7 Best Headsets for Working from Home in 2026

If you work from home, a good headset isn’t optional — it’s infrastructure. You need clear audio for calls, noise cancellation for focus, and enough comfort to wear them for hours without your ears aching. The wrong headset means colleagues asking “can you repeat that?” and construction noise bleeding into every Zoom meeting.

We’ve tested seven of the best headsets for working from home in 2026, from premium noise-cancelling headphones to purpose-built office headsets and budget options. Whether you’re in back-to-back meetings or need to block out a noisy household, there’s a pick here for you.

Pair your new headset with a good webcam for the complete video call setup.

Quick Comparison

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1. Sony WH-1000XM5 — Best Overall

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The XM5s are the headphones that everything else gets compared to, and they’ve held the top spot for a reason. The noise cancellation is class-leading — it blocks out traffic, construction, barking dogs, and the dull roar of household noise with startling effectiveness. Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 uses eight microphones to analyze and cancel ambient sound in real-time.

Sound quality is superb for a wireless headset. The 30mm drivers deliver clear, balanced audio that’s enjoyable for music, podcasts, and calls alike. The soundstage is wide enough that you don’t feel like sound is coming from inside your skull — a common problem with cheaper headphones.

For calls, the microphone uses beamforming to isolate your voice from background noise. It’s not as good as a boom mic headset like the Jabra, but it’s more than adequate for video calls. Colleagues won’t hear your washing machine running.

Comfort is where the XM5s truly shine for WFH use. The headband is softer and lighter than the XM4s, the ear cups are deeper, and you can genuinely wear them for 4-5 hours straight without discomfort. The 30-hour battery life means you charge once a week.

Multipoint Bluetooth connects to two devices simultaneously — your laptop and phone, for example — switching audio automatically based on which device is playing. Touch controls on the right ear cup handle play/pause, volume, and track skipping. Speak-to-Chat pauses music when you start talking.

Pros:

• Best-in-class active noise cancellation
• Exceptional sound quality
• 30-hour battery life
• Multipoint Bluetooth (2 devices)
• Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
• Speak-to-Chat auto-pause feature
• Folds flat for portability

Cons:

• $350 is a significant investment
• Microphone good but not boom-mic level for noisy environments
• No aptX support (SBC, AAC, LDAC only)
• Touch controls can trigger accidentally
• No IP rating for water resistance

Best for: All-rounders who want the best noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort in one package. Our top recommendation for most remote workers.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

2. Jabra Evolve2 75 — Best for Video Calls

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The Jabra Evolve2 75 was designed from the ground up for professional calls — and it shows. The retractable boom microphone makes a dramatic difference to voice clarity compared to headphones that rely on built-in mics. When you lower the boom, your voice sounds studio-clear even in noisy environments. When you raise it, the headset switches to the built-in mics for less critical use.

The ANC is excellent — not quite Sony XM5 level, but close enough that the difference is negligible for office noise. Jabra’s ANC is particularly good at blocking voice frequencies, which makes it ideal if you’re in an open-plan space or shared household.

A unique feature is the busylight — a red light ring on the ear cups that signals to people in your physical space that you’re on a call. It sounds minor, but if you have family or housemates who interrupt mid-meeting, it’s surprisingly effective.

Battery life is a strong 36 hours with ANC on. The Jabra Sound+ app provides excellent customization of EQ, ANC levels, and sidetone (hearing your own voice during calls, which helps prevent you from shouting).

Certified for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet — these integrate seamlessly with meeting platforms. The USB dongle included provides a more stable wireless connection than Bluetooth alone.

Pros:

• Retractable boom mic for crystal-clear calls
• 36-hour battery life
• Busylight indicator for do-not-disturb
• Certified for Teams/Zoom/Meet
• Includes USB dongle for stable connection
• Good ANC for office environments
• Sidetone support

Cons:

• $300 is expensive for a headset
• Sound quality for music is decent but not audiophile-grade
• Bulkier than consumer headphones
• Boom mic is the key selling point — if you don’t need it, the Sony is better value
• Plastic build creaks slightly

Best for: Remote workers who spend 3+ hours per day in meetings and need the best possible call quality.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

3. Bose 700 — Best Noise Cancellation Technology

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The Bose 700 takes a different approach to ANC than Sony — instead of a single on/off toggle, it offers 11 levels of noise cancellation (0-10). This granularity lets you dial in exactly how much ambient sound you want to hear. Level 5 might be perfect for a quiet home office; level 10 for a noisy coffee shop.

