best headset for work at home

Top 10 Best Work from Home Headset + Mic Combos
	Name	Reviews	Rating
1	Plantronics SHR 2083-01	25+	7.8 of 10
2	Utaxo Bluetooth	650+	9.2 of 10
3	BlueParrott B450-XT	15+	8.6 of 10
4	Mpow Jaws Gen5	15,f000+	8.4 of 10
5	Sony WH1000XM3	9,000+	9.2 of 10
6	Plantronics Voyager Focus	650+	8.4 of 10
7	Logitech H600	1,700+	7.4 of 10
8	Vtin USB	1,200+	8.2 of 10
9	Plantronics Savi 8220	5+	9.2 of 10
10	Bose QuietComfort 35 II	18,000+	9.2 of 10

Headset Buyers Guide for Remote Workers

Work From Home (WFH) seems like a great idea when you're used to a daily commute to the office, campus, or school. But many people who get the opportunity to work from home find the transition challenging. Some never get the hang of it and quickly return to a more familiar and structured environment. Others get over the initial shock of discovering that working outside of an office isn't what they expected, adapt to the challenges and learn to thrive in the environment.

It takes a lot of discipline to work from your home on a daily basis. It can be even more challenging when more than one person in the household is trying to be productive at the same time. While discipline is essential to making it work, having the right equipment can go a long way toward making your life easier. When you ask people who've learned how to make remote work feasible for them, one thing they all recommend is a quality headset with a noise-cancelling microphone.

image of a remote work headset

A good headset helps make communicating for work or school projects more effective and also provides a way to block out distractions without becoming one in the process. Read on to learn more about what you should look for in a top-notch work from home headset and see the top 10 models that our reviewers recommend.

Why get a headset when working from home?

Some of us are lucky enough to have a dedicated office space in our home while others among us have to make do with a spot at the dining room table or a corner of the couch. When you're looking to make working from home a permanent arrangement, you need to find creative solutions that allow the space you have to be all that it can be. But even when you're just giving it a try or forced to work from home temporarily due to factors outside of your control, you need to figure out how to focus on your work and get things done efficiently. Especially if you are a manager learning to lead a remote team for the first time.

Blocking out distractions is one of the most important things that you can do to make it easier to focus on your work while working from home. Blocking out background noise is even more important if you're trying to maintain a professional veneer while you're on a conference call or video conference. Fortunately, some headsets can help to block out the noise that's around you so that you can focus and concentrate. When you choose a headset that has a built-in noise-cancelling microphone, you won't have to worry about clients or coworkers overhearing what's going on in the background either.

What to look for when buying a headset

Work from home pros love what a headset with a noise-cancelling microphone adds to their home office set up. They can make calls with the confidence that they will hear everything that is said to them while anything going on around them gets filtered out. They use the headset as the speakers and the microphone on video conferencing platforms like Skype and Zoom. They use the noise-cancelling function of the headphones to block out distractions or take advantage of the opportunity to play music while they work without worrying about being a distraction to others who are home.

When you are looking for a headset that will work for you, there are a few different areas that you need to consider to find the performance and comfort that you need to more done every day. Noise-cancelling headsets vary in the way they fit your ears, the location of the microphone, and the features that they provide to the user. If you find the combination of elements that work for you, your focus and productivity will stay high and your clients and coworkers will never know the difference.

Features that are important in a home office headset

No matter what style of headset you decide to go with for your home office communications, you need it to provide you with clear, distraction-free performance, comfort, and reliable connectivity at a reasonable price. You should consider all of the following factors when you're shopping for the headset that will take your work from home productivity to the next level.

photo of a remote worker coding using a headset

Noise Insulation

This is arguably the most important feature to consider when you're shopping for a headset to use in a work from home situation. You won't have the same level of control over what goes on around you when you're working from home as you do in the office. Being able to block out background noise will allow you to focus on the task at hand—whether that is a client at the other end of the line or a spreadsheet that needs your full attention.

There are many types of background noise you may want to block out while working from home including:

Dogs barking
Street noise
Nearby traffic
Children playing
A baby crying
Your roommate working
A spouse talking

Sound Quality

You want your headset to take good care of you. Part of that is blocking out background noise but producing clear sound is important too. Whether you're listening to a single person on a phone call or trying to sort through multiple people during a conference, you want to be able to hear without distortion or poor sound quality. Of course, when you turn on some tunes to help you whistle while you work, it would be nice if they could sound great too.

