Best USB Headsets for Computer VoIP & Softphones (Corded & Wireless)
By Jorge Gomez
November 23, 2025· 8 min read
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A USB headset is the simplest computer setup: plug it in, your computer recognises it, and you're on the call. No pairing, no battery, no dongle to lose. The question is which one to choose — and whether corded is actually what you need, or whether a wireless model with a USB Bluetooth dongle is the better fit for how you work.
Here are the current picks, corded and wireless, from budget to premium.
Quick answer
For a corded USB headset, the Jabra Evolve2 40 is the value pick (3-mic boom, busylight, Teams or UC certified). The Poly Blackwire 8225 steps up with active noise cancellation for louder rooms. For a wireless USB headset, the Jabra Evolve2 65 (37-hour battery) and Poly Voyager 4310/4320 cover most needs. The Jabra Evolve2 75 and 85 are the premium ANC options. All wireless picks include a USB Bluetooth dongle — plug it in and it connects like a corded headset, just without the cord.
Last updated July 2026
Best corded USB headsets
Corded USB headsets are battery-free and connect directly — the right choice for a fixed desk where you don't need to move around on calls.
Best value corded
Jabra Evolve2 40
The Evolve2 40 is Jabra's entry corded USB headset — a 3-microphone noise-cancelling boom that flips up to mute, memory-foam cushions, a busylight that activates automatically on calls, and large 40mm speakers. Available in mono (one ear) or stereo (both ears), and in UC or Teams variants. It's the corded USB headset that gives you the busylight and professional-grade boom at a sensible price.
The Blackwire 5210 (mono) and 5220 (stereo) are lightweight and comfortable corded options — USB-A or USB-C connections, plus a 3.5mm connector that lets you unplug from the computer and use the headset with a smartphone or tablet. A volume control sits on the cord. For a quiet-to-moderate office, these hit the sweet spot of price and quality.
The Blackwire 8225 is the step up to active noise cancellation in a corded USB headset — the first corded office headset with ANC. Hybrid ANC adapts to the noise level around you, the Acoustic Fence boom isolates your voice for callers, a busylight signals when you're on a call, and USB-C powers it. If background noise is a problem and you want the simplicity of a corded setup, this is the pick.
Wireless USB headsets include a USB Bluetooth dongle — plug it into the computer and the headset connects just like a corded one, but you can move around on calls. The range is better through the dongle (Class 1, 100–160 ft) than over standard Bluetooth.
Best wireless value stereo
Jabra Evolve2 65
The Evolve2 65 is the most popular USB wireless headset in the Jabra line. Thirty-seven hours of battery from a single charge, a flip-to-mute noise-cancelling boom, memory-foam cushions, a dual-sided busylight, and dual connectivity to the computer via dongle and a phone via Bluetooth at the same time. If you want one headset for all-day calls and the occasional mobile call, this is it.
A single-ear wireless USB headset with a proper boom arm, 24-hour battery, 160-foot range via the BT700 dongle, and Bluetooth 5.2. Acoustic Fence on the boom gives callers clean audio. The right pick if you want one ear open for the room and don't need ANC.
The stereo sibling of the Voyager 4310 — both ears covered, same 160-foot range, same Acoustic Fence boom, 24-hour battery. Available in USB-A or USB-C dongle variants. Use it on a computer over the dongle and on a phone over Bluetooth at the same time.
Three-level adjustable ANC plus Acoustic Fence boom for quieter offices and quieter callers. Smart sensors answer calls when you put the headset on; 19-hour battery; busylight visible from any angle. If the room is loud enough that you need active noise cancellation but want to stay corded-simple (plug in the dongle and go), this is the mid-range pick.
Eight microphones and 11 adjustable ANC levels for maximum noise control. Hide-away boom retracts into the earcup; Performance Mode (boom down) or Discreet Mode (boom up, boomless). Dual memory foam cushions for all-day comfort. For a full review, see our Evolve2 75 hands-on review.
Premium ANC without a boom arm — 10-mic array built into the earcups, up to 37 hours of battery, memory foam throughout, and a foldable design for travel. The pick when you want maximum comfort and discretion over maximum mic performance in a loud room.
Poly's 10-mic boomless ANC headset — 4 mics handle adaptive ANC, 6 handle the call. Connects via USB-C dongle (USB-C to USB-A adapter included), works as a corded 3.5mm headset for aircraft or secure environments. The choice if you want Poly's Acoustic Fence engineering without a boom arm.
What is the best USB headset for a computer softphone?
For a corded USB headset, the Jabra Evolve2 40 is the value pick with its 3-mic boom and busylight, and the Poly Blackwire 8225 adds active noise cancellation for louder rooms. For wireless, the Jabra Evolve2 65 covers most needs with 37 hours of battery and dual connectivity. All are certified for Microsoft Teams and major UC platforms.
What is the difference between a corded and wireless USB headset?
A corded USB headset plugs directly into the computer's USB port — no battery and no dongle. A wireless USB headset includes a USB Bluetooth dongle that you plug in; the headset connects to the dongle wirelessly, giving you the same plug-in simplicity but freedom to move around. Wireless USB headsets typically have better range through their dongle (100–160 feet) than through a computer's built-in Bluetooth (30 feet).
Do USB headsets work with Microsoft Teams and Zoom?
Yes. All the headsets above work with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex, Cisco Jabber, and other UC platforms over USB — no drivers needed. Teams-certified variants have Teams call controls (answer, end, mute, volume) pre-configured to work natively in the Teams app. UC variants work with all platforms but aren't pre-configured for any specific one.
Do I need ANC in a USB headset for office use?
It depends on your environment. In a quiet home office or a small private office, passive noise isolation from the cushions and a noise-cancelling boom mic is enough. In a loud open-plan office, call centre, or shared space, active noise cancellation gives you a meaningful difference in focus and audio quality. The Poly Blackwire 8225 (corded) and Poly Voyager Focus 2 or Jabra Evolve2 75 (wireless) are the ANC options worth considering.
What is the difference between a noise-cancelling microphone and ANC?
A noise-cancelling microphone filters background noise for your callers — it's about what they hear. ANC (active noise cancellation) filters background noise for you, the wearer — it's about what you hear. They're separate systems, and the best headsets in loud environments have both. We explain it in full in our guide to noise-cancelling mic vs active noise cancellation.
The simplest pick is usually the right one. If you're at a fixed desk all day, a corded USB headset like the Evolve2 40 or Blackwire 8225 is battery-free and reliable. If you step away from the desk on calls, any of the wireless picks with a USB dongle gives you the same plug-in simplicity with freedom to move. Browse the full range on the USB headsets collection, or call our specialists at 877-999-3838 to match one to your platform and budget.
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