Headphones for a laptop with a microphone: selection, description, characteristics

How to choose and connect laptop headphones with a microphone? We will look at this in the article. In addition, we will try to figure out what to do if any problems arise with the process of connecting or using the headset. This issue should not be ignored. After all, for many people it is important to use headphones with a microphone. It's convenient and easy. Especially if you are a gamer or just a person who actively works on a computer. How to make the right choice? What characteristics should the best laptop headphones with a microphone have?

Types

The first thing you should pay attention to is the type of headset you are buying. This moment cannot be missed. Otherwise, after purchase, you may find that the headphones themselves do not work at all as you expected.

There are three types of headsets: open, closed and semi-closed. The first headphones partially transmit sound during operation. That is, if you want to be “unreachable” from the outside, this option will not work. But for home use or for work - it’s fine. You can always hear someone calling you. True, the sound itself is quite quiet. And if there is a lot of noise, you won’t be able to enjoy the sound with headphones.

The closed type, as you might guess, is complete sound insulation. These are the headphones for laptops with a microphone (and without it) that are most often chosen. You are completely immersed in the sounds of the computer and do not hear any external stimuli. Yes, this has its disadvantages, but often there are more advantages.

Semi-closed types are hybrids of open and closed models. The sound in them is usually audible from the outside, but only slightly. But the system “music” is quite loud. Not a particularly popular option that can be offered.

Best lists

Below we have organized a list of the best headphones in three main categories:

Budget.
Powerful sound.
Wireless.

We suggest moving on to a more detailed description of devices in these categories.

Budget

Ozone Rage ST are gaming-type headphones that have a vertical earpiece that helps to combine the two membranes of the headphones. The design has good ergonomics, so the user can spend a long time in them.

Membrane diameter	40 mm
Resistance	32 Ohm
Minimum playback frequency	20 Hz
Length of cable	2.5 m
Weight	300 g
Cable Features	gold plated plug

Cost: from 900 to 1,600 rubles.

Ozone Rage ST

Powerful sound

Oklick Zeus HS-L400G is available for sale in blue and black colors. The device has a wide, adjustable headband and soft ear pads. Operation is carried out in the frequency range from 20 to 200,000 Hz, the sensitivity is 105 dB.

Sound scheme format	2.0
Resistance	32 Ohm
Length of cable	1.8 m
Cable Features	fabric braid
Weight	305 g

Cost: from 1,200 to 2,900 rubles.

Oklick Zeus HS-L400G

Wireless

Canyon CNS-CNS1BY promotes high-quality and powerful sound reproduction with good bass response and a built-in microphone. The driver diameter is 50 mm, which ensures good sound at low notes and high volumes. The foam padding creates a soft cushion that does not cause discomfort over long periods of use.

Type	closed, overhead
Connection	3.5 mm
Resistance	32 Ohm
Cable	2 m
Frequencies	20 – 20000 Hz

Cost: from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles.

Canyon CNS-CNS1BY

Fastening

Next, you should pay attention to what kind of mount these or other laptop headphones with a microphone have. Here, too, there are three options for the development of events. The first is models without fastening at all. They are inserted directly into the ears. And the microphone itself is usually located somewhere under the chin. They look like a telephone headset.

The second type is a mount with a bow. Perhaps the most popular option. Using a special frame, the headphones are put on the head and fixed. The microphone is located either under the chin, or somewhere on the side under one of the headphones.

The third option is a behind-the-ear attachment. This type of headset is rarely used in computers. Much more often this option is considered as wireless headphones for a phone.

Advantages

Wireless headphones, like all equipment that does not have wires, have many advantages:

Naturally, the eternal problems with wires disappear. We all get annoyed when they get confused and cling to everything. Wires have their own lifespan; they gradually break down.
The absence of a wired connection is convenient. There is no need to constantly check whether the wire is snagged. Nothing will interfere with conversation or enjoyment of music.
Naturally they are beautiful. Many people will pay attention to such a gadget.
No dependence on a mobile device. The fact that the phone is charging in another room will not create problems in order to use headphones.
Many models have their own memory, player and battery. They don't waste your phone's battery.

