Neckband headphones are recommended for those who find over-ear/on-ear headphones too unwieldy and truly wireless headphones too easy to misplace. They are portable headphones that are easy to carry for everyday use, with their neckband design allowing you to simply hang them around your neck when not in use. They are just as lightweight and breathable as truly wireless headphones, but they usually have a better battery life per charge.
There are many neckband headphones on the market. Some are more sports-oriented, featuring a rugged design with stability fins or ear hooks for a more secure fit. Others are designed for commuting and travel, featuring active noise-canceling technology. In this product guide, you’ll find the best neckband headphones currently out. The guide includes both conventional neckband headphones and headphones with a behind-the-neck cable.
The Best Neckband Headphones
Best Noise-canceling Neckband Headphones: Bose QuietControl 30
The Bose QuietControl 30 are wireless neckband headphones that sound decent and are suitable for different usages. Their active noise cancellation makes them especially good for commuting and office use, with their compact design making them easy to carry for everyday use. However, they are some of the most expensive neckband headphones on the market, selling for around $300. But that’s not really surprising for a Bose product.
Featuring closed-back earbuds with stability fins, the Bose QuietControl 30 have a discreet profile with an all-black color scheme. Their build quality is good but not as premium as their expensive price suggests – there are cheaper headphones with a more rugged build. Along with a hard case and a USB charging cable, there are three different pairs of ear tips included in the box.
While their neckband design can be cumbersome in some situations, the Bose QuietControl 30 are good for running, training, and sports use in general. Their breathable design makes them comfortable to use for hours. Their stability fins allow for a more secure fit, which is especially beneficial during workouts with a lot of head movement. Unfortunately, they are not as sweat-resistant as some sports headphones.
The controls are integrated into the cable instead of the neckband. You can use the inline remote for call and music management and volume control and for adjusting the noise cancellation. Although the buttons are slightly stiff, the inline control scheme is good and gets the job done.
Capable of running up to 10 hours on a single charge, the Bose QuietControl 30 are decent-sounding neckband headphones that are suitable for listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and different music genres, including heavy metal and classical music. They connect easily with compatible Bluetooth devices and support NFC pairing.
Of the typical neckband headphones on this list, the Bose QuietControl 30 are some of the best regarding noise isolation. With their effective ear seal and active noise cancellation, they are great at reducing ambient noise in a noisy environment. This makes them suitable for commuting and office use – especially since their sound leakage is also minimal at higher volumes, allowing you to turn up the volume to further reduce ambient noise without disturbing people around you.
However, the Bose QuietControl 30 are not suitable for taking phone calls while commuting or traveling, as their mic doesn’t fare well in a noisy environment. For phone calls in a quiet place, the mic is adequate enough. But if you want neckband headphones with a better mic for taking phone calls while on the go, there are better options out there.
Overall, the Bose QuietControl 30 are versatile noise-canceling headphones that are suitable for casual everyday use. Their design and build quality are both good, while their battery life is long enough for a typical commute or workday. If you want the best noise-canceling neckband headphones and can spend around $300, check out these Bose headphones.
Best Sports Headphones: Jaybird Tarah Pro
The Jaybird Tarah Pro are excellent headphones for sports, featuring a rugged design and ear tips with stability fins for a more secure fit. They are wireless in-ear headphones that are much more sports-oriented than the Bose QuietControl 30, not to mention more affordable. But on the other hand, they lack active noise-canceling technology.
A pair of closed-back in-ear headphones, the Jaybird Tarah Pro are well-crafted headphones with a behind-the-neck cable and a comfortable in-ear fit. They have magnetic earpieces that snap together for better cable management and better security when the headphones are inactive and hanging around your neck. Their behind-the-neck cable – which has an inline mic and remote – is braided and has a small cable management clip; a shirt clip is also provided.
