Best Products > Audio The 6 Best USB Headsets of 2023 Perfect for gaming, listening to music, or phone calls By Jason Schneider Jason Schneider Writer Northeastern University Jason has been writing for tech and media companies for nearly ten years. He reviews audio products, including speakers and headphones for Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 24, 2023 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Audio Headphones Earbuds Speakers Home Theater Instruments Accessories If you’re in the market for a USB headset, you’re probably looking for one for gaming or work and all-around use. We’ve researched for you to find a full range of options in both categories. The Rundown Best Overall: Jabra Evolve 20 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Jabra Evolve2 85 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Surround Sound: Audeze Mobius at Amazon Jump to Review Best Gaming: Razer Kraken Ultimate at Amazon Jump to Review Runner-Up, Best Gaming: Razer Kraken X USB Gaming Headset at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: SteelSeries Arctis 5 at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best Overall Jabra Evolve 20 UC Stereo Wired Headset Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Reasonable price point Plug-and-play usability Inline remote and high-quality boom mic What We Don't Like No over-ear isolation No bells and whistles Not as premium as other options When choosing an all-around, business-friendly USB headset, striking the right balance between quality, useability, and price is paramount. The Jabra Evolve 20 gives you the most bang for your buck without cutting too many corners. One of the best aspects of the Evolve 20 is that it works right out of the box; plug in the USB cable, and you’ll be hopping onto video calls with the convenience of a USB controller immediately. The plush foam cups feel great on your ear and provide decent isolation (though not as much as if you were using over-ear headphones). The boom microphone connected in-line has been optimized specifically for video calls, and the sleek black construction looks professional and durable. There are no bells and whistles here, such as active noise cancellation (ANC) or high-end drivers (the components that create sound). But overall, this is an easy recommendation. Type: On-ear | ANC: No | Connection options: USB | Accessories included: USB controller, bags for controller and headset Best Splurge Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless Headphones 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On Lenovo What We Like Excellent sound quality Super comfortable ANC and Bluetooth connectivity What We Don't Like Very pricey Requires charging Charging dock sold separately Jabra Evolve2 85 Review If you want to spend a bit more, the Jabra Evolve 2 85 is a cream-of-the-crop model for the audio brand. It combines USB headset functionality and high-end premium headphone bells and whistles. With ultra-plush over-ear cups, an excellent, flush-folding boom mic for crystal clear calls, nearly four hours of wireless battery life, and even adaptable noise cancellation, these could be your daily headphones. The headset also ships with a USB dongle to use as a USB headset wirelessly, and there's even a nifty indicator light that shows those around you that you're on a call so they won't disturb you. You likely won't regret the purchase if you have the budget for these headphones. Type: Over-ear | ANC: Yes | Connection options: Wireless USB, Bluetooth, AUX | Accessories included: Charging cable, AUX cable, travel case, Bluetooth adapter "What I love about the Evolve2 85 is that the foam and leather on the cups are very soft, but the clamp is sturdy enough to give me a stable, solid seal. The balance of these two points makes these headphones really nice to wear." — Jason Schneider, Product Tester Best Surround Sound Audeze Mobius Premium 3D Gaming Headset 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Reverb.com What We Like Planar Magnetic sound quality Excellent emulated surround sound Comfortable fit and feel What We Don't Like Fairly expensive Bulky build No hardshell carrying case Audeze dropped the Mobius 3D Surround headphones in 2020 to bring top-notch gaming functionality to the planar magnetic headphone space. Planar Magnetic drivers are usually reserved for Audeze’s audiophile line, providing delicate yet powerful responses throughout the sound spectrum. Audeze is loading this tech into their gamer headset flagship model to provide plenty of range and oomph for gaming mixes. Built-in digital signal processing also approximates a rich 3D surround sound experience. Pair this with the dedicated software to help you fine-tune this location mapping and have a high-end gaming experience. The detachable boom mic rounds it out, allowing for better online gaming and communication. The Mobius sits firmly at a premium price point, and the bulky size and lack of a hardshell case make these headphones less ideal for travelers. But overall, the feature set offered here is incredible. Type: Over-ear | ANC: Yes | Connection options: Bluetooth, USB, AUX | Accessories included: Carrying bag, detachable boom