Price

Of course, you need to pay attention to the cost of the headset. Headphones for a laptop with a microphone can cost you from 200 to 6,000 rubles. It all depends on which model you choose, as well as what manufacturer the headset is.

The average cost of good headphones (for gaming) is about 1,000-1,500 rubles. There is simply no point in buying a more expensive headset. But cheap options are also good. For example, pay attention to SVEN products. Good headphones with a microphone can be purchased from this manufacturer for only 350 rubles. It's hard to believe, but it's true. And you won’t have to suffer because your laptop doesn’t see your headphones or you don’t know how to connect them.

How to choose a good headset

The importance of headsets is very often underestimated. Many freelance IT specialists and technical support specialists spend countless man-hours communicating with clients and users through voice messengers and VoIP. But few people think about the important role played by the purity and high quality of the sound that their interlocutors hear. But this can subconsciously influence their attitude towards you, your company and products. And to help fellow IT specialists, we want to give a number of tips that should be followed when choosing headsets and other equipment for voice communication.

Five "don'ts" for professional voice calls

Let's start with basic tips on what you definitely shouldn't
do when choosing equipment if your work involves frequent negotiations using voice messengers, VoIP, etc.

Don't rely on the headsets that come with anything. Only in rare cases can complete devices boast high quality.
Don't buy the cheapest models. In the end, the developer can afford a good thing.
Don't forget about the people around you. Nobody wants to hear your conversation partners or music due to poor soundproofing of your headset.
Don't buy cordless models in the lower price range.
Don't settle for "good enough" sound quality.

If you are a professional, then your speech should be professional, and you should “sound” high quality to your interlocutors, not mediocre.
Even if you have a new laptop and flagship smartphone, do not rely on standard equipment to communicate with clients and users. It's just that sound cards and built-in microphones do not provide the proper sound quality. If this were not so, the audio equipment market would not be as developed. Of course, laptop microphones are quite sensitive and convey your voice well, but at the same time, your interlocutors will hear a lot of extraneous sounds and noises made by your surroundings. There is probably no point in describing to you all the disadvantages of built-in microphones when organizing professional audio communications. As for the “smartphone-wired headset” combination, for lack of a better one, it can be used. However, most bundled headsets have a rather short cord, which is inconvenient from an ergonomic point of view, especially with frequent use.

If you “cheat” and buy a cheap headset with a long cord, then keep in mind that the joy of saving will quickly pass, but the low quality of the product will remain with you for a long time. Don’t think that you are being asked to shell out a ton of money for a flashy device; quite decent headsets can be bought relatively inexpensively.

What if you have already purchased excellent equipment, but your interlocutors still periodically note poor sound quality? It is probably worth carefully analyzing your surroundings from the point of view of the presence of extraneous noise, the formation of echoes, and intense air movement (winds and strong drafts).

If you work at home, a wireless headset can be a good help. For example, you can discuss work issues while doing some housework, drinking tea/coffee in the kitchen, or looking after children and pets. True, many wireless headsets do not look very attractive, especially cheap ones. Also important is the battery life. In general, if you make several calls every day and spend hours discussing work and personal matters, then it is better to choose a wired headset. Well, or have it as a spare, in case of unexpected discharge of the wireless headset.

So, you have a good headset and no problems with extraneous noise. Now you need to achieve decent sound quality. After all, if you regularly communicate with clients, then it is better to exclude the possibility of loss and distortion of speech; this will not benefit your image of a professional.

Selecting a headset

Unfortunately, there is unlikely to be one universal solution suitable for all needs. Otherwise this post would be very short. We all have different needs and habits, so when choosing the right model, answer a number of questions:

Will you be using the headset in one location, at home or in the office?
How often do you travel and work on the road?
Do you prefer to work outdoors, in a cafe, on the veranda?
How often do you receive and make calls and use conference calls?
How much time per day and per week do you spend on voice communication?
Will you be using the headset on different hardware platforms?
Do you need to simultaneously communicate with your colleagues or loved ones during calls?
Do you need a headset with one earpiece or two?

