7 Best Neckband Bluetooth Headphones {Plus One To AVOID}

neck earbuds bluetooth
Here we’ll take a look at some of the behind the neck Bluetooth earbuds

When searching for a pair of wireless earbuds, you end up with three basic categories: totally wireless earbuds, Bluetooth earbuds with a short cable, and earbuds with a neckband.

Totally cordless headphones have some drawbacks like short battery life and average sound quality.

Bluetooth earbuds with a short cable, on the other hand, are primarily designed for sports rather than office use or phone calls.

With long battery life, overall design, sound quality, and leather neck strap, the Sennheiser HD1 takes the top spot on our list for best neckband headphones of 2020. Continue below to read our full review of the HD1 as well as other top-selling models… 

Behind the neck, Bluetooth headphones (often called retractable Bluetooth headsets) fill the gap between Bluetooth earbuds and wired earbuds by providing ease of use and long battery life that other designs can’t offer.

They have two earbuds connected to a neckband, which houses internal components and also allows the earbuds to dangle freely and are retractable when not in use to keep them neatly stored.

This way, you won’t have to worry about losing the earbuds. In terms of sound quality, some of these neckband sets may impress audiophiles and have call quality that outperforms other types of headphones. If you like around the neck design, here are the top models we’ve narrowed down to buy in 2020.

Contents

Best NeckBand / Behind Neck Bluetooth Headphones 

LG Tone Platinum HBS-1100 / 1120 

LG HBS-1120 Tone Platinum Se Bluetooth Wireless Retractable Stereo Headset with Google Assistant- Black - Retail Packaging
LG HBS-1120 Tone Platinum. (Image: Amazon)

Style: Around the neck, neckband | Weight: 60 grams | Play Time: 10 hours | Bluetooth 4.1 Qualcomm aptX / Qualcomm aptX HD | Driver type: Balanced Armature | Bluetooth range: 30+ feet |NFC: Yes | Dual Mic for calls | Mic Noise cancellation: Yes |

LG continuously improves its notable, around the neck headphone in their Tone Series.

The Platinum HBS-1100 has become more flexible and better in terms of playback controls and Bluetooth connection than previous models.

See the newest upgraded 1120 model here.

The active noise cancellation feature enables you to make calls in noisy environments.

Note that this doesn’t work the same as active noise-canceling earbuds; it merely filters out the sounds when you have a conversation on your phone.

Click here to read our full detailed review of the LG Tone Platinum HBS-1100.

If you already have LG Tone HBS-900s and are thinking of upgrading to the HBS-1100, don’t expect a massive improvement in sound.

Overall the HBS-1100’s sound quality is good, but it would be rated excellent if the highs produce more details and clarity.

Pros:

  • Good sound
  • Strong Bluetooth connection
  • Retractable earbuds

Cons:

  • Treble lacks some clarity
LG latest bluetooth headphones
A better look at the LG tone audiophilegrade headphone

BeatsX

BeatsX Wireless In-Ear Headphones (2016 Model) - Black
BeatsX Wireless In-Ear Headphones. (Image: Amazon)

Style: Around the neck | Play Time: 8 hours | Fast charging: Yes | Driver type: NA | Apple W1 Bluetooth chip | Bluetooth range: 30+ feet | Check current price of Beats X on Amazon.

BeatsX headphones are the first Bluetooth set from Beats with help from the Apple engineering team. They have a new, flex form cable that sits around your neck. Check

Unfortunately, the cable is rather long and showy, making them look quite bulky. BeatsX is very comfortable and fits snugly even without earhooks or wingtips that are commonly seen in other sports earbuds.

In terms of sound quality, these earbuds have strong, plentiful bass that you’d expect from Beats. They also use Apple’s impressive W1-chip, which allows for longer battery life and stable Bluetooth connection.

Thanks to the W1 chip, BeatsX will automatically identify and pair instantly with any Apple devices using the same cloud ID.

