Discussion Wireless earbuds for noisy commute & important calls - need advice!

[miss_mystery_z]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some recommendations from the Tom's Guide community. My daily commute can be pretty noisy (trains and city sounds), and I also take a fair number of important work calls while on the go or in a sometimes busy co-working space. My current generic wireless earbuds just aren't cutting it – people complain they can't hear me well, and music sounds pretty flat.

I'm looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds with a few key priorities:
1. **Excellent microphone quality for calls:** This is probably the most important. I need to sound clear, even if there's some background noise.
2. **Decent noise isolation or ANC (Active Noise Cancellation):** To make my commute more tolerable and help focus.
3. **Good, balanced sound for music and podcasts:** I'm not an extreme audiophile, but I appreciate clear and enjoyable audio.
4. **Comfortable for a few hours of wear** and a stable connection.

I've seen various reviews and a lot of names get thrown around – Sony, Bose, Jabra, and of course, Apple's AirPods (especially the Pro versions). My budget is flexible if it means a significant step up in call quality and overall experience.

Does anyone have strong recommendations for reliable wireless **headphones** that truly shine for calls in mixed environments and also deliver a great listening experience? Any real-world experiences would be super helpful before I make a purchase.

Thanks a lot!

 

[LordVile]

You’re not going to get “excellent” call quality over Bluetooth. You’ll get passable from some sets but that’s about it.

If you have an iPhone get AirPods Pro’s. There’s nothing else that touches them if you’re in that ecosystem.

For android I’d look at what style you find comfortable. Beats actually make solid earbuds now and they’re relatively cheap vs AirPods and they not aggressively tied to Apple products. The studio buds true wireless with ANC might be worth looking at.

Over ears it’s hard to look anywhere else than the Bose Quiet Comfort 45/SE (they’re the same headphone just in a different carry case). They’re 300 MSRP but regularly go under 200. They’re comfortable, have solid battery, have a small footprint, have great ANC and don’t have offensive tuning like Sonys XM line does.

 

[COLGeek]

While I don't have personal experience with these, some former co-workers and employees of mine swore by them:

https://store.google.com/magazine/pixel_buds_compare?hl=en-US

I have a pair of the Bose that @LordVile linked and have been very happy with them. Not sure I would wear on my commute though. They are somewhat bulky compared to buds.

 

[LordVile]

While I don't have personal experience with these, some former co-workers and employees of mine swore by them:

https://store.google.com/magazine/pixel_buds_compare?hl=en-US

I have a pair of the Bose that @LordVile linked and have been very happy with them. Not sure I would wear on my commute though. They are somewhat bulky compared to buds.

They mentioned earbuds and headphones so I covered both.

They need to say what they’re using then with because it matters a lot

 

[Speckddf]

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem airpods are pretty much a no-brainer — they switch between devices automatically, sound solid, and the mic’s great. I’ve had the airpods Pro 2 for over a year now and use them all the time for calls on the go or in noisy co-working spaces — no complaints so far.
But if you're after more of an 'audiophile' sound, you might wanna check out the Sony WF-1000XM5. The ANC is awesome, and they’ve got a nice warm tone — just not sure the mic holds up as well in noisy spots.

 

[bendenvor111]

Hey! Totally get where you’re coming from—commuting in noisy environments and needing crystal-clear call quality can be a real struggle with generic earbuds.

From what you’re after, a few brands really stand out in the wireless earbuds game for call clarity, ANC, and sound quality:

Jabra Elite 7 Pro: These are widely praised for their excellent microphone system, including bone conduction tech that helps isolate your voice even in noisy spots. The ANC is solid, and they offer a balanced sound profile that’s easy to enjoy for music and podcasts. Plus, they’re comfy for long wears.

Sony WF-1000XM5: Sony’s known for top-notch ANC and audio quality. The mic quality has improved a lot over previous generations, and their adaptive sound control helps with noise isolation on the go. Sound-wise, they’re punchy but clear, great for all kinds of audio.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Bose always nails ANC and comfort. Call quality is really good, and these earbuds deliver clear, natural sound. They also hold well for long sessions and noisy environments.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, these are a solid bet. ANC and microphone performance are excellent, plus they’re super comfortable and have a reliable connection with Apple devices. The sound is warm and balanced.

For your priorities—especially call quality in noisy places—I’d lean towards the Jabra Elite 7 Pro or the Bose QC Earbuds II. Both are frequently recommended by people who make calls in busy environments daily.

Real talk: microphone tech is usually the differentiator here. If calls are super important, test them out in a store if you can or watch recent hands-on reviews focused on voice clarity.

Hope this helps! What’s your current setup like, and which of these brands have you tried so far?

 

[LordVile]

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem airpods are pretty much a no-brainer — they switch between devices automatically, sound solid, and the mic’s great. I’ve had the airpods Pro 2 for over a year now and use them all the time for calls on the go or in noisy co-working spaces — no complaints so far.
But if you're after more of an 'audiophile' sound, you might wanna check out the Sony WF-1000XM5. The ANC is awesome, and they’ve got a nice warm tone — just not sure the mic holds up as well in noisy spots.

God no the XM5 is not an “audiophile” sound. It has a bass shelf wider than the Atlantic and is of the same sound signature as beats did before they toned it down.