Unlike most sports headphones, the Jaybird Tarah Pro can be positioned either over or under your ears due to their rotating earbuds design. Their build quality is excellent; they are flexible and durable enough even for the most rigorous training sessions. With their IPX7 rating for water resistance, they are suitable for running and training both indoors and outdoors.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro stay securely in your ears, with their stability fins being a big part of their excellent stability, which is important for sports use. Unfortunately, their ear tips and stability fins are a single unit. This means you can’t mix and match different ear tip and stability fin sizes for the best fit for your ears. On the bright side, there are three different pairs of ear tips included in the box.
Like other similarly designed headphones, the Jaybird Tarah Pro are easy to carry for everyday use, whether in your pocket or in your bag. They are compact and lightweight and can be easily worn around your neck. They also come with a travel pouch, which protects them against scratches while stored away. However, their proprietary charging cradle is a bit more cumbersome to carry in person than a regular charging cable.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro, as mentioned, have an inline remote. Composed of a built-in mic and well-spaced buttons with good tactile feedback, the curved inline remote is user-friendly and provides essential functions such as call and music management and volume control. You can also activate your voice assistant using the multi-function button. Moreover, snapping the magnetic earpieces together automatically switches the headphones to power-saving mode.
Although they lack NFC technology, the Jaybird Tarah Pro connect easily with compatible Bluetooth devices. They have an excellent wireless range and a long-lasting battery that allows up to 14 hours of continuous use per charge. Their battery life is one of the best among the headphones on this list and makes them especially suitable for marathons and extended training sessions. They also charge fast, with five minutes of charging already providing two hours of playback.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro are obviously designed for sports use, but they are also good for casual everyday use. Despite lacking active noise cancellation, they are good at blocking out background noise, which is especially great for commuting and office use. They are easy to carry for everyday use and will easily last through a typical workday and long commutes due to their long battery life.
Compact, easy to use, and ruggedly built, the Jaybird Tarah Pro are outstanding wireless in-ear headphones overall. They sound decent and can be customized with the companion app, which is one of the better headphone apps out there. They are some of the best sports headphones on the market, with few notable flaws.
You may also be interested in these cool closed-back headphones from our list. Check them out.
Best Neckband Headphones Under $100: Beats BeatsX
A pair of wireless in-ear headphones, the Beats BeatsX are great for casual everyday use, with their flexible design making them slightly more portable than typical neckband headphones like the Bose QuietControl 30. While not as customizable as some products, they are versatile headphones that are suitable for different usages, including commuting and sports.
The Beats BeatsX have a more discreet design than most neckband headphones, featuring a unique flexible neckband – called “Flex-Form” by Beats – that is only slightly thicker than the flat audio cable connecting to the earpieces. Their earpieces are magnetic for better cable management. Their overall build quality is good, but they are not as sweat-resistant as the more sports-oriented Jaybird Tarah Pro.
Due to their more flexible neckband, the Beats BeatsX are easier to carry in person than most neckband headphones. You can cram them into your bag or pocket without worrying about permanently damaging the neckband and cable. With their sleeker and more low-profile design, they also look less noticeable when they are around your neck.
Lightweight and supremely breathable, the Beats BeatsX are comfortable to use continuously for long stretches. There are four different pairs of ear tips included in the box, allowing you to choose the best fit for your ears. While they are not designed specifically for sports use, these headphones are stable enough for running and working out – they don’t easily pop out of your ears and their wireless design reduces the chances of them getting caught into something while working out.
For controls, the Beats BeatsX have a simple but effective inline control scheme composed of buttons with good tactile feedback. It’s a straightforward control scheme that is easy to get used to and provides the essential functions. With the inline remote, you can easily adjust the volume and manage your calls and music while on the move.
The Beats BeatsX are decent-sounding headphones that connect easily with iOS devices, but they don’t come with a dedicated companion app for customization. They can run up to eight hours on a single charge, though the actual battery life depends on your volume level. If you run out of battery in the middle of the day, you can plug them in for a quick charge – they charge really fast, providing two hours of playback after just five minutes of charging.
