Wired and Wireless Headsets

USB, Bluetooth or DECT: what links the headset to your desk

A USB headset has its own sound chip, needs no battery and works on almost any computer; USB-C and USB-A versions are not the same plug, so check which ports you have. A 3.5 mm headset suits phones and laptops but needs the right socket on a desktop. Bluetooth is convenient for a laptop and phone together, with a range of roughly ten meters. DECT headsets use a base station and keep a stable link across a larger office floor.

Mono or stereo, and two kinds of noise cancelling

Single-ear headsets leave one ear open to hear the room, while dual-ear designs shut more out. Over-ear cups enclose the ear, and on-ear pads rest on it, which is more compact but presses on the ear. Active noise cancellation reduces steady hum from fans and air conditioning for the listener; microphone noise reduction is separate and cleans what colleagues hear from you. Models labeled for Teams usually add a dedicated button or light, and act as a normal audio headset in other call apps. Impedance near 32 ohms needs no amplifier.

Questions about Wired and Wireless Headsets

Can I use a Bluetooth headset with a desktop PC?

Only if the desktop has Bluetooth. Many office headsets include a small USB dongle that provides the link, and a separate adapter works for models without one. Check whether the dongle is included and that it supports the headset.

What is the difference between active and passive noise cancelling?

Passive reduction comes from the physical seal of the ear cups. Active cancellation adds microphones and electronics that generate opposing sound, which works best on steady low-pitched noise such as fans and engines and less on voices.

Why can people not hear me through my headset?

The usual causes are a muted boom arm, the wrong input device selected in the call app, or a four-pole plug in a desktop jack that has no microphone input. Try the USB port or a splitter cable.