You can find a microphone in pretty much every pair of wireless earbuds or headphones these days — and the better ones often have multiple beam-forming mics — making it easy to switch between listening to music and making phone calls. With so many different options available on the market, how do we determine the best pair of headphones or earbuds for making phone calls? Well, we test them vigorously in the streets of one of the busiest and loudest cities in the world: New York.
The best headphones and earbuds for calls will help reduce background noise so people can hear your voice loud and clear as you chat. They also allow you to hear callers well within loud spaces, which is why we tend to recommend noise-isolating earbuds for phone calls, although we do have a few open earbuds on the list for those who prefer that style of earbuds.
In addition to having a quality mic, features like sidetone, which allows you to hear your own voice in headphones and earbuds as you talk (so you don’t shout), and multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which allows you to pair your headphones or earbuds with two devices at the same time, are also noteworthy.
We also have a list of the best headphones for working from home, but this one is a little different. That list includes more «work» or «business» headphones that you’re more likely to use with both a phone and a computer. Check out our picks for the best earbuds for phone calls you can get right now, below. This list prioritizes consumer wireless Bluetooth headsets that work well for making calls on the go, so you can have clear phone calls wherever you go.
More headphone buying advice
- Best Headphones of 2022
- Best Open Wireless Earbuds that Aren’t AirPods
- Best True Wireless Earbuds of 2022
- Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2022
- Protect Your AirPods: 5 Cases Under $20
- Best AirPod Pro Alternatives That Cost Less
- Best Headphones for Running in 2022
- Best AirPods Accessories in 2022
- Best Over-Ear Headphones of 2022
- Best Cheap Headphones in 2022
- Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives for Less: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro and More