Despite lacking active noise cancellation technology, the Beats BeatsX are good at blocking out ambient noise. Their good passive noise isolation makes them suitable for commuting and office use – especially for the latter, as their minimal sound leakage means you can fully blast your music without worrying about disturbing nearby co-workers.
If you are limited to a $100 budget, the Beats BeatsX are the best neckband headphones that you can get right now. They are versatile headphones with a flexible neckband, a fast-charging battery, and a simple control scheme. Their build quality is good while their sound quality and mic performance are both decent.
Neckband Headphones with Best Battery Life: Sony WI-C400
The Sony WI-C400 are neckband headphones with excellent battery life, capable of running up to around 20 hours per charge. That’s the best mark among the products in this guide, and by a wide margin, with no other product coming close except for the Mpow Jaws, which boast 18 hours of battery life. If battery life is the most important aspect for you, then look no further than these Sony wireless headphones.
Lightweight and portable, the Sony WI-C400 are wireless in-ear headphones with a straightforward design, featuring a flexible neckband and small earpieces with a typical in-ear fit. The neckband is thicker and less flexible compared to the Beats BeatsX. The audio cable connecting to both earpieces is thin and includes a small cable stopper for cable management.
The Sony WI-C400 are comfortable to use, with Sony including multiple ear tip sizes to allow you to choose the best fit for your ears. They are breathable and don’t enter your ears too deeply unlike some in-ear headphones. While they lack stability fins and ear hooks, they are quite stable and don’t easily pop out of your ears when running or working out. On the other hand, their overall build quality is only decent at best, with many similarly priced headphones boasting a better build quality.
Due to their compact design, the Sony WI-C400 are easy to carry for everyday use. While they are not as portable as truly wireless headphones and some neckband headphones, they are still significantly more portable than over-ear and on-ear headphones. However, they are best carried around your neck; they don’t come with a travel case and their neckband is not flexible enough to be crammed into your pocket like with the Beats BeatsX.
Composed of physical buttons, the controls are on the neckband itself instead of the audio cable. You get essential functions such as call and music management and volume control. You can also activate your voice assistant. The controls are easy to use once you get accustomed to the button layout, with the buttons offering good tactile feedback.
The Sony WI-C400 are most suitable for listening to podcasts and audiobooks, as their overall sound quality is disappointing for listening to music. Unlike some Sony wireless headphones, you can’t tinker with the sound profile – and other aspects of the headphones – since there is no app support for these specific headphones.
Featuring NFC technology for faster pairing, the Sony WI-C400 are decently versatile enough for all-around use. They are good for sports due to their breathable and stable design and are fairly decent for commuting and office use. However, they don’t block a lot of ambient noise. But on the bright side, their sound leakage is minimal at higher volumes, allowing you to turn up the volume to reduce background noise without annoying people around you.
While they are decent at best in most areas, the Sony WI-C400 are recommended if you want wireless neckband headphones that can last almost an entire day on a single charge. Their build quality is decent while their controls are easy to use. They are available in three colors – black, blue, and white – and are much more affordable than the Bose, Jaybird, and Beats headphones.
Neckband Headphones with Best Mic: Jabra Elite 65e
Neckband headphones usually have a subpar mic for calls. If you are in the market for neckband headphones with the best mic, get the Jabra Elite 65e. They are neckband headphones equipped with triple-mic technology for clearer calls and active noise cancellation for better noise isolation. You can use them for listening to music at the office and while commuting and working out.
The Jabra Elite 65e are ruggedly built wireless earbuds featuring stability fins, an inline mic, and magnetic earbuds for better cable management. They have an IP54 rating, which means they are protected against both dust and water. While not as premium-looking as some headphones, their build quality is great and better than that of the Bose QuietControl 30.
