A good headset can make all the difference in your workday. The right headset improves concentration, collaboration, and productivity.
With more people working from home or hybrid arrangements, demand for quality headsets has increased. Workers need gear that helps them stay focused despite noisy home environments.
In this guide, we’ll review the top headsets for tackling your daily tasks in 2023. We considered critical factors like sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and value.
How We Chose the Best Work Headsets
Our team researched over 50 wireless headset models from top brands. We then narrowed down the options based on key criteria:
Sound Quality: Headsets were assessed on frequency range, speaker quality, and ability to handle bass, mids, and highs. Wider frequency ranges allow headsets to reproduce audio more accurately.
Noise Cancellation: To counter noisy environments, headsets need effective noise cancellation. We favored models with hybrid ANC combining feedforward and feedback mics.
Comfort: Ideal headsets have lightweight builds with ample earcup and headband padding. Materials like memory foam provide better comfort over long periods.
Battery Life: With remote work, headsets should last through lengthy calls and long days without charging. We preferred options with 20+ hours of battery life per charge.
Value: Work headsets range wildly in price. Our picks balance premium features with reasonable prices for most budgets.
Based on these criteria, here are the best headsets for work in 2023:
1. Jabra Evolve2 65 UC – Best Overall
The Jabra Evolve2 65 UC is our choice for the best overall work headset. It combines excellent sound, strong noise cancellation, and long battery life in a comfortable on-ear design.
With a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, the 40mm speakers deliver rich, well-balanced sound for music, videos, and calls. Dual-foam earpads block out ambient noise while providing a secure yet comfortable fit.
ANC performance gets a boost from the physical earpad seal and three-microphone array that reduces background noise on calls by 23%. You‘ll stay focused in noisy environments like open offices.
On-ear controls make it easy to manage calls and music playback. Simply tap buttons to mute yourself, activate ANC, or increase volume. Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable wireless connection to your computer and phone.
The Evolve2 65 UC‘s rechargeable battery lasts an impressive 37 hours. A quick 15-minute charge provides over 8 hours of extra play time. Overall, it‘s a feature-packed headset suited for the daily demands of work.
Key Features:
- Rich sound with 40mm speakers
- 23% background noise cancellation on calls
- 37 hours of battery life per charge
- Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity
- On-ear controls for calls and music
2. Poly Voyager Focus 2 – Best for Calls
Optimized for crystal clear calls and conferences, the Poly Voyager Focus 2 is our top pick for voice-centric work. It combines noise-cancelling microphones with advanced digital signal processing for lively, natural conversations without ambient distractions.
An array of four MEMS microphones work together to reduce background sounds like keyboard typing, chatter, and HVAC systems during calls. Acoustic Fence technology in the earcups blocks out noise around you. Your colleagues will only hear your voice, not your environment.
For excellent call audio fidelity, the Voyager Focus 2 has a wideband frequency response up to 7kHz. You get clear, detailed sound without clipping or distortion. Speakers equipped with Poly Acoustic Clarity reproduce voices with presence and nuance.
On-ear controls make it easy to manage volume, mute, activate ANC, and check battery level. The headset offers up to 19 hours of talk time and charges to full in under 3 hours. With its call-enhancing technologies, the Focus 2 is ideal for remote workers, customer support agents, and others who spend their days on the phone.
Key Features:
- 4-mic noise cancelling array
- Acoustic Fence technology
- Up to 7kHz frequency response
- On-ear controls for volume and mute
- 19 hours of talk time per charge
3. Apple AirPods Max – Best Premium
With excellent sound and build quality, the luxurious AirPods Max are the best premium work headset for Apple users. The over-ear design houses custom 40mm dynamic drivers matched with H1 chips to deliver precise, distortion-free audio across the full frequency range.
You get immersive spatial audio for music, movies, and even FaceTime calls. Active Noise Cancellation uses outward and inward-facing mics to block external noise while Adaptive EQ keeps music sounding consistent as you move.
Crafted from aluminum and stainless steel, the AirPods Max boast Apple‘s signature polished aesthetics. Breathable knit mesh canopy headband and memory foam earcups make this a comfortable headset for all-day wear. Physical controls include a Digital Crown that enables intuitive volume adjustment and music playback without needing your device.
With AirPods Max, iPhone and Mac users get seamless connectivity via iCloud and device switching. The headset lasts around 20 hours per charge. Overall, the Max is ideal for Apple devotees wanting a premium listening and calling experience at work.
