Best Neckband Headphones

Why Are Neckband Headphones Gaining Popularity These Days?

Over the last few years, you might have noticed this unique trend of people using neckband headphones. Whether you call them “neckband headphones”, “behind the neck headphones”, “around-the-neck headsets” or even “collar headphones”, they are the same. These types of headphones form a halo structure and have a typical band-like design in a U-shape that looks like some electronic collar with earbuds emerging out from each end of the band. 

If you haven’t tried them out yet, then you might be wondering why people would want to wear a collar-like headband around their neck? Well, that’s a valid question. These neckband headphones may seem a bit offbeat or kind of unconventional when you first look at them. However, many people have found it to be extremely useful in many ways. You would probably get a feel of it yourself if you experience it once. But to answer your question first-

Just like any other wireless headsets, these behind-the-neck headphones are wire-free and are supported by Bluetooth technology for pairing with mobile devices. They house a battery inside the neckband that can give long hours of call time. These neckband headphones are a super success in the essence- they are extremely convenient to use, they have a better battery performance when compared to the other types of headphones in the wireless category and these headsets are packed with different features.  

More About the Neckband Headphones.

One of the main reasons why many people have fallen for these behind-the-neck headphones styles is because they are always close to the ears. By hanging the headset around your neck, you can easily carry it along without having to deal with the wires. You can also keep earbuds from being constantly plugged into the ears. This is a huge advantage for health-conscious people because the ‘neckband’ form factor of these headsets is much safer than the traditional true wireless earbuds. The reason is, in the case of earbuds, you need to either constantly wear them even when not in use, or, have to deal with the charging case to store them or charge them. 

Even though these behind-the-neck headphones have short cables connecting the earbuds to the band, they will never get tangled or come in between the doorknobs. This means no breaking or snapping of the wires anymore. 

While these neckband headphones are not specifically designed for aggressive fitness sessions, as they may slip off due to the heavy body movements, you cannot deny their convenience either, especially for the runners. Some people do not appreciate the regular headphones crowned on their head while they are walking or jogging and some find it hard to keep the earbuds in place and hence end up losing them once in a while. The neckband headphones are a great option for them. 

Features of the Neckband headphones

The Bluetooth collar headphones are equipped with different features like the latest Bluetooth technology, enhanced microphones for improved call quality, including active noise cancellation features in many cases. Some of them even feature smart voice control technology and other new-age technology for a more luxurious experience. Their easy-to-use controls neatly house around the neckband or near your neck, so you do not have to fiddle with different buttons to navigate to a particular function. You will get all the controls like play and pause, volume buttons, call management buttons, Bluetooth pairing, track navigation everything close to your reach. 

Lastly, like it or not, these headsets do have a bold look of their own and make a cool style statement. This is also one of the reasons behind the neck headphones getting so much attention and compliments from the users and the buyers lately. 

So, now that you have an idea of what these neckband Bluetooth headsets are and what they might feel like, let’s move on to the next part. In the next section of the article, we have come up with a list of some of the best neckband headphones available in the market today. We will brief you about their significant features, price points, pros and cons, and where you can get them. 

Best neckband headphones 2021: List of the best neckband headphones, their features, and price: 

If you are a fan of earbuds but keep losing them out because of their small size, and cannot afford to miss out on the benefits of going wireless either, then, take it for a word that these neckband headphones are going to be your best friend. With the increasing demand for these headsets, the market is filled with different options that vary from budget-friendly to premium ones and with different features. They also vary in the design or look where, while some of these headsets have soft rubbery/ silicone bands with in-line control units, some have a thick hard band that has the control buttons arranged around the body of the band. 

Here’s a list of some of the best neckband headphones 2021 has put worth so far:

Bose Quietcontrol 30 Neckband Headphones: (Overall best neckband headphones 2021)

Be it the design or the performance, Bose never fails to impress you with its impressive line of headphones and their Bose signature sound irrespective of the size of the headphone. 

As for the Quietcontrol 30 behind-the-neck headphones, they have done a great job giving a unique style to this one along with an excellent sound profile. This makes it one of the best neckband headphones in 2021. The world-class active noise-canceling feature involves cutting-edge technology that gives you different levels to choose from, so you can set your preferred ambiance. 

