Buying Guide
The Best Bluetooth Headset with Mic
Five headsets compared, from the NUBWO G06 to the Cloud Alpha 2, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A Bluetooth headset with a microphone covers calls on a phone and a laptop without a dongle. These are ordered by listed battery life.
We sorted these picks by battery life, driver size and connection, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips driver size, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Longest Battery Life
HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless
The longest battery life here (250 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset
Memory foam cushions.
Best for: Buyers who want memory foam cushions.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset
A lower price than the Stealth 600 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)
Up to 80 hours of listed battery life.
Best for: Buyers who want up to 80 hours of listed battery life.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation)
The largest driver size here (60mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Longest Battery Life1 of 5
HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX's Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless offers up to 250 hours of battery life with 53mm drivers.
Best for
- Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NUBWO G06 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. On battery life it leads this guide at 250 hours, ahead of the Cloud III S (120 hours). It matches the Cloud III S on driver size (53mm).
It shares a detachable microphone with the Cloud III S; the Stealth 600 goes with a flip-to-mute microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Stealth 700 PS and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 250 hours
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone: Detachable
Pros
- Up to 250 hours of battery life
- 53mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
Cons
- Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Cloud III S leads on battery at a 120 hours, with 53mm drivers, the largest here.
Best for
- Buyers who want memory foam cushions.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NUBWO G06 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its aluminium frame resists knocks, and a lifetime Spatial Audio activation adds 3D positioning on PC. Magnetic ear-cup plates can be swapped. On battery life it sits mid-pack at 120 hours: the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours, and the Stealth 700 PS comes in at 80 hours.
It matches the Cloud Alpha 2 on driver size (53mm). It shares a detachable microphone with the Cloud Alpha 2; the Stealth 700 PS goes with a flip-to-mute microphone. You also get memory foam cushions.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the Stealth 600 and the Stealth 700 PS, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 120 hours
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Detachable
Pros
- Up to 120 hours of battery life
- 53mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Memory foam cushions
Cons
- Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
NUBWO's G06 offers up to 100 hours of battery life across 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
That is the longest figure among the budget wireless headsets here. A 2.4GHz dongle keeps latency low, and the 1,200mAh battery is rated for up to 100 hours. It suits long sessions without charging.
Its 100 hours battery life ranks third of 5 here, behind the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours) and ahead of the Stealth 700 PS (80 hours). No other pick in this guide offers a boom mic microphone; compare the Stealth 600, which has a flip-to-mute microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Stealth 600 the next step up. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Stealth 700 PS comes in at 60mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 100 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- Up to 100 hours of battery life
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes
- Budget wireless price tier
Cons
- No published driver size
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 offers up to 80 hours of battery life with 50mm drivers.
Best for
- Buyers who want up to 80 hours of listed battery life.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Stealth 700 PS offers 60mm.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has a flip-to-mute mic. A mappable wheel and mode button can be assigned in the app, and the ear cups lay flat for travel. Memory foam cushions are glasses-friendly.
Its 50mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Stealth 700 PS leads at 60mm. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Stealth 700 PS; the NUBWO G06 goes with a boom mic microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the NUBWO G06 and the Cloud III S, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Flip-to-mute mic
Cons
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 PS (60mm)
- Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing
Largest Drivers5 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PlayStation Stealth 700 uses 60mm Eclipse drivers and offers up to 80 hours of battery life.
Best for
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Cloud Alpha 2 offers 250 hours.
Why we like it
It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. This PlayStation version runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at once and is rated for up to 80 hours per charge. Its flip-to-mute mic uses AI noise reduction.
A steel-reinforced headband and lay-flat ear cups add durability, and the wheel and mode button can be remapped. Nothing else here matches its 60mm driver size; the Cloud Alpha 2 comes closest at 53mm. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Stealth 600; the Cloud III S goes with a detachable microphone.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the Cloud III S and the Cloud Alpha 2, based on our last check. If battery life is your priority, the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 60mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
Cons
- Battery life trails the Cloud Alpha 2 (250 hours)
- Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
What to Look for in a Bluetooth Headset with Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Decide on driver size first
Among these picks, driver size runs from 50mm on the Stealth 600 to 60mm on the Stealth 700 PS. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
How to Choose a Bluetooth Headset with Mic
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Cloud Alpha 2 | The longest battery life here (250 hours) |
| Buyers who want memory foam cushions | Cloud III S | Memory foam cushions |
| Keeping the budget tight | NUBWO G06 | A lower price than the Stealth 600 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want up to 80 hours of listed battery life | Stealth 600 | Up to 80 hours of listed battery life |
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | Stealth 700 PS | The largest driver size here (60mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Alpha 2 | 250 hours | 53mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Detachable |
| Cloud III S | 120 hours | 53mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Detachable |
| NUBWO G06 | 100 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Boom mic |
| Stealth 600 | 80 hours | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5 | Flip-to-mute |
| Stealth 700 PS | 80 hours | 60mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously | Flip-to-mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | NUBWO G06 |
| About $50 to $100 | Stealth 600 |
| About $100 to $150 | Cloud III S |
| About $150 to $250 | Stealth 700 PS, Cloud Alpha 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these headsets has the longest battery life?
The Cloud Alpha 2 leads at 250 hours, ahead of the Cloud III S at 120 hours; the Stealth 700 PS sits at the other end with 80 hours.
What is the least I can spend on one of these headsets?
Start with the NUBWO G06, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Cloud Alpha 2 is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Is Bluetooth good enough for gaming?
For casual games it is fine, but 2.4GHz dongles have noticeably lower latency. Use the dongle for competitive play.
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
Are gaming headsets comfortable with glasses?
Softer memory foam pads and lighter clamp help. Look for listings that mention glasses support if it matters to you.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Cloud Alpha 2. Look at the Cloud III S for memory foam cushions, the NUBWO G06 for a lower price than the Stealth 600 and the rest when we checked and the Stealth 600 for up to 80 hours of listed battery life if those matter more to you.
Bluetooth adds delay in games; use a 2.4GHz dongle or cable for play.