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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple, budget-minded corded USB-A headset you can plug in and forget about, choose MKJ USB Headset; if you need the widest frequency range, Chromebook certification and EPOS Connect software control for a more polished UC experience, choose EPOS C1.
• MKJ USB Headset – biggest strength: True plug-and-play USB-A simplicity with a noise-cancelling boom mic, in-line volume control and a lightweight on-ear build (3.53 oz) that suits high-volume calling.
• MKJ USB Headset – biggest trade-off: Its stated frequency range tops out around 7 kHz, so music and media will sound narrow compared with a full-range headset; it's a voice-first tool, not an all-rounder.
• EPOS C1 – biggest strength: A 20 Hz–20,000 Hz dynamic driver, 110 dB sensitivity, Chromebook certification and EPOS Connect support for firmware updates, audio personalisation and hearing-protection controls.
• EPOS C1 – biggest trade-off: It's a leaner package in the box (cable, ear cushions, user manual) and leans on software for its extras, so the "smart" features depend on installing EPOS Connect rather than working out of the box.
• Who each pick is for: MKJ for call-centre-style, all-day voice work on a tight setup; EPOS C1 for remote workers who want UC-grade audio and don't mind a bit more setup.
The MKJ USB Headset is unapologetically a voice tool. It's a corded, on-ear USB-A headset with a flexible noise-cancelling boom mic, an adjustable stainless-steel headband and a soft leatherette ear cushion. Weighing 3.53 ounces, it's the kind of thing you put on at 9 a.m. and forget about by lunch. The in-line push-button volume control sits on the cable, so you're not hunting through software settings mid-call, and the mic boom bends to the exact position your mouth needs.
Where it earns its keep is compatibility and simplicity. It's driver-free and plug-and-play across Windows XP through 11 and Mac, and it's built to work with Teams, Zoom, Cisco Jabber, 3CX, Zoiper, AVAYA One X, Google Meet, Webex, RingCentral and FaceTime. For anyone whose job is back-to-back calls — customer service, call centre, reception, tutoring, online meetings — that "plug in and talk" behaviour is the whole point. The noise-cancelling mic is designed to knock down office chatter and keyboard clatter, which matters when you're sharing a room or working from a kitchen table.
Who should skip it? If you also want to listen to music or watch video with any real body, the 50 Hz–7 kHz frequency range will feel thin — it's tuned for intelligibility, not bass. And if you need a mute LED you can see at a glance, or firmware updates and hearing-protection controls, this isn't that headset. It's a straightforward, sturdy, single-purpose workhorse.
EPOS C1: Who It's For
The controls are the other draw. Inline volume and mute buttons let you manage a call without breaking flow, and there's an LED mute indicator so you can see your status at a glance rather than guessing. It's Chromebook certified, optimised for UC platforms, and integrates with EPOS Connect for firmware updates, audio personalisation and hearing-protection controls — genuinely useful if you're on calls for hours and want to tune the experience or cap loud spikes.
Who should buy it? Remote and hybrid workers who want a headset that behaves like proper UC hardware — clear mic, visible mute, software you can actually manage — and who might use it for a bit of music or video between meetings. Who should skip it? Anyone who wants zero setup: the extras live in EPOS Connect, and the box contents are lean (cable, ear cushions, manual). If you just want to plug in and dial, the MKJ gets you there faster.
• Best for pure voice clarity on calls → MKJ USB Headset, whose noise-cancelling boom mic and flexible positioning are built specifically for talking, not listening.
• Best for all-round audio (calls and media) → EPOS C1, thanks to its 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range versus the MKJ's roughly 7 kHz ceiling.
• Best for plug-and-play, zero-setup → MKJ USB Headset, which needs no drivers and is recognised instantly on a USB-A port.
• Best for software and long-term manageability → EPOS C1, with EPOS Connect handling firmware updates, audio personalisation and hearing-protection controls.
• Best for high-volume, all-day calling → MKJ USB Headset, given its 3.53 oz weight, adjustable stainless-steel headband and leatherette cushion.
• Best for visible mute status → EPOS C1, which has an LED mute indicator the MKJ doesn't list.
• Best for platform breadth out of the box → MKJ USB Headset, which names Teams, Zoom, Jabber, 3CX, Zoiper, AVAYA One X, Google Meet, Webex, RingCentral and FaceTime compatibility.
• Best for Chromebook users → EPOS C1, which is Chromebook certified; the MKJ lists Windows and Mac support.
My Verdict
what are the best work from home headphones
There's no single answer, because "best" depends on your day. If it's mostly calls, I'd point to the MKJ USB Headset for its noise-cancelling boom mic, in-line volume control and lightweight all-day fit. If you want calls and media to sound full, the EPOS C1's 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and EPOS Connect features make it the stronger all-rounder.
what are the best headphones for working from home
For working from home specifically, prioritise mic clarity, comfort and compatibility. The MKJ USB Headset covers Teams, Zoom, Jabber, 3CX and more with no drivers, while the EPOS C1 adds Chromebook certification, an LED mute indicator and software-based audio personalisation. Both are wired USB-A, so neither depends on a battery.
No — both are wired USB-A and plug-and-play. The MKJ USB Headset explicitly requires no driver installation on Windows or Mac. The EPOS C1 works without software too, but its extras — firmware updates, audio personalisation and hearing-protection controls — require EPOS Connect.
Both are on-ear and built for extended wear, but they approach it differently. The MKJ USB Headset is 3.53 oz with a soft leatherette cushion and adjustable stainless-steel headband. The EPOS C1 uses a padded headband and lightweight 83 g structure, and adds a visible mute LED — handy when you're muting and unmuting all day.
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