6 Best Headsets for Online Teaching (under $100)

As an online teacher, you need a modern, reliable computer as well as a fast, stable Internet connection. Next up on the list of your high-priority equipment is a quality headset.

Don’t stress, though — you don’t need to fork out $200 for a headset for teaching online. Yes, you can own a decent headset for under $100 that looks and feels professional, and is also comfortable to wear.

Let’s take a look at the best headsets for online teaching – both wired and wireless, and with noise-cancelling function.

Best Affordable USB Headsets for Online Teaching

Here are our top picks of wired USB headsets: We really can’t rank these headsets in any particular order, as each is going to suit different types of users based on the criteria we discussed above.

Jabra Evolve 40 Professional Wired Stereo Headset

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• Amazing sound quality for calls and music.
• 3.5 mm jack and USB connector: Connect it to your computer as well as to mobile devices.
• “Busylight“ turns on when you are in a call, to signal others not to disturb you
• Comfortable to wear all day long, leather-feel cushions.
• Works with all communication platforms and services.

BENGOO G9900 Gaming Headset

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• Particularly clear sound with full dynamic range and rich bass.
• 720°Soft Noise Cancelling Microphone: reduces most environmental noise around you and provide real-in-time talking without any delay.
• Adjustable headbands and comfortable leatherette ear cups allows your long-time wearing without fatigue.
• On-ear function control of Volume+/-, one key mute, which is convenient for you to adjust the settings of the headset at anytime.
• Multi-Platform Compatible (Can also be used with your games console during the breaks. ;-)

Plantronics by Poly Blackwire 5220 USB-A Wired Headset

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• 3.5 mm jack and USB connector: Connect it to your computer as well as to mobile devices.
• SUPERB AUDIO QUALITY: Noise-canceling mic ensures callers hear your voice—not your surroundings.
• Audio automatically switches between telephone wideband and hi-fi stereo for music; protects you against high sound levels, sudden loud noises, and long-term exposure.
• Memory foam ear cushions wrapped in ultra-soft leatherette provide all-day comfort.
• Intuitive inline controls that let you answer/end calls, control volume, and mute.

Best Affordable Wireless/Bluetooth Headsets for Online Teaching

If you prefer having flexibility of moving around while teaching online, and don’t mind recharging your headset regularly, then here are some of the most affordable quality Bluetooth headsets for online teaching:

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Headphones

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• Amazing sound quality for calls and music.
• 3.5 mm jack and USB connector: Connect it to your computer as well as to mobile devices.
• “Busylight“ turns on when you are in a call, to signal others not to disturb you
• Comfortable to wear all day long, leather-feel cushions.
• Works with all communication platforms and services.

BENGOO G9900 Gaming Headset

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• Particularly clear sound with full dynamic range and rich bass.
• 720°Soft Noise Cancelling Microphone: reduces most environmental noise around you and provide real-in-time talking without any delay.
• Adjustable headbands and comfortable leatherette ear cups allows your long-time wearing without fatigue.
• On-ear function control of Volume+/-, one key mute, which is convenient for you to adjust the settings of the headset at anytime.
• Multi-Platform Compatible (Can also be used with your games console during the breaks. ;-)

Plantronics by Poly Blackwire 5220 USB-A Wired Headset

Check the price on Amazon

Features

• 3.5 mm jack and USB connector: Connect it to your computer as well as to mobile devices.
• SUPERB AUDIO QUALITY: Noise-canceling mic ensures callers hear your voice—not your surroundings.
• Audio automatically switches between telephone wideband and hi-fi stereo for music; protects you against high sound levels, sudden loud noises, and long-term exposure.
• Memory foam ear cushions wrapped in ultra-soft leatherette provide all-day comfort.
• Intuitive inline controls that let you answer/end calls, control volume, and mute.

Most Online ESL Companies won’t hire you if you don’t have a decent headset

Most online ESL companies require their teachers to wear a headset while performing lessons, and some companies are more stringent than others about what type of headset you wear.

Aside from being a company requirement, the quality of your headset can impact the quality of your lessons. You need to hear your students clearly, and they need to hear you. You might even notice some of your students wearing headsets, too. That’s because the audio quality when you communicate with your students is uber important, even more so than video quality.

When you apply for an online ESL teaching position, one of the first things employers will check for is your headset. To the employer, wearing a good headset is not just about high audio quality during lessons, though.

What you may not realize is that the headset you wear also determines how professional you look. A professional online ESL teacher should look like one, and online ESL employers tend to be sensitive about how professional their teachers look – how they dress, how much makeup they wear, and how much they look like the stereotypical online ESL teacher.

So, what headset does the stereotypical online ESL teacher wear? That’s simple. Any successful online ESL teacher will confirm that a headset, ideally with a boom microphone, is what they wear while teaching lessons online. It looks like this:

It’s safe to say every online ESL employer will be pleased to see you wearing a headset with a boom mic during the hiring stage, and continuing to use one long after you’ve been hired.

Fortunately, you don’t need to lose an arm and a leg to own one of these beauties, though the temptation to splurge on an expensive headset will be high for some of you. Really though, expensive headsets don’t always give you a better result when it comes to videoconferencing, which is what online ESL teaching technically is.

