The 11 Best
Headsets & Headphones
of 2026, researched and compared.
The short answer: The Soundcore by Anker Q20i ANC Headphones are our top pick for most people, with active noise cancellation and long battery life without a premium price. For all-day work calls, the Poly Blackwire 3320 is a plug-and-play USB headset with a noise-canceling boom mic; the EPOS Adapt 660 is the wireless, Teams-certified alternative. For stronger noise cancellation during focus work, step up to the Sony WH-1000XM4.
The shortlist
Scan our top 11 picks. Tap a row to jump to the full review, or check the price on Amazon.
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
| Product | Best for | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  Soundcore by Anker Q20i ANC HeadphonesBest Value | Best Value | Check Price |
| 02 |  Poly Blackwire 3320 USB-A HeadsetBest for Calls | Best for Calls | Check Price |
| 03 |  EPOS Adapt 660 Wireless Headset | — | Check Price |
| 04 |  Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless HeadphonesEditor’s Choice | Editor’s Choice | Check Price |
| 05 |  Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones | — | Check Price |
| 06 |  Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Best Value | Best Value | Check Price |
| 07 |  Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones | — | Check Price |
| 08 |  JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Headphones | — | Check Price |
| 09 |  JBL Live 770NC Wireless Headphones | — | Check Price |
| 10 |  HyperX Cloud II Wired HeadsetBest Value | Best Value | Check Price |
| 11 |  Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones | — | Check Price |
Soundcore by Anker Q20i ANC HeadphonesPoly Blackwire 3320 USB-A HeadsetEPOS Adapt 660 Wireless HeadsetSony WH-1000XM4 Wireless HeadphonesBose QuietComfort 45 HeadphonesApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back HeadphonesJBL Tune 770NC Wireless HeadphonesJBL Live 770NC Wireless HeadphonesHyperX Cloud II Wired HeadsetAudio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio HeadphonesProduct details via Amazon Creators API. Check Amazon for current price and availability.
Review · 01
Soundcore by Anker Q20i ANC Headphones
Exceptional value with hybrid ANC that cancels up to 90% of noise, 40H battery with ANC on, Hi-Res audio, BassUp technology, Transparency Mode, and dual-device Bluetooth 5.0 — at a budget price.
What We Love
- Hybrid ANC cancels up to 90% of noise
- 40H battery with ANC on (60H without)
- Hi-Res audio, BassUp, dual-device Bluetooth
Reasons to Skip
- Plastic build at this price
- Mic quality is fine, not pro-grade
The Numbers
“Exceptional value with hybrid ANC that cancels up to 90% of noise, 40H battery with ANC on, Hi-Res audio, BassUp technology, Transparency Mode, and dual-device Bluetooth 5.0 — at a budget price.”
Review · 02
Poly Blackwire 3320 USB-A Headset
A dedicated work-call headset: wired USB-A stereo design with a flexible noise-canceling boom mic, wideband audio, and plug-and-play support for Teams, Zoom, and other softphones on PC or Mac.
What We Love
- Flexible noise-canceling boom mic puts your voice first on calls
- Plug-and-play USB-A, no pairing or charging
- SoundGuard acoustic limiting above 118 dBA
- 2-year warranty
Reasons to Skip
- Wired only, no Bluetooth or wireless dongle
- USB-A plug needs an adapter for USB-C-only laptops
- Not built for music listening
The Numbers
“A dedicated work-call headset: wired USB-A stereo design with a flexible noise-canceling boom mic, wideband audio, and plug-and-play support for Teams, Zoom, and other softphones on PC or Mac.”
Review · 03
EPOS Adapt 660 Wireless Headset
A premium over-ear wireless headset with adaptive ANC, EPOS BrainAdapt technology proven to cut listening effort in noisy rooms, renowned stereo sound, and Microsoft Teams certification — built for serious professionals.
What We Love
- Adaptive hybrid ANC tuned for focus
- BrainAdapt reduces listening fatigue
- Teams certified, dual Bluetooth + USB-C dongle
Reasons to Skip
- Premium price
- Business-tuned sound over bass-heavy fun
The Numbers
“A premium over-ear wireless headset with adaptive ANC, EPOS BrainAdapt technology proven to cut listening effort in noisy rooms, renowned stereo sound, and Microsoft Teams certification — built for serious professionals.”
Review · 04
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
Sony’s most popular model — industry-leading ANC, 30-hour battery, multipoint pairing, Speak-to-Chat, and DSEE Extreme upscaling for compressed audio. A benchmark for premium noise-cancelling headphones.
What We Love
- Class-leading adaptive noise cancellation
- 30-hour battery, multipoint pairing
- Speak-to-Chat and DSEE Extreme upscaling
Reasons to Skip
- No aptX on this model
- Older than the XM5/XM6
The Numbers
“Sony’s most popular model — industry-leading ANC, 30-hour battery, multipoint pairing, Speak-to-Chat, and DSEE Extreme upscaling for compressed audio. A benchmark for premium noise-cancelling headphones.”
Review · 05
Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones
Legendary Bose comfort with TriPort acoustics, 24-hour battery, Quiet/Aware modes, Volume-Optimized Active EQ, a six-mic array for crystal-clear calls, and reliable Bluetooth 5.1 — superb for hybrid work and travel.
What We Love
- Bose comfort and balanced ANC
- Six-mic array for clear calls
- Quiet/Aware modes, 24-hour battery
Reasons to Skip
- No multipoint at launch
- USB-C charge only, no wireless
The Numbers
“Legendary Bose comfort with TriPort acoustics, 24-hour battery, Quiet/Aware modes, Volume-Optimized Active EQ, a six-mic array for crystal-clear calls, and reliable Bluetooth 5.1 — superb for hybrid work and travel.”