BeatsX introduced the fast-fuel feature that allows you to get two hours of playback with just 5 minutes of charging.

Pros:

  • Fast charging
  • Solid wireless performance
  • Balanced sounding profile with satisfying bass impact
  • Secure, comfortable fit makes them great for sports

Cons:

  • The cable is longer than needed.
  • The treble is a bit harsh

Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless In-Ear

Sennheiser HD1 In-Ear Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth 4.1 with Qualcomm Apt-X and AAC, NFC one touch pairing, 10 hour battery life, 1.5 hour fast USB charging, multi-connection to 2 devices
Sennheiser HD1 In-Ear Wireless Headphones. (Image: Amazon)

Style: Around the neck, neckband | Weight: 1.86 oz (53g) | Play Time: 10 hours | Bluetooth 4.1 Qualcomm® apt-X™ Driver type: Dynamic | Bluetooth range: 30+ feet |NFC: Yes | Mic for calls | Mic Noise cancellation: Yes.

You might have heard of the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear, which is rated as one of Best wired earbuds under $100.

This fantastic model has been upgraded to wireless and is now called the Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless In-Ear (check the current price of the HD1s on Amazon).

It sports a classy leather neckband, and its earbuds fit precisely the same as Momentum In-Ear, but even more securely and comfortably.

Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless In-Ear is the Bluetooth version of a well-known V-shaped sound signature Momentum In-Ear.

Though the Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless are expensive and lack some features such as magnetic or retractable earbud attachment, they deliver great sound with a ton of detail. The treble is clear and bright, the mid-range is pronouncedand the bass is strong. Overall the sound is V-shape, which is identical to Momentum In-Ear’s sound. Because this model is Bluetooth, though, the sound tends to be more sculpted.

Pros:

  • Strong bass, nice mid-ranges, and clear treble
  • Authentic leather neckband
  • Comfortable to wear

Cons:

  • Bulky neckband

Samsung Level U Pro

Samsung Level U Pro Bluetooth Wireless In-ear Headphones with Microphone and UHQ Audio, Black
Samsung Level U Pro Bluetooth Wireless In-ear Headphones. (Image: Amazon)

Style: Around the neck, neckband |Earbuds: Sealed in the ear | Weight: 1.61 oz (46g) | Play Time: 9 hours | Bluetooth 4.1 Qualcomm® apt-X™ Driver type: Dynamic | Bluetooth range: 30+ feet |NFC: Yes | Mic for calls | Mic Noise cancellation: Yes |

The Samsung Level U Pro is the most ergonomic around-the-neck design on the market. Its collar will fit nicely on anyone’s necks. The earbuds give an extremely comfortable fit and are lightweight. The rest of the headphones are sweat-resistant, which makes them ideal for workout sessions.

The button layout is well placed and can be easily accessed without looking. It has flexible urethane joints that can comfortably accommodate various user requirements. The sturdy yet sleek metallic finish makes its overall visual aesthetic very appealing.

They use a two-way speaker unit and Ultra High-Quality Audio (UHQ) technology that provides superior sound. The free Samsung Level app that is available for Android devices lets you access advanced control settings of these headphones and even have your text messages read to you.

Bass quality is as good as expected; treble is accurate. When the volume monitor complements the sound, these headphones provide an incredible musical experience.

Level U Pro is an affordable Bluetooth headset that might not offer the great sound you expect from a Samsung device. Still, it certainly does provide crystal-clear voice quality and rarely has any issues related to connectivity.

Pros:

  • Dynamic sound
  • Vibrates on-call notification

Cons:

  • Looks and feels a little bit cheap
  • No earhooks for sports
  • Treble is slightly piercing

Sony WI-C400 

Sony - C400 Wireless Behind-Neck in Ear Headphone Black (WIC400/B)
Sony – C400 Wireless Behind-Neck in-Ear Headphone. (Image: Amazon)

Style: Around the neck, neckband | Weight: 35 grams | Play Time: 20 hours | Bluetooth 4.2 | Driver type: 9mm Dynamic | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Single mic for calls | Vibration for incoming calls: Yes | Mic Noise cancellation: Yes | NFC: Yes | Sweat-proof: No

Sony’s new budget behind neck headphones, the Sony WI-C400, has an impressive battery life of roughly 19 hours. The headset also offers a handy way to manage the cable, which can be adjusted by sliding a ball located on the neckband. The buds are small and lightweight with a polished look and comfortable fit.

