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Background noise is the enemy of professional video calls. A dog barking, kids in the hallway, a lawnmower outside — all of it bleeds into your audio and tells the other person you are not in a proper working environment. A good noise-cancelling headset solves this in two directions: it blocks the noise from reaching your ears so you can concentrate, and it uses a microphone with noise suppression so the other person hears only your voice. These are the 5 best noise-cancelling headsets for home office in 2026.
Our Top 5 Picks at a Glance
- Best Overall: Jabra Evolve2 55 (~$350) — best-in-class call quality, ANC, all-day comfort
- Best Premium: Sony WH-1000XM5 (~$380) — best ANC headphones on the market
- Best Value: Jabra Evolve2 30 (~$130) — outstanding mic quality at mid-range price
- Best Budget: Logitech H390 (~$35) — wired USB, clear audio, zero fuss
- Best Wireless: Poly Voyager Focus 2 (~$280) — professional wireless headset built for calls
1. Jabra Evolve2 55 — Best Overall Home Office Headset
Price: ~$350 | Best for: Remote workers who are on calls for hours every day and need the best possible combination of audio, mic quality and comfort
The Jabra Evolve2 55 is what professional remote workers and call centre staff use when they need a headset that performs all day without compromise. The active noise cancellation is exceptional — Jabra uses a 6-microphone array that separates your voice from background noise with surgical precision, even in genuinely noisy environments. The ANC for listening is also among the best available. The ear cushions are memory foam over leatherette — they are comfortable for 6+ hour wear in a way that consumer headphones are not. Battery life is 36 hours with ANC on. The USB-C dongle connects directly to your computer without Bluetooth pairing. For anyone whose work lives on calls, this is the correct headset.
Pros: 6-microphone array for outstanding call audio. Excellent active noise cancellation in both directions. Memory foam ear cushions — comfortable all day. 36-hour battery life. Works via USB-C dongle (no Bluetooth pairing needed). Dual connectivity (USB + Bluetooth simultaneously). Teams and Zoom certified.
Cons: Expensive. Larger and heavier than consumer headphones. Designed for work, not music — audiophiles will prefer the Sony XM5.
Who it is NOT for: Anyone who wants a headset primarily for music listening — the Jabra’s sound profile is tuned for voice clarity, not music enjoyment. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better all-rounder.
2. Sony WH-1000XM5 — Best Premium ANC Headphones for Home Office
Price: ~$380 | Best for: Remote workers who want the best active noise cancellation available and use headphones for both calls and music
The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers the best active noise cancellation you can buy at any price. Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 work together to eliminate background noise at a level that genuinely has to be experienced to be believed. The call quality is excellent — the beamforming microphone array isolates your voice clearly. The sound quality for music is outstanding. Comfort is exceptional: 30+ hour battery life, soft ear cushions, and a featherlight 250g frame. The XM5 is what you buy when you want one headset that handles calls, music, deep work sessions and travel equally well.
Pros: Best-in-class active noise cancellation. Outstanding music sound quality. 30-hour battery life. Excellent call quality. Lightweight at 250g. Speak-to-Chat feature pauses audio when you speak. Quick charge — 3 minutes for 3 hours of playback.
Cons: Does not fold flat (less portable than the XM4). No 3.5mm audio when powered off. Expensive. Slightly less optimised for all-day call work than the Jabra Evolve2 55.
Who it is NOT for: People who are primarily on calls all day in very noisy environments — the Jabra Evolve2 55’s professional microphone array handles call audio better. The Sony excels as an all-rounder.
3. Jabra Evolve2 30 — Best Value Professional Headset
Price: ~$130 | Best for: Remote workers who want professional call quality without the premium price tag
The Jabra Evolve2 30 is the answer to “how much do I actually need to spend to sound professional on calls?” The answer is around $130. The Evolve2 30 uses a 2-microphone array with noise suppression that outperforms most headsets at twice the price. It connects via USB-A or USB-C, requires no drivers or pairing, and works immediately on any computer. It is wired, which means zero latency, zero battery anxiety, and zero connectivity issues. The passive noise isolation from the ear cups reduces ambient noise effectively without requiring powered ANC. For anyone whose primary use case is calls and who does not need wireless freedom, the Evolve2 30 delivers outstanding results.
Pros: Outstanding microphone quality for the price. USB plug-and-play — no drivers, no pairing. Passive noise isolation is effective for most home environments. Durable build. Certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Lightweight at 127g.
Cons: Wired — limits movement. No active noise cancellation (passive only). On-ear design rather than over-ear — less isolation and less comfortable for 8+ hour days.
Who it is NOT for: People in very noisy environments who need active noise cancellation, or anyone who needs to move around freely during calls. Consider the Poly Voyager Focus 2 for wireless at a similar budget.
4. Logitech H390 — Best Budget Wired Headset
Price: ~$35 | Best for: Remote workers who need clear call audio on a tight budget and do not want any complexity
The Logitech H390 has been a workplace staple for years because it works, costs almost nothing, and requires zero setup. Plug in the USB, put it on, join the call. The noise-cancelling microphone on a flexible boom arm reduces background noise effectively for a headset at this price. The over-ear cushions provide adequate passive noise isolation. The in-line controls (volume, mute) are convenient. For anyone who is occasionally on video calls and does not want to spend $100+, the H390 is the correct choice. Expectations should be calibrated to the price — it is not a professional headset, but it is a functional one that will not embarrass you on calls.
