For headset spacers 1 1 8 and calls, I recommend the Razer Kraken Pro V2 for its retractable mic, in-line remote, and over-ear design. Amazon Basics is the simpler wired runner-up, with on-ear cups and a 3.5 mm connection.
• Razer Kraken Pro V2 — best for gaming and calls; pick this if you want an over-ear headset with a retractable microphone and in-line remote.
• Amazon Basics Ear — best for straightforward wired computer use; pick this if you prefer an on-ear design with a 3.5 mm connection.
• Mad Catz Tritton ARK 100 — best for console gaming with adjustable sound; pick this if its three EQ modes and folding boom mic suit your setup.
• weishan A40 — best for replacing an Astro A40 microphone; pick this if you already own a compatible A40 or A40 TR headset.
The Razer Kraken Pro V2 is a wired, over-ear gaming headset with 50 mm drivers, a retractable microphone, and an in-line remote. Its listed compatibility includes PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. For someone looking for a gaming headset for calls as well as play, that combination makes it the most complete all-in-one choice in this group.
The oval ear cushions are designed to cover the ears, while the lightweight, flexible aluminum headband is intended to balance durability and comfort. Those details matter if a headset will stay on through a long gaming session or a stretch of work calls. The 1.3-metre cable also comes with a 2-metre microphone splitter adapter cable, which gives the setup more flexibility when connecting to compatible equipment.
The retractable mic is a practical feature for switching between voice chat and listening without a boom sitting in front of your face all the time. Its in-line remote adds an accessible control point on the cable. The 50 mm drivers are tuned for a fuller gaming presentation, with a stated frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
The trade-off is that this is a wired, over-ear gaming headset, not a small, lightweight call-only earpiece. Its microphone and controls are useful for communication, but the product is designed around gaming as well as voice. In my opinion, it is the strongest pick here for someone who wants one headset for calls and gaming, rather than a microphone replacement or a basic computer headset.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-11 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The Amazon Basics wired computer headset is an on-ear option with a 3.5 mm connection, 32 mm dynamic drivers, and a stated frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It is a more straightforward fit for someone who wants a simple wired headset for computer use rather than a feature-rich gaming model.
Its on-ear design differs from the Razer’s over-ear cushions. That distinction can matter in everyday wear: the headset rests on the ears instead of surrounding them. The listed features also include passive noise cancellation, media control, and an adjustable microphone. The data identifies a 3.5 mm jack and wired connectivity, so it avoids reliance on a wireless connection.
For calls, the adjustable microphone is the most relevant feature. The basic layout suits someone who wants a headset for routine voice communication and general computer audio without gaming-specific extras. Its 32 mm drivers are smaller than the Razer’s 50 mm drivers, but driver size alone does not establish how a headset will sound in every setting.
The main trade-off is that the available specifications provide less detail about its microphone and comfort features than the Razer’s. It is also an on-ear headset, which may not be the preferred style for listeners who want full-ear coverage. I’d consider it when simple wired computer use matters more than gaming features or an over-ear fit.
The Mad Catz Tritton ARK 100 is a wired, over-ear gaming headset listed for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Its features include a folding, unidirectional boom microphone, three EQ modes, volume control, and motion-dynamic RGB lighting. That makes it a more gaming-focused alternative for someone who wants sound modes and a dedicated mic boom.
The three EQ modes let the listener switch among audio profiles, though the available product details do not specify what each mode changes. The folding microphone can be moved out of the way when it is not needed, and its unidirectional design is intended to pick up speech from a particular direction. Those features make the ARK 100 relevant to multiplayer chat as well as game audio.
Mad Catz describes a headband design intended for comfort and notes compatibility with popular VR platforms such as PlayStation VR and Gear VR. The listing also highlights a multi-speaker configuration and RGB lighting. For a shopper whose setup centers on console gaming or VR, those details may be more appealing than the simpler computer-focused approach of the Amazon Basics headset.
The trade-off is that the ARK 100 is a gaming headset with visual and audio features that may be unnecessary for ordinary calls. Its listed noise control is none, and the product information does not give a driver size or detailed microphone specifications. In my opinion, it makes more sense for someone who values its gaming-oriented controls and design than for someone seeking a dedicated everyday call headset.
The weishan A40 is not a complete headset. It is a replacement boom microphone designed for Astro A40 and A40 TR gaming headsets, with listed compatibility for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac, and phone use. That makes it a focused repair or replacement option for an owner whose compatible headset is missing a mic or has a damaged one.
The boom is detachable and bendable, so its position can be adjusted closer to the mouth. The product details describe a 3.5 mm plug, a unidirectional pickup pattern, and a foam cover. Those features support its intended role in voice communication, but they do not turn it into a standalone headset: you need a compatible A40 or A40 TR headset for it to be useful.
A flexible boom can help position the microphone for calls or gaming chat, while the foam cover sits over the mic. The listed length is about 18 centimetres. Compatibility is the key question here, not driver size or ear-cup comfort, because this is a microphone accessory rather than a pair of headphones.
Its biggest limitation is also clear: it is only a fit for the specified Astro headset families, and it does not provide speakers or a complete listening setup. I’d choose it only when replacing the microphone on a compatible headset. For shoppers comparing complete headsets, the Razer, Amazon Basics, and Mad Catz options are the relevant choices.
How We Picked
The order reflects our independent editorial opinion about how well each product suits those needs.
No brand paid for placement.
Check that you are comparing the kind of product you actually need: a complete headset or a replacement microphone. For calls, microphone placement, connection type, and headset fit are useful points to compare.
The Razer Kraken Pro V2, Amazon Basics wired computer headset, and Mad Catz Tritton ARK 100 are headsets. The weishan A40 is a replacement microphone intended for compatible Astro A40 and A40 TR headsets.
No. It is a microphone accessory, not a complete headset. It is designed to connect to compatible Astro A40 or A40 TR headsets.
The provided specifications describe gaming and computer headsets, plus a replacement microphone; they do not identify any of them as sleep headphones. For a call headset, I’d choose based on microphone position, fit, and the connection your device supports.
My recommendation for calls is the Razer Kraken Pro V2: it combines an over-ear fit, a retractable microphone, and an in-line remote in one wired headset. Choose the Amazon Basics model for a simpler on-ear computer option, or the weishan A40 only if you need a replacement mic for a compatible Astro headset.
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