Best headsets and headphones for working from home 2024

The best headsets and headphones for working from home pair great over-ear sound quality with effective microphone clarity for voice and video calls, and some come with ANC. Many of the models here incorporate an array of tiny microphones in the headset as part of any built-in active noise cancelation technology, while some have boom mics that bring additional benefits with two-way voice and video calling. 

This list is my pick of the best headsets and headphones for the home office. Sony's WH-1000XM5 is my favorite overall, closely followed by the Cleer Enduro ANC for the best value. If you're locked into Apple's ecosystem though, then you can't get better than its AirPods Max. 

Below you'll discover the best headsets and headphones for working from home based on our testing. To get to the full review, just follow the link at the end of each product summary or tap the product title to discover more.

The Quick List

The best headsets and headphones for working from home right now

Best headset for working from home overall

When the WH-1000XM5 launched in May 2023, the headphones introduced significant advances in a new design that we didn't bargain for. Call quality is one area where significant improvements have been made, thanks to the XM5's eight mics which help it exhibit call quality quite easily described as ‘exemplary’. Wind-noise is kept to a minimum, and both ends of a conversation prove distinct and direct.

If you need to be aware of your surroundings from time to time, Transparency Mode steals the show with up to 20 levels of ambient control. The mics were strong enough to pick up sounds and conversations around us during out testing, and became invaluable for listening out for fast food deliveries. In terms of music listening, Sony’s sound profile has been tweaked to produce crisper mids and highs, while maintaining its signature punchy and energetic presence. We think the XM5s are are one of the most versatile headphones around right now. 

• Read the full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

Best value headphones for working from home

The Cleer Enduro ANC offers an almost irresistible combination of affordability, audio richness, active noise cancellation and battery life. During our testing we got more than 50 hours of battery life when listening at mid-volume with ANC enabled, which is strong and the most affordable model to get anywhere close to the 60-hour offered by the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless flagship.

Unlike a lot of low-cost headphones, voice quality is serviceable as a calling headset. The Enduro ANC can fold up for easier carrying and also comes with a respectable range of features, including NFC pairing, a bundled cable for Hi-Res Audio support, as well as a canvas carrying pouch.

• Read our full Cleer Enduro ANC review

Best Apple headphones for working from home

Apple knows a thing or two about making headphones that can double as great calling headsets. Its best effort is also the most expensive, but the AirPods Max have a few tricks that help justify the higher price. Transparency mode is one: this lets you hear you own voice when speaking, which in turn helps you moderate your own volume and make sure you’re coming through clear.

Not that the latter takes much effort, as based on our testing the AirPods Max do fine work in reducing the impact of ambient sound on the microphones. These ANC headphones also feel a lot lighter on the head than their weight might suggest, which is useful for longer listening sessions or meetings — or just if you have particularly talkative friends. They also sound great, particularly if you're listening with Apple's Spatial Audio feature.

• Read our full Apple AirPods Max review

Best headphones for working from home for prouctivity

The Surface Headphones 2 are great for those seeking solid overall performance from a headset that can also boost productivity. Voice calls are loud and clear on both ends of the call and effective noise cancelling rewards your ears with deep sonics and interruption-free listening, thanks to Microsoft’s powerful eight-mic system that helps filter out up to 75% of ambient noise. Adjusting ANC and volume levels is seamless via the dial controls on the side of each earcup. 

Where these headphones really shine are in the productivity features for the workplace or home office, such as voice dictation with Microsoft 365 to verbally jot down notes in Office programs (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and multipoint technology, which lets you connect to up to 10 devices simultaneously. 

• Read our full Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review

Best headset for working from home with a boom mic

The Razer Kaira Pro is long established as one of the best wireless gaming headsets, and this Xbox Series X/S-friendly option also makes a great option for working from home. Why? Well, look no further than its boom microphone: this serves up excellent, clear audio whether you're embroiled in a heated multiplayer session or just chatting to workmates, friends or family over Zoom. 

In our testing, we also found that it provides a comfortable fit and that it offers good sound quality — although if music is your primary concern then you'll be better off with one of the headphones in this list. But that aside, it has lots to offer. We're big fans of its gorgeous looks, which combine a restrained chassis with a tasteful black-and-green color scheme, and its Bluetooth connectivity is slick and robust.

• Read our full Razer Kaira Pro review

Best headset for working from home for gaming and calls

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT has a crystal-clear mic that is among one of the best we've ever tested for both multiplayer games and phone or video conversations. It has a removable, flexible boom mic, as well as a 3.5mm port and a USB-C charging port and plenty of controls.  

Unlike many gaming headsets, it's also a good choice for music, which comes through with real immediacy whether you're listening to a full choir with orchestral backing or a head-banging guitar solo. Comfort levels are good for long-term wear, too. However, battery life caps out at 15 hours, which is not great, since most of its competitors give better run time. It also took a lengthy three to four hours to recharge via USB-C attached to a computer port.

