Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings

The recent COVID pandemic situation has forced everyone to stay at home because of which, most of the people are bound to work remotely. Now, while this is pretty easy for some working professionals, for some it may be extremely challenging to work in a typical home environment. From children running around the house screaming, to neighbors calling out, chattering roommates, or even pets whimpering, there can be innumerable distractions at home. Normalizing such a situation is next to impossible. This is why we have curated a list of the best headphones for zoom meetings to work peacefully at your home.

Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings:

If you are one of them, then, by now you would have already realized the difficulties in a work from home situation and how crucial it is to have a quieter environment to focus on your work. This is especially important for those whose work involves a lot of calls, speaking with vendors or clients, or even interacting with the team. Yes, working remotely also means frequent phone call loops with the teams for coordinating work because this is the only way you can get things going.

Amidst all these, a good pair of headphones has become a vital part of any home office set-up. People may need headsets for different reasons. For example, if you do not have to communicate much with anyone at work, but just need a peaceful environment to focus on your work, a proper noise-canceling headphone may work just fine. However, if you are in a job that needs to-and-fro communication, conference calls, and interaction with co-workers and clients, then you will need a solid pair of headphones with a good quality mic. 

How Does Poor Quality Audio Affect Your Work and Productivity?

It is important to note that not having a good pair of headphones or bad quality audio can majorly affect your work and thus your productivity. This has been one of the major issues of working remotely of late. How? Well, if you cannot hear clearly what is being said on the call because of the noisy background, you tend to stress your brain to understand what the other person is saying. This results in brain fatigue and mental stress thus decreasing productivity significantly because your brain uses up most of the energy.

Other than that, not following the instructions that were given out on the call, or missing out on vital points in a conference meeting can lead to major blunders that may affect the company in a big way. That is why the need for having a good pair of headsets for working from home is essential. 

There is an ocean of offerings available in the market when it comes to headsets for working from home that varies largely in designs, style, quality, and price. There are wired and wireless headphones where wireless is the most convenient audio gear if you are choosing for work because you can move around freely while on call. It is also the most popular option that people pick these days over the wired ones and are available at a much lesser price. 

Also, selecting a decent pair of headphones for the remote user doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go for a premium product. What matters is its functionalities and how well the headphone will deliver. With Skype calls, virtual meetings through Zoom calling becoming the norm, what you need is a solid pair of good-sounding and comfortable headphones with superior mic quality that you do not have to struggle with. 

Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings: List of the Best Headphones for Video Conferencing

To help you look out for suitable work headphones, we have curated some of the best headphones for Zoom meetings that can never let you down. The list includes a mix of both true wireless earbuds and headphones from some of the most reliable brands, so you can pick what works best for you. 

Different headphones have different features and depending on that they hit different price points as well. This means that the top-notch headsets with a premium price tag will have some additional features that you might enjoy when compared with the ones that cost relatively low. Here’s are some earbuds and headsets for working from home that has received great reviews and ratings from the experts and users:

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: (Overall Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings)

The best headset for conference calls that you can ever own, this pair from the Quiet Comfort lineup from Bose is one of the premium headsets with some amazing features. The active noise-canceling feature is the main highlight of the show. The headphone is equipped with 11 levels of noise-canceling feature which gives you a lot of options to choose from depending on what kind of silent ambiance you need or what situation you are in. 

The state-of-the-art microphone can pick up your voice in the clearest way possible, so you sound the best in your virtual meeting. Additionally, the sound quality of the headphones is incredible with a good balance across all the frequency levels. You can hear an in-depth bass, with prominent mids and crisp highs. 

As for the design, the headphone is made keeping in mind the long hours of wear, perfect to keep them on throughout your work hours. The lightweight ergonomic ear cups sit on your ears without causing ear fatigue which is also another reason why these are the best headset for virtual meetings that go for hours. 

The device gives about 20 hours of battery life if it’s fully charged. It can go for 2 to 3 days without a need to charge them in between. Although this headset has a premium price tag of $379.00, with all the features that can make your work from home life so much easier, this one is worth being called the best headphones for Zoom meetings. 

