Here are our top picks of the best earbuds to help you get work done at home.
| Name | Connectivity | Mic | Noise Cancellation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Best Overall | Bluetooth 5.3 | 4 mics per earbud | ANC | BUY |
| Jabra Elite 85t Strong Runner-Up | Bluetooth 5.1 | 6 mics | ANC | BUY |
| EarFun Air Pro 3 Best Budget | Bluetooth 5.3 | 6 mics | ANC | BUY |
| Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC Best for UC Platform Compatibility | Bluetooth 5.3 | 3 mics per earbud | ANC | BUY |
| Microsoft Surface Earbuds Best for Microsoft 365 Users | Bluetooth 5.0 | 2 mics per earbud | N/A | BUY |
| AirPods Pro 2 Best for Apple Ecosystem Users | Bluetooth 5.3 | Dual beamforming microphones | ANC | BUY |
| Sony WF-1000XM5 Best Noise Cancellation | Bluetooth 5.3 | 3 mics per earbud | ANC | BUY |
| Duet 50 Pro Best for People Who Like Working Elsewhere | Bluetooth 5.0 | Dual mics with CVC noise cancellation | N/A | BUY |
| Ultimate Ears UE Fits Most Comfortable | Bluetooth 5.0 | 2 mics per earbud | Passive noise isolation | BUY |
| JLab Work Buds Best for Hands-free Calls | Bluetooth 5.3 | Detachable MEMS boom mic | N/A | BUY |
The shift to remote work has made high-quality earbuds essential for professionals seeking to enhance productivity and communication.
Yet, the overwhelming variety and individual needs of remote workers present a significant challenge in finding the perfect pair.
Discover the ultimate earbuds for your work-from-home needs by exploring our top 10 picks for 2024, each chosen for the different WFH user needs.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: up to 6 devices
- Codec: AAC and SBC
- Microphone: 4 on each earbud
- Battery life: 6 hours; 24 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 20 minutes for 2 hours; 1.5 hours for a full charge
- Other features: ActiveSense, Adjustable EQ, CustomTune
The Bose QC Earbuds II excel with superior Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology, seamless connectivity, and dynamic noise adjustment, making them our best overall pick.
With Bluetooth 5.3, these earbuds allow six simultaneous connections within a 30-foot range. Their ANC technology reduces low-frequency noise from appliances and dampens background conversations, lowering them by 20% of their original volume. Additionally, the earbuds’ Aware Mode with ActiveSense automatically triggers ANC in response to loud noises, enhancing your listening experience.
My voice came out clearly during an outdoor meeting, thanks to their quad-microphone setup. CustomTune helps adapt the sound to my ear shape, making every detail in music sound more vivid, and you can further customize the EQ via the Bose Music app. The battery life also exceeds 7 hours at 50% volume with ANC, outperforming Bose’s claims.
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, released in September 2023, share similarities with the QCII, including design, IPX4 rating, touch controls, and app compatibility, alongside excellent ANC, sound, and mic quality. The Ultras boast Snapdragon Sound™ for CD-quality audio and feature a new metal logo panel, but they charge slower and have a slightly shorter battery life than the QCIIs.
That said, the more established QC II remains a solid choice for audio quality and ANC, so upgrading to the Ultras may not be crucial, unless you’re keen on having the latest audio specs.
Jabra Elite 85t
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
- Multipoint: up to 2 devices
- Codec: AAC and SBC
- Microphone: 3 mics on each earbud
- Battery life: 5.5 hours (ANC on); 19.5 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 15 minutes for 1 hour; 2.5 hours for a full charge
- Other features: Adjustable ambient mode, MySound, Find My Jabra
The Jabra Elite 85t are our second pick for best earbuds for working from home, with nearly identical features and only slight compromises in performance compared to the QC Earbuds II.
The Elite 85t have a dedicated noise-canceling processor, an upgrade from the older Elite 75t. This delivers better ANC, effectively reducing low and some high-frequency background noises. However, they lack a bit compared to the more powerful ANC of our best overall pick.
