Whether you have a killer-sounding pair of headphones or you just can't find a headset with a microphone that matches your tastes, is as portable as you like, or doesn't compromise on music quality, never fear. Turning your favorite headphones into a headset that can record your voice, take calls, and handle video chats is easy.
Don't get us wrong, there are some great headsets with attached microphones for all purposes, and if PC gaming is your forte, you have even more options. However, even with some of those, you may find yourself wishing you could both chat with your friends or take Google Hangouts or Skype calls without sacrificing audio quality or music quality while you work or play. Luckily, it's not hard to make your favorite headphones voice-friendly. Here's what you need.
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The Easy Way: Buy a Headphone Attachment
The fastest way to turn any set of headphones into a headset, complete with an attached microphone, is to buy an attachment designed to do the job. There are pros and cons to this approach—for one, it's obviously the easiest and gets you to the finish line the fastest, but at the same time you sacrifice control over the type of microphone you use and how it connects to your computer or phone. Here are a few examples:
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These three are just a few headphone adapters and microphone add-ons that you can easily get and tack on to your existing pair of headphones without making any permanent changes. You'll wind up with an extra length of cable to keep wrapped up and organized, but you will be able to rock your favorite headphones when you take video calls or while you're on the go and still answer your phone and talk to your friends.
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The Long Way: The DIY Approach
If you're more interested in a permanent mod for your headphones, you have some more options, but you'll need to get out your soldering iron and prep a few other tools. It's not for the faint of heart, either—you'll probably wind up cracking the case on your headphones to add a microphone jack or boom mic.
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Need for speed most wanted download completo. For example, this guide shows you how to add detachable headphones to a pair of Monoprice 8323s, but the principle is similar for any other pair of headphones you might want to mod. When you're finished with it, you'll have a pair of plugs you can use with discrete audio input and output jacks. If you prefer an in-line microphone, this guide from the folks at Tested uses a pair of earbuds to do the job, and walks you through which wires to solder to which and how to connect it all up. When you're finished with this one, you'll have a single integrated plug you can use with the port on a smartphone or laptop.
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If your goal is to connect your headphones to a gaming console, you have some more options as well. You can always mod your headset to work with an existing adapter for your console (here's a guide from Head-Fi for the PS3/PS4, since our post had to do with the Xbox One's proprietary connector). If you'd rather not do a bunch of soldering, you can get away with connecting your headphones and microphone to your console using a slightly easier method that involves a bunch of adapters and cables. It won't be pretty and you'll probably sacrifice some audio quality thanks to all of the connectors, but it'll work too.
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Sure, you can go out and buy an expensive headset to do voice chat with your friends, and then a more portable set for taking calls on the go, or just not buy earbuds without a microphone in-line, but if you already have a pair of headphones you love, it's easy and affordable to add a microphone in-line with an adapter. If you want a more integrated solution, you can roll up your DIY sleeves and get the job done that way. Hopefully these tips will help, if you're the type who would rather make than buy, and you prefer the flexibility of making the gear you own or like do the things you need it to do.
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Photo by Rainer Stropek.
A trusty headset is an important tool in becoming more immersed in games or providing a clearer experience when it comes to communication. Headsets are particularly popular with gamers, who require the products to appreciate the atmosphere created by game developers and to speak to fellow teammates. Thankfully, Microsoft has always made it super-easy to hook one up and get everything working in Windows.
How to set up your headset on Windows 10
In order to use a headset, you're going to have to plug it in. Simple, we know, but it's easy to get this step wrong if you're not familiar with available ports for audio on a PC. This can be achieved by hooking up the end of the cable on the headset to an available port on a PC or connecting it via wireless. Here are the options for headset owners:
Depending on the case and motherboard installed on a desktop PC, there may be available ports on or near the front of the chassis, which could prove useful if you have a short cable or have no free ports on the rear.
Checking sound output in Windows 10
Once you have the headset connected to the PC, it's time to quickly make sure Windows has sound levels and the like set up and configured correctly. Firstly, we need to ensure Windows has the headset selected as the default output device.
This could have in brackets either USB or the brand and model of the onboard motherboard audio — it depends on which connection type the headset utilizes. It's possible to rename each entry on this list to make it easier for you to decipher which is which.
