We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a purpose-built work and call headset that stays comfortable on your head for hours and plugs into almost anything, choose NUBWO HW02; if you need a pocketable pair of USB-C in-ears for a modern phone, tablet or laptop, choose Mutsrd 2. They are both wired, both have a mic, and both live in the same broad "usb wired headphones" search — but they solve completely different problems. One is a desk tool. The other is a daily-carry accessory.
• NUBWO HW02 — biggest strength: a 60-gram on-ear design with a boom mic, inline volume and mute controls, and a dual USB + 3.5mm connection that covers computers, phones and tablets in one package.
• NUBWO HW02 — biggest trade-off: it's a headset first and a music device second, with no active noise cancellation and a modest 27mm driver, so it won't satisfy anyone chasing deep bass or isolation.
• Mutsrd 2 — biggest strength: USB-C plug-and-play with a built-in DAC chip, a reinforced 1-metre cable, full remote control for calls and tracks, and a two-pack so you always have a spare.
• Mutsrd 2 — biggest trade-off: it's USB-C only — no 3.5mm fallback — so it simply won't work with older laptops, desktops or phones that lack a USB-C audio port. There's also no stated warranty.
• Pick NUBWO HW02 if you spend your day on calls and want something you can forget you're wearing.
• Pick Mutsrd 2 if your devices are USB-C and you want earbuds that disappear into a pocket.
The HW02 is built around one idea: getting you through a long day of talking. NUBWO puts an enhanced digital signal sound card in the control box, which is the kind of thing that matters more on a video call than on a playlist — it's there to keep speech sounding natural and rich rather than thin. The adjustable boom mic is positioned to cut down background noise, and NUBWO names MS Teams, Skype and Zoom as the platforms it's aimed at. If your calendar is full of meetings, that's the whole point of this headset.
The comfort story is the headline number: 60 grams. That's light for an on-ear headset, and combined with the circular on-ear earcups it's designed for all-day wear rather than short bursts. The inline controls are equally practical — volume up and down, plus a mic mute with an indicator light so you can see at a glance whether you're actually muted. Anyone who has ever talked to a muted mic on a client call will appreciate how much that small light matters.
The connectivity is the part that makes it flexible. You get a 3.5mm connection for plugging straight into a phone or tablet, and detachable USB inline controls for PC and Mac calls. That means one headset covers your desk and your bag. NUBWO also sells it in 1-pack, 5-pack (individually packaged) and 10-pack options, which tells you who the other buyers are — teams, call centres, IT departments ordering in bulk.
Who should skip it? If you want earbuds you can shove in a jeans pocket, this isn't that. If you want active noise cancellation, the HW02 has none — it relies on the boom mic and the earcup seal, not ANC. And if you're a critical music listener, a 27mm dynamic driver with 32 ohm impedance and a 20Hz–20kHz range is fine for background audio, not for serious listening.
The Mutsrd 2 is the opposite philosophy: tiny, cheap to own in pairs, and aimed squarely at the USB-C era. You get two identical in-ear headsets in the box, each with a 1-metre cable, a metal-plated USB-C connector and a built-in DAC chip. Mutsrd's pitch is that the DAC keeps the audio clean — no buzzing, popping or other artefacts — so it's genuinely plug and play on devices that would otherwise complain about a passive adapter.
The remote is the practical highlight. You get volume up and down, previous and next track, pause, and answer/end/reject call — all from the inline control, which Mutsrd frames around hands-free use while driving, walking, exercising, working or shopping. The cord is reinforced for durability, and the metal-plated connector is there to reduce the poor-contact problems that plague cheap USB-C audio gear over time.
Compatibility is where this product really differentiates itself. Mutsrd lists iPhone 17/16/15 and their Plus, Pro and Pro Max variants, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro, a long list of Samsung Galaxy S, Z Fold/Flip and A-series models, Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G, and Google Pixel devices — essentially anything with a USB-C audio port. If you've just moved to a phone without a headphone jack, this is the straightforward answer.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for long work calls → NUBWO HW02. The 60-gram weight, boom mic and mic-mute indicator light are all designed around hours of talking.
• Best for portability → Mutsrd 2. In-ear, 1-metre cable, two in the box — it lives in a pocket or bag.
• Best for mixed devices → NUBWO HW02. USB plus 3.5mm means it works with a PC, a Mac, a phone and a tablet without adapters.
• Best for modern USB-C-only phones → Mutsrd 2. iPhone 15/16/17, recent Galaxy and Pixel models are all covered.
• Best for hands-free control on the move → Mutsrd 2. Volume, track skip, pause and call answer/end/reject all sit on the remote.
• Best for noise at the source → NUBWO HW02. The adjustable boom mic is there to reduce background noise on your end of the call.
• Best for listening isolation → Mutsrd 2. Active noise cancellation is listed, which the HW02 does not offer.
• Best for equipping a team → NUBWO HW02. The 5-pack and 10-pack options exist for exactly that.
In my opinion, the NUBWO HW02 is the one I'd buy for anything work-shaped. It's lighter, it has a boom mic built for meetings, it handles both USB and 3.5mm, and the mute indicator alone makes it more useful on a real call than most cheap headsets. The Mutsrd 2 is a genuinely good buy if your life is USB-C and your priority is a spare pair of earbuds in your bag — but it's a lifestyle accessory, not a desk tool. Buy the NUBWO if you talk for a living. Buy the Mutsrd if you listen on the move.
how to connect usb c wired headphones
Plug the USB-C connector directly into your device's USB-C port — there's no adapter or pairing step. The Mutsrd 2 has a built-in DAC chip, so supported phones, tablets and laptops should recognise it immediately and route audio through it. If nothing happens, check that your device actually supports USB-C audio output.
how to use usb c wired headphones on mac
On a MacBook or MacBook Pro with a USB-C port, plug the connector straight in and the headphones become the active audio output. The Mutsrd 2 lists MacBook and MacBook Pro among its compatible devices, and its inline remote handles volume and playback. You can confirm the output device in your Mac's sound settings.
how to connect usb wired headphones to xbox
Neither the NUBWO HW02 nor the Mutsrd 2 lists Xbox among its compatible devices. The HW02's 3.5mm plug is the more likely of the two to work with a controller that has a 3.5mm jack, but you should treat console support as unconfirmed for both. Check your controller's audio input before buying.
how to connect usb wired headphones to macbook
It's the same story as any Mac: plug the USB-C connector into an available port and the MacBook should switch audio over automatically. The NUBWO HW02 can also connect via its detachable USB inline controls for PC and Mac calls, or through the 3.5mm plug if your MacBook has a headphone jack. Whichever you pick, no driver install is described.
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