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In addition to all the technology to start video conferences in the first place, technology is also required at a completely different point, otherwise, a video conference can quickly become a farce. We are talking about a video conference headset or headphones here.
When you start a video conference, it is of the utmost importance that your counterpart not only sees you optimally but also understands and hears you. After all, non-verbal communication is only a minor factor in a business relationship, but verbal communication is a completely different, much larger factor.
Today, people are using video conferences in business more than ever. This is increasing as more and more people work from home. In order to have the best possible experience, it’s important that you have the proper accessories. One of the most important such accessories is headphones. Partly to ensure that everyone hears you properly with a high-quality microphone, and partially so that you can hear everyone else.
A headset is part of any good equipment for the home office or office. So you don’t disturb family members and other colleagues when you have a longer telephone or video conference. Confidential content from conversations also remains hidden. Over-ear headphones with a microphone are in great demand as gaming headsets.
However, gaming headsets look quite clumsy and with features such as RGB lighting, they may not leave the most serious impression during a business call via Teams, Zoom, or Skype. Striking RGB lighting also doesn’t fit into the serious and professional picture you want to portray.
Of course, in-ear headphones are also suitable for conference calls/video calls with your computer. In the absence of an extended microphone, in-ear headsets can have disadvantages when it comes to understanding the user at conferences.
In this overview, we, therefore, limit ourselves exclusively to on-ear headphones for business use with a microphone and show the most popular on-ear headsets and headphones.
If you’re looking for the best headphones for conference calls, you have come to the right place. Below, we list the best and most popular headphones for conference calls, and further on, we also go through the most important things you need to keep in mind when making your pick.
These stand out for being lightweight and comfortable to wear during longer video meetings without making you sweat too much underneath. They also do not isolate the user from the outside world as much as over-ear headsets. Especially when working from home, it can be useful to hear what the children are up to or when the courier rings.
Best headphones and headsets for conference calls
Logitech G332 Gaming-Headset
The Logitech G332 is a popular choice of headphones for video conferences. They offer very good sound thanks to 50 mm speakers, a 6 mm microphone with a flip mute switch and volume control for optimal voice control, and soft ear pads for a comfortable fit.
50 mm speakers: This gaming headset offers bombastic sound and a more intense gaming experience thanks to 50 mm speakers
6 mm microphone with flip mute switch and volume control.
SteelSeries Arctis 5 headphones
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is a bit more expensive, but they are definitely worth the money.
With voice sound in studio quality and surround sound, it is not only ideally suited as a video conference headset.
Widely recognized as the best mic for gaming, the Discord-certified ClearCast mic delivers excellent voice clarity. Sound is your competitive edge with S1 speaker drivers engineered for ultra-low distortion audio.
EPOS GSP 302
EPOS is the gaming offshoot of Sennheiser and offers the usual high-quality audio quality from the high-end audio manufacturer and combines it with the necessary features for gaming. Whilst they are excellent for gaming, the EPOS GSP 302 is also ideal as a video conferences thanks to the flexible microphone arm with a mute function by lifting it.
However, it is of course also visually a very eye-catching device. In regards to the audio, the closed acoustic gaming headset GSP 302 delivers impressive game sounds with deep bass performance.
The headphones also offer excellent comfort thanks to the memory foam ear cushions.
Razer Kraken Ultimate headphones
Thanks to the noise reduction of the microphone, your voice will come across perfectly in a conference call with these headphones. In addition, the gaming headset, which you will use as a video conference headset, is also made with aluminum construction, so that it is very light. It is build with thx spatial audio that gives a surround effect for an ever better audio experience.
The microphone has active noise reduction which gives absolute clarity when communicating in a team.
JBL Quantum ONE conference call headphones
With the Quantum One from JBL, you not only get a stylish gaming headset for video conferencing but also some useful functions. The headset is equipped with ANC, i.e. Active Noise Cancelling, which allows you to block out ambient noise while working. So you can fully concentrate on your meeting or video conference.
JBL understands that good sound is crucial for a great user experience. Thanks to the JBL QuantumSphere 360 technology with an integrated head-tracking sensor, the direction of the sound can be precisely determined.
