Top 10 Best Headphones With Microphone In 2023 Reviews

As the need to communicate with each other grows, so the technology tries to keep pace. The advancements we see today are driven by need and are rarely the actual leaders in innovation. Headphones with microphones were once the domain of TV people, people on outside broadcasts, some radio interviewers and a few others who required them to fulfill the needs of work.

Now we can all indulge, talk to friends, use them for business and a variety of other activities.

But, as with most things, there are going to be some good ones and some not so good.  So let’s have a look at some of the best headphones with microphone, and find the perfect pair for you…

Top 10 Best Headphones With Microphone In 2023 Reviews

1 Plantronics Voyager Focus

Some manufacturers make life a little difficult at times with their tricky setup and operational procedures, thinking we are all tech whizz kids and will just understand. Thankfully the Voyager Focus from Plantronics makes none of those assumptions. No configuration required, no drivers needed, just set up the Bluetooth, plug it in and away you go.

As far as comfort is concerned, they are very good. Well-built and quite sturdy, they sit neatly on your head, and their on-ear design is comfortable. They are well padded, and the headband and support are fully adjustable to give you a comfortable fit. The controls are simple, and even just moving the mic from right to left is just a case of turning the arm. There is a dial for volume control and a mute button and also play and pause.

To keep anyone you happen to be with, either at work or home, aware, there are blue LED’s that tell others you are on a call.

Good, by any standards…

The Bluetooth connection is good with a strong signal. Plantronics claims a roaming range of up to 30 meters, which is good by any standards, and during any small movements, there is no static interference.

They have active noise canceling built-in, which of course is an asset, but if the fit is good enough, you might not need it. The foam earpieces will eradicate most of the surround sound going on.

And finally, the sound is very good. Both hearing and speaking, voices were very clear and defined, and there was no interference.

It does require two USB ports to operate, so that might be a consideration, but overall, a good headset from a good manufacturer at a reasonable price.

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

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2 Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose is, of course, well-known for producing world-class headphones and audio devices. And are famed for pushing the boundaries of what can be done, with what seems like such a basic piece of equipment, as a set of headphones.

They had already given us the Quiet Comfort 35, something of a flagship product. But they have now upgraded to the Quiet Comfort 35-11 which also features Google Assistant. Bose has become the first company in the world to integrate such a system. However, in including such technology, which it must be said is a step forward, they do appear to have missed some of the basic items.

More on this later…

They look exactly the same as their predecessor, and as with the first version are classically understated in their design. No flamboyance here which many will appreciate. They are made from plastic which considering the price range they are in, is a bit disappointing. They do feel solid and rugged though and come with a hard case rather just a carry bag. The pads are soft and eliminate most of the noise around you.

Get in control…

Controls are easy to use, a slider for pairing – with volume, up/down and playback on the right ear and on the left the control for Google Assistant.

The noise cancellation is excellent and really has an effect, and the overall sound for music is good. The heavy lower end and the top frequency boosts having given way to a wider soundstage. The headphones are clear and precise and provide good performance. They will receive instructions from Google Assistant, and all in clarity. Battery life is listed at twenty hours, which we feel is fair.

We mentioned earlier about some items Bose have not included. There is no instant mute which we think could be important to some, and no autoplay and pause controls. These might be minor considerations for certain people, but deal-breakers to others.

They are not world-beaters, but they are good headphones with a well-performing mic and of course, Google Assistant. Rather expensive, though.

Our rating: (4.4 / 5)

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3 Audio-Technica BPHS1 Broadcast Stereo Headset

This Headphone and microphone product from Audio-Technica gives the impression it is built to go to work. It has a tough and sturdy design with cabling and soft earpads that are both replaceable. The headband is cushioned and adjustable, and with the cushioning around the ears, it is clearly designed for extended periods of use.

Great for presentations, maybe live commentaries at sporting events or news broadcasting and studio monitoring, they have a wide range of potential uses. They are a closed-back design with circumaural ear cup design that removes much of the sound surrounding the user and therefore provides clarity when listening.

