Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK is my pick for a closed back headset with mic for Zoom calls, thanks to its detachable boom mic and two cable options.
AKG is the runner-up if you prefer an inline mic and a fold-flat design for carrying.
• Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK — best for long gaming sessions and video calls; pick this if you want a lightweight design, detachable boom mic, and PC or console cable options.
• Audio-Technica ATH-GL3WH — best for a white wired setup; pick this if you want the same practical boom-mic and cable features in a different color.
• AKG K551WHT — best for listening and calls on the go; pick this if you want an inline mic and a fold-flat design.
• MAONO MH501 — best for studio-style listening and monitoring; pick this if you need 50 mm drivers and a cable that includes a 6.35 mm adapter.
The ATH-GL3BK is a wired, closed-back over-ear headset built around a detachable boom microphone. I recommend it for someone who wants one headset for gaming and Zoom calls, with a mic positioned near the mouth rather than built into the cable. Its directional pickup is intended to focus on the speaker, while the closed-back design helps reduce outside sound reaching the ears.
Its 45 mm drivers cover a stated frequency range of 10 to 35,000 Hz. For everyday use, that gives you a broad audio specification for game sound, calls, and other listening; it does not, by itself, guarantee a particular sound preference. The headset weighs less than 230 grams, a useful design point for people who expect to wear it for extended sessions. The earcups have a volume dial and mute switch, so you can adjust sound or mute the mic without reaching for a computer menu.
A practical strength is the pair of detachable cables. The 3.0 m cable separates the headphone and microphone plugs for PC connections, while the 1.2 m cable uses a four-pole 3.5 mm plug for compatible gaming consoles and other devices. The earpads and headpad can also be removed for replacement, which gives the headset a maintenance option beyond the original fit.
The main trade-off is that this is a wired headset, not a wireless one. You also need to choose the cable that fits your device and setup. For a desk-based call routine, I think the mic placement, on-ear controls, and cable choices make it the most flexible pick here.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-10 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The ATH-GL3WH shares the core design of the black GL3: a closed-back wired headset with 45 mm drivers, a detachable boom microphone, and separate cable options for PC and compatible gaming devices. It makes sense for someone who wants those features but prefers a white headset for their setup. In daily use, the boom can be positioned near the mouth for calls, then detached when you want to listen without it.
The supplied 3.0 m PC cable has separate headphone and microphone plugs. The shorter 1.2 m cable uses a four-pole 3.5 mm connector. That distinction matters if you move between a desktop with separate ports and a compatible device with a combined headset jack. The headset also puts its volume control and mic mute switch on the left earcup, keeping those adjustments within reach.
At 228 g in the listed product information, it is close in weight to the black model, and the published feature details describe both as weighing less than 230 g. Its closed-back design is intended to isolate listening from surrounding sound. That can be helpful when you need to concentrate during a call, though it does not amount to active noise cancellation.
The main limitation is the same as with the black version: it is wired, and its cable setup may require choosing the right lead for your device. The available specifications do not establish a sound-quality advantage over the ATH-GL3BK. I would choose between the two mainly by color and setup preference, rather than expecting a meaningful feature difference.
The AKG K551WHT is a closed-back wired headset with an inline microphone, rather than a boom mic attached to an earcup. Its 50 mm drivers and design focus on a spacious listening presentation make it a plausible fit for music, video, and calls. I’d consider it if you want a headset that can handle phone conversations as well as regular listening, and you value a fold-flat design for storage.
The inline mic sits along the cable, so it does not provide the same near-mouth placement as the Audio-Technica boom mics. That is a real difference for Zoom calls: the K551WHT keeps the headset profile simpler, but the mic position is less adjustable. Its closed-back construction is described as limiting outside noise entering and sound leaking out, which may suit shared rooms or public listening better than an open design.
The 2D fold-flat mechanism is useful when you need to pack or store the headset without leaving the earcups extended. The stated impedance is 32 ohms, and the connection is a wired 3.5 mm jack. Those details suit a straightforward wired setup, though the sheet does not specify alternate cables or an included adapter. The published product information gives a weight of 2.5 pounds, which is a notable consideration if you are comparing it with lighter headsets for long calls.
MAONO MH501
The MAONO MH501 is a wired, closed-back over-ear studio-monitor style headphone with 50 mm drivers. Its listed uses include recording, streaming, DJ mixing, and instrument monitoring, so it is aimed at people who want a listening tool for more than casual calls. The ear pads are described as soft, and the closed-back construction is intended to reduce some background noise.
For a desk setup, the cable and included adapter are important details. The MH501 has a non-detachable 9.8 ft cable with a 3.5 mm jack, plus a 6.35 mm adapter. That combination may fit equipment with either connection, but the long cable can be inconvenient if you prefer a tidy mobile setup. Because the cable is non-detachable, replacing or changing it is not as straightforward as with the two Audio-Technica models.
The 50 mm drivers and stated 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range give the MH501 a broad listening specification, while its wired design avoids the need to manage a wireless connection. A foldable design is also listed, which can help with storage. The listed weight is 0.6 kg, so I would weigh that against your plans if you expect to wear it through long blocks of calls.
The central limitation for Zoom use is that the product details do not list a built-in microphone. That makes it a poor match if you want a single headset that handles both listening and speaking without adding another mic. I see it as the most relevant option here for monitoring and wired listening, but not as my call-focused pick.
How We Picked
I compared the published specifications and features, focusing on mic design, wired connections, comfort-related details, and closed-back construction for calls and everyday listening.
The ranking is my independent editorial opinion based on those differences. No brand paid for placement.
Both Audio-Technica ATH-GL3 models have a detachable boom microphone. The ATH-GL3BK and ATH-GL3WH also have an earcup volume dial and mic mute switch.
Yes. It has an inline microphone on the cable, rather than a boom mic. That may suit straightforward calls, but it does not offer the same mic positioning as a boom.
The listed MH501 details describe headphones with a non-detachable cable and adapters, but do not list a microphone. I would not choose it as a one-piece headset for calls unless you plan to use a separate mic.
No. A closed-back wired headset with a mic is a different kind of product from searches for “ipx7 waterproof sleep headphones for zoom calls,” an “anc kids headset for zoom calls,” or “best with mic bone conduction headphones for zoom calls.” Those phrases point to waterproof sleep, child-focused noise cancellation, or bone-conduction designs, which are not features listed for these four models.
For Zoom calls, I recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK: its detachable directional boom mic, earcup mute control, and two cable options make it the most call-ready choice in this group.
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