Best Neckband Headphones 2023 – Top 10 Rated Reviews & Buying Guide

People did not stop buying the iPhone when Apple took the headphone socket away. Some people thought that would happen. It didn’t, and people started buying wireless headphones instead.

Neckband headphones are growing in popularity. Viewed with some skepticism at first, many people are now beginning to see the benefits.

There was the initial question of why you would want something around your neck while you had the earphones plugged-in. The answer though was quite clear. You can store away a lot of the controls and other tech in the neckband, thus putting less pressure on your ears while in use. Because they, of course, make the actual earsets lighter.

So let’s have a look at the best neckband headphones currently available and find the perfect pair for you…

Top 10 Best Neckband Headphones To Buy 2023 Reviews

1 Sony Premium Noise Cancelling Wireless Behind-Neck in-Ear Headphones

Sony was maybe a little bit slow to jump on the neckband headphone phase that was catching on, but having manufactured a couple of products, possibly to test the water, they have come up with the W1-1000X.

They are a fairly standard design. The familiar horseshoe shape widening at the ends where the controls are located. They have a pleasant aesthetic look, but that hides the fact that they have quite a tough build. The curved aluminum strip on the exterior makes sure it has a strong yet supple base.

They are, therefore, flexible and easy to put on and take off. On the inside of the arch, there is some very soft padding where it makes contact with your neck. They are quite comfortable and hardly intrusive and are stable in their feel when being worn, but possibly a little bit of extra flexibility wouldn’t hurt.

To assist with comfort, there are extra sets of different sized ear tips. Three silicone and three made from a foam material, but with a surface manufactured to make them grip better.

The controls are manageable, even if they are a little awkward in their position on the stems. Sony has decided to re-arrange the locations of the controls from what is the norm, but once you know where everything is, they are fine.

Sony has excelled with the features. The noise-canceling includes a special setting for air travel and a ‘smart’ feature that will detect the level of your activity and will adjust the sound for you. If you’re just walking it will let you hear the external noises, and if you are traveling, it will remove the external sounds except for announcements which it will let through.

Access to Google Assistant is also available.

The sound produced is Sony, so no need to go into too much detail, it is just good. And on the downloadable App, there are several presets to give you the sound you want.

These are certainly what you might call intelligent headphones that are packed full of features, but they are not particularly cheap. But still a contender for the best neckband headphones.

Our rating: (3.7 / 5)

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2 Samsung U Flex Bluetooth Wireless In-ear Flexible Headphones

Samsung is probably best known for other technologies, but usually deliver a reasonable product in whatever area they operate. And with the U-Flex headphones, they appear to have done quite a good job.

They are quite well-built with a strong neckband, and the earbuds themselves feel substantial. Despite being of a good build, the neckband is still flexible, which aids comfort. The cabling though is rather sub-standard and a little thin. This makes them rather vulnerable to breakages, and as they do not detach, they cannot be replaced.

The design is also quite good depending on what you will use them for. They are going to stay in place on a jog or run, but you may find they move around a bit. This can mean they tug on the earbuds at times, which is not good with such thin cables. However, they might not be suitable for people with tough workout routines.

The controls are basic but quite efficient and have an easy to find layout. They will give you the usual controls for your music play and pause, track skip and of course a volume control.

Call answering is also easy to operate. The microphone is set at a decent position and is adequate. They are compatible with Bluetooth 4.2 while the battery life is around 8 hours.

They are quite comfortable to wear, though if this is your first experience of neckband phones, they are not all quite as bulky as these. The design has made them that way, and you can notice the difference between these and lighter models. Despite being bulky, they are flexible.

The earbuds have an angle on the fit which is easy on entry to the ear canal, so they do not exert any unnatural pressure providing you don’t mind in-ear phones.

Sound-wise they are just ok. The bass is a little restricted, which is a change, but the mids are very clear. And the high end is a little piercing at times. Overall they are just an average sound.

As a budget set of headphones, they do well, but don’t expect too much.

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

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3 Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones

Bose is one of the companies who really make a big effort with headphones and earbud design products. This particular model, the SoundSport, may have been designed for people using them on a run or in the gym. But its use goes way beyond that, and it operates well in most environments. Even if Sport is not your thing, they can still be a good buy.