With their flexible neckband and breathable earbud design, the Jabra Elite 65e are comfortable to use for long stretches. Unlike with the Jaybird Tarah Pro, the ear tips and stability fins are not a single unit, allowing you to combine different ear tips and stability fins for the best fit for your ears. There are three different pairs of ear tips and stability fins included in the box.
The Jabra Elite 65e are lightweight and compact headphones that are easy to carry for everyday use, whether in person or in your bag. Their magnetic earbuds allow for better cable management and a more secure setup when the headphones are hanging around your neck when not in use. A travel case is also provided, but it’s not a hard case, which is rather disappointing for headphones selling for more than $100.
Featuring separate mic and noise-canceling controls, the Jabra Elite 65e have a great control scheme composed of small buttons with good tactile feedback. Located on the neckband itself, the efficient control scheme allows you to manage your music and calls, adjust the volume, activate your voice assistant, mute the mic, and enable the active noise cancellation. You can also pause the music or end calls by snapping the two magnetic earbuds together, which is convenient.
With their rugged design, good noise isolation, and good mic performance, the Jabra Elite 65e are versatile headphones suitable for different usages. They are good for sports due to their breathable and stable design and good sweat resistance. They are also good for commuting and office use, with their active noise cancellation and passive earbud seal allowing them to block a good amount of background noise. Their inline mic fares decently in a noisy environment, which is especially notable for non-gaming headphones.
The Jabra Elite 65e are easy to connect with compatible Bluetooth devices, with their multi-pairing feature allowing you to connect them to two devices at the same time. They can run up to eight hours on a single charge with the active noise-canceling feature enabled, and up to 13 hours with the feature disabled. They automatically turn off after 15 minutes of inactivity, but only when they are not connected to a Bluetooth device.
Overall, the Jabra Elite 65e are some of the best neckband headphones currently out, but they are far from being the best-sounding. You can customize their sound profile with the companion app, which offers a decent amount of customization options. If you are looking for neckband headphones with a good mic, a good battery life, a great control scheme, and good noise isolation, these Jabra headphones are for you.
Best Budget Headphones Under $50: Anker SoundCore Spirit X
Selling for less than $50, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X are great budget headphones that are most suitable for sports use. They are wireless in-ear headphones with a behind-the-neck cable featuring an inline remote. Their build quality and sound quality are both decent for the price, while their battery life is one of the best among the products on this list.
The Anker SoundCore Spirit X are sports-oriented headphones that are lightweight and durable. They have ear hooks and stability fins for a more secure fit when running and working out. Their in-ear fit is comfortable, but it takes some time to get used to if you normally use over-ear headphones. There are different pairs of ear tips and stability fins included in the box, along with a cable clip for easy cable management.
While their thin audio cable feels rather fragile, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X are decently built budget headphones with an IPX7 rating. Their IP rating means they are well-protected against sweat and rain, making them suitable for running outdoors. They are better-built than the Sony WI-C400, which are more expensive headphones.
The Anker SoundCore Spirit X are easy to carry for everyday use despite being slightly bulkier than typical in-ear headphones due to their ear hooks. You can easily store them in your pocket. Unlike some budget headphones, they include a hard case for better protection against scratches and minor physical impact.
For controls, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X have a simple inline remote with responsive buttons that don’t feel too cramped on the small remote. Using the inline remote, you can manage your calls and music and adjust the volume. While limited in functions, the control scheme is good and easy to use, with the small buttons providing good tactile feedback.
The Anker SoundCore Spirit X are decent-sounding budget headphones that might surprise some people with their sound quality. However, they are most suitable for those who prefer a more bass-heavy sound. Sadly, you can’t customize their sound profile, as they don’t come with a companion app for customization. Their passive noise isolation is also not that great – which is actually beneficial if you want better situational awareness when running outdoors. But for commuting and office use, their subpar noise isolation is going to be an issue.