The attached adjustable microphone is what might have been termed a ‘boom’ mic’ in a previous life, but now serves as a communication tool. It is well-designed and has its frequencies designed to receive speech clearly. It can be used on either side.

Crystal clear…

Its is a cardioid polar pattern mic which is a great choice for its intended use. In picking up the sound aimed straight at the mic, it is, therefore, able to minimize the surrounding sound. This will be a big advantage in live interview situations, especially at live sporting events.

Included in the design and construction in both microphone and headphones are neodymium magnets which give clarity in sound reproduction. Connections are solid and include an XLR for the mic and a ¼” for the headphones. Included in the package are three windscreens to assist in reducing noise if used outside.

A well made rugged, ‘old-school’ type of headset that has some great advantages at a competitive price, and must be in consideration for the best headphones with a microphone.

Our rating: (4.4 / 5)

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4 Sennheiser HD 4.40 Around Ear Bluetooth Wireless Headphones

When you see these phones for the first time, you have to be impressed. There is something about the plainness of the design, the lack of clutter that gives them elegance. The quality of the build is very good. And they are very lightweight, which lends itself to the feeling that they are not very strong. But a lightweight pair of phones doesn’t mean they are not substantial in the build.

Nice and comfy…

Comfort is an essential element of the design of these headphones, and the thickness of the padding around the ears demonstrates that. They are super comfortable on the ears, and this also helps to remove any unwanted external sounds. The headband is adjustable but does not carry as much padding.

Controls are on the right ear cup including a rocker control for volume and the off/on and playback. The microphone is integrated into the ear cup design.

A prominent bass boost…

Being Sennheiser, the sound is going to be good. There is a bass boost that is very prominent but doesn’t swallow up the rest of the frequencies, and the mids aren’t muddy as they can be. Possibly the high end has been cut back a bit, as the cymbal sounds don’t cut through like maybe they should. The sound though is good enough.

You will get up to 25 hours of battery life, a micro USB cable is included for charging, and the Bluetooth range is the standard thirty feet.

The microphone sound is good, though you are, of course at the mercy of the connection, but it appeared stable, clear and had good clarity.

These are a good set of phones and at the price excellent value. And are easily one of the best Sennheiser headphones currently available.

Our rating: (4 / 5)

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5 AKG Y500 On-Ear Foldable Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

AKG, the name itself just conjures up impressions of excellence in the reproduction of sound, and so it should. This Austrian company has been at the forefront of the industry since its inception in 1949 and are still producing some of the finest equipment you’ll find anywhere.

If you are like us and sometimes get a bit fed up with devices and equipment that always seems to need charging, then this set of headphones might well be the answer.

The Y500 has a rechargeable battery that will give you up to 33 hours of user time while using Bluetooth. That is a long time for a battery to deliver power. And if that isn’t enough and you run low in the middle of something important, then a quick five minutes from the charger will give you another hour.

Let’s look at the design and build…

Well, it looks stylish and is very comfortable to wear for long periods. Great over-ear design and manufacture make it look good and the padding around the ear pads and headband more than adequate to make wearing then a pleasure, rather than a chore.

They will pair up to any compatible Bluetooth device, but if you use your phone, you can use the built-in microphone for hands-free use. And they have some clever features. Automated play and pause mean when you take them off, it knows and stops the music, resuming it when you put then back on. You can even pair it up to two devices, and it will instantly switch you between devices when necessary.

Stay aware…

What AKG calls ‘Ambient aware’ allows you to have a quick conversation by reducing the volume levels with the touch of a button. Buttons and switches are located on the ear cups and include volume and controls for sound.

The sound is excellent, as you would expect from AKG, and the mic clear and concise. A great buy and realistically priced, considering its quality — a contender for best headphones with a microphone without a doubt.

Our rating: (4.1 / 5)

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6 SteelSeries Arctis 7

This is a headset of headphones and microphone designed principally for gaming, but of course, also works well for a variety of other activities. As such, it has quite a few features you might not usually find on other similar products.

It is a solid build and has its fair share of plastic fittings. The advantage of this is that they help to keep it lightweight and for gaming that is important. The ear cups are well padded, as is the adjustable headband, which makes for comfortable use.