Also, unlike the QC Earbuds II’s Bluetooth 5.3, these are equipped with Bluetooth 5.1. However, these earbuds let me connect two devices simultaneously, eliminating the hassle of device-switching.
They have three microphones per earbud for clear calls and activate HearThrough mode during calls, which helps me stay aware if I’m speaking too loudly. Background noises, even in noisy environments, are effectively minimized, ensuring undisturbed call quality.
The Elite 85t also excel in casual listening despite only supporting AAC and SBC codecs and have a V-shaped sound signature ideal for pop and hip-hop. With the Jabra Sound+ app, I can customize the EQ, set personal audio profiles, and even locate the earbuds if lost, making my listening experience highly personalized and convenient.
With 70% volume and ANC active, the battery lasted 5 hours and 45 minutes. However, disabling ANC extended the battery life to over 7 hours.
EarFun Air Pro 3
Key features
- ANC: Yes, with QuietSmart 2.0
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: up to 2 devices
- Codec: aptX, AAC, LC3, and SBC
- Microphone: 3 mics with cVc 8.0 on each earbud
- Battery life: 7 hours (ANC on); 37 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 10 minutes for 2 hours; 1 hour for a full charge
- Other features: Wireless charging, transparency mode, low latency game mode
The EarFun Air Pro 3 challenges the notion that quality work-from-home earbuds must be pricey. These earbuds offer premium features like hybrid ANC, noise-canceling mics, customizable EQ, and excellent battery life at a competitive price.
Like many flagship models, the earbuds support multi-device connectivity, and the built-in cVc 8.0 mics reduce background noise, offering decent call quality. A unique feature I enjoy is the gentle beep reminder every 15 seconds when I mute my mic during MS Teams calls, notifying me that I’m on mute.
The ANC effectively silences constant background sounds. I used these at a Starbucks, and they managed to block the noise from a nearby HVAC very well, though conversations remained partially audible. The earbuds support battery-efficient aptX and LC3 codecs, which have better audio accuracy and sounded great when I tested them with Foo Fighters’ The Pretender.
To further enhance your listening experience, you can also download the EarFun Audio app on iOS or Android to customize your EQ, adjust controls, and toggle game mode.
Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: Up to 2 devices
- Codec: aptX, AAC, SBC, mSBC, and LC3
- Microphone: 3 on each earbud
- Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on); 24 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 15 minutes for 1 hour; 2 hours for a full charge
- Other features: WindSmart technology, built-in Bluetooth dongle, smart charging case, wireless charging
The Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds are an excellent choice for those juggling multiple devices across various platforms. They are specifically designed for superior cross-platform compatibility, facilitating seamless use with apps like Zoom, MS Teams, and Google Meet.
This means, the headphones can connect to the UC apps in one tap. You can also control the calls via the built-in earbud controls.
The earbuds’ charging case doubles as a remote control with a touchscreen for play/pause and volume control, plus it serves as a Bluetooth transmitter. This is ideal for connecting to non-Bluetooth devices, like airplane entertainment systems or older computers. The case also includes a BT700 Bluetooth USB dongle with a wider connection range.
The Voyager Free 60+ has a deep bass response and AAC and aptX codec support. When I pair them with the case or the included dongle, they switch to LC3, reducing power consumption. Battery life is decent, spanning 4 to 5 hours, depending on ANC use and call frequency. Quick charging for 15 minutes also gives an hour of playback.
Microsoft Surface Earbuds
Key features
- ANC: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Multipoint: No
- Codec: aptX, SBC
- Microphone: 2 mics on each earbud
- Battery life: 7 listening time; 4.5 talk time; 24 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 1 hour for full charge
- Other features: Microsoft 365 integration; Swift Pair with Windows
If you’re a dedicated Windows and Microsoft 365 user, the Microsoft Surface Earbuds are the best option for this ecosystem. They’re especially ideal if you do a lot of writing, emails, and presentations with Microsoft apps.
They come with free access to Microsoft 365 and have a special integration with this suite.