On the plus side, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X have a long-lasting battery that should be good enough for most people. They can run up to 12 hours on a single charge with the volume set to medium. Their long battery life makes them especially suitable for marathons, long commutes, and extended hours at the office. The headphones also charge fast, reaching fully charged status after just around two hours of charging.
If you are looking for budget-friendly headphones with a behind-the-neck cable design, check out the Anker SoundCore Spirit X. They are decent-sounding headphones that are comfortable to use and are excellent for sports. Their ear hooks and stability fins make for a more secure fit, while their inline remote allows for easy call and music management.
More Options
Composed of sports headphones and everyday-use headphones, the following products are also good options if none of our top picks catch your interest.
Mpow Jaws (Gen 5)
The Mpow Jaws are recommended headphones if you want budget-friendly neckband headphones with a long-lasting battery. They can run up to 18 hours on a single charge, trailing only the Sony WI-C400 among the products listed here regarding battery life. They require three hours of charging time and can connect with up to two devices at the same time, which is a big plus for some people.
Featuring a simple three-button control scheme on the neckband, the Mpow Jaws are in-ear headphones with magnetic earpieces that can slot into the ends of the neckband. They have a cable management clip on both sides, but the cables don’t retract into the neckband. While their build quality is decent at best, these budget headphones under $100 are comfortable to use for long stretches. You can use them for listening to music and podcasts at the office and while commuting and working out.
Aukey Latitude
If you don’t like the subpar noise isolation of the Anker SoundCore Spirit X, check out the similarly priced Aukey Latitude instead. Compared to the Anker headphones, they are considerably better at blocking out background noise – their noise isolation performance is actually pretty impressive for headphones without active noise cancellation. This is why they are great headphones for travel, commuting and office use and for blocking out ambient noise while working out in a lively gym.
The Aukey Latitude are IPX4-rated wireless headphones with a comfortable in-ear fit. They have a sports-oriented design with stability fins for a more secure fit. There are three different pairs of ear tips and stability fins included in the box, allowing you to mix and match different sizes for the best fit for your ears. They have a simple inline remote for call and music management and can run up to eight hours on a single charge.
Samsung U Flex
Available in different colors, the Samsung U Flex are neckband headphones with a typical in-ear fit that some might find uncomfortable at first. They are Bluetooth headphones featuring a fairly decent mic for calls and a straightforward neckband control scheme for call and music management and voice assistant activation. Their build quality and sound quality are both decent, while their 10 hours battery life is good.
The Samsung U Flex are good for sports due to their breathable, stable, and sweat-resistant design, with their flexible neckband making them easy to carry for daily workouts. You can bring them for commuting and office use, but you’ll need to turn up the music volume if you want better ambient noise reduction, as the passive noise isolation is subpar. Unsurprisingly, these headphones under $200 are best paired with Samsung devices. You get a good amount of customization options with the companion app if you pair the headphones with a Samsung device.
Samsung Level U Pro
A pair of neckband headphones with a typical in-ear design, the Samsung Level U Pro are decent headphones for everyday use. They have a durable neckband and magnetic earpieces that snap together for better cable management when not in use. Snapping the earpieces together automatically ends calls or pauses the music. On the other hand, detaching them from each other accepts incoming calls or resumes the music playback. You also get a conventional control scheme on the neckband, with call and music management and volume control.
The Samsung Level U Pro have a nine-hour battery. They connect easily with all compatible devices and boast an excellent wireless range. You can customize their sound with the companion app if you are using an Android device. On the negative side, these headphones are not very good at passively blocking out background noise, but they are adequate enough for reducing office chatter.
You may also be interested in these high-quality planar magnetic headphones from our list. Check them out.
JBL Reflect Mini 2
Lightweight and portable, the JBL Reflect Mini 2 are wireless in-ear headphones with a behind-the-neck cable. They are designed for sports use, featuring stability fins for a more secure fit and an IPX5 rating for sweat resistance. They are compact headphones that are easy to carry for daily workouts, with the included pouch protecting them against scratches when stored in your bag. Their simple three-button inline remote allows for easy call and music management.
