Are you an online teacher looking for the best headset for online teaching? Look no further. This article guides you through the important features your new headset should have and lists the top 10 headsets for online teaching.
Teaching online is tough, rewarding, fun and boring in equal measure. It is one of those jobs where the tech you have really matters. There is nothing worse than being in class and having one of those technical moments. The mic stops working or your sound drops out. The students and you are left mid lesson wondering what’s going on.
The good news is that headset manufacturers are fully aware of the demand for decent ear gear for professional online teachers more so now than ever. Even with the pandemic slowing down a little, many people who were not previously working from home have now made it their new normal. While working from home as a teacher or other profession can be great, external noise and technical difficulties can make it a highly unpleasant work environment. You need ear gear that works consistently and is easy to use.
What features should you be looking for in a headset for teaching online?
Audio Quality
As a teacher, you need to be able to hear your students clearly. You need to be able to correct mistakes, praise good work and listen to answers given. You need your headset to provide clear, natural sound not tinny, robotic mumblings. All the headsets below deliver the high-quality sound you need for online teaching success.
Built in mic
Just as you need to be able to hear your students clearly, they need to be able to hear everything you say as well. A built-in mic means it is closer to the source so won’t allow as much external interference. Plus, you won’t need to mess around with audio settings on your PC, laptop or mobile devices. Many of the headsets below have a built-in microphone with an external adjustable boom so you can ensure your students receive your voice loud and clear.
Noise cancelling features
Noise cancelling is an essential feature of any headset these days and this feature is so important when it comes to teaching online. Whether it be a barking dog, loud traffic or children at home, the headsets below will make sure your students have no idea your work environment is a noisy one.
Comfort
There is nothing worse than experiencing pain and discomfort while you work. The headsets below have a variety of different designs to make sure that you can teach for hours and hardly notice they are there. Choose from on ear, over ear, in ear or on ear to find a style that suits your ears needs.
Design and durability
If you are teaching online, you don’t only need comfort, but you also want something that is easy to use and will last. All the headsets below have in line controls or controls found on the ear cup so you can easily adjust the volume or employ the mute function with ease. You don’t want a flimsy headset that will stop working or break after a few months. The headsets below boast good durability, and if you do have issues, many come with a 2-year warranty.
Mute function
Even with decent noise cancelling technology a mute function is essential. There may be a sudden loud noise, a sneeze or cough that you don’t want blaring down the mic to your students. So being able to mute yourself quickly and seamlessly, an accessible mute function is essential.
Price
You may have the money, but it really isn’t necessary to be spending the earth on a headset. With such a wide variety you are bound to find your perfect headset at a reasonable price.
The 10 Best Headsets for Online Classes Reviewed
Here are our picks for the top 10 recommended headsets for teaching online:
Logitech H540 USB Computer Headset
Logitech is here to make your workstation that bit more comfortable. Their H540 USB computer headset is one of the best headsets for teaching ESL online. It has a padded leatherette headband and ear cups, high-definition sound quality and on ear controls. All designed with your comfort and success in mind.
This headset has a built-in equaliser and laser-tuned drivers delivering precision audio, so you won’t be straining to hear your students.
The plug-and-play USB connectivity means no messing around trying to connect your headset minutes before your class. Just plug them in and connect with your class.
The on-ear controls and mute indicator light allows you to easily control the volume and see that you have correctly muted yourself during key speaking parts for the students.
Logitech H540 feature an adjustable noise cancelling mic so you can be sure external noise won’t be an issue while you teach.
Jabra Evolve 75 UC Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Headset
The Jabra Evolve 75 headset is an amazing wireless headset for online teaching. It has magical noise cancelling capabilities and outstanding sound quality. Their world class speakers will enable you to hear every word your students say.
The superior active noise cancellation technology is ideal for keeping unwanted noise out.