Pros: 

• World-class noise-canceling feature.
• Excellent sound quality. 
• Versatile headphone that can be used for virtual meetings as well as casual uses like music listening etc. 
• Long battery life. 
• Superior quality microphone. 
• Has voice control feature (Alexa and Google Assistant)  that allows hands free access to information. 

Cons: 

• Expensive option.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT: (Best Headset for Virtual Meetings With Stellar Battery Life)

Here’s a pair from Audio-Technica and is one of the premium offerings from the company with some significant features that makes it a favorable option for remote work. If you are a marketing professional and your job requires you to be on the phone for several hours, then this one is a good option you may want to consider. 

The headphone has a 40 hours long battery life which will never shut you off in the middle of a meeting. The audio output is pretty impressive with an extended frequency range of 15 Hz to 28 Hz, 45 mm large drivers, and 99 dB sound sensitivity. This delivers a clear and sharp sound profile allowing you to hear clearly from the other end of the meeting. 

The microphone is inbuilt but is extremely efficient in picking up your voice. The control buttons on the ear cups are designed perfectly for ease of use. The tactile buttons let you adjust the volume, navigate into different functions including activating the voice control seamlessly. 

Priced at $326, this one also falls under the high-end, however, if you are looking for the best headset for virtual meetings which is super durable, and you do not have a problem with the budget, this can be you’re go-to. 

Pros: 

• Plush over-ear design offers superior comfort for all-day wear.
• Great sounding headphone with high-quality mic. 
• outstanding battery life.
• Seamless Bluetooth connectivity with ability to pair with the devices instantly.  
• Foldable design good for storage

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have an ANC feature but the earcups are designed for good noise isolation. However, if cutting down ambient noise is your priority and you do not have a quiet place to work, then this may not be the best option. 
• Expensive.

Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: (Best Headset for Conference Calls Who Do Not Like Headphones)

Some people are not comfortable with headphones over their heads and ears for a long time. If you are one of them and need something much lighter, then Elite 85t wireless earbuds are a great go for you. From ergonomic in-ear design for a perfect fit to advanced sound engineering, the earbud is packed with everything that you need to have a productive working day. 

Elite 85t features superior noise-canceling technology with different levels of ANC adjustments. There are different levels of active noise cancellation for a quieter environment or a hear-through mode that will allow the ambient sounds in for you to stay alert. It comes with 5.5 hours of battery life with ANC technology along with a backup of 20 hours in the charging case. 

The best part about the earbuds is that they are engineered with 6 mics and have wind protection technology, this means that you can make calls indoor or even outdoor while taking a walk or running your errands. It has the solid ability to deliver the sound clearly to the other end. With 12 mm large speakers, the sound reproduction is extremely powerful, with deep bass and premium quality.  For its size, comfort and ANC functionality, these can make the best earbuds for sleeping.

One of the best headphones for zoom meetings, it comes with a price tag of $179.99 combined with some high-fidelity features to suit your work needs. 

Pros: 

• Extra large speakers for stellar sound with amazing mic clarity.
• Perfect option for people who are not comfortable with headphones. 
• Super comfortable to wear for the whole day.
• Supported by Bluetooth 5.1.

Cons: 

• While you can get silent listening, the ANC feature isn’t that effective for the person on the other end of the call. 
• Battery life is short compared to some of the other wireless earbuds from competing brands. 

Sony WH-1000XM4: (Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings With Industry Leading Anc)

Here comes one from one of the top brands in the world of audio equipment. If having a quiet environment is your primary need, then Sony WH-1000XM4 provides you with exactly what you are looking for. 

Best in the industry ANC feature, top-class Sony signature sound with rich bass and undistorted mids and highs, and high-quality mic makes it one of the most suitable headsets for those working from home. You can also personalize the sound as per your hearing preference by using the Sony Companion App. 

