Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headsets with Boom Mic
Five headsets compared, from the Vliveaudax to the Quantum 100M2, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A boom mic sits close to your mouth and usually picks up voice better than an inline mic. Every pick lists a boom microphone, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for battery life, driver size and connection; where a maker leaves out battery life, we say 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.
Lowest Price Here
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround
The cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
QXQ Wired Gaming Headset
A flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want flip-to-mute microphone.
Our take Check price for QXQ Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Valorise Wireless Gaming Headset
Up to 100 hours on Bluetooth.
Best for: Buyers who want up to 100 hours on Bluetooth.
Our take Check price for Valorise Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Detachable Boom Microphone
AOC Wireless Gaming Headset
A detachable boom microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a detachable boom microphone.
Our take Check price for AOC Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset
The top of this price range, adding a detachable directional mic.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Vliveaudax's headset connects through a USB sound card with 7.1 virtual surround.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced USB headset here. Its noise-cancelling mic and ear-cup volume control are plug-and-play over USB-A or USB-C. On driver size it ties with the AOC at 50mm.
You get a wired USB sound card connection here, which sets it apart from the Quantum 100M2 and its a wired 3.5mm connection. Like the Valorise, it has a boom mic microphone, while the AOC uses a detachable boom microphone. It also comes with 50mm drivers.
It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the QXQ the next step up. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Valorise runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired USB sound card
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB sound card
- 7.1 virtual surround
Also Consider2 of 5
QXQ Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The QXQ headset adds a flip-to-mute mic to a 3.5mm design.
Best for
- Buyers who want flip-to-mute microphone.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Vliveaudax offers 50mm.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest headset here with that feature at the time of writing. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Vliveaudax leads at 50mm. Like the Quantum 100M2, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Vliveaudax uses a wired USB sound card connection.
You get a flip-to-mute boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the Quantum 100M2 and its a detachable directional boom microphone. It also offers a 3.5mm plug for PC and consoles and an entry-level price tier. 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.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Vliveaudax and the pricier Valorise, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Valorise runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Flip-to-mute microphone
- 3.5mm plug for PC and consoles
- Entry-level price tier
Cons
- Driver size trails the Vliveaudax (50mm)
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Valorise Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Valorise offers 45 hours on 2.4GHz and up to 100 hours on Bluetooth, with a 3.5mm cable as a fallback.
Best for
- Buyers who want up to 100 hours on Bluetooth.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It suits long sessions away from a charger. It shares a boom mic microphone with the Vliveaudax; the Quantum 100M2 goes with a detachable directional boom microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
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. Its price falls between the QXQ and the AOC, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the Vliveaudax, which comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 45 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Up to 100 hours on Bluetooth
- 45 hours on 2.4GHz
- 3.5mm wired fallback
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Detachable Boom Microphone4 of 5
AOC Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
AOC's wireless headset offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0 and a 3.5mm cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want a detachable boom microphone.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Vliveaudax was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The mic detaches and the drivers are 50mm. It matches the Vliveaudax on driver size (50mm). A detachable boom microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the QXQ uses a flip-to-mute boom microphone.
It also offers three connection modes including Bluetooth 6.0 and a detachable microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. 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. Its price falls between the Valorise and the Quantum 100M2, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 45 hours
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Detachable boom
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Three connection modes including Bluetooth 6.0
- Detachable microphone
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
JBL's Quantum 100M2 has a detachable directional mic and a 3.5mm plug.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It is the only JBL headset in this group. Its directional mic detaches and mutes, and memory foam with breathable fabric cushions keeps it light. One 3.5mm jack works with PC, consoles, Switch and phones.
JBL QuantumSOUND tuning brings out footsteps and effects. Like the QXQ, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Vliveaudax uses a wired USB sound card connection. You get a detachable directional boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the AOC and its a detachable boom microphone.
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 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 AOC and the rest. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Valorise runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Detachable directional boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Detachable directional mic
- 3.5mm connection
- JBL QuantumSOUND signature tuning
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Headsets with Boom Mic
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Vliveaudax to the Quantum 100M2, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Vliveaudax, the QXQ and the Quantum 100M2 give no battery life; the Valorise and the Quantum 100M2 give no driver size.
- Price range
- From the Vliveaudax to the Quantum 100M2, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Headset with Boom Mic
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 QXQ to 50mm on the Vliveaudax. The Vliveaudax is the pick for driver size. No figure for the Valorise and the Quantum 100M2.
Features beyond the spec table
The Valorise: 45 hours on 2.4GHz. The AOC: a detachable microphone. The Quantum 100M2: a 3.5mm connection.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Vliveaudax at the low end to the Quantum 100M2 at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the Vliveaudax. Buyers who want a detachable boom microphone: the AOC. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Quantum 100M2.
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 Gaming Headset with Boom Mic
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Vliveaudax | The cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ |
| Buyers who want flip-to-mute microphone | QXQ | A flip-to-mute microphone |
| Buyers who want up to 100 hours on Bluetooth | Valorise | Up to 100 hours on Bluetooth |
| Buyers who want a detachable boom microphone | AOC | A detachable boom microphone |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Quantum 100M2 | The top of this price range, adding a detachable directional mic |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Vliveaudax leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the AOC at 50mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vliveaudax | Not listed | 50mm | Wired USB sound card | Boom mic |
| QXQ | Not listed | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Flip-to-mute boom |
| Valorise | 45 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm | Boom mic |
| AOC | 45 hours | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, wired 3.5mm | Detachable boom |
| Quantum 100M2 | Not listed | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Detachable directional boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Vliveaudax the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the Vliveaudax and the QXQ differ on microphone?
The Vliveaudax and the Valorise use boom mic; the QXQ uses flip-to-mute boom; the AOC uses detachable boom; the Quantum 100M2 uses Detachable directional boom.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Vliveaudax and the QXQ apart?
The Vliveaudax: a USB sound card. The QXQ: a flip-to-mute microphone. The Valorise: up to 100 hours on Bluetooth.
Who should choose the AOC?
The AOC carries our Detachable Boom Microphone label for a detachable boom microphone. It ranks fourth of 5 here.
Should I pick the Vliveaudax or the Quantum 100M2?
The Vliveaudax suits spending as little as possible; the Quantum 100M2 suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Vliveaudax, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ. Look at the QXQ for a flip-to-mute microphone, the Valorise for up to 100 hours on Bluetooth and the AOC for a detachable boom microphone if those matter more to you.
Position the boom about two fingers from the corner of your mouth.