There is an integrated busy light so anyone accidentally walking in while you are teaching will know you are at work. The Jabra Evolve uses Bluetooth technology and is one of the best Bluetooth headsets for teaching online.
The Jabra Evolve 75 headset has leatherette over the ear cups for a comfortable fit that lasts for hours. The earcups are where you will find all the controls for your headset, including the active noise cancellation and mute button. Easy to access and easy to use while teaching online.
This headset has been designed to be compatible with a wide range of platforms and systems, so you won’t have any issues with them working on your teaching platform.
Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you are looking for the best Bluetooth headset for online teaching, then Sony should be at the top of your list. These stylish wireless headset for online teaching has smart noise cancelling technology, a super-fast charging battery and come in their own carrier case. The noise cancelling technology is so good it almost provides a soundproofed style experience. Perfect if you are teaching online in a noise neighbourhood or house. The Sony WH-1000XM3 even have a built-in microphone and easy-to-use on ear controls. The noise cancelling technology is so good with these headphones they also featured in our article on “The Best Bluetooth Headphones for Mowing”!
Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000
The Microsoft LifeChat headset is built with hard work in mind. Primarily compatible with Windows PCs and devices, this headset will also connect with some IOS systems. Deliver high-quality lessons with even higher quality sound. The microphone is unidirectional and the noise cancelling technology will keep unwanted sounds out of your online classroom.
The headset benefits from an attractive comfortable design with leatherette earpads, a 6-foot connection cable and a pivoting boom microphone. The controls are in line so you can adjust volume settings easily without interrupting your class. This would make a great headset for online teaching and business meetings.
Sennheiser SC 165 USB
The Seinnheiser SC 165 are designed for professionals and to be used with a wide variety of communications platforms. The headset uses HD stereo sound for clear and natural sound while the Voice Clarity technology filters out any unwanted background noise. Seinnheiser have designed this headset for long work-days so they have a comfortable, modern design with a bendable microphone that can be perfectly positioned for your students to hear you perfectly. On a trip but still have online classes booked? No worries. These headphones have an innovative fold-flat ear cup design for convenience when travelling. With all these features these are some of the best headsets for teaching ESL online.
Plantronics – Blackwire 3220
Plantronics Blackwire 3220 is a great headset for online teaching. They are specifically designed for conference calls and webinars, reasonably priced, have good sound quality and excellent noise cancelling technology. The headset has easy-to -use in line controls so you can adjust the volume and mute the sound easily without taking our eyes off the screen. The design is light weight and comfortable with an easily adjustable microphone and headset band. Plantronics Blackwire have an added feature that other headsets on this list don’t- SoundGuard technology providing hearing protection against sounds above 118 dBA. If you are interested in headphones that provide hearing protection above all else, head over to our article “Best AM/FM headphones for mowing”
Andrea Communications NC-255VM
Andrea Communications NC-255VM boasts industry leading noise cancelling technology that minimises breath popping, as well as other unwanted external noises. It provides 40mm stereo speakers for crystal clear audio. The design is comfortable with a heavy-duty flex boom that allows you perfect positioning, so you can be heard clearly. The connecting cable is extra long providing you with the ability to move around more freely making any TPR with kids’ classes easy. If you are looking for the best Bluetooth headset for online teaching, this set is a lead runner.
Cyber Acoustics AC-5002A Stereo PC Headset
This Cyber Acoustics headset is perfect for online teaching. It has a unidirectional noise cancelling mic, padded over the ear earcups, a fully adjustable and bendable headband and in-line controls. This headset is made to last with a durable tangle free cord and the flexible headband. The mic is fully adjustable and can be used on the left or right side. The noise cancelling technology is perfect for working from home with young children or other unwanted background noise.
Philips Computer Headset with Microphone for Laptop
Philips have designed this headset with clear conversations in mind. It has a built-in adjustable mic that can be put into the perfect position so your students can hear every word. It has good noise isolation capabilities so unwanted external noise is reduced. The design is lightweight and comfortable with over ear cushions and an adjustable headband.
