Top 9 Best Japanese Neckband Earphones to Buy Online 2020 - Tried and True!

Here are the results of each of our tests and a ranking of the best Japanese neckband earphones to buy online!

We purchased the top 9 best-selling Japanese neckband earphones from Japanese websites like Amazon and Rakuten and put them to the test!

We tested each product for the following 5 criteria.

①： Ease of Use

②： Comfort

③： Sound Quality

④： Sound Delay

⑤： Sound Leakage

For this examination, we used an iPhone X. 

In our ease of use test, we established a number of criteria and tested to see how they applied to each set of earphones. Here's a list of the things we rated them on.

• Pairing smoothness
• Whether they come with magnets
• Whether or not you can adjust cord length
• The amount and quality of extra ear pieces 
• The material of the neckband
  

During our investigation, we found no set at all that scored perfectly for each and every criterion, so it's important to decide your sound priorities before buying.

For the comfort examination, three of our editors inserted each set of earphones into their ears then proceeded to tilt their heads from side to side, jump around, and even shake their heads violently to see if the earphones would come loose and fall out. 

Since the neckband supports the earphones well, we didn't have any real worries about them falling out at all. That being the case, each set of earphones scored quite well in this category. 

However, during the jump test, we found a number of the products' neckbands would bounce up and down, hitting our collarbones. These specific earphones are not recommended for running and jogging or for people who constantly find themselves running down stairs on an everyday basis. 

For the sound quality test, we played the popular song Pretender by Official HIGE DANdism.

Using the battery life of each set of earphones as the background for the test, we were looking to see if using the earphones over a long period of time would get tiresome instead of looking for whether or not they had a crisp sound.  

We also tested to see if the sound was clean, whether or not the high pitches were tinny and whether or not the low pitches (bass) were too stressed. 

More than half of all the earphones scored over a 4.0 in terms of sound quality. Even the low-ranking SBC codec had a good sound so we noticed that it was more about the maker and their ability to produce a good sound that affected the outcome of the ranking more than anything. 

So, if you're all about getting the best sound quality possible from your neckband earphones, go with a trusted brand like Sony. 

For the sound delay test, we watched both a comedy show, which wouldn't be affected too much even if there were a delay, as well as a dance performance, to determine what sort of delay in sound existed when it came to watching videos. 

Only a couple of the earphones we tested turned out to have a horrible sound delay. One had a SBC codec, and the other actually had AAC. 

You'll be able to avoid having significant sound delay if you choose a product that doesn't use SBC, but we also found out that not all AAC codec using earphones have low sound delay. 

In the sound leakage test, one of our editors listened to music at a level of seven out of 16 on their device while another editor sat one desk away and listened in. 

None of the earphones we tested were found to leak any sound whatsoever. You can rest assured that no one will be bothered by your music as long as you listen to it at a reasonable volume. 

However, if you raise the volume too high, you'll run the risk of bothering others. We recommend listening at a lower volume in crowded places, such as on the train.

Before deciding on which neckband earphones are right for you, we would like you to consider the following four points.

First, let's examine 4 different points to look out for when considering the level of comfort and stability of your neckband earphones. 

In order to reduce the pressure you feel around your neck, try and choose one with a thinner band. Doing so will reduce the amount of surface area on the neck being covered by the band and make you feel more comfortable when using them. 

A cord that's too long could end up hitting you in the face. To avoid that, check to see if the cord is adjustable before purchasing. 

For those products that don't have adjustable cords, try them on once to see if the length of the cord will become a problem. You can also use the information in our rankings to help you. 

To get the most from neckband headphones and the merits they can provide, choose ones whose ear pieces are magnetized for a comfortable feel even when you're not using them. These will stick right to each other once you take them out of your ears and let them dangle in front of you. 

This will also prevent the ear pieces from dangling and banging into each other when not in use. 

Most, if not all, neckband earphones come with earplug-like ear pieces that fit right inside the ear. Choosing the size that's right for you will help in preventing them from unnecessarily falling out of your ears. 

In order to make finding the right size ear piece that fits your ear easier, choose a product with more choices. And if you find that none of them fit all that well, you could always buy separate ones on your own. 

We recommend purchasing earphones with at least a 5-hour battery life. This way you won't run the risk of running out of battery halfway through your day. 

Neckband earphones are famous for having a long battery life with an average of about 10 hours. For those of you focused on battery life, choose neckband earphones that can be used for at least that long.

There are a lot of elements to consider when trying to know whether or not your earphones have good sound quality or not and is almost impossible to tell just by a glance. But one thing you could do is look at the codec. 

This tells you the method of sound transmission, so if you choose one that supports one of higher quality, you can reduce the amount of sound delay you'll experience. If you choose SSC for iPhones and aptX for Androids, you'll be able to enjoy better sounding music with less delay. 

One point you'll need to watch out for is whether the codec's transmitting device (smartphones, etc.) and receiving device (earphones, etc.) are compatible. So, before purchasing your neckband earphones, check not only the earphones themselves but also your smartphone to see if it supports the proper codec!

Here are some convenient functions common to most neckband earphones. Choose the ones that best fit your life and style!

With some neckband earphones, you can turn your phone off as well as set your notifications to vibrate. 

If those of you who receive a lot of calls or emails for work have this function available, you'll be able to get them more easily. And if you ever receive a call when listening to music, you'll be able to switch over in the push of a button. 

A lot of high-end models come with noise-canceling capabilities. This means that you'll be able to drown out the sounds of the outside world when concentrating at work or when you really want to get into the groove when on a train or airplane.

It is possible to purchase earphones equipped with noise-cancelling capabilities for under $50.00, so don't think this is solely a function of the more expensive, higher-end models. 

There are also earphones with a function that will actually allow you to listen in to what's going on around you. With these, you'll be able to stay alert at work as well as listen for important announcements on trains or in other areas. 

When speaking while using your earphones, your own voice will reverberate so try not to speak in too loud a voice. 

Some larger models may be more difficult to carry around and even store in your bag. Struggling to get them in or applying to much force could damage your earphones very easily.

To avoid any unnecessary damage or breakage, choose ones made of a soft silicon or that come with a case. 

Neckband earphones are just one kind of Bluetooth earphones. These particular ones wrap around your neck and you use the attached ear pieces to listen to music or watch videos. 

A demerit of using neckband earphones is that the hard material of the band may prove uncomfortable around your neck. Also, you may find them hard to store or carry around with you. 

A merit of using them is that the band itself is much more stable than just the cord of simple earphones. Also, the battery life of neckband earphones is much longer than other Bluetooth earphones. 

This time we introduced a number of neckband earphones, but here are more gadgets you might be interested in!

This time around, we introduced the best Japanese neckband earphones.

Neckband earphones are known for their attractive stability. These models stand out above the rest when it comes to comfort and security. You'll never have to worry about your ear pieces falling out again!

Author: Sota Matsumoto/Translation: Andrew J. Tinkler/Photos： Yuuki Inagaki, Koichi Miura, Tetsuharu Shibasaki, Ayumu Sasaki, Takahiro Matsumura, Nekochaba

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