Best Headphones for Video Calls 2025: Stop Asking People to Repeat Themselves

"Can You Hear Me? No? How About Now?"

It was my third week at a new remote job. I was on a client call—my first time presenting to this particular client—and halfway through my screen share, the client interrupted: "Sorry, David, you're cutting out. We're only getting every third word."

I apologized, switched to my laptop's built-in mic. Still breaking up. Tried my phone as a hotspot. Nope. Finally, in a panic, I grabbed my gaming headset from the closet (the one with the light-up cat ears I'd bought as a joke). Crystal clear audio instantly. I finished the presentation wearing glowing cat ear headphones on a professional client call.

That day I learned that audio quality isn't optional for remote work. It's actually more important than video quality, because people will tolerate a grainy webcam, but they won't tolerate having to ask "what?" every 30 seconds.

I've since tested 15+ headphones. Here's what actually works.

Quick Comparison: Top Headphones for Remote Work

Headphones	Best For	Price
Sony WH-1000XM5	Best Noise Cancellation	$379-$399
Jabra Evolve2 65	Best for All-Day Calls	$229-$279
Apple AirPods Pro 2	Best for Apple Users	$249
Anker Soundcore Q30	Best Budget Option	$79-$89

1. Sony WH-1000XM5 - Best Noise Cancellation

Price: $379-$399 | Type: Over-ear, wireless

These are the headphones I use daily. I work from a small apartment. My partner also works from home. We're both on calls constantly, often simultaneously in the same room. The Sony XM5s make this situation actually work.

Why the noise cancellation matters: It's not just about blocking sound—it's about blocking the *right* sound. These headphones eliminate background noise (air conditioner, traffic, keyboard typing) while preserving voice frequencies. On calls, people hear me clearly but don't hear my partner's meeting happening 8 feet away.

Key features:

• Industry-leading active noise cancellation
• 8 microphones for crystal-clear call quality
• 30-hour battery life
• Multipoint connection (connect to laptop and phone simultaneously)
• Transparency mode lets you hear surroundings when needed
• Comfortable enough for 6+ hour wearing sessions

Real-world use: I wear these 6-8 hours daily. The ear cushions are soft memory foam that never gets uncomfortable. I'll sometimes forget I'm wearing them. Battery lasts almost a full work week between charges. The auto-pause when you take them off is one of those features you don't think you need until you have it—then it's indispensable.

Minor complaints: They don't fold flat like the previous XM4 model, so they're slightly bulkier in a bag. And the touch controls occasionally trigger accidentally if you adjust the headphones during a call.

Who they're for: Remote workers in noisy environments. People who take back-to-back calls all day. Anyone who needs to block distractions to focus. Worth the premium price if audio quality and noise cancellation are priorities.

2. Jabra Evolve2 65 - Best for All-Day Video Calls

Price: $229-$279 | Type: Over-ear, wireless with boom mic

If your job is basically "be on Zoom calls all day," the Jabra Evolve2 65 is purpose-built for you. These aren't headphones that happen to have a mic—they're a professional communication headset that happens to also play music decently.

What makes them special for calls:

• Professional boom microphone (sounds way better than inline mics)
• Busylight on ear cup shows colleagues when you're on a call
• Certified for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet
• 37-hour battery life
• Active noise cancellation (not Sony-level, but good)
• USB dongle for ultra-reliable wireless (Bluetooth can be flaky on some laptops)

Real-world feedback: My manager uses these. She's on calls literally 7-8 hours daily (director-level, lots of meetings). She says the boom mic is noticeably better than her previous Sony XM4s for call clarity. People on the other end consistently comment on how clear she sounds. The 37-hour battery means she charges them once a week.

Tradeoffs: They look very "corporate headset" (which is fine for work, less great for walking around town). Music quality is good but not amazing—they're optimized for voice, not bass-heavy music. And they're a bit pricier than consumer headphones with similar specs.

Who they're for: People whose job is primarily meetings and calls. Customer success, sales, support, management roles. Anyone who needs maximum call quality and reliability over music quality.

3. Apple AirPods Pro 2 - Best for Apple Ecosystem

Price: $249 | Type: In-ear, wireless earbuds

If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, iPad), AirPods Pro are almost unfairly good. The seamless switching between devices is legitimately magical.