LEVN LE-HS010 Superior Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Headset with Microphone
This Bluetooth wireless headset for online teaching from LEVN uses advanced Environmental Noise Cancellation technology providing on the spot noise adjustment for external noise. This headset is perfect for teaching younger children as they are completely wireless and hands free. Perfect for lessons where you need to use full TPR to educate and entertain. This headset has a Bluetooth connection with a range of 33ft/10metres and a dongle that can be used for a more stable connection. You won’t need to worry about the battery life as one charge provides 35+ hours of use or 110 hours on standby. The headset features a one ear cup design that is comfortable for long hours of work and a 270-degree rotation on the mic.
FAQs
What is the best headset for online teaching?
The best headset for online teaching will meet the following criteria:
- Good audio quality and noise cancelling and isolation features
- A built-in microphone
- A comfortable and durable design
- A mute function
- A reasonable price
- The best headsets for teaching online are:
- Logitech H540 USB Computer Headset
- Jabra Evolve 75 UC Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Headset
- Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000
- Sennheiser SC 165 USB
- Plantronics – Blackwire 3220
- Andrea Communications NC-255VM
- Cyber Acoustics AC-5002A Stereo PC Headset
- Philips Computer Headset with Microphone for Laptop
- LEVN LE-HS010 Superior Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Headset with Microphone
How do I keep my headset in excellent condition?
The best tips for your keeping your headset in excellent condition are to:
- Clean the headset, earcups or earbuds regularly.
- Keep your headset in a case. If they don’t come with one, then buy yourself one.
- Unplug your headset after use and put them in their case or somewhere safe away from children, dogs and cats!
- Pull out the plug, not the cable when disconnecting your headset.
- Don’t turn up the volume too high.
- Avoid sleeping with your headset on. Even if the class is boring you!
- Don’t share your headset with other people. This is more about care than hygiene. Not everyone has the same levels of care for items as you!
- Don’t carry the headset in a pocket or bag without their case.
Which is better, Bluetooth or wired headphones for teaching online?
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To be wired or not to be wired, that is the question. This will come down to personal preference, teaching style, class types and budget.
Bluetooth headphones have the added advantage of being completely wireless. This means you can move around freely without restriction during your classes. Bluetooth headsets can also be used with a variety of different devices and for other purposes than teaching. You can switch between devices easily. So one minute you can be listening to music on your phone and the next connected to your PC or laptop to teach a class. Bluetooth headsets tend to be a little more expensive than wired headsets, but given their added versatility it’s worth spending a little more. The downside to Bluetooth headsets for teaching online is that there could be issues with connectivity, and you need to make sure you charge them regularly. Bluetooth headsets are perfect for you if you do a lot of TPR during your classes, enjoy having that extra freedom of movement, want to use them for other things apart from teaching and you have the extra budget.
Wired headsets tend to be the more budget friendly option. You won’t need to worry about your connection dropping out or having to recharge them. The downside is that you will have a more limited range of movement. Some say that these headsets are a little bulkier, however brands like Seinnheiser above, are perfect for travel and fold into a small carrier case. Others say that a wired headset has better sound quality, but for online teaching this would barely be noticeable.
So, the decision comes down to personal preference and which style of headset will provide you with the quality and comfort that you need to deliver the best lessons you can for your students.
The Best Headset for Online Teaching is All Down to Personal Preference…
Whether you are looking for a wired or wireless headset for online teaching, the list above will have something for you.
With such a wide choice of makes, models and brands with different features and designs, there is no need for you to spend hundreds of dollars for quality.
Ear gear manufacturers are aware now, more than ever, what online professionals need and have designed these headsets with your comfort and success in mind.
Click on the links above to check out these products further and see their updated prices. At this time of year there are lots of reductions and sales! So, get clicking now to find the best headset for your teaching online career 2022.
