Microsoft Headphones, Headsets, and Earbuds

1. Best Budget: Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 is a good choice for the business professional that needs a headset for communication while working at the computer. The value for money here is good and it’s the right choice if you want a headset that can be combined with the rest of the Microsoft ecosystem. Continue reading to figure out if there is enough on offer here for your specific needs.

The on-ear design means they are not bulky, and there is a limited amount of noise isolation. It’s a trade-off that might be the right one for your specific working environment and wearing preferences. The earcups have soft materials, but it’s not among the best in the headset marketplace. Also, there is a limited amount of padding on the headband underside that contributes to a comfortable fit.

The microphone comes with a 270 degree adjustable boom that enables you to move it out of the way when not in use. Also, the noise canceling mic does an excellent job of eliminating background noise so that you’re able to speak in most environments. You can use these while working at a busy office without the person at the other end of the line realizing.

It’s a plug and play setup, which means there is no need to download software or wait for updates. Also, there is a control box that allows you to alter the volume, accept calls, and mute the mic. The buttons are easy to press and will not wear out over time.

To summarize, the Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 is a good choice if you need a PC call solution and you want to invest in a Microsoft headset. The combination of the comfortable fit, well-implemented mic, and straightforward setup means you’ll get started with the headset right away. However, there are no advanced features, which means there is nothing here to differentiate it from the rest of the marketplace.

2. Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 headset is an excellent choice for a budget headset with good features. It connects via USB 2.0 and has a straightforward design, but that’s to be expected at the budget price. Read onwards to determine if there is enough here to meet your specific requirements.

Take a look at the headset, and you’ll instantly notice large over-ear earcups that provides plenty of room for your ears. However, they are relatively thin, which helps keep the weight and bulk down. There is a lot of soft padding that allows you to enjoy wearing these for hours without the need to take a break. Unfortunately, there is no soft padding at the headband underside, which means you have to deal with hard feel at the top of your head. This oversight goes to show that in the comfort department Microsoft headsets cannot compete with the majority of gaming ones in the marketplace.

A noise canceling microphone is included that allows you to speak in noisy environments without being disturbed – only the loudest noises are going to get in the way of your conversation. Therefore, you can use these in a busy office environment or at home when others around you in the household are talking.

The headset is easy to setup with the USB 2.0 cable and 6 foot long cable. The big limitation of this headset is that it’s only compatible with the PC platform. All modern PC’s can run the supporting software for this headset, and it’s compatible with previous versions of Windows.

The headset is optimized for Skype calls, which means it’s a great choice if you need to use the platform for calling loved ones or taking a virtual business meeting. It’s a Microsoft headset, which means it’s compatible with their infrastructure in a way that most other headsets aren’t.

Before adding the Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 to the shopping cart consider a few of the drawbacks that paints a complete picture. Firstly, the headset feels cheap when holding it in-hand, which means there may be some serious durability problems. Also, the lack of padding on the headband underside cannot be forgiven since the majority of competitors tick this box.

To conclude, the Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 is a good choice for the buyer that wants a budget Microsoft headset that can be used for light talking sessions. You’ll appreciate the combination of the low price, large oval earcups, and noise canceling microphone. However, the lack of premium materials means improvements are needed.

3. Best Value: Xbox One Stereo Headset

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

Are you an Xbox owner and are looking for a compatible headset from Microsoft? Then you’ll love the Xbox One Stereo Headset that comes packed with the gamer friendly features that can make a big difference to your experience. Take a closer look at what’s offered to figure out if they are good enough for your specific requirements.

The headset comes with large circular earcups that allows for a soft feeling on the skin due to the extra soft padding. Furthermore, you’ll love the soft padding at the headband underside since it does a good job of delivering a comfortable fit.

A unidirectional mic is included that can accurately pick up your voice, which is a must for gaming online. However, no strong background noise cancelation feature eliminates unwanted audio. Therefore you’ll need to game in an isolated environment to ensure the person at the other end of the line doesn’t have to deal with ambient noise.

The headset connects via USB cable, and the connection is forged to the wireless Xbox controller. Therefore, you can sit back on your couch while gaming on your Xbox One console. The headset is also compatible with the PC platform.

The frequency response of 20-20KHz, means there is limited bass. However, the audio drivers do a good enough job of providing a solid experience for the gamer immersed in the action on-screen. However, the audio quality is not competitive with some of the other gaming headsets in this price bracket. Also, there is no surround sound, which is a feature that most gaming headsets must have to provide audio directionality in your gameplay.

To conclude, the Xbox One Stereo Headset is the right purchase for the gamer that wants a headset from the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll love the combination of the comfortable fit, good mic implementation, and good use of materials that contribute to a low weight. However, the lack of advanced features means you may need to look elsewhere for the best performance in the gaming headset marketplace.

4. Top Pick: Microsoft Surface Headphones

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Microsoft Surface Headphones are expensive, but there is a bunch of well-implemented features that are of industry-leading quality. They are ideal for the user that has a big budget and appreciates up to date technology. They are only available in white and have a minimalist looking visual design. Delve deeper into the features to figure out if there is enough value for your needs.

The headphones allow for all-day comfort due to the extra padding at the earcups and headband. Also, the lightweight materials mean you won’t feel like they are wearing you down after an hour of use. It’s an over-ear design with plenty of space for your ears. However, large ears may have trouble getting a good fit, which may not be a significant problem since the padding is soft.

Earcup controls are available to alter the volume and adjust the noise cancelation level. It’s a convenient way to make small changes to your audio experience while on the move. Furthermore, you can make audio changes by accessing the voice assistant, which is Cortana. You can use the voice assistant to check your schedule, find out what the weather is like, and a whole lot more.

The battery life provides 15 hours of running time per charge, which is about average for the over-ear headphone marketplace. You also get a quick charge feature that enables you to receive an hour of music for only 5 minutes of charging time. Therefore, you never have to worry about running out of battery if there is a charging point nearby. The Bluetooth 4.2 implementation provides a range of 30 feet. You can also make use of the 1.2m cable to use the headphones in wired mode.

The audio quality is excellent across the frequency range of 20-20KHz. Also, the noise cancelation feature does an excellent job of eliminating unwanted noise. The feature is not comparable to the industry-leading standard set by Bose, but it’s good enough for most situations.

Take into account a few of the drawbacks before making the choice to buy the Microsoft Surface Headphones. Firstly, the frequency range could be improved beyond 20-20KHz so that the audio is able to produce better vocals and more impactful bass. Also, they are expensive and the competition is fierce in this price bracket.

To conclude, the Microsoft Surface Headphones are a good choice for the buyer that wants modern Bluetooth over-ear headphones in white. The combination of the quick charge feature, convenient earcups controls, and good noise cancelation feature means there is a lot to like here. However, they are expensive so you need to be sure that the technology implemented here is what you need.