Microphone Properties

For a lot of us, getting work done takes more than being able to hear. It takes being heard as well. A unidirectional mic can't be topped for crystal clear audio quality but getting it requires accepting an over mouth style headset. You can get high-quality audio from the omnidirectional mics that come in internal and in-line designs but you should expect to pay more for the same level of quality that you would get from a more affordable over-mouth model.

Connectivity Features

The best work from home headsets will give you multiple connectivity options. The most basic option for connecting a headset is a 3.5mm jack cable that will connect to a cell phone, laptop, desktop tower, or tablet. Of course, you might want to go wireless and use a Bluetooth connection instead. That will give you the ability to move around whether you just need to pace while you talk or need to grab a fresh cup of coffee mid-call. The nice thing about having options is that you can hardline in when batteries run low on your wireless connection.

Comfort

Depending on what type of work you are doing from home, you might spend hours every day with a headset on. That means that it has to be functional and comfortable. That means quality padding in an on-ear or over-ear headset. If you choose to go with earbuds, you need to find something that has soft tips and sizing options that give you a solid fit.

Price

There are a lot of great headset models on the market, but at the end of the day, you don't want to break your bank just for a piece of equipment that helps you earn a living. The goal in business is to keep overhead low. You can get a great headset for remote work that will get the job done for under $50 or you can spend more to get more. Some of the most advanced models cost several hundred dollars but they deliver unmatched quality and comfort in return for the investment.

What are the most popular headset brands that include mics?

There are a lot of great brands in the noise-cancelling headset market. Some of them are names that audiophiles will recognize from the stereo equipment market. Some of them have made their name in aftermarket computer peripherals. Others are focused almost exclusively on producing high-quality office equipment grade noise-cancelling headsets.

Plantronics (now Poly): Plantronics is a company (now rebranded to Poly) that offers a wide variety of options in noise-cancelling headsets. They bring together the audiophile's approach to headphones and the business world's sensibility for office equipment to deliver efficient, effective, and affordable products.

Bose: Bose knows how to make audio equipment that delivers quality sound. When they turn their attention to designing functional business equipment, you get high-end products with a lot of features.

Logitech: Logitech is a recognized name in the computer peripherals market. Founded in 1981, they have been around long enough to gain many consumers trust in the space. They deliver functional products at affordable prices. That's an approach that has earned them the respect and trust of a lot of WFH (Work From Home) professionals.

Top 10 Headset Model Reviews (with Pricing)

1. Plantronics (Now Poly) SHR 2083-01

The Plantronics (now branded Poly) SHR 2083-01 is a headset that features full-sized, over-ear headphones with dynamic sound technology. This model uses hard-wired connectivity to ensure uninterrupted communications. An over-mouth, unidirectional boom microphone delivers crystal clear audio quality to anyone on the other end of a call or stream.

The model was designed to meet the needs of air traffic controllers and other safety-sensitive workers where clear communications through high-noise environments are essential to getting the job done. If these headphones can exceed expectations in demanding situations like that, you can be sure that they'll be up to the task of making your WFH routine more productive and professional.

These headphones have earned high praise from such high-stakes work-spaces as onboard an aircraft carrier or on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. They come highly recommended by workers in call-centers and office professionals who work from a cubicle surrounded by dozens of colleagues who are all on the phone simultaneously. Laboratory testing has revealed that they reduce 22dB of noise through the ear cups and 20dB through the microphone. On top of that, this headset is extremely durable and made of high-quality materials so you can expect it to last for a long time.

There are few downsides to this unit. One thing that buyers need to be aware of is the need to purchase an adapter or bottom cable to enable connection with some devices. Another thing that some shoppers will take issue with is the price tag. While this headset is reasonably priced relative to the quality performance and construction that it delivers, the price tag will be a bit more than many shoppers are comfortable spending on a piece of office equipment. The unit does come with a two-year warranty to help justify the investment that you make to add it to your WFH office toolkit.