Airweave…

The ear cushions themselves are made from AirWeave, a fabric inspired by athletes needing to stay cool and dry. This will do the same to your ears even during a long session. The headband design is inspired by ski goggles and the need for them to fit securely on your head while distributing the weight evenly.

Having established they are well-built, let’s take a look at sound. The Arctis Clearcast mic is well respected amongst gamers as having effective noise cancellation and providing a high quality of sound reproduction. S1 drivers pump out the sound, and are distortion-free and do so with 360 degrees surround sound audio.

Gamers rejoice…

Being designed essentially for gaming, then you need to rely on good connections, and these phones provide you with no interference and no latency issues. And to add to the workhorse concept of these phones, you will get 24-hour battery life from the Li-ion battery. The associated software is packed with extra features and links to apps for Spotify etc.

Yes, they are designed for the gamer but would work brilliantly with Skype or other conversational software that needs clarity and a good sound. As such, they are a good buy based on a competitive price.

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

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7 Mpow 071 USB Headset

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and are looking for a budget set of phones with a microphone that will do the job, then this pair might be an option worth considering.

The Mpow 071 USB headset is designed with the office in mind. They are just right for working with Skype or other voice software or for webinars where the online meetings will demand good connections and audible and clear voice reproduction. As they are designed for the working environment and possibly for all-day use, they have to be comfortable.

More on this later…

Office professionals and IT people need certain business practices when using this sort of equipment. Good sound is one aspect, and the unidirectional microphone is adjustable to just the right position to pick up your voice clearly and will give you adequate performance on transmit or receive.

It has connectivity options as well, either through USB or 3.55mm jack socket and an easy control unit. It is lightweight at just 5 ounces and carries some noise reduction capability. All things considered, it is designed to meet the needs of the office. And while not exactly being the best at any one aspect of their performance, for a set of budget phones with a microphone, they are very good value.

We mentioned comfort…

The earpads are soft and easy to wear, and the adjustable headband also well padded. Both use a fabric that breathes, thus reducing any sweat or moisture. Comfort levels are improved as the ear cups rotate firstly to give you a comfortable fit and secondly for storage purposes.

As a budget set of headphones, they are excellent value for money.

Our rating: (4.1 / 5)

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8 Vtin Headset With Microphone

Another set of budget phones with a microphone from Vtin. They do bear a remarkable visual and operational similarity to the Mpow 071 and are not dissimilar in their functional design.

They feature a unidirectional microphone. This design of mic is very suitable for business use. This is because they only reproduce quite loud sounds from a specific area of the mic, thus eliminating a lot of the surrounding noise. Ideal then for call centers and busy offices. They will usually deliver good quality.

This also makes them good for using Skype and other conversational websites. The 40mm drivers in the headset provide a powerful audible return and again are suitable for office use. They can also, of course, just be used for listening to music, and 400mm drivers produce excellent audio.

Get the right fit…

The build quality is basic, but the company has made attempts to make them as comfortable as possible. The ear cups are constructed from a soft protein memory foam, which makes them comfortable to wear for lengthy periods. And the headband is also well padded with sliding controls to get the right fit on your head.

They are quite well-made, and the mostly plastic construction makes them lightweight. The mic is attached to the earpiece and is adjustable and for best results should be placed in front of the mouth of the person speaking.

The in-line controller is easy to use and has a mic and speaker off/on control and volume gain. Dual connection options allow you to connect directly to your PC via the USB or connect the headset through the 3.5mm cable.

A decent headset with mic, it is a multi-purpose product that will deliver reasonable results in the right environment.

Our rating: (4.1 / 5)

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9 Mpow Jaws Gen-4 Bluetooth Headphones W/Case

Interestingly creative name for a set of headphones. Once again, Mpow comes up with a budget line of headphones, what they call a neckband headset.

The fit is fairly standard, being supplied with three earpiece sizes to get your best fit. They do feel quite secure when in position and actually go some way to eradicating at least some of the surrounding noise. Though calling them noise-canceling might be a little ambitious. However, the neckpiece or the way that it sits around your neck is a concern for us.

