Many of us work with headphones on simply to listen to music and abstract from the environment. However, they are great if we receive or make calls frequently. And it is that although on paper, we can use any headset with an integrated microphone, the reality is that if we spend 8 hours working, specific headphones with a microphone for work will help us a lot.
Whether you have to work in the office or from home, in our headset buying guide, you will find what to consider when choosing a model and a selection of headsets.
Choosing a headset with a microphone for work: what to consider
Based on the fact that the headset must deliver the sound and the microphone captures the sound with the highest possible quality, the scenario, and the demands are different, for example, from podcast recording microphones or Hi-Fi headphones: here we are, it is enough that they reproduce and capture well. However, there are other factors to take into account.
Build quality and design.
As much as we like music and enjoy it through headphones, spending eight hours with them is difficult. In this sense, if our use is going to be intensive, the first thing that we must demand of headphones with a microphone to work is that they have quality construction and materials to withstand continuous use and manipulation.
Which to choose? Regardless of the design we like the most, the one that is most comfortable for us takes into account its coupling system (if it has one) and the ability to isolate the environment.
Although we find very diverse headphone designs, we can classify them into four types: in-ear, earphone or button, supraaural and circumaural.
Regarding the headset support mechanism:
- Headband, where the headphones are attached to the ends of a headband. Made of different materials and shapes, although they are usually made of padded plastic and metal
- The internal ones are inserted in the ear canal, fixing thanks to their design and the pads.
- Thanks to their design, the button ones are fixed in the external ear.
- The clip-on ones have a temple similar to the glasses, using that element to fix themselves.
- The neck ones have an element similar to a ribbon that holds them to the nape of the neck.
The discreet, light, and compact button-type models and in-ears are usually intended for outdoor use and sports activities. On the other hand, we usually find the circumaural surround design in models where sound quality is sought, such as Hi-Fi headphones.
Thus, the most frequent design within headphones with a microphone to work is usually the supraaural one, which balances comfort, relative lightness, and sound quality.
Ergonomics
We have anticipated it in the intro: on paper, any model with a microphone can be used for phone calls, but spending long hours with headphones that are not comfortable for us takes its toll. In this sense, ergonomics is essential… that’s why some users opt for gaming headphones designed for intensive use.
Although the frequency of use will be key when determining which model to choose and taking into account that the supraaural is the most common design in this category, we will look for those where the pressure of the pads is evenly distributed throughout our auditory pavilion. And the same is required of the headband, the most common coupling system.
Noise-canceling technology
Although this is a very important technology if we want headphones for the outdoors, it also has its uses indoors. Perhaps at home, it is not so important – even if they tell it to someone who lives with children or who has a construction site next door – but in a noisy office that the headphones have some type of noise cancellation technology will make it easier for us enormously our communication work.
This technology attenuates outside noise by creating a signal that cancels out what it picks up, which usually works better at low frequencies than at high ones.
Personalization and tuning software
Although this point is optional, if we are going to make intensive use of the headphones at work and find ourselves in a noisy environment, it may be interesting that they have additional software that allows us to configure them to optimize listening and sound capture.
Headsets with microphone for work: featured models
Logitech H110
If you are going to receive or make calls from time to time and want something simple to solve, the Logitech H110 ( 12 euros ) is an affordable and very light model that offers stereo sound and an adaptable microphone. With a 3.5 mm jack.
Sennheiser PC 3 Chat
The Sennheiser PC 3 ( 13.99 euros ) are simple headphones with a few years on the market and very good reviews within the context of answering the phone when we are working. It is not the best model if we are going to take them all day, but they are interesting because, for their price, they offer stereo sound and a microphone with noise cancellation. It is also available in several versions.
THE G-LAB Korp Thallium
It is difficult to find headphones as complete in this price range as THE G-LAB Korp Thallium ( 27 euros ). They will help us to take calls, listen to music, and play games thanks to its 7.1 surround sound, microphone noise reduction technology, and its customization software. They are light and their pads are made of viscoelastic foam… although yes, they have RGB lighting, so they are not the most discreet.
Sennheiser PC 8
If you are looking for a simple, light, and compact model to make and receive calls throughout the day and have your hands free, the Sennheiser PC 8 ( 30 euros ) are a good candidate. With noise-canceling microphone, stereo sound, and in-line controls
Logitech G332
This basic gaming model from the Logitech firm is a good affordable alternative in terms of comfort and sound quality within the input range, very useful if we also want them to listen to music (50mm drivers). With light cups and a faux leather headband.
Logitech H390
Light, discreet, and designed for the office, the Logitech H390 ( 30 euros ) is a quality model with stereo sound that stands out for its comfort thanks to its design and finishes. In addition, its microphone has noise-reduction technology and controls integrated into the cable. A good option for those who make and receive a lot of calls.
HyperX Cloud Stinger
The HyperX Cloud Stinger ( 34.99 euros ) are helmets that stand out for its comfort, lightness, and good sound. They weigh 275 grams, are fully padded with memory foam, and are adjustable.
With 50mm transducers, this model will serve us to work, play and listen to music, making use of its intuitive volume control and its microphone with sound cancellation.
Plantronics Blackwire
If you want something compact and discreet just for calls, the Plantronics Blackwire ( $79.99 ) combines a sturdy mono-earphone headband design with a leatherette cushion, noise-canceling microphone, acoustic protection technology, and dynamic equalizer.
Corsair VOID ELITE RGB
The Corsair VOID ELITE RGB ( 98.34 euros ) are a gaming model – also with RGB lighting – with a high value for money in terms of comfort, durability, and sound quality.
Its ear pads are made of “memory” foam and fabric with a microfiber mesh, providing ventilation and comfort, with 50 mm drivers that, in addition to being amply used for calls, are going to measure up musically, offering rich and enveloping sound (7.1 ). Customization software, allows, among other things, to remove the lighting.
Sennheiser GSP 302
Robust and careful design for this model of the reference brand in sound as is the case of the German, the Sennheiser GSP 302 ( 72 euros ) has an adjustable headband that distributes the pressure evenly on the head, highly recommended if we go to take them many hours.
If we also take into account that these headphones completely envelop the ear with viscoelastic foam pads that isolate from the environment and that the microphone has noise cancellation technology, we are looking at some very interesting headphones for intensive use in noisy environments. Given their gaming vocation and their quality, they will also serve us to play and listen to music
Razer Ifrit
We continue with gaming models but with a design change: the Razer Ifrit ( 103 euros ) uses a combination of temples and tape that provides comfort and freedom. These in-ear Headphones are light and discreet and stand out for the quality of their microphone.
Corsair HS70 Wireless Pro
If you will work long hours with your headphones on and looking for comfort, these Corsair HS70 Wireless Pro ( 98 euros ) are a candidate to consider. They aren’t affordable, but their adjustable memory foam ear pads distribute pressure and make them highly ergonomic. This model for intensive use has a robust, moderately discreet design with premium materials. And for more comfort, they are wireless, allowing us to move up to 12 meters away and use them for 16 hours without interruption.
However, given their gaming vocation, they measure up to more demanding tasks than phone calls, such as gaming or music, thanks to their 50mm neodymium speaker transducers that deliver surround sound.
Despite how complete and versatile they are, their controls are simple, and they have software to customize the sound.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
