Here are our top picks for 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 Compatiblity | Bluetooth 5.3 | 3 mics per earbud | ANC | BUY |
| 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 mics | ANC | BUY |
| Sony WF-1000XM4 Best Noise Cancellation | Bluetooth 5.2 | 2 mics per earbud | ANC | BUY |
| Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 Best Battery Life | Bluetooth 5.2 | cVc 8.0 noise cancelling mics | ANC | BUY |
| Ultimate Ears UE Fits Most Comfortable | Bluetooth 5.0 | 2 mics per earbud | Passive noise isolation | BUY |
| JLab Work Buds Best for Handsfree Calls | Bluetooth 5.3 | Detachable MEMS boom mic | N/A | BUY |
How to Choose the Best Earbuds for Working From Home
A study found that listening to classical music while working can increase focus. And with a good pair of noise-canceling earbuds, you can drown out distractions and further improve productivity.
Unfortunately, picking earbuds for entertainment and productivity isn’t easy. Good-sounding earbuds often lack a reliable microphone and stable connectivity for your calls, and vice versa.
Luckily, you can tell if a pair of earbuds are suitable for working from home by reviewing factors like ANC, Bluetooth connectivity, and battery life. In this article, we’ve compiled everything you need to know, plus our top recommendations for you. Let’s dive right in.
Do the earbuds have good connectivity?
There’s nothing more annoying than getting spotty audio from your earbuds, especially during those crunch-time Monday meetings. In order to minimize the chance of that happening, there are several connectivity factors you should look for in your earbuds:
- Bluetooth version: Ideally, it’s best to go for earbuds with at least Bluetooth 5.0 or later. Compared to previous versions, Bluetooth 5.0 provides better connection stability, thanks to improved wireless range, and more efficient audio transmission. So, we recommend going for earbuds with Bluetooth 5.3, like the Bose QuietComfort II, to ensure you get the latest features.
- Multipoint connectivity: If you use multiple devices simultaneously, like your laptop and your phone, go for earbuds with multipoint connectivity. This allows you to switch your earbuds between devices without disconnecting. Some earbuds can even support up to 6 concurrent connections, which is super convenient.
- 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. On the other hand, MS-certified earbuds have more functionality on Microsoft Teams.
Do the earbuds have a good-quality microphone?
If you’re working from home, being able to communicate clearly with co-workers during calls is extremely important. Having a noise-canceling mic in your earbuds is even more important if your home environment tends to get noisy due to energetic kids, lawnmowers, or barking dogs.
Usually, there’s information on the earbuds’ spec sheet or user manual that you can use to gauge the earbuds’ mic quality. Here are a few to consider:
- 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 is a crucial feature in earbuds, especially when it comes to working from home. It plays a significant role in enhancing your focus, productivity, and overall experience.
High-end earbuds like the Bose QC II Earbuds have excellent ANC to help you focus by blocking out distracting noises. Additionally, having the option to tune into your surroundings through transparency/ambient mode is also convenient.
Moreover, extra features like Speak-to-Chat on the Sony WF-1000XM4 also provide convenience for certain situations, like when you need to quickly answer the door for food delivery or greet your neighbor.
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 can improve your phone calls or meetings. 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 for your devices. Some devices, like iPhones, only support AAC codec. This means it’s best to use earbuds that support AAC, like the AirPods Pro 2. Using earbuds and devices with incompatible codecs means you’ll revert to the SBC codec, which has lower overall sound quality.
- Personalized sound: Consider getting earbuds that support custom EQ to enhance specific audio frequencies. 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?
Battery life is an important consideration, even when working at home. A longer battery life means you won’t need to recharge frequently, allowing you to stay focused without worrying about running out of power.
A good pair of earbuds should last at least 5-8 hours on a single charge. Given you’re not always blasting music at max volume, earbuds with that range of battery life should last for the whole day. Additionally, having a quick charge feature shortens the downtime for the charging, letting you get back to work more quickly.