The touch-sensitive controls are super easy to use and have almost all the function buttons you would need to be covered on the ear cups making it easy to operate. The 30-hours battery life is amazing, but, if for some reason you forget to charge the headset on time, don’t worry. The 3.5 mm AUX wire will get you back to listening mode. But, do remember that the microphone doesn’t work when you plug-in like this which means if you are active on a call, you will need to go wireless. 

Pros: 

• Industry leading ANC.
• Over-ear cups with premium material are ideal for long working hours.
• Great battery performance on a single charge.
• Equipped with premium features

Cons: 

• Expensive. 
• Mic is disabled when plugged in with Aux. 

Sony WF-XB700 (Best Headset for Virtual Meetings for Budget Buyers)

Now, if you are a Sony fan but you do not want to go with a premium option or a headset like 1000XM4, then these wireless earbuds are great and budget-friendly. With 9 hours battery life with additional 9 hours in the charging case, you can be on your work call for an entire day without a battery dropping issue. The earbuds have an angular design for the most comfortable and secure fit. 

The touch controls are simple. You can easily play/ pause music or quickly answer a call with just a touch. These earbuds will cost you $54.99. So, if you are looking for a headset for virtual meetings that has Bluetooth, good battery life, well-balanced audio along with an accentuated bass, and a built-in mic, under an economic price tag, then this is it!

Pros: 

• IPX4 water resistant.
• Comfortable and secure fit.
• Great bass with a good sound profile.

Cons: 

• No active noise canceling feature.
• Doesn’t support aptX codec. 

Anker Soundcore Life Q20: (Best Budget Headsets for Working From Home)

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 will give you some upscale features at an affordable price tag. With a Hi-Res Audio Certified sound profile, and a 40 mm driver aperture, you can imagine how crisp and balanced the headphone sounds. The headphone also features 4 built-in ANC mics that can pick up any noise, even the one with the lowest frequency ranges and filters them out. You also get to turn on or off the ANC depending on when you need it or otherwise. 

The solid battery life of 40 hours with ANC on, on a single charge is pretty impressive. The headphone is engineered with adjustable bass boosting technology, ensuring you get the exact sound you need to hear. The most interesting thing is we are talking about all this at just $49.99. 

Pros: 

• Brilliant battery life. 
• Incredibly cheap. 
• Hybrid active noise cancellation feature.
• Excellent sound quality.

Cons: 

A few reviews stated that the headband isn’t very comfortable which can be an issue if you have to wear it for long hours.

Plantronics – Voyager Focus UC (Poly): (Best Headphones for Zoom Meetings Under $200)

One of the premium offerings from Plantronics, this pair is great for those who want extremely lightweight audio gear for their virtual meetings. The headphone features ANC features that allow you to focus on the meeting despite the distractions around the house. 

The headphone will give you a run time of about 12 hours when the ANC is off and about 10 hours with it on. This means that if you are on a heavy calling job, charging it once a day will last for the whole day. The Bluetooth connectivity has a range of 30 feet that allows you to move around and speak with the caller without restriction. The sound profile and versatility of the Plantronics Voyager make it decent headphones for video editing.

It is one of the best headphones for Zoom meetings that can connect up to two devices at the same time so you can switch between them seamlessly. This product retails at $179.00. 

Pros: 

• Headband and ear pads are made of memory foam for superior comfort.
• Smart mic technology picks up your voice clearly and auto-adjusts so you are clearly audible on the person(s) on the other end. 
• Good mic quality.
• Quick mute button on the mic.
• You will get an alert if you are speaking on call with the mute button on so you can unmute for others to hear you.

Cons: 

• The plastic finish of the headphone looks cheap. 
• The on-ear design may not be preferred by everyone.

AKG Y400: (All-rounder Best Headset for Virtual Meetings Under Budget-friendly Price Tag)

AKG Y400 is one of the affordable pairs of on-ear headphones that adds up as a solid contender to the list of best headsets for conference calls. The headphone features a sleek design with rotating ear cups that are well cushioned to sit on the ear comfortably. It is also programmed to automatically play or pause when the headset is taken on or off the ears respectively. 