2. Utaxo Bluetooth

Utaxo's Bluetooth Headset took the second spot on our list overall and received the best bargain headset title from our reviewers. At less than half the price of our top overall pick, this unit delivers impressive performance and considerable comfort. The over-ear earphones are enhanced by active noise-cancelling technology to block out whatever is going on around you.

The internal microphone uses CVC 6.0 technology to make sure that the people on the other end enjoy the same level of clarity that you do. The earphones are comfortable thanks to the soft protein padding and the Bluetooth connectivity offers freedom of movement along with 30+ hours of power in playback mode.

Exceptional comfort, a quick charge option that provides 2 hours of playback from 5 minutes of charging, and the ability to switch between wired and wireless connectivity are just a few of the most popular features that you'll enjoy from this headset. They get rave reviews for the clarity of the audio on both ends of calls and they are way above average when listening to music. They have very intuitive controls that allow users to answer calls, adjust volume, and turn the unit on or off.

Some users have mentioned that they find the amount of pressure from these headphones to be uncomfortable. This is a common complaint with active noise canceling (ANC) headsets and our reviewers reached the consensus that this model was more comfortable than most. When you consider the level of performance and the stylish appearance that you get for the bargain price that is on this headset, it's definitely worth giving them a test drive to see how they treat your ears. The manufacturer recommends taking a break from these or any headphones every couple of hours to relieve the strain that wearing headphones all day can put on your ears and head.

3. BlueParrott B450-XT

It takes a special headset to make it onto a list of noise-cancelling WFH headsets with only one earphone. Then you've got one ear open to the world, you're still exposed to whatever is going on in the background. But the BlueParrott B450-XT does more to provide crystal clear communications with one earphone that a lot of models can do with two. The single earphone means that you won't get the type of stereo and surround experience you would from a dual-ear headset when you want to listen to tunes. But for phone calls and video conferences, this unit earns rave reviews.

We would recommend it for anyone who needs to be able to keep one ear on what's going on in the other room while they're working from home. You'll be able to do just that while hearing everything that is said to you. The noise-cancelling microphone means nobody on the other end will be aware of what's going on in the background.

This headset has an advanced noise-cancelling microphone that eliminates 96% of ambient noise or noise pollution. The controls are mounted on the frame of the headset and allow the user to customize functionality. The unit's HD Voice feature makes speech easy to hear and understand and a 300-foot Bluetooth connectivity range gives you plenty of room to roam. The headset comes with a one-year warranty.

While some users will find the single-ear, over-ear design perfect for their needs, users who work in extremely high-noise environments will probably prefer a dual-ear design. Parents who are working from while kids are in the house will appreciate the design. Noisy apartment building or a home office that is right above a busy street probably isn't the right setting for them. This unit does come with an ear cushion kit similar to Bose ear cushions, and a USB adapter to make it easier for buyers to customize the unit's performance to their needs.

4. Mpow Jaws Gen5

The Mpow Jaws gets the fourth spot overall on our list and it is the highest-rated unit with earbuds. It's safe to say that the Jaws is unique in appearance and it definitely offers some attractive features that no other model we tested can match. The earbuds are wired into a rigid frame that the user can wear around their neck. The frame vibrates when a call is incoming so that you won't miss a call whether you're listening to music or just have the earbuds out for a break. Another great feature is that the earbuds snap into the jaws at the ends of the frame for convenient storage.

The rechargeable battery on this unit delivers around 18 hours of playback or talk time on a 3-hour charge and the battery boasts up to 450 hours of standby time so users won't have to worry about it running down throughout the day – or even the week – if they don't use it very much. There are intuitive controls on the unit to make answering the phone and adjusting the volume of calls a snap. The earbuds do a great job of cancelling background noise on your end and the noise-cancelling CVC 6.0 microphone makes sure that people on the other end get the same great experience.

Not everybody is crazy about the rigid, around-neck frame on this unit but our reviewers found that they got comfortable with it after a few hours of use. This unit is all cutting-edge technology but that means that there are no fall-back options for when things aren't working out. There is no hardline connectivity option to solve Bluetooth connectivity issues and there is no alternative power option for when the batteries run down.

