Buying Guide
The Best Headsets With Microphone
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 built-in boom mic avoids a separate microphone for chat. Every pick is an over-ear set with a mic that cost $120 or less, ordered by driver size.
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.
Also Consider
HyperX Cloud II7.1 virtual surround.
Best for: Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround.
Check price for HyperX Cloud II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Upgraded Microphone
HyperX Cloud III WiredA upgraded microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a upgraded microphone.
Check price for HyperX Cloud III Wired on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
HyperX Cloud III (wired)The top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers.
Best for: Spending more than the Cloud III costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for HyperX Cloud III (wired) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 SurroundThe cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the CM7002 the next step up.
Check price for Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround 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)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
HyperX Cloud II
The Cloud II remains a sensible pick: 53mm drivers, 7.1 virtual surround and a detachable noise-cancelling mic in an aluminum frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Vliveaudax, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over USB or 3.5mm. On driver size it ties with the Cloud III and the Cloud III at 53mm. It shares a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection with the Cloud III and Cloud III; the CM7002 goes with a wired connection.
You also get memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus: no charging or pairing needed.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing. It was priced above the CM7002 and below the Cloud III at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 53mm
- Connection
- Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
- Microphone
- Detachable, noise-cancelling
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 virtual surround
- Memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Upgraded Microphone2 of 5
HyperX Cloud III Wired
The Cloud III is the easiest recommendation: angled 53mm drivers, an upgraded microphone and both USB and 3.5mm connections, so it moves between a PC and a controller.
Best for
- Buyers who want a upgraded microphone.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Vliveaudax was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
HyperX offers support for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its aluminium frame is flexible and resists knocks. The wired connection needs no charging and works with PC, consoles and phones through a 3.5mm or USB cable.
Its comfort-first design targets long matches, with memory-foam cushions and a padded headband. It shares a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection with the Cloud II and Cloud III; the CM7002 goes with a wired connection. It is the only pick here with a upgraded microphone; the CM7002 has an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone instead.
USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. When we checked, only the Cloud II and cheaper picks cost less, and the Cloud III cost more.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 53mm
- Connection
- Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
- Microphone
- Upgraded
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Angled 53mm drivers
- Upgraded microphone
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 5
HyperX Cloud III (wired)
The Cloud III is built around angled 53mm drivers, with memory foam ear cushions on top.
Best for
- Spending more than the Cloud III costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Vliveaudax, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 53mm driver size. It shares a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection with the Cloud II and Cloud III; the CM7002 goes with a wired connection. It is the only pick here with a noise-cancelling microphone; the Vliveaudax has a boom mic microphone instead.
USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus: no charging or pairing needed. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Cloud III the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 53mm
- Connection
- Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
- Microphone
- Noise-cancelling
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Angled 53mm drivers
- Memory foam ear cushions
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 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 CM7002 the next step up.
Skip if
- Pass on it if driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm) rules it out for your setup.
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 CM7002 on driver size (50mm).
It is the only pick here with a wired USB sound card connection; the Cloud II has a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection instead. You get a boom mic microphone here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone. It also offers 50mm drivers.
It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It undercut the CM7002 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm). If that matters, the Cloud II comes in at 53mm.
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
Cons
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud II (53mm)
Strong Alternative5 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
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud II offers 53mm.
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 matches the Vliveaudax on driver size (50mm). It is the only pick here with a wired connection; the Cloud II has a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection instead. You get an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the Vliveaudax and its a boom mic microphone.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Vliveaudax and the pricier Cloud II, at the time of writing. The trade-off is driver size; for more, the Cloud II comes in at 53mm.
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
- Driver size trails the Cloud II (53mm)
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets With Microphone
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.
- The figures behind the order
- 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 Cloud II to the CM7002, state driver size, connection and microphone.
- Who each pick suits
- The Cloud II for 7.1 virtual surround; the Cloud III for a upgraded microphone; the Cloud III for the top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Vliveaudax (under $50) to the Cloud III ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Headset With Microphone
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much driver size you need
The Cloud II tops driver size at 53mm and the CM7002 sits lowest at 50mm; 3 picks share the top figure. If driver size is your first filter, the Cloud II sets the ceiling at 53mm.
Extras that separate them
The Cloud III: memory foam ear cushions. The Vliveaudax: 7.1 virtual surround. The CM7002: an ENC noise-cancelling microphone.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Budget
Under $50 buys the Vliveaudax, the CM7002 and the Cloud II; $50 to $100 buys the Cloud III and the Cloud III at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want a upgraded microphone: the Cloud III. Spending more than the Cloud III costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Cloud III. Spending as little as possible, with the CM7002 the next step up: the Vliveaudax.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers 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 Microphone
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround | Cloud II | 7.1 virtual surround |
| Buyers who want a upgraded microphone | Cloud III | A upgraded microphone |
| Spending more than the Cloud III costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Cloud III | The top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers |
| Spending as little as possible, with the CM7002 the next step up | Vliveaudax | The cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002 |
| Buyers who want 50mm drivers | CM7002 | 50mm drivers |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cloud II leads on driver size at 53mm, ahead of the Cloud III at 53mm.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud II | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Detachable, noise-cancelling |
| Cloud III | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Upgraded |
| Cloud III | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Noise-cancelling |
| Vliveaudax | 50mm | Wired USB sound card | Boom mic |
| CM7002 | 50mm | Wired | ENC noise-cancelling boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Vliveaudax was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Cloud III the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Vliveaudax, CM7002, Cloud II |
| About $50 to $100 | Cloud III, Cloud III |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cloud III add over the Vliveaudax?
What it brings is driver size (53mm against 50mm). On our last price check the Vliveaudax was in the under $50 tier and the Cloud III in the $50 to $100 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if driver size decides your purchase.
Why is the Vliveaudax our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002. It suits spending as little as possible, with the CM7002 the next step up.
Do the Cloud II and the Vliveaudax differ on connection?
The Cloud II, the Cloud III and the Cloud III use Wired (USB and 3.5mm); the Vliveaudax uses Wired USB sound card; the CM7002 uses Wired.
What extras do the Cloud II and the Cloud III include?
The Cloud II: 7.1 virtual surround. The Cloud III: angled 53mm drivers. The Cloud III: angled 53mm drivers.
Who should choose the Cloud III?
The Cloud III carries our Upgraded Microphone label for a upgraded microphone. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a upgraded microphone.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Cloud II, chosen for 7.1 virtual surround. Look at the Cloud III for a upgraded microphone, the Cloud III for the top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers and the Vliveaudax for the cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002 if those matter more to you.
Test the mic in Discord's input check before a match.
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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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