Logitech H390 – Inexpensive entry-level with noise-cancelling microphone
The Logitech H390 is a pair of wired business headsets with a noise-reducing microphone and offers very good voice quality. It is therefore perfect for use as a video conference headset. Moreover, the soft cushions offer great comfort.
Plantronics Focus Voyager – Bluetooth headset with charging station
The Plantronics Focus Voyager is often used in open-plan offices and call centers and is compatible with all possible end devices and can even be used with a smartphone. It is not your traditional pair of headsets as it only has one headphone.
The benefit of this is that you can hear the people around you, for example, if you are working in an office and need to speak with your colleagues. The headphones connect to Mobile devices via Bluetooth and wirelessly to your PC/Mac via a USB-A Bluetooth adapter. They are ideal for employees who need freedom of movement and a cost-effective solution. The microphone also offers excellent sound quality
Anker H700 Bluetooth Dual-Ear Headset
The H700 is Anker’s top model and combines all the advantages of the H500 with further better technology. The absolute highlight is certainly the active noise reduction. With the help of this, you can block out external noise and concentrate fully on your work. This is particularly useful when you are working in noisy environments. These headphones are perfect or meetings and conferences as no matter what office situation you are in, your team only hears your voice.
Meetings are recorded and saved via AnkerWork software which makes it possible to transcribe your meetings.
Jabra Evolve 75 MS Wireless Stereo On-Ear Headset
We are particularly fond of this headset. Why? Well, there’s the fact that Jabra’s on-ear headphones are wireless.
In 2 hours you charge it and you can use it for a full 18 hours!
During use, you will experience the highest level of comfort thanks to the leatherette ear pads, which turn out to be very soft and breathable. This means excellent comfort.
Noise-cancelling also ensures that background noise cannot be picked up by you or the person you are talking to. The versatile headset from Jabra are particularly convincing in regards to the charging station. This not only enhances your home office with its elegant design but is also practical! If the headset is connected to this, you benefit from a range of incredible 30 meters.
Pros
- Cordless design with long battery life.
- High-quality and extremely comfortable leatherette ear pads.
- Noise-canceling and LED display.
- Terrific range of 30 meters.
- Extra charging station.
Cons
- The charging station must be connected to a power source with a cable.
- The battery gives in over the years.
ASUS ROG Strix Go 2.4 Gaming Headset
Are you often in conference calls via Zoom, Skype, Google Hangout etc and would like to move around or make yourself a coffee? The ASUS ROG Gaming Headset is perfect set of headsets for this!
It is particularly excellent due to its 2.4 GHz RF technology. This means that there can be no transmission delays, as is the case with many Bluetooth headsets. Noise-canceling is also on board here and ensures effective suppression of background noise.
ASUS relies on one of the latest noise-canceling technologies that recognize and neutralize a wide variety of background noises. In addition, it also has a newer USB-C connection for all cable fans, as well as a 3.5mm jack plug!
The sound and microphone quality is excellent and you should be able to understand your counterpart in a Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts meeting!
Pros
- Timely sound transmission thanks to the latest 2.4 GHz RF technology.
- Range of up to 20 meters.
- USB C connection and 3.5mm jack plug.
- The latest noise canceling technology.
Cons
- The battery will wear out and weaken over the years.
The Logitech H390 USB Headset
The Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset is an excellent headset for meetings in your home office. With two headphone cups, it shields you particularly well from noise and offers you a high level of comfort. What makes the Logitech H390 USB Headset one of our top headsets for conference calls?
Well, there are two properties that we would like to name. On the one hand, the Logitech headset offers you a particularly clear sound thanks to a built-in drive coil. This can be particularly useful if the person you are talking to does not provide you with the best sound and you still want to get the best out of it so that you can understand everything. So a great thing!
The second standout feature of the H390 USB headset is the noise-canceling microphone.
Pros
- Particularly high wearing comfort.
- Outstandingly clear sound thanks to the built-in drive coil.
- Very good microphone noise cancellation.
Cons
- No noise canceling.
EKSA E900 Pro Gaming Headset
A big advantage of the ESKA E900 Pro is the connections. In addition to a classic USB connection, you will also find a 3.5mm jack plug here. The sound experience is also on a completely different level here. Surround sound is generated by a specially installed sound card.
