Best neckband headphones in 2024

The best neckband headphones have quality audio, long battery life, and unmatched versatility. Although not as compact as true wireless earbuds, neckband headphones are exceptionally lightweight and comfortable to wear, making them ideal for everyone, including those who engage in sporting activities. And neckband headphones are available in many designs, so it doesn’t matter whether you are an athlete, a gamer, or spend most of your time in the office, there’s a pair to satisfy. Plus, they use advanced communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, to seamlessly pair with smartphones and audio devices for a wireless audio experience.

Top neckband headphone champions

The Beats Flex are neckband headphones powered by the Apple W1 chip, enabling smooth pairing and switching for Apple devices, but they’ll still work smoothly with Android phones and other hardware. They have decent sound quality, and the bass stands out — overpowering in quiet environments but perfect in noisy spaces.

Of course, they don’t compare to the higher-priced Beats headphones or Apple AirPods and lack some essential features like ANC and water-resistance ratings. Although the Beats Flex headphones do a good job of balancing the lows and highs, we noticed during testing they don’t deliver the best mids as the sound tends to get muddled. That said, it would be great if they had an EQ to play around with for more balanced and customized audio in different listening scenarios.

There is some respite, though: the Flex have a 12-hour battery life and a USB-C charge connector (keep it up, Apple!). And with the Fast Fuel system, a 10-minute charge will give you 1.5 hours of juice. The control module’s placement on the headphones feels relatively balanced, and although there’s no sensor to detect movement (like the AirPods), the audio playback pauses/plays when you clasp the magnetic buds together. And if you misplace your Beats Flex, Find My can help you locate them.

Everything about the Sony WI-1000XM2 oozes class (except the name, obviously), and there’s lots to love — the premium-looking matte colors, the excellent sound quality, and the multiple pairing and connectivity options. The sleek yet sturdy design is comfortable, feels flexible, and sits lightly on the neck. They have the same noise-canceling processor as the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones that topped the charts before the WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 took over, so you can expect effective low-frequency active noise cancellation (ANC), which is handy for bus, train, and flight travel.

With the Sony Headphones Connect app, you can adjust the ambient sound to just the right amount, depending on your environment, to remain spatially aware. Newer headphones usually pack better batteries, but in the WI-1000XM2’s case, it’s the opposite — the 10-hour battery life’s poorer than its predecessor’s. You could work around that by switching to wired connectivity (an audio cable and airplane adapter are included). Also, a 10-minute quick charge will give you close to 1.5 hours of juice. The WI-1000XM2 spoils you for choice with seven pairs of angled ear tips, but to experience maximum comfort and noise cancellation, you must pick the right size for your ears.

Audio quality is excellent overall, but the default sound profile lacks bass compared to the WI-1000XM1, making them good for music and great for podcasts. You can always use the Headphones Connect app to modify the EQ presets. And the controls are in-line, so call quality is significantly better than its predecessor’s, but it’s not the best on the market. Durability also isn’t a strong suit with these headphones because they lack an IP rating. So, you’ll want to pack them during sweaty workouts and rain, and that’s easy because they’re flexible.

Soundcore has numerous portable audio solutions, and this one is one of the better ones. A flexible, portable, sweat-proof pair of headphones that can securely hang onto your body is a boon, and the Soundcore Life U21 neckband headphones are just that. Add in earbud magnets to help the buds stay together when not in use, and you have a pretty handy product. Although the fit may leave a little to be desired, these headphones are comfy, and you can use them all day, thanks to their 22-hour battery life and quick charge facility.

A 10-minute quick-charge also gives you 3 hours worth of juice. The sound is very good, pumping out mids and highs clearly while the bass keeps up with the rest. For those who prefer more bass, there’s also a dedicated extra bass EQ mode that can be activated using the 10mm drivers. In addition, the headset provides clear call quality thanks to an in-built AI processor that separates your voice from background noise.

They are also safe from occasional splashes with IPX5-grade protection. Regarding connectivity, they use Bluetooth 5.0 for a pretty stable link to your phone up to around 30 feet away, even with a wall between. However, multipoint connection is missing from here.

If you’re after versatility, the Exfit BCS-700 Pro neckband headphones could be the perfect pick. They feature 8mm drivers that deliver decent bass, clear mids, and average treble, allowing you to feel the music. Depending on the mode that you are using, the headphones can provide about 23 hours of continuous playback per charge, making them ideal for people who are always out and about. They also support fast charging and offer up to 3 hours of playtime on a 10-minute charge. What’s more, they have an IPX4 rating, meaning they can withstand sweat, light showers, and dust.

One of the things we like about the BCS-700 Pro is that they have a game mode that lowers audio latency for an immersive gaming experience. And with Bluetooth 5.2 technology, these cans can pair with two devices concurrently without signal interference. Plus, the ‘phones can allow you to tune into the world around you through the ambient mode, a feature that can come in handy outdoors.

Nestled in the neckband is a sensor that allows you to pause music by gently tugging either of the earbuds. You can also use this feature when answering calls, which is great since it saves you from doing so directly from the phone. In terms of comfort, the headphones are lightweight, fit snugly in the ear, and you can wear them for long hours without experiencing any discomfort. On the downside, the Exfit BCS-700 Pro headphones don’t have active noise cancellation, so external noises may affect your listening experience when in noisy places.