The Sony WI-C400 has a natural sounding profile. The bass isn’t huge and doesn’t have a strong impact, but it is still present. The midrange is quite good, and the treble is clear, but it doesn’t seem to be muffled like most Bluetooth earbuds in the same price range. 

Though this Sony headset is an excellent value, it isn’t the most comfortable, and its call quality could be better.

Pros:

  • Handy cable management.
  • Solid build quality.

Cons:

  • Bulky neckband.
  • Mediocre call quality.

Other Models We Considered For This List (2015-2020)

LifeBEAM Vi AI Personal Trainer 

VI Sense Wireless Headphones on-Demand AI Personal Trainer Human-Sounding Voice Coaches You in Realtime Using a Built-in Fitness Tracker Heart Rate Monitor Neckband Bluetooth headphones are not just great for flexibility, sound quality, and reliable connection.

These days they can also be your personal training assistant.

Vi is one of the first smart neckbands to integrate a heart rate monitor feature and voice coaching, which makes your workout sessions more motivated, productive, and enjoyable.

 

LG Ultra Tone Series Infinim HBS-900

LG Tone Infinim HBS-900 Wireless Stereo Headset

Lightweight Headphones With Great Noise Isolation

The HBS-900 is in the line of the most popular behind the neck Bluetooth headphone series: LG Tone. This line of headphones gained popularity because of many factors, but what truly sets these headphones apart from the others is their stylish design, modern look, and sound quality that is hard to match.

This model looks appealing as it has a metallic finish with a particular economic design that is bound to catch attention.

The retractable earbuds make cord management a simple task, and easy access to the jog button lets you change music and volume on the fly.

They offer decent audio quality for Bluetooth headphones, thanks to Harman Kardon’s signature sound, which sounds quite clear and detailed. The highs are not as edgy or crunchy as other headphones in this category.

The Tone is an ideal choice if you like a warm sound with less bass. These headphones are equipped with aptX compatibility that delivers high-quality music. Features like MEMS and HD voice ensure that all voice communications remain crystal clear all the time.

This set even works well as a headset thanks to a built-in mic with noise reduction capacity, but if you make a call while biking or in a windy environment, it does lower the call quality. You can also have a voice read your SMS texts on Android devices, thanks to the Tone and Talk application.

Though the collar is not as flexible as other sets, it does hold an impressive battery that can last for up to 14 hours. As far as connection stability, audio lag and connection drop rarely occur if you put your phone on the table or stuff them in your pants pocket.

While this model may be slightly more expensive in comparison to other LG Tone Ultra models, it is more than worth buying at an extra cost. Coming from one of the leading technology companies in the world, the HBS-900 Wireless will undoubtedly rock your world with an entirely different musical experience.

Samsung Level U

Samsung level U wireless neckband (sit around the neck) headphones gain the momentum. Cheap yet it works well as either a headset and bluetooth in ear headphones
Samsung Level U Is A Sports Wireless Headset

This Bluetooth headphone is a cost-effective alternative to a higher-priced version, the Level U Pro. This model offers a highly comfortable fit, sleek, and stylish body design that will make anyone take notice, and is extremely lightweight so that it can be used in almost all scenarios.

This is an around-the-neck type device that is ideal for use in workout sessions or any activity that demands a high level of physical involvement.

It is splash and sweat-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about this device getting damaged.

The sound quality is excellent, but Samsung being the pioneers that they are, has introduced a few exclusive features to make it stand out.

