For phone calls, the best headphones for phone calls among these picks are Garrett Metal Detectors MS-2, with a wired design and in-line volume control. Direct Sound is the runner-up if you want over-ear headphones built for passive sound isolation.
best headphones for phone calls at a Glance
• Garrett Metal Detectors MS-2 — best for wired listening with manual volume adjustment; pick this if its 1/4-inch plug matches your equipment.
• CN-Outlet Kids Headphones Bulk — best for outfitting a group; pick this if you need eight wired pairs with 3.5 mm plugs and adjustable headbands.
• Direct Sound EX29 — best for listening in noisy environments; pick this if you value passive isolation and want both 3.5 mm and 1/4-inch connection options.
The CXLWZ Guitar Amp 20 is an electric guitar amplifier, not a conventional phone-call headset. Its connection options may suit a specific desk or practice setup, but the product information does not list a microphone or call controls. I would not choose it as a headset for joining meetings or making calls.
For guitar practice, its features are more relevant. The amp has a guitar input, an AUX input for audio from a phone or MP3 player, and a headphone output for silent practice. That lets a guitarist play along with phone audio while monitoring through headphones. Gain, bass, treble, and volume controls provide ways to adjust the instrument sound.
It is a corded, 20-watt solid-state amplifier with a 6.5-inch speaker. The listed weight is 6.2 pounds, and it has a handle, so it can be moved around the home or practice space. The main trade-off is simple: this is an instrument amp, not a phone-call product. Its AUX input can play phone audio, but that does not make it a headset or establish that it can transmit a caller’s voice.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
The Garrett Metal Detectors MS-2 is a wired, over-ear pair with a 1/4-inch stereo plug and a volume control. Of the four products here, it is the closest fit for someone looking for conventional headphones rather than an amplifier or a multi-pair classroom set. Still, the listed features do not specify a microphone, so I would not assume it supports two-way phone calls.
The volume control is useful when you want to adjust listening level without reaching for the connected device. Its 10-foot coiled cable gives some slack, while the reinforced cable design is intended for regular handling. The headband and ear pads are described as comfortable, and the over-ear fit may suit listening sessions where a larger headphone style is preferred.
A key compatibility detail is the 1/4-inch plug. Many phones use a 3.5 mm connection or no headphone jack, and this spec sheet does not list a phone adapter. Check your device’s connection before choosing it. There is also no stated noise control, so the MS-2 should not be mistaken for an isolation-focused headset. My recommendation is limited: I would consider it for wired listening with compatible equipment, not for calls that require a microphone.
The CN-Outlet Kids Headphones Bulk set contains eight wired, on-ear pairs, each with a 3.5 mm plug and a four-foot cord. Adjustable headbands are meant to accommodate different users, and the lightweight design is intended for both children and adults. This is a practical format for classrooms, shared devices, or a household that needs several pairs at once.
The 3.5 mm connection works with devices that have a matching headphone jack. But the product information does not list a microphone, so these headphones should not be treated as a phone-call headset. They could let a student listen to a lesson or other audio from a compatible phone or tablet; they do not establish that the student can speak through them on a call.
Each pair is individually sealed, and the set includes several colors. The listed warranty is one year. Those details may help when distributing pairs among students or keeping track of shared equipment. The trade-off is that buying eight pairs makes most sense when you actually need a group set. If you want just one headset for personal calls, this bundle’s defining advantage is less useful, and its call functionality is not specified.
The Direct Sound EX29 is a wired, over-ear headphone designed around passive isolation. Its closed-back design and stated 29 dB of passive isolation make it the clearest fit in this group for someone who wants to reduce surrounding sound while listening. It needs no batteries for that isolation.
The cable has a 3.5 mm stereo plug and includes a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter. That gives it more connection flexibility than a single-plug design, though the right fit still depends on the phone or other device. The adjustable padded headband folds for storage, and the listed weight is 1.1 pounds.
For calls, there is an important limitation: the specifications do not identify a microphone. I would not buy the EX29 on the assumption that it can capture your voice. Its strengths are over-ear coverage, passive isolation, and two connection formats for listening. Its trade-off is that sound isolation is not the same as call capability; callers need a microphone, and one is not listed here.
I compared the listed connection types, wearing styles, controls, and stated use features for call-related usefulness.
The ranking is my independent editorial opinion based on those published specifications.
No brand paid for placement.
The listed specifications do not identify a microphone for any of the four products. I would not assume that any of them supports two-way calls without confirming microphone compatibility.
The CN-Outlet set has a 3.5 mm plug, and the Direct Sound EX29 has a 3.5 mm plug plus a 1/4-inch adapter. The Garrett MS-2 uses a 1/4-inch plug. Phone compatibility depends on the device’s available connection; the CXLWZ amp accepts phone audio through AUX but is not a headset.
No. The listed headphone models are wired, and none is described as an earbud. They are not a match for someone searching for the best sweatproof true wireless earbuds.
The Direct Sound and Garrett models are headphones, but the supplied features do not establish gaming-specific capabilities such as a microphone. None is described as an open-ear earbud, so this group also does not match shoppers looking for the best hi res gaming headset or open ear earbuds mothers day gift.
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