Additionally, the noise-canceling dual mics on earbuds perform exceptionally well in filtering out the surrounding sound making you sound loud and crystal clear. Interestingly, the noise isolation works even when the headsets are not paired with a device but just turned on. 

The controls of this headset are clean and simple designed with tactile buttons for easy navigation. The powerful battery offers 10 hours of playback time on a single charge which gives you almost the entire day to go peacefully without worrying about having to charge it. 

Quietcontrol 30 behind-the-neck headphones retail at $279.00 which is pretty much on the higher end of the price scale.

Pros: 

• Noise-canceling feature with adjustment levels.
• Long Bluetooth range of about 33 feet.
• Incredible battery performance. 
• EQ optimized audio for exceptional sound delivery. 
• Comes with a nice case for storing this piece. 

Cons: 

• There have been concerns from the users about the outer plastic/rubbery skin peeling off within two to three months of regular use. 

Sony WI-1000XM2 behind the neck headphones: (Best premium neckband headphones with excellent sound)

Here’s from one of the leading brands in the audio equipment industry and a tough competitor to Bose’ Quiet Comfort 30. If you are on the lookout for the best neckband headphones 2021 with incredible sonic performance and do not mind going with a higher budget, then look no more. This one from Sony is a complete package right from a durable sturdy build, to best-in-class noise cancellation combined with brilliant sound performance. 

The neckband of this headset made with silicone material is lightweight and flexible and specifically designed, so you can wear it for several hours without fatigue. The adaptive sound control technology used in these ‘behind the neck headphones’ automatically detects the surrounding sound and adjusts it according to your activities making them the best surround sound headphones. This way you get an enhanced listening experience. 

The battery of the headset runs for about 10 hours (8.5 hours with the ANC mode on) and with a 10 minutes power charge you get an additional 80 minutes of playback time. This product is retailed at $298.00. 

Pros: 

• Fast charging capabilities.
• Superior noise cancellation.
• Allows customization of the EQ settings through the Sony Headphones Connect App. 
• Comes with an audio cable that allows you to listen to your playlist by connecting it with your mobile device when you run out of battery. 

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have great feedback on the mic and calls.  
• It may not be a choice for everyone because of the expensive price tag. 

RoomyRoc Wireless Neckband Headset: (Best neckband headphones for a bargain price)

If you are a sports enthusiast and looking for a durable piece of the headset to hold up against sweat during your exercise or practice session, then behind-the-neck headphones will not disappoint you. You do not have to pay a hefty amount to enjoy all the features a headset offers because this one is packed with everything you would need at just $38.99. 

One of the best neckband headphones, this one is designed keeping in mind the comfort of the user. The ergonomically designed headset is lightweight and sits perfectly around your neck for hours without discomfort. The Bluetooth technology allows seamless pairing with two devices at a time so you can easily switch between the devices. 

One of the significant features of these headsets is the lengthy battery life of 12 to16 hours when charged fully once depending on whether you are listening to music or speaking over the phone. This means that your headphones are going to last for an entire day despite continuous use. With 180 hours of standby, it makes this a perfect option if you are out camping. 

Pros:

• Outstanding battery performance.
• Collapsible design for easy portability and storage.
• The sweatproof build makes it perfect for workouts.
• Smart voice features for easy navigation.
• High-definition clear calls. 
• Good noise cancellation.

Cons:

• Made with poor quality, non-malleable plastic. A few users reported that it tends to get damaged within 6 to 8 months of continuous use. This may not happen to everyone but do make a note of it so you can use it more cautiously.

Bowers & Wilkins PI3: (Sleek behind the neck headphones with big music)

While the headphones haven’t gained much popularity from this brand as its speaker lines, Bower & Wilkins has put in everything they could to make this pair of neckband headphones competent. 

If you notice the size of the headphones is relatively smaller than the ones we have covered so far. The silicone material used in constructing the neckband makes it super flexible and sleek for ultimate comfort. Although smaller, the headset doesn’t compromise on the sound delivery and the overall performance. 

Thanks to the powerful dual drivers and a separate amplifier, you will experience an incredibly powerful sound with punchy bass, and crisp, seamless vocals, and treble. 

The headset exhibits a good battery life of 8 hours on a single charge and the Bluetooth with superior aptX HD codec delivers strong signal and uninterrupted music streaming while maintaining the original quality of the music. 