The bass and treble quality are balanced, and you can expect to hear music in its finest details. This model is especially perfect for those who do not like jamming earbuds inside their ears.

It has well-placed buttons that you can easily access, and the vibrate feature alerts you to incoming calls without disrupting your flow of work. Call quality and connectivity are good enough to make the Level U model worth the price.

Jabra Halo Smart

First around the neck bluetooth headphones of Jabra
Rubber collar seems to be the best for sports

The Jabra Halo Smart sports a rugged and sturdy neckband, and the earbuds fit reasonably comfortably.

It has a great battery life of up to 17 hours for headset function and 15 hours for listening to music.

For music, it does sound great, and the sound tends to be balanced. The treble is not sparkling, but instead, it’s pleasant to hear while the bass remains calm. If your primary purpose for buying a headset is for voice calling, then this set is perfect as the call quality is impressive.

Just like many around the neck headphones, these sit around your neck. The custom comfort comes from the earbuds, and these earbuds are very comfortable.

The magnetic clip feature is also a plus because you can look more stylish when the earbuds are locked on your chest. If they cost less and looked sturdier compared to other sets, they would be an excellent pick for this holiday.

QuietControl 30

Bose Quietcontrol 30 Wireless Headphones
Amazing Sound You Expect From Bose

Bose released their first neckband-style wireless in-ear headphones, the Bose QuietControl 30, with noise-canceling technology. You can manually control how much ambient sound comes into your ears with buttons on the inline control.

RHA MA750 Wireless

RHA MA750 Wireless Headphones
Great Looking Around The Neck Earbuds

Another neckband Bluetooth headphone set worth checking out. Their build quality and excellent look are impressive, but the sound quality is not as good as it looks. As discussed in our post about how the sound degrades if we move to Bluetooth, you will lose some detail and richness of sound compared with the wired version.

Overall, while the wired model, the RHA MA750, is a great headphone, its wireless version isn’t.


Sol Republic Shadow

SOL REPUBLIC Shadow Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
A Combination Of High-Quality Sound And An Around The Neck Design

It didn’t take long for this brand to become famous since first arriving on the market in 2011, the reason being that this company has managed to release impressive devices at affordable rates.

The Sol Republic Shadow is another fantastic release as it features everything that you might want out of in-ear Bluetooth headphones. It is good looking, has a sturdy build, and is offered at a reasonable price. This model is light, foldable, and can be bent according to the user’s convenience.

While the audio quality may not blow your mind, it is definitely on par with some of the best models that are available now. The bass quality is surprisingly robust and crisp and stays clear throughout the lowest frequencies.

The volume range is extensive and can be cranked up to the point when no other environmental sound is audible. In a direct comparison with another popular set, LG Tone SBH 900, The Shadow offers a broader frequency response with more details and stronger bass. Due to the balanced sound, the bass of Shadow isn’t huge.

The headphones are supported by the latest technology for streaming sound, AptX, which supposedly delivers a more aggressive sound and higher fidelity. Though for tracks with complicated mixes packed in, the sound is not as clear and detailed as it could be.

For people who frequently make or receive calls, this is a good headset to be used in offices. When making calls outside, wind blowing or traffic noises are captured by the microphone, but you can still hear the caller’s voice clearly as long as the earbuds are securely in your ears.

Unfortunately, people who want to use the Shadow while exercising might be disappointed that it is not great in active situations. The flat cable, no wingtips, and collar make this set perfect for daily use rather than for sports. Included silicone ear tips are varied in size and provide decent noise isolation. The collar is coated in flexible rubber and contours well to your neck, though you can’t bend it to any shapes, and it flops a little bit if you move fast.

With multiple point technology, the Shadow can pair simultaneously to 2 devices. As promised, Bluetooth connects up to 30 feet, but you should keep the phone in your pocket at all times to get the best connectivity. The button layout could have been better, but it works.

