With people spending more time at home and being unable to meet up face to face, a good USB headset can make a major difference in how well you can communicate with the people in your life. The earbuds that come with your phone won’t cut it if you need to communicate as clearly and easily as possible online. Because the tethered connection provides better audio and microphone location than wireless earbuds and headphones, USB headsets are particularly popular among gamers and business users.
This is true whether you’re in a never-ending Zoom conference with coworkers or organising your teammates in a multiplayer game. However, there are significant differences between the various models, and some are far superior to others for specific tasks. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top USB headsets available, ranging from affordable options to all-day gaming headsets, outstanding business-focused models, and more.
1. Best USB Headset Overall: Corsair HS60 Haptic
The Corsair HS60 Haptic is our top pick for a reason: it’s a multipurpose USB headset that can be used for both work and play. The HS60’s biggest feature, like any decent headset, is its audio quality. The 50mm audio drivers produce clear, high-definition mids and treble as well as deep, resonating bass, with matching vibrations produced by the distinctive haptic feedback.
The result is realistic, immersive sound for music and entertainment, with the option to turn off the vibrations if they become too intense. You can adjust audio on the fly using the HS60’s on-ear volume and haptic controls. If you prefer finer adjustments, the included iCue programme enables for more advanced EQ settings and audio presets.
It’s worth noting that both the programme and the headphones are only compatible with Windows. Noise cancellation is included into the detachable unidirectional microphone to assist block out background noise and improve voice quality for individuals on the other end of the line. The HS60 ensures good communication whether you’re talking to colleagues on Skype or your teammates during a game.
Thanks to its memory foam ear cups and lightweight aluminium frame, the HS60 is developed with gamers in mind, so comfort is a key focus even during lengthy use.
Overall, the Corsair HS60 is a fantastic USB headset for Windows users that performs admirably in a variety of circumstances and comes at an affordable price.
Pros
- Impressive, immersive sound
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Versatile headset suitable for both work and gaming
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Haptic feedback can get tiring if used for extended periods
- Windows-only
2. Best USB Headset for Gaming: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC is a popular pro-gaming headset that was the first to enable High-Res Audio (HRA), a lossless sound codec that is significantly closer to the original recorded audio quality. Full surround sound, booming bass, and positional audio give pro gamers a competitive advantage in multiplayer. The GameDAC is what sets the Arctis Pro apart from the competition.
This compact digital to analogue converter (DAC) offers higher-quality audio than a USB or WiFi connection would normally provide. You may connect it to various audio sources and outputs, including speakers, and it has powerful EQ and audio settings for adjusting audio or rapidly switching features. The Arctis Pro avoids the flashiness of usual gaming headphones in favour of a sleek, understated design.
The earcups still include a customisable RGB light, but it’s much more subdued than before, and it can be turned off if you don’t like it. When not in use, the boom mic can be retracted into the earcup. While the ear cups’ fabric feels pleasant against the skin, the headband’s clamping force exerts a lot of pressure and might cause pain during long gaming sessions.
The Arctis Pro’s ClearCast microphone is adequate, providing clear audio with good noise cancellation. It’s on par with the most of the mics on our list, so it’s nothing remarkable, but it’s unlikely to let you down. The Arctis Pro is one of the best gaming USB headsets available, despite a few small flaws. With its superb sound quality and precision, as well as the power and versatility of the GameDAC hub, this is an easy pick for any serious gamer.
Pros
- Fantastic surround sound quality with excellent positional cues
- GameDAC allows for deep audio customization on the fly
- Sleek aesthetics
Cons
- Not comfortable for long sessions
- Comparatively expensive
3. Best Wireless USB Headset: Plantronics Voyager Focus UC B825
The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC B825 wireless USB headset is great for remote workers and anyone else who needs to make calls on a regular basis while sounding good. You might be wondering how a USB headset can be wireless. It uses a small dongle that plugs into your computer’s USB port and broadcasts wirelessly to the headset, similar to many wireless mice and keyboards.
For optimum versatility, you can pair the headset with any of your Bluetooth devices and switch between them on the fly, in addition to the dongle. When you put the headset on, smart sensors automatically answer incoming calls and silence the music when you take it off. The Voyager Focus UC favours crisp, clean audio over a wide sound range, which makes it less suitable for music.