Now we'll need to test the output to make sure we've selected the correct device and everything is working perfectly. You can do this by firing up some media on the PC, or utilize the test function in Windows.
Using Headset Mic On Laptop
If you hear sound through the headphones, you're good to go. If not, check if you have the correct device selected for sound output, and that the headset itself is plugged in (we've all be in the position where something doesn't work because it isn't physically connected).
Record your voice
After that, we need to select the microphone as the default input device and make sure the volume is turned up. To do this, we run through similar steps carried out for the headphones.
Be sure to fire up your favorite VoIP app (Discord is a great option) or recording software to test the microphone out. Some applications can take full control of the microphone and adjust levels accordingly, while others allow you to manipulate the volume within the software suite to save you from opening this recording window each and every time.
Troubleshooting Windows headset issuesMake sure you use the right ports
Is it plugged in? Have you utilized the correct port? For 3.5mm jacks, it's generally green for output and pink for input, depending on the available sound card. Mix those two up and nothing at all will happen. Newer motherboards come with numerous ports for surround sound, so you might need to hit up the manual for more details.
Auto detection could be playing up
OEM software could be interfering here. Should you have software like Realtek's HD Audio Manager, try disabling jack detection and see if that helps.
Re-installing drivers
If your headset isn't working, the problem might be in the drivers. Head to Device Manager and uninstall the drivers for the connected headset. Reboot the PC and connect the headset once again to let Windows reinstall them. Yes, it's the tried and true 'turn it off and on again' process, but it works.
Select different formats
If you're still unable to get anything, try selecting a different format for input/output in the property window (use the headset steps above).
Don't be muted
Depending on the brand and model of the headset, it may support controls located on the cable. Volume sliders and mute buttons are easily accessible here, but be sure they're set for use.
Our top headset recommendationsValue pickHyperX Cloud Alpha
Solid build quality and sound
HyperX made sure the Cloud Alpha sounds great for PC gamers with a dual chamber driver design for optimal audio performance. They're also built to last. In fact, you could throw them around and they'd still sound just as good. Multi-platform compatibility and price are but the icing on this sweet cake.
The Cloud Alpha sports a detachable noise-cancellation microphone and braided cable with some mediocre in-line controls. The controls are rather flimsy, but at least they're there for quick access while in-game. Overall, not a bad headset for the price.
For PC gamersSteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Amazing sound and comfort
The Steelseries Arctis Pro + GameDAC isn't the most affordable headset out there, but it's well worth the price. The excellent amp module allows for easy management of the device and the exceptional sound quality allows you to truly immerse yourself in-game.
The drivers housed inside the cups of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC are more than good enough for gaming, and the microphone handles communication with teammates. It's a quality Hi-Res certified headset for gamers and worth considering.
Entry headsetAstro Gaming A10
Affordable gaming headset for PC
Astro makes some great headsets but this new entry-level model, the A10, is very compelling. It's affordable, wired and made from 'damage resistant polycarbonate' so it should be able to take a beating in your bag if you game on the road.
The design definitely fits within Astro's family, with large cups that cover the ears and nice big comfy memory foam cushions. The microphone isn't retractable or detachable but does have a neat trick where it'll auto-mute when you flip it up against the side of your head.
How To Change From Laptop Mic To Headset Windows 10
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.
Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds is a word conjurer at Windows Central, covering everything related to Windows, gaming, and hardware. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a device chassis. You can follow him over on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.
How to set up and use a headset on Windows 10Value pickHyperX Cloud Alpha$100 at AmazonFor PC gamersSteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC$203 at AmazonEntry headsetAstro Gaming A10$60 at Amazon
If you have chosen to connect external speakers to your Windows 10 laptop, you have just a few things to set up before you can begin listening to your music. Just follow these steps:
If you use your laptop to make or receive phone calls, check out the Communications tab of the Sound dialog box. Here you can make a setting to have Windows automatically adjust sounds to minimize background noise.
A trusty headset is an important tool in becoming more immersed in games or providing a clearer experience when it comes to communication. Headsets are particularly popular with gamers, who require the products to appreciate the atmosphere created by game developers and to speak to fellow teammates. Thankfully, Microsoft has always made it super-easy to hook one up and get everything working in Windows.
