Not all true wireless earbuds are equal when it comes to talking on the phone. Here are the key factors you want to check:
1. Microphone array & voice pickup
Good earbuds will use multiple microphones (often including beam-forming mics) and have algorithms (often labelled “AI voice pickup”, “call noise reduction”, “voice isolation”) to separate your voice from background noise. For example, one review noted:
“These feature a monaural and MEMS microphone, and … the earbuds effectively reduced background noise, such that it could barely be heard in the recording.” Hence, the mic and its noise-cancelling algorithm are critical for call clarity.
2. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC)
While ANC is mostly about what you hear, good ENC or noise suppression for the mic means the person on the other end hears you clearly even when there’s wind, traffic, wind noise, etc. A guide on “best earbuds for phone calls” emphasises this:
“The call quality is solid… Sony claims this … detect when the wearer’s speaking, allowing the earbuds to isolate the wearer’s voice from background noise.” So pick earbuds with strong ENC/ANC for the mic.
3. Fit, comfort, and stability
If you’re going to be on calls for long stretches (video-meetings, customer service, etc.), you need earbuds that stay put and feel comfortable. Poor fit can degrade mic performance (if the earbud moves) or cause you to adjust constantly.
The “best calls” reviews emphasise fit + comfort.
4. Connectivity and latency
A stable Bluetooth connection, ideally with the latest version and multipoint support (connect to phone + laptop), helps. If the connection drops, your voice might be delayed or cut. Also, if you switch between devices (phone + computer) a lot, multipoint is a nice bonus. A Reddit user put it well:
“Phone call quality – I take a lot of work and personal calls. ANC – I often work in noisy environments or travel. Multi-device pairing – I switch between Android and iOS devices regularly.” So depending on your scenario, these features matter.
5. Battery life & case
You want enough talk-time so that your calls don’t end up with “battery dying” mid-meeting. Also a charging case that adds decent backup increments.
Top Earbuds for Phone Calls in 2025
Here are some of the best earbuds currently recommended for phone-call use. Prices vary with region and time.
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are frequently cited as one of the best for calls.
Why they stand out: Excellent mic setup, very strong ANC, good overall build. One review said that the mic “effectively reduced background noise” and your voice comes through clear. Considerations: Premium price. Fit may not be ideal for everyone.
Who are they for? Professionals or frequent callers who want top-end performance.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
These are more premium, and what’s especially mentioned about them is the clarity of voice in calls and adaptive features.
Why: Strong reputation for microphone clarity + build quality.
Considerations: On the expensive side.
Who: If you want premium sound and excellent call performance.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Often recommended specifically for call-focused users. From one guide:
“They fit perfectly and snugly… two microphones for speech pickup… the Elite 7 Pro also has a great battery life, even when utilising ANC.”
Why: Especially good for talking, commuting, on the road.
Considerations: May lack some of the flashier premium audio features of others.
Who: Frequent talkers, multi-device users, budget slightly lower than ultra premium.
Earfun Air Pro 4
A lower price tier option but still strong for calls. One review:
“Six microphones and AI-powered noise reduction technologies … effectively minimise background noise and enhance voice clarity.”
Why: Great balance of features vs cost.
Considerations: Maybe fewer premium features than top models, and mic performance might dip a bit in extremely noisy settings.
Who: Good value choice for frequent calls but with limited budget.
Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3
While not always as widely marketed solely for calls, many users report excellent call mic quality:
“Honestly, I’ve resorted … the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 has the best call quality no doubt. They block out almost all the noise in loud environments.”
Why: Great mic/ENC performance according to the user community.
Considerations: Ecosystem and feature support might shift depending on your phone brand.
Who: If you want high call clarity and possibly use a Huawei/Android device.
How to Choose Your Best Earbuds for Calls
Here are guiding questions and tips to help you make the right choice.
● What’s your environment like?
- Quiet office vs. noisy street vs. outdoors/wind exposure?
If noisy: choose high-end ENC + wind noise suppression. - Will you use mostly on phone or also on video-calls/laptop?
Multipoint + low latency might matter.
● What’s your budget?
Higher budget = more mics, better algorithms, better build. But you can still get good call performance for moderate cost.
For example, Earfun Air Pro 4 for value; Sony or Sennheiser for premium.
● Comfort & fit for long calls
If you will have long sessions, make sure the earbuds are comfortable, light, stable. Try them on if possible.
● Device compatibility & features
- Android or iOS? Some features (e.g., app customisation, codec support, multipoint) differ by platform.
- Do you use a laptop/PC + phone? Then multi-device support matters.
- Check firmware updates for call-quality improvements.
● Mic & ENC performance
Look for multiple mics, specific call/voice pickup technology, good reviews for clarity.
Test: make a short call yourself with the earbuds and ask how you sound (especially outdoors).
● Battery life / case
Consider talk-time + how often charging is convenient for you.
Even if you mostly call, you will still listen to the media etc.
Wrapping Up
If your primary need is making clear phone/video calls with minimal hassle, then don’t just pick earbuds because they sound great for music. Prioritise mic clarity, noise suppression, fit & comfort, and good connectivity.
- For top performance, I’d lean towards Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum TW 4.
- For a balanced pick, Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers excellent call clarity.
- For value, Earfun Air Pro 4 gives lots of call-focused features at lower cost.
Ultimately, test them if you can (especially in a real calling scenario) and listen to how you sound on the other end of the line. The right pair can make a big difference in how you’re heard—and how easy it is to carry out calls without frustration.
