From the office to your favorite gaming console, USB headsets are multipurpose investments. Here are the eight best USB headsets you can buy right now.
When you think about supplies necessary for the office, you might think about pens, sticky notes, monitors, and keyboards, just to name a few. Do you think you’d ever list a USB headset as a necessary office supply? When your external environment is seemingly getting louder every second while you’re trying to focus on a big project, music can be incredibly helpful. Then, when you have a virtual meeting with your boss, you can switch off the music and utilize the incorporated microphone and speaker setup for crystal clear quality. Even if you’re talking with someone who tends to mumble, a headset can help you pick up exactly what they’re setting.
A USB headset can be awesome for more than just work. If you frequently play games with friends or stream the games you’re playing to a live platform, like Twitch, a headset can help your voice come through clearly. Plus, being able to go wireless and quickly mute yourself by lifting the mic or tapping a mute button makes snack and bathroom breaks a breeze. There are some great headsets for PS5 users or Xbox users specifically, but many of these headsets can work for both platforms. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
SteelSeries makes some pretty awesome headphones. The Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset from SteelSeries is a great premium option for gaming. You can simultaneously connect via Bluetooth and USB-RF at 2.4 GHz. This means you can plug the USB dongle into your computer for game audio, and have your phone connected via Bluetooth for music or phone calls.
There are even two USB-C ports on the included GameDAC, which lets you easily swap between your PC and PlayStation, Mac, or Nintendo Switch. If you have an Xbox system, you might opt for the Nova Pro headset specifically designed to work with Xbox.
The Nova Pro headset uses 40-millimeter Neodymium drivers and a proprietary acoustic system enhanced with Sonar Software to deliver crystal clear, immersive sound quality. Then, 360-degree Spatial Audio is made possible by Tempest 3D audio for the PS5 or Microsoft Spatial Sound for PC. These features, combined with active noise cancellation, make for an awesome gaming experience.
Steelseries’ Nova Pro headset uses an AI-powered ClearCast Gen 2 noise-canceling microphone setup to reduce the sounds of your keyboard while you’re gaming with friends. The mic works with Sonar Software’s AI algorithms to help silence this background noise.
You can use Pro-grade Parametric EQ to adjust audio settings to your preferences without leaving your video game. When the headset is wired, the frequency response is between 10 and 40,000 Hz; when it’s wireless, that range is between 10 and 22,000 Hz. Then, to stretch out your total playtime, the Nova Pro headset lets you hot-swap between two batteries.HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The Cloud Alpha headset from HyperX is a fantastic mid-range option for gamers that’s conveniently wireless. Long gaming sessions are comfortable with ear cushions made of memory foam and premium leatherette. Then, the outer frame is durable, made of aluminum, so it can stand the test of time.
HyperX’s dual-chamber, dynamic 50-millimeter drivers contain neodymium magnets and produce well-balanced and clear audio. You can connect the headset using a speedy 2.4 GHz connection via USB, and the frequency response picks up between 15 Hz and 21,000 Hz. The dual chamber system is able to separate the mids and highs from the bassy lows, and you can tune the equalizer to your preferences within the HyperX NGENUITY software.
With this software, you can also access more customization options and check the headset’s battery life. Though, the headset boasts a massive 300-hour battery life, so it won’t need recharging for quite a while.
The dual chamber system combines with DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio to offer precise sound localization, making it easier to hear crucial in-game signals, like another player’s footsteps. These two features also work together to create immersive surround sound, helping you escape fully into the virtual world of whatever game you’re playing.
On the headset, there’s a detachable electret condenser microphone with bi-directional and noise-canceling technologies. The mic is Discord- and TeamSpeak-certified, and there’s an LED indicator to make it easy to tell when you’re muted.
