For quite a while, the best wireless neckband headphones were everywhere to be seen. Then for a time, they seemingly started to fade out and get replaced by the seemingly trendier earbuds. Of late, however, the wireless neckband headphones have really fought to come back against wireless earbuds.
Even though neckband headphones may appear outdated compared to wireless earbuds, what made them so appealing hasn’t changed. Many people retained their preference for them and with good reason.
Having your best around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones on you means that you can forget about them. It won’t matter whether your job or conversation forced you to take them out of your ears. You won’t worry about dropping or losing them. Your music will be right there for you to place back in your ears. Earbuds don’t give you that luxury.
This convenience extends to the availability of a microphone, good battery, and better Active Noise Cancellation. Undoubtedly, the exceptional Bluetooth stability of the neckband headphones hasn’t slipped your mind. This is why many would argue that wireless neckband headphones are the best way to cut the cord without compromising on quality.
After testing countless headphones, we have come up with reviews and recommendations for the best neckband headphones.
Best wireless neckband headphones details bellow:
1. Anker Soundcore Life U2
Anker Soundcore Life U2 headphones beat our previous piece, 1More in a couple of aspects.
For one, its battery is more powerful, as it gives you up to 24 hours of listening when fully charged. What’s more, 5 minutes of charging these best neckband headphones will give you 2 hours of playtime! Unlike 1More, which are IPX5 rated, these headphones are IPX7 waterproof rated. They can withstand more than just light sprays of water – they can survive a 1-meter immersion in water.
The exceptionally high-quality sound that you get with these headphones is largely because they have 10mm drivers. These are 20% larger than what you find in ordinary earphones. Their bio-cellulose diaphragm gives a treble with incredible detail and clarity. Its BassUP mode gives you up to 70% more bass.
The cVc 8.o Noise reduction tech gives you clear calls. It suppresses background noise while enhancing your voice. The neckband of these headphones is created with lightweight silicone and a core made out of titanium alloy steel so that it retains its shape.
Notable Features:
- Incredibly lightweight
- Simultaneous multiple device connections
- Type-C USB fast charging
- Magnetic clipping together earbuds
2. 1MORE EHD9001BA
1MORE EHD9001BA are one of the best neckband headphones on various levels. You get two levels of active noise cancellation! This hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) tech is backed by four active noise-canceling microphones. These four are so effective that they achieve noise reduction levels of up to 35 decibels.
The earbuds have a Wind Noise Resistance mode, which gives you an immaculate listening experience even when jogging or cycling. They also have Hi-Res certified sound, which means it has a hybrid dual driver design with a balanced framework with impeccable detail and clarity. The sound is compatible with AAC, and LDAC allows every note to boast its intrinsic brilliance.
The robustness of the battery of these best wireless neckband headphones is quite exceptional. If you charge it for 10 minutes, it will give you 3 hours of use. When you have the ANC on, you will have 15 hours of playing time and 20 hours when ANC is off.
The IPX5 rating of these best around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones means that your buds will survive tough wet conditions, including water and sweat.
Extras:
- Sports and exercise
- Magnetic clasping earpiece
- Fast charging
- Type: in-ear
- Weight: 0.88lbs
3. 233621 Wave
233621 Wave is one of the most affordable neckband headphones around and in this listing. It boasts Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which gives you a fast-pairing function and a stable connection. The connection remains quite strong even with a distance of 33 ft from the source device. Pressing the middle button connects you fast and easily.
These headphones have quite the crisp audio and voice reception for voice calls. They utilize the AAC/atp-X Hi-Fi audio and Qualcomm QCC3034 chip codecs for low latency and top-quality audio. The powerful bass performance of these best around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones is supported by 10.7mm drivers. The microphone and Bluetooth combine for the most noise-free calls you could hope for.
Like the 1MORE headphones, 233621 Wave are IPX5 water-resistant so that you don’t have to shield them from the rain or worry about sweat spoiling them. Their 15 hours of playtime upon full charging isn’t as high as with 1MORE or Anker Soundcore. When you charge them for 5 minutes, they give you an hour of playtime. Its fast recharge system only demands 2 hours of charging to full capacity.
Notable Features:
- 0.81oz
- Very lightweight
- Fast charging
4. LG Tone Flex HBS-XL7
These aren’t the most affordable headphones on the list, but there is a reason they qualify to be among the best around the neck Bluetooth headphones. They come with a 32-Bit Hi-Fi DAC system that boosts your audio quality to a better resolution. The sound that you get with these headphones gives you a vibrant bass and pure treble.
The fast access and response that these headphones give you to the Google Assistant via the Google Assistant button are impressive. They have a button that is dedicated to this function, and all you have to do is press and hold it to activate the Google Assistant.
The fast charging makes them very convenient. With 10 minutes of charging them, you will get up to 3 hours of playtime. You only get 8 hours of playtime when fully charged, which is really low compared to 1MORE, Anker Soundcore, and Wave. With two microphones, every conversation you hold through them will be crystal clear.
Other Features:
- 1.55 oz
- Fairly water resistant
- Multiple devices simultaneous connections
- Works with Siri as well as with Google Assistant
5. Sony WI-1000XM2
Sony WI-1000XM2 are have quite a few features that make it one best wireless neckband headphones in the market. Their neckband is quite lightweight and comfortable. They have an ANC feature that is quite robust regardless of the level of noise near you.
The bass that these headphones offer lacks a low profile that can reduce the excellence you experience listening to some music genres. However, you can customize the sound settings in your app with graphic EQ and presets.
