If you want wireless listening, adjustable noise cancellation, and over-ear comfort for college students, choose Microsoft Surface Headphones 2; if you need a lightweight wired headset with simple call controls, choose Jabra Evolve 20.
The difference is less about which headset does everything and more about what you need it to do most. Surface Headphones 2 is built for listening and flexible everyday use; Evolve 20 is a straightforward tool for calls at a desk.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 vs Jabra Evolve 20 at a Glance
• Microsoft Surface Headphones 2: Wireless Bluetooth listening, over-ear pads, and 13 levels of adjustable noise cancellation; the trade-off is that it needs charging.
• Jabra Evolve 20: A wired headset with a noise-cancelling microphone and a dedicated call-control unit; the trade-off is its mono design and narrower stated frequency range.
• Choose Surface Headphones 2 if you want music, calls, and adjustable noise reduction in one wireless over-ear headset.
• Neither one is described as waterproof or as having volume limiting, so those needs call for a different set of features.
Surface Headphones 2 is the more versatile option for a student who wants one pair for music, shows, and calls. It connects wirelessly over Bluetooth, sits over the ears, and uses touch controls for tasks such as skipping tracks and answering or ending calls. Its 13 levels of adjustable noise cancellation let you set how much noise reduction you want rather than treating it as a simple on-or-off choice. That flexibility can be useful when moving between a noisy shared space and a quieter study spot.
The listed battery life is up to 20 hours on a full charge, while the product information also gives up to 18.5 hours for music listening and up to 15 hours of Teams calling. Those are different use cases, not a guarantee of the same runtime in every situation. Microsoft also says a five-minute charge provides almost an hour of music listening. The breathable, lightweight over-ear pads and touch controls suit someone who wants to listen for long stretches without being tied to a computer cable.
This is the one I’d consider for a college student who listens to music between classes, watches shows, and takes calls from multiple locations. It can also make sense for someone looking at gaming headphones for college students who wants a wireless over-ear headset for general listening; the sheet does not establish gaming-specific features, so I would not choose it on that basis alone.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip Surface Headphones 2 if you want a wired headset with physical call controls and no need to manage battery charge.
The headset is mono, so it is designed around one-ear listening rather than the immersive, two-ear presentation of Surface Headphones 2. Its noise-cancelling microphone is a useful call-focused feature, but it should not be confused with adjustable active noise cancellation for the listener. The listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 7 kHz, compared with the Surface model’s 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. That specification points to a more communications-oriented design, not a promise about how every voice or recording will sound.
At 4.96 ounces according to the product information, Evolve 20 is lighter than the listed 10.24-ounce Surface headphones. Its leather-feel ear cushions and over-the-head design are intended for use during work calls, and the cable is listed as 3.12 feet. It may suit a student who spends scheduled time in online meetings and prefers a headset that connects directly, with call controls close at hand. Compatibility is stated for leading unified communications platforms, with certifications listed for Skype for Business and Cisco.
Who should skip it: Skip Evolve 20 if you want stereo over-ear listening, wireless freedom, or adjustable active noise cancellation for studying.
• Best for wireless listening → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. Bluetooth gives it a clear advantage if you do not want to stay connected by cable.
• Best for desk-based calls → Jabra Evolve 20. Its call-control unit puts answering, ending, and muting within easy reach.
• Best for adjustable noise reduction → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. It offers 13 levels of active noise cancellation; Evolve 20 instead lists passive noise cancellation and a noise-cancelling microphone.
• Best for a direct wired connection → Jabra Evolve 20. USB or jack connectivity avoids the need to pair over Bluetooth or recharge a battery.
• Best for music and shows → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. Its stated frequency range extends to 20,000 Hz, and it is described for music, shows, and calls.
• Best for a lighter listed weight → Jabra Evolve 20. Its product information lists 4.96 ounces, compared with 10.24 ounces for Surface Headphones 2.
• Best for call-focused controls → Jabra Evolve 20. The dedicated control unit handles core call actions, including mute.
• Best for adjustable listening comfort across settings → Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. Its breathable over-ear pads and adjustable cancellation fit a broader range of listening situations.
My Verdict
Before choosing, decide whether your main use is listening or calls. Surface Headphones 2 has stereo-oriented over-ear listening, Bluetooth, touch controls, and adjustable active noise cancellation. Evolve 20 is mono and wired, with a call-control unit and a noise-cancelling microphone. Those are different design priorities, so choosing by the name of a single feature can be misleading: a microphone designed to reduce noise on calls is not the same feature as active cancellation for the person wearing the headphones.
Think about where you will use the headset, too. If you plan to move between a dorm room, library, and campus, Surface Headphones 2 avoids a connecting cable and can play music for up to 20 hours according to its full-charge battery listing. Its actual runtime depends on use and settings, and it still needs charging. If you will mostly sit at a computer for classes or calls, Evolve 20’s wired connection and call controls may be more convenient than managing a wireless headset.
Neither specification sheet lists waterproofing, so I would not treat either as waterproof kids headphones for college students or assume either can handle water exposure. Neither sheet mentions a volume-limiting feature, either. If volume limitation is essential, these products do not provide enough documented information to make that a deciding advantage for either one. The same caution applies to gaming: Surface Headphones 2 can serve for general listening, but the available product details do not establish dedicated gaming capabilities.
Fit and listening style matter as well. Surface Headphones 2 has breathable, lightweight over-ear pads, while Evolve 20 is a mono headset with leather-feel ear cushions. The former is the more natural choice if you want both ears covered for music or shows. The latter leaves the listening experience more focused on calls and voice communication. For a student who alternates between lectures and entertainment, that distinction may matter more than a small difference in listed weight.
Finally, consider how you prefer to control calls. Surface Headphones 2 uses touch controls and supports answering or ending calls. Evolve 20 provides a separate manual call-control unit for making, taking, and muting calls. If you want a cable-free headset with touch-based operation, Microsoft has the stronger fit. If you want a wired headset with dedicated call actions, Jabra’s design is more direct. Check the current price on Amazon if cost is part of your decision.
For students who want wireless music, shows, and adjustable noise cancellation, Surface Headphones 2 is the more versatile choice. Evolve 20 makes more sense for students whose main need is a wired headset for calls.
Its details list passive noise cancellation and a noise-cancelling microphone. Surface Headphones 2, by comparison, offers 13 levels of adjustable active noise cancellation for the listener.
It is an over-ear Bluetooth headset described for music, shows, and calls. The available details do not list gaming-specific features, so they do not establish it as a dedicated gaming headset.
Evolve 20 has a wired connection and a call-control unit with mute and call-handling functions, which suit a desk-based class setup. Surface Headphones 2 offers Bluetooth and touch controls for someone who values wireless use and wants listening features beyond calls.
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