pink overear headphones
pink overear headphones

12 Best Headphones With A Microphone

How to choose the best headphones with a microphone.

Choosing a new pair of headphones can be tricky, especially when there are so many styles out there. For uni students, headphones with a microphone are definitely the most useful as you can easily join in with Zoom calls, or talk to your friends and family on the go. Not only that, but headphones with a microphone allow you to pick up calls if you’re out and listening to music on your phone, so you can answer and decline hands-free without having to actually use your phone.

So, whether you prefer the classic over-ear design or like the compactness of earbuds, if you need some help with picking out some new headphones with a microphone, here are our top picks.

Noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone

1. Bose QuietComfort® 45 headphones-Bose, £314.95

Bose headphones

The QuietComfort®️ headphones are built for enjoying music, podcasts and audiobooks clearly and easily. These wireless headphones are ideal for working in a busy or crowded place as you can adjust them to two different modes, quiet mode and aware mode.

In quiet mode, you will activate full noise-cancellation to block out all background noise, whereas in aware mode you will be able to hear your surroundings clearly through your headphones. This means that these headphones are ideal both for doing work and for catching up with friends and family.

The headphones are also wireless with a reliable Bluetooth connection so you can take them on the go, and they come with up to 24 hours of playback time on a single charge. When it comes to charging them, 15 minutes will give you a full 3 hours of playback and they’ll be fully charged within 2.5 hours.

Bose QuietComfort®️ 45 specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x QuietComfort® 45 headphones
  • 1x Carry case
  • 1x 30.5 cm USB-C charging cable
  • 1x 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 18.4 cm, 15.24 cm, 7.62 cm
  • Weight: 400g
  • Batteries: Internal Lithium-ion
  • Battery life: Up to 24 hours
  • Connector: 2.5- 3.5mm jack
  • Material type: Synthetic leather
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 5.1
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? Yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency response: unknown
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: active, passive and controllable

Pros

  • Wireless so no more tangled headphones
  • Long-lasting battery life and quick charging
  • Good for tuning out noise and working in busy environments

Cons

  • Over the ear headphones aren’t as discreet as earbuds
  • Expensive
  • Larger focus on listening to audio rather than using your headphones to talk to other people
  • Fairly basic microphone in comparison to others on this list

Get a student discount at Bose

2. JBL Tune 130NC TWS- JBL, £79.99

JBL noise cancelling headphones

The JBL Tune True Wireless Earbuds come with 4 built-in microphones for perfect clarity when making calls. These noise-cancelling headphones are designed to cancel out ambient noises while you’re taking calls, meaning that you can work wherever you like without having to worry about background noise or not being able to hear whoever you’re speaking to.

The JBL Headphones App allows you to personalise your listening experience, so you can customise how you listen to best sort your needs. They also come with 40 hours of battery time and can speed charge, with just ten minutes of charging giving you a full 2 hours of playback time. These Wireless Earbuds also come in 3 colours to choose from, giving you a bit of choice when it comes to your own personal style.

JBL Tune 130NC True Wireless specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x JBL Tune 130NC TWS headphones
  • 1 x USB Type-C charging cable
  • 1 x 3 Sizes of eartips
  • 1 x Charging case
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions (earphones): unknown
  • Dimensions (charging case): unknown
  • Weight (earphones): 11.4 g
  • Weight (charging case without earphones): 40.4 g
  • Battery life: up to 10 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Material type: silicone eartips
  • Dust and waterproof rating: IPX4
  • Bluetooth version: 5.2
Audio specifications:
  • Noise cancelling: active and passive
  • Driver diameter: 10mm
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 1 kHz/1mW: 103dB
  • Frequency: 20 Hz- 20 kHz

Pros

  • Affordable and good value for money
  • Fast charging time
  • Water-resistant and sweatproof, so they’re great for working out
  • Can connect to the JBL Headphones app to personalise your experience
  • 4 microphones for a better experience when making calls

Cons

  • Earbuds are easier to lose than over-ear headphones
  • More expensive models on this list may have better overall specs

Get a student discount at JBL

3. Galaxy Buds Pro- Samsung, £219

Samsung galaxy buds

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro have Active Noise Cancelling to filter out 99% of background noise, with microphones on both the inside and outside to monitor noise in real-time. You can tune your headphones to cancel out noise when it’s needed, so whether you’re studying somewhere busy or quiet you’ll be able to hear perfectly.