If you are looking for a versatile option with a great sound and a flexible band, this is one of the best neckband headphones worth considering. The price of the product will vary between $99.00 to $139.00 depending on the color you choose. 

Pros: 

• Deep bassy sound with a good balance is perfectly suited for any type of music genre. 
• The high-quality microphone picks up your voice clearly from any direction and delivers it loud and crystal clear. 
• 15 minutes of quick charge gives 2 hours of extra run time. 
• The control panel houses all the navigation controls in a neat and precise manner for easy access. 
• Comes with 6 pairs of different ear tips for the best fit.

Cons: 

• The headphones are not IPX-rated. 

Jabra Evolve 65e Wireless Neckband Headset: (Best neckband headphones for professionals)

Jabra Evolve 65E is one of the best neckband headphones which is MS optimization (Microsoft Teams Certified) if you are looking for a good professional headset within this form factor. 

Evolve 65e offers a 13-hour long battery life once you charge it fully and it takes just about 2 hours to charge it fully allowing you to stay productive the entire day. This means you can use it for long hours whether it is for listening to music, making work calls – Skype, Zoom meeting, etc. 

When it comes to sound, the behind-the-neck headsets are engineered with high-quality drivers with superior sound, the same way you would like to hear it. The headphone is retailed for $154.99 on Amazon.

Pros: 

• Customizable sound with Jabra Sound + app.
• Effective passive noise-canceling. 
• Comfortable and snug fit for superior listening experience.
• Excellent battery performance. 
• A great option for those working remotely.

Cons:  

• Does not have active noise-cancelation.
• Some users reported that the customer service response is a bit slow. 

Sennheiser HD1 wireless headphones: (Best neckband headphones for premium sonic performance)

Here’s a premium pair of headsets that packs an ergonomic design, dynamic sound with an extended frequency response of 15 Hz to 22 kHz, and good battery life. 

This behind-the-neck headphone has a runtime of 10 hours with long-range Bluetooth connectivity offering seamless audio streaming. You will not experience any lag or latency even if you leave your phone on the other side of the room. To add to that, the Qualcomm AptX and AAC codecs allow high-quality sound delivery along with clear voice calls. 

As for the design the company has given the premium headset an elegant leather finish neckband for an elevated look and greater comfort. This gives it an edge over some of the other neckband headphones that are comparatively bulky owing to their plastic make. 

Since this is a premium product, the price is on the higher end. You will get it at $299.00 online. 

Pros: 

• Good Bluetooth range.
• 10+ hours of battery life. 
• Slim neckband that easily hides under the collar. 
• Premium design.
• The sensitive microphone picks up the voice accurately and clearly. 
• Lag-free audio. 

Cons: 

• For a price that high, it should have had aptX HD. 
• High priced, not everyone can afford it. 

Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2: (Best neckband headphones with an economical price tag)

Have a limited budget? Well, don’t worry. With Skullcandy Smokin’ buds, you will get all the essential features and functionalities that you expect a good headset to have but without having to break a bank. 

These low-profile neckband headphones have a stellar sound signature with rich, thumping bass (just what the brand is known for), a well-sculpted mids range, and beautiful and precise treble. This gives you a next-level experience making music more enjoyable to listen to. 

The in-line controlling remote has a minimalistic design with three user-friendly navigation buttons that are multi-functional. You will get about 6 to 7 hours of battery life with a built-in mic for clear communication. We are talking all these for a price of just $25.00 to $50.00 depending on the color you select. 

Pros: 

• Extremely affordable.
• Decent battery life for the price.
• Amazing bright sound.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t support NFC or Bluetooth aptX codec. 

Skullcandy Ink’d + Active neckband headphones: (Best neckband headphones from Skullcandy)

Here’s yet another one from Skullcandy which is a sports-friendly pair with an IPX4 rating offering resistance against sweat and dust. The headphones have a flexible collar band that can be easily folded and carried in the pocket when not in use. Additionally, it also comes with the fit-fin ear tips that are comfortable as well as settle inside the ear canal securely ensuring that you can wear it all day without any discomfort.

To suit your active lifestyle and an extended fitness session, the headset offers you a huge battery life of 15 hours along with a 10 minutes quick charge to give 2 hours of playback time. 