How to set up your headset on Windows 10
In order to use a headset, you're going to have to plug it in. Simple, we know, but it's easy to get this step wrong if you're not familiar with available ports for audio on a PC. This can be achieved by hooking up the end of the cable on the headset to an available port on a PC or connecting it via wireless. Here are the options for headset owners:
Depending on the case and motherboard installed on a desktop PC, there may be available ports on or near the front of the chassis, which could prove useful if you have a short cable or have no free ports on the rear.
Checking sound output in Windows 10
Once you have the headset connected to the PC, it's time to quickly make sure Windows has sound levels and the like set up and configured correctly. Firstly, we need to ensure Windows has the headset selected as the default output device.
This could have in brackets either USB or the brand and model of the onboard motherboard audio — it depends on which connection type the headset utilizes. It's possible to rename each entry on this list to make it easier for you to decipher which is which.
Now we'll need to test the output to make sure we've selected the correct device and everything is working perfectly. You can do this by firing up some media on the PC, or utilize the test function in Windows.
If you hear sound through the headphones, you're good to go. If not, check if you have the correct device selected for sound output, and that the headset itself is plugged in (we've all be in the position where something doesn't work because it isn't physically connected).
Record your voice
After that, we need to select the microphone as the default input device and make sure the volume is turned up. To do this, we run through similar steps carried out for the headphones.
Be sure to fire up your favorite VoIP app (Discord is a great option) or recording software to test the microphone out. Some applications can take full control of the microphone and adjust levels accordingly, while others allow you to manipulate the volume within the software suite to save you from opening this recording window each and every time.
Troubleshooting Windows headset issuesMake sure you use the right ports
Is it plugged in? Have you utilized the correct port? For 3.5mm jacks, it's generally green for output and pink for input, depending on the available sound card. Mix those two up and nothing at all will happen. Newer motherboards come with numerous ports for surround sound, so you might need to hit up the manual for more details.
Auto detection could be playing up
OEM software could be interfering here. Should you have software like Realtek's HD Audio Manager, try disabling jack detection and see if that helps.
Re-installing drivers
If your headset isn't working, the problem might be in the drivers. Head to Device Manager and uninstall the drivers for the connected headset. Reboot the PC and connect the headset once again to let Windows reinstall them. Yes, it's the tried and true 'turn it off and on again' process, but it works.
Select different formats
If you're still unable to get anything, try selecting a different format for input/output in the property window (use the headset steps above).
Don't be muted
Depending on the brand and model of the headset, it may support controls located on the cable. Volume sliders and mute buttons are easily accessible here, but be sure they're set for use.
Our top headset recommendationsValue pickHyperX Cloud Alpha
Solid build quality and sound
HyperX made sure the Cloud Alpha sounds great for PC gamers with a dual chamber driver design for optimal audio performance. They're also built to last. In fact, you could throw them around and they'd still sound just as good. Multi-platform compatibility and price are but the icing on this sweet cake.
The Cloud Alpha sports a detachable noise-cancellation microphone and braided cable with some mediocre in-line controls. The controls are rather flimsy, but at least they're there for quick access while in-game. Overall, not a bad headset for the price.
For PC gamersSteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Amazing sound and comfort
The Steelseries Arctis Pro + GameDAC isn't the most affordable headset out there, but it's well worth the price. The excellent amp module allows for easy management of the device and the exceptional sound quality allows you to truly immerse yourself in-game.
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How To Change From Laptop Mic To Headset Windows 10
The drivers housed inside the cups of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC are more than good enough for gaming, and the microphone handles communication with teammates. It's a quality Hi-Res certified headset for gamers and worth considering.
Entry headsetAstro Gaming A10
Affordable gaming headset for PC
Astro makes some great headsets but this new entry-level model, the A10, is very compelling. It's affordable, wired and made from 'damage resistant polycarbonate' so it should be able to take a beating in your bag if you game on the road.
The design definitely fits within Astro's family, with large cups that cover the ears and nice big comfy memory foam cushions. The microphone isn't retractable or detachable but does have a neat trick where it'll auto-mute when you flip it up against the side of your head.
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.
Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds is a word conjurer at Windows Central, covering everything related to Windows, gaming, and hardware. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a device chassis. You can follow him over on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.
How to set up and use a headset on Windows 10Value pickHyperX Cloud Alpha$100 at AmazonFor PC gamersSteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC$203 at AmazonEntry headsetAstro Gaming A10$60 at Amazon
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