They are a typically good design from a company that knows how to produce quality. They are comfortable to wear and built to be lightweight and very manageable. On the sports use side, there are some rubber hooks that follow the line of the ear to ensure a good fit if they are being used on a run or in the gym. This makes them one of the best workout headphones and earphones.

The earpieces themselves are quite large, which is in contrast to the remote, which is very small. The remote not being large or heavy will therefore not weigh down on the cabling and dislodge the earbuds.

As there is no big battery pack, the life of the batteries is only six hours. That is ok for a gym session or workout, even the commute to and from work. But it will not last a transatlantic flight, for example. Not having a cable socket to recharge that could be a problem.

The build quality maintains its sports durability theme by being IPX4 rated, which means they cannot be submerged, but they will handle sweat and moisture from activity.

Well, it is very good as you might expect. A prominent but not overpowering bass and crisp highs do not muddy up the mids which are clear and concise. Wireless connections are handled by Bluetooth and NFC pairing.

In our view a quality set of phones that can be used for more than just sports if you wish. Bose always produce quality, and this will make them a strong contender for the best neckband headphones.

Our rating: (3.7 / 5)

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4 Sennheiser HD1 Free Bluetooth Wireless Headphone

Like most Sennheiser products, they are built with quality at the forefront of the design but also with a certain style. For the HD1 they have used features from their Momentum headphone range which are recognized as being outstanding.

The necklace element of these headphones is really just lightweight cabling but made to feel easy and comfortable. Remote controls are situated in the cable along with the microphone. The three-button controls are easily laid out and allow easy use of music and incoming calls.

You will receive voice prompts regarding battery status, any incoming calls, and the pairing status. Battery charging is via USB from the cable provided and will give you about six hours of battery life. There is a fast charge of approximately one and a half hours.

The earbuds themselves are made of stainless steel and being machined are smooth and comfortable to wear. The earpieces themselves are magnetic so they can conveniently clip together after use and can be left around your neck if you choose.

They feature the latest in transmission technology with Bluetooth 4.2 connections using AAC or Qualcomm APTX which deliver improved quality of sound. One-touch pairing to your compatible devices is via NFC. It enjoys connectivity with up to two devices at the same time. And have a range of up to 30 feet.

The sound, of course, is a typical Sennheiser. A big sound stage with the frequencies well balanced and not crowding each other. The bass is powerful and defined, but does not muddy the mids, and the highs are clear and sharp.

They are good quality and well made, and the sounds are excellent, but they might be considered a little expensive. However, they are still easily one of the best Sennheiser headphones currently available.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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5 Levin Bluetooth 4.1 Headphones Neckband Wireless Sports Headset

These are an interesting design in that they are called earbuds but look more like over-ear headphones. Nevertheless, they are built for one purpose. Activity and lots of it. Having said that they are more than suitable for those that just want a decent set of phones for everyday use.

They have been built with a tough frame that is nevertheless comfortable and very lightweight and which gives them a nice fit over the ears, So, if you are not a great fan of earbuds that go in your ear, then these are a good alternative.

The earpads themselves are soft and padded with foam. The design has compensated for one of the problems that exist with these products in that the wires often tangle, but not with these.

They are marketed as sweatproof, but unfortunately, the rating was not included, and they have a very impressive 12 hours of battery life. Charging time is about two and a half hours.

They are compatible with iPhone and Android tablets and phones. And the wireless connections are made through Bluetooth 4.1 with the usual range of up to 30 feet.

The controls are located on the outside of the ear cups, which make them quite easy to use once you know where everything is and what it does. Options for your music, including the usual features, play, pause, skip, and volume are there along with the microphone. You can also answer your incoming calls. The mic is quite clear when in answer call mode.

The sound is adequate without being award-winning and is set up for the gym with its emphasis on the bass.

They come in a small case with a USB cable and two spare ear foams and are given a very attractive price point.

Our rating: (4 / 5)

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6 Dudios Bluetooth Headphones Neckband

Dudios designed these neckband headphones to be durable and efficient, but they also made sure they were going to be very comfortable to wear. The neckband especially is made to be lightweight and comfortable and is made from soft silicone rubber with a flexible metal inner.

The earpieces are also nicely placed and rubber based. They come with an extra supply of ten ear tips that are interchangeable and six ear hooks. You can select the best fit for you to ensure getting a great sound and a good fit.