This gives the sound significantly more depth and space. To top it off, the EKSA E900 also offers noise canceling. This greatly reduces background noise and allows for more concentrated work.
The noise management in a company has a strong effect on the performance of the employees. They work more productively in a quiet work environment than in a noisy environment. This of course predominantly relates to companies with open-plan offices.
However, there is also more than enough background noise in the home office. To round off the super overall package, the ESKA headset has a metal structure that makes it very resistant! All in all, a great contender for conference calls.
Pros
- Both a USB connection and a 3.5mm jack plug are available.
- Top sound thanks to a special sound card and surround sound.
- noise canceling.
- Stable metal construction.
Cons
- Design is a matter of taste and does not fit into everyone’s everyday home office life.
- On warm days, it could get warm on the ears after long use.
Best headphones for conference calls – buyer’s guide
The area of application is decisive for some features of the headset. Gaming headsets are usually equipped with surround and equalizer settings, while conference call headsets usually use fewer features and place more emphasis on comfort and lightness.
ANC is usually used here. It is still possible to use gaming headsets for video conferences and vice versa. For streaming and webinars, on the other hand, it is advisable to use separate systems with headphones and clip-on microphones or wireless in-ear headsets, so-called true wireless headphones.
The type of headset is mainly useful for your own well-being. Most manufacturers offer headsets of all types, no matter which area of the application you are pursuing.
Here it depends on which type of construction you are most comfortable with. Half-in-ear headphones, for example, are placed in the auricle, while full-in-ear headphones and headsets with an earbud are inserted into the ear canal. On-ear headsets rest on the ear, over-ear headsets enclose the ear and neck headsets lie on the back of the neck and do not touch the ear in any way.
You can usually choose between three different types of transmission, whereby a wireless connection via Bluetooth is certainly the most convenient, but this transmission also consumes a lot of power and you have to charge the headset again and again. During phone calls lasting several hours, it can sometimes happen that the headset is suddenly empty.
You can get around this with a wired headset, but the freedom of movement is restricted here. Depending on the connection (USB or 3.5mm jack), you can also connect the headset to a smartphone.
Various components are important for the sound of the headset, both for what is received in the ear and for what is received by the person you are talking to. Many details play a role here and it is difficult to draw conclusions about the quality purely from the values. Basically, you can keep in mind that a larger audio driver usually gives the sound more volume, the surround configuration is particularly important in gaming and a higher number of microphones improves the voice quality.
Many manufacturers of video conference headsets and gaming headsets rely on other interesting features. With the help of ANC, for example, ambient noise can be hidden so that you can fully concentrate on the conversation. You can also use the equalizer to adjust the sound to your own preferences, and voice emphasis is especially useful if you have difficulty understanding the person you are talking to.
Gaming headsets as a video conference headsets
What many gamers have been using for a long time is actually now slowly arriving in companies. Gaming headsets are being used more and more frequently as video conference headsets.
This is because these are often very convenient and the voice transmission is often excellent. Although gaming headsets usually do not look elegant, but rather have a futuristic design, they convince with enclosing ear cups and the best voice recording.
The transmission of voice and sound in a video conference
When you participate in a video conference, the main purpose is to communicate with others. In addition to communication on a non-verbal level via facial expressions, gestures, and pictures, communication on a verbal level is also required. You have to talk to each other.
In most cases, this works very easily with video conference systems for meeting rooms via the corresponding system. Here, either the microphone and loudspeaker are integrated into the system or they are connected externally so that everyone in the room can communicate with the other person accordingly.
Now there is a problem in the home office or in the office since the integrated system of the laptop is usually used for video conferences or a desktop video conference system is used. Although these systems usually also have an integrated loudspeaker and an integrated microphone, this can not only lead to feedback, i.e. interference in the audio signal, but also get on the nerves of those around you.
At this point, a video conference headset is required. There are some differences and different designs, which are explained here.
Which headphones for Teams?
There are no special requirements for a video conference headset for Microsoft Teams. The previous requirements and criteria can be transferred here. Teams does not have any other requirements than any of the other conference call platforms.
Which headphones for Zoom?
The same applies here as with the headsets for teams. The same requirements and criteria apply to the headphones, but unlike the Microsoft solution.