The Sony NW-WS623 Walkman will help take your tunes underwater thanks to their rigorous IPX5/8 rating and secure over-ear design. You can completely submerge these headphones underwater (yes, saltwater, too) to a depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes or take them for a beach run (IP6X dust-proofing). The NW-WS623 are even rugged enough to withstand temperatures between 23 degrees and 114.8 degrees Fahrenheit. These headphones sound clear and have strong bass. The sound profile, however, can feel too energetic. The sound quality on these buds isn’t as good as some of the top options on this list, but that’s fine because durability is the priority.

With 12 hours of playtime, there’s no need to worry about the battery running out between sessions. Got only a few minutes to move out with your headphones? A 3-minute charge will give you an hour of playback. The headphones have 4GB built-in storage for music and support various file formats, including MP3, AAC-LC, WMA, FLAC, and L-PCM (no high-res). When you’re not in the water, you can use Bluetooth connectivity to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Also, the onboard controls are handy and don’t take much time to get used to, and the microphone quality is decent. The NW-WS623 don’t let much external noise in, and that could be risky whether you’re in the ocean or running laps around your neighborhood. But with the Ambient Sound mode, you can filter in all the external sounds and remain aware of your surroundings. Also note that their bulky build and fit could feel uncomfortable over time, and their price tag seems steep, but they won’t disappoint water babies.

The ultra-light Sennheiser CX 350BT, weighing just 0.45 ounces, have slim, flexible cables that are super portable. Naturally, these design features make these buds feel as though they’re barely there, which is super comfortable for your neck and ears. The sound signature isn’t overpowering across the bass, mids, and highs, making for an easy listening experience, and the soundstage feels expansive. Similar to its contemporaries, Sennheiser has an accompanying app to customize the equalizer or check the battery status.

Their 10-hour battery life is decent, and with four ear tip options for a secure fit, you won’t feel any discomfort, even after hours of use. But since these buds lack an IP rating, stash them away during rain or around water bodies and sand. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.0, providing seamless pairing and multi-device connectivity. Support for AAC, SBC, and AptX Low Latency codec ensures you won’t experience audio lag while watching videos and offers great sound quality across various operating systems.

Also, voice clarity on calls is also remarkable, but the absence of noise cancellation and noise reduction is a missed opportunity. The control module’s placement on the headphones feels relatively balanced, and although there’s no sensor to detect movement (like the AirPods), the audio playback pauses/plays when you clasp the magnetic buds together. And if you misplace your Beats Flex, the Find My app on your iPhone can help you locate them.

The Philips TAPN402BK headphones will effectively meet your phone call needs with the built-in microphone’s acoustic echo cancellation, allowing you to take calls in many places while ensuring vocal clarity. Their 14-hour battery life is handy, but you won’t get that much juice if you’re on calls often. The silver lining is that a 5-minute charge will give you 2 hours of playtime.

These headphones are comfortable and sound clear, albeit a little soft, and their IPX4 rating means you can wear them in the rain. The comfortable neckband vibrates to notify you of calls — handy if you don’t have your phone. But note that if the headphones disconnect from your device, you won’t get any notifications, and they don’t notify you upon disconnecting. Nonetheless, Bluetooth 5.0 gives the headphones a 10-meter range.

The button placement on these headphones hampers ergonomics because the control module is placed on the neckband and not on the cables. Additionally, the neckband slants inward, so pressing the buttons feels uncomfortable, and it’s inconvenient that you’ve to hold the power button down for 5 seconds to power on or off.

Have a lossless-tier subscription to some streaming app? Or have lossless files in storage? Enjoy them at their fullest quality using the Rythflo WH02 neckband headphones. These earphones support aptX HD codec streaming via Bluetooth 5.0, so you have access to up to 576 kbps audio at 24-bit/48 kHz sampling. That’s a lot of power-packed in a little piece.

The Qualcomm chip within the headphones can decode the high-resolution audio perfectly, and the 10mm drivers do solid justice to that quality. Although these are not audiophile-grade, you will still enjoy the output that seems to be tuned to what people like to hear most: a bassy signature underlining clear mids and slightly boosted highs.

You will need little to worry about charging these ‘phones since they run 30 hours per full charge and support quick-charge as well. The comfortable and lightweight fit of the buds is appreciated, as well as the skin-friendly silicone material of the neckband, which doesn’t chafe or cause rashes. The earphones boast IPX7-grade waterproofing, so you can easily wear them in heavy rain or use water to clean them. What’s more, the voice assistant is just a click away.

The best neckband headphones for your ears

Neckband headphones are super convenient because the user can move freely without the pair falling off while providing the needed comfort for all-day wear. However, to get the best out of these devices, ensure you pick a set that matches your needs. As you’ve seen from the list above, each pair has something unique to offer and performs better than other models in one way or another.

The Beats Flex, the top pick, are powered by Apple’s W1 chip, making them one of the best pair of neckband headphones for iPhone users. Additionally, they deliver quality audio with decent bass and well-balanced highs. As much as they lack active noise cancellation, you can comfortably use them outdoors, provided you have the correct ear tip size (there are four to choose from).

Audiophiles and premium users will no doubt like what the Sony WI-1000XM2 neckband headphones offer. They feature a powerful ANC chip, and they sound excellent, delivering decent bass and crisp mids. What’s more, you can conveniently customize the EQ from the app, allowing you to feel every beat. On the downside, battery life is not great but still decent at 10 hours.

Anyone looking to get value for their money should go for the Anker Soundcore Life U2i. These headphones cost less than $30 but provide up to 22 hours of uninterrupted listening time, which is more than what most high-end options offer. They are IPX5-rated, sound great, and use AI to filter out background noises for clear calls.