If you work exclusively or mostly in an office or home environment, you're unlikely to have trouble finding the right headset.
You control your environment, always use the same devices, and the background noise level is probably low. It's unlikely that you'll need a noise-canceling headset or microphone. On the other hand, if you travel a lot and consider yourself a digital nomad, then choosing a good headset will be a little more difficult. Most likely, you need a fairly compact model that will not take up half of your backpack. For example, plug-in type (with earbuds). The headset must also be compatible with different platforms. For wired ones this is not a problem, but in the case of Bluetooth headsets it is better to check the specifications in advance.

If you work in different places, then you should take a closer look at headsets with noise reduction and a windproof microphone. There are two options here: active noise cancellation or an external microphone with passive noise cancellation. Each solution has pros and cons. Active noise cancellation can be used in very compact headsets, but such models are noticeably more expensive. Passive noise cancellation is much cheaper and provides more consistent results, but in this case you have to put up with a microphone that sticks out.

When choosing a headset, it is important to keep in mind how often and for how long you will be talking. If you need to receive or make calls a couple of times a week, then the ergonomics and battery capacity of wireless headsets will clearly not be the most important criteria. But during daily calls, when you spend hours discussing work issues with clients and colleagues, ergonomics and comfort of wearing and using come to the fore, and it’s better not to look at wireless models at all.

Pay special attention to battery life if you plan to take a Bluetooth headset. It’s also a good idea to find out how simple it is to pair the headset with your phone, tablet or computer. This may be important for those who need to quickly connect a headset in order to make a call quickly.

Finally, if you do not work alone and need to hear your colleagues during calls, then you should ask yourself an additional question: will your colleagues take part in conference calls with you, or will you communicate with the interlocutors yourself, asking for help if necessary? advice and tips to others? It may make sense to set up a separate meeting room with appropriate audio equipment. Or you will only need to limit yourself to a headset with one earphone in order to freely hear your colleagues. And those who feel uncomfortable sitting with just one earphone, or need to maintain their hairstyle, should take a closer look at headsets with bone conduction. However, they are not suitable for everyone. They are usually wireless, have a headband around the back of the head/neck and are designed for those who lead an active lifestyle.

Ergonomics

The issue of ergonomics needs to be approached very thoughtfully if you spend several hours a week on voice communications.
We all have different head sizes and our own structural features of the skull and ears. Headbands that are too tight or speaker cups that are too small can cause your ears to hurt. Pay attention to the ease of adjusting the headphones of the headset if you choose the classic configuration. If you wear glasses, consider whether the headset will create discomfort by putting pressure on the temples. If size and weight are important to you, then choose a headset with in-ear headphones or “clip-on” headphones. The former are more popular due to their compactness and generally lower price. But in the vast majority of cases, such headsets have a fairly short cord, since they are designed for use with smartphones. This means that it will probably be inconvenient for you to use such a headset with a laptop or desktop computer.

Large over-ear headphones and remote microphones often provide the greatest comfort and sound insulation, which is why gamers especially love them. Most professional headsets have this design. Therefore, decide whether you are willing to put up with the large size and weight of an on-ear headset. It is better not to choose from the most compact models with small cups. It would be better then to take a higher quality headset with in-ear headphones or a headband around the back of the head/neck.

Many wireless headsets have excellent ergonomics because they do not tie the user to a computer or smartphone with a wire. Modern models using Bluetooth 4.0 are very compact and can be standard-sized in-ear headphones with a small microphone and remote control. As a rule, good Bluetooth headsets have longer battery life than regular wireless ones. Professional models are often equipped with a remote microphone with noise reduction function. But they also cost more.

Toptal Reader Recommendations

To make it easier for you to navigate the world of headsets and headphones, see which models are recommended by readers of www.toptal.com. For example, Sennheiser Momentum.

Many people prefer AKG K545. Headphones from V-Moda have also become very popular. All of these are high-price models that provide exceptionally high sound quality. But due to the high price and large sizes, they are not suitable for everyone.

A number of companies offer headsets and headphones with a better price/quality ratio: Logitech, Jabra, Plantronics, Philips and others. Many of them have lines specifically for call centers and professional voice communications; for example, Sennheiser, Jabra, Plantronics.