The controls are neatly arranged in the neckband for easy navigation to different functionalities like activating voice assistant, playing or pausing a track, call management, track skipping, etc. The revolutionary tile tracker will never let you miss them or lose them. It comes with a price tag of $58.00 which is pretty reasonable for the various functions and features these behind-the-neck headphones bring to the table. 

Pros: 

• Huge battery life.
• Comfortable ergonomic design.
• Reasonably low priced.

Cons: 

• The mic performance could have been better.
• The passive noise cancellation is average. It could have been better especially when there is no ANC.

Philips Performance PN402BK behind the neck headphone: (Best neckband headphones with vibrating neckband for call alert)

One of the best neckband headphones with a budget-friendly price tag, this headphone comes from a well-established brand in the audio gadgets market. Although the price is super reasonable, this one from Philips has a lot to offer.

You will get a 14-hour long battery life which is pretty impressive and added to that is the 5 minutes of quick charging giving 2 hours of call time. This is pretty cool as there is hardly any waiting time between you and your music. These headsets feature 12.2 mm large neodymium drivers that deliver a weighing bass and well-defined mids and highs. Other than the powerful high Hi-Res enabled sound, the mic integrated into the headsets makes your voice sound crisp and well-tuned. 

There is a vibration mode that gives you the ultimate peace of mind as you do not have to constantly keep wearing your headphones to check on your phone ringing. In case of an incoming call, these neckbands will vibrate alerting you about the call. These headphones have a mark-up of $44.99 which is quite competitive considering the different features you get out of this pair. 

Pros: 

• Dynamic sound signature.
• Hi-Res Audio.
• Vibration mode to alert incoming calls.
• 14 hours of playback time is much higher than the industry standards.
• The instant pairing of the headset with the devices as soon as the Bluetooth button is turned on. 
• The sweat-resistant build makes it ideal for most types of sports or outdoor activities.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have an auto-shut-down feature. 

V-Moda Forza Metallo behind the neck headphones: (Best neckband headphones with chic look)

If you are a person who admires style and design over anything else, then this is a great choice of neckband headphones to go for. The headband has a simple yet sophisticated design with a titanium finish and is given nanotechnology coating to repel water, sweat, or dirt making it ideal for an active lifestyle or use under any weather condition. 

These compact neckband headphones are packed with high-res drivers for an exceptionally detailed sound signature that has a solid bassline and with superior clarity in the upper frequency.

The headset comes with a wide range of different ear tips including the winged ones that are extremely beneficial for sports use as they hold the ear tips well in place. The battery life of 10+ hours is pretty much on par with the industry standards. The Bluetooth gives a good range of 33 meters allowing you to enjoy your music while you run your errands. Check out the price of these headphones by clicking on the link. 

Pros:

• Refined sound with superior audio clarity.
• Good battery performance.
• Stylish and sleek looks with a comfortable design for all-day wear. 

Cons: 

• The mid-range performance could have been better. 

Treblab XR700: (Best budget ‘behind the neck headphones’ for athletes)

Amazingly cheap price with weighing performance, Treblab XR700, is everything that you need to keep yourself boosted up during your extensive fitness sessions. The headphones are so lightweight that you may often forget that it is still hanging around your neck. 

The IPX7 rated waterproof build along with crystal clear voice pick-up by the mic is a steal deal and gives these headphones a competitive edge over several other neckband headphones in the market. The headphones come bundled with ear tips of different types and sizes giving you an option to choose the best fit for maximum performance. All you need to do is find the best ear tip that fits and seals within your ears perfectly and you can leave the rest on the headset itself. 

As for the sound, you will get enough low-frequency response with its bass boosted technology with an overall energetic sound profile for a delightful listening experience. The headphone brings to you all these at just $39.97 which is very reasonable. 

Pros: 

• Fully weatherproof and waterproof. 
• Creates great sealing in the ears which provides effective noise isolation.
• Perfect for sports and outdoor use.
• Excellent mic performance. 
• Bluetooth 5.0 offers better connectivity, better audio quality.

Cons: 

• The earbuds are designed for sports and hence a little bigger in size. Not everyone may like the around-the-ear hooks. 

‘Behind the neck headphones’ are a bit different from the regular headphones or true wireless earbuds and you need to pay more attention to some specific things when you buy them. The next section covers a quick buying guide so you can pick the best one easily. 