The ANC quality is on par with the Sony XM5s, with slightly better handling of sudden sounds. The eight-microphone system does excellent work isolating your voice for calls — Bose claims their voice isolation technology is better than Sony’s, and in our testing, it’s a close call but Bose does edge ahead for calls in noisy environments.

Sound quality is clear and crisp with a more neutral profile than Sony (which leans slightly bass-heavy). If you prefer accurate audio reproduction, you might prefer the Bose. Comfort is good but the clamping force is slightly higher than the XM5s, which can cause fatigue in 3+ hour sessions for some people.

The stainless steel headband looks premium but picks up fingerprints relentlessly. Battery life at 20 hours is the weakest among the premium options — you’ll need to charge more frequently than the Sony or Jabra.

Pros:

• 11 levels of ANC granularity
• Excellent voice isolation for calls
• Premium stainless steel design
• Neutral, accurate sound profile
• Intuitive touch controls
• Multipoint Bluetooth

Cons:

• Only 20-hour battery (Sony gets 30)
• Fingerprint magnet on headband
• $379 price point
• Slightly tight clamping force
• No folding design — less portable
• Case is enormous

Best for: People who want fine-grained control over noise cancellation and prioritize call quality in noisy environments.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

4. Poly Voyager Focus 2 — Best Dedicated Office Headset

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Poly (formerly Plantronics) has been making office headsets since before “working from home” was a thing. The Voyager Focus 2 is purpose-built for professional calls, and it does that one job better than anything else under $200.

The boom microphone with Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology creates a virtual sound boundary around your mouth. Background noise — even loud noise — gets cut dramatically. In our testing, typing on a mechanical keyboard directly in front of the mic was nearly inaudible to the person on the other end of the call.

ANC is present but modest compared to Sony or Bose. It’s designed to reduce office ambient noise rather than block out a construction site. For home office use, it’s more than adequate.

Comfort is designed for all-day wear with breathable mesh ear cushions and a lightweight frame. The 19-hour battery is decent. Certified for Microsoft Teams with dedicated Teams button.

Sound quality for music is serviceable but not great — this is an office tool, not a listening device. If you need great music quality too, get the Sony or Bose instead.

Pros:

• Outstanding microphone with Acoustic Fence technology
• Purpose-built for professional calls
• Comfortable for all-day wear
• Microsoft Teams certified
• USB dongle included for stable connection
• $200 — reasonable for the call quality

Cons:

• Sound quality for music is average
• ANC is modest compared to Sony/Bose
• Looks obviously like an office headset (not stylish)
• 19-hour battery is mediocre
• Only available in black

Best for: People who prioritize call quality above everything else and want a proven professional headset.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

5. Apple AirPods Max — Premium Apple Ecosystem Pick

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The AirPods Max are the most expensive headphones on this list and arguably the most polarizing. At $549, they need to be exceptional — and in some ways, they are.

The noise cancellation is excellent. Sound quality is rich and detailed with Apple’s custom H1 chip driving computational audio. Spatial Audio with head tracking is impressive for entertainment but irrelevant for work calls. The aluminum build is genuinely premium — these feel like they cost $549.

Where the AirPods Max earn their keep is seamless Apple ecosystem integration. They switch automatically between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Siri integration is natural. The Digital Crown from the Apple Watch serves as volume and playback control, which is more reliable than touch surfaces.

The problems: 549 dollars, Lightning charging (older models), the “Smart Case” doesn’t power them off (they drain in the case), and the weight (386g) makes them the heaviest option here. For all-day wear, the Sony XM5s are more comfortable.

If you’re all-Apple and money isn’t the primary concern, they deliver a seamless experience. For everyone else, the Sony XM5s do 90% of the same thing for $200 less.

Pros:

• Exceptional sound quality
• Excellent ANC
• Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
• Premium aluminum and steel build
• Digital Crown controls are intuitive
• Spatial Audio (nice for entertainment)

Cons:

• $549 — hard to justify vs Sony/Bose
• 386g — heaviest headphones on this list
• Smart Case doesn’t power off headphones
• 20-hour battery life
• No EQ customization (limited via Apple Music)
• No folding design
• No multi-device beyond Apple ecosystem

Best for: Dedicated Apple users with budget to spare who value seamless ecosystem integration.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

6. Logitech Zone Vibe 100 — Best Budget Wireless

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At $100, the Zone Vibe 100 fills a gap: wireless headset for calls that doesn’t cost $300+. There’s no ANC, but the passive noise isolation from the over-ear cups is decent for home office use where extreme noise blocking isn’t necessary.

The microphone is surprisingly capable for the price — a flip-to-mute boom that delivers clear voice quality for calls. Not Jabra-level, but significantly better than any headphone’s built-in mic.

