In an age where working from home has become common for so many professions, we’re subject ever-more to online meeting spaces. Investing in the best headset for Zoom meetings – or any other online platform – is a surefire way to ensure you don’t miss a moment. If your home working space doesn’t have a built-in microphone, or you simply prefer the privacy and comfort of headphones, then these headsets are the ideal choice for you.
Check out the guide below for the best options for your online meetings. Whether you need a cheap-and-cheerful headset for the occasional Zoom meeting or are a seasoned remote worker, these headsets are sure to suit any niche.
- Best Headset for Zoom Meetings
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100–6,500Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB-C, 35mm, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Best Bluetooth Headset for Zoom Meetings
Plantronics Poly Voyager 4320
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100-6,800Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth
- Best Budget Headset for Zoom Meetings
Logitech H390
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100-10000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Best Premium Headset for Zoom Meetings
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 10–22,000 Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 8,000-20,000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, 35mm, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Best Mid-Range Headset for Zoom Meetings
EPOS Adapt 261
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 100-8,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 20-20,000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth
How We Picked the Best Headset for Zoom Meetings
Depending on your style and nature of work, there are different metrics for what some need in a work from home headset. We factored in the quality of audio, both output and input, as a baseline for overall standards. We also assessed the form factor of the headsets in terms of versatility and comfort. How the headsets connect to your PC, tablet or laptop was also important to highlight, so we accounted for different preferences in connectivity technology.
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We settled on five different products across a range of price points, so that you can find the ideal headset for your work environment. We’ve broken down below why we picked each headset: their respective strengths – and possible weaknesses – in regards to one another.
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100–6,500Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB-C, 35mm, WiFi, Bluetooth
At the median between quality and affordability, SteelSeries’ Arctis 1 headset is ideal for long meetings.
- Great sound quality – the Arctis 1’s audio quality, incoming and outgoing, is stellar.
- Versatile connectivity options – you have a gamut of wired and wireless connectivity options with this headset.
- Less flexible – the build quality on this headset means they aren’t as malleable as other SteelSeries headsets.
Taking our top spot for the best headset for working from home is the SteelSeries Arctis 1, a versatile set of headphones from SteelSeries. With a range of wired and wireless connectivity options, this is an excellent low-cost headphone-microphone pairing for your role.
Designed primarily as a gaming headset, the Arctis 1 series has impressively sterling sound quality. Your colleagues will be impressed by the microphone quality, too: ideal for clarity and minimal background noise. As mentioned above, you can connect via a traditional wired connection over 35mm and USB, or opt for a wireless connection over dual-band WiFi or Bluetooth. With a versatile form factor that fits comfortably on the head, there’s a lot to love about the Arctis 1.
That said, especially compared to other SteelSeries headsets, the build quality may not be up to standards for some consumer. But for a dependable daily headset for work meetings, you can’t beat the Arctis 1.
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100-6,800Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth
For roaming around your home office space with near-limitless freedom, these wire-free headphones are perfect.
- Wireless connectivity – you can be as far as 50 meters from your desk and still talk (we won’t tell your boss)!
- Noise-cancelling – audio remains crisp and clear with the Voyager 4320.
- On-ear headset – unlike over-ear headsets, the Voyager 4320 sit on top of your ears, which can be uncomfortable.
If you want even greater freedom of movement than what working from home can offer, then the Plantronics Poly Voyager 4320 headset is exactly what you need. With Bluetooth range up to 50m from a source device, you can turn your camera off and move around your space without missing a moment of the meeting.
When it’s your turn to speak, your colleagues won’t struggle to understand you: audio quality is natively great, and comes with noise reduction to ensure vocal clarity. The Voyager 4320’s earpads provide passive noise cancellation to attenuate ambient noise so you can better hear your call. You can also use the headset to listen to music and move the fully-articulating microphone boom when you don’t want to speak. Charging from a simple desktop docking station, there’s plenty to like about the Voyager 4320.
One thing you may dislike, however, is the fit. Whilst the Voyager 4320 offers extensive battery life and freedom, the physical design of the headset can be uncomfortable. If you don’t mind a little discomfort from the comfort of home, then this headset is ideal for you.
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100-10000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB
Retailing just shy of $25, this budget headset is ideal for home working on a budget.
- Affordable – the low cost makes the H390 an excellent budget headset.
- Great sound quality – both in regards to audio pickup and background noise cancellation, this headset is excellent for the price.
- Wired – you’ll have to free up a USB on your device to use this headset.
For a more affordable home working solution, consider the Logitech H390. Maintaining quality at a price well under $100, this headset is well-suited to working from home.
In spite of its low price, the audio quality of the H390 is impressive. The noise-canceling microphone can be flipped upwards and out of your face, should you only need to listen rather than speak. The 30mm headphone drivers make for sterling audio quality with little-to-no interference or noise, and you can adjust your settings easily with the built-in control on the device’s cable.