Well-equipped call centers use headsets with external microphones that have a noise-canceling function, are reliable, and have good ergonomics. Often these headsets can connect via USB or Bluetooth. However, the best professional models are not cheap, over $200.

If you are a gamer and do not use voice communication too often for work matters, then you can save money and use a gaming headset. They are usually bulky, have good sound quality, but are not the best quality microphones. Among the manufacturers in this case, we can recommend Logitech, Sennheiser, Razer, SteelSeries.

Standard smartphone headsets are popular among freelancers who move frequently. But they usually have a number of disadvantages: a short cord and a mediocre microphone. In addition, the microphone is usually located in the remote control, and if it is not equipped with a clip for attaching to clothing, then the friction of the remote control on the fabric will create unpleasant noise.

If you decide to buy a relatively inexpensive Bluetooth headset, and especially if you travel a lot, then take care of purchasing an external universal battery for recharging, so as not to be left without a headset during an important call or shortly before it. Professional models usually work longer than consumer models, but even in this case the risk cannot be discounted. In addition, batteries degrade over time and lose capacity.

If you periodically need your colleagues to take part in the conversation, you can purchase a Bluetooth intercom. Among them you are unlikely to find professional models, but some have quite good quality speakers and microphones. In any case, this should not be your primary means of communicating with clients.

Clean, loud, professional

So, let's summarize all of the above.

Avoid very cheap models, this is the case when it is better not to save money. You are not buying headphones for the gym, but a tool for communicating with clients. And it is in your best interests that equipment shortcomings do not affect the perception of you as a professional.
“Good enough” quality is not good enough
to communicate with customers.
Know your needs and wants before you start choosing a headset.
When choosing, proceed, first of all, from how clients will perceive you.
Always have a spare headset on hand. Always.

One last thing: no matter how fancy your equipment is, nothing is more important than good old etiquette and good communication skills.

Manufacturer

Another point that plays a role for some is the manufacturer of the headset. Often it is an indicator of the quality of the device. Therefore, if you don’t mind the money, then you can buy some branded headphones. From Samsung, for example.

However, buyers often try to look for a reasonable price-quality ratio. Pay attention to Philips, as well as Sennheiser. But for these manufacturers, the cost of the headset is often high. As already mentioned, the best option for an amateur would be models from SVEN. They are found in abundance in all computer stores. You can choose those that suit your taste. And at an affordable price too.

Flaws

Naturally, every thing in our life has not only positive qualities, but also negative ones. Wireless headphones also have them.

Their quality is still inferior to their wired counterparts.
The built-in battery makes the device heavier.
They are not suitable for all phones. They cannot be used with devices that do not support Bluetooth technology.
Good wireless headphones come at a high price.
They tend to discharge at the most inopportune moment.
They have enough for small dimensions; they cannot be put into your pocket every time.

Naturally, there are bound to be shortcomings. But progress does not stand still and soon all these difficulties will be resolved. And the positive aspects outweigh all the negative ones.

Examination

Do not forget that you will have to check the quality of the device before purchasing. This option should be available in all stores. How to check the microphone in headphones? Connect the device to the laptop, and then enable sound recording in the operating system. Say a few words, then adjust the recording volume and say something else. Listen to what you got. The sound should be smooth and noise-free.

Now you know how to test the microphone on your headphones. You can also use system settings. Right-click on the mixer, select “Recording devices” and select your headset there. Go to the “Listen” tab and check the “From this device” checkbox. Now you can speak into the microphone and listen to what kind of sound you get. So we have become aware of another method that will help answer how to check the microphone on headphones. Nothing complicated, right?

Comparison table of characteristics

Let's compare the technical characteristics of the headphones presented today.

