We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired, over-ear headset built for long call-center shifts with a genuine Quick Disconnect cable system and active noise cancellation, choose PLT Plantronics Plnhw520; if you need a plug-and-play USB headset with a noise-cancelling boom mic, inline call controls and wider 20 Hz–20 kHz audio for softphone and voice-recognition work, choose MAIRDI USB Headset.
• PLT Plantronics Plnhw520 — biggest strength: binaural over-ear design with a 3.5 mm jack and Quick Disconnect support, tuned for clear voice communication in a busy office.
• PLT Plantronics Plnhw520 — biggest trade-off: fixed wired connection and a narrow 20 Hz–16 kHz audio range, so it's a voice tool first and a music headset second.
• MAIRDI USB Headset — biggest strength: active noise-cancelling boom mic with a 330° rotatable arm, inline hook switch, mic mute and volume control for UC platforms and voice recognition.
• MAIRDI USB Headset — biggest trade-off: USB-only connection, so it won't plug into a standard 3.5 mm phone jack or mobile device.
• Who each pick is for: the PLT Plantronics Plnhw520 suits desk-phone users who want a durable over-ear headset with Quick Disconnect; the MAIRDI USB Headset suits PC and softphone users who want plug-and-play USB plus a noise-cancelling mic.
The Plnhw520 is a binaural, supraaural (over-ear) wired headset with a 3.5 mm jack and Quick Disconnect support. That combination tells you what it was designed to do: stay plugged into a desk phone or audio device all day and let you detach quickly when you need to step away. The 320-ohm impedance and 40 dB sensitivity point to a headset built for consistent voice reproduction rather than thumping bass, and the aluminum enclosure and aluminum carrying case suggest it's meant to survive daily office handling.
Who should skip it? If your workflow lives entirely in a softphone app, a browser-based calling tool or a USB-only laptop with no 3.5 mm port, the wired 3.5 mm connection is a mismatch. And if you want one headset that also handles music with real low-end extension, the 20 Hz–16 kHz frequency range is narrower than a general-purpose headphone. It's a communication tool, and it's honest about that.
MAIRDI USB Headset: Who It's For
The MAIRDI USB Headset is a USB-connected, on-ear stereo headset with a dynamic driver covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. That full-range frequency response is the giveaway: this is a headset meant to handle both voice calls and multimedia. The USB plug works with Windows, Mac and other PCs, and the inline controls add volume up/down, microphone mute and a hook switch optimized for Microsoft Lync and Skype.
The real headline for office noise is the active noise-cancelling microphone. The boom arm rotates 330° so you can wear the mic on either side, and the flexible tip lets you position it right at your mouth. That's the feature that matters when you're taking calls next to a noisy hallway or an open-plan floor — the mic is doing the heavy lifting so the person on the other end hears your voice, not the room.
It's also built for comfort during long sessions: a 60 mm adjustable headband, a 180° rotatable joint between speaker and headband, and large leatherette ear cushions. The rotatable ear cover and mic arm mean you can flip the whole thing for left- or right-side use. Who should skip it? Anyone who needs to connect to a traditional desk phone or a mobile device with a 3.5 mm jack — this one is USB only.
• Best for desk-phone and Quick Disconnect setups → PLT Plantronics Plnhw520. The 3.5 mm jack and Quick Disconnect are built for that world.
• Best for USB softphone, Teams, Skype and Lync workflows → MAIRDI USB Headset. Plug-and-play USB with an inline hook switch optimized for those platforms.
• Best for blocking office noise at the microphone → MAIRDI USB Headset. Active noise cancelling on the mic plus a 330° rotatable arm to aim it precisely.
• Best for full-range audio (calls plus music) → MAIRDI USB Headset. 20 Hz–20,000 Hz versus the PLT's 20 Hz–16 kHz.
• Best for a wired headset that survives daily desk life → PLT Plantronics Plnhw520. Aluminum enclosure and aluminum carrying case.
• Best for voice recognition and dictation → MAIRDI USB Headset. The mic is specifically described for speech dictation and language learning.
• Best for left- or right-side mic placement → MAIRDI USB Headset. 330° rotatable mic arm and 180° rotatable speaker-to-headband joint.
• Best for a simple over-ear headset with built-in volume control → PLT Plantronics Plnhw520. Straightforward wired volume control, no software layer.
In my opinion, the MAIRDI USB Headset is the better buy for most office workers today, because the modern office runs on softphones, UC apps and PC-based calling — and that's exactly what the USB connection, active noise-cancelling mic and inline call controls are designed around. The wider 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range also makes it the more versatile everyday headset. I'd only steer you to the PLT Plantronics Plnhw520 if your setup is a traditional desk phone with a 3.5 mm jack and you specifically want Quick Disconnect and an aluminum build. Match the headset to your connection type first; everything else follows.
what is noise cancelling headset
A noise-cancelling headset uses active noise cancellation to reduce unwanted sound. On the PLT Plantronics Plnhw520, active noise cancellation is listed as a control feature. On the MAIRDI USB Headset, the active noise cancelling is on the microphone, blocking background noise so your voice reaches the other end clearly.
It depends on where the noise problem is. For noise at your ear, the PLT's over-ear binaural fit and active noise cancellation help. For noise around your voice, the MAIRDI's active noise-cancelling mic with a 330° rotatable arm is the more targeted tool for clear calls.
Yes, by design. It's described as a USB headset for call centers, with a noise-cancelling mic, inline volume, mic mute and a hook switch optimized for Microsoft Lync and Skype, plus large leatherette ear cushions and an adjustable 60 mm headband for all-day wear.
It uses a 3.5 mm jack and wired connectivity, so it connects to devices with a matching 3.5 mm audio port. If your computer only has USB ports, you'd need an adapter, or you'd be better served by the MAIRDI USB Headset's native USB plug.
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