The Best Headphones With Built-In Microphones

  • Dani Rosewater

Headphones allow us to separate the sound of our devices from the outside world and can provide a better sound fidelity than traditional speakers. But as compact or flashy as today's headphones are, there are a lot of duds that just don't cut it. And as voice and video calls become more common, a pair of headphones with a high-quality microphone is a must-have. We searched the market far and wide to find the best of the best headphones with built-in microphones.

What to Look For

In order to find the best headphones with built-in microphones, there’s a lot to consider. Specifically, we looked for three simple yet essential factors: Are they comfortable? Do they provide dynamic sound quality? Does the microphone work clearly? The little wireless earbuds from Tozo quickly stood out to use as a favorite. Although small, they have a perfectly designed, comfortable fit as well as a delivering a high-quality sound. However, if you’re looking for a headset solution to voice calls, online business meetings, or gaming, then check out the Sonitum headphones. The headset is designed to eliminate background ambient noises, so your voice will stand out cleanly in any environment. Read on to discover the rest of our top picks and find the perfect ones for you and your personal style.

Tozo T6 True Wireless Earbuds with Built-in Mic

Hang out with your buds

If earbuds are your jam, go with this high-quality wireless pair.
Best Wireless Earbuds

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The Tozo T6 earbuds are the kind of thing that once you have them, you may wonder how you ever lived without them before. These little buds deliver astonishing high-quality audio. The bass tones are full, deep, and powerful, and the mids and highs are crystal clear. Better yet, they can keep the music playing for up to six hours before needing a recharge, and the carrying case extends their mobility by proving an additional 24 hours of charge. The Tozo T6 earbuds are even IPX8 waterproof, so they’re a popular choice among active listeners who sweat and adventure through the rain. Best of all, if you’ve never used wireless earbuds before, there’s nothing to worry about; these beauties feature one-step pairing, so they connect to your device via Bluetooth quickly as soon as you lift them out of the case.

Pros:

  • It features touch controls so you can change the song, raise the volume, or accept a call with just a tap.
  • You don’t have to worry about losing battery life in the middle of use because the charging case extends the mobile battery life.
  • They fit comfortably in your ear and won’t fall out.

Cons:

  • You’ll have to get accustomed to the touch controls on the side.

Beats Flex Wireless Earphones

Keep rocking to the beat

These flexible earbuds offer an innovative, comfortable design and 12 hours of listening on a single charge.
Best In-Ear

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Beats have long been considered a premium brand for audiophiles. But with the Beats Flex, times are changing, and HD audio is now within reach of those with limited funds. These earbuds are surprisingly affordable, yet they still sport that dynamic, stereoscopic, deep-bass audio quality that we’ve come to expect from Beats. They’re also insanely comfortable and come with four differently-shaped ear tips. Plus, the Beats Flex Earphones feature a 12-hour battery life, an HD microphone with wind reduction, and Beats Audio Sharing for syncing up the vibes with your friends.

Pros:

  • Despite the brand name and high quality of the hardware, we were surprised at the affordability of these earbuds.
  • Features the Apple W1 chip, which allows you to instantly sync Apple products.
  • The Fast Fuel technology makes charging a cinch. It allows you to quickly charge your earbuds with an extra 1.5 hours of playback within just 10 minutes.
  • Unlike other wireless earbuds, it has an attached design that makes losing them nearly impossible.

Cons:

  • The included charger is USB-C to USB-C and doesn’t come with an outlet adapter.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Headphones

Not your typical pair of cans

These headphones combine noise-canceling technology and well-balanced, high-definition speakers to bring you the best that money can buy.
Best Premium Pick

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If you’re looking to splurge, go with the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. These headphones represent the pinnacle of noise-canceling technologies and will immerse you in your favorite soundscapes the moment you slip them on. We also love the integration with Alexa voice controls, which makes the hands-free experience that much more convenient. Available in black, silver, or rose gold, the QuietComfort 35 IIs look and feel the part of luxury.

Pros:

  • The top-notch microphone system eliminates ambient noises so you’ll be able to speak and be heard clearly even when you’re in a noisy environment.
  • They boast a high waterproof rating of IPX4, so you can use them in the rain or snow.
  • You’ll be able to use them for extended periods of time because the long battery life lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge.

Cons:

  • Sound quality is reduced at maximum volume (though we recommend you don’t max out the volume anyway to avoid damaging your hearing).

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition THX 7.1

Immerse yourself in sound

These beautiful headphones feature everything a gamer needs, from comfortable memory foam lining to a retractable microphone for voice communication.
Best For Gaming

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When we game, we want full immersion and clear voice communication. That’s why we recommend budgeting the money for a quality headset that will get your head in the game and transmit your voice comms the first time you say them. With the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition THX 7.1, you can enjoy top-notch surround sound audio, cooling-gel padding, and noise-canceling technology. We also love the retractable microphone, which transmits your voice clearly and without any background noise. Dare we say it? Release the Kraken.

Pros:

  • The THX 7.1 Surround Sound is noticeably dynamic and spatially accurate, so you’ll be able to hear your virtual enemies clomping your way before you see them.
  • The ear cushions have a cooling gel to prevent your ears from feeling hot and stuffy, even after a long gaming marathon.
  • The microphone retracts right into the ear cup of the headphone, so you can use them as regular headphones for videos, music, or movies.

Cons:

  • The enhanced THX Spatial Audio only works on PCs, though the stereo sound from the auxiliary chord is still fantastic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my headphones of choice compatible with my smartphone?

All of the headphones on our list will work perfectly with both Apple and Android smartphones. If your headphones are wired, you may need an adapter to plug them into some newer smartphone models. However, if your headphones are wireless, they will connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device.

Which headphones should I get for working out?

Over-ear and on-ear headphones can feel pretty hot and stuffy after a while, so we generally prefer earbuds for working out. Also, we recommend that you get a pair with at least some degree of waterproofing since sweat can damage electrical components.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

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