When it comes to finding the best headphones for work, several key features are essential: comfort for long hours, excellent active noise cancelling (ANC), and long battery life. Whether you’re in a busy office environment or working from home, the best headphones for work can make a significant difference in your productivity and focus. In this guide, we review the top headphones for office use, tested across various criteria to help you find the perfect pair for your work needs.

Best Headphones for Work

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are our top pick for the best headphones for work. These over-ear headphones are known for their exceptional comfort, making them ideal for long workdays. Their renowned ANC system effectively blocks out noisy coworkers and office chatter. With up to 29 hours of continuous battery life, these headphones ensure you won’t need frequent recharging. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra also supports multi-device pairing, allowing seamless connectivity between your smartphone and PC.

The sound profile is bass-rich but balanced enough for clear voice calls. For those who prioritize video streaming, these headphones support the aptX Adaptive codec, minimizing latency. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are superior, the Bose 700 Headphones Wireless offer similar features but with less comfort and battery life.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Dimensions and Weight:

• Headphones: 19.5 cm H x 13.9 cm W x 5.08 cm D, weighing 0.25 kg
• Carry case: 21.1 cm H x 15.7 cm W x 6.1 cm D, weighing 0.2 kg

Materials:

• Aluminum, leather (plastic), leather (protein), and plastic

Battery:

• Up to 24 hours of battery life (18 hours with Immersive Audio on)
• Charging time: Up to 3 hours
• Quick 15-minute charge provides up to 2 hours of use
• USB-C charging

Connectivity:

• Bluetooth 5.3 with a range of up to 9 meters (30 feet)
• Supports SBC and AAC codecs

Inputs:

• USB-C port on the headphones
• 2.5 mm audio cable input (with 3.5 mm jack for device side)

Controls:

• Touch controls for volume, track skipping, calls, and a customizable shortcut
• Buttons for listening modes
• Bose App control
• Siri support

Other Features:

• Built-in microphones
• Immersive Audio mode
• Customizable EQ

2. Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless

In the upper mid-range category, the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless stands out as one of the best headphones for work. Although it doesn’t match the Bose QuietComfort Ultra in ANC performance, it offers solid features at a lower price.

These contenders for best headphones for work provide a comfortable fit for extended use. They include a wireless dongle for PC connectivity alongside Bluetooth for smartphone pairing.

The Razer Barracuda Pro’s ANC is effective at reducing background noise, a key feature of the best headphones for work. Its battery life exceeds 34 hours, which is impressive for this price range and ideal for professionals seeking the best headphones for work.

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3. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless

In the mid-range segment, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless is an excellent option for the best headphones for work. These headphones deliver outstanding ANC performance for a reasonable price, effectively cutting out ambient sounds like office conversations. They feature a comfortable build and last about 28 hours on a single charge. The Soundcore Space Q45’s sound profile is V-shaped, providing a punchy bass but can be adjusted using the in-app graphic EQ.

4. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless

For those seeking the best headphones for work on a tighter budget, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless offers impressive value. These budget-friendly options provide robust ANC performance, making them effective at reducing noise like traffic and office chatter – a key feature for the best headphones for work. With a battery life of around 44 hours, they can easily last through multiple workdays. Though they have a bass-heavy sound profile, these contenders for best headphones for work support multi-device pairing, and the in-app EQ allows for sound customization to suit your work environment.

5. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless

Another budget option, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, is perfect for those keeping costs minimal. Even though this is a more affordable choice, it still provides effective ANC for its price and lasts over 32 hours on a single charge. They feature a bassy sound with a ‘BassUp’ mode for extra thump. While their build feels plasticky, and they lack multi-device pairing, they are a solid choice for budget-conscious users seeking the best headphones for work.

6. Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless

For professionals seeking the best headphones for work, especially those who spend a significant amount of time on calls, the Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless is an excellent choice. Its boom microphone offers superior clarity compared to typical built-in mics, making it ideal for business calls. These best headphones for work include both a Bluetooth connection and a wireless USB dongle for easy pairing with your computer. However, it’s worth noting that they have higher latency via USB, which might affect real-time audio performance.

7. Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless

For those preferring earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are among the best headphones for work. These earbuds offer excellent ANC, effectively isolating you from ambient noise and enhancing your work environment. They provide up to nine hours of continuous use and have a comfortable fit, though the foam ear tips might cause pressure after extended wear. The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless also include features like head gesture commands for answering calls, making them a practical choice for busy workdays.

Notable Mentions

• Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless: Premium over-ears, excellent comfort and long battery life, ideal as best headphones for work, but less effective ANC than Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
• Devialet Gemini II True Wireless: High-end in-ears with outstanding noise isolation, potential best headphones for work for those preferring earbuds, but limited battery life.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Great noise-cancelling and better mic than Sony WF-1000XM5, strong contenders for best headphones for work, though possibly bulky for small ears.
• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless: Comparable to Bose QuietComfort Ultra in ANC performance, suitable as best headphones for work, but less comfortable.
• Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless: Excellent for calls with superior mic, making them potential best headphones for work in call-heavy environments, but shorter battery life.
• Technics Premium Hi-Fi True Wireless
• Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless in Ear Earbuds – Crystal-Clear Sound with Hybrid ANC, Ergonomic Design, 28-Hour Battery Life, Touch Interface and Dual Mic Call Quality 

Conclusion

Finding the best headphones for work involves balancing comfort, noise-cancelling capabilities, and battery life. Our top picks cater to various needs and budgets, ensuring there’s an option for everyone. Whether you prioritize superior ANC or need the best mic for calls, these recommendations will help you stay focused and productive throughout your workday.

For more insights on office equipment, check out our reviews on Specsfeed