They are built for activity and therefore have a rating of IPX7 with an internal nano-coating which protects them against sweat and moisture. Allowing you to can get on with your fitness program and not have to worry about a thing.

Using Bluetooth 4.1 technology, they give a fast and stable signal, and they are fully compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows systems. But they will only connect with one device at a time. The EMC mic is located in the cable and with its CVC 6-0 noise cancellation can reduce surrounding external sounds when you are taking calls. The mic performance is quite clear, and there are the usual 30 feet of range.

The controls are easy to use and located on the cables. The usual music controls and call taking options are all present and easily identifiable.

Sound-wise they have the typical activity headset setup, very heavy on the bass and quite bright on the tops. They aren’t designed for the music connoisseur but are a great musical partner while you pursue your fitness schedule. They can be bought at a very competitive price.

Our rating: (4.1 / 5)

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7 RoomyRoc Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Neckband

If you are looking for some well-made headphones that are not expensive. But have a lot of the features of the more costly phones, then these could be for you. They are a good value for those who want a decent build quality and a reasonable sound.

They are designed very well to satisfy a variety of users. There is quite a bit of plastic in the construction, but the padding is soft where it needs to be, and the curved shape of the neckband makes it stable if you are using them in a workout and is a nice feature. They have a durable build and are designed to retract and fold away after use, and this makes them very easy to travel with.

RoomyRoc advertises them as sweatproof for exercise and will even cope with being out in a light shower as the design will protect the drivers. Unfortunately, they have not published the official rating on this feature.

The controls are located in the neckband including on/off control and the usual music control buttons of, next song, previous, play, etc. There is a multi-function button that will handle calls, a micro USB port, and intelligent voice control.

This voice control will let you reach Google assistant, Siri, and Alexa systems. The microphone is also located here and has a decent sound and is clear to both user and receiver.

The overall sound is adequate, but no more than that. Bass is high as usual and the highs a bit shrill at times, but for the money, they offer a decent sound.

Bluetooth 4.2 handles the connections and has the usual range of about 30 feet. The signal is quite stable, and the quality of the call is not interrupted. The battery will give you about 16 hours of talk time or 12 hours of listening to music, so there is ample there. They have a standby time of 180 hours, so they will not be to be recharged every day if they are not in use.

They represent good value for money and have a lot of features, but the design is a little bit uninspiring. For a budget set of phones, they are very good and worth considering as best neckband headphones.

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

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8 Bluetooth Headphones Neckband Wireless Headset

Lightweight, comfortable, some very good features, is just about all you need from a set of budget headphones, and these provide all of that!

They are made from a TPU material that is lightweight, and the neckband is nicely shaped to give you a good fit and easy access to the controls. The ear tips are soft and comfortable. The phones are rated at IPX4, which makes them not only sweatproof but waterproof. This opens up a whole new level of uses combined with activities that only really exist in phones at a much higher cost.

A fast and stable wireless connection is obtained through Bluetooth 5.0, and the sound on calls is clear and uninterrupted subject to range limitations. Pairing is quick and easy to other Bluetooth enabled devices, and they will operate with most iPhones, Tablets, and Android devices.

Noise cancellation is a standard feature and gives you hands-free operation. They will limit any external sounds when you are making calls giving you a good clear conversation.

Both earbuds are fitted with magnets that allow you to clasp them together when the headphones are not in use. You can either continue to wear them around your neck or pack them away. The phones are supplied with three sets of varying size earbuds so you can get the best fit.

A well-placed in-line controller puts you in touch with what’s going on and allows you to play or stop your music, receive incoming calls, etc. The mic is also built-in to the necklace, and it does produce a decent voice tone. A multi-function button handles some control aspects, including pairing for Bluetooth connection. There is a micro USB port for charging.

There are four speakers in the two earbuds giving you an interesting sound experience, and it certainly provides a more than adequate sound reproduction.

As a budget set of phones, they are good value and have a lot of good features. But understandably for the price, the build quality is a little frail. But regardless of this, they are still one of the best waterproof headphones currently available, especially for the low price.