mic, charging and connectible USB cables, AUX cable Best Gaming Razer Kraken Ultimate Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy What We Like Big, plush fit Sturdy metal frame Tons of gamer features What We Don't Like Loud design Bulky size Price tends to fluctuate The Kraken Ultimate is the best gaming choice for reliable headsets. The aluminum-steel frame provides tremendous resilience against wear. The extra-thick plush ear pads are perfect for those who game for extended sessions, and there’s Chroma RGB lighting built-in for tons of flair. The boom mic is retractable, so it stays out of the way if you don’t need it, and the THX 7.1 surround sound is excellent for a little added gaming fun. The design is very gamer-forward and bulky on the head, so this might be an issue for those who want something subtle. The price can be steep, so we recommend shopping around for a discount. Overall, it’s a no-brainer buy if you have the funds. Type: Over-ear | ANC: Microphone only | Connection options: USB | Accessories included: USB cable Runner-Up, Best Gaming Razer Kraken X USB Gaming Headset (RZ04-02960100-R3U1) Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Affordable price point Aluminum build Solid sound and mic quality What We Don't Like Loud, gamer-specific design Some materials lack premium quality The Razer Kraken series offers a breadth of options for USB gamer headsets, and the Kraken X brings those options firmly into the budget-conscious category with solid features. The lightweight aluminum frame is sturdy and comfortable, while the plush over-ear pads are comfortable for long sessions. There’s a bendable microphone with decent sound quality and some reasonably good 7.1 surround sound emulation on board. Well-tuned 40mm drivers produce the sound for plenty of support on the bottom end of the spectrum. The green Razer logo is emblazoned brightly on each ear cup, which could be great for some and too loud for others. Because of the reasonable price point, some corners are cut in the build quality department, but nothing that will break easily. Type: Over-ear | ANC: No | Connection options: USB | Accessories included: USB cable Best Design SteelSeries Arctis 5 Gaming Headset Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Staples What We Like Sleek, premium design Excellent build quality Connectivity options What We Don't Like Sound quality is nothing terribly fancy A bit pricey Fairly large on the head When deciding on a pair of gaming headphones, it's easy to go overboard with insanely loud colors, more lighting effects than you need, and bulky, cumbersome builds. The SteelSeries Arctis 5 here earns our design spot because it strikes a nice balance, offering a sleek, all-black design that feels professional, with a slick RGB ring on the outside for a pop of gamer style. There are several nice touches on the build quality front. The Arctis 5 has an excellent sturdy headband material, plus plush woven "ski goggle" fabric accents, so they're comfortable while you're wearing them. A detachable USB desktop controller allows easy muting and chatting, and the RGB ring on each ear cup can also be customized and synced to your RGB desk setup. Type: Over-ear | ANC: Yes | Connection options: Bluetooth, USB, AUX | Accessories included: USB desktop controller What to Look for in a USB Headset Connectivity It may sound counterintuitive to talk about secondary connection options in a USB headset roundup, but there are a few ways that these headsets make their connection. Some have hard-wired USB cables requiring use on a PC or computer. Others have detachable cables or wireless USB dongles to free you from wires. Consider these options when shopping. Primary Use Case A USB headset can mean something different to an office worker than a hardcore gamer. Picking your primary use case for your headset will send you toward varying price points and designs. Extra Features Many USB headsets offer bonuses like extra wireless connectivity (via Bluetooth or a USB dongle) or fancy sonic features (like active noise cancellation or emulated surround sound). Considering the bells and whistles of your ideal headset can go a long way toward helping you to make your buying decision. FAQ How does a USB headset connect? Most USB headsets use either a hardwired or a detachable USB cable to connect to a PC or Mac. The connection may require driver software or specific integration with video call platforms. You can also find Bluetooth connections and wireless USB dongles as extra features. What’s the difference between a gaming headset and a work headset? Business-oriented headsets tend to have smaller footprints, simpler designs, and more features geared toward video calls. Gaming headsets are on the other end of the spectrum with RGB lighting, vibrant designs, and tons of sound features geared toward improving the gaming experience. Are there wireless USB options? While most USB headsets you’ll want are hardwired for versatility, many connect via a USB dongle. This option can be great if you like walking away from your source device while using the headset, but this requires you to keep your headset charged. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit