We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a low-latency gaming headset that also covers consoles, PC and Switch over a USB dongle, choose Generic 2.4GHz; if you need serious active noise cancelling for travel, commuting and music listening, choose The Next Beat Sound.
• Generic 2.4GHz — biggest strength: a true 2.4GHz low-latency dongle connection (under 20 ms) plus a huge platform list and up to 50 hours of battery.
• Generic 2.4GHz — biggest trade-off: it is gaming-first. No active noise cancelling, the mic doesn't work on Switch, and neither mode works with any Xbox console.
• The Next Beat Sound — biggest strength: hybrid active noise cancelling rated to cut ambient noise by up to 37 dB, plus a 3.5 mm AUX jack so it works when the battery is empty.
• The Next Beat Sound — biggest trade-off: no USB dongle, so "low latency gaming mode" still runs over Bluetooth rather than a dedicated 2.4GHz link.
• Buy Generic 2.4GHz if you play on PS5, PS4, PC or Switch and want the fastest wireless link and the longest runtime.
• Buy The Next Beat Sound if you want one pair of over-ear headphones for commuting, flights, calls and music, with noise cancelling doing the heavy lifting.
This is a gaming headset first. The headline feature is the 2.4GHz USB dongle, which the spec sheet describes as an ultra-low-latency connection delivering a seamless experience in under 20 milliseconds. That matters more than it sounds: on a dongle link you're not sharing the crowded Bluetooth band with your phone, your laptop and your neighbour's speaker, so audio and mic stay tight. If you've ever noticed a half-second delay between an in-game explosion and the sound reaching your ears, that's the problem this design is built to remove.
The compatibility list is unusually wide for a budget-priced category. Dongle mode covers Atari 2600 accessories, PS5, PS4, PC, Mac, Switch and laptops. Bluetooth mode covers phones, tablets and iPads. Two caveats are spelled out plainly and you should take them seriously: neither mode works with any Xbox console, Bluetooth doesn't work with the PS4 or PS5 consoles, and the microphone is unavailable on Switch. So if you're a Switch player who wants voice chat, this isn't the one.
On the audio side you get 50 mm dual neodymium drivers with stereo sound, and an EQ toggle between Game Mode and Music Mode — Game Mode pushes the effects forward, Music Mode smooths things out. The mic is omnidirectional with noise-cancelling behaviour and rotates through 120°, so you can park it out of the way. Battery is rated up to 50 hours with RGB off, a voice alert fires below 10%, and a full charge takes about 2.5 hours. The frame is light at 210 g with breathable sponge-and-leather cushions, and the design claims to physically isolate 93.4% of noise — that's passive blocking from the pads, not active cancellation.
Who should buy it: PS5, PS4, PC, Mac or Switch players who want the lowest-latency wireless link available in this class, long sessions without charging, and a boom mic that rotates out of the way. Who should skip it: Xbox owners (it won't connect at all), Switch players who need in-game voice chat, and anyone whose priority is silencing a plane cabin rather than hearing footsteps.
The MX41H is a different animal. It's an over-ear Bluetooth headphone built around hybrid active noise cancelling, which the spec sheet says reduces ambient noise by up to 37 dB. Hybrid means microphones sit both outside and inside the cup, so the system hears the noise around you and the noise that leaks past the seal. In practice that's the kind of design that makes a difference on a train, in an open-plan office, or under the drone of aircraft engines. There's also a Transparency Mode when you need to hear a platform announcement or a barista calling your name.
The tuning credit goes to Tiësto, with 40 mm dynamic drivers and a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range — the standard full-range window, and a sensible target for music, podcasts, calls and gaming alike. For voice, it uses ENC microphones to reduce background noise during calls, video meetings and game chat. That's a different approach from the boom mic on the Generic set: no arm in front of your face, and the trade-off is that a built-in mic array can pick up more of your room than a mic positioned at your mouth.
Battery is 40 hours with a roughly 2-hour recharge over the included USB-C cable, and the design folds for packing. Two details stand out for real-world use. First, there's a 3.5 mm jack and an included AUX cable, so the headphones keep working passively when the battery runs out — genuinely useful on a long flight. Second, it's Bluetooth 6, the newest version listed here, and it carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty versus the 1-year warranty on the Generic model.
Who should buy it: commuters, travellers, remote workers and music listeners who want one pair of over-ear headphones that quietens the world and still handles calls and casual gaming. Who should skip it: competitive players who need a wired-grade 2.4GHz dongle link and a boom mic, and anyone who wants to use these with a console over a USB dongle — there isn't one.
• Lowest latency for competitive gaming → Generic 2.4GHz. The 2.4GHz dongle link is rated under 20 ms; the MX41H relies on Bluetooth with a low-latency gaming mode.
• Best for console gaming → Generic 2.4GHz. Dongle mode covers PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, Mac and laptops. Remember: no Xbox support on either mode.
• Best for travel and commuting → The Next Beat Sound. Hybrid ANC up to 37 dB plus Transparency Mode is built for noisy environments.
• Longest battery per charge → Generic 2.4GHz. Up to 50 hours with RGB off, versus 40 hours on the MX41H.
• Best for music-first listening → The Next Beat Sound. 40 mm dynamic drivers with Tiësto tuning and a full 20 Hz – 20 kHz range.
• Best safety net when the battery dies → The Next Beat Sound. The 3.5 mm jack and included AUX cable let it run passively; the Generic set is wireless only.
• Best for calls in a noisy room → The Next Beat Sound. ENC microphones target background noise; the Generic set uses a rotating boom mic that you position yourself.
• Lightest on the head → Generic 2.4GHz. 210 g with breathable cushions, which matters over a long session.
In my opinion, the deciding question is whether you're buying for a console or for your ears on the move. If you play on PS5, PS4, PC or Switch and want the fastest wireless link, the longest runtime and a mic you can aim, I'd take the Generic 2.4GHz — its 2.4GHz dongle is the whole point of the product. If your day involves trains, planes, open-plan offices and playlists, I'd take The Next Beat Sound: hybrid ANC, a passive AUX fallback and a 2-year warranty make it the better everyday companion. I'd only pick the Generic set for gaming; I'd pick the MX41H for everything that isn't gaming.
No. The spec sheet states clearly that both the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes are not compatible with any Xbox series console. If Xbox is your main platform, neither mode on this headset will work for you.
It connects over Bluetooth or the 3.5 mm AUX cable, which covers phones, tablets and computers, and the AUX cable will plug into a console controller's headphone jack. There's no USB dongle, so you won't get the dedicated 2.4GHz low-latency link the Generic headset offers.
They solve noise in different ways. The Next Beat Sound uses hybrid active noise cancelling rated to reduce ambient noise by up to 37 dB. The Generic headset has no ANC; its 93.4% figure refers to passive physical isolation from the ear cushions, which only blocks what the seal covers.
I'd lean toward The Next Beat Sound. The 40 mm dynamic drivers, Tiësto tuning, hybrid ANC and the foldable, travel-friendly design are all aimed at listeners. The Generic headset's Game Mode and boom mic are clearly aimed at players instead.
Yes — I don't quote prices here because they change often. Use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the current figure for whichever model you're leaning toward before you commit.
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