Looking Beyond TWS? Here Are the 5 Best Neckband Earphones in 2025 You Can Buy Right Now

Neckbands aren’t dead. In fact, they’re quietly thriving—especially among users who prioritize battery life, stable connectivity, and hands-free comfort over the trendiness of true wireless earbuds. Whether you're a commuter, a call-heavy user, or someone who just doesn’t want to deal with dead buds every other day, a good neckband still holds its own in 2025.

Here are five of the best neckband earphones you can buy right now in India, covering all price points and priorities—from immersive audio and ANC to sweatproof builds and marathon battery life.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z3 – ₹1,699

OnePlus’s latest neckband, manufactured locally under the Make-in-India initiative, brings together several practical features for everyday use. It weighs 26 grams, includes tactile physical controls, and uses magnetic earbuds for easy pause/play functionality.

The earphones feature 12.4mm dynamic drivers tuned with OnePlus’s BassWave algorithm. There’s also support for 3D Spatial Audio and four adjustable EQ profiles. The Z3 uses Bluetooth 5.4, supports Google Fast Pair, and includes AI-powered ENC for call clarity.

Battery life is rated at 36 hours for music playback at moderate volume. A 10-minute charge can deliver roughly 27 hours of playback. The device is IP55 certified, which should offer protection against sweat and light rain.

Check out our full review for all the details.

CMF Neckband Pro – ₹2,099

The CMF by Nothing Neckband Pro focuses on ANC and design. It supports 50dB Active Noise Cancellation and includes a Smart Dial for volume and ANC control. The build weighs 29g and comes in three color variants.

The earphones use 13.6mm dynamic drivers with a bass-oriented tuning (marketed as “Ultra Bass”) and Spatial Audio playback. Battery life is rated at 37 hours, with a 10-minute quick charge providing up to 18 hours of use.

It connects via Bluetooth 5.3 and supports common codecs like A2DP, AVRCP, and HFP. There's also AI Noise Cancellation for calls and automatic pairing with saved devices.

realme Buds Wireless 5 – ₹1,799

The realme Buds Wireless 5 includes Hybrid ANC (up to 50dB), 360-degree spatial audio, and a 13.6mm dynamic driver setup. The chipset used (BT8931H) is intended to optimize audio stability and low latency.

The headset features dual-device connection, AAC codec support, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 5-mic system for voice calls. Users can control ANC levels and EQ via the realme Link app.

Battery life is claimed to be 38 hours in standard mode and 20 hours with ANC or transparency mode enabled. A 10-minute charge is said to provide 20 hours of playback. It also includes a low-latency gaming mode (45ms).

Sony WI-C100 – ₹1,499

Sony’s WI-C100 is one of the simpler models on this list. It uses 9mm dynamic drivers, supports 360 Reality Audio, and has an official IPX4 rating for water resistance. There’s no active noise cancellation, but the tuning leans toward a balanced, neutral output.

Battery life is rated at 25 hours, and the headset includes Fast Pair and Swift Pair support. Physical buttons handle media and volume control. It supports Dolby Atmos and works with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer app for audio customization.

It connects via Bluetooth 5.0, with codec support including A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP.

boAt Rockerz 210 ANC – ₹1,499

boAt’s Rockerz 210 ANC offers 30dB noise cancellation, 13mm drivers, and support for boAt’s Spatial Audio profile. The sound signature leans heavily into bass, consistent with the brand’s tuning approach.

It includes multi-device pairing, Google Fast Pair, dual EQ modes, and a low-latency mode designed for mobile gaming. A 10-minute quick charge offers up to 10 hours of use, while the total battery life is rated at 40 hours.

Colors include Cosmic Blue, Onyx Black, Powder Blue, and Ruby Red.

Coming Soon: realme Buds Wireless 5 Lite – ₹1,199 (Launching June 23)

The Buds Wireless 5 Lite will offer 12.4mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.4, and AI ENC for calls. It supports dual-device connection, magnetic controls, and claims up to 35 hours of playback. realme is marketing this as an entry-level alternative under ₹1,200.