What makes headphones good specifically for audiobooks?

Vocal clarity is the most important factor — headphones should render speech naturally without muddiness or sibilance. Comfort for extended sessions matters more than for music listening because audiobooks are consumed in longer stretches. Battery life needs to outlast at least one long listening session. Active noise cancellation helps in noisy environments but is less critical than for music. Bass response is irrelevant for spoken word content.

Can I use headphones for book club video calls?

All three recommended headphones have microphones suitable for book club calls. The Sony XM5 has the best microphone quality with beam-forming technology that isolates your voice. AirPods Pro 2 microphones work well for calls and are the most convenient for Apple users. Shokz OpenRun Pro microphones are adequate for calls but pick up more background noise. For regular book club calls, any of these work — choose based on your primary listening use case.

Best Audiobook Headphones 2026