Video Call Headphones: Clear Mic, ANC, and Dual Device

Microphone pickup patterns and what they mean for calls

When a headphone listing mentions a microphone, the maker's page may describe how it picks up your voice. The most common term is a directional pickup pattern, such as cardioid, which captures sound mainly from the front and reduces sound from the sides and rear. This helps your voice come through clearly while background noise is kept out.

Some headphones use multiple microphones with beamforming, a technique that focuses on your voice and reduces other sounds. The listing may say 'dual microphone' or 'microphone array.' For video calls, a headphone with a directional mic or beamforming is a good choice because it is designed to hear you, not the room.

The maker's page may also mention echo reduction. Echo happens when your voice comes out of the other person's speaker and is picked up by your microphone. Headphones with echo reduction are built to minimize this, which is useful in a call with a loud speakerphone on the other end.

• Look for 'cardioid' or 'directional' on the maker's page.
• Check for 'beamforming' or 'microphone array' on the listing.
• Echo reduction is a feature to look for if you take calls in a room with speakers.

Active noise cancelling for calls: what it does and what it does not do

Active noise cancelling (ANC) on a headphone reduces the sound that reaches your ears. On a video call, this helps you hear the other person clearly even in a noisy room. The listing may say 'Active Noise Cancelling' or 'ANC' on the title, and the maker's page will describe the listening modes, such as 'Quiet' for maximum cancellation and 'Aware' or 'Transparency' to let outside sound in.

ANC on the headphones is different from noise reduction for the microphone. The microphone's noise reduction is about making your voice clear to the person on the other end. Some headphones have both: ANC for your listening and microphone noise reduction for your voice. The maker's page may call the latter 'voice isolation' or 'call noise reduction.'

For a video call, you want both. ANC helps you focus on the conversation, and microphone noise reduction helps the other person hear you. The guides on this site compare headphones by stated details, so you can look for models that list both features.

• Check the title for 'ANC' or 'Active Noise Cancelling.'
• Look for 'voice isolation' or 'call noise reduction' on the maker's page.
• Understand that ANC is for your ears, not for the microphone.

Bluetooth multipoint: staying connected to two devices at once

Bluetooth multipoint lets a headphone stay connected to two devices at the same time, such as a laptop and a phone. This is useful for video calls because you can answer a call on your phone without disconnecting from your computer. The listing may say 'multipoint' or 'multi-point connection' on the maker's page.

With multipoint, you can be on a video call on your laptop and still hear a notification from your phone. Some headphones let you switch between devices with a button or automatically. The maker's page will describe how the switching works.

If you take calls on both a computer and a phone, multipoint is a key feature. Without it, you would need to disconnect and reconnect every time you switch. The guides on this site list headphones with multipoint, so you can compare models that have it.

• Look for 'multipoint' or 'multi-point connection' on the maker's page.
• Check if the headphone supports two simultaneous connections.
• Consider how you switch between devices: button or automatic.

Wired vs wireless for video calls

Wireless headphones with Bluetooth are convenient for video calls because you can move around the room. The Bluetooth technology website explains that Bluetooth Classic is the standard radio for wireless audio streaming in headphones. For calls, a wireless headphone with a good microphone is a solid choice.

Wired headphones connect with a 3.5 mm plug or USB-C. They do not need charging and can be more reliable in a fixed desk setup. Some wireless headphones also include a wired cable, so you can use them either way. The listing will say 'wireless and wired' if both are supported.

For a home office desk, a wired connection can be simple, but wireless gives you freedom. If you move between a desk and a phone, wireless with multipoint is often the better fit. The guides for wireless headphones and wired headphones can help you compare.

Over-ear vs earbuds for video calls

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and often have larger microphones or a boom mic. They can be comfortable for long calls, and the larger size may allow for more microphone elements. The maker's page will describe the microphone setup.

Earbuds, especially true wireless ones, are small and portable. They use beamforming microphones to pick up your voice. Some earbuds have multiple microphones on each bud. For calls on the go, earbuds are easy to carry, but over-ear models may offer a more stable mic position.

Your choice depends on your call environment. If you take calls at a desk all day, over-ear headphones might be more comfortable. If you take calls from a phone while moving, earbuds are practical. The guides for over-ear headphones and wireless earbuds compare models by stated details.

What to check on the maker's page

The maker's page is the best source for call-related details. Look for the microphone section, which may list the number of microphones, the pickup pattern, and any noise reduction features. The page may also describe the listening modes, such as ANC and transparency.

Check the battery life section if the headphone is wireless. The page will state the battery life with ANC on and off. For video calls, you want enough battery for your longest meeting. The maker's page may also list quick charge times.

Look for the connection section to confirm Bluetooth multipoint and which devices are supported. Some pages list the Bluetooth version and codecs. The guides on this site quote these details, so you can compare without visiting every maker page.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What is a microphone pickup pattern?

A pickup pattern describes the direction from which a microphone captures sound. A cardioid pattern picks up sound mainly from the front, which helps reduce background noise. For video calls, a directional mic is better than an omnidirectional one.

Does active noise cancelling help the person on the other end hear me?

No. ANC reduces noise for your ears. To help the other person hear you, the headphone needs microphone noise reduction, sometimes called voice isolation or call noise reduction. Look for both features on the maker's page.

What is Bluetooth multipoint?

Bluetooth multipoint lets a headphone stay connected to two devices at once, like a laptop and a phone. This means you can answer a call on your phone without disconnecting from your computer. The maker's page will state if the headphone supports it.

Are wired headphones better for video calls?

Wired headphones can be reliable because they do not depend on battery or wireless connection. However, wireless headphones with a good microphone and multipoint offer more freedom. Many wireless models also include a wired cable for flexibility.

How many microphones do I need for clear calls?

The number of microphones is less important than the pickup pattern and noise reduction. A single directional mic can work well, but multiple mics with beamforming often provide better voice isolation. Check the maker's page for details.

Can I use gaming headphones for video calls?

Gaming headsets often have a boom mic that is good for calls, but this site focuses on listening headphones. For video calls, look for headphones with a clear microphone and ANC, as described in this article.