Choosing the best conference call headphones
If you rarely sit in longer video conferences in the home office or at work in the office and therefore do not want to buy an additional headset, you can of course use conventional headphones. If you need as much quiet and seclusion as possible at work, you should use over-ear headphones with noise canceling.
Many headphones now have a microphone integrated into them or in the cable. However, we advise against it, as it is often difficult to hear. It is better to use the microphone of the laptop or the webcam. In-ear headphones with Bluetooth are ideal for people who are very mobile.
With all the top headsets, you’re probably wondering which one is best for you and your home office. Here are the most important features you should consider when buying headphones for conference calls:
Noise-Cancelling: Your home office is as different and individual as your needs. Some have dogs, wives/husbands and families, noisy neighbors, or live on busy streets. Others are single and have nature right on their doorstep. Your environment decides whether you should have your headset noise canceling or not!
The number of ear cups: do you sometimes have to hear the timer on the oven, when children or women call you or hear your dog barking as a signal to go for a walk? Then a headset with one ear cup is definitely right for you! If you’re more of a quiet person who wants to be completely immersed in your work, we recommend headphones with two ear cups!
With or without cable: As you can see, the purchase criteria always relate to your individual situation. So here too: what kind of person are you? Do you like walking around the room or your apartment during meetings? Do you like to get a coffee or do you have to maneuver around the room to get to folders and files?
Then it would be very annoying to constantly have to put your headphones on and take them off again, wouldn’t it? In that case, you should definitely go for a wireless version! On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who sits stubbornly at your computer until the end of the day, except for a short trip to the toilet, you shouldn’t stress about battery life and charging times. You’re probably better off with a wired headset!
Plastic design or metal construction: Again, it all depends on your preferences! If you are someone who has two to three meetings a week and only consciously uses your headset for telephone conferences via Skype, Zoom, etc., a plastic headset is enough for you! On the other hand, if you use your headset several times a day or even throughout the day, you should use a headset with a more robust metal construction.
On-ear or over-ear headphones: This is such an individual matter of taste that you have to decide it for yourself. Both have pros and cons. But it’s mainly a matter of ferences.
USB connection or 3.5mm jack plug: Basically there is no better or worse here. From a purely technical point of view, you will hardly notice a big difference in quality as long as you only use the headset for conference calls via Zoom, Skype, etc.
Much more important, however, is to look at which device and which devices you want to use your headset with! If you hold your meetings exclusively via a tablet, a headset with a USB connection is probably of little use. If you have a MacBook, you won’t get very far without an adapter either. With a normal Windows PC or laptop, on the other hand, you have a free choice.
How much should a headset cost at most?
We do not want to give you any precise information here, as this is very individual! Basically, however, you should simply pay attention to the role a headset plays in your everyday office life! Do you always have important business meetings via Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Microsoft Teams? Then you should definitely consider making a long-term investment and paying attention to high quality! If, on the other hand, you only need your headset occasionally in your everyday work, you don’t necessarily have to buy the headset with the most features!
Are headsets harmful to health in the long run?
This question cannot be answered in one sentence. What makes headsets unhealthy in general is the volume. So it all depends on what you plan to do with your headset and how loud you set it or have to set it. If you listen to music outside of your conference calls, still work or have to watch or edit video material, this is generally an over-ear design recommended.
If you take part in many meetings, in which there are sometimes many heated discussions, you should also make sure that the volume is still comfortable. If it starts to tinny or strain your ears, it is already too loud.
Do certain headset designs look weird to customers or employees?
Not really. But that depends on what industry you work in and whether or not you use video chat during your meetings and conferences. If not, the question is irrelevant.
If you are in the home office, your rules apply here. If you appreciate the design and comfort of a nice gaming headset, then don’t be afraid to wear it! On the other hand, if you participate in video conferences, it depends on your industry. As an insurance broker, it doesn’t look very professional if you present yourself with a gaming headset or similar. Here you should rather orientate yourself on classic designs.
Conclusion
A light and comfortable business headset help to survive a long video conference marathon. Due to the design, you sweat less underneath than with a gaming headset and you can wear it comfortably for a long time and put it on or take it off quickly if necessary. It’s important that the headphone is comfortable, offers good sound, and has a high-quality microphone. It can also be helpful if the headphones are noise-cancelling.