These headphones are really good for noise-free calls as the 3 built-in microphones will pick up everything you’re saying, and if you’re taking calls while you’re outside the windshield solution blocks the sound of the wind, so no more annoying background noise! They come in 3 different colours, phantom violet, phantom black and phantom silver and have up to 18 hours of battery life.

Galaxy Buds Pro specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x Charging Case
  • 1 x Earbuds
  • 3 x Eartips (S, M, L)
  • 1 x USB Cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions (earphones): 20.5 mm x 19.5 mm x 20.8 mm
  • Dimensions (charging case): 27.8 mm x 50.0 mm x 50.2 mm
  • Weight (earphones): 6.3g
  • Weight (charging case without earphones): 44.9 g
  • Battery life: up to 8 hours
  • Charging time: 1 hour
  • Material type: unknown
  • Dust and waterproof rating: IPX 7
  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
Audio specifications:
  • Noise cancelling: active
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: 36 omhs
  • Sensitivity: 105 dB
  • Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Pros

  • Comes with a digital assistant
  • You can sync up 2 pairs of Galaxy Buds, so you and your friends can listen to the same audio from one device
  • You can track the location of your Galaxy Buds, so you won’t lose them!
  • Water-resistant

Cons

  • A lower battery life than most other headphones on this list
  • Not the cheapest set of headphones on this list
  • Certain features will only work if you have a Samsung smartphone

Get a student discount at Samsung

4. New York, Urbanista- £149.99

The Urbanista New York headphones are wireless over-ear headphones that come with active noise cancellation (ANC). This means that you can wear them in a coffee shop or on the train and you’ll still be able to listen to audio clearly, whether it’s music or taking a call.

Without turning the ANC feature on the battery life is longer and you can get up to 25 hours of wireless music and calls, but with it on you’ll still be able to enjoy up to 16 hours of noise-free calls and audio from one charge. These headphones are pretty simple and come with a hands-free microphone, so you can easily pick up calls and tune in to Zoom calls.

Urbanista New York specs
What’s in the box:
  • 1 x New York Headphones
  • 1 x Micro USB cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 200 mm x 200 mm x 85 mm
  • Weight: 234g
  • Batteries: internal
  • Battery life: 25 hours
  • Material type: unknown
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 4.1
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: 40mm
  • Impedance: 32 omhs
  • Sensitivity: 94dB±3dB At 1KHz
  • Frequency response: 2.4 GHz- 2.48 GHz
  • Maximum power input: 27 dB
  • Noise cancelling: active

Pros

  • Long battery life
  • Hands-free
  • Good if you want a simple set of noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone, without paying for added extras you don’t need

Cons

  • Fairly basic specs in comparison to some of the other headphones on this list

Get a student discount at Urbanista

After more information and advice? Check out our pick of other noise-cancelling headphones.

Wireless and Bluetooth headphones with a microphone

5. SoundLink® around-ear wireless headphones II- Bose, £199.95

bose wireless headphones

The Bose SoundLink wireless headphones come with deep and immersive sound, designed to optimise communication on both ends when you’re taking calls. This means that both you and whoever is on the receiving end will be able to hear perfectly, thanks to the advanced mic system with HD Voice. You can also pick up and end calls by pressing controls on the side of your headphones, meaning you won’t need to reach for your phone or laptop.

You can also connect these headphones to the Bose® Connect app, which allows you to personalise your settings to best suit you and unlock product features and tips to help you get the best out of your headphones. They come with 15 hours of playback time when you charge for a full 3 hours but if you don’t have time, just 15 minutes of charging will give you 2 hours of battery life.

