Greatest neckband headphones in 2024

The very best neckband headphones have high quality audio, lengthy battery life, and unmatched versatility. Though not as compact as true wi-fi earbuds, neckband headphones are exceptionally light-weight and comfy to put on, making them splendid for everybody, together with those that have interaction in sporting actions.

And neckband headphones can be found in lots of designs, so it would not matter whether or not you might be an athlete, a gamer, or spend most of your time within the workplace, there is a pair to fulfill. Plus, they use superior communication protocols, similar to Bluetooth, to seamlessly pair with smartphones and audio units for a wi-fi audio expertise.

Prime neckband headphone champions

The Beats Flex are neckband headphones powered by the Apple W1 chip, enabling clean pairing and switching for Apple units, however they will nonetheless work easily with Android telephones and different {hardware}. They’ve first rate sound high quality, and the bass stands out — overpowering in quiet environments however good in noisy areas.

After all, they don’t examine to the higher-priced Beats headphones or Apple AirPods and lack some important options like ANC and water-resistance rankings. Though the Beats Flex headphones do job of balancing the lows and highs, we seen throughout testing they do not ship one of the best mids because the sound tends to get muddled. That stated, it might be nice if that they had an EQ to mess around with for extra balanced and customised audio in several listening situations.

There’s some respite, although: the Flex have a 12-hour battery life and a USB-C cost connector (stick with it, Apple!). And with the Quick Gas system, a 10-minute cost will provide you with 1.5 hours of juice. The management module’s placement on the headphones feels comparatively balanced, and though there’s no sensor to detect motion (just like the AirPods), the audio playback pauses/performs if you clasp the magnetic buds collectively. And if you happen to misplace your Beats Flex, Discover My may also help you find them.

Every little thing concerning the Sony WI-1000XM2 oozes class (besides the title, clearly), and there’s tons to like — the premium-looking matte colours, the superb sound high quality, and the a number of pairing and connectivity choices. The modern but sturdy design is comfy, feels versatile, and sits evenly on the neck. They’ve the identical noise-canceling processor because the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones that topped the charts earlier than the WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 took over, so you’ll be able to anticipate efficient low-frequency lively noise cancellation (ANC), which is useful for bus, practice, and flight journey.

With the Sony Headphones Join app, you’ll be able to modify the ambient sound to only the correct quantity, relying in your atmosphere, to stay spatially conscious. Newer headphones normally pack higher batteries, however within the WI-1000XM2’s case, it’s the other — the 10-hour battery life’s poorer than its predecessor’s. You may work round that by switching to wired connectivity (an audio cable and airplane adapter are included). Additionally, a 10-minute fast cost will provide you with near 1.5 hours of juice. The WI-1000XM2 spoils you for alternative with seven pairs of angled ear suggestions, however to expertise most consolation and noise cancellation, you need to choose the suitable measurement in your ears.

Audio high quality is superb general, however the default sound profile lacks bass in comparison with the WI-1000XM1, making them good for music and nice for podcasts. You’ll be able to at all times use the Headphones Join app to change the EQ presets. And the controls are in-line, so name high quality is considerably higher than its predecessor’s, but it surely’s not one of the best in the marketplace. Sturdiness additionally isn’t a powerful go well with with these headphones as a result of they lack an IP ranking. So, you’ll wish to pack them throughout sweaty exercises and rain, and that’s straightforward as a result of they’re versatile.

Soundcore has quite a few transportable audio options, and this one is likely one of the higher ones. A versatile, transportable, sweat-proof pair of headphones that may securely dangle onto your physique is a boon, and the Soundcore Life U21 neckband headphones are simply that. Add in earbud magnets to assist the buds keep collectively when not in use, and you’ve got a fairly useful product. Though the match could go away somewhat to be desired, these headphones are comfortable, and you should use all of them day, due to their 22-hour battery life and fast cost facility.

A ten-minute quick-charge additionally offers you 3 hours value of juice. The sound is superb, pumping out mids and highs clearly whereas the bass retains up with the remainder. For individuals who want extra bass, there’s additionally a devoted further bass EQ mode that may be activated utilizing the 10mm drivers. As well as, the headset gives clear name high quality due to an in-built AI processor that separates your voice from background noise.