LyreBeats-NB1 Neckbuds

 Style: Around the neck, neckband | Weight: 20.5 grams | Play Time: 7 hours | Bluetooth 4.1 Qualcomm CSR8635 | Driver type: Dynamic | Bluetooth range: 30 feet | Single mic for calls | Mic Noise cancellation: Yes

The LyreBeats-NB1 headphones have metal buds that ate unique and built to last. The battery can handle more than 8 hours of continuous play. The earbuds are waterproof (IPX4) and designed to fit snugly in the ear for comfortable listening even during strenuous activity.

With built-in neodymium magnets, the LyreBeats-NB1 delivers clear treble and enjoyable sound. Plus, the CVC 6.0 noise-canceling technology ensures high-quality calls so that this set could be an alternative to regular headsets.

Pros:

  • Strong bass and pronounced mid-ranges

Cons:

  • Bluetooth connection range is shorter than advertised
  • Treble is a little muffled

Sony SBH70 (Unavailable)

Sony is a brand that needs no introduction as it is one of the three global electronic giants. The Sony SBH70 is another stellar Bluetooth headset released by the company, and it comes with a behind the neck design, has in-ear headphones, and weighs just 50 g making it extremely flexible and enjoyable to use.

This lightweight headset makes use of a vented acoustic design and is made of metal to add more glamour. Build quality is solid as this device can withstand raindrops and will not break even if you accidentally drop it in a puddle.

The Sony SBH70 is flexible, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. This headset features retractable earphone cables to keep them conveniently stored when not in use. The earbuds look almost like Apple earbuds. Because of unsealed style, they do let ambient sound in, so it’s not quite suitable for use in a noisy office.

The open-style earbuds have an advantage of offering more airy, open sound, but less bass compared to sealed style earbuds like the Shadow or LG-tone.

SBH70 has good music streaming quality as it can play loud and pump a balanced bass that never gets overwhelming. The sealed in-ear headphone design can be a hit or miss depending on preference as it doesn’t block all types of external noise well and can cause you to be unaware of your surroundings as you exercise. However, people who like to hear what’s happening around will love the un-sealed design of these headphones.

As far as call quality is concerned, you can count on the echo, noise, and wind cancellation features to provide you with exceptional voice quality. The HD voice compliant microphone is another bonus that further adds to this model’s utility.

Why Buy Around or Behind The Neck Bluetooth Headphones?

Longer Lasting Battery Life For regular Bluetooth in-ear headphones, the battery is built either in the left earpiece or the inline-control, adding weight and size to earpieces, which can cause them to move or fall out in active situations.

Typical Bluetooth earbuds could last 8 hours, but the neckband style earbuds could last significantly longer. “Everyday Headsets”]By design, the collar sits naturally on your neck, which is generally perceived as a nice, stylish design. You could wear these sets all day long and let earbuds freely dangle down when they are not in use.

You can conveniently put them on when you want to listen to music or have an incoming call. These headsets also offer better call quality are perfect for hands-free calling.

In the future, all this type of headphone will have built-in bio-sensors that can track and analyze your performance. AI coaches will also be standard soon, which will give you voice commands and prompts to help you have the best workout possible. Real-time translation will also be integrated into around the neck headsets in the near future.

3 thoughts on “7 Best Neckband Bluetooth Headphones {Plus One To AVOID}”

  1. Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless In-Ear are way more expensive than they should be. I don’t think they are sweet-proof and dedicated to sports.

    Reply
  2. Are these neck headphones heavy or stable on the neck. I mean when we move around or even jump do they bounce or change their position regularly.

    Reply
    • Due to the form factor – around the neck, I think it wil definitely flop but not that much, I’ve never had any trouble with this type of headphones. The neckband headphones are also not heavy that a lot people would say “they wear nothing around their neck”. I prefer neckband style since I use headphones a lot both for calls and listening to music, sometimes the buds attached to it ares the best thing I would stuff into my earcanals to escape the noise. BeatsX is the most flexible form right now but it’s expensive and I don’t like the cable design look quite bulky.

      Reply

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