Best Earbuds for Phone Calls

Looking for the best earbuds for phone calls? We built this guide to help you sound clear anywhere—office, commute, or windy street. It focuses only on what matters for calls, not marketing hype.

How we rank call performance:

• Mic clarity in noise & wind (If you’re curious about how microphones differ, we’ve explained the kinds of microphones and their uses.)
• Background noise cut & sidetone
• One-tap mute & multipoint pairing
• Single-bud use & long-call comfort
• Battery life during calls, not just music
• Newer Bluetooth tech (LE Audio/LC3) where it improves voice

Our approach is independent: we review lab test data, confirm mic quality with real calls on iPhone and Android, and log hours of Zoom/Teams meetings in different settings. We also flag issues like lag, weak noise filters, or unstable connections that others gloss over.

What you’ll get below: clear picks by situation—office, outdoor, Zoom, budget, travel—plus honest pros and cons for each. Because nothing’s worse than hearing, “You’re breaking up!” in the middle of an important call. Sometimes call issues aren’t the buds — they’re a dirty mic. Here’s how to clean your AirPods microphone.

Why trust Beats Insight?

Every guide at Beats Insight is based on hands-on testing in real-world use, not just spec sheets. We work independently, update our content with time and trends, and share only unbiased insights to help you make confident choices.

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Please note: we may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article see our full disclosure here.

The Quick List

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Our Top 10 Picks for Best Wireless Earbuds for Phone Calls

When it comes to choosing the best wireless earbuds for phone calls, especially in noisy environments, we’ve got you covered with our top picks. Each option has been tested based on real-world factors like audio quality, how well the microphone picks up your voice, noise-canceling features, and comfort for long-term use. Whether you’re juggling calls at home, out and about, or commuting, these earbuds will make sure you’re heard loud and clear.

If you’re looking for best earbuds for phone calls in noisy environment, these choices will keep your conversations crisp and free from distractions. Let’s take a closer look at each one so you can find the perfect pair to fit your needs and lifestyle!

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Best earbuds for phone calls on a budget (Android)

If you make calls while moving, these are the buds built for it. The Jabra Elite 8 Active handle wind, sweat, and rain better than most. They aren’t cheap, but if you run, cycle, or train outdoors and need people to actually hear you, they’re worth it. If music and workouts are your main focus, our picks for the best gym headphones might suit you better.

I tested these on a 5K run with steady wind, and friends said I sounded steady start to finish. On a bike path, rush noise didn’t drown me out like it does with Galaxy Buds FE. At the gym, fans and clanking weights were pushed back enough that coworkers didn’t keep saying “what?”

What I loved: buttons over touch — no missed taps when sweaty. Sidetone meant I didn’t yell without realizing it. Single-bud mode made me feel safer on street runs, hearing traffic while still on a call.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active perform better outdoors than the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, which struggle in windy conditions. They’re also more rugged than the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QC II, since neither offers full IP68 protection. Indoors, Bose still leads for quiet office use, but they aren’t built for workouts. For extreme environments with constant noise, we’ve also tested the best earbuds for construction workers.”

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Best value earbuds for clear phone calls

If you’re hunting for earbuds that don’t break the bank but still sound clear on calls, the OnePlus Buds 3 are a strong choice. They sit comfortably in that middle zone where you get more than budget basics, but you’re not paying Sony or Bose money. In our lab tests, they handled simulated office chatter well, and in real use they kept voices easy to follow during team meetings and quick catch-ups while walking between errands.

Voice pickup indoors is clean, and most callers had no idea I wasn’t speaking straight into my phone. In a busy café, some background still slipped through, but not enough to make me repeat myself. Outdoors, they managed passing traffic reasonably, though a strong gust of wind reminded me these are not rugged sports buds. Comfort is another win: I wore them through a two-hour client call without any pressure points, which isn’t always the case with mid-range models. Battery life is also solid, giving close to five hours on calls before needing a recharge.

Against the competition, the Buds 3 clearly outshine Samsung’s Buds FE with better noise control and a clearer mic, while costing less than Jabra’s active models. They don’t hush steady hums in a noisy office as well as Bose, but you’re paying half the price here. That balance is why they earn their spot as the value pick in this guide.

The OnePlus Buds 3 make sense if you want a mid-range pair that handles calls reliably, feels good for long conversations, and gives you features that usually cost more. They’re not flawless, but if you’re after everyday call clarity without stepping into premium prices, this is where your money goes furthest.

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Best earbuds for gaming and phone calls

Most earbuds struggle when you try to use them for both gaming and calls, but that’s where the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed stand apart. With a 2.4 GHz dongle, they keep party chat on PS5, PC, or Switch perfectly in sync. In our tests, call-outs during Valorant stayed instant, and teammates didn’t hear the room fan or controller clicks in the background. When a phone call came in mid-game, a quick tap flipped to Bluetooth, I answered, and swapped back to Discord after without lag or menu digging.

For voice quality, they’re clear enough that coworkers had no trouble following me on Zoom, and friends on mobile calls said I sounded natural indoors. They’re not as quiet in a busy office as Bose QC II or Sony’s XM4, but those don’t give you lag-free console chat. Comfort is solid for long gaming nights, though battery drains faster on the dongle, so expect to recharge between marathon sessions.

If you want earbuds that handle voice chat in games and everyday phone calls, these are the ones that make sense. They’re pricier than casual buds and the case is chunky, but for gamers who also live on calls, this is the pair that bridges both worlds.

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Best earbuds for taking calls with an iPhone

If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the easiest way to sound clear on calls. Apple’s H2 chip, Adaptive Transparency, and deep iOS features make them feel like they were built for FaceTime and Zoom. In our tests, speech sounded fuller and more natural than with Samsung or Sony buds, and callers noticed less background noise in the same room.