These earbuds offer the capability to transcribe spoken words into text across various Microsoft applications such as Word and Outlook. You can also use them for live captioning during PowerPoint presentations with live translations for them to be displayed in multiple languages. You can also play back emails through the Outlook app on iOS devices.
Pairing the Surface Earbuds with a Windows device is also quick, thanks to Swift Pair via Bluetooth 5.0, though they lack multipoint connectivity.
Despite their open-ear design, the Surface Earbuds have great call clarity and noise isolation. They deliver a rich and full sound, though the bass is less pronounced. I noticed, however, that the mids and highs are very clear and without sibilance. Additionally, they support aptX codec on compatible devices and have a 5-band equalizer on the Microsoft Surface Audio app.
AirPods Pro 2
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: Automatic Switching between Apple devices
- Microphone: Dual beamforming mics
- Battery life: 6 hours; 30 hours with the charging case
- Charge time: 5 minutes for 1 hour; 1 hour for a full charge
- Other features: Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio & Head Tracking
The AirPods Pro 2 are ideal for Apple users due to their flawless integration with the Apple ecosystem, offering features like instant pairing, seamless device switching, and Siri access. Additionally, they offer enhancements specific to Apple’s hardware and software, such as spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
These earbuds lack Bluetooth multipoint but simplify connectivity with one-tap pairing to Apple devices. Sound-wise, the AirPods Pro 2 have a good dynamic range, though I noticed a slight under-emphasis on high frequencies. I particularly enjoy the personalized Spatial Audio feature, which does a fantastic job of making supported content sound more immersive.
The AirPods Pro 2’s ANC reduces ambient noise by 20-30 dB, making high-pitched noises less distracting. The new Adaptive Transparency mode intelligently blocks sudden loud noises, protecting hearing while allowing other sounds. From my observations, their dual beamforming mics also isolate my voice well, ensuring clear conversations in noisy settings.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Key features
- ANC: Yes, with Integrated Processor V2 and and HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: up to 2 devices
- Codec: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Microphone: 3 on each earbud
- Battery life: 8 hours; 16 hours with the charging case
- Charge time: 3 minutes for 1 hour; 1.5 hours for a full charge
- Other features: Noise-isolating foam ear tips, Ambient Sound Mode, Quick Attention, Speak-to-Chat, Dynamic Driver X
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are perfect for a focused, distraction-free experience while working from home. Its advanced digital noise-canceling system uses two proprietary processors and noise-isolating ear tips, making them our top pick for noise-canceling earbuds.
These earbuds feature the new V2 and QN2e processors, which have faster and more accurate noise-canceling power than the WF-1000XM4’s V1 and QN1e processors. I was impressed with how they almost entirely blocked out low-frequency noise while keeping higher-frequency sounds, like conversations, at a minimum.
The Adaptive Sound Control is driven by AI algorithms that automatically adjust your audio when listening or during calls. And you can customize this and your ANC levels in the Sony Headphones Connect app. There’s also a Speak-to-Chat feature that automatically switches to ambient mode when you talk.
Sound-wise, the WF-1000XM5s features LDAC streaming and wider frequency response with Dynamic Driver X. While they process audio quickly, they fall short of delivering a more spacious sound experience. The strong bass also tends to overshadow some details in the higher frequencies. Notably, LDAC streaming decreases battery life to around 6 hours, a compromise to consider.
Duet 50 Pro
Key features
- ANC: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Multipoint: No
- Codec: SBC, AAC, aptX
- Microphone: Dual mics with cVc noise cancellation
- Battery life: 8 hours; 130 hours with the charging case
- Charge time: No fast charge; 2.5 hours for a full charge
- Other features: Can charge your phone, IPX5 build
The Duet 50 Pro earbuds are the best companion for those who thrive working outdoors, mainly due to their unmatched 130-hour battery life. This longevity ensures users remain connected on every adventure without the hassle of frequent charging, setting a new standard for on-the-go productivity.