But therein lies the issue with this budget headset: it’s wired-only. With no wireless option to speak of, you’re rooted to your desk. But for affordable audio at home, the H390 is a sterling budget headset.
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 10–22,000 Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 8,000-20,000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, 35mm, WiFi, Bluetooth
Returning to SteelSeries, these comfortable and high-quality headphones are ideal for the longest meetings or the quickest calls.
- Excellent audio quality – the custom headphone drivers and active noise cancellation make for an uninterrupted work-from-home experience.
- Wireless – easily roam around your space, and even swap between devices with the Arctis Nova Pro.
- Premium pricing – the exceptional quality of the Arctis Nova Pro comes at a greater cost.
If quality is the optimum requirement, consider the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, another excellent wireless headset from SteelSeries. A premium headset for remote working, this unit provides exceptional features for your online meetings.
Not only do you have the choice between wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, but you can switch between the two with the Arctis Nova Pro. This means you can seamlessly swap devices for alternating audio inputs and outputs – if you use both a laptop and a tablet, for instance, it’s easy to switch. What’s more, you can also swap batteries with ease for long-lasting calls. Round this off with active noise cancellation and exceptional audio quality both incoming and outgoing, and the Arctis Nova Pro lives up to it’s “Pro” moniker.
That said, professional quality comes at a premium cost. Not everyone will be able to afford these top-end headphones from SteelSeries, so it misses out on the top spot as the best headset for Zoom meetings. But for unparalleled audio quality, they are still a top option.
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 100-8,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 20-20,000Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB, Bluetooth
Comfortably in the middle of the market, this set of headphones is a medley of our favorite features as a favorable price point.
- Varied connectivity – with both wired and wireless options, you’ll never be short of a means to connect with this headset.
- Optimized for meetings – tested with popular meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams, the Adapt 261 is well-suited to home working.
- Poor battery life – with a shorter lifespan and long charge times, the Adapt 261 doesn’t last as long as we’d like.
Our final pick for our rankings is the EPOS Adapt 261. Coming from the Sennheiser umbrella, these mid-range headphones are a great median of quality, versatility and affordability.
With both wired and wireless connectivity options, you’re free to explore your preferred method of calling. The headset’s flexible band gives you a degree of comfort depending on your head shape, and audio quality from both the microphone and headset is sterling. Having been tested on online meeting programs such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, the Adapt 261 is fully optimized for home working. And at a price that sits comfortably between the best and budget options, this is a great option for infrequent remote working.
What’s less great, however, is the battery life on the Adapt 261. Though not terrible, the battery is quick to run out and slow to charge, which can cause issues on long calls. It’s a problem sidestepped with a wired connection, and we still recommend the Adapt 261 as a great headset for Zoom meetings.
Features and Considerations
If you’re looking to invest in a headset for remote working not featured on our list, then here are some things to consider:
Microphone Quality
We’ve all sat on calls where the person on the other end has a scratchy and inconsistent microphone. To avoid making the same mistake, make sure that the microphone has the right sound range and can clearly pick up your voice.
Headphone Quality
Likewise, to make sure you don’t miss any incoming discourse, good-quality headphones are essential. Though online meetings don’t need the same optimum-quality audio that you find in consumer-grade headphones, it’s worth having decent soundscapes. Active noise cancellation is similarly welcome.
Flexibility
It’s also important to have a headset that’s comfortable to wear, especially if you’ll be wearing it for protracted periods. Most headsets have an elasticated band connecting the two headphone drivers, but the best headsets are ultra-flexible with minimal hard plastics. Invest in these for the best comfort.
Connectivity Technology
Arguably the most important feature to consider, how you connect your headset to your device is a factor of utmost importance. Wireless connections are more freeing but are reliant on a battery and your wireless coverage. Wired connections are restrictive but consistent. Consider whether freedom of movement or a consistent connection are more important.
FAQs
What’s the best way to connect a headset to a PC?
Most PCs have a 35mm jack for both headphones and microphones. For audio mediums, this is generally the best means of connection, but USB ports and Bluetooth are also reliable options.
Can you use a headset with your phone?
Yes: If your headset offers a wireless, Bluetooth or 35mm connection, you can easily use it with your smartphone. You can then use your phone as the hub device for conference calls, online meetings or simply improved audio quality.
Verdict
- Frequency Response (Headphones): 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency Response (Microphone): 100–6,500Hz
- Connectivity Technology: USB-C, 35mm, WiFi, Bluetooth
Though it’s not the sturdiest headset on the market, we opted for the Arctis 1 as our best headset for Zoom meetings for it’s versatility and audio quality, at a bargain price. If you’re struggling to be heard on your weekly meetings, invest in these – or any of our other headsets – today.
Of course, the issue could be with your home office’s WiFi – check out our guide on the best routers on the market today and improve your connection!