For instance, the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 can get you two hours of use with a 15-minute charge on top of the already insane 10-hour battery life.
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 that could lead 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 tips 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.
There are also comfort-oriented earbuds like the Ultimate Ears UE Fits that can be custom-molded to your ears for the best and most personalized comfort.
10 Best Earbuds for Working From Home 2023
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
When it comes to the best earbuds for working from home, the Bose QC Earbuds II win it all. These earbuds offer everything you need to be focused and productive, making them our best overall pick.
With Bluetooth 5.3, the Bose QC II Earbuds can support up to 6 simultaneous connections with up to 30 feet of range.
The ANC reduces low-frequency ambient sounds from appliances like air conditioners or vacuum cleaners to roughly 20% of the original volume. It also filters out background conversations and other mid-frequency sounds, though not as much. Additionally, if you have Aware Mode/transparency on, the ActiveSense technology will automatically activate ANC when the earbuds detect a loud noise nearby.
As for phone calls, I tried having a meeting near a busy street with the QC Earbuds II. My voice came clearly without any background noise, thanks to the four mics on each earbud.
The QC Earbuds II also have CustomTune, which tunes the sound based on your ear shape. With this feature, the little nuances of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now remained ever-present while retaining the liveliness of the bass. You also get a customizable EQ slider on the Bose Music app to further customize how the buds sound.
In terms of battery life, these earbuds managed to deliver more than 7 hours of use with 50% volume and ANC – roughly one hour more than what Bose advertises.
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 a close second in this list of the best earbuds for working from home, with nearly identical features to the QC Earbuds II, albeit slightly toned down.
With Bluetooth 5.1, the Jabra Elite 85t similarly supports a comfortable range of up to 33 feet (10 meters). You can connect two devices simultaneously, meaning no more juggling between your laptop and phone.
The Elite 85t are equipped with three mics on each earbud for crisp call quality. They also switch to HearThrough mode when you’re on a call, so you’ll know if you’re speaking too loud. Even in a small room with the AC cranked up, I had no issue with background noises during phone calls.
The Elite 85t sound very good for casual listening, considering they only support AAC and SBC codecs. The V-shaped sound signature sounds just right for pop and hip-hop tracks. I really love how Miley Cyrus’ Flowers sound on these earbuds. The groovy bassline and Miley’s crisp voice pop out effortlessly without drowning other sounds.
As for battery life, I got 5 hours and 45 minutes with 70% volume and ANC. However, turning the ANC off improves the battery 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
If you think a good pair of earbuds for working from home has to be expensive, you clearly haven’t met the EarFun Air Pro 3. These earbuds offer features like hybrid ANC, noise-canceling mics, customizable EQ, and excellent battery life at a competitive price.
The EarFun Air Pro 3 boast the latest Bluetooth 5.3 that supports up to two connections – on par with some flagship earbuds.
The built-in cVc 8.0 mics exclude background noises very well. Though they’re not as polished as higher-end earbuds, the overall mic quality is decent enough for your calls.
The Air Pro 3 have excellent ANC that blocks out persistent noises like fans, AC, and fridges. I used these to work at a Starbucks, and the Air Pro 3 managed to block the noise from a nearby HVAC very well. However, the mid and high-frequency noises aren’t as well-filtered, and I was still able to hear people’s chatter.
The earbuds support battery-efficient aptX and LC3 codecs, both of which produce more accurate sound. I tested them with Foo Fighter’s The Pretender, which sounded fantastic. The well-pronounced licks and punchy kick-snare didn’t overshadow Dave Grohl’s magnificent voice at all.
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
If you use multiple devices across different platforms, The Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC are worth considering. These versatile buds are designed to have better cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to use various devices and apps for your daily work and communication needs.
These earbuds come with a smart charging case that also acts like a remote control. It has a touch screen with buttons for play/pause, volume adjustment, and more. It also works as a Bluetooth transmitter for the earbuds, which is especially useful when you need to use non-Bluetooth devices, like an airplane’s built-in entertainment system or older computers.
