Clarity and comfort: The best home office headsets of 2024

We love the attention to detail that Jabra put into their products, and the Jabra Evolve 40 Stereo Headset is a great example. Clearly designed and built for professionals who demand high-quality audio and reliable performance, the passive noise cancellation ensures clear communication. So, if your home office is in a home that can be a little bit noisy at times, this is ideal. We also like the general size and over-ear design here, as it's not too chunky to wear all day long – but it's substantial enough to last and comfortable enough to use all day.

We do like the inclusion of the integrated 'busy light', so you can effortlessly let other housemates know you're on an important call. The controls are straightforward too, with easy access to volume and call management buttons on the separate control wheel. Our only slight nit-pick is that it's not wireless – but the inclusion of both USB and 3.5mm audio connections finishes off the package nicely, making it the ideal wired headset.

Undercutting the cost of several of the wired headsets on this list, we think the Logitech H111 wired headset packs a well-thought-out spec into a good value package. This is the go-to no frills option for those who need a reliable headset on a tight budget. As you'd expect from Logitech, the build is much better than other budget options – providing a good level of comfort and adjustability. There's an adjustable headband, cushioned earpads and a rotating noise-cancelling microphone, too.

Connection is simple thanks to the standard 3.5mm audio jack, which means the majority of devices will be compatible without the need for a free USB port or driver software. There are, however, no built-in controls – so be prepared to use your PC or laptop for answering calls and other adjustments. Yes, you'll find more robust, more feature-packed headsets out there, but for the money the H111 is hard to fault.

In our review of the Edifier WH950NB headphones we found them to be supremely comfortable for all-day use, with an excellent noise-cancelling mic. We think they're the perfect option for anyone who prioritises comfort and immersive sound. Despite not having an external adjustable mic, we love the four active noise cancelling microphones mounted in the outer edge. In testing, we found them to work effectively to block out external noise, which means you'd be free to walk about and use these even outside. They sit alongside control buttons for taking calls and more. Soft ear cushions and the padded headband really provide exceptional comfort throughout the day, too.

These are, of course, made for wireless use – but there's the welcome addition of a 3.5mm jack for those who want a traditional wired experience for listening. At 35 hours with Active Noise Cancellation turned on, we're really impressed by the battery life. The foldable design is sleek and modern, but bear in mind that they're chunkier than usual headsets – understandable, as they're built for comfort and superior noise cancellation. A brilliant, high-class option for your home office.

If you're new to bone conduction headphones, they actually use vibrations to send audio to your inner ear by way of your skull. Sounds weird? Well, some may need a bit of an adjustment period to get used to hearing great quality audio with nothing jammed in your ear canal – but the results are worth it. For us, it's that fit and sheer performance that really sets this apart from all of the other headsets here. Yes, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones are primarily designed for sports use, with a water resistance and a secure rear headband design, but that also makes them ideal for anyone who get irritated by chunky headphones and thick headbands.

The dual microphones are noise cancelling to prevent background noise from interrupting your calls, and volume controls are onboard, as is a multifunction button for accepting and ending calls and playing and pausing music. Lastly, with up to 10 hours of battery life and a quick-charge feature that provides one and a half hours of talk time from a five-minute charge, we think that the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro are a brilliant, comfortable addition to your home office setup.

For a simple, affordable, yet fantastic office headset, the Logitech H390 office headset is a phenomenal buy. Simply plug in the USB and start chatting in an instant with great audio clarity. Control your volume with an in-line control wheel where you can quickly mute or lower the volume. The noise-cancelling microphone enhances clarity by minimizing background noise, too. The padded headband adds an extra layer of comfort, making it suitable for prolonged use.

It does, however, have a limitation when it comes to connectivity, as there's no 3.5mm audio jack here. That said, and while the H390 office headset isn't anything fancy, if you're office-bound and are looking for a cheap solution to background noise for yourself and colleagues listening in - you really can't do better for the money.

For those who like to listen to music between calls, the Sony MDR headphones with an in-line mic will see all their needs met. Sony has delivered a brilliant little package here, allowing any device (PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet) to gain the benefit of decent audio and a dedicated microphone, thanks to the simple 3.5mm audio jack connection. Calls can also be accepted via the in-line mic toggle.

We're especially impressed by the price and build – especially considering they're made by Sony. However, they do lack active noise cancellation and the mic is in-line on the wire so you'll need to position it well to avoid rustling and external noise. On the plus side, though, they incorporate 30mm dome drivers – much better than the average headset. That makes these ideal for anyone who likes to listen to music while they work.

Despite their name, the JLab JBuds Work isn't a pair of in-ear buds. It is, though, a fully wireless headset with a dual noise cancelling microphone. Despite their size, they're stylish without being garish. But, for us, it's the dual connectivity function that makes it stand out. If you're working across more than one device during the day, you can easily switch between them thanks to multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. That's further enhanced by the addition of a USB dongle for connecting to PCs without Bluetooth capability.

Connectivity aside, we really like the extra-comfortable fit here too, thanks to the cushioned ear pads – ideal for long working hours. We're really impressed by the price too, but we do find the design a little bulky compared with some others here. That said, the design is refined and highly functional, with intuitive controls that make it easy to manage calls and audio settings. The 60 hours of playtime just makes the JLab JBuds Work very aptly named, potentially outlasting the working week.

The Jabra Evolve 65 SE (Second Edition) is arguably the premier headset for professionals who spend a considerable amount of their day in calls and meetings. We love the overall build and design here, with plenty of comfort adjustments – and they won't drop out mid-call either, thanks to the 12-hour battery life. We do find the red and chrome accents a little bright, but that will only affect those who prefer less of a gamer-friendly look.

Dual-audio allows for two devices to be connected at the same time too, plus noise cancellation keeps the effects of background sound to a minimum. The Evolve 65 SE also connects wirelessly up to a distance of 30 meters, providing a tonne of flexibility. The last and best feature for us is the fact that they're Microsoft Teams Certified, so you'll be able to reliably meet online all day long.

The Razer Kraken V3 Wired USB Gaming Headset is clearly built for gamers first, but they're ideal for any worker who demands an immersive audio experience for gaming after work. Its sound quality delivers clear and powerful audio that enhances gameplay – especially for those who have games that work with THX Spatial Audio. The comfortable fit is perfect for long gaming sessions, ensuring that users remain comfortable even after hours of play.

RGB lighting is, of course, a bit of a redundant detail for those who are working more than they are gaming, and the wired connection can be a drawback for those who prefer more freedom of movement and less wire clutter. There's also no 3.5mm jack connectivity, so you'll definitely need a spare USB port. That said, the controls are easy to access, so using this for calls in the working day is a breeze. Overall, we think this headset is ideal for workers who are also gaming enthusiasts who want both top-tier sound and comfort.