Buying Guide
The Best Headsets for a Home Office
Five headsets compared, from the NUBWO HG04L to the BlackShark V2 X Xbox, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Home office calls need a clear microphone and, ideally, Bluetooth for a phone. Every pick has a noise-rejecting or detachable mic or Bluetooth, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: driver size, weight and connection come from each maker's published specs; a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in, 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
NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming Headset
A lower price than the CM7002 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting cardioid microphone for the least money.
Our take Check price for NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset
50mm drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Our take Check price for syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Lightest Build
Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset
The lightest weight here (168g).
Best for: Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Our take Check price for Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Boom Mic
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset
A boom mic microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a boom mic microphone.
Our take Check price for Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox
A HyperClear cardioid mic at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
NUBWO HG04L Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
NUBWO's HG04L pairs a cardioid microphone with a 250g frame.
Best for
- Getting cardioid microphone for the least money.
Skip if
- Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
A cardioid mic picks up less from the sides than an omnidirectional one. Its 250g weight is the heaviest in this group; the Redragon H888 leads at 168g. Like the BlackShark V2 X Xbox, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the CM7002 uses a wired connection.
You get a cardioid boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and its a HyperClear cardioid microphone. You also get 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.
It undercut the CM7002 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the CM7002 comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & 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 Redragon H888 (168g)
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its weight before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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.
On driver size it ties with the Ozeino Wireless and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at 50mm. A wired connection is unique to it among these picks, while the BlackShark V2 X Xbox uses a wired 3.5mm connection. It is the only pick here with an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone; the NUBWO HG04L has a cardioid boom microphone instead.
When we checked, only the NUBWO HG04L cost less, and the Redragon H888 cost more. If you want a confirmed weight, look to the Redragon H888 instead: it weighs 168g, while this one gives no figure.
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
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
Lightest Build3 of 5
Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's H888 weighs 168g and offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes.
Best for
- Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the CM7002 offers 50mm.
Why we like it
Its mic detaches when you only need headphones. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the CM7002 comes in at 50mm. Its 168g weight is the lightest here; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox comes next at 240g.
No other pick in this guide offers a detachable boom microphone; compare the Ozeino Wireless, which has a boom mic microphone. It also comes with three connection modes 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. It was priced above the CM7002 and below the Ozeino Wireless at the time of writing. It gives ground on driver size, where the CM7002 comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 168g
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Detachable boom
Pros
- Light 168g build
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Three connection modes
- 168g frame
Cons
- Driver size trails the CM7002 (50mm)
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
Boom Mic4 of 5
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ozeino's wireless model pairs 50mm drivers with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who want a boom mic microphone.
Skip if
- Pass if a published weight matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
The maker claims 40 hours of battery life. Its 2.4GHz link has under 30ms delay, and it plugs in over USB-A or USB-C. The 50mm drivers suit budget console and PC gaming.
It also works over USB-C, which suits handhelds and some consoles. On driver size it ties with the CM7002 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at 50mm. No other pick in this guide offers a boom mic microphone; compare the Redragon H888, which has a detachable boom microphone.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was priced above the Redragon H888 and below the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at the time of writing. There is no published weight figure, whereas the Redragon H888 weighs 168g.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- Budget wireless price tier
Cons
- No published weight
- Costs more than the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NUBWO HG04L 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.
It matches the CM7002 and the Ozeino Wireless on driver size (50mm). Its 240g weight ranks second of 3 here, behind the Redragon H888 (168g) and ahead of the NUBWO HG04L (250g). Like the NUBWO HG04L, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the CM7002 uses a wired connection.
A HyperClear cardioid microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the CM7002 uses an ENC noise-cancelling 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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Ozeino Wireless.
Key dimensions & 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 a Home Office
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five headsets on driver size, weight, connection and microphone as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- 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 and the Ozeino Wireless give 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 a Home Office
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 Redragon H888 to 50mm on the CM7002. The CM7002 is the pick for driver size. No figure for the NUBWO HG04L.
Weight across these picks
Here weight runs from 250g on the NUBWO HG04L to 168g on the Redragon H888. Start with the Redragon H888 if weight decides it. No figure for the CM7002 and the Ozeino Wireless.
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. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
Features beyond the spec table
The Redragon H888: a 168g frame. The Ozeino Wireless: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The BlackShark V2 X Xbox: a 240g frame.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one 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.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
How to Choose a Headset for a Home Office
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting cardioid microphone for the least money | NUBWO HG04L | A lower price than the CM7002 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 50mm drivers | CM7002 | 50mm drivers |
| Long sessions where clamp and weight add up | Redragon H888 | The lightest weight here (168g) |
| Buyers who want a boom mic microphone | Ozeino Wireless | A boom mic microphone |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | 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 CM7002 leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the Ozeino Wireless at 50mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that 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 |
| Redragon H888 | 40mm | 168g | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm | Detachable boom |
| Ozeino Wireless | 50mm | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Boom mic |
| BlackShark V2 X Xbox | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Redragon H888 ahead of the BlackShark V2 X Xbox on weight?
The Redragon H888 comes out best at 168g, with the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at 240g. The NUBWO HG04L is at the other end of this group with 250g. The CM7002 and the Ozeino Wireless don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the BlackShark V2 X Xbox worth paying more than the NUBWO HG04L?
On paper it adds weight (240g against 250g). The NUBWO HG04L was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Redragon H888 the Lightest Build?
It earns the label for the lightest weight here (168g). It suits long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Do the NUBWO HG04L and the CM7002 differ on microphone?
The NUBWO HG04L uses Cardioid boom; the CM7002 uses ENC noise-cancelling boom; the Redragon H888 uses detachable boom; the Ozeino Wireless uses boom mic; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox uses HyperClear cardioid.
What should I check before buying the BlackShark V2 X Xbox?
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. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the NUBWO HG04L and the CM7002 apart?
The NUBWO HG04L: a cardioid microphone. The CM7002: 50mm drivers. The Redragon H888: three connection modes.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NUBWO HG04L, chosen for a lower price than the CM7002 and the rest when we checked. Look at the CM7002 for 50mm drivers, the Ozeino Wireless for a boom mic microphone and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox for a HyperClear cardioid mic at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Mute on the headset rather than in the app, so you always know your mic state.