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Ask HN: Which headset do you use for work?
10 points by ingoaf on Nov 4, 2023 | hide | past | favorite | 28 comments
I am looking for a headset for work which ideally

- can be purchased in the EU

- is capable of bluetooth (meaning that I can pair it with a laptop without performing a satanic ritual)

- can be charged with a cable

Which headset are you using for work?




A bit of an odd choice but I've been really happy with my Blue Parrott 650XT [0] which are actually marketed to over-the-road truckers.

The headset is good-not-great along a lot of dimensions but they excel at mic noise cancellation which is the main feature I was looking for. I can be in the middle of a noisy coffee shop (speaker playing music overhead, lots of people sitting around me talking, blenders and milk steamers running constantly) and my colleagues say they hear my voice clearly. This, along with my mobile hotspot, has really opened up the types of spaces where I feel comfortable working remotely.

[0] https://www.blueparrott.com/on-the-road-headsets/blueparrott...


I use a wired headset (violates your bluetooth constraint) and wired ethernet for all work calls. Packet loss and jitter on wireless is a major quality issue.

It’s a razer with a boom mic, green and black.


I have Sony WH-1000XM4 noise cancelling headphones, and I've attached an Antlion Modmic to it.

I'm quite pleased with the mic quality and others also mention how clear and great it sounds. It can be used while charging but it uses micro-usb. Thankfully the battery seems to last a good 15-20 hours.

I like the headphones to have some additional quietness and the sound quality is good. The downside is that while it charges over usb-c, it can't be used during this time. Thankfully the battery lasts like 20-30 hours for me.

Even with these couple of caveats, I love my setup. Good mobility, just remember to charge at night :P


> I have Sony WH-1000XM4 noise cancelling headphones, and I've attached an Antlion Modmic to it.

External mic is definitely the way to go with the XM4's, the built-in mic is awful


How comparable it is with MacOS?


I use it with an intel macbook, it works just fine, as you'd expect. I encounter no issues.


Not sure. I use it with Ubuntu and it works great.


I have been using the HyperX Cloud 2 for years now. It's extremely comfortable; I don't like in-ears because they hurt. Also, audio quality is quite good and the mic is decent too. Lots of gaming headsets have boomy bass but these are relatively flat sounding and are pretty decent for listening to music. I have a wired version but there are also wireless versions of the same headset.


>Which headset are you using for work?

https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/mmx-300.html


Tried a bunch of mostly cheap options and all had issues. Over the ears will press on my glasses, or heat up my ears, or block too much outside sound... Cheapish Plantronics were mostly perfect but had some crackling when I connected the USB.

Currently using Airpods Pro for meetings where I'm mostly listening, with great noise cancelling, or wired Apple earphone for 1-1s with no noise around, which make me feel more present than the Airpods.

I don't actually have any complains about the basic earphone - I get feedback from my voice back, doesn't heat, can use for hours, etc.

TBH I wanted to enjoy a more expensive, great looking solution but it doesn't work for me. (Just reminded that I even tried a Bose for a few hours and returned)


AirPods Pro or AirPods Max depending on if I am mobile, or if I am at my desk.


Soundcore by Anker Life Q30. Bluetooth. Long battery life. Noise cancelling. Charges with USB-C. Comfortable for hours. Has a transparency mode so you can hear your music or video conference without missing the coworker needing a question answered. Can pair with both your phone and your laptop at the same time. Includes microphone for calls.

Verified available in the EU.


I just had a quick look at it and it looks exactly like the type of device that I need. I will put it on my list, thank you for the recommendation!


I use this specifically for work. https://www.jabra.co.uk/business/office-headsets/jabra-evolv..., happy with the mic and audio quality.


Logitech G533. Specifically not Bluetooth, because Bluetooth has intermittent UX problems as I'm sure you're aware.

Comfortable enough, and the boom mic can be raised to mute the headset.

It can be used when charging, but I generally charge it over the weekend then use unplugged it all week.


I spent a year or so each with the Bose and Sony noise canceling headsets. They were fine but uncomfortable and sweaty over time.

Tried Airpod Pros and never went back. They are phenomenally good, with excellent sound quality and terrific noise cancelation.

Mic kinda sucks though in noisy environments, but they're great in quiet areas.

Works with any operating system via Bluetooth.


Same except I went with a random pair of earbuds off Amazon. They've been great for calls


> Works with any operating system via Bluetooth.

But not fully.


The essentials work fine. I used it with my Android phone and previous Windows laptop alongside my Mac and iPad.

The stuff that doesn't work is trivial, like being able to switch modes via Bluetooth (you can just hold the stem to do the same thing), spatial audio (useless gimmick), find my, etc.


Ancient Bose QC25 wired. They use an end-user replaceable AA battery so, little planned obsolescence.

I also love the $150-ish Sony ANC headphones.


HomePods I don’t use headsets otherwise. When I need to make a call AirPods.


Sony WH-1000XM4. Quite happy with it.


I use a a Shure MV7 mic on an arm with a pair of Boss PC speakers.


Headset: Sony WH-1000XM5 & Microphone: Elgato wave 3


Jabra Evolve 65 is what we are given. Works fine for calls. I wouldn't use them for music though. They come with a dongle but you can pair straight to bluetooth as well.


I use these too and recommend them. They connect to phone and laptop simultaneously which is handy. And they have a busy indicator on the headset which I've waited years for. Rotating the microphone boom up mutes them which is also useful. Not noise cancelling microphone though so probably not suitable for noisy environments.


Jabra HSC040w


AirPods Max




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