Why Apple users love them:

• Automatic device switching (start a call on Mac, seamlessly switch to iPhone)
• Spatial audio for calls makes voices sound more natural
• Excellent active noise cancellation for earbuds
• Transparency mode is the best I've tested
• 6 hours listening, 4.5 hours talk time (30 hours total with case)
• Tiny and portable—disappear in a pocket

Real-world use: I use these when I'm working from a coffee shop or need to move around during calls. The automatic switching is incredible—I'll be on a Zoom call on my laptop, then step out for a walk while the call seamlessly transfers to my phone without me touching anything. It just works.

Downsides for work: Earbuds inherently can't match over-ear headphones for all-day comfort. After 3-4 hours, my ears need a break. The mic quality is good but not as good as a boom mic—people can tell I'm using earbuds. And if you're not in the Apple ecosystem, these lose most of their advantages.

Who they're for: Mac/iPhone users who want maximum portability. People who need to move around during calls. Remote workers who split time between home office and coffee shops/coworking. Not ideal if you're on 6+ hour call marathons.

4. Anker Soundcore Q30 - Best Budget Option

Price: $79-$89 | Type: Over-ear, wireless

If you need decent headphones but can't justify spending $300+, the Anker Soundcore Q30 punches way above its price point. These were my first work headphones before I upgraded to the Sonys.

What you get for $80:

• Active noise cancellation (not premium-level, but it works)
• 40-hour battery life (!)
• Comfortable for multi-hour wear
• Decent call quality (not amazing, but clear enough)
• Multipoint Bluetooth connection
• 3.5mm aux cable included (works even when battery dies)

What you're giving up vs. premium: The noise cancellation blocks steady noise (AC, fan) but struggles with sudden sounds (dog barking, door slamming). Call quality is merely okay—people can hear you fine, but it's noticeably worse than a boom mic. Build quality feels cheaper (more plastic, less premium materials).

Real-world use: I used these for six months before upgrading. For normal office calls in a reasonably quiet space, they were completely fine. I only upgraded because I moved to a noisier apartment and needed better ANC. If you have a quiet home office, these will serve you well.

Who they're for: Budget-conscious remote workers. First-time headphone buyers who aren't ready to spend $300. People working from quiet environments who don't need premium noise cancellation. Anyone who wants a solid backup pair.

Over-Ear vs Earbuds: Which Should You Choose?

Get over-ear headphones if:

• You're on calls 4+ hours daily
• You need maximum noise cancellation
• You want the best possible mic quality
• You work from a single location (not carrying them around much)

Get earbuds if:

• You move around during calls or work from multiple locations
• You want something that fits in a pocket
• You're in the Apple ecosystem (AirPods integration is unbeatable)
• You find over-ear headphones too hot or heavy

I own both. Sony XM5 for home office, AirPods Pro for coffee shops and travel. If you can only afford one, over-ear is better for full-time remote work.

Common Headphone Mistakes Remote Workers Make

Mistake #1: Using laptop audio for calls. Just don't. Even cheap headphones sound dramatically better than laptop speakers and mics. Your coworkers will appreciate not hearing your echo-y room reverb.

Mistake #2: Buying gaming headphones for work. Gaming headsets often have flashy lights and aggressive styling that looks ridiculous on professional calls. They're also usually optimized for explosions and gunshots, not human voices. Get headphones designed for voice/music.

Mistake #3: Ignoring battery life. I made this mistake with a pair of trendy headphones that died after 15 hours. When you're on calls all day, you don't want to worry about charging mid-workday. Get 24+ hour battery minimum.

Mistake #4: Buying based on music reviews. Headphones that sound amazing for music don't always have good mics for calls. Check reviews specifically about call quality and mic performance.

Do You Really Need Dedicated Work Headphones?

If you're on 2+ video calls per week, yes absolutely. Clear audio is non-negotiable for remote work.

I've been on probably 1,200 video calls in the past year. I can always tell when someone is using laptop audio vs. proper headphones. Laptop mics pick up every keyboard click, every exhale, every creak of your chair. It's distracting for everyone on the call.

Good headphones cost $80-$400 depending on features. That's a one-time investment that makes you sound professional on every single call for years. Worth it.

Ready to upgrade your remote work setup? Browse remote jobs and prepare for all those future video calls.