When you become an online English teacher, you and your headset will start to spend a lot of time together. Since your comfort and communication abilities depend on it, it’s important to buy the best headset for online teaching you can find.
This post will review five of the best headphones for online teaching so you’ll be teaching online with crystal clear audio in no time!
Short on time? Check out my top choice headset for teaching online here!
Why do I need an online teaching headset?
Using a microphone headset for teaching is a great way to ensure that you and your students can hear each other without distractions.
Most online teaching companies require that you use a headset with a microphone piece because the built-in audio on your computer usually isn’t high enough quality. It can also cause a weird echo sound for you or the student.
Obviously, they don’t want anything to get in the way of your fabulous teaching, so using a headset for online teaching is a great idea.
Key Features to Look for in an Online Teaching Headset
Your headset should be comfortable since you’ll be spending several hours wearing it at a time. It should also have good sound quality since the constant static of unclear sound would be very annoying over time.
A quality headset will have noise cancellation capabilities to reduce background sounds that could distract your student. It will also have a microphone attachment close to your mouth so that you don’t have to strain your voice over hours of teaching.
I personally prefer to use headsets with a microphone mute button because I can easily turn off my sound if I need to cough or if there is noise on my end. The mute button has saved me from 6:00 am construction, chatty neighbors, and busy city streets on countless occasions.
Types of Headsets for Teaching Online
The two main types of headsets for online teaching are wireless headsets and wired headsets.
Bluetooth/Wireless Headset
These headsets connect to your computer remotely with Bluetooth and do not have a cord. Some teachers prefer this since they have more movement and less annoying cords to worry about. This is also ideal if you have a newer computer that doesn’t have the right size ports for your headset.
USB/Wired Headset
USB or Wired Headsets use a cord to connect the headset to your computer or tablet. Most will have either a USB connection, a 3.5mm audio jack, or both.
I prefer to use USB or wired headsets since I’m paranoid about my technology glitching on me. I liked having one less thing to think about when powering up my technology in the wee hours of the morning.
Make Sure Your Headset Has A Microphone
Headsets with microphones are important for online ESL teachers. Having the microphone piece will allow you to talk more naturally and your students will be able to hear you better. Each of the headsets listed below has a microphone attachment.
Not All These Options Are Plug And Play
You might not be able to simply plug in the headset and start teaching. A few of the options below have to be set up on your computer prior to use. Read the directions for the headset you buy to configure your new headset the day before your class so you have time to make sure they’re working properly.
Online English Teacher Headset Comparison Chart
| Headset | Port | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nulaxy USB Headset | USB and 3.5mm Audio | Affordable, inexpensive, volume control and mute, durable | Check Price |
| Longitech USB Headset H390 | USB | Padded for long-term wear, a popular choice, inexpensive | Check Price |
| Discover D312U Dual Speaker Headset | USB and 3.5mm Audio | Volume control, comfortable padding, clear audio output, and great reviews | Check Price |
| Jeecoo Stereo Gaming Headset | USB and 3.5mm Audio | Noise cancellation, designed for gaming, comfortable, excellent reviews | Check Price |
| COOSII P80C Bluetooth Headphones | Bluetooth | Best Bluetooth headset for online teaching, comfortable, long-lasting | Check Price |
Best USB Headset for Online Classes
First, we’ll take a look at some of the best USB or wired headsets for teaching online.
Nulaxy USB Headset with 3.5mm Jack
The Nulaxy Headsets are some of the best headsets for teaching online because they have good sound quality, a control panel to mute and adjust sound, and a low cost. This particular headset has a USB and 3.5mm audio jack connection meaning it will work on many devices
While some reviews report breakage after heavy use, the majority of reviews for this headset are positive, and many even mention using the headset for Zoom and online classes. It’s also lightweight and adjustable.
Features that make this my top online teaching headset:
- It has a USB connection and a 3.5mm audio jack which means it can be used on many devices. It’s comparable with Macs, PCs, and Tablets.
- It has a little control panel where you can adjust the volume and turn the microphone on and off (perfect if I have to cough or there is background noise during class)
- It’s lightweight and has cushioned earpieces for long teaching days
Logitech USB Headset H390 with Noise Cancelling Mic
This headset has inline volume control and it is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Chrome computers. Reviewers like how this headset is extremely lightweight and padded for long-term wear, making it a comfortable option for online teachers.
It uses a USB connection port so make sure your device has one before purchasing. (New generation Mac laptops don’t have a USB port so you’ll need an adapter to use this headset.)
Discover D312U Dual Speaker Headset
The Discover D312U Headset has excellent reviews for sound quality, comfort, and ease of use. It works with most devices straight out of the box and many customers mentioned how good the microphone feature is on this headset.
This headset has both a 3.5mm port and a USB port so you can use it with a number of laptops and tablets. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and collapsable for when you’re on the go.
Jeecoo Stereo Gaming Headset
The Jeeco gaming headset has big over-the-hear pads for comfort as well as inline mute and volume control. It also has an adjustable microphone and noise cancellation. This headset has excellent reviews on Amazon and many people feel it is a great value for the money.
Technically a gaming headset so it’s a bit bigger than some of the other online teaching headsets on this list. It’s important to note that you’ll need to configure your settings and do some setup before using them with your computer, so make sure to test them out the day before you plan to teach.
Best Wireless Headset for Online Teaching
In this section, we’ll take a look at the best wireless headset for teaching online.
COOSII P80C Bluetooth Headphones
The COOSII P80C Bluetooth Headphones are the best wireless headphones for online teaching because they’re comfortable, durable, and adjustable.
This Bluetooth headset takes about two hours to charge and lasts all day, making this a great choice for long teaching sessions. Many reviewers also commented on how well these headphones reduced background noises.
Best Online Teaching Headset Conclusions
To have all the equipment required for online classes, you’ll need to make sure you pick a quality online teaching headset. The best headphones for teaching online will be comfortable, affordable, and offer a high-quality sound experience for you and your students.
Use the headset suggestions above as a guide and feel free to message me with any questions as you continue your research.
More Online Teaching Resources
- Best Laptops For Online Teaching: Pick the best device for your classes
- Best Lighting for Online Teaching: 4 online classroom lighting solutions
- Equipment For Online Teaching: The 9 things every online classroom needs
Thank you! I think I might get that Mpow headset that you recommend. I wanted Bluetooth, but I’m starting to appreciate wired headphones – they don’t talk to me or beep at me! 😉 This was very helpful. – Janet
I totally agree!! Even though the wire can be clunky, it seems simpler to me. 🙂 Enjoy and happy teaching!