The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Wireless are the next generation of the Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones. They look and perform almost identically to their predecessor in most ways as they've kept the same, comfortable design with super intuitive controls. However, with this update, they support Bluetooth version 5.0 and can support aptX codec. They've also improved their battery life, meaning that you can get just a bit above 16 hours of continuous playback time before you need to recharge them. Unfortunately, although their adjustable active noise cancelling is great, it performs slightly less well than the first generation. These headphones are also more prone to inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
Our Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are satisfactory for mixed use. Thanks to their great, adjustable active noise cancelling, you can choose how much sound you want to block out, which is great when you're on the move. They're also comfortable, and they've got a 16-hour battery life, so you can wear them for a full workday and not worry about having to recharge them right away. While they don't have the most neutral sound profile, you can customize how they sound using their companion app. They're also fully compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One if you're using their TRRS audio cable.
- Adjustable active noise cancelling feature.
- Comfortable, lightweight design.
- Excellent, easy-to-use controls.
- Bulky design.
- Bass and treble delivery varies.
- High wireless latency on PC and iOS.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are passable for neutral sound. They have a bass-heavy, boomy sound with an underemphasized treble range out-of-the-box, so they aren't the most balanced headphones. You can tweak this sound profile by using their companion app's graphic EQ or presets, though. However, their bass and treble delivery can vary, especially if you wear glasses or have thick hair.
- Comfortable, lightweight design.
- Companion app with graphic EQ and presets.
- Bass-heavy sound profile.
- Bass and treble delivery varies.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are good for commute and travel. They have great active noise cancellation that's also adjustable, so you can block out bus or plane engine noise and lower it if you need to hear boarding calls. They're also comfortable and lightweight enough to wear for long travel days, and although they're bulky, their ear cups can swivel to fit into their carrying case or in your backpack. They also have a 16-hour battery life, which should last through a commute or even some long-haul flights before they need charging again.
- Adjustable active noise cancelling feature.
- Comfortable, lightweight design.
- Excellent, easy-to-use controls.
- Bulky design.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are decent for sports and fitness. These over-ear headphones are a little bulky, but if you're using them wirelessly, there are no cables that can get snagged while you move. They're also comfortable and fairly stable enough for a light run in the park. They've got excellent, easy-to-use controls, which is nice if you need to quickly take a call or skip tracks.
- Excellent, easy-to-use controls.
- Bulky design.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are decent for office use. They're comfortable and have a great active noise cancelling feature to help block out office noise. They leak a low amount of audio, meaning that you can turn up the volume, and your coworkers shouldn't be able to hear it. Their 16-hour battery life can also easily get you through your workday.
- Adjustable active noise cancelling feature.
- Comfortable, lightweight design.
- Decent leakage performance.
- Bass and treble delivery varies.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are Bluetooth-only headphones that aren't compatible with Xbox One or PS4. While they work with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, their disappointing microphone recording quality and high PC latency make them a less-than-ideal choice.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are satisfactory for wired gaming. Thanks to their TRRS analog cable and its in-line mic, these headphones are fully compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. They have a comfortable, lightweight design that you can wear for longer gaming sessions, and you can adjust their sound using their companion app's EQ to better match your gameplay.
- Comfortable, lightweight design.
- Excellent, easy-to-use controls.
- Companion app with graphic EQ and presets.
- Bass and treble delivery varies.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are mediocre for phone calls. They have an integrated mic in their ear cups and an in-line mic on their included audio cable. As we only tested the integrated microphone, this mic has a mediocre recording quality, making your voice sound thin, muffled, and lacking detail. It also has trouble separating your voice from background noise, even in moderately loud environments. That said, these headphones have great active noise cancelling, so you can hear what's being said on the other line more clearly.
- Adjustable active noise cancelling feature.
- Integrated and in-line microphone.
- Sub-par integrated microphone.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are the next generation of the Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones. They're almost identical both in looks and performance to their predecessor as they've kept the same comfortable design with easy-to-use controls. However, they now support Bluetooth 5.0 and use an aptX codec. They have a great, adjustable active noise cancelling feature but it isn't enough for them to stand out from the rest of the pack, especially since, at their price-point, their main competitors are the better ANC performing Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 or the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless.
Check out our recommendations for the best active noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best office headphones.
The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Wireless are the second generation of the Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones and are alike in looks and performance except for two small updates. The second-gen are now on Bluetooth version 5.0 and they support the aptX codec. While both headphones have an adjustable active noise cancelling feature, the first-gen can block out slightly more noise. They're also a bit more consistent among different users or reseats. However, their battery life is slightly shorter than the second-gen's 16-hour continuous playback time.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are better active noise cancelling headphones than the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Wireless. The Bose can better isolate low bass sounds like bus and plane engines. They also have a more neutral, better-balanced sound profile, they're more comfortable, and they have longer-lasting battery life. However, the Microsoft have a companion app with a customizable EQ plus presets, and they have better, easy-to-use controls.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better noise cancelling headphones than the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Wireless. The Sony isolate way more noise across the entire range, their sound profile is more neutral as well as better balanced, and they also have a virtual soundstage feature with room ambiance presets and longer battery life. However, the Microsoft have multi-device pairing up to two devices, they have easier-to-use controls, and they can also be used wired on the PS4 and Xbox One with full audio and microphone support.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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