That’s fine, because this headset is designed for business users, and you’ll most likely be using it for calls and other duties. During calls, the noise-canceling microphone also provides good speech output.
The Voyager Focus UC also has a convenient set of settings on the headset that allow you to start, pause, or skip audio as well as mute or unmute the microphone. If the mic is turned off, an indicator light on the side illuminates, which is a great addition. Bottom line: If you frequently switch between devices, the Voyager Focus UC B825 is a superb wireless USB headset for making calls.
Pros
- Long talk time (up to 12 hours)
- Smart sensors can switch between music/calls automatically
- Support for multiple devices
- Intuitive headset controls
Cons
- Narrow audio range, with weak bass
4. Best USB Headset for Music and Movies: HyperX Cloud II
In a USB headset, the HyperX Cloud II has some of the greatest surround sound you’ll find. Although it’s billed as a gaming headset, it’s also a great companion for audiophiles and movie buffs. The headset has 53mm drivers to deliver hardware-driven 7.1 virtual surround sound. You’ll hear positional audio that’s in time with what you’re watching, which will help you get a better sense of immersion.
Outside noise is blocked by the noise-isolating, closed ear cups, adding to the realism.
Memory foam padding keeps things pleasant while binge-watching or listening to music. The Cloud II’s microphone, on the other hand, is its one flaw. Although it offers noise-canceling features, the speech quality isn’t as good as some of the others on this list, such as the Jabra Evolve 40.
The microphone is also rather large, though it can be removed if you don’t want to use it. However, for the money, the HyperX Cloud II’s outstanding surround sound experience makes it a wonderful offer for gaming and entertainment aficionados.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Immersive surround sound
- Comfortable memory foam ear pads
Cons
- The mic is bulky and has only moderate voice quality
5. Best USB Headset for Work: Jabra Evolve 40
Hands down, the Jabra Evolve 40 is the greatest USB headset for working video conversations. This headset features the unusual combination of outstanding audio output and a high-quality microphone, allowing you to hear and be heard clearly even in noisy surroundings during voice calls. Noise-canceling functions are included into both the drivers and the microphone, allowing you to keep distractions out of your meetings.
The Evolve 40’s lightweight frame and plush leather ear cups make it comfortable to wear all day, even for long periods of time. The indication that lights up when you’re on a call lets folks know they shouldn’t bother you. On the side of the headset is a mute button, which allows you to instantly turn off the microphone when you don’t want to be heard.
Finding the ideal mic position takes some patience, but once you do, it works perfectly. Overall, the Jabra Evolve 40 has nothing to dislike and a lot to appreciate.
It’s simply a high-quality professional USB headset that will keep you focused at work.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear for hours
- Light indicators and noise-cancellation features help keep you focused and productive
- The mic and headphones provide clear voice audio.
Cons
- It takes time to find the optimal mic position
6. Best Budget USB Headset: Sennheiser PC 8
The Sennheiser PC 8 is a no-frills, low-cost USB headset that’s ideal for replacing your old earphones without breaking the bank. It’s a multi-purpose device that may be used for music, gaming, and making online calls. At first glance, you’ll note the PC 8’s tiny size and light weight.
This is more of a benefit than a disadvantage: the headset doesn’t add too much weight to your head and is nonetheless pretty robust, despite its flimsy appearance. The PC 8 boasts above-average audio performance for music and games for the price.
This headset’s strong strength is its vocal quality, making it an ideal budget-friendly alternative for video chats or podcasts.
The microphone’s noise cancellation is patchy, and it doesn’t always work for sources close by. As a result, it performs best in surroundings that are relatively quiet. Aside from sound quality, comfort, and pricing, there’s not much else to say about the Sennheiser PC 8. You’ve found it if you’re seeking for a good affordable USB headset from a well-known audio company.
Pros
- One of the most inexpensive USB headsets you can buy
- Crisp, clear vocal audio
- Easy to use with no extra features to worry about
Cons
- Noise cancellation function can be improved
Conclusion
The Corsair HS60 Haptic is the most versatile USB headset with superb sound quality no matter where you use it. We recommend the Jabra Evolve 40 for work and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC for play if you just want to focus on one sort of use.
