How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a kid-safe, plug-and-play headset that doubles as a computer headphone with mic for school and everyday listening, choose iJoy Headphones; if you need a dedicated desktop microphone that captures your voice clearly for streaming, podcasting or gaming chat, choose MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone.
• iJoy Headphones biggest strength: a built-in 85dB volume limiter (adjustable up to 94dB) plus cushioned over-ear pads and a 3.5mm jack that works with almost anything.
• iJoy Headphones biggest trade-off: cable-only, no USB, and it's built around hearing protection for kids rather than pro-grade voice capture.
• MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone biggest strength: noise reduction, real-time latency-free headphone monitoring, a gain knob, quick mute and dynamic RGB.
• MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone biggest trade-off: it's a desktop microphone on a stand, not a wearable headset — it needs a flat surface and a USB port.
• Pick iJoy Headphones if you want one wearable device for listening and talking on a PC, phone or tablet.
• Pick MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone if your priority is broadcast-quality voice for streaming, recording or Discord.
The iJoy headset is, at heart, a listening device with a microphone built in. Its defining feature is the 85dB volume limiter, which you can raise to 94dB for noisier settings. That's a deliberate design choice: it protects young, sensitive ears by capping how loud things can get, while still letting a child hear clearly. The over-ear design uses cushioned ear pads, so long school sessions or a movie marathon won't turn into an earache. The headband adjusts for fit, and the frame is described as flexible enough to survive the kind of handling kids put things through.
For connectivity, you get a 3.5mm jack and a wired cable. That's it — and in this case, that's the point. A 3.5mm plug works with most smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, gaming devices, smart TVs and MacBooks, so there's no pairing, no charging and no driver fuss. The audio driver is a dynamic driver with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range, which covers the full span of normal listening. There's also active noise cancellation and push-button media controls, and the colorway is a bold pink (with blue also offered in the line).
So who should buy it? Parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone buying for a kid or young teen who needs a computer headphone with mic for remote classes, video calls or casual music. It's also a reasonable pick for an adult who just wants a cheap-feeling-but-durable wired headset for calls.
MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone: Who It's For
This is a completely different animal. The MRSDY is a desktop condenser microphone, not a headset. It's a unidirectional mic with a 20kHz frequency response, 130dB sensitivity and a 78dB signal-to-noise ratio, housed in plastic and metal and standing 3.54 x 3.54 x 6.3 inches. It connects over USB Type-A with an included 2-meter cable and is plug-and-play — no drivers or software.
The feature list is where it earns its keep. A dedicated noise reduction button cuts background clutter like typing, clicking and outdoor noise. A large volume/gain knob makes the mic more sensitive so your voice carries well during gaming, streaming or calls. The bottom-mounted quick-mute button is within easy reach, and the RGB turns solid green when muted so you always know your state. Best of all for anyone who hates hearing themselves late: the 3.5mm stereo headphone output gives you direct, latency-free real-time monitoring, and it supports both 3-pole TRS and 4-pole TRRS headphones. The RGB lighting cycles through color modes on its own, and you can switch it off entirely.
Who should buy it? Streamers, podcasters, YouTubers, Discord regulars and remote workers who sit at a desk and want their voice to sound clean and present. It's also listed as compatible with PC, laptop, PS4, PS5, Mac and desktop computers, so console and console-adjacent setups work too.
Who should skip it? Anyone who needs to move around while talking, anyone without a spare USB port, and anyone who wants one device for both listening and speaking. Remember: this is a mic. It doesn't play audio to your ears — it feeds audio to whatever headphones you plug into its monitoring jack. If you don't own a separate pair of headphones, factor that in.
• Best for hearing protection → iJoy Headphones. The 85dB limiter (up to 94dB) is the whole reason this product exists.
• Best for voice quality and streaming → MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone. Noise reduction, gain control and real-time monitoring are built for creators.
• Best for a child or young teen → iJoy Headphones. Cushioned over-ear pads, adjustable headband and a flexible frame suit smaller, rougher users.
• Best for desk-based work and recording → MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone. A unidirectional desktop mic with a quick-mute button and RGB status is made to sit still.
• Best for universal connectivity → iJoy Headphones. The 3.5mm jack works with phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, smart TVs and MacBooks.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone. One USB cable, no drivers, no setup.
• Best for one device that does listening and talking → iJoy Headphones. The MRSDY only handles the talking half unless you add your own headphones.
• Best for monitoring your own voice → MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone. Latency-free 3.5mm monitoring is something the iJoy simply doesn't offer.
In my opinion, these two aren't really competitors — they solve different problems. If I were buying for a kid, a student, or anyone who needs a single wearable computer headphone with mic for classes and calls, I'd pick the iJoy Headphones without hesitation. The volume limiter, cushioned fit and 3.5mm universality are exactly what that job needs. But if I were setting up a desk for streaming, podcasting or serious voice chat, I'd buy the MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone and pair it with my own headphones. It's the better tool for voice, full stop. Buy the iJoy to protect ears and simplify; buy the MRSDY to sound good on the mic.
FAQ
how to use headphones with mic on pc without splitter
how to use headphones with mic on pc
Connect the 3.5mm plug to your PC's audio jack (or combo jack), then select the headset as both your output and input device in your operating system's sound settings. The iJoy uses push-button media controls on the cable, so no software is required. Test the mic in your app's audio settings before a call.
how to get headphones with mic to work on pc
Start by checking the physical connection — a fully seated 3.5mm plug is the most common fix. Then open your sound settings and confirm the headset is set as the default playback and recording device. If your PC only has separate mic and headphone ports, a splitter is usually the missing piece.
what is the best computer headset with microphone
That depends on who's wearing it. For a child, I'd recommend the iJoy Headphones because of its 85dB limiter and cushioned over-ear design. For an adult who wants clear voice for streaming or recording, I'd recommend the MRSDY USB Gaming Microphone paired with separate headphones instead.
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