However, wireless neckband earbuds are a solid alternative to their ubiquitous siblings sans any wires by delivering a longer battery life and more convenient controls for less — without skimping on sound quality. As long as you don’t mind dealing with a bit more bulk and some wires, you’ll probably get more value for your money by opting for a neckband over a completely wireless pair.
We spent the past couple of weeks researching and testing sets in various price points to determine the best wireless neckband earbuds worth buying. We scrutinized earphones from leading brands like 1More, Beats by Dre, Sony, and Soundcore, to name a few, and have our best picks below.
First, the more you spend on a pair of neckband earbuds, the better the overall sound quality will be. If your audio upgrade budget is north of $100, you should also look for additional features like onboard noise cancellation.
We suggest that you look for products that can last at least 10 hours (or more) between charges when it comes to battery life — unless you're shopping on a very tight budget. Our top picks in the product category can deliver at least 20 hours’ worth of wireless playback. We also only selected products with a futureproof USB-C connector for easy charging.
We only recommend products with up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity on board, since that will ensure that the earbuds will reliably connect with the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
You should also consider neckband earbuds with an official rating for water resistance. The higher this rating is, the more exposure to water and sweat the earbuds can handle. A good pair of buds should also be able to snap together magnetically when not in use, ensuring seamless access at all times. Find the one that best suits you among these extensively researched offerings.
Dual audio driver setup with Hi-Res Audio capabilities
Hybrid noise cancellation
Up to 20 hours of battery life
IPX5 water-resistant
The Dual Driver ANC Pro neckband earbuds by 1More are the best for most consumers. The earphones deliver an unbeatable combination of great sound, top-tier noise cancellation, long battery life, and durable build with convenient controls, all at a very affordable price.
Powered by a duo of audio drivers (hence their name), the 1More earbuds deliver a well-balanced sound that can compete with pricier products. The same goes for their ability to tune out ambient noise. Rather conveniently, the buds magnetically snap together when not in use.
The Soundcore Life U2 are the best neckband earphones to get if you are shopping on a tight budget. For less than $50, Anker’s earbuds offer impressive style and durability, a surprisingly crisp and powerful sound, reliable performance during calls, and incredible in-class battery life. You can order the magnetic buds in black or blue with contrasting gold accents.
The Life U2 earbuds large audio drivers deliver a sonic experience that belies their price. We like that there’s an option to boost their bass output by simply pressing a button.
The Sony WI-1000XM2 wireless neckband earbuds are in a league of their own and well worth their hefty price tag when it comes to audio quality and noise cancellation. The earphones can tune out ambient noise better than any rival, too. We only wish that their battery life was a bit longer.
The magnetic earbuds have a companion app with elaborate sound and noise cancellation controls. You can order them in black or silver, and the package includes a storage case, plus an audio cable for wired playback.
The sub-$100 Beats Flex neckband earphones are hands down the best option for owners of multiple Apple gadgets. Thanks to the tech giant’s W1 chip, the buds will seamlessly connect and switch among iPhones, iPads, and Macs that use the same iCloud account. The headset also has an easy pairing process and companion app for Android phones.
Like all Beats products, the Flex earphones deliver a powerful and enjoyable sound suitable for any type of content. You can choose from black, blue, gray, and yellow color options.
The adidas RPD-01 wireless neckband earbuds are an excellent option for exercising. The product’s noteworthy highlights include a super comfy neckband and tactile button controls with a customizable action button, as well as plenty of bundled ear tips and wings to ensure a secure fit. The comfortable neckband is the top reason to consider the buds over rivals with a higher rating for water resistance.
The adidas RPD-01 delivers a powerful sound with deep bass to keep you motivated during all your workouts. You can order the product in green and light or dark grey.
House of Marley’s Smile Jamaica 2 wireless earbuds stand out from the rest thanks to its characterful design, sustainable craftsmanship, and reasonable price. The earphones are made using FSC-certified wood, reclaimed polyester and silicone, and easy-to-recycle aluminum. There are several colors to pick from, each option sporting different wood accents.
Like all House of Marley offerings, the Smile Jamaica 2 earbuds deliver an enjoyable sound with a slightly enhanced bass. Because their neckband has a cable-only design, the earphones are also easy to integrate into any outfit.
Sony’s affordable WI-XB400 wireless neckband earbuds are all about delivering a sonic experience with a powerful low range — in fact, the XB letters in the name stands for extra bass! This makes the buds great for rocking out, gaming, and watching action-packed video content. Still, be mindful that there are choices with a more balanced sound for the money.
Other key features include an understated design with handy controls, onboard magnets for easy storage, and stellar battery life.
The 1More Piston Fit wireless neckband earbuds bring a cool design with aluminum housings that magnetically snap together, a water-resistant build, and futureproof Bluetooth connectivity at an incredible price point. Sound-wise, the buds perform better than their sticker suggests, thanks to large and well-tuned audio drivers.
Still, the 8-hour maximum battery life of the Piston Fit earbuds is far from the best. However, considering how sleek and affordable the buds are, this could be a compromise worth making.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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