Affordable PC headsets compared

NO MATTER IF YOU WANT TO MAKE VOIP CALLS, VOICE CHAT WHEN GAMING OR RECORD YOUR OWN INSTRUCTIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS, A HEADSET IS A HANDY DEVICE TO OWN.

HIGHER-END MODELS CAN cost hundreds of dollars, but you can also pick up a headset for as little as $15. While the quality might not be quite the same, the underlying utility is just as good, and there are a few hidden gems available if you’re prepared to shop around.

It’s not just big, bulky, over-the-ear- style headsets for gaming in dark basements either. Headsets come in all shapes and sizes, including Bluetooth wireless models in bright colours that are great for listening to music.

We’ve also included headsets aimed at making hands-free calls on a smartphone. You don’t even need a soundcard or audio jacks for some headsets — instead they plug in via USB and are fully self contained.

We’ve reviewed models available for under $50, but don’t be afraid of the lower end options, as they can provide excellent functionality for those on a budget.

Logitech Stereo Headset H110 SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE.

YOU DON’T NEED a particularly fancy headset for VoIP, or even gaming use — just decent quality at a good price. The Logitech H110 can be picked up for under $15 online ($29.05 from Logitech), or even from common stores such as The Good Guys. The headset connects with the typical dual stereo plugs — headphones and mic, and has 180cm shielded cord. The headphones are rated with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, and the microphone from 100Hz to 16kHz. The H110 uses foam padded on ear style speakers, with an adjustable headband and is quite comfortable for longer-term use. The mic folds down, and the end can be bent into position. The headset is also symmetrical, so can be worn with the mic on either side — but remember to flip the stereo channels. Audio quality from the mic is excellent, and it works well for VoIP or gaming. The H110 is also backed by an excellent 2-year-warranty from Logitech.

Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro ONE FOR THE MUSIC LOVERS.

GRABBING AN AFFORDABLE headset for your portable device is all well and good, but what if you love to listen to music too? The Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Pro can be picked up for under $40, yet offers a listening experience superior to the $100 competition. The headset uses a hybrid driver setup that combines a large dynamic driver for low frequency kick, and a armature driver for high-end clarity. The results is top notch sound quality for the price. The Mi headset also includes inline controls (volume and play/pause) and a microphone on the the braided cord, terminating in a gold-plated 4-contact 3.5mm plug. While the mic is fine for normal use, it clearly hasn’t received the same focus as the earphones themselves. It’s easy for voices to get a little indistinct, and there is a bit of noise from the cord. The headset comes with four different ear tip sizes, and sit into the ear — giving good noise isolation without being uncomfortable for longer use.

Logitech USB Headset H340 GO BEYOND 3.5MM JACKS.

NOTHING IS AS simple as using your existing sound card and good old 3.5mm plug, but USB has a lot of advantages. The Logitech H340 has opted for USB, which pushes the price up to around the $30 mark online. The advantage is that it can be plugged into just about any PC without relying on the internal sound card, and can gain more features via software. The actual headset itself is solid but basic plastic, with large on-ear-style pads, and an adjustable headband. It’s fairly comfortable, but for those with large heads, a little tight for longer-term use. The microphone folds up under the headband, which, while neat, can also be a little uncomfortable without fiddly adjustment. The headset has a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, while the mic is rated for 100Hz to 10kHz. In testing, earphone audio was clear and crisp, and the mic easily reproduced small nuances in recorded audio. The cord is 180cm long, and the H340 will run on Windows, Mac OS and Chrome OS.

Promate Astro BIG, BEEFY AND BLUETOOTH.

FOR THOSE WHO listen to a lot of music, work with a laptop or want to connect via a smartphone, going wireless has a lot of advantages. The Promate Astro headset uses Bluetooth 3.0, and includes controls for volume and answering calls/skipping tracks. The headset has large over-the-ear-style cups, which are very comfortable, if slightly small, and give great noise isolation. The adjustable band is sleek, but a little tight for larger heads. The microphone is built-in, without a boom at all, which is sleek, but reduces clarity and sensitivity a little. The headset charges from USB, and has a six-hour life from the 300mAh battery. The 40mm, 32-ohm drivers have a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response and give a decent bass kick, but get a little muddy in the high end. There is no option for a wired connection, though, which is a shame. If you shop around, the Astro can be bought for under $50 — it’s not widely available, though, so also check on eBay.