Not too long ago, the best neckband headphones were the only way to get wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) or even just a long battery life. But companies are getting better and better at putting these strong features into really wireless earbuds that are very small.
Neckband headphones may look like something from the past, but they are still very popular. Many people like that they can be worn around the neck and then forgotten. You can have your music with you all day without worrying about losing your earbuds or forgetting where you put them. Even though truly wireless technology is coming up, most neckband headphones still have better ANC, microphone, and battery performance. Below we have mentioned the best neckband headphones.
Best Neckband Headphones Comparison Table
Model | Beats Flex Wireless | Sony WI-C400 Wireless | Jabra Elite 65e Wireless | Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless | Noise Tune Active Pro |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $$ | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$ |
Battery Life | 12 hours | 20 hours | 8 hours | 10 hours | 16 hours |
Noise Cancelling | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistance | No | No | Yes (IP54) | No | Yes (IPX5) |
Driver Size | N/A | 9mm | N/A | 9mm | 13mm |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Charging Time | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours | 2 hours |
Microphone Quality | Decent | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Weight | 18.6 grams | 35 grams | 36.2 grams | 44 grams | 26 grams |
Companion App | No | No | Jabra Sound+ | Sony | Headphones Connect |
Beats Flex Wireless
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Type | In-ear |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | Up to 12 hours |
Water Resistant | Yes |
Charging | USB-C |
Microphone | Built-in |
If you need a neckband but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it, try the Beats Flex Wireless. They are officially neck cable headphones, but instead of a stiff neckband, they have a thin, flexible cable. This may be more comfortable for all-day portability. They’re also one of the best neckband earbuds for Apple users because they have a W1 chip that makes it easy to connect them to other Apple devices.
Their bass-heavy sound adds some extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, which makes them good for trap and DnB. They are also well-made, last about 11 hours on a single charge, and come in different colors so you can find one that fits your style. But they don’t have ANC, so they can’t block out bass-range sounds like car noise when you are on the go. Because they sit in the ear, they are much better at blocking out office noise. Overall, this is one of the best neckband headphones that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Good battery life
- Water-resistant
- Affordable price point for a wireless option
- Quick charge feature
Cons
- No noise cancellation feature
- May not fit securely in all ear sizes
Sony WI-C400 Wireless
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Type | In-ear |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | Up to 20 hours |
Water Resistant | No |
Charging | Micro-USB |
Microphone | Built-in |
The Sony WI-C400 Wireless are the best neckband earphones we’ve found in the middle price range. They are much cheaper than the first two choices on this list, and they don’t have features like noise cancellation, pairing with multiple devices, and a partner app. Still, if you’re looking for a basic pair of headphones, they fit pretty well and can be used for 17.5 hours on a single charge, which is long enough to get you through your morning and commute. Also, unlike the other headphones on this list, the earbuds’ cords can be adjusted, which can help keep them from getting caught and falling out of your ear. Thus, this is one of the best neckband headphones that you can buy right now.
Their sound doesn’t have much low bass, but it’s otherwise well-balanced, so singing and lead instruments sound clear and distinct. This makes them a good choice for podcasts and audiobooks. Even though these earbuds don’t have ANC, they still block out a good amount of mid-range background noise, like talks. Sadly, they don’t keep out low-frequency noises like loud building sites or planes flying overhead. The sound cords feel thin, and the plastic the earbuds are made of feels cheap. Also, compared to the other choices, they can be harder to find online.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Quick charge feature
- Easy to use controls
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Micro-USB charging instead of USB-C
- No noise cancellation feature
Jabra Elite 65e Wireless
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Type | In-ear |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
Water Resistant | No |
Charging | Micro-USB |
Microphone | Built-in |
Check out the Jabra Elite 65e Wireless if you want high-end efficiency for less money. Because they don’t have button remapping and virtual surround sound like the Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless, these headphones aren’t as adjustable as those.
But they fit most people better and are less likely to fall out of your ears because they have fins to keep them in place. Their bass-heavy sound profile gives your music more rumble and thump, making them better for EDM and hip-hop. In classical and jazz music, the instruments may not have enough presence and clarity, but the app that goes with them has a graphic EQ that lets you change the way they sound.
Compared to our top pick, their ANC system does a better job of blocking mid-range and high-pitched sounds, like office chatter or your laptop’s fan. But the ANC on the Sony headphones works better with low-frequency sounds like bus and plane engines rumbling, so they may be a better choice if you need headphones for your journey. Also, they both have a battery life of about eight and a half hours, but they can’t be used if the battery dies because they can’t be plugged in. Still, this is one of the best neckband headphones that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Good noise-cancellation feature
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Good sound quality
- Durable design
- Voice assistant integration
Cons
- Short battery life compared to some other wireless earbuds
- Not water-resistant
- Micro-USB charging instead of USB-C
Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Type | In-ear |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Water Resistant | No |
Charging | USB-C |
Microphone | Built-in |
The Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless are the best headphones with a neckband that we have tried. The next version of the Sony WI-1000X Wireless, these headphones have more user-friendly settings and a more flexible neckband. They feel well-made and come with a great hard case to protect them when you are on the go. Because they have an active noise canceling (ANC) system, they can block out a lot of background noise at work or on the way to work. They have a battery life of about eight and a half hours and can be paired with more than one device at once, so you can connect them to your phone and computer at the same time.
Fans of bass-heavy genres like metal may find their sound lacking in thump and rumble, but they have a very accurate mid-range response that makes them great for vocal-focused material like podcasts or pop music. You can change how they sound by using the EQ and presets in the app that goes with them. On the plus side, they come with a variety of ear tips in different sizes to help you find the right fit. For now, this is one of the best neckband headphones that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Excellent noise-cancellation feature
- Good sound quality
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Neckband design helps keep earbuds in place
- Quick charge feature
Cons
- Shorter battery life compared to some other wireless earbuds
- Not water-resistant
Noise Tune Active Pro
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Type | In-ear |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Water Resistant | Yes |
Charging | USB-C |
Microphone | Built-in |
These are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones with a neckband in India. Due to the environmental sound reduction that these wireless neckbands offer, you can have clear talks even when you’re on the go. When playing games in low latency mode, the neckband headphones let you hear the sound without any lag. Overall, this is one of the best neckband headphones that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Affordable price point for a wireless option
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Good noise-cancellation feature
Cons
- No quick charge feature
- Controls can be difficult to use at times
FAQs
Neckband headphones, which are also called neckband earphones, are a type of wireless earphones with a bendable band that goes around the neck and has earbuds on the ends. Usually, the battery, control buttons, and sometimes the microphone are all on the band.
Yes, a lot of neckband headphones are made to be used while working out or doing other physical things. Look for models that don’t leak when you sweat and that come with different-sized ear tips to make sure a good seal. Some types also help you get the most out of your workout by having features like heart rate monitors or voice coaches.
To connect neckband headphones to your device, turn on both the headphones and your device and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then, choose the headphones from the list of Bluetooth devices that you can use. Some models also have buttons or apps that are just for pairing, which can make the process easier. For specific directions on how to use your headphones, check the user manual.