Best Headphones for Skype 2020

Sennheiser Pc 8 Headphones (Image credit: Amazon)

As people spend more time at home than ever, being able to chat on Skype and other video streaming services is increasingly important. Whether you're using Skype for video calls or audio calls, you'll want to make sure you have a good set of headphones and a good microphone. The headsets on this list will help you hear the people on the other end and help people hear you loud and clear. With headphones with microphones, "noise-canceling" usually refers to microphones that cancel noise, not earphones, so this list looks very different from our collection of the best noise-canceling headphones for students .

Mpow M5 Pro Bluetooth Headset

Best overall

This noise-canceling headset reduces transmitting noise by up to 99.6 percent to deliver clear calls and audio. They connect with Bluetooth, so you don't have to deal with wires and have memory -foam padding, so they're comfortable during long calls and sessions. You can charge them in the included dock that also works as a stand.

Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 headset

Best budget

These headphones from Microsoft will allow you to chat with people over Skype and Skype for Business. They feature a unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation. The microphone can pivot to help position it correctly. They cover the basics and come from Microsoft, which also owns Skype.

Sennheiser PC 8 headphones

Best Stereo headphones

Sennheiser has earned a solid reputation for sound quality over the years. These stereo headphones from Sennheiser help cancel noise, so your calls sound clear and are lightweight.

Plantronics Blackwire C5220 headset

Best in-line controls

You can control your media and calls with inline controls using these headphones from Plantronics. They also feature a noise-canceling microphone for clear calls. You can connect to your PC with USB-C or USB-A, which helps connect to different types of PCs.

Jabra Evolve 40

Best TKTK

These headphones from Jabra are Skype Optimized, have a noise-canceling microphone, and feature Peakstop technology that prevents sudden loud noises from hurting your ears. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack and also has a USB connector for versatility.

TaoTronics Trucker Bluetooth Headset with Microphone

Best battery life

Connect to your PC and make calls without wires with these Bluetooth headphones from TaoTronics. They get up to 34 hours of playtime, support Bluetooth 5.0, and reduce background noise up to 40dB.

Smooth sailing on Skype with the best headphones

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Using a headset with Skype can help give you a bit more privacy on calls, increase the quality of your voice during calls, and makes it, so you don't have to rely on your device's speakers. It's essential to grab a pair that's comfortable in case you make calls on Skype throughout the day for work or school.

The Mpow M5 Pro Bluetooth headset cancels background noise on your microphone to deliver clear audio to people on the other end of your calls. It also connects with Bluetooth, so you don't have to worry about wires from your device to your head. The headset conveniently charges in a dock that also functions as a stand on your desk.

If you prefer a wired setup, you can grab a Plantronics Blackwire C5220 headset. You can control calls and media with inline controls right from the headset's cable. They can connect to your PC with USB-C or USB-A.

Check out more tips on getting the most out of your headphones and earbuds.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.