We can’t really applaud their battery life, which is 8.6 hours on a full charge. However, they still charge pretty quickly, so you can get back to using them. Since they come with a handy audio cable, you can use them wired if your battery dies on you and you cannot recharge immediately.
According to our tests and user reviews, their in-ear fit isn’t the best, and they may cause discomfort after a while. Depending on your ears and how they fit with them, they might be prone to falling out when your head moves too much. Still, they have several size options, so you can choose the ones that are best for you.
Notable Features:
- Type: in-ear
- Great for sports and fitness
- Excellent for commute and travel
- Three modes: ambient sound amplify, ambient control off, and noise-canceling
- No skip/rewind for music tracks
6. Beats Flex
Arguably, the best feature of Beats Flex is their exceptional comfort. They come with a flex form cable and 4 variation options for ear tips. They are simple, and their flexible wireless design makes them quite appealing. They are quite lightweight in design.
At 12 hours of listening time, the battery life of these neckband headphones is better than that of LG Tone Flex and Sony WI-1000XM2, but it still isn’t the best on this list. Beats Flex are preferred by most as a great alternative to Sony WI-1000XM2.
The headphones are powered by a W1 chip, which enables them to pair seamlessly with various Apple devices. They have a bass-heavy sound profile that EDM and hip-hop fans might really enjoy. Still, they don’t have an equalizer to finetune the sound to whatever works for you. What’s more, the mic that’s integrated with them isn’t the best.
Reviews suggest that their accompanying app falls short in various functionalities and lacks many additional features. Although they lack fins or ear hooks, they are excellent for sports and fitness.
Notable Features:
- Excellent ANC
- No rigid neckband
- No EQ
- No multi-device pairing
- No IP rating for water and dust resistance
7. Adidas RPD-01
The versatility in of the Adidas RPD-01 is one of its best features. They come with 4 ear tip sizes and optional wings, so you can choose the ones that suit you best. Unlike Beats Flex, they come with a supportive neckband that adds to their comfortable and stable feel.
They have 3 buttons for the control of your music. You can use them to skip songs, adjust the volume, and pick up calls. When you have charged them to capacity, you get 12 hours of playtime. Part of the versatility of Adidas RPD-01 includes their function that allows you to create custom shortcuts. Their action button is created for you.
If the brand name didn’t let the secret out, their comfort makes them perfect for sports activities. They have an IPX4 rating, which means that they’ll hold up well even if you’re a profuse sweater.
Additional Features:
- Not the best sound quality
- Stable and unobtrusive design
- Comfortable
- Fast charge function
- Equalizer in the app
8. House of Marley Rasta
House of Marley Rasta are one of the best around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones. Like most items in this listing, they give you 8 hours of playtime when you’ve charged them fully. We can’t ignore the reggae-themed color schemes that users seem to really adore. They are quite affordable compared to some of the alternatives too.
The microphone that comes with these headphones is quite reliable. The sound quality that the earbuds deliver is quite clear and pleasant. However, reviews have suggested that the connectivity of the headphones isn’t too encouraging.
The braided cable that links the earbuds to the neckband is tangle-free, so you won’t worry about it knotting up. Since the headphones are IPX4, they are sweatproof and will withstand light showers. You can use them to go jogging in most weather conditions.
Notable Features:
- Type: in-ear
- Sound isolation
- Angled ergonomic port
- Ear gels with two sizes (S and M)
9. 1MORE Piston Fit
1MORE Piston Fit is another model from the first headphones’ brand. They are about the same price, but these ones are minutely cheaper. They come with an optimized Bluetooth 5 chipset. It enables you to go about your activities without slowing down transmission or compromising the connection stability.
The 10 mm dynamic driver comes with a titanium composite diaphragm, which gives a clear sound. The headphones have a compact design, which enhances their efficiency. Their lightweight earbuds have nozzles with 45° oblique angles that will naturally lay in the auditory canals. They make for comfortable and secure fits that don’t hinder movement.
1MORE Piston Fit is rated IPX4, which means that it is relatively resistant to water, dust, and dust. This rating, which is less than our first three headphones, warns you not to get too comfortable with them in a lot of water.
Extra 1MORE Piston Fit Features:
- Type: in-ear
- 8 hours of battery life
- 200 hours of standby time
- 18g weight
- Magnetic covers on the back of the earbud for convenient storage
10. Philips Performance PN401BK
Philips Performance PN401BK are the most exceptional headphones with features that set it apart from most headphones. They come with a vibration call alert on the neckband that you can switch on if you’re afraid of missing a call. This neckband is slender and comfortable enough to wear all day.
With regular use, they will give you up to 14 hours of playtime, which is significantly higher than most of the last few headphones. They have a rapid charge function that allows you an extra 2 hours with just 5 minutes of charge.
These headphones have detailed sound and powerful bass, which their well-tuned 12.2mm neodymium drivers drive. The echo cancellation function enables you to get a clear and undisturbed connection and sound. With smart pairing, your device will connect the instant you switch on Bluetooth on the last device you were playing from.
Notable Features:
- 3 sizes of ear caps
- IPX4 waterproof
- Connection stable over 30 feet
- Both type C and micro charging outlet
- Allows wire plugging
Bottom Line
Well, the question of the best depends on your preferences. The battery life, comfort, water resistance, and other differentiating factors may sway you to have a preference. We hope this review has been helpful as you make your choice on the best around-the-neck Bluetooth headphones for you.