Buying Guide
The Best Headsets for Calls
We weighed five headsets on driver size and weight, and the NUBWO HG04L costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
For calls, the microphone matters more than the drivers. Every pick has a noise-rejecting or cardioid mic, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these headsets on driver size, weight and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming HeadsetA cardioid microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want cardioid microphone.
Check price for NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset50mm drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Check price for syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStationA HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
Razer BlackShark V2 XPassive noise cancellation.
Best for: Buyers who want passive noise cancellation.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Razer BlackShark V2 X for XboxA HyperClear cardioid mic at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the NUBWO HG04L costs less.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming Headset
NUBWO's HG04L pairs a cardioid microphone with a 250g frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want cardioid microphone.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
A cardioid mic picks up less from the sides than an omnidirectional one. On weight it trails the group at 250g, while the BlackShark V2 X PS weighs 240g. It is the only pick here with a cardioid boom microphone; the CM7002 has an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone instead.
It also offers a budget 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. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the CM7002 instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Weight
- 250g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Cardioid boom
Pros
- Light 250g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- Cardioid microphone
- 250g frame
Cons
- No published driver size
- Weight trails the BlackShark V2 X PS (240g)
Strong Alternative2 of 5
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset
The CM7002 offers 50mm drivers and an ENC noise-cancelling mic at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Skip if
- Its weight is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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.
It is the only pick here with a wired connection; the NUBWO HG04L has a wired 3.5mm connection instead. You get an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and its a HyperClear cardioid microphone. You also get this: no charging or pairing needed. The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the BlackShark V2 X PS weighs 240g.
Key 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
Cons
- No published weight
Worth a Look3 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation
The PlayStation version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X keeps the 240g frame, 50mm TriForce drivers and HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the NUBWO HG04L, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 3.5mm plug also works on PC. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers split into three parts to tune highs, mids and lows separately. Closed earcups cover the ears fully for passive noise isolation, and the cardioid mic rejects sound from the back and sides.
Like the BlackShark V2 X and BlackShark V2 X Xbox, it has a HyperClear cardioid microphone, while the NUBWO HG04L uses a cardioid 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 CM7002 and cheaper picks cost less, and the BlackShark V2 X cost more.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Weight
- 240g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- HyperClear cardioid
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- HyperClear cardioid mic
Cons
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
Solid Runner-Up4 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X
The BlackShark V2 X gets the essentials right at a low price: 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, a HyperClear cardioid mic and passive noise cancellation.
Best for
- Buyers who want passive noise cancellation.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NUBWO HG04L was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
At 240g it is one of the lighter closed-back headsets here. It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox on weight (240g). It shares a HyperClear cardioid microphone with the BlackShark V2 X PS and BlackShark V2 X Xbox; the CM7002 goes with an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone.
You also get breathable foam ear cushions. 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 fourth of 5, between the cheaper BlackShark V2 X PS and the pricier BlackShark V2 X Xbox, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Weight
- 240g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- HyperClear cardioid
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- Passive noise cancellation
Cons
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox
The Xbox version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X has the same 240g frame and cardioid mic.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the NUBWO HG04L costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the NUBWO HG04L, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 3.5mm plug connects to an Xbox controller. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers tune highs, mids and lows separately. The HyperClear cardioid mic picks up more voice than room noise, and the closed cups give a tighter passive seal.
Like the BlackShark V2 X PS and BlackShark V2 X, it has a HyperClear cardioid microphone, while the NUBWO HG04L uses a cardioid 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. Only the BlackShark V2 X came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on driver size, where the CM7002 comes in at 50mm.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Weight
- 240g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- HyperClear cardioid
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- HyperClear cardioid mic
Cons
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets for Calls
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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five headsets on driver size, weight, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while driver size and weight have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the NUBWO HG04L to the BlackShark V2 X Xbox, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NUBWO HG04L gives no driver size; the CM7002 gives no weight.
- Price range
- From the NUBWO HG04L to the BlackShark V2 X Xbox, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Headset for Calls
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Weight
Here weight runs from 250g on the NUBWO HG04L to 240g on the BlackShark V2 X PS, a 4% spread. Start with the BlackShark V2 X PS if weight decides it. The CM7002 gives no weight figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Microphone
The NUBWO HG04L lists Cardioid boom; the CM7002 lists ENC noise-cancelling boom; the BlackShark V2 X PS, the BlackShark V2 X and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox list HyperClear cardioid. Settling microphone first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 1 or 1.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Extras that separate them
The CM7002: an ENC noise-cancelling microphone. The BlackShark V2 X PS: a 240g frame. The BlackShark V2 X: breathable foam ear cushions.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the NUBWO HG04L at the low end to the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at the top, so decide on features first.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers 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.
How to Choose a Headset for Calls
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want cardioid microphone | NUBWO HG04L | A cardioid microphone |
| Buyers who want 50mm drivers | CM7002 | 50mm drivers |
| Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic | BlackShark V2 X PS | A HyperClear cardioid mic |
| Buyers who want passive noise cancellation | BlackShark V2 X | Passive noise cancellation |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the NUBWO HG04L costs less | BlackShark V2 X Xbox | A HyperClear cardioid mic at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BlackShark V2 X PS leads on weight at 240g, ahead of the BlackShark V2 X at 240g. "Not listed" marks driver size where the NUBWO HG04L leaves the figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Weight | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUBWO HG04L | Not listed | 250g | Wired 3.5mm | Cardioid boom |
| CM7002 | 50mm | Not listed | Wired | ENC noise-cancelling boom |
| BlackShark V2 X PS | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| BlackShark V2 X | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| BlackShark V2 X Xbox | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the BlackShark V2 X Xbox add over the NUBWO HG04L?
On paper it adds weight (240g against 250g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in weight cost little extra by tier.
Why is the BlackShark V2 X Xbox our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for a HyperClear cardioid mic at the highest price in the group. It makes sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the NUBWO HG04L costs less.
Do the NUBWO HG04L and the CM7002 differ on connection?
The NUBWO HG04L, the BlackShark V2 X PS, the BlackShark V2 X and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox use Wired 3.5mm; the CM7002 uses Wired.
What extras do the NUBWO HG04L and the CM7002 include?
The NUBWO HG04L: a cardioid microphone. The CM7002: 50mm drivers. The BlackShark V2 X PS: a HyperClear cardioid mic.
Should I pick the NUBWO HG04L or the BlackShark V2 X Xbox?
The NUBWO HG04L suits buyers who want cardioid microphone; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the NUBWO HG04L costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NUBWO HG04L, chosen for a cardioid microphone. Look at the CM7002 for 50mm drivers, the BlackShark V2 X PS for a HyperClear cardioid mic and the BlackShark V2 X for passive noise cancellation if those matter more to you.
Position the mic about two fingers from the corner of your mouth.
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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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