Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen 950 950

The Cisco B&O 950 deliver audiophile sound, top-tier ANC, and best-in-class call quality in a supremely well-built package. If you need the enterprise features, buy them; if not, save your cash.

What really caught us off guard was the noise cancellation. In our tests, it shrugged off everything from coffee shop chatter to jet engine rumble, easily ranking among the absolute best right now. The six-microphone array makes you sound like you're broadcast-ready on calls, which is a massive win for remote workers. Sound quality is equally impressive, with a refined, detailed presentation you'd expect from B&O. The only thing that didn't surprise us? Battery life is firmly middle of the pack.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 costs $100 less and gives you 8 hours of battery vs. just 6 here, along with a similarly excellent ANC system. Bose's QuietComfort Ultra are more comfortable for all-day wear and have a warmer, consumer-friendly sound. Where the Cisco B&O 950 pull ahead is in call quality and enterprise security—if you're in a managed IT environment, they're the only real choice. The Technics EAH-AZ100-K are another strong alternative with brilliant sound, but they lack the Cisco integration.

With prices ranging from $417 to $813, you'll want to shop around. Even at the low end, these cost more than our top-rated consumer earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM5. Unless you absolutely need the Cisco Teams integration and security layers, you're paying a huge premium for a badge. If you can snag them around $450, they're somewhat justifiable for the sound quality alone, but still a niche buy.

The Cisco Bang & Olufsen 950 earbuds are overkill for most people, and we mean that as a compliment. Built for IT departments and Teams power users, they bring B&O's renowned audio tuning to a secure, manageable package. The sound quality, active noise cancellation, and call clarity are all top-tier—some of the best we've measured. But that $500-plus price tag? Ouch.

If you're just looking for excellent everyday earbuds for music, podcasts, and casual calls, these aren't for you. Grab the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra instead and pocket the savings. Only IT teams that need Cisco integration should seriously consider these.

For the right person—an IT professional who lives in Teams calls and values enterprise-grade control—these are the best wireless earbuds money can buy. For everyone else, the premium simply doesn't translate into a meaningfully better experience than $300 consumer flagships. If you find a deal under $500, they're a fantastic luxury pick, but we'd steer most people toward Sony or Bose.