The 7 Best Earbuds & Bluetooth Headsets For Phone Calls - Fall 2024

The best Bluetooth headset for phone calls we've tested is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. Their integrated mic performs well, with very good noise handling performance, so your voice sounds clear and natural, even if you're calling from a noisier environment. Thanks to their ANC system, these headphones also do an exceptional job blocking background noise, like chatty coworkers, which is handy if you work in a noisy office. If you need to take calls throughout the day, their battery lasts over 25 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 reproduces the fullness in your voice a bit better, and thanks to their dedicated control scheme for Teams and UC software, they're also well-suited for call centers and remote work. However, they're more expensive and don't reduce ambient noise as well as 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 Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless are a more affordable alternative to our top pick. They're hybrid headphones designed for both casual and gaming use, which sets them apart from other headphones on this list. Don't let their gamer-centric features deter you: their integrated mic offers decent overall performance, and they're not decked out with flashing RGB lights, so they pass the office-appropriate test. While their ANC system doesn't block out as much overall ambient noise as the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless, their integrated microphone recording quality is a little better, struggling a bit to separate your voice from noisy environments like busy offices. That said, their battery lasts longer than the Bose, with over 34 hours of continuous playback time to last you 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. In addition to their Bluetooth connectivity, 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, which have a lighter, more comfortable fit and are better padded than the Razer. They have a similar overall mic performance to the Razer, but their ANC system doesn't block out as much external noise.

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 Sony ULT WEAR Wireless are the best wireless headphones for making calls we've tested. Their integrated mic has decent recording quality, but your voice lacks a touch of airiness and can sound a little closed off. Fortunately, the mic 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 does an impressive job of blocking out noise, particularly sounds like rumbling engines, so you can hear calls even in loud environments.

Out of the box, their inconsistent treble range can render sibilants either piercing or dull, depending on their pitch, though you can always customize their response via the graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. While they don't support USB audio like the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless, they still support multi-device pairing, so you can answer your phone and attend an online meeting on your computer without re-pairing.

If you want to save a little money, consider the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. Though their microphone recording quality isn't as good as the Sony, their noise isolation performance is similarly amazing, and they're usually cheaper. Still, the cheaper price comes at a cost, and the Anker's battery life of 27 hours is much shorter than the Sony's 44 hours.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the ULT WEAR. 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 excellent noise isolation performance as the Sony ULT WEAR Wireless, so they aren't as useful in noisy areas. However, their integrated mic has a slightly better recording quality, so your voice sounds natural, clear, and understandable over the phone. While the mic 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 comfortable or well-built as the Sony but they are still decently well-built and comfortable enough 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, which is great if you field calls on both.

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 can 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 put pressure on the top of your ear, though, 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 portability ranks high on your list of priorities, consider the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless. Unlike most wireless earbuds, these do an alright job of capturing your speech so you sound more or less like yourself. It's important to temper your expectations a bit with all true wireless mic systems because the mics are located off-axis of your mouth, and unlike with over-ears and boom, the mics are set farther away from your mouth too. That said, the Jabra buds' mic system records low-distortion audio and does an impressive job at separating your voice from background noises like chit-chat and passing trains. The earbuds' sidetone (adjustable in the app) mitigates the disorientation of not hearing yourself speaking. Plus, you can remap the majority of the call-centric commands within the app, too.

In addition, the earbuds have class-leading noise isolation and ANC, so you can filter out the noise in your environment to make it easier to hear the caller. The buds are well-built with a stable, contoured fit, clad in silicone, and certified as IP68 against dust and water, so you can take calls wherever. Their sound profile is relatively flat, allowing voices to come across as clear and, owing to the peak in treble, rather bright. You can manually EQ or choose one of the EQ presets in the app if you prefer a different curve. Their continuous battery life (with ANC enabled) is just shy of eight hours with an additional three charges in the case, so of course, they won't last as long as their over-ear counterparts, like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless without a charging break.

You can check out our recording to hear what speech sounds like through the Jabra. 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 and best earbuds for phone calls articles for more recommendations!