Remember, your goal is to find a headset that will help you succeed at online teaching, and to not spend a fortune in the process. And that’s exactly what the best headsets for online teaching provide: affordability, comfort, and professionalism.

Do you want to buy a standalone microphone? Read our guide on microphones for online teaching.

How to Choose a Good Headset for Teaching English Online

We realize each person is going to be unique, so we’ll aim for meeting the basic requirements for getting hired as an online ESL teacher, and not losing opportunities simply because you don’t have a good headset.

Choose a Compact Headset

Large, chunky headsets are popular these days, especially for gamers, and though we’re not against using one of these, they can be distracting during lessons, as they take the focus away from you while you’re interacting with your students. They can also get a little uncomfortable if you’re teaching for several hours. Notice how call center workers usually wear compact and lightweight headsets? Your headset should not feel heavy or uncomfortable while you work.

Now, some people simply feel more comfortable wearing heavier, padded headsets. If that’s you, no worries. One of the best headsets for online teaching we recommend is indeed a heavier gaming headset.

Get a Headset with Excellent Audio Quality

When it comes to teaching ESL online, you need to think not only about the audio quality coming into your ears, but the quality coming out through your mic. You don’t need super high-end audio quality specs, but you do need to be sure the headset you choose produces crystal clear audio input and output. The best headsets for online teaching either have a noise cancelling boom mic or a mic input built-into one of the ear muffs.

Avoid headsets with in-line mics, as these tend to produce a lot of noise when the line touches or rubs along your shirt, or accidentally hits your hand while you teach.

Buy a Headset that is Comfortable to Wear

Comfort should be at the top of this list, because this is online work, and you want to feel as comfortable as possible while teaching online. But comfort is relative, and in many cases, true comfort comes at a price. What we are looking for in headsets for online ESL teachers is a balance between comfort and utility.

Most online ESL teachers will find that on-ear or over-the-ear headsets offer more comfort than in-ear headsets. For those who feel discomfort with their ears being covered, a single-sided headset (commonly worn in call centers) will cover just one ear, making it more manageable.

In-ear headsets aren’t the best headsets for online teaching, mainly because many online ESL companies consider them to look unprofessional. In fact, some online ESL companies don’t allow their teachers to wear them. This may change with time, but for now, in-ear headsets are mostly frowned upon in the online ESL industry, and you would be wise to avoid them.

Also keep in mind the size and shape of your head. Seriously. Though one would think headsets are one-size-fits-all, we all have different head sizes and shapes, and some headsets that might feel comfortable to others, may not feel comfortable to you.

Also interesting: The best headphones for students in the classroom.

Choose a Headset that is Affordable

How important is price? Pretty important. Many online ESL teachers go overboard and buy headsets with a price tag north of $100. They might be quality headsets, ideal for high-end audio and gaming purposes, but don’t add much value as far as teaching English online goes. Remember, your online ESL lesson is really not too different from a typical video call. You need to think like a businessperson as an online ESL teacher, and manage your costs.

If you buy a headset that costs $300, that’s a cost of $25 per month over the course of one year, which is just around what you would make from one hour of online ESL teaching. OK, doesn’t sound like much, but then you still have to pay for Internet, a good computer, props, a TEFL certification, and your living expenses. So, unless you’ve got a really good reason to spend more than $100 on a headset to teach online ESL, don’t.

The headsets we recommend for online ESL teachers neatly fit into this price range, and are adequate in terms of audio quality for online ESL lessons.

Should You Go with a Bluetooth Headset?

Bluetooth headsets are gaining popularity among online teachers, as they improve both in terms of audio quality and battery life. While we still recommend most online teachers go with a wired USB headset which are both more affordable and reliable, there’s no denying that our recommendation will change as Bluetooth headsets continue to improve.

Pros

The single greatest advantage of using a Bluetooth headset for online teaching is that you’re not restricted by a cable that you might trip over or pull your computer down with.

Bluetooth headsets are particularly ideal for online teachers who prefer standing while delivering lessons because they allow you to be more flexible and active with your physiology without the constraints of a cable.

Cons

Bluetooth headsets have a serious downside: battery life. While high-end headsets can give you several hours of battery life when in use. If you’re only teaching a few hours a day and don’t mind charging your headset regularly, then a Bluetooth headset might be the way to go.

But if you teach online several hours a day, a Bluetooth headset may start to cause issues as the battery level drops, such as audio dropping or cutting out during a lesson. 

They also are more expensive than wired headsets, and you should expect to invest quite a bit more for a decent quality Bluetooth headset.

Are Apple AirPods Good for Online Teaching?

AirPods have incredible audio quality and noise cancellation, and are clearly designed for comfort. But they are expensive, and thus, not the best headsets for online teaching. Is it really worth spending $150+ for a headset? After all, you won’t get paid a higher hourly rate if you use Apple AirPods. Also, we mentioned earlier that many online ESL companies require their teachers to wear an over-the-ear headset. In this case, it’s best to first confirm whether the company you work for will allow you to wear AirPods while teaching online.

If you plan to invest in AirPods for more than just online teaching, then it might be worth considering. Otherwise, stick to our more affordable recommendations mentioned above.