Even though the drivers are a bit smaller than their few other counterparts like the Y500 series, the sound delivery of this one will not disappoint you. It has a pleasing three-dimensional sound with a weighing bass and a perfectly balanced sound. 

It doesn’t have the active noise-canceling feature, but the compact fit does a pretty good job isolating some surrounding sounds leading to better audio quality. But, interestingly, this piece comes with an Ambient Aware mode with its control button on the right ear cup that allows you to hear the louder and low-frequency sound when you have the headphones on. 

Pros:

• Bluetooth 5.0 for swift pairing.
• Extremely lightweight with weight below 200 gms.
• Lengthy battery life of over 20 hours per full charge.
• Easy to use control buttons.

Cons: 

• No EQ setting or app to adjust the sound.

SENNHEISER Momentum True Wireless 2 Earbuds: (Best Earbuds for Zoom Meetings With Great Sound)

Here’s a well-rounded pair of earbuds that offers an outstanding sound profile, perfect for virtual meetings when you are working remotely. The 7 mm drivers cover a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 21 kHz delivering clear and powerful stereo sound. The in-built mic picks up the voice accurately covering a frequency range of 100 Hz to 10 kHz that will make you sound great on the call.

The active noise-canceling feature allows you to stay focused on your work, but you can turn it on or off depending on your need. Keeping the safety aspect in mind the earbud is also given a transparent mode in the ANC features that will let the surround sound in so you are aware of what is happening around even while on call. One of the best headphones for Zoom meetings, this pair of earbuds are designed with powerful dual mics that have exceptional ability to pick up your voice clean and crisp and even improve your voice quality during the call. 

With Momentum True Wireless 2, you will get a battery run time of 7 hours. Additionally, with the backup charging case, you can charge your earbuds fully 3 more times. The earbuds are retailed at around $219.00.  At this price point, these are by far the best earbud headphones on the market.

Pros: 

• Vivid sound.
• Superior microphone quality.
• Customizable touch controls through the app.
• Bluetooth 5.1 compliance allows faster pairing and long signal range.

Cons: 

• Significant time lag when playing videos. 

Jabra Elite 45H: (Best Headset for Conference Calls With Longest Battery Life)

For a price tag of $69.00, Jabra Elite has a lot to bring to the table. The headphone is packed with 40 mm large speakers that offer an outstandingly clear and well-sculpted sound that one can ever imagine from a headphone of this price category. But, what steals the show is its powerful battery that gives up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge. 

What more? Its fast-charge technology will give you 10 hours of talk time with just 15 mins of charge. This means that whether you are in a Zoom meeting for several hours, or listening to the music alongside your work, you will never have to worry about the headphones running out of battery. 

You can tailor your preferred sound settings through the Jabra app for the best listening experience. When it comes to comfort, there is no compromise because of the price tag like in most inexpensive headphones. The lightweight on-ear headphones are made with super soft memory foam that absorbs all the pressure from the ears making them ideal for an entire day’s use thus making them the best headphones for Zoom meetings. 

Pros: 

• Sophisticated look, durable design with superior comfort.
• Premium features at low price.
• Bass boosted audio.
• Equipped with smart voice control features (Google Assistant and Alexa).
• Incredible mic and battery performance.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have an active noise-canceling feature and their passive noise isolation ability is sub par.

So, above, you have a list of some of the best headphones for zoom meetings or virtual calls that you will not regret buying. While we have got something covered for everyone and any kind of preference, if you would still like to take a look at a few more options and then make up your mind, we understand that. But there are a few factors that you need to consider when buying headphones for your remote work needs. 

So What Makes the Best Headset for Conference Calls and Zoom Meetings?

Wired or Wireless?

It is recommended to go for a wireless headset for your home office. Some meetings go on for more than an hour. Believe it or not, you will thank yourself for getting a wireless headset in those situations. 

