Buying Guide
The Best Headset with Mic for PC
We weighed five headsets on driver size and connection, and the Vliveaudax costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A PC headset with a boom microphone gives clearer voice chat than a laptop's built-in mic. These are ordered from the lowest listed price.
Rankings weigh driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 SurroundThe cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up.
Check price for Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
QXQ Wired Gaming HeadsetA flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want flip-to-mute microphone.
Check price for QXQ Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WIRWTRU Wired Gaming HeadsetA 198g frame.
Best for: Buyers who want 198g frame.
Check price for WIRWTRU Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset50mm drivers at a low price.
Best for: Buyers who want 50mm drivers at a low price.
Check price for IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation)The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a swivel-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a swivel-to-mute microphone and can spend more than the IMYB A36 costs.
Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround
Vliveaudax's headset connects through a USB sound card with 7.1 virtual surround.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up.
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. It matches the IMYB A36 on driver size (50mm).
It is the only pick here with a wired USB sound card connection; the QXQ has a wired 3.5mm connection instead. It shares a boom mic microphone with the WIRWTRU and IMYB A36; the Stinger 2 Core goes with a swivel-to-mute boom microphone. It also offers 50mm drivers.
It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It undercut the QXQ and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key 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
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
- Price-first buyers should look at the Vliveaudax, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest headset here with that feature at the time of writing. On driver size it ties with the WIRWTRU and the Stinger 2 Core at 40mm. No other pick in this guide offers a flip-to-mute boom microphone; compare the IMYB A36, which has a boom mic 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. It was priced above the Vliveaudax and below the WIRWTRU at the time of writing.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WIRWTRU Wired Gaming Headset
WIRWTRU's headset weighs 198g and lists ear pads designed for glasses wearers.
Best for
- Buyers who want 198g frame.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Vliveaudax cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
A 3.5mm plug covers PC and consoles. On driver size it ties with the QXQ and the Stinger 2 Core at 40mm. Like the Vliveaudax and IMYB A36, it has a boom mic microphone, while the QXQ uses a flip-to-mute 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. You also get this: light 198g build. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want 198g frame, since it offers a 198g frame. It was priced above the QXQ and below the IMYB A36 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Weight
- 198g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Boom mic
Pros
- Light 198g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- 198g frame
- Ear pads described as glasses-friendly
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset
IMYB's A36 fits 50mm drivers into a 3.5mm headset at an entry price.
Best for
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers at a low price.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Vliveaudax was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
The headband adjusts for fit. Its 50mm drivers and 3.5mm connection work with PCs, PlayStation, Xbox (older pads need an adapter) and Switch. The mic handles basic voice chat.
On driver size it ties with the Vliveaudax at 50mm. Like the Vliveaudax and WIRWTRU, it has a boom mic microphone, while the QXQ uses a flip-to-mute 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. When we checked, only the WIRWTRU and cheaper picks cost less, and the Stinger 2 Core cost more.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- 50mm drivers at a low price
- 3.5mm connection
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation)
HyperX's Cloud Stinger 2 Core uses 40mm directional drivers and a swivel-to-mute mic in a light over-ear frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want a swivel-to-mute microphone and can spend more than the IMYB A36 costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Vliveaudax offers 50mm.
Why we like it
This is the PlayStation-styled version with a 3.5mm plug. Its swivel-to-mute mic flips up to mute, and audio controls sit on the headset. Soft ear cushions keep it light.
It matches the QXQ and the WIRWTRU on driver size (40mm). A swivel-to-mute boom microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the QXQ uses a flip-to-mute boom microphone. It also comes with a lightweight over-ear design.
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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the IMYB A36. If driver size is your priority, the Vliveaudax (50mm) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Swivel-to-mute boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Swivel-to-mute microphone
- 40mm directional drivers
- Lightweight over-ear design
Cons
- Driver size trails the Vliveaudax (50mm)
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five headsets on driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Vliveaudax to the Stinger 2 Core, state driver size, connection and microphone.
- Who each pick suits
- The Vliveaudax for the cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ; the QXQ for a flip-to-mute microphone; the WIRWTRU for a 198g frame.
- Price range
- From the Vliveaudax to the Stinger 2 Core, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Headset with Mic for PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size across these picks
Across these 5 picks driver size spans 40mm (the Stinger 2 Core) to 50mm (the Vliveaudax). If driver size is your first filter, the Vliveaudax sets the ceiling at 50mm.
Microphone
The Vliveaudax, the WIRWTRU and the IMYB A36 list boom mic; the QXQ lists flip-to-mute boom; the Stinger 2 Core lists swivel-to-mute boom. Sort out microphone before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3, 1 and 1.
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers Extras that separate them
The WIRWTRU: ear pads described as glasses-friendly. The IMYB A36: a 3.5mm connection. The Stinger 2 Core: 40mm directional drivers.
Budget
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Vliveaudax at the low end to the Stinger 2 Core at the top, so decide on features first.
Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up: the Vliveaudax. Buyers who want a swivel-to-mute microphone and can spend more than the IMYB A36 costs: the Stinger 2 Core.
How to Choose a Headset with Mic for PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up | 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 198g frame | WIRWTRU | A 198g frame |
| Buyers who want 50mm drivers at a low price | IMYB A36 | 50mm drivers at a low price |
| Buyers who want a swivel-to-mute microphone and can spend more than the IMYB A36 costs | Stinger 2 Core | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a swivel-to-mute microphone |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Vliveaudax leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the IMYB A36 at 50mm.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vliveaudax | 50mm | Wired USB sound card | Boom mic |
| QXQ | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Flip-to-mute boom |
| WIRWTRU | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Boom mic |
| IMYB A36 | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm | Boom mic |
| Stinger 2 Core | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Swivel-to-mute boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Stinger 2 Core add over the Vliveaudax?
The Stinger 2 Core matches or trails the Vliveaudax on driver size. The Vliveaudax leads on driver size (50mm). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the Vliveaudax our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the QXQ. It suits spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up.
Do the Vliveaudax and the QXQ differ on connection?
The Vliveaudax uses Wired USB sound card; the QXQ, the WIRWTRU, the IMYB A36 and the Stinger 2 Core use Wired 3.5mm.
What extras do the Vliveaudax and the QXQ include?
The Vliveaudax: a USB sound card. The QXQ: a flip-to-mute microphone. The WIRWTRU: a 198g frame.
Should I pick the Vliveaudax or the Stinger 2 Core?
The Vliveaudax suits spending as little as possible, with the QXQ the next step up; the Stinger 2 Core suits buyers who want a swivel-to-mute microphone and can spend more than the IMYB A36 costs.
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 WIRWTRU for a 198g frame and the IMYB A36 for 50mm drivers at a low price if those matter more to you.
USB headsets bring their own sound card; 3.5mm ones use the PC's.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
- Related guideThe Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Gaming Headsets
- Similar guideThe Best Bluetooth Headset with Mic
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesUSB vs XLR microphones: what each needs and what each gives you
- Similar guideThe Best Headsets With a Detachable Mic
- Topic hubAll headsets and headphones guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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