If you’re working from home or as a digital nomad, poor audio on video calls is one of the quickest ways to look unprofessional. Background noise — whether it’s a barking dog, a busy café, or a neighbour’s lawnmower — can derail a meeting before it’s even started. The right noise cancelling headphones for video calls fix that problem completely.
I’ve tested and researched the best options available right now, and this guide cuts through the marketing noise to give you the honest picture. Whether you’re on Zoom all day, jumping between Teams calls, or doing the occasional Google Meet — there’s a pair here that’ll suit you.
Quick Comparison: Top Noise Cancelling Headphones for Video Calls in 2026
| Headphones | Price (approx.) | ANC Quality | Mic Quality | Battery Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | £380 | Excellent | Very Good | 30 hrs | All-day remote workers |
| Jabra Evolve2 75 | £430 | Very Good | Excellent | 36 hrs | Professional call quality |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | £349 | Excellent | Good | 24 hrs | Comfort-first users |
| Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | £499 | Excellent | Very Good | 20 hrs | Mac/iPhone ecosystem users |
| Anker Soundcore Q45 | £60 | Good | Decent | 50 hrs | Budget-conscious remote workers |
Prices correct as of April 2026 — expect variation across retailers.
What Actually Matters for Video Call Headphones
Before diving into the picks, it’s worth being clear about what separates a good video call headphone from a good music headphone. They’re not always the same thing.
Outbound noise cancellation (your mic) is just as important as inbound ANC. Some headphones block noise brilliantly for the listener but have a mediocre microphone that still picks up your surroundings. You need both working well.
Comfort over long periods matters more than most people realise. If you’re on calls for four or five hours a day, ear fatigue is real. Clamping force, ear cushion material, and overall weight all make a difference.
Latency and call compatibility also count. Look for headphones with dedicated call modes or multipoint Bluetooth if you’re switching between a laptop and a phone during the day.
Sony WH-1000XM6 — Best All-Rounder
Sony’s flagship ANC headphones have long been a staple recommendation, and the XM6 improves on the already-excellent XM5 with sharper noise cancellation and a more refined microphone array. For most remote workers, this is the one I’d point to first.
The ANC is genuinely impressive — it handles low-frequency drone (air conditioning, trains, open-plan offices) exceptionally well. The six-microphone array is a step up from the XM5 for call quality, and the companion app lets you tune the sound profile and ambient sound mix to your preference.
Multipoint Bluetooth means you can be connected to your laptop and phone simultaneously, which is essential if you’re juggling calls across devices. Battery runs to around 30 hours with ANC on, so you won’t be scrambling for a charger mid-afternoon.
Pros:
- Class-leading ANC for inbound noise
- Strong mic array for clear outbound audio
- Excellent battery life
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Multipoint Bluetooth included
Cons:
- Microphone isn’t quite at Jabra’s professional level
- Premium price
- Touch controls can be fiddly
Jabra Evolve2 75 — Best for Call Quality
If your job revolves around calls rather than music listening, the Jabra Evolve2 75 is purpose-built for exactly that use case. Jabra makes headsets for enterprise environments, and it shows.
The microphone on this thing is exceptional. It uses an eight-microphone array with dedicated call-optimised beamforming, and call participants consistently report that you sound clear even in noisy environments. The ANC is very capable too — not quite Sony or Bose level for pure listening, but more than adequate for blocking out a busy home or café.
It’s certified for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, which means hardware-level call controls work natively without faffing about. The headset is also designed for all-day wear with a more rigid, professional build than consumer headphones.
The price is higher than most consumer options, but if calls are your livelihood, the investment makes sense.
Pros:
- Best-in-class microphone for video calls
- Certified for Teams, Zoom, and Meet
- Excellent battery (36 hrs)
- Durable, professional build
- Dedicated call controls
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulkier than consumer alternatives
- Less enjoyable for music listening
- Heavier than some competitors
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Best for Comfort
Bose essentially invented the consumer ANC headphone market, and the QuietComfort Ultra remains one of the most comfortable over-ear headphones money can buy. If you’re someone who finds other headphones physically uncomfortable after a few hours, this one is worth the extra consideration.
The ANC performance is outstanding — on par with Sony’s XM6. Bose’s CustomTune technology analyses your ear canal and adjusts the noise cancellation and sound profile accordingly, which is genuinely useful rather than just a marketing gimmick.
The microphone is competent for video calls but not at the same level as Jabra or Sony. It’ll handle a quiet home office perfectly well, but in noisy environments it’s less impressive. Battery life at 24 hours is the shortest on this list, which is a mild frustration at this price point.