• Read our full Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT review

BEST WIRELESS EARBUDS FOR WORKING FROM HOME

Check out Jabra’s most underrated buds. Not since the 5-star Elite Active 75t have we enjoyed superb call and sound quality at the same time. The Connect 5T has an incredibly strong mic array that produces crystal clear voice calling over loud background noise. Every conversation we had was met with praise, especially during video conferences. Features like Call Experience let you adjust how loud you sound on calls and enable auto-answer or mute through wear detection. Music listening is just as rewarding; Jabra’s well-balanced soundstage is energetic and lively. The bundled wireless charging pad is a chic statement accessory worth keeping at your desk to power up the buds when not in use.

Not all of Jabra’s signature features are made available and noise cancellation performs poorly. Still, the buds manage to deliver unrivaled call quality.

• Read our full Jabra Connect 5T review

Best headsets and headphones for working from home: Specs compared

ALSO TESTED…

Tom's Guide's audio experts have tested a lot of headsets and headphones. but some models don't make it into a buying guide. That's not to say that they're not great performers. Those that fall outside of our rankings are beaten by rival models with better sets of features and performance. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. As we continue to see more models hit store shelves, we want to give you the latest feedback and make sure that you consider these also tested options. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes, but they didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.

Bose 700 (★★★★1/2)

Bose’s all-time greatest noise-cancelling headphones have the traits of a stellar work-from-home headset. Call quality is some of the best, thanks to an 8-mic array that masterfully silences background noise for crisp and clear voice calls. You get up to 11 adjustable levels of noise cancellation that eliminates 95 percent of unwanted sound. Memory foam padding provides optimal comfort for long listening and talking sessions. Sound quality is also great, though the QC Ultra is sonically superior. There’s even a business-ready version dubbed the 700 UC that has a bundled Bluetooth adapter with Microsoft Teams and Google Meet certification. Low battery life and availability are the Bose 700’s only weaknesses.

Read our full Bose 700 review

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HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 UC (★★★)

Comfy and long lasting, this collaborative headset from HP and Poly (formerly Plantronics) is geared towards heavy phone users who always seek crisp, loud voice calling. The 10 built-in mics demonstrate flawless vocal capture. There’s a handy USB-C dongle you can plug into your laptop to use the headset instantly. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom certifications keep you ready to jump on conference calls when online. That’s as good as the Voyager Surround 80 UC gets, because battery life, noise cancellation, and sound quality all disappoint.

Read our full HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 UC review

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How to choose the best headsets and headphones for working from home

Along with price, the other factors to consider when choosing the best headsets and headphones for working from home include whether to go wired or wireless and whether you want something geared more towards music or gaming. 

Design: Wired models can be useful for taking work calls via a computer, but depending on your phone you might need an adapter. Wireless Bluetooth models work well with either, but bear in mind that you'll probably lose battery life as a result.

All the models tested here are wireless and are either equipped with array microphones inside the earcups or come with boom microphones. Dedicated boom mics — usually found on gaming headsets — can often outperform other headphones on call quality, but have differing platform compatibility. 

It's difficult to try out headphones before you buy, so make sure you read our full reviews and look out for areas where the reviewer mentions factors like the headband shape and any spring tension it places on your head or ears, or the amount of earcup padding for long-term comfort. Don’t be afraid to pass on headphones you don’t like the aesthetics of, too.

Passive or noise-cancelling ANC: When it comes to active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones, these use an 'active' combination of hardware (microphones) and firmware to make external sounds or noises sound quieter when you’re listening to your favorite media such as music, videos, or podcasts. 

Unlike passive noise isolation, which simply blocks sounds out by forming a seal with headphone ear cups around the ears, or in-ear tips inside the ear canal, active noise cancellation listens out for background sounds and uses clever audio trickery to “cancel” these potentially disruptive noises out. For a more in-depth explanation see ANC explained.

Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.

Each model here has exceptional call handling capabilities and performs well with music and podcasts. But, if you're looking for a model that also works as a multiplayer gaming headset, you'll need to know the platform you're using (or are likely to use in the future) to ensure the headset is compatible.

Battery life: Most wireless over-ear headphones typically manage around 30 hours. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.

Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For wired models, the manufacturer must include the aux cable, and any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.

Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor. 

As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are being discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track of the biggest price drops right now. 

How we test the best headsets and headphones for working from home

We test the calling capabilities of mic-equipped headsets and headphones exactly as you’d expect: by making calls. This lets us make sure each pair delivers the sound quality needed to ensure other callers are clearly audible, and we ask whoever we call for their feedback on how we sound. This helps us identify any problems with microphone volume or clarity — or, conversely, if we sound clear to others.

Comfort is the other big metric for success, although this is a highly subjective evaluation. We make sure to use the headphones over several days, including sessions wearing them for 2-3 hours at a time. This gives a good indication of how comfy each pair is, and whether that comfort is maintained in extended use.

We also judge overall audio performance by how well each pair handles a variety of music genres, and measure how long we get out of the battery before it runs empty.

Finally, we score each pair of headphones on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is the lowest, 5 is the highest, and the most impressive headphones might get an Editor’s Choice badge as well.

Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.

More from Tom's Guide

• Our reviewer's top 5 picks of the best models for working from home
• The best noise-cancelling headphones overall 
• Best desktop speaker systems for working from home

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