Battery Life:

Going wireless automatically means choosing a headphone or an earbud with an excellent battery. Even though you are working from home, you do not want to get into an embarrassing situation where your battery dies out in the middle of a presentation or a meeting. The best headset for virtual meetings should have a battery life of 7 to 10 hours at the very least.

Sound Quality:

Never compromise the sound quality when looking for work-from-home headphones. Go for the one with bigger drivers and the ones that have a well-balanced clean audio output.

Microphone Quality:

If you are in a job that needs you to be presenting like in a marketing job, or while talking to your teams, you will need headphones that will make your voice quality good and audible. It is always recommended to go for a high-quality mic that can pick up and deliver your voice with maximum clarity. 

Compatibility:

Make sure that the headphones you are buying are compatible with your VoiceIP hardware, laptop, or PC you will be working on. 

Noise-canceling Feature:

If you have a busy home with rambunctious kids or pets running around with a noisy background, you must go for the noise-canceling headphone. Depending on the intensity of the noise, you can choose your headphone to be either with ANC technology or with noise-isolating capabilities. Closed ear headphones are usually better than open ear ones as they block out the ambient noise well.

Comfort is King:

No matter how expensive your headphones are, it has to be comfortable for you to use them for a good number of hours in a day. 

Additional Features

Some other additional features that you need to look for are voice assistant technology, Bluetooth connectivity, waterproof capabilities if you want a headset for different applications and not just for work. 

Different Ways You Can Improve the Audio Quality of Their Conference Calls:

The quality of the audio is extremely important in a virtual meeting or when you are in a conference call so there is a smooth communication flow without having to struggle. Here are a few things that you can do to improve the audio quality of your work calls: 

Good Quality Headsets

Using a good quality headset is one of the basic ways to get a better audio quality than what your laptop’s camera or speaker alone can deliver. But to enhance your voice quality more, you can pair an external mic or a Bluetooth speaker with a built-in mic for amplified audio. Once you join the Zoom call, all you need to do is to switch to the audio source by clicking on the arrow near the sound icon. 

Proximity

The proximity to the mic or the speaker makes a huge difference in the quality of the audio. Hold the audio source at a moderate level or distance, not too close or too far away, so your voice is picked up accurately and delivered with clarity.

If you are in a noisy home or a public place like in a café, mute yourself if you’re not speaking, so the others do not get disturbed by the ambient noise on your end. It is always a good idea to find a quieter place before the meeting starts, so there is no distraction or disturbance. 

Weak Internet Connection

Sometimes the audio quality is affected due to a weak internet connection. Ensure that the signal is strong so the audio streaming is not disrupted. You can turn off the video, so the audio streaming gets better. Oftentimes downloading bigger files makes the internet connection slow. If that is the case, stop downloading when you are about to go into a Zoom meeting, so it doesn’t interfere with your work. 

Echo

Ensure that there is no echo in the room. Typically an empty room with walls around without any furniture or other things causes echoing. Choose a room that is not empty for your virtual meetings. Adjust the audio and volume settings in the Zoom app to get the exact volume and audio output. 

If none of these work, then use your mobile or the VoIP hardware and dial into the conference. Remain connected to the conference through the internet for video sharing. In case you need to troubleshoot, here’s a good website that gives you the step-by-step process of how to go about it. 

When you are stuck in a work-from-home set-up with noisy surroundings and your family around, it can be quite a challenging task to focus on work. The headphones come to the rescue in this situation. They give you a quiet surrounding with a professional work environment for online meetings to go smoothly despite the surrounding commotion. 

Conclusion

While we have listed above quite a few best headsets for virtual meetings that are popular today, we feel that the Bose Quiet comfort series; especially, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is one of the best headphones for Zoom meetings. It is a premium headphone with an expensive price tag but is also a one-time investment that may last longer and be suitable for versatile applications. 

If you are inclined towards a budget line, then we suggest Jabra Elite 45H. It is an all-rounder headphone with a surprisingly reasonable price tag. We hope that you find this article informative and useful in helping you choose the best option for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s):