How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired headset that plugs into nearly any controller or phone and isolates noise through a snug over-ear fit, choose Anivia Gaming Headset Noise; if you need a USB-only PC headset with virtual 7.1 surround and a detachable mic, choose hp USB PC Gaming. That's the short version. The longer version comes down to one thing most buyers overlook: how you'll actually connect the thing, and how much you care about positional audio versus plug-and-play flexibility.
• Anivia's biggest trade-off: The mic is fixed to the headset and its inline control is volume-only; there's no detachable mic, no USB, and no virtual surround processing.
• hp's biggest strength: Virtual 7.1 surround through 50mm drivers plus RGB lighting and a detachable noise-isolating mic, all over a single USB connection.
• hp's biggest trade-off: USB-only means it will not work with a standard console controller or phone; you need a PC, laptop, PS4, or Mac with a USB port.
• Choose Anivia if you game across multiple devices and want one headset that just plugs in and works.
• Choose hp if you're a PC-first gamer who wants surround sound cues and a mic you can remove for solo sessions.
The Anivia AH28plus is built around one idea: get out of the player's way. It uses a 50mm dynamic driver with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 32-ohm impedance, and 115dB sensitivity, which is an easy load for almost any source — a phone, a controller, a laptop headphone jack. The spec sheet calls out "Sound Isolation" as the noise control method rather than active cancellation, and that's the honest way to read it. The isolation here comes from the over-ear enclosure, the breathable ear pads, and the seal they create around your ears. That blocks a meaningful chunk of ambient room noise, but it won't erase a droning air conditioner or a loud TV in the next room.
Comfort is clearly the design priority. Anivia describes a retractable, adjustable headband and a super-lightweight build intended for long sessions, with the claim that the fit suits men, women, and teenagers. Take the marketing with a grain of salt, but the adjustable band plus over-ear pads is a genuinely flexible combination for different head sizes. The mic is omnidirectional with -38dB sensitivity and 2.2kΩ impedance, and there's a flip switch to mute it when you'd rather play solo. The inline control is volume only.
Who should buy it: the multi-device gamer. If you split time between a PS4, an Xbox controller, a Switch in handheld mode, and a PC, this is the headset that follows you across all of them. The included 1-to-2 splitter handles the PC mic/headphone separation, and it's plug-and-play with no drivers.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants virtual surround processing, RGB, or a removable mic. If you're PC-only and want simulated 7.1, this isn't the tool for that job.
The HP HP5GS takes the opposite approach: it commits fully to the PC. Connection is USB only — no 3.5mm jack at all — which means it's designed for desktops, laptops, PS4, and Mac rather than controllers or phones. In exchange, you get features the Anivia simply doesn't offer.
The headline is virtual 7.1 surround sound. HP pairs 50mm dynamic drivers with "advanced audio technology" to simulate directional audio, and the practical benefit is being able to place where footsteps, gunfire, or environmental cues are coming from. Whether simulated surround beats a good stereo mix is a long-running debate among gamers, but for players who like that widened sense of space, it's the reason to pick this one. The specs: 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, 16Ω impedance, and 117dB sensitivity — again, an easy load, though USB means the headset is doing its own conversion.
The mic is detachable and flexible, which is genuinely useful. Detach it for single-player campaigns or music, reattach it for voice chat. HP calls it noise-isolating and omnidirectional with a 10Hz–10kHz range. The inline controller handles volume, mic mute, and LED on/off — so you can kill the RGB without unplugging anything. Speaking of which: RGB lighting on the earcups and mic is a real feature here, not a gimmick, if you care about matching your setup's aesthetic. The headset weighs 380g and measures 220 x 220 x 95mm, with a 2.2m cable and a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Comfort-wise, HP uses a self-adjusting padded headband and full over-ear cups with memory foam and a protein cushion coat. The ear cups are described as breathable for long wear.
Who should buy it: the PC-first gamer who wants surround cues, a removable mic, and lighting in one USB package. Who should skip it: anyone gaming primarily on a console controller, phone, or tablet — there's no analog connection, so it won't work there at all.
• Best for multi-platform gaming → Anivia Gaming Headset Noise. The 3.5mm 4-pin jack plus splitter covers PC, PS4, Xbox controllers, Switch, and 3DS (audio only on the last two).
• Best for PC-only surround sound → hp USB PC Gaming. Virtual 7.1 through 50mm drivers gives directional audio cues that the Anivia doesn't process.
• Best for a removable mic → hp USB PC Gaming. Detach it for solo play; the Anivia's mic is fixed with a flip-to-mute switch only.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → Anivia Gaming Headset Noise. No drivers, no USB dependency; plug into whatever jack you have.
• Best for RGB and visual flair → hp USB PC Gaming. Lit earcups and mic, with inline LED on/off.
• Best for console controller use → Anivia Gaming Headset Noise. The hp's USB-only design rules it out here.
• Best for adjustable fit across head sizes → Anivia Gaming Headset Noise. The retractable band is explicitly designed to fit a wide range of wearers.
• Best for a warranty-backed PC purchase → hp USB PC Gaming. It carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
If I were buying for myself and my setup was a single gaming PC, I'd take the hp USB PC Gaming. Virtual 7.1, a detachable mic, RGB, and a proper inline controller make it the more feature-complete desktop companion, and the 1-year warranty is reassurance. But if my gaming life spans a console, a Switch, and a laptop — or I just want one headset that works everywhere with zero fuss — I'd pick the Anivia Gaming Headset Noise without hesitation. The 3.5mm flexibility is the deciding factor, and the lightweight adjustable design suits long sessions. Match the headset to your connection reality and you won't regret either.
FAQ
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise isolation is a passive approach: the headset's over-ear cups and padding physically block ambient sound by sealing around your ears. Both headsets here list "Sound Isolation" as their noise control method. It reduces background noise but doesn't actively cancel it the way ANC does.
Active noise cancellation isn't listed on either of these headsets — both use passive sound isolation instead. For gaming, passive isolation is often preferred because it avoids the audio processing and battery overhead that ANC can introduce. Both the Anivia and the HP rely on their over-ear seal to cut room noise.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
Neither of these is a noise-cancelling headset; both are noise-isolating over-ear models. Between the two, the HP USB PC Gaming leans harder into the gaming feature set with virtual 7.1 surround and a detachable noise-isolating mic, while the Anivia focuses on multi-platform flexibility and lightweight comfort. "Best" depends on your connection needs.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes, noise-cancelling gaming headsets exist on the market, but these two are not among them — they use passive sound isolation. If isolation is your priority, the over-ear enclosure on both the Anivia and the HP will block some ambient noise. For true active cancellation, you'd need to look at a different category of headset entirely.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: seenda JCH-01 vs 1Mii SafeFly Pro Airplane, Fenpos Bone Conduction Headphones vs UZKO Open Ear Headphones, Renmou Sport vs Kncfoeb AI True Open, noot products K33 vs Sony WH-CH520: Headphones for Teens