Need More Battery Life From Your Headphones? Neckband Earbuds Are a Game-Changer (2025)

True wireless earbuds are incredibly popular — they offer wire-free convenience, stellar sound, and a ton of available features, all in a multitude of price points that start below $30. But wireless neckband earbuds are a solid alternative to their ubiquitous siblings without any wires by delivering a longer battery life and more convenient controls for less — without skimping on sound quality.

We spent the past couple of weeks researching and testing sets in various price points to determine the best wireless neckband earbuds worth buying. We tested earphones from leading brands like Beats by Dre, Sony, and Soundcore, to name a few, and have chosen our top picks below. But before you invest in a pair of neckband earbuds, there are a few things you should consider.

We suggest that you look for products that can last at least 10 hours (or more) between charges when it comes to battery life — unless you're shopping on a very tight budget. Our top picks in the product category can deliver at least 20 hours’ worth of wireless playback. We also recommend products with a futureproof USB-C connector for easy charging.

A good pair of buds should also be able to snap together magnetically when not in use, ensuring seamless access at all times. Find the one that best suits you among these extensively researched offerings.

The Soundcore Life U2 are the best neckband earphones most upgraders should get. For less than $50, Anker’s earbuds offer impressive style and durability, surprisingly crisp and powerful sound, reliable performance during calls, and incredible battery life. You can order the magnetic buds in black or blue with contrasting gold accents.

The Life U2 earbuds' large audio drivers deliver a sonic experience that belies their price, and we like that there’s an option to boost their bass output by simply pressing a button. Their call quality is excellent, too.

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The omthing wireless neckband earbuds by 1More bring a characterful design with contrasting cables, a water-resistant build, and up-to-date Bluetooth connectivity at an incredible under-$20 price point. Sound-wise, the buds perform better than their sticker suggests, thanks to large and well-tuned audio drivers.

With up to 12 hours of battery life, the Airfree earbuds will easily make it through a day of use between charges. You can order the product with blue or yellow cables. A more understated all-black version is also available.

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The Sony WI-1000XM2 wireless neckband earbuds are in a league of their own and well worth their hefty price tag when it comes to audio quality and noise cancellation. The earphones can tune out ambient noise better than any rival, too. We only wish that their battery life was a bit longer.

The magnetic earbuds have a companion app with elaborate sound and noise cancellation controls. You can order them in black or silver, and the package includes a storage case and an audio cable for wired playback.

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The second-generation TRACK+ wireless earbuds by Libratone deliver highly customizable noise cancellation without skimping on style, durability, and battery performance. The essential functionality has 20 levels of intensity (adjustable via an app) and a dedicated running mode that can reduce unnecessary din while keeping you aware of your surroundings.

The earbuds’ sound quality is excellent and worthy of their hefty price tag. The same goes for their comfy fit, up-to-date Bluetooth connectivity, and clever magnetic design. The latter will turn the earbuds off when you snap them together around your neck.

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JLab’s Epic Sport2 wireless neckband earbuds are the best for exercising. The earphones have a flexible around-ear fit, additional silicone fins to keep them in place, and a stellar rating for water and dust resistance. Their sound quality is solid for a $50 product, and you can adjust it by choosing from a trio of easy-to-access presets.

The battery life of the Sport2 is excellent, though I wish the product had a USB-C charging port instead of a microUSB. JLab’s retail package includes multiple sets of ear tips, a storage case, and cable holders.

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The affordable Beats Flex neckband earphones are hands down the best option for owners of multiple Apple gadgets. Thanks to the tech giant’s W1 chip, the buds will seamlessly connect and switch among iPhones, iPads, and Macs that use the same iCloud account. The headset also has an easy pairing process and a companion app for Android phones.

Like all Beats products, the Flex earphones deliver a powerful and enjoyable sound suitable for any type of content. You can choose from black, blue, gray, and yellow color options.

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Skullcandy’s Jib XT Active wireless neckband earbuds are an excellent option for exercising on a tight budget. The product’s noteworthy highlights include a secure fit with additional ear inserts and a neckband with adjustable length.

Like countless Skullcandy products, the Jib XT Active delivers a powerful sound with deep bass to keep you motivated during all your workouts. We only wish the buds had longer battery life and a more up-to-date charging connector. Given their low price tag, the last-mentioned shortcomings aren’t dealbreakers.

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House of Marley’s Smile Jamaica 2 wireless earbuds stand out from the rest thanks to their characterful design, sustainable craftsmanship, and reasonable price. The earphones are made using FSC-certified wood, reclaimed polyester and silicone, and easy-to-recycle aluminum. There are several colors to pick from, each option sporting different wood accents.

Like all House of Marley offerings, the Smile Jamaica 2 earbuds deliver an enjoyable sound with a slightly enhanced bass. Because their neckband has a cable-only design, the earphones are also easy to integrate into any outfit.

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Sony’s affordable WI-XB400 wireless neckband earbuds are all about delivering a sonic experience with a powerful low range — in fact, the XB letters in the name stand for extra bass! This makes the buds great for rocking out, gaming, and watching action-packed video content. Still, be mindful that there are choices with a more balanced sound for the money.

Other features include an understated design with handy controls, onboard magnets for easy storage, and stellar battery life.

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