The 3 Best Neckband Headphones - Fall 2024

The best neckband headphones we've tested are the Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless. These headphones are the next generation of the Sony WI-1000X Wireless, offering more intuitive controls and a more flexible neckband. They can be tricky to find new, so it's worth looking around if you'd like a pair. They feel well-built and come with a hard case to help protect them when you're out and about. Thanks to their active noise cancelling (ANC) system, they can block out a solid amount of ambient noise at the office or during a commute. Their impressive battery life lasts about eight and a half hours of continuous use, and they support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your phone and PC and avoid repairing when you switch devices. Unlike truly wireless earbuds, you can plug them in and use them wired when the battery dies.

Fans of bass-heavy genres like metal may find their sound lacking in thump and rumble, but they have a very accurate mid-range response that makes them well-suited for vocal-centric content like podcasts or pop music. You can customize their sound profile with the companion app's EQ and presets. Unfortunately, their in-ear fit can be fatiguing over time. The buds can also fall out of your ear with moderate head movement, so they aren't ideal for workouts. On the plus side, they come with several differently-sized pairs of ear tips to help you get the best fit.

Consider the Beats Flex Wireless if you want to stick to a tighter budget. They're technically neck cable headphones that connect the earbuds with a thin, flexible cable instead of a more rigid neckband. Still, you may find this design more comfortable and easier to carry. Thanks to their W1 chip, they're also one of the best neckband earbuds for Apple users since you can seamlessly pair them with devices in your Apple ecosystem. Unlike the top pick, they feature an in-line mic and controls but lack app compatibility.

Their bass-heavy sound profile delivers a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, making them nice for genres like trap and RnB. They're also well-built and available in a few different colors, so you can find a look that matches your style. A roughly 11-hour battery life is more than suitable for longer days on the go, too. However, they lack ANC and struggle to block out bass-range frequencies, like engine noise, during a commute. Due to their in-ear fit, they do a much better job cutting down office chatter.

The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are our pick for the best neckband earbuds in the cheap price range. While their price can fluctuate, they're often less than the Beats Flex Wireless, but you might need to go the used route to locate a pair. Like the Beats, these neck cable headphones have a lightweight, flexible wire connecting the earbuds, with in-line controls for calls and music. They're less comfortable and well-built than our previous pick, but you can always choose between the different ear tip sizes to find a better fit. Since they lack ANC, they can only passively block out background noises, like chatter between nearby coworkers. Still, their roughly 17 hours of continuous battery life will easily last through your workday and commute.

They sound more neutral than the Beats', with a clearer and brighter reproduction of voices and instruments. Their low-bass lacks some thump and rumble, but overemphasis in the high-bass range adds punch and body to your audio. They're good for most music genres and vocal-centric content like podcasts. However, they don't have a companion app or features like an EQ for sound customization, which is a downside if you like to tweak your headphones' sound profile.

If you don't want to go the used route or deep dive to locate a store with new stock, or if you really just want something inexpensive, the Skullcandy Jib Wireless are more readily available than the Sony. They aren't 'better,' but you can frequently find them for bargain prices. If you prefer a bass-heavy tuning, they deliver more low-end with decent stability, a mic, and a multi-function control. However, they're hampered by a short battery life and a flimsier build than the Sony.