The 6 Best Earbuds With A Mic - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best earphones with a mic that we've tested are the Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless. These wireless in-ears have a flexible neckband, a decently comfortable fit, and good controls with call and music functions. Their in-line mic makes your voice sound clear and understandable over the phone, and it's okay at separating it from background noise.

They have a good build quality and a somewhat warm sound profile, with a very well-balanced mid-range that makes them well-suited for vocal-centric content like podcasts or phone calls. Their ANC feature does a very good job of isolating you from a range of background noise, from the low rumble of bus and plane engines to ambient conversations. They support NFC for easier pairing and can connect simultaneously with two devices.

However, their neckband can also get snagged on longer hair. Some people may find their in-ear fit fatiguing, especially when wearing them for long periods. They come with several different sizes of ear tips, including foam and silicone options, which can help with finding a more comfortable fit. Overall, if you like the neckband design, they're a satisfactory choice for making phone calls.

The Bose QuietComfort 20/QC20 are the best earbuds with microphone that we've tested. These headphones have a unique in-line battery, which powers their active noise cancelling (ANC) system. It does an outstanding job of blocking out background noise so you can hear your call more clearly.

They have an in-line mic, which does a good job recording your voice, so you sound detailed and understandable. While the mic struggles to separate speech from moderate background noise, you shouldn't have too much of a problem if you're talking in quiet environments. These headphones also have a comfortable and lightweight fit, which is good if you're on long calls.

Unfortunately, they have a boomy and dark sound profile, which some users may find muddy. They also lack sound customization features like an EQ or presets to help adjust their sound to your preferences. That said, if you're looking for wired earbuds with a mic, their comfortable fit and powerful ANC and mic's good recording quality make them a suitable choice.

The best earbuds with a mic for gaming we've tested are the Turtle Beach Battle Buds. These unusually designed wired earphones combine the portable form factor of in-ears with a detachable compact boom microphone that does a decent job of making your voice sound full-bodied, natural, and reasonably free of ambient noise.

They have a stable fit in your ear and are very breathable, so they're not a bad choice for taking calls while you're out running. They do a passable job of blocking out background noise from the mid and treble range, so you shouldn't have too much trouble hearing your teammates or people on the other end of a call, though they don't filter out much in the way of low-end ambient noise like the rumble of a bus engine. They have a very bass-heavy sound profile that should emphasize the thump and punch of in-game sound effects and EDM and hip-hop tracks but is likely to overwhelm vocals and lead instruments in other genres.

Unfortunately, these in-ears aren't especially premium-feeling, with low-grade plastic and rubber construction as well as hard ear tips that can cause some discomfort during longer listening sessions. Otherwise, if you're looking for a pair of wired earphones that offer decent overall mic performance, these are a good option.

The best earphones with a mic that we've tested in the budget category are the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. These Bluetooth earbuds are well-built and decently comfortable. Their integrated mic has an okay recording quality, so while your voice sounds thin over the phone, it should be clear and easy to understand.

They don't have an ANC feature but do a good job of passively isolating you from ambient sound, which can help you hear your phone call. They have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds some extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, which fans of genres like EDM and hip-hop may like. They're also stable enough to stay in place during workouts and have an IPX8 rating for dust and water resistance.

Unfortunately, while the mic has an okay noise handling performance, your voice may be drowned out if you're talking on the phone in a loud place, like a subway station. Their continuous battery life of roughly five hours is also short. That said, these earbuds are versatile, and they're a suitable choice if you're looking for budget-friendly earphones for calls.