Capable of running up to 10 hours on a single charge, the JBL Reflect Mini 2 are decent-sounding in-ear headphones, but they are most suitable for fans of bass-heavy music. While they are obviously designed for sports, they are also good for casual everyday use. They are good at passively blocking out background noise, which is especially beneficial for commuting and office use, with their 10-hour battery allowing them to last through a typical workday and long commutes.
If you are looking for proper headphones for professional use, check out our guide on top studio headphones.
Sennheiser HD1 In-Ear Wireless
The Sennheiser HD1 In-Ear Wireless are good-looking in-ear headphones under $300 with a nice black-and-red color scheme. They have a simple three-button remote on the neckband for call and music management and volume adjustment, with an additional button for the power and Bluetooth pairing. There are four different pairs of ear tips included in the box, along with a hard case, which offers better protection against physical damage than a soft pouch.
Featuring NFC technology for faster pairing, the Sennheiser HD1 In-Ear Wireless are decent-sounding headphones with minimal sound leakage at higher volumes and decent app support for customizing the sound profile. They can run up to 10 hours on a single charge, and they charge fast as well, requiring less than two hours for a full recharge. With their multi-pairing feature, you can connect them with up to two devices at the same time.
Bose SoundSport Wireless
The Bose SoundSport Wireless are wireless earbuds with a behind-the-neck cable and silicone ear tips that are more comfortable than typical in-ear tips. You don’t need to take out your device for call and music management and volume control, as the headphones include an inline remote for controls. Like the Sennheiser headphones, these Bose headphones support NFC pairing and can connect with up to two devices at the same time.
With their lightweight and breathable design, the Bose SoundSport Wireless are great for running and working out. They are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance and feature stability fins for a more secure fit, which is especially beneficial during intense workouts. Considering their more open earbud design, these sports headphones are recommended for those who want better situational awareness, especially when running outdoors. Their six-hour battery is disappointing, though, but on the bright side, they have a fast-charge feature.
For those of you who prefer a different design, check out our selection of the top-rated semi-open headphones.
Beats Powerbeats3
The Beats Powerbeats3 are wireless headphones with a behind-the-neck cable similar to the Bose SoundSport Wireless. But instead of stability fins, they have flexible ear hooks for better stability and a more secure fit when running and working out. Their in-ear design is breathable and comfortable, with the four ear tip sizes allowing you to choose the best fit for your ears. Like other similarly designed headphones, these sports headphones are compact and easy to carry, with the included travel case adding to their overall portability.
Suitable for both training indoors and running outdoors, the Beats Powerbeats3 are decent-sounding sports headphones. They are sweat-resistant and can run up to 12 hours on a single charge, making them a better option for extended use than the Bose SoundSport Wireless. They also charge fast, with five minutes of charging already providing one hour of playback, which is great if you forget to charge them before a workout session.
You will find more great audio devices by checking out our guide to the most sought-after headphones for audiophiles.
Sony WI-1000X
The Sony WI-1000X are neckband headphones with a closed-back in-ear design and active noise cancellation for better noise isolation. They have a slim cable slot running along the neckband for better cable management and feature a user-friendly control scheme for call and music management. Their build quality is good while their sound quality is decent, with the option to customize the sound, among other aspects, using the Sony companion app. There are multiple ear tip sizes included in the box, along with a pouch, an airplane adapter, and a backup audio cable for switching to a wired connection.
With their portable design, easy controls, and great noise isolation performance, the Sony WI-1000X are recommended for commuting, travel, and office use. When active noise cancellation is enabled, they can run up to 10 hours in wireless mode and up to 14 hours in wired mode. You can quickly switch to ambient mode with a press of a button, allowing you to strike up a conversation or monitor your surroundings without removing your noise-canceling headphones.