Buying Guide
The Best Headsets With Noise-Cancelling Mics
Three headsets compared, from the CM7002 to the INZONE H5, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A noise-cancelling mic keeps keyboard clicks and room noise out of voice chat. Every pick lists a noise-cancelling microphone, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for driver size, connection and microphone; where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Drivers
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset
The largest driver size here (50mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Our take Check price for syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Closed-back Design
EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO
A closed-back design.
Best for: Buyers who want a closed-back design.
Our take Check price for EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sony INZONE H5 Wireless
The top of this price range, adding AI-based mic noise reduction.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H5 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest driver size here (50mm). | Listeners who want the biggest drivers here. | Check price for syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| A closed-back design. | Buyers who want a closed-back design. | Check price for EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding AI-based mic noise reduction. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Sony INZONE H5 Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 3
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The CM7002 offers 50mm drivers and an ENC noise-cancelling mic at a budget price.
Best for
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Noise cancelling on the mic helps in a loud room. Its 50mm drivers and soft over-ear cushions aim at long competitive sessions, and an ENC mic reduces background noise. The wired link avoids battery worries.
You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the GAME ZERO and its a wired 3.5mm connection. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. Another plus is low price tier.
The nearest alternative on driver size is the INZONE H5 at 40mm, against 50mm here. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the GAME ZERO the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired
- Microphone: ENC noise-cancelling boom
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- ENC noise-cancelling microphone
- Low price tier
Closed-back Design2 of 3
EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GAME ZERO, from Sennheiser's gaming line now sold under EPOS, is a closed-back folding headset with a flip-to-mute boom.
Best for
- Buyers who want a closed-back design.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Memory foam pads are listed. It folds flat into the included hard case, and the flexible boom mic reduces background noise. A wired 3.5mm connection is unique to it among these picks, while the CM7002 uses a wired connection.
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. When we checked, only the CM7002 cost less, and the INZONE H5 cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the CM7002 instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: Closed-back
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute noise-cancelling boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Foldable closed-back design
- Memory foam ear pads
- Flexible boom mic
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the CM7002 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Sony INZONE H5 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sony's INZONE H5 pairs a 2.4GHz USB dongle with a 3.5mm wired option.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: shorter 28-hour battery.
Why we like it
Its boom mic uses AI-based noise reduction. Sony's 360 Spatial Sound can be personalized from a photo of your ear. The bidirectional boom mic uses AI-based noise cancelling, and the battery lasts up to 28 hours.
It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus is no charging or pairing needed.
The nearest alternative on driver size is the CM7002 at 50mm, against 40mm here. At our last price check it topped the group, with the GAME ZERO the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 28 hours
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB, wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Bidirectional boom, AI noise reduction
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- AI-based mic noise reduction
- 3.5mm wired option
- INZONE Hub EQ and spatial sound
Cons
- Shorter 28-hour battery
- Costs more than the CM7002 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets With Noise-Cancelling Mics
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three headsets on driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the CM7002 to the INZONE H5, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GAME ZERO gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the CM7002 (under $50) to the INZONE H5 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Headset With Noise-Cancelling Mics
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much driver size you need
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the INZONE H5 to 50mm on the CM7002. The CM7002 is the pick for driver size. No figure for the GAME ZERO.
Fit and compatibility
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range.
Features beyond the spec table
The CM7002: an ENC noise-cancelling microphone. The GAME ZERO: memory foam ear pads. The INZONE H5: a 3.5mm wired option.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the CM7002; $100 to $150 buys the GAME ZERO; $150 to $250 buys the INZONE H5 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Listeners who want the biggest drivers here: the CM7002. Buyers who want a closed-back design: the GAME ZERO. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the INZONE H5.
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.
How to Choose a Headset With Noise-Cancelling Mics
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | CM7002 | The largest driver size here (50mm) |
| Buyers who want a closed-back design | GAME ZERO | A closed-back design |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | INZONE H5 | The top of this price range, adding AI-based mic noise reduction |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The CM7002 leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the INZONE H5 at 40mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM7002 | 50mm | Wired | ENC noise-cancelling boom |
| GAME ZERO | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Flip-to-mute noise-cancelling boom |
| INZONE H5 | 40mm | 2.4GHz USB, wired 3.5mm | Bidirectional boom, AI noise reduction |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The CM7002 was the lowest-priced pick and the INZONE H5 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | CM7002 |
| About $100 to $150 | GAME ZERO |
| About $150 to $250 | INZONE H5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CM7002 ahead of the INZONE H5 on driver size?
The CM7002 leads at 50mm, with the INZONE H5 at 40mm. The GAME ZERO doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the INZONE H5 worth paying more than the CM7002?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the CM7002 still leads on driver size (50mm). The CM7002 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the CM7002 the Largest Drivers?
It earns the label for the largest driver size here (50mm). It suits listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
What should I check before buying the INZONE H5?
It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the CM7002 and the GAME ZERO apart?
The CM7002: 50mm drivers. The GAME ZERO: a foldable closed-back design. The INZONE H5: AI-based mic noise reduction.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the CM7002. Look at the GAME ZERO for a closed-back design and the INZONE H5 for the top of this price range, adding AI-based mic noise reduction if those matter more to you.
Position the mic at the corner of your mouth, not in front.