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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
These two products get compared a lot because they both promise the same thing on paper: gaming audio with a volume control. But they solve that problem from opposite directions. One is a microphone cable that upgrades hardware you already own. The other is a finished headset that comes out of the box ready to plug in. Knowing which camp you're in decides this for you.
• ABLET's biggest strength: it's a 3.5mm male-to-male boom mic cable with rotary volume control and a mute switch, so it converts headphones you already own into a working gaming headset.
• ABLET's biggest trade-off: it isn't a headset. If you don't already own a compatible 3.5mm headphone with an input port, this alone won't give you anything to listen through.
• Kikc PS4's biggest strength: a complete wired over-ear headset with a built-in boom mic, a remote volume control and a 3.5mm plug that works across PS5, PS4, newer Xbox One, PC, laptop, iPad and mobile.
• Kikc PS4's biggest trade-off: the fit and sound are fixed. You get the headset as designed, and older Xbox One controllers need a separate Microsoft adapter that isn't included.
• Pick ABLET if you own a good pair of 3.5mm headphones and want to add a mic plus in-line volume control.
• Pick Kikc PS4 if you want one box, one plug, and a complete headset for console, PC or mobile gaming.
The ABLET Cable Boom Microphone is a cord replacement, and that's the whole point. It's a 3.5mm male-to-3.5mm male audio cable with a detachable boom microphone built onto it. On that same cable you get rotary volume control and a mute switch — the two things people actually reach for mid-match. The SteelFlex arm is there so you can position the mic where you want it instead of wherever gravity drops it.
Where this really shines is the headphone end. It's built to fit V-MODA models like the Crossfade M-100, LP, LP2, M-80 and V-80, and it also works with most headphones that have a 3.5mm input port, including Beats Solo, Studio and Mixr. If you already own a pair of headphones you like, this is the cheapest way to stop juggling a separate desktop mic. On the device side it covers PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S controllers, PC, laptop, iPhone and Android phones. A dual 3.5mm Y-adapter is included for devices that split mic and headphone into separate jacks, which is a genuinely useful extra for desktop setups.
Who should skip it? Anyone without a compatible 3.5mm headphone. This is a cable and a mic, not a listening device. Also skip it if you want zero setup — you'll be plugging into an existing headphone, and you'll want to check that your headphone's input port matches. The mic itself is omnidirectional with a 2200 ohm impedance and a frequency response up to 20 KHz, so it's a general-purpose voice mic for gaming, calls, VoIP and podcasting rather than a studio instrument mic. The cable runs about 4 ft / 1.2 m, which is fine at a desk or on a couch but worth knowing if you like to roam.
The Kikc PS4 is the opposite approach: a finished, wired, over-ear gaming headset. You get the headphones, the boom mic and the volume control in one package, and it's plug-and-play with a standard 3.5mm jack. It's aimed at PS5, PS4, newer Xbox One, PC, laptop, iPad, computer and mobile devices, and the listing walks through the exact PS4 menu steps to route all audio to the headset — a nice touch if you've ever stared at a console settings screen wondering why you can hear nothing.
The hardware side is straightforward. It uses a 32 ohm impedance dynamic driver with a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range, which is the standard full-range window you'd expect from a gaming headset. The enclosure is metal, the ear placement is over-ear with over-the-ear cushions, and the model is listed with kids in mind — the soft earmuffs and lower weight matter if a younger player is wearing it for a long session. Sound isolation is part of the design, and volume is handled by a wired remote control rather than buttons on the cups.
Two honest caveats. First, if you're on an older Xbox One controller without a 3.5mm port, you'll need a Microsoft adapter, and it's not in the box. Second, this is a fixed headset — you can't swap in your own headphones, and the mic isn't detachable. The upside is that everything is matched out of the box, and Kikc backs it with a two-year after-sales service statement. That's a real consideration if you're buying for a kid who is hard on gear.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a first headset or a gift → Kikc PS4. One box, one plug, nothing else to buy.
• Best for kids and long wear sessions → Kikc PS4. Over-ear soft earmuffs and a lighter, self-contained design.
• Best for multi-device desk setups → ABLET Cable Boom Microphone. The included dual 3.5mm Y-adapter covers PCs with separate mic and headphone jacks.
• Best for console + mobile flexibility → Kikc PS4. It's listed across PS5, PS4, newer Xbox One, PC, laptop, iPad and mobile with plug-and-play setup.
• Best for mic positioning control → ABLET Cable Boom Microphone. The SteelFlex arm plus detachable boom lets you aim the mic precisely.
• Best for headphone brand compatibility → ABLET Cable Boom Microphone. It's explicitly built around V-MODA and most 3.5mm-input headphones, including Beats.
• Best for a matched, no-guesswork setup → Kikc PS4. Driver, cushions, mic and remote control are designed to work together.
• Best for warranty coverage → Kikc PS4. It carries a two-year after-sales service statement; ABLET's listing doesn't make that claim.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you already own headphones you like? If yes, I'd buy the ABLET Cable Boom Microphone. It gives you the boom mic, the mute switch and the rotary volume control you actually use in a match, and it does it without throwing away headphones you already trust. If you don't own a suitable pair — or you're buying for a kid, or you just want to unbox something and play — I'd buy the Kikc PS4. It's self-contained, kid-friendly, over-ear, and it covers the consoles and platforms most people actually play on. Neither is a compromise; they're just aimed at different starting points.
FAQ
No. It's a 3.5mm male-to-male cable with a detachable boom mic, rotary volume control and a mute switch. You plug it into headphones you already own that have a 3.5mm input port.
It's designed for V-MODA models like the Crossfade M-100, LP, LP2, M-80 and V-80, and it also fits most headphones with a 3.5mm input port, including Beats Solo, Studio and Mixr. Check your headphone's port before buying.
On a newer Xbox One controller with a 3.5mm port, no. On an older Xbox One controller, yes — you'll need a Microsoft adapter, which isn't included. PS5, PS4, PS one S and Xbox One X connect directly.
Both offer it, just in different places. ABLET puts a rotary volume dial and mute switch directly on the cable. Kikc PS4 uses a wired remote control on the headset cable. In my opinion, ABLET's on-cable mute switch is the handier of the two for quick mid-game muting.
Both listings change over time, so use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the current figure before you decide.
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