Bose SoundLink®️ II specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x SoundLink® around-ear wireless headphones II
  • 1 x USB charging cable
  • 1 x Back-up audio cable
  • 1 x Carry case
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 19.1 cm x 15.2 cm x 3.8 cm
  • Weight: 200g
  • Batteries: internal rechargeable
  • Battery life: 15 hours
  • Material type: Leather
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 5
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency response: unknown
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: passive and active

Pros

  • HD Voice makes calls seamless and easy for whoever is on either end of the call
  • Controls on the headphones make them easy to use
  • Settings are easily personalised to suit you

Cons

  • Expensive and not the most affordable
  • Low battery life in comparison to other headphones on this list

Get a student discount at Bose

6. HP Bluetooth Headset 500- HP, £59.99

HP wireless headphones

These HP wireless Bluetooth headphones are perfect for taking with you to work in public. The foldable design means you can easily slot them into your bag and the easy access controls on the side of the headphones allow you to easily pick up and decline incoming calls. These headphones also have up to 20 hours of battery life, so you don’t have to worry about needing to charge them when you’re having a super busy day.

The HP Bluetooth headset is a great affordable option for students as it has a built-in mic with Digital Signal Processor, meaning your calls will be super clear even in busy environments like a train or a coffee shop. The Bluetooth range is also impressive with Bluetooth®️ 5 giving you a longer range and a fast connectivity speed.

HP Bluetooth Headset 500 specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x Headset
  • 1 x USB-C® charging cord
  • 1 x R.E.D. RTF card
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 220 mm x 276 mm x 80 mm
  • Weight: 420 g
  • Batteries: unknown
  • Battery life: up to 20 hours
  • Material type: Leather
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 5
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency response: unknown
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: active

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Foldable and easy to carry around with you
  • Water-resistant
  • Good battery life
  • Simple and straightforward, without unnecessary features you won’t use

Cons

  • Fairly basic specs in comparison to some other headphones on this list
  • Not the best quality when it comes to listening to music, but good for taking calls

Get a student discount at HP

7. Logitech Zone 900- Logitech, £239.99

Logitech headphones

If you want a pair of headphones with a microphone designed for working, rather than listening to music, the Logitech Zone 900 is perfect for making calls thanks to its active noise cancellation and noise-cancelling microphone. This headset is designed for doing work, so you’ll be able to make calls without any audio issues. The noise cancellation means that even if you’re working in public your calls will be as clear as they would be if you were at home.

The headphones come with up to 14 hours of battery life so they should last you all day long without needing to charge them. You can purchase a wireless charger from Logitech to charge them wirelessly, but they can be charged through a standard USB-A to C cable too, which comes in the box.

Logitech Zone 900 specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x Wireless headset
  • 1 x USB-A receiver
  • 1 x USB-C adapter
  • 1 x Charging cable
  • 1 x Travel Bag
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 176.7 mm x 174.7 mm x 70.7 mm
  • Weight: 0.1808kg
  • Batteries: Lithium-ion
  • Battery life: 14 hours
  • Material type: unknown
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency response: 30 ~ 13KHz @ -10dB
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: active

Pros

  • Specifically designed with working in mind
  • Fast charging

Cons

  • Designed for working, not for listening to music in your spare time
  • Not the longest battery life
  • Not the most affordable

Get a student discount at Logitech

8. JBL Tour One- JBL, £258

JBL wireless headphones

The JBL Tour One headphones are both wireless and noise-cancelling. They’re really great for blocking out background noise and focusing on your goals as well as providing clear audio when you’re listening to your favourite music or podcasts. The headphones have 4 microphones to offer the best call quality and echo cancellation, so your calls will always be of a high quality.

When the headphones are fully charged you’ll get up to 50 hours of music playback from Bluetooth and 25 when the Noise Cancelling Technology is on. You can also go hands-free with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, so you can easily answer and decline calls and change your music. The JBL app allows you to customise your sound settings, so you can set alarms and have your headphones automatically switch off after periods of inactivity to help boost productivity.