It connects via Bluetooth or the included USB receiver and works with all major meeting platforms. Battery life is 20 hours. The lightweight design (185g) makes it comfortable for extended wear.

The sound quality for music is acceptable — you won’t mistake it for the Sony or Bose, but for calls, podcasts, and background music while working, it’s fine.

Pros:

• $100 — much cheaper than premium options
• Flip-to-mute boom microphone
• Lightweight at 185g
• 20-hour battery life
• USB receiver included
• Works with all meeting platforms

Cons:

• No active noise cancellation
• Music quality is mediocre
• Plastic build feels budget
• No multipoint Bluetooth
• Ear cushions aren’t breathable

Best for: Budget-conscious remote workers who need a reliable headset with a decent mic for calls.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

7. Plantronics Voyager 5200 — Best for Phone Calls

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The Voyager 5200 is a different beast — it’s a single-ear Bluetooth earpiece, not over-ear headphones. If your work involves taking phone calls while moving around the house, this is the tool for the job.

Four microphones with WindSmart technology deliver extraordinary voice clarity — even outdoors in wind, the person on the other end hears you clearly. It’s why the Voyager 5200 has been a favorite of salespeople and mobile professionals for years.

The single-ear design means you can hear your environment while on a call. This is a feature, not a limitation — it’s ideal if you need to monitor kids, answer the door, or stay aware of your surroundings.

At 7 hours of talk time, the battery is the weakest here, but the included charging case provides two additional full charges (21 hours total). It’s lightweight at 20g — you forget it’s there.

No ANC, no music capability worth mentioning. This is a calling device, pure and simple.

Pros:

• Best-in-class call quality with WindSmart technology
• Ultralight single-ear design (20g)
• Hear your environment while on calls
• Charging case provides 21 hours total
• $90 — affordable
• Rock-solid Bluetooth connection

Cons:

• Single-ear only — no music use
• No ANC
• 7 hours talk time per charge
• Not suitable for video calls (no stereo audio)
• Ear hook takes getting used to

Best for: People who take a lot of phone calls and need the clearest possible voice quality in a lightweight, mobile form factor.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

Our Top Pick

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The Sony WH-1000XM5 is our recommendation for most remote workers — the combination of best-in-class ANC, excellent sound, 30-hour battery, and all-day comfort is unmatched. If you’re in meetings all day and need the best possible microphone, the Jabra Evolve2 75 is worth the investment. On a budget, the Logitech Zone Vibe 100 delivers solid value.

Buying Guide

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ANC vs Passive Isolation

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Active Noise Cancellation electronically eliminates low-frequency ambient noise (traffic, HVAC, general rumble). Passive isolation blocks sound physically via ear cup seal. For home offices, ANC makes the biggest difference with household noise and street sounds.

Boom Mic vs Built-in Mic

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Boom microphones (Jabra, Poly, Logitech Zone) provide substantially clearer call audio than mics built into ear cups (Sony, Bose, Apple). If call quality is your priority, choose a boom mic headset.

Comfort for All-Day Wear

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Weight, clamping force, and ear cushion material matter for extended wear. Over 300g gets noticeable after 2 hours. Breathable mesh or fabric cushions are better than leather for long sessions. Try to test before buying if possible.

Multipoint Bluetooth

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The ability to connect to two devices simultaneously (laptop + phone) is incredibly convenient for WFH. The Sony XM5s, Bose 700, and most office headsets support this.

FAQ

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Can I use regular headphones for work calls?

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You can, but the microphone quality of most consumer headphones is mediocre for calls. Dedicated headsets with boom mics or premium headphones with beamforming mics (Sony, Bose) give significantly better results.

Are noise-cancelling headphones safe for all-day use?

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Yes. ANC headphones don’t emit harmful radiation or damage hearing. The pressure sensation some people feel with ANC on is normal and harmless. However, take breaks every few hours to give your ears a rest.

How important is noise cancellation for WFH?

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Very, if your environment is noisy. If you live alone in a quiet space, passive isolation may be sufficient. If you have kids, pets, housemates, or street noise, ANC is transformative for focus.

Should I get an earphone or over-ear headset?

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Over-ear headsets are generally better for extended WFH use — more comfortable for long periods, better ANC, and better microphone options. Earphones are better for mobility and exercise.

Do I need a separate microphone?

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For casual calls, a headset mic is fine. For podcasting, streaming, or frequent presentations, a dedicated USB microphone will sound noticeably better. For standard video meetings, a good headset like the Jabra or Poly is more than adequate.