5. Sony WH1000XM3

The Sony WH1000XM3 is at the forefront of noise-cancelling technology. It's an improvement on previous models from this well-known manufacturer and it does a good job of making sure that they maintain their reputation for top-of-the-line tech. This unit uses a Smart Listening feature with Adaptive Sound Control to detect your activity. That means that the noise-cancelling functionality adapts to your environment whether you're in a crowded restaurant or a quiet office with just a few other people. The cutting-edge technology also helps this unit to adapt to the user's unique head size, hairstyle, and eyewear.

What you hear from this headset is optimized by a 32-bit audio signal processor and Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing that keeps performance top-notch even during a flight. The unit has multiple microphones that allow some to detect external noise and adjust the level of noise-cancelling to match your surroundings. Bluetooth connectivity and battery life get this unit high marks from reviewers and everybody agrees that this unit is comfortable and lightweight.

This unit has a ton of futuristic features—some of which are well beyond what you need to have in a headset to get work done when you're working from home. As a result, the price tag on this unit is at the high end of the spectrum of the units on our list. The bottom line is that most WFH workers just don't need and won't want to pay for all of the features that you get with this unit.

6. Plantronics (now Poly) Voyager Focus

This Plantronics Voyager unit is no joke. It's all about getting business done. For folks who want to go the extra mile, it offers the option of combining it with a compatible keyboard and mouse combination for unified functionality. Whether you choose to go that route or not, you'll be getting a serious piece of equipment when you decide to go with the Voyager Focus.

It offers 98-feet of Bluetooth connectivity range and delivers outstanding noise-cancelling combined with superior call clarity. One of the best features on this headset is the easy to access mute button. It also uses three microphones to ensure effective noise cancellation from the internal mic system.

This unit comes with a custom carrying case to keep the headset safe while traveling or when you have it in storage. It also comes with a USB adapter and a charging cable. The charging stand will add looks and style to your desk while the unit recharges and the headset's slim and ultra-modern design looks great when you've got it on.

This unit is considerably less expensive than the Sony but it is still on the high-end of the price range for the products that made our top ten list. If you depend on a noise-cancelling headset for the majority of your day and demand peak performance and exceptional comfort then this unit is worth the investment. If you're just looking for something to get the job done, then you might find this unit to be a little bit too pricey.

7. Logitech H600

If you're looking for an affordable no-frills unit that will deliver serviceable noise-cancelling functionality then the Logitech Over-The-Head H600 is a great option for you. Anyone who is just testing the waters of working from home will appreciate the low cost of entry that this headset delivers. Its functionality is limited but more than enough to get the job done for somebody who spends limited time on calls or someone who is just getting into the home office game.

The unit connects to your laptop or desktop via a nano receiver that plugs into a USB port. The wireless design means that you can roam up to 30-feet from your desk without dropping the call. The laser-tuned speaker drivers and noise-cancelling headphones deliver impressive call clarity on both ends of the line. The unit was designed to work with popular calling applications like Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Gmail, Windows Live Messenger, and AIM. The battery will give you almost a full day of use between charges. The on-ear earphones are pretty comfortable for a budget-priced headset.

Of course, a unit at this price-point is going to have a longer list of downsides than the pricier models that we've reviewed. One drawback is that the headset works with your computer through the USB dongle, so you'll have to route all of your calls through your computer in order to use the headset. Another weakness of this unit is the rigid, hard-plastic frame that offers very little in the way of adjustability. While the unidirectional microphone delivers solid performance, it is equally limited in terms of the adjustments that users can make. If you're looking for a very affordable option then this unit is worth a try but it is likely that you'll want to upgrade if you decide that working from home is something you're going to stick with long-term.

8. Vtin USB

This Vtin USB Headset is another very affordable unit. It combines over-ear earphones and a unidirectional boom microphone in a very comfortable package. The frame offers slide-adjustable sizing and the earphone padding is thick and comfortable. The cord can be used as a 3.5mm jack or as a USB connection. The unit offers plug and play functionality with Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. The unit is backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty.

Like the previous entry on our top-ten list, this unit made it on due to the value it offers at the bargain price that it is available for. So, it makes sense that this unit has an equal number of drawbacks that need to be mentioned. You can only expect so much from a headset that can be had for under $50.