Pros: Under $35 — by far the lowest price on this list. USB plug-and-play. Noise-cancelling microphone boom. In-line volume and mute controls. Reliable build quality for the price. Widely available.
Cons: Basic build quality. No active noise cancellation. Microphone quality noticeably lower than Jabra options. Wired only. On-ear design less comfortable for long sessions.
Who it is NOT for: Anyone who is on calls for more than 2 hours per day — the Jabra Evolve2 30 at $130 is a significant improvement in microphone quality and comfort for the price difference.
5. Poly Voyager Focus 2 — Best Wireless Headset for Calls
Price: ~$280 | Best for: Remote workers who need professional call quality without being tethered to their desk
The Poly (formerly Plantronics) Voyager Focus 2 is the professional wireless headset choice for remote workers who move around during calls. The active noise cancellation is strong — Poly uses a 3-microphone array with Digital Hybrid ANC that handles home office noise effectively. The boom arm microphone adds a fourth microphone focused directly on your voice, producing the call quality of a professional headset with the freedom of Bluetooth. Battery life is 19 hours with ANC on (50 hours without). The USB-A dongle connects to your computer for stable, low-latency wireless. For anyone who paces during calls, works in multiple locations, or just hates being tethered to a cable, the Voyager Focus 2 is the correct wireless work headset.
Pros: Professional boom arm microphone for excellent call audio. Active noise cancellation with 3-microphone array. 19-hour battery with ANC. USB dongle for stable wireless connection. Over-ear design — comfortable for long sessions. Works with Teams, Zoom, and all major platforms.
Cons: Expensive for a wireless headset. Bulkier than consumer Bluetooth headphones. Not ideal for music listening — tuned for voice. USB dongle required for best performance.
Who it is NOT for: People who primarily want a headset for music — the Sony WH-1000XM5 sounds far better. The Voyager Focus 2 is optimised for calls.
What to Look for in a Home Office Headset
Microphone Quality
This matters more than people realise. The microphone is what the other person hears. A good noise-cancelling microphone isolates your voice from background noise — air conditioning, keyboard clicks, ambient room noise — and delivers clear audio even in imperfect environments. Boom arm microphones (positioned close to your mouth) consistently outperform headset microphones built into the earcup. If call quality is your priority, prioritise microphone quality first.
Active vs Passive Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses microphones and electronics to cancel ambient noise. Passive noise isolation uses the physical seal of the ear cushions to block sound. For concentration during deep work, ANC is highly effective at eliminating consistent background noise (HVAC, traffic, office hum). For blocking intermittent sharp sounds (voices, doors), passive isolation is actually more effective. Most premium headsets offer both. Budget headsets typically offer passive only.
Wired vs Wireless
Wired headsets offer zero latency, no battery anxiety, and typically better audio consistency. Wireless headsets offer freedom of movement and no cable management. For a fixed desk setup where you sit in one place for calls, wired is simpler and often better. For anyone who moves around, stands at a standing desk, or works in multiple locations, wireless is worth the premium.
Comfort for Long Sessions
A headset you use for 6+ hours a day needs memory foam or adequate cushioning on the ear cups and head strap. On-ear designs (where the cushion sits on your ear) become uncomfortable faster than over-ear designs (where the cushion surrounds your ear). If you are on calls for more than 3 hours per day, over-ear with quality cushioning is not a luxury — it is a requirement.
The Verdict
- Best for all-day calls: Jabra Evolve2 55 — professional call quality, comfort and ANC
- Best all-rounder: Sony WH-1000XM5 — best ANC, excellent music, good calls
- Best value: Jabra Evolve2 30 — professional mic at mid-range price
- Best wireless for calls: Poly Voyager Focus 2 — professional boom arm mic, wireless
- Best budget: Logitech H390 — functional and affordable
For most remote workers who are on calls regularly, the Jabra Evolve2 30 at ~$130 is the sweet spot — professional microphone quality, reliable USB connection, and significantly better call audio than anything at $35 to $80. If you are on calls for 4+ hours daily, the Evolve2 55 is worth every penny of the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a headset with a boom arm microphone for calls?
You do not need one, but boom arm microphones consistently produce better call audio than in-cup microphones because they sit closer to your mouth and pick up your voice more directly. If you are frequently on calls and call quality matters to your professional image, a boom arm microphone headset is worth the upgrade from standard Bluetooth headphones.
Can I use regular headphones for video calls?
Yes, and many people do — especially with the microphone quality of AirPods Pro and Sony XM5. The limitation is background noise suppression. Consumer headphones with built-in mics are generally adequate for occasional calls in quiet environments. For daily heavy call use in any environment, a dedicated headset with a noise-cancelling microphone delivers noticeably better results.
What is the difference between noise-cancelling for listening vs noise-cancelling for the microphone?
They are completely separate features. Noise cancellation for listening uses electronics to cancel the noise reaching your ears. Noise cancellation for the microphone (also called echo cancellation or background noise suppression) filters what others hear from your end. A headset can have excellent ANC for listening but a basic microphone with poor noise suppression — or vice versa. For home office use, microphone noise suppression is the more important of the two.
Prices checked May 2026. Amazon prices fluctuate — always verify before purchasing. GleemiumPicks earns a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.