Don’t move around too much…

We understand what they were trying to achieve but are not sure that it works? Sitting down is fine, but moving about you can feel it around your neck like a collar. There may well be better ways to get rid of headphone wires assuming that was the aim of the design?

They are though really built for a static occupation and usage, and definitely would not do well in the gym or anywhere else where there is a lot of movement involved, so the gym would be a no-no.

Sound-wise they are ok…

…but not what you would call outstanding. The bass is fine and prominent and the mids and tops adequate. If you are looking for a real sound experience, then these will not be for you, but the occasional short music burst they are ok. Likewise, the mic is just average and a little disappointing. Contact was loud and audible but suffered from a bit of static occasionally.

The battery life is good giving you about eleven hours, so that is one area that these do excel at, and the storage case is rather nice but bulky.

They are what they are, a budget line of headphones with a slightly different design slant, and at the price a reasonable buy.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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10 V-MODA Crossfade M-100

V-Moda has come up with another headphone range that carries their hallmark design features. The Hexagonal ear cups is one of the things that let you know who the manufacturer is. And the replaceable and interchangeable shields are still prominent on the outside.

V-Moda has a reputation for nice styling and good materials in the manufacturing process, and this M-100 supports that. They have a steel frame and some rugged ear cups made of tough plastic. And it’s quite clear they built for sturdiness as well as comfort.

The over-ear ear cups are well-padded and very plush and comfortable, as is the headband which achieves an expensive styling with its leather outer. The headband is adjustable and very flexible, allowing a great fit. The quality of materials used and construction is completed by a Kevlar cable that is tangle-free, and a 3.5mm gold plated plug to ensure good contact and avoid corrosion.

Well designed…

From a convenience point of view, the ear cups fold inside the headband after use to make them about the size of your hand. A good design idea, as is giving you a choice of which ear cup to plug in your headphone cable.

The microphone is in-line and attached to one of the 3.5mm cables. There is also an optional BoomPro mic, that is not included if you require a higher mic spec.

The sound as per other models by V-Moda is rather good. Dual diaphragm 50mm drivers mean that sound is powerful and the bass is going to be prominent, but the mids and highs are uncluttered and clearly defined. The sound is very good, and the controls are easy to work, and connectivity with Bluetooth solid.

Simply stunning…

They are a stunning pair of headphones in just about every way. And it is hard to find something to be critical about, if anything, it would just be that they do come in rather high price-wise — nevertheless a real contender for best headphones with microphone.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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Best Headphones With Microphone Buyers Guide

There are lots of options for the best headphones with microphone out there and the quality in most cases will be represented by the cost. There are some very expensive options that we have not even looked at, but assuming you are not willing to sell your house to buy a pair of headphones, we have cast a critical eye over some of the most cost-effective options.

What will you use it for?

Always the first decision. Some of the phones we looked at were for personal use, others specialized in an office environment, and there were even phones specially designed for gamers. Many of them were multi-tasking and would accomplish a variety of activities.

It is fair to say though that the manufacturers designed and produced them with a certain market in mind and therefore your decision on what it is to be used for will rule some out immediately.

What are the important issues?

Well if you want headphones with a microphone, it is clearly for communication of some kind. Therefore the quality of sound is a prime concern. Which version of Bluetooth might have an impact as well as battery life. How will you hear whoever it is you are speaking with, and how will they hear you? Will the connection be secure and remain secure if you have to move around a little?

Some products had some added features. We particularly liked AKG’s clever idea of the phones knowing when you had taken them off and stopping the music, restarting when you put them on again.

Will they take a lot of use? If it is for an office environment, then they might. There are some great budget options for those who might want to kit out half a dozen employees with comms and not have to spend a fortune to do it.

Finally comfort. How long will they be in use? If the answer is all-day, then they have to be well made, comfortable, and not going to exhaust the user as some can.

How much are you prepared to spend?

There have been some expensive items reviewed, but maybe you don’t need that quality? Again it’s more about what environment they will be working in and for how long at a time.

Set a budget and try to stick with it.

Quite a few varied options and some to choose from to find the best headphones with microphone.