Why Everyone is Buying the Surface Headphones 2 Wireless (Full Review)

I remember the first time I saw the original Surface Headphones. They looked like something straight out of a minimalist sci-fi movie—matte grey, sleek, and featuring those massive, satisfying physical dials on the earcups. But as much as I loved the design, I couldn't quite justify the price tag back then given some of the performance gaps. When the Surface Headphones 2 Wireless launched, I decided it was finally time to dive in. I’ve been using these as my primary daily drivers for over six months now, taking them through cross-country flights, chaotic coffee shop work sessions, and hundreds of hours of focused writing at my desk.

What I’ve discovered is that Microsoft didn’t just iterate; they refined the experience in a way that makes these some of the most practical headphones on the market. In a world dominated by Sony and Bose, the Surface Headphones 2 managed to carve out a niche for people like me—users who prioritize workflow, comfort, and tactile control over raw specs. I want to share my honest findings after half a year of constant use, highlighting why these have become so popular despite being a bit older than some of the newest competition.

The First Impression: It’s All About the Dials

The standout feature, and the reason I personally bought these, is the dial system. If you haven’t used them, it’s hard to explain how much better this is than tapping a touchpad or hunting for a tiny volume rocker. The left earcup has a massive dial that controls active noise cancellation (ANC), and the right earcup has an identical dial for volume. In my experience, this is the gold standard for headphone interfaces. I found that I could adjust my environment's volume or my music's levels with muscle memory within about ten minutes of putting them on.

I’ve used plenty of headphones where I have to remember if two taps skip a track or if a long press toggles transparency mode. With these, I just turn the left dial forward to block out the world, or turn it back when my wife walks into the room to talk to me. It feels mechanical, intentional, and premium. One thing I noticed early on is that the rotation is buttery smooth; there are no "clicks," which allows for granular control over exactly how much noise you want to let in.

Design and Long-Term Comfort

I’m someone who wears headphones for five to six hours at a time. Comfort isn't just a "nice to have"—it’s a requirement. The Surface Headphones 2 are surprisingly lightweight for their size. The headband has a soft-touch silicone finish that doesn't pull on my hair, and the earcups are deep enough that my ears don't touch the internal driver mesh. What I found was that the clamping force is just right. They stay on when I’m moving around the house, but they don’t give me that "head-in-a-vise" feeling after two hours.

I was surprised by how well the ear pads have held up. Typically, with daily use, synthetic leather starts to flake or lose its spring. After six months, mine still feel as plush as day one. However, one specific disappointment a real owner would notice is that the "Light Gray" model I chose tends to pick up oils and marks more easily than I’d like. If I were buying them again, I would probably go for the "Matte Black" just to keep them looking cleaner for longer.

Active Noise Cancellation: Practical, Not Perfect

Let’s talk about the ANC. If you are expecting these to beat the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra in a raw "silence" competition, you might be disappointed. After testing for several weeks, I found that the Surface Headphones 2 are great at blocking out low-frequency hums—like my refrigerator, the drone of an airplane engine, or the constant whir of my PC fans. They are less effective at blocking out higher-pitched sounds like people talking nearby or a sharp clatter in the kitchen.

However, there is a silver lining. I actually prefer the "transparency" mode on these over almost any other pair I've owned. When you dial the ANC all the way down, it uses the microphones to pump the outside world into your ears. In my experience, it sounds incredibly natural—not processed or "tinny." I can wear these in a conversation and feel like I’m not even wearing headphones at all. This makes them perfect for an office environment where you want to focus but still need to be reachable.

Sound Quality: The "Everyman" Tuning

In terms of audio profile, Microsoft went for a very balanced, "safe" sound. Out of the box, they aren't bass-heavy. I’m a bit of an audiophile, and I noticed that the mid-range is where these headphones really shine. Vocals are crisp, and podcasts sound excellent. If you’re a bass-head who wants your skull to rattle when the beat drops, you will definitely want to use the Surface Audio app to tweak the EQ settings.

What I found was that the soundstage is relatively wide for closed-back headphones. When listening to orchestral tracks or complex rock albums, I could distinguish between different instruments clearly. One thing that bothered me, though, is that they only support SBC and aptX codecs. They don’t support LDAC or AAC, which means iPhone users aren't getting the absolute highest bit-rate possible. Was it a dealbreaker for me? No. But if you’re paying for high-res streaming services, it’s something to keep in mind.

Connectivity and Multitasking

This is where the Surface Headphones 2 becomes a productivity powerhouse. They support multipoint Bluetooth, meaning I have them connected to my Surface Pro and my iPhone simultaneously. The handoff is nearly instantaneous. If I’m watching a video on my computer and a call comes in on my phone, the computer audio pauses and the phone call takes over. It works flawlessly 99% of the time, which is more than I can say for some competitors.

One feature I absolutely love is the auto-pause. There are sensors in the earcups that detect when you take the headphones off. I’ve been using this extensively, and it’s a lifesaver when I need to quickly step away from my desk. The music stops immediately and resumes the moment I put them back on. I did notice that if I wear them around my neck, the sensors can occasionally get confused and think they are still on my ears, but that’s a minor quirk I’ve learned to live with.

