7 Best Headphones with Mic for Professionals and Gamers | HP® Tech Takes (2024)

Given how much time we all spend communicating online, a good pair of headphones with a mic can make a real difference. The pandemic created a fundamental shift in how society operates. With remote or hybrid work models becoming the standard for many of us, we now have a greater appreciation for quality headphones with a mic.

Whether for communication during virtual meetings or immersing yourself in your favourite online game, improving the sound quality you send and receive creates a better experience for everyone involved.

We’ve all been left frustrated by poor audio. Struggling to hear your boss through a bad laptop mic and having to ask them to repeat themselves. Miscommunications that make you and your team lose a game you shouldn’t have.

The thing is, headphones and microphones have gotten much better, and you don’t need to break the bank to find a good pair of headphones with a mic that suits your needs. Whether for professionals in a virtual meeting or gamers trying to coordinate when things get hectic, there’s no excuse to rely on subpar headphones or a computer’s default microphone.

Headphone with mic: Factors to consider

With so many options available, what factors make the best pair of headphones with a mic?

Sound quality

Perhaps the most crucial factor to consider is how good things sound through the headphones. Unfortunately, this is a difficult quality to quantify. So much of sound quality comes down to personal preference and no single metric exists encompassing every aspect.

Frequency response is an important factor, with many users looking to emphasize the bass or treble. However, some users prefer a flat response that balances all frequencies equally. Audiophiles also consider many other tools, such as signal-to-noise ratio, frequency range, distortion ratio, and percent of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).

Another critical factor for sound quality is bitrate, which is the amount of data processed each second. While headphones can cap the maximum possible bitrate, the audio source generally defines bitrate.

Microphone quality

How well a microphone picks up and transmits your voice depends on several factors, including:

• Microphone type: For headphones with a mic, the main types are built-in (within the headset), in-line (positioned on the headphone wire), and boom mics (on a small movable boom next to the user’s mouth).
• Design: The specific technology used to convert sound waves into an electrical signal.
• Mic direction: Most commonly unidirectional (picks up sound from a single direction) or omnidirectional (picks up sound from all sides).
• Noise isolation: Features that reduce ambient sound.
• Position: Where the microphone is in relation to the user’s mouth.

Earbuds vs headphones

While sound quality can vary for both types, earbuds are more compact and portable. However, headphones generally have better noise isolation and are more comfortable to wear for extended periods. Also, when choosing between headphones with a mic, earbuds reduce your options compared to bulkier headphones that can include a higher quality boom mic.

Bluetooth vs wired headphones

Bluetooth headphones have exploded in popularity, removing wires for more convenient use. While choosing a pair of wireless headphones with a mic can be a great option, they also create limitations.

In addition, choosing a pair of Bluetooth headphones with a mic means considering factors such as:

• Battery life
• Range
• Latency

7 of the best HP headphones with a mic

1. HP Bluetooth Headset 500

A great all-around pair of wireless headphones with a built-in mic at a good price point, the HP Bluetooth Headset 500 is an ideal upgrade for both gamers and professionals. With the ability to remove unwanted background sounds and powered by Bluetooth 5, the headset is also comfortable (soft over-ear cups), portable (folds to take up less space in your bag), and easy to use (on-device buttons to answer calls and adjust volume).

Thanks to a 300 mAh battery, the Bluetooth Headset 500 can provide up to 20 hours of use on a single charge. The plug-and-play USB Type-C port makes charging simple, and with an indicator letting you know how much battery is left, you’ll never get stuck scrambling for the charger.

HP Bluetooth Headset 500 specifications:

• Battery life: Up to 20 hours
• Weight: 0.22 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 190 x 172 x 85 mm
• Charging cord: USB-C

2. HP Wireless Earbuds G2

Prefer earbuds over bulkier headphones? Look no further than the HP Wireless Earbuds G2. With high-quality audio using Bluetooth 5 and DSP noise reduction to subtract background noise and remove echoes, G2 is the perfect wireless earbud option.

Using the G2 earbuds is simple, with built-in sensors allowing you to:

• Turn on/off
• Pair with devices
• Play/pause music
• Skip songs
• Answer calls
• Adjust volume
• Activate voice assistant (requires compatible device)

HP Wireless Earbuds G2 specifications:

• Battery life: Up to 4 hours
• Weight: Earbuds - 12 g, Charging Case - 41 g
• Minimum dimensions: Earbuds - 24.2 x 45.5 x 26.3 mm, Charging Case - 59.5 x 57.5 x 33.5 mm
• Charging cord: USB-C

3. HP OMEN Blast Gaming Headset

• 7.1 surround sound
• 24-bit USB DAC
• Retractable unidirectional noise-cancelling boom mic

Users can hear everything in the game and clearly communicate with teammates. These headphones allow users to create unique audio profiles to match their favourite games with the OMEN Command Centre.

HP OMEN Blast specifications:

• Cable length: 120 cm
• Weight: 0.34 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 218.2 x 180 x 112.9 mm

4. HP X1000 Wireless Gaming Headset

A fantastic pair of wireless headphones with a mic for gaming, the HP X1000 Wireless Gaming Headset offers excellent performance without a cable.

The X1000 connects wirelessly via USB (dongle provided) with up to 20 hours of battery life while still offering 7.1 virtual surround sound for superb precision, depth, and clarity. Users can customize audio profiles for specific games using the OMEN Command Center and adjust the boom microphone, which comes with an additional mute indicator.

HP X1000 Wireless Gaming Headset specifications:

• Battery life: Up to 20 hours
• Weight: 0.34 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 218.2 x 180 x 112.9 mm
• Charging cord: USB-A to USB micro-B

5. HP OMEN Mindframe Prime Headset

With FrostCap technology and passive cooling ear cushions, you can stay cool while listening to built-in virtual surround sound for true gaming immersion. The headset also comes with noise-cancelling dual microphones, a simple flip-to-mute microphone, on-ear volume control, and the OMEN Command Center for custom EQ settings and RGB lighting.

OMEN by HP Mindframe Prime Headset with FrostCap Ear Cooling specifications:

• Cable length: 200cm
• Weight: 0.22 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 190 x 172 x 85 mm

6. HyperX Cloud Alpha S – Gaming Headset

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S Gaming Headset offers top-of-the-line performance for gamers, with HyperX 7.1 surround sound, bass adjustment sliders, and dual-chamber drivers.

This sleek and high-performance headset also features:

• A balance for both game and chat audio
• Durable aluminium frame
• Detachable noise-cancellation microphone and cable
• And an advanced audio control mixer

HyperX Cloud Alpha S – Gaming Headset specifications:

• Cable length: 100 cm
• Weight: 0.31 kg

7. HP Stereo USB Headset G2

Some users may want a pair of headphones with no frills, but that gets the job done. The HP Stereo USB Headset G2 is an awesome pair of headphones with a mic that you can plugin and use right away.

They come with a flexible boom mic that blocks background noise, in-line volume controls, and a simple USB-A connection.

• Weight: 0.09 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 165 x 130 x 50 mm

Summary

The grass is very much greener on the other side when it comes to audio quality. The difference users will experience after upgrading from basic headphones and a default microphone is astounding.

Whatever you’re looking for in your headphones with a mic, whether they be tailored to gaming or working from home, HP has a range of options to match functionality or price.

About the Author: Arthur Smalley is a science and technology writer based in the UK.