them with your PC and smartphone simultaneously, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ if you want to adjust their sound profile. That said, if you're looking for headphones optimized for Microsoft Teams or Unified Communication (UC) software, it's worth checking out the Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless. Their flip-out boom mic does a better job of isolating your voice from background noise, and thanks to their dedicated control scheme Teams and UC software, they're also well-suited for call centers and remote work. However, they're more expensive and make your voice sound less full-bodied than the Bose. They also frequently go in and out of stock on Amazon, though they're often available directly from the manufacturer or smaller retailers.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Bose. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

The best upper mid-range Bluetooth headphones for phone calls are the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless. They're hybrid headphones designed for both casual and gaming use, which sets them apart from other headphones on this list. However, don't let their gamer-centric features deter you: their integrated mic offers decent overall performance, so people hear you clearly over the phone. While their ANC system doesn't block out as much overall ambient noise as the Bose 700 Headphones Wireless, they still do an excellent job of cutting out background conversations and rumbly bus engine noise. Their battery also lasts longer than the Bose's, with over 34 hours of continuous playback time to last through long days at the office.

These over-ears have a fairly versatile sound profile. Although voices can sound a bit harsh, you can fine-tune their sound to your liking using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets. They also come with a wireless USB dongle that lets you stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. While they have a comfortable fit, there are better options for all-day wear, like the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless. They have a lighter, more comfortable fit and are better padded than the Razer, which helps reduce fatigue over time. They have a similar overall mic performance to the Razer, but their ANC system doesn't block out as much sound.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Barracuda Pro. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

At the mid-range price point, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are the best wireless headphones for making calls we've tested. These headphones are the pricier successor of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and offer a much better mic performance along with some useful extra features. The integrated mic has adequate recording quality, so your voice will be understandable but a little thin and lacking detail. Fortunately, it does a great job of separating your voice from ambient sound, so your voice isn't drowned out if you make a call from a busy street. Their ANC feature also blocks out more noise, particularly bass-range noise like rumbling engines, so you can hear calls even in loud environments.

Their V-shaped sound profile isn't ideal for vocal-centric audio since elements like voices can sound harsh and lacking in detail, but you can customize it with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. While they don't support USB audio like the Razer, they still support multi-device pairing, so you can answer your phone and attend an online meeting on your computer without re-pairing.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Soundcore Space Q45. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

The JBL Tune 760NC Wireless are the best budget Bluetooth headsets for calls we've tested. These headphones don't have the same fantastic noise isolation performance as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, so they aren't as useful in noisy areas. However, their integrated mic has a better recording quality, so your voice sounds natural, clear, and understandable over the phone. While it struggles to separate your voice from loud noises like the sound of a passing train, taking calls in a moderately noisy place like an office is no problem. They're not quite as sturdy as the Q45 but are still decently well-built and comfortable for long durations.

Unlike the previous picks, they don't have a companion app or sound customization features. Fortunately, they reproduce voices clearly and accurately out of the box, so their sound is already suitable for phone calls. The headphones have a long, roughly 40-hour continuous battery life, so you don't need to worry about charging them daily. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected with your phone and computer simultaneously.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Tune 760NC Wireless. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best headphones for calls in the cheap range we've tested. These headphones are a good low-cost alternative to the JBL Tune 760NC Wireless since they have a similarly comfortable fit and a good overall mic performance. Their mic makes your voice sound clear and understandable, but it doesn't separate your voice from ambient sound as effectively as the JBL. As such, these headphones aren't as well-suited for making calls in a busy office.

Their ANC feature blocks out much more noise than the JBL. While it isn't the best at reducing bass-range noise, like rumbling engines, it still does a good job reducing higher-pitched sounds like background conversations. They have a bass-heavy sound profile that delivers intense thump and rumble. Still, their very well-balanced mid-range ensures that voices are clear and present. They also have a long continuous battery life of around 32 hours, so you don't need to recharge them daily. Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device pairing and lack an auto-off timer to save power when not in use.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Soundcore Life Q20. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

Using stereo headphones while driving can be dangerous. If you need to take calls while on the road, you may want to consider a mono headset as it only covers one ear, so you hear what's happening around you. Enter the BlueParrott B450-XT Bluetooth Headset. Its boom mic sits close to your mouth, ensuring your voice sounds clear and natural. It also supports multi-device pairing, meaning you can simultaneously connect to your personal and work phones. It also lasts over 24 hours continuously, but if you aren't on a call, it goes into standby mode to conserve battery life. Its plasticky design can pressure the top of your ear, making it uncomfortable during long drives.

If build quality is a priority, or you prefer an in-ear fit, consider the Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset instead. This headset has a sturdy plastic frame and three different tip sizes to help you get the best fit. It also has a flexible ear hook design that doesn't put too much pressure on your ear. However, the BlueParrott headset's mic offers a significantly better recording quality, and its continuous battery life is longer.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the BlueParrott. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments.

If you prefer an in-ear fit, the best earbuds for phone calls with a wireless design we've tested are the Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless. Unlike truly wireless earbuds, they're connected with a neckband, allowing you to wear them around your neck when not in use. It makes them less compact and portable than most earbuds, but it allows their in-line mic to sit closer to your mouth than TWS earbuds' integrated mics can. As a result, the mic makes your voice sound clear and bright and does a good job of separating it from moderate background noise. However, your voice can still be drowned out by loud noise, like a passing train.

The neckband is flexible and feels light. While the earbuds themselves aren't the most comfortable, there are several differently-sized ear tips, including some memory foam options. They also have an ANC feature that does a good job of blocking out a wide range of noise. Their well-balanced sound profile reproduces voices clearly and accurately, and you can customize it with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. Like most earbuds, they have a shorter continuous battery life than the over-ear options on this list but still provide almost nine hours of continuous use, which is great for long days at the office.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Sony. Or, if you want to hear how it handles background noise, you can listen to our recordings taken in quiet and loud environments. If you'd prefer truly wireless earbuds with no neckband, check out our best earbuds with a mic article for more recommendations!