Over the past few years, the discussion about wired headsets has become more and more popular due to the increased demand for wired communication platforms. Most people don't have a clear idea of what they need, resulting in a lot of wasted time and money looking for a headset.
Despite the fact that wireless headsets are more portable and have more features, not all people need wireless headsets. They may be on a budget or they may not like wireless headsets. Anyway, this blog is for those who are looking for the best wired USB headsets for under $50.
In this blog, I will compare two of Wantek's latest wired headsets (HSM783K and HSM882K) and discuss why you should choose them over other wired headsets.
How are they worn?
Both headsets are worn on the head and cover both ears. This style of wearing is sometimes referred to as "binaural" headsets, "binaural" headsets, or "binaural" headsets, all of which refer to headsets with speakers in both ears.
Thick Padding
The HSM783K and HSM882K have different ear pads:
The HSM786K has smaller ear cushions that fit over the ears and come with synthetic leather ear cushions when you purchase the headset, but you can purchase your own foam ear cushions to replace them.
The HSM882K comes with ear cushions that completely surround the ear. This helps to passively minimize unwanted background noise and allows you to hear more clearly than with ear cushions that do not fully cover the ear.
In addition, the HSM882K's ear cushions are made of memory foam that is soft and conforms to your ears. This is especially relevant when talking for long periods of time or wearing the headset throughout the day.
How do they sound?
Sound quality is the most relevant aspect for people who buy headsets, especially those used in business settings. We want our voices to sound clear and professional, and we don't want the other person to hear voices around us and be interrupted.
So how good is the sound quality of these headsets and how much noise reduction is there? We did conduct some noise tests which included:
- Office noise
- Dog barking
- And the dreaded car horn test
Let me start by saying that opinions about sound are somewhat subjective. What sounds good to me may not sound so good to you. So with that said, I voted for the HSM882K over the HSM786K.
Both headsets sound professional and can undoubtedly be used in any business environment, but for me, the HSM882K has a richer, higher-quality sound.
As for noise reduction, the HSM882K reduced more noise in all of the above tests. Both reduced it, but the HSM882K reduced it more. This means that if you work in a noisy office, or have kids or dogs making noise at home, the HSM882K will be a better choice for you.
When it comes to the microphone, both headsets allow you to place the microphone on either the right or left side. Believe it or not, there are many people who prefer to place the microphone on one side or the other. You may be surprised to learn that not all headsets offer this flexibility.
Some restrict the microphone to be placed on one side only, so it's nice that both models offer you the option. Finally, it is important to note that the correct placement of the microphone is two finger widths from the corner of your mouth.
Placing the microphone too close may result in poor audio quality, such as garbled or distorted sound. Placing the microphone too far from the corner of your mouth may result in not being able to hear your voice. Again, use two fingers away from the corners of your mouth and then pinch the underside of your lower lip.
Versatile Inline Controller
Most wired USB headsets today come with inline controllers. These controllers are located in the center of the headset cord and allow you to do the following:
- You can turn up the listening volume
- You can turn down the listening volume
- You can mute the microphone
- And, you can unmute the microphone
All-in-one cable
Most people on a budget of less than fifty dollars wouldn't be able to juggle multiple scenarios of use, but Wantek's two headsets have multiple ports on a single cable, making them compatible with multiple scenarios of use.
You can easily switch between the HSM882K and HSM786K connectors, and the second hidden connector is located above the inline control, so you can disconnect the 3.5mm connector when you need it, except that you won't be able to use the controller and your cable will be 30cm shorter.
You can also get a free USB to type-c adapter with your order now, which means you can use the 3.5mm port/USB port/Type-C port at the same time.
Final Thoughts.
If I had to choose between these two headsets, then I would choose the HSM882K, so let me expand on that for you:
For me, the audio quality sounds better than the HSM786K. HSM882K eliminates more background noise.
- There is a speaker in the inline controller.
- You have the flexibility to switch between USB or 3.5mm jacks.
- The ear cushions completely cover your ears and are made of memory foam.
Having said that, you may not like having your ears completely covered. If so, then the HSM786K would be a better choice. You may also prefer a headset that takes up less space than the HSM882K, which would again lead you to the HSM786K. Also, your workspace may not be very loud, which would minimize the value of the better noise cancellation on the HSM882K.
So whether you need good noise cancellation or prefer a smaller headset, both models will perform well with Zoom, Teams, RingCentral, or any of the other popular communication apps.
Price
HSM786K $36.99
HSM882K $36.99