Key Features:
- Custom 40mm drivers with H1 chip
- Active Noise Cancellation with transparency mode
- Spatial audio support
- Aluminum/stainless steel design
- 20-hour battery life
4. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – Best Budget
With ANC, hi-fi sound, and 40-hour battery in a budget-friendly package, the Soundcore Life Q30 is our top value headset pick for work. Don‘t let the low price fool you – the audio performance punches well above its class.
Oversized 40mm silk-diaphragm drivers combined with BassUp technology deliver powerful, resonant sound across an expansive frequency range. Punchy bass won‘t drown out vocals and details. You can even customize the sound signature via the app.
For noise reduction, the Life Q30 uses hybrid ANC with feed-forward and feedback mics to detect and cancel noises across a wide frequency spectrum. Leakage-resistant earcups provide additional passive isolation. This makes the Q30 great for loud workplaces.
On-ear controls handle playback, volume, calls, and ANC, while Bluetooth 5 keeps your device connections strong across rooms. Comfort remains excellent over long listening sessions thanks to the ergonomic design and plush earcups. For cost-conscious shoppers, the Q30 brings tremendous value without compromising key features.
Key Features:
- Hi-fi sound with 40mm silk drivers
- Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
- Customizable EQ
- 40-hour battery life
- On-ear controls
5. Bose QuietComfort 45 – Most Comfortable
With a perfect balance of noise cancellation, rich sound, and luxurious comfort, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is designed for full workday wearability. It‘s our pick for the most comfortable work headset.
The lightweight frame and plush synthetic leather earpads cradle your head in pillowy softness. The earcups rotate and tilt to adapt to your head‘s shape. The fit remains secure yet gentle over many hours thanks to ample clamping force adjustment in the headband. Forget ear fatigue or sweating during marathon calls.
ANC performance shines thanks to Bose‘s proprietary mic system that quells nearby chatters, keyboard clicks, and other distractions. Balanced audio courtesy of TriPort acoustic architecture keeps your music, videos, and calls sounding clear and natural.
On-ear buttons simplify volume, music, and call control. Multi-device pairing allows easy switching between computer and phone audio. At 24 hours per charge, battery life is sufficient for uninterrupted use across long workdays. For unbeatable comfort with excellent ANC and sound, choose the QC45.
Key Features:
- Plush synthetic leather and foam cushions
- Rotating, tilting earcups with adjustability
- 24-hour battery life
- Proprietary Bose ANC system
- Multi-device pairing
What to Look for in Work Headsets
Here are some key factors to evaluate when shopping for your next work headset:
-
Design Style: Over-ear and on-ear models both have pros and cons to weigh. Make sure it fits your comfort needs.
-
Noise Cancellation: To cut out distractions in loud workplaces, choose a headset with effective ANC via feedback and feed-forward mics.
-
Audio Quality: Seek out wide frequency ranges like 20Hz – 20kHz for accurate sound reproduction across lows, mids, highs.
-
Comfort: Prioritize ample, breathable padding in earcups and headbands for long-wearing comfort without overheating.
-
Battery Life: For uninterrupted productivity, pick a headset offering at least 20+ hours of use per charge. Fast charging is also handy.
-
Connectivity: Bluetooth pairing should be quick and reliable. Some headsets can connect to multiple devices which is useful.
-
Controls: Playback, volume, and call controls should be accessible and easy to use while wearing the headset.
Why You Need a Quality Headset for Work
A good headset might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it pays dividends in increased focus, productivity, and collaboration. Here are key benefits:
-
Reduced Distractions – Noise cancelling headsets help block out ambient distractions from chatter, phones, and other office sounds. This allows better focus and concentration.
-
Better Calls & Meetings– Quality microphones ensure your voice sounds clear while cancelling background noise during calls and video meetings.
-
Freedom Of Movement – Wireless headsets allow you to move around, exercise, or change locations without missing important calls.
-
Prevents Disruption – Wearing a headset prevents you from disturbing nearby coworkers if you need to take calls or listen to music at your desk.
-
Protects Hearing – Headsets allow you to keep volume at safe levels unlike speakers. This prevents long-term hearing damage.
-
Boosts Productivity – By reducing distractions and fatigue, quality headsets keep you focused and engaged for longer throughout the workday.
So if you‘re looking for an edge with concentration, communication, and comfort on the job, invest in a purpose-built work headset. Your efficiency (and ears) will thank you!