Whether you need to take calls or block out distracting noise, these headphones and headsets are ideal audio companions for working from home.

I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).

If you're working from home, you need the proper equipment to be productive. Depending on what you do, the right headphones, headset, or speaker can make a huge difference. Here are some that work for us.

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If you want to get work done, tuning out distractions is a wise first step. And the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II currently offer the absolute best noise cancellation performance on the market. They also have clear mics and produce pleasing audio with a strong bass response.

If you don't mind using earphones and really need to concentrate, this is the best option. They effectively block out nearly all frequency ranges and can even intelligently lower loud noises in your environment while letting you hear everything else. People who prefer an over-ear style should consider the Bose QuietComfort 45 or Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones instead.

Gaming headsets are essentially just headphones with boom mics and some gaming features. Some might look a bit outlandish for professional calls, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset is downright classy with its black-and-gunmetal design. More importantly, it offers tons of connectivity features, including 2.4GHz for a transmitter with volume controls and a helpful display, Bluetooth for phone connections, and even two interchangeable batteries for unplugged use. The headset also sounds excellent, includes a clear (and retractable) boom mic, and effectively cancels noise.

This is a good all-around headset for your desk, whether you play video games or not. Sure, its abilities to concurrently connect with a console and a PC over USB, as well as simulate surround sound on Windows are more useful for gamers. But its comfortable design, high-quality audio output, and useful noise cancellation all add up to a comprehensive (if pricey) package for everyone else.

Best for Comfort and Affordability

You don't need to spend a lot of money to get something functional. The Jabra Elite 45h headset, for example, offers reasonable audio quality with appealing features such as an adjustable EQ for just $99. It doesn't have a boom mic, but the in-cup array still captures your voice cleanly. This model won't block out much noise because of its on-ear design and lack of active noise cancellation circuitry, but, on the other hand, it allows you to stay aware of what's going on around you at all times.

This budget-friendly choice is comfortable and sounds good for the price. The mic conveys your voice competently, too. It's a safe pick from a reliable brand that won't break the bank.

Best for Voice Features and Active Noise Cancellation

On the other end of Jabra's lineup are the far more powerful Evolve2 75 headphones. They cost almost four times as much as the Elite 45h set, but have better audio quality, a superior boom mic, effective active noise cancellation, and a more premium design. For serious work, they boast the Unified Communications (UC) certification and are available with either a UC- or Microsoft Teams-optimized USB transmitter for a rock-solid connection. And, whenever you aren't at your desk, you can still fall back on Bluetooth.

These headphones are for serious hybrid workers who want the best performance available, along with UC certification or Microsoft Teams optimization. They cost a lot, but also deliver a superlative experience.

The Apple AirPods Max are the most expensive entry on the list at $549. Although you pay a bit of an Apple tax, you get a very powerful set of headphones for your money. Aside from their excellent noise cancellation, they also feature an Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio features. And, if you're an iPhone user, they have hands-free Siri access, too.

The AirPods Max work best for people with an iPhone. Their striking design should also catch the eye of style-conscious users. If you prefer earphones, the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) perform even better in the noise cancellation department with an innovative Adaptive transparency mode.

Mono earpieces are small, unobtrusive, and built specifically for calls. You could listen to music on them, but we wouldn't recommend it. The Poly (formerly Plantronics) Voyager 5200 is one of the templates for this kind of headset: It's been around for ages but is still extremely capable and reasonably inexpensive.

If you need to take calls, but don't want the bulk (or music abilities) of a stereo model, get this headset. You can pop it in your pocket when you're on the go or just as easily leave it on your desk when you're working.

Best for the Noisiest Environments

The BlueParrott B550-XT headset can handle extreme conditions. It has an IP54 rating, which means it resists moderate amounts of dust and water, while its microphone can block out loud noises such as from construction work. It's also comfortable enough to wear for long periods, plus supports voice controls via its companion app.

Choose this headset if you often take calls at a work site instead of an office. It makes your voice sound clear no matter what sort of noise or heavy machinery is in the background, though it might be overkill if you typically work from a desk.

Best Wireless Boom Mic Add-On

If you already have a favorite pair of headphones and don't want to buy a separate headset, you could always just turn to Antlion Audio's ModMic Wireless boom microphone. It is easy to mount on your headphones and connects wirelessly to your PC via a USB receiver. The mic sounds excellent and is simple to detach when you don't need it.

This is for people who prefer to use a single set of headphones for everything, but also need to conduct clear phone calls for work. Just be aware that it doesn't support Bluetooth, so you can't use it with your phone; it's purely a desk mic.

For a job that requires you to take a lot of calls, you should consider a dedicated Bluetooth headset. These devices can be monoaural (for one ear) or stereo (for both ears), and typically feature powerful boom microphones with noise-cancelling circuitry that blocks out everything aside from your voice. The big appeal of these headsets is their microphones, though some also deliver high-quality sound.

If you don't need to take many calls but still want to minimize environmental noise, look for noise-cancelling headphones. They use outward-facing microphones to read any distracting noises and generate waves that cancel them out before they hit your ear. Active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry can be expensive, but it helps you stay focused by muffling noisy pets, kids, roommates, traffic, and construction. These headphones generally don't have boom microphones, so they aren't quite as good for phone calls.

If you want a boom mic and excellent sound for a reasonable price, buy a gaming headset. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Wired models tend to cost less and work well for taking calls on your computer, though Bluetooth entries offer more convenience.

You need more than just a pair of headphones to work from home successfully. Check out our coverage of all the essential tech for your home office setup.

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I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).

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