How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform — biggest strength: full over ear design with 50mm dynamic drivers, a detachable bi-directional boom mic with an LED mute indicator, and plug-and-play 3.5mm wired compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile.
• Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform — biggest trade-off: it is a wired headset only, so there is no wireless freedom, and the model number listed is S6SYY-P003 — the battery and software figures floating around Skullcandy's other SLYR variants do not apply to this wired version.
• KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone — biggest strength: an ultra-lightweight single earhook omnidirectional condenser mic with a bendable boom and a beige finish designed to stay nearly invisible on camera.
• KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone — biggest trade-off: it is not a headphone at all — no earcups, no audio output — and the Hirose 4-pin plug is built for Audio-Technica wireless transmitters only, with power required from the connected device.
• Who each pick is for: pick the Skullcandy SLYR if you want one wired over ear headset for gaming and general listening; pick the KENBAIDIO earset if your job is being heard, not hearing.
The SLYR is a proper over ear headset, and that phrase matters here. The earcups enclose your ears rather than pressing on them, and the cushions are memory foam with a noise-isolating fit. Skullcandy also built in airflow, which is the detail that separates a headset you can wear through a long session from one you peel off after an hour. At 265 g it sits in the lightweight bracket for a full-size wired headset, and the plastic enclosure keeps it sturdy without feeling like a brick on your head.
For talking, the bi-directional boom mic is detachable and carries an LED status light so you know when you're live. The mic mutes from the on-board push-button controls, and volume lives there too. In the box you get a 5 ft 3.5mm cable, a 3 ft PC splitter cable for separating headphone and mic jacks, the removable boom mic, and a manual. There's a one-year US warranty.
Buy it if you want a wired over ear headset that works on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile without dongles or pairing, and you care about comfort over long sessions. Skip it if you need wireless, or if you're shopping for a microphone to clip on for stage work — this is a listening-and-gaming tool.
KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone: Who It's For
This is a completely different animal, and confusing the two would be a mistake. The KENBAIDIO is a single-earhook headworn microphone — an earset, not a headset. There are no earcups and no headphones. It exists to put a small omnidirectional condenser element near your mouth and keep it there while your hands stay free. The polar pattern is omnidirectional, the frequency response runs 40 Hz to 20KHz, impedance is 600 ohm, and the signal-to-noise ratio is listed at 66 dB.
The design choices are all about disappearing. The beige finish is meant to blend against skin, the earhook is silicone and bendable, and the boom itself flexes so you can dial in the pickup angle. It's described as sweatproof, dustproof and fade resistant, which is the kind of spec that matters if you're performing under lights, teaching in a warm room, or presenting outdoors. The manufacturer lists it as suitable for adults and kids alike, since the hook adjusts.
The catch — and it's a big one — is compatibility. The connector is a metal Hirose 4-pin plug, and the manufacturer states plainly that this mic is for Audio-Technica wireless systems only, naming the ATW-T1000, ATW-T1001, ATW-T1000 D, ATW-110G, ATW-T310 and ATW-T701 bodypack transmitters. Other brands may not work because of internal wiring differences. It also requires power from the device it plugs into, so your transmitter has to supply bias voltage. The 3.9 ft cable comes with cable ties, a tie-clip, two foam windscreens, a portable bag and a manual.
Buy it if you already run an Audio-Technica wireless bodypack and you want a low-visibility, hands-free mic for speaking, singing, teaching or presenting. Skip it if you're on Shure, Sennheiser, AKG or a 3.5mm system — you'll need a different plug variant — or if you were hoping for anything that plays audio back to you.
• Best for gaming and general listening → Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform. It's the only one of the two that actually produces sound through drivers.
• Best for being heard on stage or camera → KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone. A near-invisible beige earhook with a bendable boom is built for exactly that.
• Best for multi-device flexibility → Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform. PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile over a single 3.5mm connection, plus a splitter cable for desktop setups.
• Best for long-session comfort → Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform. Memory foam over ear cushions, airflow, and a 265 g frame are designed for marathon sessions.
• Best for hands-free movement → KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone. The ultra-lightweight single earhook is made to stay put while you move.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform. No transmitter, no bias power, no pairing — just a 3.5mm jack.
• Best for a fixed wireless rig → KENBAIDIO Earset Headworn Microphone. If your Audio-Technica bodypack is already in the rack, this slots straight in.
• Best for a buyer who owns neither → Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform, in my opinion, because it covers more everyday situations for most people.
My Verdict
what is over ear headset
An over ear headset is a headphone whose earcups surround your ears rather than resting on top of them, usually paired with a microphone. The Skullcandy SLYR fits that description: over ear placement, memory foam cushions, and a detachable boom mic.
what is the best over ear headset
There's no single answer, because "best" depends on your platform and whether you need wireless. In my opinion, the Skullcandy SLYR is a strong pick if you want wired multi-platform use with 50mm drivers and a detachable mic — but if you need a hands-free voice mic instead, the KENBAIDIO earset is the right tool.
what are over ear headsets
They're headsets built around full-size earcups that enclose the ear, typically combining headphones and a microphone in one unit. The SLYR adds 50mm dynamic drivers, on-board volume and mic mute, and a removable boom mic with an LED status light.
what is on ear headset
An on ear headset rests the cushions against your outer ear instead of around it. Neither product here is that type — the Skullcandy SLYR is over ear, and the KENBAIDIO is a single earhook earset mic with no earcups at all.
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