These wired USB headsets are simple plug & play devices and do not have the hassle of pairing and unpairing like wireless Bluetooth earphones. At the same time, you do not have to deal with issues like charging and audio-video latency. USB headsets have come a long way in the last couple of years. Not only are the frames lighter but the microphones are well-equipped to handle noise and other background noise. Read on to see our recommendations for the best USB headsets for video calls. But before that,
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1. Jabra Evolve 40 USB Headset
Buy
Jabra Evolve 40 USB Headset
The Jabra Evolve 40 is probably one of the most popular USB headsets for many reasons. It’s one of the few certified heads for using it with popular video conferencing tools like Skype, Zoom (see Skype vs Zoom), and Microsoft Teams. Cool, I’d say. Secondly, it comes with a noise-canceling mic that cancels out background noise. More importantly, the Evolve 40 is designed for long-term use, and the large earcups are comfortable to wear even for long periods. Plus, they help to isolate noise and other distracting elements. The audio delivery is on point, and you will be able to hear your teammates loud and clear. The feature that sets it apart from the rest is its ‘Busy Light’ feature. When you are on call, this indicator lights up which lets your family members know that you are on call. Long story short, if you spend a huge chunk of your day on video calls and meetings, the Evolve 40 (though expensive) is the one you should certainly buy.
2. Corsair HS60 Haptic Stereo Gaming Headset
Buy
Corsair HS60 Haptic Stereo Gaming Headset
The Corsair HS60 gaming headset is designed for gamers in mind. And if you are someone who spends a lot of time playing online esports games, which involves a lot of verbal communication, you will love the Corsair HS60 headset. And it’s the latter that makes it a great pick for video calls as well. The HS60 not only delivers decent audio but also helps transmit a clear and crisp voice. The company’s built-in iCue software packs an array of voice improvement programs.
At the same time, this gaming headset is immensely comfortable to wear, thanks to the padded earcups. Unlike the other headsets in the list, it does away with an inline remote. Instead, all the controls are on the earcups. The noise isolation is on point and manages to negate most of the distracting noise. However, the Corsair HS60 headset tends to under-emphasize the mid-tones, due to which deep voices may appear a little distorted. Nevertheless, these are a versatile pair of USB headsets. When you are not attending calls, you can use them to watch movies or listen to your favorite songs.
3. Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000
Buy
Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000
If you are looking for an affordable and inexpensive USB headset to attend your Zoom meeting, the Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 makes for a good buy. Compared to the Corsair headset above, this one is a pretty simple headset that lets you go about your job. The audio delivery is decent and you are likely to hear your colleagues loudly and clearly. Of course, compared to its premium counterparts above, the audio lacks a little in the sound department. And well, that’s a price you pay for the affordable pricing. It packs all the features such as a dedicated mic, padded earcups, and an inline remote. The mic transmits your voice seamlessly without much background noise. However, you must take care to position the mic near your mouth and not further up. But at the end of the day, the Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 is a tad uncomfortable to wear and use for long hours. The folks at Wirecutter state that these headsets are painful on the ears when worn for too long. So if you spend a huge chunk of your day on video conferences and video meetings, it’d be best to skip this one.
4. Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset
Buy
Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset
The Sennheiser PC 8 USB headset is another reasonably priced USB headset. It has a lightweight design which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods. The lightweight design is further accompanied by a slim and sleek design. So even if you have to carry it, the sleek design makes it easy and convenient to pack it along with your laptop.
Like the ones above, it packs a simple plug & play mechanism. All you need to do is plug the USB plug into your laptop’s USB port, and the rest will be taken care of by your PC. More importantly, the Sennheiser PC 8 headset delivers clear audio to your ears, and the same can be said of the microphone as well. It delivers clear audio to your teammates, sans any noise. Though the mic doesn’t have any noise cancellation tech, it does a decent job for its price. This Sennheiser headset has an inline remote and comes with physical buttons to tweak the volume. It also has a physical button to mute the audio, although a few users have reported it to malfunction. Nevertheless, the Sennheiser PC 8 USB headset has attracted many user reviews, and many of the users have had high praises for its sound quality and its lightweight nature.
Bye, Laggy Audio
Though wireless Bluetooth earphones have come a long way in these last few years, they need their share of special attention. If you are not too careful, you might be staring at a pair of earphones with no battery.
Buy
Jabra Evolve 40 USB Headset
The Jabra Evolve 40 is probably one of the most popular USB headsets for many reasons. It’s one of the few certified heads for using it with popular video conferencing tools like Skype, Zoom (see Skype vs Zoom), and Microsoft Teams. Cool, I’d say. Secondly, it comes with a noise-canceling mic that cancels out background noise.
Buy
Corsair HS60 Haptic Stereo Gaming Headset
The Corsair HS60 gaming headset is designed for gamers in mind. And if you are someone who spends a lot of time playing online esports games, which involves a lot of verbal communication, you will love the Corsair HS60 headset. And it’s the latter that makes it a great pick for video calls as well. The HS60 not only delivers decent audio but also helps transmit a clear and crisp voice. The company’s built-in iCue software packs an array of voice improvement programs.
Buy
Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000
If you are looking for an affordable and inexpensive USB headset to attend your Zoom meeting, the Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 makes for a good buy. Compared to the Corsair headset above, this one is a pretty simple headset that lets you go about your job. The audio delivery is decent and you are likely to hear your colleagues loudly and clearly.
Buy
Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset
The Sennheiser PC 8 USB headset is another reasonably priced USB headset. It has a lightweight design which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods. The lightweight design is further accompanied by a slim and sleek design. So even if you have to carry it, the sleek design makes it easy and convenient to pack it along with your laptop.
