Best Headphones & Earbuds for Microphone quality for calls

Microphone quality for calls Decision Dashboard

Safest pick

Soundcore AeroClip Earbuds

4.4 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Viaim RecDot

16 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

Best overall product

JBL Tour Pro 3 Earbuds

4.2 overall score

Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.

See ranked products
#2 Shokz OpenFit 2
4.7

Call quality is consistently praised, with reviewers reporting clear voices, solid calls, and strong outdoor call usability.

Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Bluetooth

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Codec support

#3 SONY WH-1000XM6 Headphones
4.7

Call quality was strongly praised, with reviewers highlighting clearer voice pickup, better mics, and strong performance in noisy settings.

Pros: Smart Pause performance, Award recognition

Cons: Cable quality, USB-C

#4 Sony WF-1000XM6 Earbuds
4.6

Call microphone quality was widely considered much improved and often excellent, though one TechRadar reviewer heard muffled call audio.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: Sidetone adjustment quality, Software/setup simplicity

#5 beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless Over-Ear Gaming Headset
4.6

Call and voice-chat usefulness is praised where discussed, including understandable chat, Zoom use, and positive reactions from other listeners.

Pros: Battery, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Volume output

#6 Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Noise Canceling Headphones
4.5

Call microphone quality was one of the strongest upgrades, frequently described as clear, impressive, or best-in-class.

Pros: Sound leakage, Noise isolation (passive)

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Hinge durability

#7 Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 Wireless Headphones
4.5

Call microphone quality was praised, including calls going smoothly and the mics sounding excellent.

Pros: Instrument separation, USB-C

Cons: Button control usability, Maximum volume clarity

#8 Cooler Master CH351 Gaming Headset
4.5

Call or voice capture quality is strong, with the microphone described as loud and clear.

Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Spatial audio

Cons: App, Equalizer customization

#9 Logitech G Astro A50 X Wireless Gaming Headset
4.5

Call and chat clarity is strong, with one reviewer saying teammates or friends can hear the user clearly.

Pros: Positional audio accuracy, Soundstage width

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Hinge durability

#10 JBL Tour Pro 3 Earbuds
4.5

Call microphone quality was a major strength across reviews, with several reports of clear calls in offices, traffic, or windy settings.

Pros: Codec support, Dongle

Cons: Sound leakage, Find My

#11 Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
4.5

Call microphone quality is generally strong, with reviewers describing clear calls, good voice pickup, and first-rate call performance.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Transparency mode quality

Cons: aptX, LDAC

#12 Soundcore AeroClip Earbuds
4.4

Call microphone quality was widely praised as clear, crisp, or flawless, though a few reviewers found it darker or less effective in especially noisy environments.

Pros: Android compatibility, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)

#13 Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless Gaming Headset
4.4

Call and chat quality is strong overall, with Discord and party-chat users reporting clear, understandable voice capture.

Pros: Weight comfort, Cable quality

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)

#14 Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless Gaming Headset
4.4

Voice quality was usually good for calls and chat, though one review treated it as merely adequate rather than polished.

Pros: Volume output, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Equalizer customization

#15 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
4.4

Call and chat mic quality is strong overall, with reviewers reporting clear voice quality and a mic competitive with top wireless headset microphones.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Multipoint connectivity reliability

Cons: Portability/foldability, USB-C

#16 JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones
4.3

Call quality was usually rated good to excellent, with callers or reviewers noting clear, understandable voice transmission.

Pros: Award recognition, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: ANC sound impact on audio, ANC effect on sound signature

#17 Denon Perl Pro True Wireless Earbuds
4.3

Call microphone quality is generally good, with reviewers hearing clear calls and intelligible voice pickup, though not always perfect.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: LDAC, Weight comfort

#18 Poly Voyager Free 20 Earbuds
4.3

Call microphone quality was one of the product’s most consistent strengths, with reviewers describing clear, understandable, or great call performance.

Pros: Charging, Instrument separation

Cons: Spatial audio, Sidetone adjustment quality

#19 JBL Tour One M3 Headphones
4.2

Call microphone quality was generally strong, often described as clear or high quality, though one review found it merely acceptable.

Pros: Immersive audio quality, ANC background noise level

Cons: Replaceable pads/headband, Replaceable earpads

#20 Fractal Design Scape Headset
4.2

Call and chat mic quality was generally useful and clear, with some reviewers finding it warm and bright enough for calls.

Pros: Spatial audio, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Sidetone adjustment quality

#21 Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Earbuds
4.2

Call microphone quality was one of the strongest attributes overall, with many reviewers praising clear, natural calls, though a few measured softer or average results.

Pros: Integrated microphone, Frequency response accuracy

Cons: LDAC, Ear tip size options

#22 RIG Spectre R8 Pro
4.2

One reviewer said phone calls during gaming worked well, supporting call usefulness during dual connectivity.

Pros: Spatial audio, Positional audio accuracy

Cons: Carry case quality, Detachable microphone convenience

#23 Shokz OpenFit 2+
4.2

Call quality was mostly praised as clean, clear, or very good, with caveats around wind, crowded cafés, or heavy processing.

Pros: Clamping force comfort, Battery

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)

#24 OnePlus Buds 3
4.2

Call microphone quality is usually good to excellent, with praise for loud, clear voices, though a few reviewers consider it merely adequate.

Pros: Android compatibility, Bluetooth

Cons: Smudge resistance, Cable quality

#25 Marshall Major V
4.2

Call quality was usually praised, with reviewers hearing loud, clear, understandable voice capture; one found it noisy but usable.