Our rating: (2.8 / 5)

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9 AMORNO Bluetooth Headphones, Foldable Wireless Neckband Headset

These are a very attractive set of headphones with some nice features. They have been designed to be practical and as such are flexible and easy to foldaway and are extremely lightweight.

The build is quite sturdy and firm, and the neckband sits around your neck comfortably. One great feature of these headphones is the auto-retractable earbuds. There are some great advantages to this feature, in that it allows you to set the length of the cable to a length that is suitable for you.

After use you simply press the retract buttons, and the cabling will return into its housing for storage, It is important that you remember to do that because the cabling is actually quite thin and rather vulnerable to getting snagged on clothing and breaking.

Controls are located on the neckband are easy to operate. There is an off/on switch, and a call receive button along with a multi-function control for music that has all the usual options. The mic is also located here. A good feature is that they have been designed to feel different to the touch so that you know which you are using.

Wireless connection is via Bluetooth 4.1, which will give a constant and reliable transmission. The usual range of about 30 feet will apply. The signal in receive is quite good, and the neckband will vibrate when there is an incoming call. To initiate an outgoing call, you use your own device. But these features do not work with all smartphones, so please check your phone compatibility.

The battery will give you about ten hours of music or alternatively about twelve hours call time. It will remain on standby for about 180 hours on one charge.

They are listed as being noise canceling, but we think what they mean is that the external sounds are reduced by a good fit from the earbuds when they are in use. And they do not have any specific noise-canceling technology included.

These are a nice set of budget headphones. The build and design are good, but the sound production is rather ordinary, but at the price, you can’t have everything.

Our rating: (4 / 5)

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10 Mpow Jaws Gen-3 Bluetooth Headphones

These are a budget set of phones that have been designed to give the user as much in the way of technical use as possible. They have some good features, which we will look at, but where they fall down a little is in the build quality. We suppose cuts do have to be made somewhere.

They don’t look the most durable of headphones and appear to be a little bit flimsy, but they do have a comfortable fit in the ear. The design doesn’t put too much pressure on the inner ear, and therefore, you should be able to wear them for longer. They are lightweight and easy to carry around with you.

The design is rather different with an interesting look and incorporated in the neckband at its ends are all the controls. They are neatly positioned and visible. They contain all the electrics, the microphone, and the wiring but the quality of materials, plastic, and rubber, feels a little bit low grade.

The interesting part of the design is the little stowaway slots at each end of the neckband, which are magnetic and where the earbuds sit when not in use.

However, the neckband on this set of phones is quite noticeable when being worn, which is not going to encourage those who haven’t made their mind up yet.

Not the best sounding…

They have good battery life, up to 13 hours but the sound reproduction is quite poor and not something to get excited about. The mic has a built-in noise reduction and on calls produces a clear sound-dampening down external noise when you are on a call. There is also a call vibrate alert.

A budget set of phones with some good features but don’t expect too much from the sound quality.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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Best Neckband Headphones Buyers Guide

Finding The Best Neckband Headphones

For a product that is quite new to the market, and one that is as yet, not universally accepted, it is not easy to consider the options. The advantages of having a neckband are quite obvious, but that does not mean that they will be popular with everybody. Some will just not like the idea of having something around their neck all day.

The criteria then move away from the facilities onboard and what the products offer the user, to something we can best describe as ‘wearability.’ They all do a very similar job. Some do it better than others, but then they are not as expensive, but they are all wireless, hands-free headphones. Some are built for activity, others not so, but even those designed for the gym can be used in ordinary situations.

Sound Quality And Features…

If you are looking for a set of neckband headphones and you are happy with the design and feel of them, possibly having used them before, you will be looking at the sound quality and what each set offers. There are some excellent headphones to choose from. If you are looking for a budget model, there are also some we looked at that represent good value.

If you are looking like a ‘newbie,’ maybe trying them out for the first time, then you probably need to look at the size and weight. And of course the wearability. How will they feel when you have them on?

That, in a lot of cases, will be the most important aspect in finding the best neckband headphones.

So What’s The Best Neckband Headphones?

With so many options on a product like this, making a choice is never easy. We have gone for comfort with a strong build and a good sound. It was also important to have controls that are easy to use and with good communications. There are a few that offer all those things, but we have chosen as the best neckband headphones the…

Good design and quality build with good sound.

Our choice for the best neckband headphones. Highly recommended.