On a busy street, traffic faded into the background so my voice stayed front and center, though heavy wind gusts still cut through at times. Indoors, they held up well in shared spaces — coworkers said they barely heard the hum of a space heater or keyboard noise.

Comfort is another win: the lightweight design and extra ear tips meant I could get through a two-hour video call without ear fatigue. Battery life gives about 4–5 hours of steady talk time, enough for a long workday with case recharges in between. Accidentally got them wet? Here’s how to get water out of AirPods.

Against Bose and Sony, the AirPods Pro aren’t quite as strong at blocking constant low hums in noisy offices. But those pairs don’t deliver Apple-only perks like instant pairing, seamless device switching, or Find My support. For iPhone users, that convenience matters as much as mic quality.

If you need earbuds that handle both quick chats and all-day video calls on iOS without hassle, the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the obvious choice. “If you’re looking for more Apple-friendly options, check out our full guide to the best earbuds for iPhone.

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Best all-around earbuds for phone calls

The Sony WF-1000XM4 are the earbuds I recommend when you want one pair that can handle nearly everything. In our lab, they scored highest for mic warmth in video calls, and in daily tests they proved steady whether I was on a client meeting, answering calls on the train, or catching up with family at night. They aren’t tied to one niche — they’re simply reliable across the board. If you run into pairing or connection issues, here’s how to reset Sony headphones.

On professional calls, my voice sounded natural and full, with background typing softened enough that no one complained. During a commute, traffic noise stayed manageable, though a loud station announcement still came through. Battery life ran just over four hours of steady talk, which covered a half day of back-to-back meetings before dropping them into the case. Comfort is improved over older Sony buds, though the size may feel snug for people with smaller ears.

Against rivals, Bose QC Earbuds II do edge out Sony in cancelling low drones in very noisy offices, but they don’t sound as rich or as balanced for mixed use. AirPods Pro are easier inside Apple’s ecosystem, but the Sonys give stronger isolation and more natural voice tone. That balance makes them the safe pick if you want one pair for both work and personal calls. If you’d prefer over-ear options with stronger ANC, see our picks for the best ANC headphones under $200.

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Best earbuds for phone calls in noisy environments

When you take calls in loud places, the Bose QC Earbuds II do what others can’t: they hush the room so your voice comes through clean. In our lab, we ran simulated café chatter and subway noise through speakers while placing live calls. The Bose mics pushed my voice to the front and knocked the clutter down so much that the person on the other end said it sounded like I was in a quiet office.

In real-world use, they handled a call on a crowded train platform where announcements usually drown me out. Clients heard me clearly, even with brakes screeching in the background. In an open-plan office, coworkers’ voices faded enough that I could hold a sales call without repeating myself. Battery life is steady at around four hours of talk, and the fit is light enough for long meetings without ear fatigue.

They aren’t flawless. Wind noise outdoors can still break through, and the case is bulkier than Apple or Sony. The mic tone is natural but not quite as sharp as AirPods Pro on iPhone. Still, in noisy spaces, nothing we’ve tested matches Bose.

Compared with rivals: Sony’s XM4 and XM5 are stronger all-rounders; Apple wins for iOS convenience. But when the environment is loud and you need to sound clear, Bose QC Earbuds II are the safe bet. To keep them performing at their best, here’s how to clean Bose earbuds safely.”

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Best earbuds for music lovers who also need great calls

The Momentum True Wireless 3 are made for people who won’t compromise on music quality but still need to sound clear on calls. In our lab tests, their soundstage and detail outclassed every other pair in this guide. At the same time, the microphones held up well in noisy settings: during a test call with simulated café chatter, my voice stayed upfront and easy to follow.

In daily use, they feel tuned for audiophiles. Acoustic tracks have air and texture, bass is punchy without mud, and vocals sit perfectly balanced. That makes them a joy for playlists, podcasts, or long listening sessions. When it came time to jump on a client call from a train station, I didn’t have to swap devices — colleagues heard me fine, even with platform announcements in the background. Outdoors, sudden wind can still sneak through, but traffic and everyday street noise are managed well enough.

Compared with rivals, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II do a better job cancelling steady hums in very loud offices, while Sony’s WF-1000XM4 are stronger as all-rounders. But if your priority is music detail first with call clarity as a must-have, Sennheiser is the safe choice.

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Best earbuds for phone calls with Android/Pixel phones

If you use a Pixel or Android phone, the Pixel Buds Pro are the most natural fit for calls. In our lab tests, they paired instantly with a Pixel 8 and Chromebook, then switched mid-call without stutter thanks to multipoint. In daily use, that meant I could answer a client call on my phone, then slide into a Google Meet on my laptop seconds later without touching menus.

Call clarity is solid indoors and in normal street noise. At a café, background chatter softened enough that my friend thought I was calling from home. On a windy walk, my voice stayed clear until stronger gusts broke through. Comfort is light, so I wore them through a one-hour check-in without ear fatigue. Battery life lasts about four to five hours of steady talk, plenty for a workday with case recharges.

Where Bose and Sony still edge them out is heavy noise suppression in chaotic offices. But neither offers the same Pixel-first perks: Hey Google voice commands, Fast Pair, and full Find My Device support. For Android owners, that convenience adds as much value as mic quality.

If your day blends hands-free calls, video meetings, and music across Pixel, tablet, and Chromebook, the Buds Pro are the best match. They may not beat Bose in raw silence, but for Android users they feel effortless in a way no other buds do.

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Best affordable all-round earbuds for phone calls