Pros: Ear cup swivel/rotation range, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: aptX, Water/sweat resistance rating

#26 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset
4.2

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear, with reviewers reporting adequate Zoom/call performance and clear detailed mic sound.

Pros: Charging, Weight comfort

Cons: Sound leakage, Cable quality

#27 Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
4.2

Call mic quality ranged from mediocre in one audiophile review to excellent in lab and mainstream reviews, with most evidence positive.

Pros: Weight comfort, Charging

Cons: Smudge resistance, Android compatibility

#28 Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 Headphones
4.1

Call quality was mixed but mostly favorable, with strong speech intelligibility in some reviews and weaker, distant mic capture in PCMag.

Pros: Award recognition, Battery

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Touch control responsiveness

#29 Apple AirPods Max 2
4.1

Call and mic quality were generally strong, ranging from top-tier to good enough, with occasional unevenness or fuzz.

Pros: Button control usability, Design and Aesthetics

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Included accessories

#30 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones
4.1

Call microphone quality is mostly good to excellent, though a few reviewers find it less clear than Apple or Sony.

Pros: Frequency response accuracy, Multipoint connectivity reliability

Cons: LDAC, Wear detection performance

#31 Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE Earbuds
4.1

Call microphone quality is a strength overall, with reviewers reporting clear voice pickup and reliable call performance, except in harder windy cases.

Pros: Volume output, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: Multipoint connectivity reliability, LDAC

#32 Status Pro X Wireless Earbuds
4.1

Call quality is generally good to impressive, with clear voice pickup in quiet or moderate conditions but some compression or limits in heavy noise.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Sound quality

Cons: Spatial audio, Software/setup simplicity

#33 Sennheiser HDB 630 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
4.1

Call quality is usually strong, with clear two-way voice performance, although microphone use through certain modes or dongles can hurt audio behavior.

Pros: Instrument separation, Charging

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Water/sweat resistance rating

#34 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
4.1

Microphone voice quality is usually praised as clear, intelligible, and strong for the price, with a few caveats around passable or overly sensitive performance.

Pros: Earpad replacement ease, Weight comfort

Cons: Sidetone adjustment quality, USB-C

#35 Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones
4.1

Call quality is considered good to very good, with voices remaining clear in typical environments, though not always as noise-free as top call-focused rivals.

Pros: ANC effect on sound signature, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: LE Audio readiness, Auracast support

#36 Viaim RecDot
4.0

Call and voice pickup were generally clear enough for calls and recordings, though a few reviews heard fuzziness or weak recorded-call audio.

Pros: Volume output, Weight comfort

Cons: Cable quality, Smudge resistance

#37 Razer Barracuda X
4.0

Call and chat microphone quality was often clear enough for Discord, Zoom, voice calls, or streaming in a pinch, but a few reviews found it merely serviceable.

Pros: Cable quality, Hinge durability

Cons: aptX, Active noise cancellation

#38 Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless Gaming Headset
4.0

Call and meeting use was viewed positively, with reviewers saying the mic was reliable for work calls and better than earbuds.

Pros: Weight comfort, Comfort during long use

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Smudge resistance

#40 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones
4.0

Call quality ranged from acceptable to excellent, with some reviewers praising clarity and others finding the voice quality merely decent or processed.

Pros: Volume output, Active noise cancellation

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, USB-C

#41 HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
4.0

Call and chat microphone quality was usually understandable or clear, though some reviewers reported low levels or inconsistent loudness.

Pros: Multi-platform compatibility, Dongle

Cons: Replaceable earpads, Preset EQ profile quality

#42 Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds
3.9

Call quality was usually acceptable to good in quiet conditions, with some strong praise, but several reviewers found it only average outside controlled environments.

Pros: Battery, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Sensors, Voice assistant integration

#43 LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
3.9

Call microphone quality ranges from usable to excellent, with one reviewer reporting exceptionally clear call sound and others noting some tinniness.

Pros: Charging, Portability/foldability

Cons: aptX, LDAC

#44 Baseus Inspire XH1 Headphones
3.9

Call microphone quality was generally serviceable to strong, with reviewers praising clarity in some conditions while noting wired mics or premium call setups still do better.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Headband adjustability

Cons: Cable quality, Smart Pause performance

#46 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
3.9

Call and chat voice quality is usable to good, with one reviewer praising natural Discord voice and another saying legibility remains fine despite recording limits.

Pros: Charging, Spatial audio

Cons: Hinge durability, Smudge resistance

#47 Nothing Ear (a) Earbuds
3.9

Call quality was generally usable to good, with several reviewers reporting clear voices, though others heard compression, artificial tone, or obvious earbud processing.

Pros: Design and Aesthetics, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Voice assistant integration, Spatial audio

#48 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
3.9

Call microphone quality is mixed: some reviewers call it exceptional or much improved, while others say it is merely fine or still affected by noise.

Pros: Active noise cancellation, Volume output

Cons: Preset EQ profile quality, Equalizer customization

#49 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds
3.9

Call microphone quality was mostly positive, but results ranged from excellent calls to one strongly negative lab-style experience.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Smudge resistance

Cons: Multipoint connectivity reliability, Equalizer customization

#50 HyperX Cloud III
3.8

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear enough, though a few reviewers mentioned flat tone or low gain concerns.

Pros: Hinge durability, Wireless latency

Cons: Preset EQ profile quality, Xbox compatibility