Model	View	Range frequent (Hz)	Feels. (dB)	Impedance (Ohm)	Weight (g)
Ultrasone Performance 860	full time, closed	10 – 28000	94	32	274
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x	full time, closed	15 – 24000	98	35	240
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro	full, closed	5 – 35000	96	80	270
Denon AH-MM400	overlay, closed	10 – 40000	96	32	310
Marshall Major II	overlay, closed	10 – 20000	99	64	174
Sony MDR-XB450AP	overlay, closed	5 – 22000	102	24	165
Sennheiser RS 160	full, closed	18 – 21000	106	32	226

Connection

Let's say you purchased a headset for your computer. Now the question is different: how to connect headphones with a microphone to a laptop? There are two options for the development of events here. It all depends on how many connection wires are available on the model.

As a rule, 2 adapters are most common. They need to be inserted into the headphone jacks for the laptop, as well as for the microphone, respectively. Both ends of the device will be marked. On one there is an image of a microphone, on the other - a headset. Just insert the corresponding ends of the wires into the connectors on the laptop (pay attention to the pictures next to them) and enjoy the result.

But there are also models that have only one wire. In this case, you should insert the end of the device into the laptop's headphone jack. In this case, the microphone will also work. So there is nothing complicated or supernatural in the process.

TOP 3 most popular models

Sennheiser Urbanite XL Wireless

This model from one of the best manufacturers works both as a wireless device and has a plug-in cable. They have a sufficiently capacitive 600 mAh battery. Such a power source can ensure operation for fourteen days. It takes two hours to fully charge the device.

Positive traits:

The sound has volume and liveliness;
There is a Multipoint function, which provides the ability to connect to several sources simultaneously;
The headband is very comfortable and flexible;
There are two microphones, one of which is located on the cable;
Controlled using a sensor;
There is an NFC connection;
The assembly is of high quality using good materials.

Negative qualities:

The model has a closed cup, which makes your ears sweat in the heat.

Bluedio "T2+"

This is a very stylish device that works stably with a BT connection at a distance of 12 meters, and in the absence of obstacles, up to 20 meters. Has a sensitivity of 110 decibels. When working in standby mode, the T2+ retains the battery charge for more than two months; in active mode, the operating time is 45 hours.

Positive traits:

High-quality assembly, do not fall off the head even during active running, do not dangle;
Convenient volume control – there is a wheel on the cup;
There is a built-in radio operating in the stereo range;
Built-in MP3 player with microSD connector;
A high-quality microphone is installed;
The model is loud and bassy;
Can be connected to PC and mobile device at the same time;
There is an assistant who works in several languages;
Capable of transmitting music to other headphones;
The price is reasonable.

Negative qualities:

There are few high frequencies, the sound is somewhat muffled;
it takes five to ten seconds to initialize bluetooth;
small ear pads.

We fix problems

True, sometimes after connecting the headset various kinds of problems may arise. For example, some users complain that their laptop does not see headphones and microphone. Here you can do the following: swap the connected wires from the device or update the drivers on your computer. In particular, for a sound card. This often fixes the problem.

There is another incident. The thing is that sometimes a computer headset is purchased with a non-standard 6.5 mm connector. In this case, connecting it will require a special 3.5 mm adapter (standard). Otherwise, you will complain that the laptop does not see the headphones, but you will not be able to fix the problem with the device. Before purchasing, make sure that the connectors are standard.

Additionally, sometimes laptop headphones with microphone do not work due to incompatibility with the operating system. You need to pay attention to this even before you make your choice. Otherwise, you will have to either buy a new headset, or even reinstall the operating system. That's all. Now you know how to properly buy headphones with a microphone, as well as how to troubleshoot connection problems.

Wired or wireless headphones?

Almost all modern laptops are equipped with a Bluetooth wireless module. This allows you to connect appropriate headphones to your computer. Wireless headphones are quite convenient to use and can serve as a headset, but they are not without their drawbacks.

Some of the most critical disadvantages of wireless headphones paired with a laptop include:

Increased laptop battery consumption due to constant activation of the BT module;
Not all operating systems (even the Windows 10 family) can support constant transmission of audio signals via BT, as a result of which the headphones begin to “fall off”;
The sound may not be as high quality as that of wired headphones, since it is not the sound card that is used to decode the stream, but the BT module and the chip of the headphones themselves.

However, wireless headphones are very convenient because they do not hinder movement, and there is basically no risk of pulling the cable and knocking the laptop off the table.