The earbuds’ charging case doubles as a 2600 mAh power bank, allowing you to charge your Android or Apple device with the included USB cable adapter. I found this feature extremely convenient and useful while working outdoors as it removed the need to find a power outlet.
The Duet 50 Pro earbuds are engineered to deliver a warm vocal tone reminiscent of classic hi-fi systems, emphasizing bass fullness and crisp vocals and highs. They support aptX codecs, which provide CD-quality sound reproduction. Although they don’t have ANC, the six ear tip sizes gave me more fit options for better passive noise isolation.
Additionally, dual microphones ensure clear, wireless phone calls, enhancing their utility for music enthusiasts and professionals seeking reliable call quality.
Ultimate Ears UE Fits
Key features
- ANC: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
- Multipoint: No
- Microphone: 2 mics per earbud
- Codec: aptX, AAC, and SBC
- Battery life: 8 hours; 20 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 10 minutes for 1 hour; 1-2 hours to full
- Other features: Custom-mold ear tips; sweat-resistance
Ill-fitting earbuds can be a distraction – especially when working from home. But the Ultimate Ears UE Fits are extremely comfortable thanks to the custom-fitting ear tips and a unique ergonomic design.
The gel-filled ear tips mold to your ears after 60 seconds when you first put them on. Then, you can use the Lightform technology through the UE Fits app to shine LED lights through the gel-filled ear tips. This process hardens the ear tips, allowing them to maintain the shape of your ears permanently.
The custom-mold ear tips affect more than just comfort. It also improves the overall perceived sound quality. They create an almost air-tight seal that blocks out ambient noise, which enhances audio. In other words, you can still have a distraction-free work session at home despite the lack of ANC.
The UE Fits earbuds support aptX and AAC codecs, with the former enhancing song details at a minor cost to battery life. They have a dual-mic setup for high-quality calls while reducing wind and noise interference. Though some commented that my voice sounded thinner, everyone could still understand what was said.
JLab Work Buds
Key features
- ANC: No
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Multipoint: up to 2 devices
- Codec: SBC
- Microphone: Noise-canceling detachable boom mic
- Battery life: 10 hours listen time; 6 hours talk time; up to 55 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 15 minutes for 2 hours; 2.5 hours to full
- Other features: Adjustable ambient mode, MySound, Find My Jabra,
If you’re someone who gets or makes a lot of work calls, check out the JLab Work Buds. These come with a noise-canceling boom mic that delivers crisp, natural voice quality for your calling needs.
Thanks to the cardioid pickup pattern, the boom mic isolates my voice well. It’s also detachable for use on either earbud. With the JLab app, I could also adjust the noise-canceling level of the mic depending on how noisy it was around me.
These earbuds offer 10 hours of listening, six hours of talk time, and 20 hours from the case. Using one earbud extends usage to 55 hours, with a quick 15-minute charge providing two additional hours. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 provides multipoint connectivity that automatically switches between devices and prioritizes phone calls over media playback.
How to Choose the Best Earbuds for Working From Home
Choosing the best work-from-home earbuds involves considering key factors such as ANC to reduce distractions, Bluetooth connectivity, and battery life to ensure uninterrupted productivity. This focused approach ensures you find earbuds that offer great sound quality and support clear and stable connections essential for work efficiency.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when canvassing for earbuds for your home office setup:
Do the earbuds have good connectivity?
There’s nothing more annoying than spotty audio from your earbuds during those Monday crunch-time meetings. To minimize the chance of that happening, look for these connectivity features in your new earbuds:
- Bluetooth version: Go for earbuds with at least Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This provides better connection stability, improved wireless range, and more efficient audio transmission. We recommend going for earbuds with Bluetooth 5.3, like the Bose QuietComfort II, to ensure you get the latest features.
- Multipoint connectivity: This lets you use multiple devices simultaneously and switches your earbuds between devices without disconnecting. Some earbuds can even conveniently support up to 6 concurrent connections.