They’re additionally secure from occasional splashes with IPX5-grade safety. Relating to connectivity, they use Bluetooth 5.0 for a fairly steady hyperlink to your cellphone as much as round 30 ft away, even with a wall between. Nonetheless, multipoint connection is lacking from right here.

In case you’re after versatility, the Exfit BCS-700 Professional neckband headphones might be the proper choose. They function 8mm drivers that ship first rate bass, clear mids, and common treble, permitting you to really feel the music. Relying on the mode that you’re utilizing, the headphones can present about 23 hours of steady playback per cost, making them splendid for people who find themselves at all times out and about. Additionally they help quick charging and supply as much as 3 hours of playtime on a 10-minute cost. What’s extra, they’ve an IPX4 ranking, that means they will stand up to sweat, mild showers, and mud.

One of many issues we like concerning the BCS-700 Professional is that they’ve a sport mode that lowers audio latency for an immersive gaming expertise. And with Bluetooth 5.2 expertise, these cans can pair with two units concurrently with out sign interference. Plus, the ‘telephones can will let you tune into the world round you thru the ambient mode, a function that may turn out to be useful outdoor.

Nestled within the neckband is a sensor that lets you pause music by gently tugging both of the earbuds. You can too use this function when answering calls, which is nice because it saves you from doing so instantly from the cellphone. By way of consolation, the headphones are light-weight, match snugly within the ear, and you may put on them for lengthy hours with out experiencing any discomfort. On the draw back, the Exfit BCS-700 Professional headphones do not have lively noise cancellation, so exterior noises could have an effect on your listening expertise when in noisy locations.

The Sony NW-WS623 Walkman will assist take your tunes underwater due to their rigorous IPX5/8 ranking and safe over-ear design. You’ll be able to utterly submerge these headphones underwater (sure, saltwater, too) to a depth of two meters for as much as half-hour or take them for a seashore run (IP6X dust-proofing). The NW-WS623 are even rugged sufficient to resist temperatures between 23 levels and 114.8 levels Fahrenheit. These headphones sound clear and have robust bass. The sound profile, nevertheless, can really feel too energetic. The sound high quality on these buds isn’t nearly as good as among the high choices on this checklist, however that’s advantageous as a result of sturdiness is the precedence.

With 12 hours of playtime, there isn’t any want to fret concerning the battery working out between classes. Obtained just a few minutes to maneuver out along with your headphones? A 3-minute cost will provide you with an hour of playback. The headphones have 4GB built-in storage for music and help numerous file codecs, together with MP3, AAC-LC, WMA, FLAC, and L-PCM (no high-res). If you’re not within the water, you should use Bluetooth connectivity to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Additionally, the onboard controls are useful and don’t take a lot time to get used to, and the microphone high quality is first rate. The NW-WS623 do not let a lot exterior noise in, and that might be dangerous whether or not you are within the ocean or working laps round your neighborhood. However with the Ambient Sound mode, you’ll be able to filter in all of the exterior sounds and stay conscious of your environment. Additionally word that their cumbersome construct and match may really feel uncomfortable over time, and their price ticket appears steep, however they gained’t disappoint water infants.

In case you’re seeking to get in form, or want one thing to put on whereas engaged on, you is perhaps tempted to get a neckband headphone, and for an excellent motive. They’re comfy, don’t simply fall off, and supply an ideal sound high quality. The Naenka Runner Diver 2 ticks a lot of the packing containers, providing an ideal general expertise for a comparatively inexpensive price ticket.

The Diver 2 is a bone conduction headphone, with a triple-layered waterproof silicone. It’s purported to be worn across the again of your head, offering a safe match whatever the exercise you’re doing. It’s comfy to put on, and the earpiece rests on high of the ears, whereas the bone conduction transducers sit a bit increased up, offering an ideal match no matter head measurement or form.