In the sound department, the Poly Voyager Free 60 UC support AAC and aptX codecs when paired directly to a source device. When paired to the case or included dongle, they switch LC3, which reduces power consumption. These earbuds also have a bass-oriented sound signature that noticeably bumps up the lows.
As for the battery life, these earbuds last around 4 hours with ANC on a single charge, extending up to 5 hours with ANC off. The charging case provides about 16.5 hours of active call use, plus fast charging capabilities that deliver an hour of talk time on a 15-minute charge.
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 an avid Windows and Microsoft 365 user, the Microsoft Surface Earbuds are hands-down the best earbuds for this ecosystem. This is especially true if you do a lot of writing, emails, and presentations with Microsoft apps.
Taking the Surface Earbuds out of the case near a Bluetooth-enabled Windows device prompts a Swift Pairing process using Bluetooth 5.0. But unfortunately, they don’t support multipoint connections.
As a writer, the dictation feature on these earbuds has saved me some time in writing rough article drafts on Microsoft Word. It also works on Outlook and PowerPoint – but you do need a Microsoft 365 subscription.
These earbuds are also excellent for phone calls. Everything is loud and clear, without any audible ambient noises – which is impressive considering their open-ear design.
Sound-wise, the Surface Earbuds sound rich and full, albeit a little bit airy due to the open-ear design. While the bass isn’t as punchy as other earbuds on this list, the mids and highs are very clear without any noticeable sibilance.
They also support aptX codec, which has better compression efficiency and more accurate sound on compatible devices. However, if you don’t like the default sound, I recommend downloading the Microsoft Surface Audio app, as it unlocks access to a 5-band equalizer.
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 the ideal earbuds for Apple device users. They boast excellent ANC, top-notch transparency mode, decent sound quality, and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, making them great for Apple users.
Opening the charging case near a Mac or iPhone initiates a one-tap pairing process. And while lacking Bluetooth multipoint, they can automatically switch audio sources between your Apple devices.
The AirPods Pro 2’s dual beamforming mics are excellent at isolating your voice. Even in noisy environments, you can enjoy effortless conversations with no noticeable drop in clarity.
They also sound excellent for phone calls, podcasts, movies, or music. Overall, they have a great dynamic range, detailed midrange, and crisp highs. There’s a slight under-emphasis in high frequencies, but it’s hardly noticeable for most users. The personalized Spatial Audio also enhances the immersion of supported songs and content using head tracking and simulated surround sound.
The ANC on AirPods Pro reduces ambient sound by 20-30 dB, and low-frequency noises are almost entirely eliminated. High-pitched sounds, like a crying baby next door, may still seep through but won’t be as distracting.
True to their promise, the AirPods Pro 2 last about 6 hours with ANC on. Though using Spatial Audio reduces the battery to about 5.5 hours. As for comfort, these won’t fit everyone’s ears on the first try. But they do come with four pairs of silicone ear tips to adjust the fit.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Key features
- ANC: Yes, with Integrated Processor V1
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Multipoint: up to 2 devices
- Codec: LDAC, AAC, and SBC
- Microphone: 2 on each earbud
- Battery life: 8 hours; 16 hours with the charging case
- Charge time: 5 minutes for 1 hour; 1.5 hours for a full charge
- Other features: Noise-isolating foam ear tips, speak-to-chat, Wind Noise Reduction
If you want an absolutely focused and distraction-free experience while working from home, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are perfect for you. The combination of digital sound canceling and noise-isolating ear tips negates surrounding noises like no other, making them our top pick for noise-canceling earbuds.
The new Integrated Processor V1, which the WF-1000XM3 didn’t have, significantly improves the noise-canceling performance. Low-frequency sounds like passing cars or the hum of air-conditioning are almost entirely blocked out. You can still hear conversations or other high-frequency noises, but they’re much quieter.