- MS and UC platform certification: This means that the earbuds are proven to work with multiple communication devices and apps. UC-certified earbuds, like the Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC, have better compatibility with apps like Zoom and Google Meet. In contrast, MS-certified earbuds have more functionality on Microsoft Teams.
Do the earbuds have a good-quality microphone?
Clear communication during calls is crucial for remote workers, especially in a noisy home environment. Earbuds with a noise-canceling microphone are essential to lessen background noise from children, lawnmowers, or pets. You can refer to the earbuds’ spec sheet or user manual to gauge their quality, but here’s an overview of what to look for:
- Number of mics: While not always the case, having more mics can improve the earbuds’ voice pickup performance, resulting in better call quality. For example, earbuds like the Jabra Elite 85t have six strategically placed mics to pick up your voice and eliminate ambient noise.
- Noise cancellation: This feature helps to eliminate unwanted background noise, allowing your voice to stand out. If you work in a noisy area with a lot of background noise, go for earbuds with noise-canceling mics like the Earfun Air Pro 3.
- Voice pickup technology: This refers to how the earbuds capture the sound waves of your voice. Some earbuds, like the JLAB Work Buds, combine a dedicated boom mic setup for more accurate voice pickup and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) mic technology to detect and negate background noises.
Are the earbuds noise-canceling?
Noise cancellation plays a significant role in enhancing your focus, productivity, and overall experience.
High-end earbuds like the Bose QC II Earbuds offer advanced noise cancellation that excel at blocking out distracting noises and transparency modes for better spatial awareness. Extra features like Speak-to-Chat on the Sony WF-1000XM5 also provide convenience for brief interactions, like when answering the door for food delivery.
Aside from ANC, some earbuds, like the Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC, also help to protect your hearing when there are dangerously loud noises that could potentially damage your eardrums.
Do the earbuds sound good?
Even if you don’t listen to music while working, having a pair of good-sounding earbuds is a plus. There are several aspects that you should look into when it comes to sound quality:
- Audio codec compatibility: Try looking for earbuds with compatible codec support. Some devices, like iPhones, only support AAC codec, so it’s best to use earbuds that support it, like the AirPods Pro 2. Using earbuds and devices with incompatible codecs means reverting to the SBC codec, which has lower sound quality.
- Personalized sound: Consider getting earbuds that have custom EQ. This not only lets you customize your audio for certain music genres but also lets you enhance voices. Personalized hearing and ear fit tests, like Bose’s CustomTune and Jabra’s MySound, are also great features for those who prefer a specific type of sound.
Do the earbuds have good battery capacity?
A longer battery life means you won’t need to recharge frequently, allowing you to stay focused without worrying about running out of power.
Good earbuds should last at least 5-8 hours on a single charge. Given that you’re not always blasting music at max volume, earbuds with that battery life range should last for the whole day. The Duet Pro 50 is an outstanding example, with its 130-hour battery capacity.
Additionally, having a quick charge feature shortens the downtime for the charging, letting you get back to work more quickly.
Are the earbuds comfortable?
There’s no point in having all of the features above if the earbuds don’t feel good in your ears. The discomfort from ill-fitting earbuds may become a distraction, leading to reduced productivity.
While the design and shape play a role in determining the comfort level of your earbuds, the deciding factor is often the ear tip materials. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different ear tip materials:
- Foam ear tips are the most comfortable since they can mold into the shape of your ear canal. However, they soak up moisture over time, making them less durable than others.
- Silicone ear tips are the most common ear tip materials that come with your earbuds. These are highly durable and comfortable enough for most use cases. However, they tend to slip out of your ears when exposed to moisture/sweat.
Comfort-oriented earbuds like the Ultimate Ears UE Fits can be custom-molded to your ears for the best and most personalized comfort.
Thank you for your extensive research and service! Can you recommend a few Active Noise Canceling Wired Earbuds with an Inline Microphone for working from home? I need to find a replacement for my beloved Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones (Earbuds) and am having a very hard time finding something comparable.
I hope to find a replacement that is compatible with Android as well as Windows 11 laptop. Thank you so much.