Headphones and microphones are quickly becoming a school purchase as essential as a pencil case. With learning increasingly being accessed online and the advert of the hybrid-classroom, video conferencing headsets can be the difference between being able to access lesson or not.
Students who cannot cannot attend school in person are reliant on using a headset to connect with teachers and other students over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meetup. But headsets are also increasingly important for use in the classroom, allowing teachers to pull together students who may be working in remote locations as well as the classroom.
With so many options available, from headsets costing just a few dollars to those in the hundreds of dollars, it can be difficult to know which to choose. To help you out I’ve listed below ten headsets that I’ve used in schools or had recommended to me by teachers.
I’ve started with low-cost options and worked up to some of the more expensive options, but each of them have been reviewed and tested.
In each review I’ve tried to take into account the following:
- Headsets compatible with most common devices and apps used by schools.
- Are of sufficient build quality that they will last at least an academic year being bounced around in a school bag.
- I’ll be looking primarily at USB and 3.5mm headsets wired headsets rather than wireless — although a couple have still made the list.
- The headset is more than just a pair of fashion headphones. Begone Beats!
As far as possible I’ve only chosen wired headphones instead of bluetooth options to reduce the need for charging and battery replacements, although there are a few on the list which are so good that even the additional bother of charging might be worth a purchase for you.
Now lets take a look some options.
1. Sony MDRZX110AP ZX Series Headset with Mic
Great for: Students and teachers using Windows or iPad, great audio, low price, in-line volume control
Not so great: Make sure you get the version with the built-in mic
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack
You can’t get more reputable when it comes to audio equipment than Sony, and these headphones are great to use, really well built and are really cheap. Just make sure you buy the version with the mic, as the standard model doesn’t include one.
These headphones fold up neatly to fit in a school bag and have a 3.5mm standard headphone jack, which means it will work on iPad, Chromebook, and Windows laptops. The over the ear fit also cuts out a lot of external noise, so if you’re working in a busy classroom, they are perfect.
2. Mpow HC6 USB Headphones and Microphone
Great for: Students and teachers using Windows, solid audio at a low cost, works with most laptops and Chromebooks
Not so great: Won’t work with iPad, might be too small for some
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: USB
Mpow isn’t exactly a household brand name but they do make some good quality headphones. The Mpow HC6 headset is probably better suited to younger students as they are on the smaller size, but the price makes them a compelling purchase, particularly if you want to buy a class set.
The in-line volume and mute control is a nice feature, making it easy for small hands to control audio levels without having to fiddle with complicated controls.
3. Cyber Acoustics Stereo Headset
Great for: Bulk purchasing for the classroom, quick and cheap, works on most devices including iPad
Not so great: Might be too small for some
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack
The Cyber Acoustics headset is a cheap headset for the classroom. These can be purchased individually or in sets of 24. They won’t last forever but they are cheap enough that buying a replacement isn’t too daunting.
4. Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset
Great for: Works great on laptops, Chromebooks and iPad, great audio, noise-canceling, really solid build, good size for teachers
Not so great: Can get hot if you’re using them for a long time, a bit bulky to carry in a bag
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack and USB versions available – make sure you get the right one!
The Razer Kraken X may be marketed as a gaming headset but it also happens to be perfect for video conferencing and online lessons.
This is the headset I use every day with Microsoft Teams and it works really well. The audio quality is great, the microphone is really clear, and the noise-canceling blocks out most external noise. The only downside I’ve found is that because the over the ear fit is so close the headset can get really warm if you’re using it for a long time.
The Razer is slightly more expensive than the Sony headset on this list, but it’s worth the extra money for the build quality alone. These headphones will never break, even if thrown around in a school bag, but that does mean they are slightly bulkier as they don’t fold down.
5. Anker Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Great for: Students and teachers using Windows, Chromebook or iPad, quick charge time and long battery life
Not so great: Needs to be charged, 3.5mm is optional and can be lost
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: Bluetooth with 3.5mm option
Anker has built a reputation for making high-quality power banks and chargers for smartphones but they have recently branched out with its new Soundcore line of headphones — and they are really good.
The Anker Soundcrore folds neatly so it’s easy to throw into a school bag and the reinforced hinges make sure it’s durable, even for the clumsiest of students.
I’ve tried not to add headphones that need charging to this list, but the Soundcore headset provides 60+ hours of playtime, which means it’s enough to get through an entire school week without the need to top up the power. The charging time is also really small, a five-minute charge can provide five hours of use, so even if your battery does run low, you’re only a few minutes away from a full school day of power.
6. Mpow CHE1 Kids Headphones
Great for: Younger students, available in multiple colours, low cost, pink
Not so great: Not suitable for older students or adults, pink, no mic
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack
Wait! Don’t scroll yet! The image may be bright pink, but these Mpow headphones also come in a variety of colours and are really good for primary school students. They are pretty solid and are also cheap to replace if they do get broken.
These headphones also feature safe hearing protection which limits the volume to 94dB protecting kids’ hearing from loud noise. They also fold neatly away to store in a backpack.
This is the only headset without a microphone on this list, but for some teachers I’ve spoken to, they are happy with students using the built in iPad microphone plus this headset because of the audio limiting feature.
7. Mpow Single-Sided USB Headset with Microphone
Great for: Low cost, only one ear-piece so student can still listen to instruction
Not so great: Bit flimsy
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack or USB
Here’s an interesting idea that I’ve stolen wholesale from a teacher who has used this in the classroom. If you’re teaching a group of students who are using headphones, how do you get their attention when they’ve got the sound of your sultry voice blocked out? Easy, give them a headset that only covers one ear leaving the other free to take instruction.
These Mpow headphones are really designed for call centers or manual workers, but they work perfectly in the hybrid-classroom where you want students to work online but also need them to be able to listen to what’s going on around them.
8. LUDOS Clamor Wired Earbuds
Great for: Available in multiple colours, low cost, bulk buys
Not so great: Younger students
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: 3.5mm headphone jack
These LUDOS earbuds are really cheap, have good audio quality, and a good built-in microphone. If you need to buy a whole class set cheaply, you can’t go wrong here. For those students who prefer the in-ear design and just need something quick and cheap to get up and running with, these are great.
9. Apple Airpods
Great for: Students and teachers using iPad, reliable high-quality audio and microphone, wireless
Not so great: Cheaper options are available
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
If you’ve watched the news over the last few months the chances are you’ve seen interviewees using Apple’s little white buds holding Zoom calls, and for good reason. AirPods might be on the more expensive side, but they do provide excellent microphone and audio quality in a tiny package. Featuring a tiny built-in microphone, if you’re using an iPad to learn or teach, AirPods are an essential, if not low-cost purchase.
Apple’s tiny headphones are also really convenient to carry around school or college when compared to some of the other bulkier options above.
10. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with Mic
Great for: Working in noisy rooms, video conferencing, comfort
Not so great: Price
Works with: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, GoTo Meeting, Slack, BlueJeans
Connection: Bluetooth or optional 3.5mm headphone jack
This is Sony’s premium video conferencing headset. The active noise canceling is unbelievable, making even the loudest classroom or office a den of tranquillity. The padding on the ear pads is as soft as a baby’s cheeks, and the audio quality is exceptional. All that’ comes at a price, however, which will be out of the reach of many, but if you’re looking for a feature-rich pair of conferencing headphones, you can’t get better than these.
If you found this useful you might also like our guide to the best webcams to use in assemblies, lectures, and the classroom.
Which headphones do you recommend for your students? Share your experiences in the comments.
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