One of the major drawbacks to this unit is that the in-line controls are on the section of the cord that includes the USB connection. That means that there are no user adjustments available when using the unit with the 3.5mm jack. Another major drawback is that this unit doesn't feel very durable. The earphone padding was comfortable for a few hours but it left our reviewers wondering just how long that would last. The unidirectional microphone works great if it is placed just right but it distorts if it is too close to the user's mouth and it picks up background noise if it is too far away. Much like the Logitech, this is a model worth considering if you don't need to use a headset often or if you're just testing the waters of working from home.

9. Plantronics Savi 8220

At the other end of the spectrum from the Logitech and the VTIN units is the Plantronics Savi 8220. This model is definitely a top-end, cutting-edge piece of equipment but it comes with a price tag that reflects that fact. The list of features that this unit offers is almost as impressive as the noise-cancelling effectiveness and call clarity that it delivers. We just wonder how many WFH professionals out there would be willing to spend this much on their equipment.

For users who demand the very best of everything, this model is worth a look. It comes with an impressive charging stand that will look great on your desk. The on-ear earphones are the ultimate in comfort and they definitely shut the rest of the world out when their noise-cancelling technology is active. The adjustable unidirectional boom microphone achieves unmatched call clarity and the unit is capable of nearly 600 feet of roaming before it loses connection with the device that it is paired with. Plus, the batteries give you over 13 hours of talk time. As a bonus, this unit comes with a micro-fiber cleaning cloth and a special headset cleaning solution.

Much like the Sony model that we reviewed earlier on our list; we found this unit to be a dream to use. But when you consider the price tag, we felt like this unit would be a pipedream for many WFH professionals and a nightmare for their office supply budget. Unless you spend enough time in your headset to make all of the comfort and function features in this unit worth the price, we would recommend making do with a more affordable option.

10. Bose QuietComfort 35 II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II comes with a carrying case, a charging cable, and an audio cable to give you everything you need to use this unit wirelessly or lined-in to a phone, laptop, or other devices. It can run for up to 20-hours on a single charge and it even offers augmented reality technology. You won't find a better sound or more effective noise-cancelling performance from any of the models on our list.

The Bose model outpaces all of the others in terms of performance. Unfortunately, it outpaces all of them on price by a long-shot. With the exception of the Sony and the Plantronics Savi, you could have any two headsets on this list for what the Bose will set you back. Some of the gaming headsets and noise-cancelling models at Bose costs more than double the others we reviewed. Still, most people will tell you that you get what you pay for.

If you are an audiophile in your off-hours and spend your entire working day in headphones, then you might get enough use out of these headphones to make it worth the investment. If you are conducting high-stakes meetings over the phone or video conference by day and have the ear to appreciate the difference that top-end audio equipment makes when you punch-out, you might appreciate the difference between these headphones and other perfectly serviceable models.

For our money, all of the bells and whistles are really impressive but non-essential to the fundamentals of the work that we do when we are on a call or video conference. Our team of reviewers could agree that these headphones were astonishing in their capabilities. At the same time, we all questioned whether all of that performance added any value to the work that we needed to get done while we were in them.

What is the best headset and microphone combo we tested?

After all our research, the Plantronics SHR2083-01 Headset earned top marks from our reviewers. It is a rugged headset that delivers unmatched noise-cancelling performance. It has been shown to offer 22dB noise reduction in the earphones and 20dB noise reduction through the microphone. Add to that the exceptional comfort of the large and well-padded ear cups and durable construction and this unit checks all of the boxes. It is right at the mid-point of our top-ten list in terms of price. It is definitely more expensive than the budget options on the list but it keeps pace with even the most expensive models we reviewed in every performance category we considered.

photo of a man wearing a headset working from home

If you're trying to make working from home more productive, more professional, or just more bearable—a comfortable, high-performance headset with a noise-cancelling microphone is an essential piece of equipment. You can't always control what is going on around you when you are working from home. With a headset that blocks out noise for both you and the people that you're communicating with, you don't have to control it. You can just block it out.

What microphone style is best for remote workers?

For a remote worker, buying a great headset is just as important as the quality of the microphone. There are also three different styles of microphone that you can choose from when you are shopping for a WFH headset: In-line, Internal, and Over-mouth.