Pros and Cons

• Pro: The Physical Dials. Easily the best control scheme on any wireless headphones. It makes volume and ANC adjustments feel tactile and precise.
• Pro: Exceptional Comfort. I can wear these all day without hotspots on the top of my head or ear fatigue.
• Pro: Multipoint Bluetooth. Seamless switching between two devices makes it a dream for office workers and students.
• Pro: Natural Transparency Mode. One of the best implementations of "hearing the world" without taking your headphones off.
• Con: Battery Life is Just Okay. You get about 18.5 to 20 hours. In modern standards, where some brands offer 50 or 60 hours, this feels a bit short.
• Con: Average Top-End ANC. High-frequency noises still bleed through, so they aren't the best for extremely noisy environments.
• Con: Micro-USB to USB-C charging is fast, but the included cable is quite short. I ended up using my laptop's charger instead.

Technical Specifications Comparison

To give you a better idea of how the Surface Headphones 2 stack up against the competition, I’ve put together this table based on my comparative testing in the shop before I made my purchase.

Buying Guide: Is This Right for You?

Choosing the right headphones is purely about your specific use case. After using these for months, I’ve identified exactly who should—and shouldn’t—buy the Surface Headphones 2.

The Office Professional

In my experience, if you spend your day on Microsoft Teams or Zoom, these are the best choice. The microphone quality is surprisingly good. I’ve asked colleagues how I sound during meetings, and they’ve noted that my voice comes through clear without picking up too much of my background keyboard clicking. The ability to quickly mute or adjust volume with a dial is a "workspace hack" you won't want to give up.

The Student

If you need to study in a library or a shared dorm, the comfort level is the selling point here. You can leave these on for an entire study session. However, keep in mind the 20-hour battery life. You will likely need to charge these every two to three days, whereas some other headphones can go a full week. I’ve made a habit of plugging them in every other night to avoid getting caught with a dead battery during a morning commute.

The Audio Purist

If you are looking for the absolute best noise cancellation or the highest fidelity audio codecs, you might want to look elsewhere. While I love the sound of the Surface Headphones 2, they are designed for versatility rather than critical listening. They sound "good" for everything, but they aren't the "best" at any one specific audio category.

The Frequent Traveler

The earcups on the Surface Headphones 2 rotate 180 degrees, allowing them to lay flat around your neck or in their carrying case. This is a huge win for travel. I’ve found that they fit much better in my backpack than headphones that only fold inward. The case is also quite slim, which I appreciated when I was trying to save space in my carry-on.

Real-World Reliability Observations

One thing that often gets overlooked in typical reviews is how the software behaves over time. Microsoft has a dedicated "Surface Audio" app for both Windows and mobile devices. Early on, I had some issues with the app seeing the headphones while they were connected to my PC. I found that a simple firmware update (which was pushed about two months into my ownership) fixed almost all of my connectivity quirks. Since then, the connection has been rock solid.

I also want to mention the physical build quality. I’ve accidentally dropped these off my desk onto a hardwood floor twice. Both times, I cringed expecting a crack or a scuff. To my surprise, the plastic used here is very dense and durable. There are no squeaks or creaks when I move my head, which is a common complaint with the plastic-heavy designs of some competitors. It feels like a high-end tool, not a toy.

One minor disappointment I noticed relates to the hardware buttons. Aside from the dials, there is a power button and a mute button. The mute button is great, but it’s quite small and sits very close to the power button. In the first few weeks, I accidentally turned off my headphones twice while trying to mute myself during a call. Eventually, my thumb learned the spacing, but it’s a design choice that felt a bit cramped compared to the spacious dials.

Final Thoughts After Six Months

After testing for over half a year, my verdict is that the Surface Headphones 2 Wireless are the most "frictionless" headphones I’ve ever owned. They don't try to be flashy with useless features. Instead, they focus on making the things you do most—changing volume, switching between devices, and staying comfortable—as easy as possible.

I was surprised by how much I came to rely on the physical dials. Every time I use a different pair of headphones now, I find myself reaching for a dial that isn't there, frustrated by having to swipe on a piece of plastic or click a button four times. That tactile feedback is something I didn't know I needed until I had it. While the battery life and the top-tier noise cancellation aren't industry-leading, they are more than "good enough" for 90% of people.

In my experience, these headphones represent the perfect middle ground. They offer a premium aesthetic, a unique and functional control scheme, and enough performance to satisfy most commuters and office workers. If you value design and usability over having the absolute latest tech specs, I think you’ll find these as indispensable as I have. They have a certain "it just works" quality that makes the daily experience of listening to music or taking calls much more enjoyable.

Despite the few minor letdowns, like the light color picking up dirt or the slightly dated battery life, the Surface Headphones 2 remain one of the best purchases I’ve made for my workstation. They solve the actual problems I have with wireless headphones without adding new ones. If you're tired of touch controls and want a pair of headphones that actually feels like a piece of well-engineered hardware, this is definitely the set to get.