Review · 06
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
The H2 chip delivers 2x more ANC, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, and Conversation Awareness. The best-in-class pick for Apple ecosystem users.
What We Love
- H2 chip: 2x more ANC than gen 1
- Adaptive Audio + Personalized Spatial Audio
- Seamless across the Apple ecosystem, USB-C
Reasons to Skip
- Best features need Apple devices
- In-ear fit isn't for everyone
The Numbers
“The H2 chip delivers 2x more ANC, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking, and Conversation Awareness. The best-in-class pick for Apple ecosystem users.”
Review · 07
Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones
Neutral reference-grade open-back headphones with E.A.R. technology for a wide, natural soundstage, a 6Hz–38kHz range, and a detachable cable — an audiophile benchmark for critical listening and mixing.
What We Love
- Neutral, reference-grade tuning
- Wide, natural open-back soundstage
- Detachable cable, light and comfortable
Reasons to Skip
- Open-back leaks sound (not for offices)
- Wired only, benefits from an amp
The Numbers
“Neutral reference-grade open-back headphones with E.A.R. technology for a wide, natural soundstage, a 6Hz–38kHz range, and a detachable cable — an audiophile benchmark for critical listening and mixing.”
Review · 08
JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Headphones
Outstanding value with Adaptive ANC, JBL Pure Bass Sound, an industry-leading 70-hour battery, 5-minute Speed Charge (3 hrs), Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, multipoint pairing, and a foldable travel design.
What We Love
- Huge 70-hour battery, Speed Charge
- Adaptive ANC, Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio
- Multipoint pairing, foldable
Reasons to Skip
- Bass-forward default tuning
- Plastic build at the price
The Numbers
“Outstanding value with Adaptive ANC, JBL Pure Bass Sound, an industry-leading 70-hour battery, 5-minute Speed Charge (3 hrs), Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, multipoint pairing, and a foldable travel design.”
Review · 09
JBL Live 770NC Wireless Headphones
True Adaptive ANC with 4 noise-sensing mics, JBL Spatial Sound (40mm drivers), 65-hour battery, Speed Charge, auto play/pause wear detection, and a premium comfort-fit fabric headband.
What We Love
- Adaptive ANC with 4 mics
- 65-hour battery, Spatial Sound
- Comfort-fit fabric headband, wear detection
Reasons to Skip
- No LDAC/hi-res codec
- ANC trails premium Bose/Sony
The Numbers
“True Adaptive ANC with 4 noise-sensing mics, JBL Spatial Sound (40mm drivers), 65-hour battery, Speed Charge, auto play/pause wear detection, and a premium comfort-fit fabric headband.”
Review · 10
HyperX Cloud II Wired Headset
A comfortable, affordable wired headset with a detachable boom mic, memory foam ear pads, 53 mm drivers, and an aluminum frame — a budget boom-mic option for calls as well as gaming.
What We Love
- Detachable boom mic close to your mouth
- Memory foam pads, durable aluminum frame
- Very low price
Reasons to Skip
- Wired only
- Gaming look; closed cups get warm
The Numbers
“A comfortable, affordable wired headset with a detachable boom mic, memory foam ear pads, 53 mm drivers, and an aluminum frame — a budget boom-mic option for calls as well as gaming.”
Review · 11
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones
Closed-back studio monitor headphones with 45 mm drivers and an accurate, punchy sound — a listening and focus pick for people who use a separate mic for calls.
What We Love
- Accurate, detailed studio sound
- Closed-back isolates well
- Durable, foldable build
Reasons to Skip
- No microphone
- Wired, no noise cancelling
The Numbers
“Closed-back studio monitor headphones with 45 mm drivers and an accurate, punchy sound — a listening and focus pick for people who use a separate mic for calls.”
How We Judge Headsets & Headphones
Noise Cancellation: ANC vs. Passive
Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses microphones to electronically cancel low, droning sounds — planes, HVAC, office hum — and is worth it if you work in noisy spaces. Passive isolation comes from the ear cushions sealing around or in your ears. Over-ear ANC headphones give the best quiet for focus, while open-back headphones (no isolation) leak sound and suit quiet rooms where soundstage matters more than privacy.
Microphone Quality for Calls
If you take a lot of calls, the mic matters as much as the audio. Headsets with a boom mic or a multi-microphone beamforming array reject background noise and keep your voice clear — look for Microsoft Teams or Zoom certification for business use. Earbuds and consumer ANC cans have smaller mics that are fine for casual calls but less crisp than a dedicated headset.
Wireless, Battery, and Multipoint
Bluetooth is the standard for headphones; a USB dongle is common on dedicated headsets for lower-latency PC audio. Battery life ranges from ~20 hours (premium ANC) to 70+ hours (value models). Multipoint pairing — connecting to your laptop and phone at once and switching automatically — is a genuine daily convenience for hybrid work. Quick-charge (a few hours from a 5-minute top-up) saves you when the battery runs low.
Comfort and Fit for Long Sessions
Comfort decides whether you actually wear it all day. Plush memory-foam or fabric cushions, even clamping force, and a light frame prevent hot spots and headaches over an 8-hour session. Over-ear designs distribute weight best; on-ear styles run warmer and press on the ear. For earbuds, multiple tip sizes are essential to get a seal that delivers both ANC and bass.