JBL Tour One specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x JBL Tour One headphones
  • 1 x Type-C USB charging cable
  • 1 x Audio Cable
  • 1 x Flight Adaptor
  • 1 x Carrying case
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 9.7 cm x 7.8 cm x 2.1 cm
  • Weight: unknown
  • Batteries: rechargeable batteries
  • Battery life: 2 hours
  • Material type: unknown
  • Apple and Android compatible? yes
  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? yes
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: 40mm
  • Impedance: 32 omhs
  • Sensitivity: 95 dBSPL @1kHz
  • Frequency response: [“10 Hz – 40 kHz (Passive)”, “10 Hz ~ 22 kHz (Active)”]
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: active

Pros

  • Comes with adaptors and a carry case
  • Comes with Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Not the most affordable headphones on this list
  • Over-ear headphones aren’t as portable as earbuds

Get a student discount at JBL

Earphones and earbuds with a microphone

9. Google Pixel Buds A-Series- Google Store, £99.99

Google Pixel Buds

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are designed for rich and high-quality audio. The design is thought-out so you won’t lose the Buds while running or working out, so you don’t have to worry about losing them while you’re wearing them. The headphones come with hands-free and Google Assistant so you can easily switch between songs and answer calls.

The beamforming mics focus on your voice when you’re making calls so that the person on the receiving end will always be able to hear you clearly, even if you’re walking down a busy street or working in a coffee shop. You can also easily find your Galaxy Buds if you lose them by tracking them via Find My Device. The Galaxy Buds give you up to 5 hours of listening time or 2.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x Earbuds
  • 3 x Eartips with three size options: Small, medium (attached to earbuds), large
  • 1 x Charging case
  • 1 x USB-C® to USB-A® charging cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions (earphones): 20.7 mm x 29.3 mm x 17.5 mm
  • Dimensions (charging case): 63 mm x 47 mm x 25 mm
  • Weight (earphones): 5.06 g
  • Weight (charging case without earphones): 52.7g
  • Battery life: earbuds up to 5 hours, charging case up to 24 hours
  • Charging time: unknown
  • Material type: silicone tip
  • Dust and waterproof rating: IPX 4
  • Bluetooth version: 5.0
Audio specifications:
  • Noise cancelling: active and passive
  • Driver diameter: 12 mm
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency: unknown

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Sweat and water-resistant
  • Can be tracked via Find My Device so you’ll never lose them
  • Comes with Google Assistant

Cons

  • Doesn’t have the best battery life for taking calls
  • Some features work better with Google and Android devices only

Get a student discount at Google Store

10. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro- HUAWEI, £169.99

HUAWEI Earbuds

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro are a great option if you’re looking for headphones with a microphone as they aim to help you stay focused thanks to the noise cancellation mode that switches on and off accordingly. The earbuds come with smart controls allowing you to easily swipe through songs, adjust the volume and take calls. You’ll get up to 8-hours of listening and 36 hours when used with the charging case.

If you’re worried about buying earbuds because you think you’ll lose them, the Find My Earphones feature in the AI Life App will show you a map of where both your left and right earbuds and the charging case were last seen. You can also make the earbuds beep when you’re near them, to speed things up if you’ve lost them in your room.

HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1 x HUAWEI FreeBuds
  • 3 x Silicone ear tips (three sizes)
  • 1 x Wireless charging case
  • 1 x USB-C charging cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions (earphones): 26 mm x 29.6 mm x 21.7 mm
  • Dimensions (charging case): 70 mm x 51.3 mm x 24.6 mm
  • Weight (earphones): 6.1g
  • Weight (charging case without earphones): 60g
  • Battery life: earbuds 4.5 hours, charging case up to 15 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Material type: earbuds unknown, ear tips silicone
  • Dust and waterproof rating: unknown
  • Bluetooth version: 5.2
Audio specifications:
  • Noise cancelling: active, passive, controllable
  • Driver diameter: 11mm
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: 40 dB
  • Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Pros

  • Can be easily tracked if you’ve lost them
  • Easy to use hands-free controls
  • Designed for making super clear calls

Cons

  • Not the best battery life
  • On the higher end in terms of price

Get a student discount at HUAWEI

11. Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds- Bose, £249.95

Bose earbuds

These Bose earbuds are designed for the ultimate silence when you have them in. The noise-cancelling and high-fidelity audio means that whenever you’re taking calls you’ll be able to focus and hear clearly, without background distractions. You can easily change the song, call or volume by tapping the controls on the sides of the earbuds.

