Headsets for at-home work are compatible across operating systems, so you can choose the way you want to connect your headset to your devices. Bluetooth connectivity or wireless USB dongles give you a strong, reliable connection without the need for a 3.5mm audio cable. Some headsets also come with airplane adapters and audio cables for traveling. We evaluated the options and gathered our top picks for the best headsets for working from home to help you choose the one that suits your needs. This Bose headset wirelessly connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device, giving you a dependable connection, and has a battery life of up to 20 hours. The earcups and headband use soft foam and synthetic leather for comfort and water resistance, and the headband also has a stainless steel slider for long-lasting durability. Our reviewer found the battery life accurate and the headset comfortable enough to wear for hours. The headset also comes with a USB-C charging cable and 3.5mm audio cable for a hardwired connection when you need it. Type: True Wireless | Connection Type: Bluetooth 5.0 | Battery Life/Talk Time: 20 hours The HyperX Cloud Flight uses a USB dongle for a 2.4GHz wireless connection, meaning you don’t need Bluetooth-enabled devices to use it and get a strong, reliable connection. This headset has a 30-hour battery life and a range of up to 65 feet, so you can freely move about your office or home without worrying about losing your connection. With the HyperX NGenuity desktop app, you can monitor battery life as well as a mic input and audio output to catch problems before you make that important call or jump into a virtual meeting. Type: Wireless | Connection Type: 2.4GHz wireless adapter, 3.5mm cable, USB | Battery Life/Talk Time: 30 hours The HC6 has a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB connection so that you can use it with laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The USB connector has volume and mute controls for both the microphone and headset, which means you can quickly and easily disable the mic for side conversations. The connector cable is also 10 feet long, giving you plenty of room to move around your workspace when you need to while in virtual meetings. Type: Wired | Connection Type: 3.5mm cable, USB | Battery Life/Talk Time: N/A The earcups have a large, over-ear design for all-day comfort and rotate to lay flat when worn around the neck or for storage. The headset has a 30-hour battery life, and a 10-minute quick charge gives you up to five hours of use: perfect for when you need power in a pinch. It comes with a USB charging cable, a 3.5mm audio cable for a hardwired connection when you need it, and an airplane adapter for use when traveling. Type: True Wireless | Connection Type: Bluetooth, NFC, 3.5mm cable | Battery Life/Talk Time: 30 hours For connectivity, the AKG N60 uses a Bluetooth connection for wireless use with laptops and mobile devices or a 3.5mm audio cable for a hardwired connection. This headset comes with an airplane adapter for use on flights and a removable in-line mic for taking calls on the go. The rechargeable battery gives you up to 30 hours of use, so it’s great for international flights or long workdays. And active noise-canceling technology blocks unwanted background noise for clear audio in calls and virtual meetings. Type: Wired | Connection Type: 3.5mm cable | Battery Life/Talk Time: 30 hours
Noise-cancelling Technology
If you work in a shared space or busy environment, noise-canceling technology is an important feature. Some headsets let you block all ambient noise or choose a certain level of noise to spill in with a feature called hear-through. When you turn this feature on, you can hear background noise and feel connected to your surroundings.
Comfort
Headsets for work are usually worn throughout the day, five days a week. What’s most comfortable for you depends on your headset style preference. Consider the style of earcup you like best; over-ear cups sit on your ears while on-ear hover over them. Other factors include headband material, cushioning, and earcup flexibility (some earcups can rotate for more comfort when wearing the headset around your neck). If you can, you may want to try different headsets on to get a better feel for what you like.
About Our Trusted Experts
Jason Schneider specializes in audio equipment and has extensively tested and reviewed a variety of earbuds, headsets, headphones, and earphones for Lifewire. He has been writing for tech and media companies for nearly 10 years. He is also a current and past contributing writer to Greatist and Thrillist. Andy Zahn has reviewed several noise-cancelling headphones for Lifewire, including the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Bose Quietcontrol 30. His other specialties include cameras and photography, drones, PCs, and gaming. Nicky LaMarco has been writing and editing for more than 15 years for consumer, trade, and technology publications about many topics, including headphones.