How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a plug-and-play USB headset with virtual 7.1 surround, a boom mic you can detach, and RGB lighting for your desk setup, choose hp USB PC Gaming; if you need lightweight in-ear buds that lock into your ears during workouts and travel, choose LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds.
• hp USB PC Gaming — biggest strength: a full over-ear gaming package: 50 mm drivers, virtual 7.1 surround, a detachable noise-isolating boom mic, and in-line volume/mic/LED controls over a 2.2 m USB cable.
• hp USB PC Gaming — biggest trade-off: it's a wired USB-only over-ear headset at 380 g, so it's tethered to a PC or laptop and not something you'd wear on a run.
• LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds — biggest strength: sweat-resistant in-ear fit with roughly 90 percent ambient noise blocked, a 10 mm dynamic driver, and a detachable silver-plated MMCX cable you can swap out.
• LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds — biggest trade-off: it's a 3.5 mm analog set with no microphone and no inline controls, so chat and volume live on your device, not the cable.
• Pick hp USB PC Gaming if you game at a desk and want one cable to handle sound, mic and controls.
• Pick LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds if you want something small and secure for gaming, music, sport and travel with your own 3.5 mm gear.
The HP USB PC Gaming headset is built around the desk. It connects over USB to PCs and laptops, and everything you need for a session is on the cable: an in-line controller for volume, microphone on/off and LED on/off. The 50 mm dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range, and the set supports virtual 7.1 surround, which is the feature that matters most in shooters — directional cues like footsteps, gunfire and environmental indicators come through as a sense of where things are happening around you, not just in front. The mic is a long, flexible, omnidirectional boom that runs 10 Hz to 10 kHz, and it detaches completely when you'd rather just listen. There's also RGB lighting on the earcups and mic if you like your setup to glow.
Buy it if you game at a PC or laptop, want a mic and volume control on the cable, and like the idea of surround sound and lighting in one unit. Skip it if you need something for the gym, if you want to plug into a phone or a 3.5 mm console controller, or if you prefer earbuds to over-ears. It's USB-only by design, so the source device has to match.
LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds: Who It's For
The LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds go the opposite direction: small, light and made to stay put. The ergonomic in-ear design is shaped to lock into your ear canal, and the lightweight resin shell plus noise-isolating silicone tips are the reason they hold during sweat, movement and stage use. The stated noise reduction is around 90 percent of ambient sound, which is passive isolation rather than electronics — the seal does the work. That's the same trait that makes them useful on a plane, on a train, or in a noisy room where you want to hear your game and nothing else.
Inside is a 10 mm dynamic driver, and the cable is a detachable silver-plated MMCX design with eight-strand braids, terminated in a gold-plated MMCX connector. That matters more than it sounds: MMCX is a standard mount, so the buds are compatible with major upgrade cables and Bluetooth ear-hook modules if you ever want to go wireless later. The shell is a frosted transparent white, which the design notes call out for hiding internal assembly marks and resisting the yellowing that fully clear shells tend to show over time. Connectivity is a plain 3.5 mm jack — no Bluetooth, no battery, no charging to think about.
Buy them if you want compact in-ears for gaming, music, video, sport and travel, and you already own something with a 3.5 mm port: laptops, desktop PCs, MP3 players and select audio gear. Skip them if you need a microphone for voice chat, if you want inline volume or mute controls, or if your only source is USB-C or USB-A with no headphone jack. There's a 30-day return guarantee behind them.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for desk gaming with voice chat → hp USB PC Gaming. It's the only one of the two with a microphone, and it's detachable with an omnidirectional pickup.
• Best for workouts, running and stage use → LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds. The in-ear lock and sweat-friendly silicone tips are designed for exactly that; a 380 g over-ear headset is not.
• Best for noise blocking → LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds. Around 90 percent of ambient noise is cut passively by the seal, versus sound isolation on the HP.
• Best for travel and flights → LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds. No battery, no Bluetooth pairing, small enough to pocket.
• Best for long sessions at a desk → hp USB PC Gaming. Memory foam cups, a self-adjusting padded headband and breathable ear cups are built for hours of wear.
• Best for upgradability → LiiUoDo Gaming Earbuds. The MMCX connector accepts replacement cables and Bluetooth ear-hook modules.
• Best for plug-and-forget simplicity → hp USB PC Gaming. One USB cable carries audio, mic and controls, with volume, mic mute and LED switching right on the line.
In my opinion, the hp USB PC Gaming headset is the one I'd buy if gaming at a desk is the main job, because it solves the whole problem in one purchase: sound, a detachable mic for voice chat, on-cable controls and virtual 7.1 in a single USB connection. The LiiUoDo buds are the better choice for a very different buyer — someone who wants compact, secure, noise-isolating in-ears for gaming, music and sport, and who doesn't need a mic. If you fit both descriptions, buy the HP for the desk and the LiiUoDo for everywhere else.
FAQ
No. The specs list a 3.5 mm jack and passive noise cancellation, with no microphone and no inline controls. You'd rely on your laptop, controller or a separate mic for voice chat.
The LiiUoDo buds claim around 90 percent ambient noise reduction through their silicone seal, which is passive isolation. The HP headset is described as noise isolating with sound isolation control, so it reduces background noise but the in-ear seal is generally the more aggressive of the two.
They serve different jobs, so value depends on your setup. If you need a mic and surround sound for PC gaming, the HP covers more of your needs in one unit. If you want portable in-ears for gaming, music and sport, the LiiUoDo fits that role. Check the current price on Amazon for both before deciding.
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