A quick guide to choosing the best neckband headphones: 

With a wealth of options spread out in front of you, you may find it super complicated to select the right pair of neckband headphones whether you shop online or from a physical store. To some people style and look may be the topmost priority, but for some these may be the last thing they want to consider. Some need the headphones to be packed with features irrespective of the price. Different people have different preferences when it comes to neckband headphones.

With all these aspects in mind, here’s a buying guide that will help you understand what are the various parameters you need to consider when buying the perfect pair of these types of headsets:

Comfort and purpose: 

To meet the demands and conveniences of the buyers, the manufacturers make headphones in different designs and styles within the same form factor. So, before buying one for yourself, think about what you are going to use the headphones the most for? If you want one to keep up with your workout sessions, then go for one that is specially built for that purpose with ear hooks for better grip, IPX rating, etc. If you need one for business purposes, then audio and mic should be your primary focus other than the general features like battery, etc. 

Comfort is another vital factor that needs attention and is also to a great extent dependent on what you need the headphones for. For example, if you want the headphones for sports then it has to have a proper grip so it sticks to your ears and doesn’t keep falling off. Also, go for the ones that offer long hours of wear without hurting your ears. If you are aiming at something more portable and convenient, here is a list of the best budget wireless earbuds.

Build quality: 

You might have often heard people complaining that the neckband of the headphones broke off after a few months’ use or the phone cords ripping apart.  You do not want to get into that situation. Consider going for neckband headphones made of good quality, durable materials. Sometimes very cheap headphones may have a weak build, although this may not always be the case. 

Good quality neckband headphones made of silicone or rubber finish often prove to be more sturdy and durable than the ones with plastic. 

Sound quality and microphone: 

Be it a neckband headphone, or a regular pair of earbuds, what’s the purpose of a headphone if it doesn’t have a good sonic performance? While you have to look for a headphone with a good, well-balanced sound signature, if you are particular about a bass-heavy sound, do research on which headphones deliver punchy bass that can satisfy your ears. We have listed some of the best neckband headphones with deep, bass-heavy sound Sony, Bose, and Skullcandy being a few. 

The mic is super important if communicating using the neckband headphones is your main purpose. In that case, go for one that is integrated with cutting-edge mic technology.

Battery life: 

The longer the battery life, the better it is. If you do not want to get interrupted in the middle of your call or while watching a movie, listening to the songs, it is always advisable to go for one with lengthy battery performance. Most of the top-quality neckband headphones have an average battery life of 10 hours while some have even more. 

But do remember that, the battery life to a great extent depends on the usage pattern as well. For example, if you use a headphone with the ANC feature on throughout, you may expect the battery performance to shorten by a couple of hours. If you need headphones for gaming or movie marathons, you will certainly need headphones with 15+ hours of battery life. Nevertheless, opt for one that has a stronger battery. 

Connectivity: 

While it may be challenging to figure out how the connectivity of the headphone is going to be unless you try it for yourself, you can check the user reviews on this and choose your headphone. Other than that, the latest Bluetooth technology, good codec option may help you get a pair with a long uninterrupted range and good signal strength.

Active noise cancellation feature:

This is one of the top-end features of the headphones and may influence the price of the headphone as well in most cases. While many mid to high-range products may have ANC features, some of the budget lines may only have passive noise isolation. In most cases, noise isolation works great, but if you are particularly in need of behind-the-neck headphones for work, you may prefer one with the ANC feature to achieve a quieter environment.  

There is no single specific purpose for these neckband headphones because they are versatile headsets that have proven useful in various applications for good reasons. They have better battery capacity than the truly wireless earbuds, higher convenience, and excellent sonic performance. These types of headsets aren’t as big as the over-the-ear headphones and are a great on-the-go gear if you do not want to deal with a charging case as in the case of the wireless earbuds. That said, since finding a great pair of ‘behind the neck headphones’ is never an easy task, we have simplified it for you in this article. Hope this helps you with exactly what you are looking for. 

Conclusion

With the article above, we hope the search for the best neckband headphones for the year has come to an end. As we have sorted out for you the top 10 best neckband headphones you can buy right now, along with their best features. In addition, the top 10 list will help you find the best neckband headphones based on your choices, like brand, budget, purpose, style, and bass. Moreover, learn about the pros and cons of each neckband headset listed here. You might also find yourself interested in our in-ear headphones for DJ.

Frequently Asked Questions