In-Line: This is the microphone style that is most commonly found on earbud headsets. While we don't recommend the earbud for working from home, it's helpful to understand a bit more about it. The microphone and any controls that are available to the user are packaged in a bundle that is set on the cord that connects the earbuds to the device. This type of microphone is unobtrusive but that puts it at a disadvantage when it comes to offering clear audio. Earbuds are not recommended for remote teams that want to operate at a high-level. They are simply the lowest quality of microphone out there.

Because the microphone is expected to be farther away from the user's mouth, most in-line microphones are omnidirectional. That means that they pick up all of the sounds around them. This means that a noise-cancelling in-line microphone is entirely dependent on the filtering technology that the manufacturer builds in.

Internal: You will find internal microphones on wireless earbuds as well as on-ear and over-ear headsets. The internal microphone can be built into a very small area so that it fits into almost any headset design. Like the in-line microphone, an internal microphone has to be able to account for the fact that it is not directly in front of the user's mouth. That means that they use omnidirectional microphones to pick up the sound and compliment them with noise-cancelling technology to deliver clear audio signals that are free of background noise.
Over-Mouth: The over-mouth microphone is the classic and time-tested approach to picking up the user's voice. This is by far the best ones that we have tested in terms of quality of audio and clarity of voice. Because the over-mouth style allows the user to position the microphone directly in front of their mouth, this design can take advantage of unidirectional microphones. That means that very little background noise will be picked up in the first place. When you back the benefits of this design with the support of cutting-edge technology, you get the functionality that can't be matched by the other two designs.

What headphone style is best for working from home?

There are three main styles of earphones to consider when you are shopping for a remote work headset: Earbuds, On-ear Headphones, and Over-ear Headphones. We recommend an on-ear headset with an over-mouth microphone.

Earbuds: Most of us are familiar with this sort of headset because they come standard with so many cellphones and smartphones. Depending on the brands that you have tried, the environments that you've used them in, and even the size and shape of your ear lobes and ear canals you might not have a very high opinion of earbuds. Then again, you might love them.

For the purposes of this article what matters the most about earbuds is their ability to provide a comfortable fit and do an effective job of cancelling out background noise for calls, chats, and listening. Thanks to advances in technology earbuds have gotten a lot more effective at cancelling out background noise in recent years. Thanks to a lot of user feedback, some manufacturers have gotten a lot better at offering a comfortable product in this category.

On-Ear Headphones: Traditionally, on-ear headphones have been the least effective of the three options when it comes to blocking background noise. That is because they don't sit in the ear canal the way earbuds do and they don't cover the entire ear the way over-ear headphones do. That meant that the only way that they could block more sound was with a tighter fit, which would have made them too uncomfortable.

Fortunately, thanks to the same kinds of active noise-cancelling technology that you find in the best headsets from the other two categories, on-ear headphones are now able to offer a balance of comfort and performance that gets the job done. That means that you shouldn't count them out of your search for a WFH headset without a little bit more research.

Over-Ear Headphones: Over-ear headphones have the longest and strongest track record in this category thanks to the natural advantages that their design offers. The cushioned cup that covers the entire ear provides very effective passive noise cancellation. When you combine that with the technological advances that have made all three models better, you get an even more effective package.

Still, not everybody loves the over-ear style. Some people find them to be too bulky. Whether it is an issue of comfort or one of style, they prefer a slimmer headset. At the same time, some people don't like the isolating effect of such effective noise cancellation. That's one reason why manufacturers continue to offer headsets in all three styles.

Final thoughts before you buy your headset

If you work from home, you know that it is a job unlike anything else. From dealing this family and roommates, to ambient noise, there are challenges each and every day. However, it is not without it's benefits. That is why if you are serious about remote work we think you need to be serious about your headset as well. We recommend the highest quality on-ear headphones combined with an over-mouth microphone.

photo of a woman working from home using a noise cancelling headset

No matter what option you decide on, invest the money in the right headset. After all, your job is your main source of income. If you decide to go the cheap route on a headset, you will notice the difference every day. Hopefully this guide has been helpful in bringing you one step closer to the right headset (and microphone) for your home office setup.