Pros:
- Exceptionally comfortable, even over very long sessions
- Outstanding ANC
- Premium build and materials
- Good spatial audio
Cons:
- Shorter battery life than competitors
- Microphone is the weakest of the premium picks
- Pricey
- No multipoint Bluetooth in base mode without firmware update
View the Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — Best for Apple Users
If your entire setup is Apple — MacBook, iPhone, maybe an iPad — the AirPods Max integration is genuinely hard to beat. Automatic switching between devices is seamless in a way that Android/Windows alternatives can’t quite replicate, and the H2 chip delivers excellent ANC performance.
Call quality is very good. Apple’s microphone transparency mode and beam-forming mics handle voice clearly, and the whole experience on FaceTime or Zoom is polished. The spatial audio also works with supported video conferencing apps, which is a nice touch for longer calls.
The main downsides are battery life (20 hours is respectable but not leading), the price, and the fact that outside the Apple ecosystem it’s a significantly less compelling product. If you’re on Windows, look elsewhere.
Pros:
- Seamless Apple device switching
- Excellent ANC
- Premium build (aluminium ear cups)
- Very good call quality within Apple ecosystem
Cons:
- Most expensive option here
- Only 20 hours battery
- Awkward case design
- Poor value outside Apple ecosystem
Anker Soundcore Q45 — Best Budget Pick
Not everyone needs to spend £350+ on headphones. If you’re looking for noise cancelling headphones for video calls on a tight budget, the Anker Soundcore Q45 is genuinely impressive at around £60.
The ANC won’t match Sony or Bose, but it does a solid job with consistent background noise — enough for a home office or quiet café. The microphone is decent for the price; you won’t sound like you’re in a recording studio, but call participants will hear you clearly in reasonable conditions.
At 50 hours of battery life (with ANC off; roughly 25 with ANC on), you’re unlikely to run out mid-call. It’s foldable, light, and comfortable enough for a full workday. For freelancers or anyone just starting out with remote work, this is a sensible starting point before committing to a premium option.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Surprisingly decent ANC for the price
- Massive battery life
- Lightweight and portable
Cons:
- ANC noticeably weaker than premium picks
- Microphone struggles in loud environments
- Build feels plasticky compared to premium options
- No multipoint Bluetooth
How to Choose the Right Pair for Your Setup
Consider Your Working Environment First
If you’re in a relatively quiet home office, almost any of these will do the job. If you’re working from cafés, co-working spaces, or anywhere with significant background noise, you’ll want to prioritise ANC quality — which means the Sony, Bose, or Jabra.
Think About Who’s on Your Calls
Are you presenting to clients? In daily stand-ups with your team? Doing customer-facing calls? The higher the stakes, the more you should invest in mic quality. The Jabra Evolve2 75 is overkill for casual team meetings but worth every penny if you’re client-facing all day.
Don’t Overlook Wired as a Backup
Bluetooth is convenient, but for critical calls, a wired connection eliminates any risk of latency or connection dropouts. Most of the headphones above include a 3.5mm cable — keep it in your bag for important meetings.
Check Platform Compatibility
If your company uses Microsoft Teams, look for Teams-certified headphones (Jabra’s entire Evolve range qualifies). This gives you hardware call controls that work natively, which is genuinely useful rather than just a tick-box feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do noise cancelling headphones actually help on video calls?
Yes — but it depends on the feature. ANC blocks noise you hear, while microphone noise cancellation stops your surroundings reaching call participants. You want both for video calls.
What’s the difference between ANC headphones and a dedicated headset for calls?
Dedicated headsets like the Jabra Evolve range prioritise microphone quality and call controls. ANC headphones prioritise listening comfort. The best options for calls offer both, but dedicated headsets usually win on mic performance.
Are wireless or wired headphones better for video calls?
Wireless is more convenient for daily use, but wired eliminates latency and dropout risk entirely. For high-stakes calls, plug in via the 3.5mm cable if your headphones support it.
Can I use the same headphones for calls and music?
Absolutely, and most people do. Consumer-focused options like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra are excellent for both. Dedicated call headsets like the Jabra Evolve2 75 are less enjoyable for casual music listening.
How much should I spend on headphones for video calls?
For occasional calls in a quiet environment, £50–£80 is plenty. For daily remote work with lots of video meetings, I’d budget £200–£400 for a noticeable improvement in both comfort and call quality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right noise cancelling headphones for video calls in 2026 comes down to three things: your budget, your environment, and how much of your day is spent on calls.
For most remote workers, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pick — it balances ANC quality, mic performance, comfort, and battery life better than anything else at its price. If calls are your primary job function, step up to the Jabra Evolve2 75 for professional-grade microphone quality. On a budget, the Anker Soundcore Q45 is a solid entry point that won’t embarrass you on a call.
Whatever you choose, investing in a decent pair is one of the highest-return purchases you can make as a remote worker. Your colleagues will thank you.