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 help make working from home really work for you.
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 (two ears), and feature powerful boom microphones with noise-cancelling circuitry that blocks out any sound other than your voice. The microphones are the big deals on these headsets, though you can also find some that deliver very good sound quality.
If you don't need to take many calls but want to keep out any distractions, look for a pair of noise cancelling headphones. They use outward-facing microphones to read any distracting noises and generate waves to cancel them out before they hit your ear. Active noise cancellation (ANC) circuitry can be expensive, but it'll help you stay focused by muffling noisy pets, kids, roommates, traffic, or 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, good sound, and a reasonable price, look for a gaming headset. These are headphones equipped with dedicated boom microphones. They often sound very good, and are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with various different features. Wired headsets tend to cost less and are good for taking calls on your computer, while some headsets feature phone connectivity through Bluetooth.
With that in mind, here are some headphones and headsets that really work for us.
Plantronics Voyager 5200: The Definitive Mono Headset
If you do everything over Bluetooth and want to keep one ear free, the classic mono headset is the way to go. The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is one of the best, a standard earpiece with an excellent microphone that makes sure you're heard in your home office or walking down the street.
BlueParrott B550-XT: For the Noisiest Environments
Whether you're dealing with noisy kids or construction, keeping outside sounds out of your calls is vital. Most headsets have some form of microphone noise cancellation, but the BlueParrott B550-XT stands out as the best for extreme noise. Screaming, hammering, wind...you name it and the B550-XT will block it out when you're on calls.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: The Best Active Noise Cancellation
If you want the best noise cancellation possible, Bose is the name to turn to. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are some of the most advanced headphones we've tested for blocking outside noise. They're wireless, sound excellent, and you can dial in the amount of noise cancellation you want from complete room-silencing to simply muffling loud noises while staying aware of your surroundings.
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2: Solid, Inexpensive ANC
You don't need to spend a lot of money for solid noise cancellation. While the ANC (active noise cancellation) is pricey, you can block out distractions for half as much with the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. These Bluetooth headphones sound excellent and feature active noise cancellation to dampen outside sounds at a much more affordable price than offerings from Bose.
Marshall Mid ANC: Stylish Noise Cancellation
Just because you're working from home doesn't mean you can't look good while doing it. Marshall's headphones stand out as some of the most stylish out there for rock fans. The Marshall Mid ANC headphones are styled after Marshall's amplifiers, with faux-leather panels sporting the company logo. The headphones also feature their own active noise cancellation circuitry to help block out distractions when you're working.
Jabra Elite 45h: Affordable and Comfortable
The Jabra Elite 45h headphones offer a lot of functionality for $99. They're comfortable, sound excellent, and have a wide selection of helpful features, like user-adjustable EQ and voice assistant support. They don't have ANC and the on-ear design won't block out a ton of noise, but they let you stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your favorite music or taking a call.
Logitech G Pro X: A Powerful, Flexible Microphone
The Logitech G Pro X gaming headset is one of the most economical headsets you can get with an excellent microphone. The wired headset features a USB sound card with simulated surround sound and a boom mic enhanced by Blue technologies, and the control software is packed with tweaks and customization options to get your voice to come through exactly how you want it to sound, all for well under $250.
HyperX Cloud Mix: Flexible, Functional Sound
Gaming headsets work well in a pinch if you want a strong boom microphone and a solid listening experience in one package. The HyperX Cloud Mix is particularly nice, offering both a wired connection for taking calls on your PC and Bluetooth for connecting to your phone. It sounds good, feels comfortable, and generally costs less than similar dedicated office headsets.
Other Must-Have Devices for Your Home Office Setup
You'll need more than just a pair of headphones to complete your WFH setup. Check out our guide to all the essential devices for your home office setup.