The headphones have 32GB of onboard storage that permits you to retailer your whole favourite music and podcasts, they usually can perform with no smartphone. If you wish to exit for a run with out carrying something however the Diver 2, you are able to do so utterly hands-free with out every other further weight. They’re additionally water-resistant, they usually’re an ideal possibility for swimmers seeking to play their music.

The Runner Diver 2 can last as long as 10 hours on a single cost, and it even has vibrating performance that gives suggestions for numerous actions, similar to controlling the quantity. For $140, it looks as if an affordable price ticket. They’re sturdy and constructed to final a very long time.

The Philips TAPN402BK headphones will successfully meet your cellphone name wants with the built-in microphone’s acoustic echo cancellation, permitting you to take calls in lots of locations whereas making certain vocal readability. Their 14-hour battery life is useful, however you gained’t get that a lot juice if you happen to’re on calls typically. The silver lining is {that a} 5-minute cost will provide you with 2 hours of playtime.

These headphones are comfy and sound clear, albeit somewhat tender, and their IPX4 ranking means you’ll be able to put on them within the rain. The comfy neckband vibrates to inform you of calls — useful if you happen to don’t have your cellphone. However word that if the headphones disconnect out of your machine, you gained’t get any notifications, they usually don’t notify you upon disconnecting. Nonetheless, Bluetooth 5.0 offers the headphones a 10-meter vary.

The button placement on these headphones hampers ergonomics as a result of the management module is positioned on the neckband and never on the cables. Moreover, the neckband slants inward, so urgent the buttons feels uncomfortable, and it’s inconvenient that you simply’ve to carry the ability button down for five seconds to energy on or off.

Have a lossless-tier subscription to some streaming app? Or have lossless recordsdata in storage? Get pleasure from them at their fullest high quality utilizing the Rythflo WH02 neckband headphones. These earphones help aptX HD codec streaming through Bluetooth 5.0, so you’ve got entry to as much as 576 kbps audio at 24-bit/48 kHz sampling. That’s loads of power-packed in somewhat piece.

The Qualcomm chip throughout the headphones can decode the high-resolution audio completely, and the 10mm drivers do stable justice to that high quality. Though these usually are not audiophile-grade, you’ll nonetheless benefit from the output that appears to be tuned to what individuals like to listen to most: a bassy signature underlining clear mids and barely boosted highs.

You’ll need little to fret about charging these ‘telephones since they run 30 hours per full cost and help quick-charge as properly. The comfy and light-weight match of the buds is appreciated, in addition to the skin-friendly silicone materials of the neckband, which doesn’t chafe or trigger rashes. The earphones boast IPX7-grade waterproofing, so you’ll be able to simply put on them in heavy rain or use water to wash them. What’s extra, the voice assistant is only a click on away.

The very best neckband headphones in your ears

Neckband headphones are tremendous handy as a result of the consumer can transfer freely with out the pair falling off whereas offering the wanted consolation for all-day put on. Nonetheless, to get one of the best out of those units, make sure you choose a set that matches your wants. As you have seen from the checklist above, every pair has one thing distinctive to supply and performs higher than different fashions in a method or one other.

The Beats Flex, the highest choose, are powered by Apple’s W1 chip, making them among the finest pair of neckband headphones for iPhone customers. Moreover, they ship high quality audio with first rate bass and well-balanced highs. As a lot as they lack lively noise cancellation, you’ll be able to comfortably use them outdoor, supplied you’ve got the proper ear tip measurement (there are 4 to select from).

Audiophiles and premium customers will little doubt like what the Sony WI-1000XM2 neckband headphones supply. They function a strong ANC chip, they usually sound wonderful, delivering first rate bass and crisp mids. What’s extra, you’ll be able to conveniently customise the EQ from the app, permitting you to really feel each beat. On the draw back, battery life is just not nice however nonetheless first rate at 10 hours.

Anybody seeking to get worth for his or her cash ought to go for the Anker Soundcore Life U2i. These headphones value lower than $30 however present as much as 22 hours of uninterrupted listening time, which is greater than what most high-end choices supply. They’re IPX5-rated, sound nice, and use AI to filter out background noises for clear calls.