There are tiny mics hidden in the right earbud that work together to reject noise and ensure that your voice is always as clear as possible while filtering out the sounds from around you making them perfect for uni work or calls. A single charge will give you up to 6 hours of listening time and the earbuds are easy to set up via the Bose Music app.

Bose QuietComfort®️ Earbuds specs

What’s in the box:
  • 2 x Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds (fitted with size 2 eartips)
  • 1 x Charging case
  • 2 x Small and Large eartips
  • 1 x USB-C (A to C) charging cable
Technical specifications
  • Dimensions (earphones): 3.9 cm x 2.6 cm x 2.7 cm
  • Dimensions (charging case): 3.17cm x 8..9 cm x 5.08 cm
  • Weight (earphones): 8.5g each
  • Weight (charging case without earphones): unknown
  • Battery life: earbuds 6 hours, charging case 12 hours, combined up to 18 hours
  • Charging time: 2 hours
  • Material type: Earbuds plastic with a polymer coating, ear tips silicone, charging case hard plastic
  • Dust and waterproof rating: IPX 4
  • Bluetooth version: 5.1
Audio specifications:
  • Noise cancelling: active, controllable, passive
  • Driver diameter: unknown
  • Impedance: unknown
  • Sensitivity: unknown
  • Frequency: unknown

Pros

  • Sweat and water-resistant
  • 4 microphones for ultimate clarity when making calls

Cons

  • Expensive and not the most affordable
  • Not the best battery life

Get a student discount at Bose

12. Berlin- Urbanista, £34.99

Urbanista earphones

The Berlin earphones are a more classic type of headphones with a microphone, and has soft silicone earbuds that will fit securely into your ears, and the wire means you’ll never lose one! The remote allows you to easily change the volume or answer calls and the earphones can be worn around your neck when you’re not using them.

These earphones have a built-in mic and are ideal for taking on journeys with you. A 1 hour charge will give you up to 4.5 hours of playback time, so they’re great for a quick study session in the library.

Urbanista Berlin specs

What’s in the box:
  • 1x Berlin Headphones
  • 1 x Micro USB cable
Technical specifications:
  • Dimensions: 200 x 200 x 85mm
  • Weight: 12g
  • Batteries: Built-in rechargeable battery
  • Battery life: up to 4 hours
  • Material type: unknown
  • Apple and Android compatible?
  • Bluetooth version: 4.0
  • Compatible with all Bluetooth devices?
Audio specifications:
  • Driver diameter: 13.2 mm
  • Impedance: 50 Omhs
  • Sensitivity: 100 dB
  • Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
  • Maximum power input: unknown
  • Noise cancelling: no

Pros

  • Affordable headphones if you’re on a budget
  • The wires can be worn around your neck, so these earphones are good if you’re worried about losing an earbud

Cons

  • Doesn’t have the most impressive overall specs compared to other headphones on this list
  • Doesn’t have the best battery life

Get a student discount at Urbanista

Why not check out some of our other favourite wireless earbud options?

Hopefully, this has given you a good idea of the types of headphones with a microphone you can get, whatever your budget is.

Which is the best headphone with mic?

This really depends on what the purpose of your headphones is, and what your budget is. While brands such as Logitech and HP are great for work headphones, brands such as Sony, Samsung and Bose are great for leisure such as listening to music or podcasts.

What are headphones with mic called?

Headphones with a mic are often referred to as headsets as they might have a visible external microphone, although many will have internal microphones and just be listed as standard headphones or earbuds.

Do all wired headphones have a mic?

No, but most of the more expensive or high-end models will as standard even if it’s not the main selling point. A lot of budget and cheaper headphone models won’t have a mic to help cut costs and keep the price cheap.

Do you need a mic with headphones?

It depends entirely on what you’re planning on using your headphones for. If you want them for working or gaming the answer is yes. If you just want them to listen to music or play games as a single player then the answer is no probably not, but you never know when a microphone might come in handy!

How to use headset mic on PC

This will depend on your headset and your PC. If you want to use a headset with your computer to work from, once you’ve plugged in your headphones you can open the sound & audio settings on your PC to adjust the settings.

Whether you’re after earbuds, noise-cancelling, or have a tight budget, check out our ultimate guide to headphones for students.