For connectivity, the WF-1000XM4 come with Bluetooth 5.2 that can connect to two devices simultaneously. And in my experience using them, I had no connection issues with these earbuds on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
The Precise Voice Pickup Technology also ensures that your voice is always crystal-clear during phone calls. In a test call, my voice sounded isolated and natural, even in the middle of a busy environment.
Sound-wise, the WF-1000XM4 are impressive, especially when streaming over LDAC. They have a punchy bass that doesn’t bleed into the well-pronounced mids and highs. But I found that lowering the bass and mids via the custom EQ improves the overall clarity even further.
As for battery life, they advertise 8 hours of use. The case holds 16 hours of charge, with a 10-minute charge giving you about 2 hours of playback time.
The WF-1000XM4 come with three pairs of noise-isolating foam ear tips that mold to your ear canals and help improve the overall ANC performance.
Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- Multipoint: N/A
- Codec: aptX, AAC, and SBC
- Microphone: cVc 8.0 noise canceling mics
- Battery life: 10 hours; 80 hours with the charging case
- Charge time: 15 minutes for 2 hours; 2-3 hours to full
- Other features: Hear Through ambient mode, LDX Audio
If you’re someone who works long hours or just wants earbuds that won’t die mid-Zoom call, the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 are the top contender. These earbuds boast 10 hours of use on a single charge and up to 80 hours with the charging case.
Not only that, a 15-minute charge gives you 2 hours of use – which is highly convenient for power users. The case also supports wireless charging, adding a point for versatility.
But battery life is not the only thing they have to offer. They also have excellent connectivity, mic quality, sound quality, and noise-canceling features. The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX and AAC codecs. Sadly, there’s no multipoint connection capability.
The mic quality is clear and crisp, thanks to the Qualcomm cVc 8.0 noise and echo reduction technology. Unwanted noise like background chatter are cleanly excluded when speaking on the phone.
These earbuds sound balanced with custom-tuned 6mm drivers. They have rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. Using them with aptX-compatible Android phones noticeably improves the sound accuracy and level of details produced, thanks to better compression efficiency.
The ANC reduces ambient noises considerably well, especially humming sounds like fans or neighbors’ lawnmowers. Additionally, passive isolation helps block sounds that the ANC can’t filter out. The PurePlay Z3 2.0 come with three pairs of silicone ear tips that also help with comfort and improve overall noise canceling.
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
Bad-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 overall ergonomic design.
When you first put them on, the gel-filled ear tips mold to your ears after 60 seconds. 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 permanently maintain the shape of your ears.
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.
It also helps that the UE Fits support aptX and AAC codecs – so they sound excellent with any device. Streaming over aptX offers a bit more details in songs, though it also slightly reduces the battery life.
UE Fits have a dual-mic setup on each earbud that delivers high-quality audio for calls while smartly blocking out wind and other noises. And although I received some comments that my voice came out sounding thinner than usual, everyone could still understand what was being said.
JLab Work Buds
Key features
- ANC: Yes
- 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 phone calls for work, you should check out the JLab Work Buds. These come with a noise-canceling boom microphone that delivers crisp and natural voice quality for your phone calls.
The boom mic does an excellent job at isolating your voice, thanks to the cardioid pick-up pattern. It’s also detachable, and you can use it with either side of the earbud. In theory, you can get double the battery life by using one earbud at a time.
These earbuds give about 10 hours of listening time and 6 hours of talk time. The case holds an extra 20 hours of juice. If you use the earbud individually, you can get up to 55 hours of use. But if you ever run out of battery, a quick 15-minute charge gives you about 2 hours of use.
With the JLab app, you can adjust the noise canceling level of the mic depending on how much background noise you have around you. You can also customize or turn off the touch controls if you wish to do so.
Additionally, these earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3, which supports up to two connected devices. They also prioritize phone calls over media playback. So if you get a call on your phone while playing audio on your laptop, the earbuds will switch over to the phone.
As far as sound quality goes, these earbuds aren’t exactly the best – but they sound alright for casual music listening or content consumption in general. However, incoming audio from phone calls sounds very natural and clear.
