We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-24 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a plug-and-play desk headset with an inline mic and remote that keeps your hands free for calls and long meetings, choose Verbatim USB Headset; if you need pocket-sized earbuds with a 3.5mm plug and an inline mic you can take anywhere, choose APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. Both are wired, both put the mic on the cord, and both are built around the same idea: simple, low-latency audio without pairing, charging or apps. The difference is the shape of your day. The Verbatim is a headset you leave on your desk. The APETOO is a pair you drop in your bag.
• Verbatim USB Headset — biggest strength: a full over-ear stereo headset with an adjustable headband, a rotatable boom mic and an inline remote that handles volume plus mic and speaker mute, with an LED that shows when the mic is muted.
• Verbatim USB Headset — biggest trade-off: it's a corded, over-ear unit that lives at your desk — 6.4 ounces, a 1.2 m cord, and a USB-A connection that wants a proper port rather than a pocket.
• APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm — biggest strength: a lightweight 45° half in-ear design with a 10 mm dynamic driver, a metal-plated TRRS 3.5 mm plug, a mini carrying case and wingtips that hold the buds in place.
• APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm — biggest trade-off: half in-ear buds intentionally don't seal off the world, so they isolate less than a closed design, and the 3.5 mm plug may need an adapter on phones that dropped the headphone jack.
• Who the Verbatim is for: anyone parked at a desk or classroom table who wants one headset for calls, conferencing and learning.
• Who the APETOO is for: commuters, students, travelers and kids who want cheap-to-own, pocketable earbuds with a mic for calls, music and video.
The Verbatim USB Headset is, at its core, a work tool. It's a stereo over-ear headset with a 40 mm dynamic driver, a 30Hz–16KHz frequency response and 32 ohm impedance, so it's built to reproduce voice and general audio cleanly rather than to chase audiophile bass. The part that matters most for a headset like this is the microphone: a flexible boom unit that bends into position for speaking, rotates to sit on the right or left side, and swings up and out of the way when you're done talking. That's the kind of design detail that separates a headset from a pair of headphones — the mic is always there when you need it and never in your face when you don't.
Buy it if you work or study at a desk and want a single headset for calls, video conferencing and online learning — the plug-and-play USB-A connection and the supported operating systems (Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and up, Mac OS X 10.4 and up, and Chrome OS) make it a straightforward fit for most computers. Skip it if you need something pocketable, if you mostly listen on a phone, or if you want earbuds you can wear walking around. This is a stay-put headset, and it's happiest plugged into a laptop or desktop. Verbatim backs it with a one-year limited warranty and technical support, which is a reasonable safety net for a desk accessory.
APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm: Who It's For
The APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm go the other direction entirely. These are corded in-ear buds with a 10 mm dynamic driver and 32 ohm impedance, tuned for deeper bass and a wide stereo feel rather than flat, clinical speech reproduction. The connection is a metal-plated 3.5 mm TRRS plug, which means it carries both audio and mic through one standard jack — plug it in and go, no app, no pairing, no battery. That TRRS detail is why the inline mic works on devices that support it, and it's the same reason these buds slot easily into a laptop, Chromebook, MacBook, PC, gaming console or any device with a 3.5 mm headphone port.
The design choices here are clearly aimed at portability and everyday awareness. The 45° half in-ear shape deliberately doesn't block all outside noise, so you can still hear traffic, a teacher, or a boarding announcement while you listen — and the wingtips help the buds stay seated instead of slipping out mid-walk. A mini carrying case keeps them protected from moisture, dust, dirt and tangling, which is exactly the kind of thing that kills cheap earbuds early. Noise control is listed as sound isolation rather than active cancellation, so expect modest passive blocking, not silence.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for desk calls and conferencing → Verbatim USB Headset. The boom mic, inline mute with LED confirmation and over-ear fit are built for talking, not just listening.
• Best for portability and travel → APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. Earbuds plus a mini carrying case fit in a pocket; a 6.4-ounce over-ear headset does not.
• Best for long wear at a desk → Verbatim USB Headset. Adjustable headband and soft foam earpads are designed for extended sessions.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. The half in-ear design intentionally leaves outside sound audible — useful for commuting, school and travel.
• Best for the widest device compatibility → APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. A 3.5 mm TRRS plug fits phones, tablets, laptops, consoles and MP3 players; the Verbatim needs a USB-A port.
• Best for bass-forward everyday listening → APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. A 10 mm dynamic driver is pitched at deeper bass and a fuller stereo image.
• Best for easy mic control → Verbatim USB Headset. Volume, mic mute and speaker mute all live on the inline remote, with an LED to confirm mute status.
• Best for kids and students → APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm. Lightweight, wingtip-secured buds with a protective case suit school, travel and shared devices.
In my opinion, this comes down to where you sit. If you spend your day at a desk on calls, classes or conferences, I'd buy the Verbatim USB Headset — the boom mic you can position, the inline mute with an LED indicator and the over-ear comfort are exactly what a talking-first headset should offer, and the USB-A plug makes it a no-fuss fit for a computer. If you're mostly listening on the move, or buying for a student or traveler, I'd pick the APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm for its 3.5 mm TRRS plug, 10 mm driver, wingtips and carrying case. Neither is the "better" product in the abstract — they solve different problems.
what is an inline mic on headphones
An inline mic is a microphone built into the cable rather than mounted on a boom arm. On the APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm, the mic and volume control sit in a small remote module on the cord. On the Verbatim USB Headset, the mic is a flexible boom you position near your mouth, while the inline remote handles volume and mute. Inline mics are convenient for calls on the go; boom mics generally sit closer to your mouth.
how to use wired headphones with mic on pc
Plug the headset into the matching port, then select it as your input and output device in your computer's sound settings. The Verbatim USB Headset uses a USB-A connection and supports Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and up, Mac OS X 10.4 and up, and Chrome OS. The APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm use a 3.5 mm TRRS plug, so they need a headphone jack that supports a mic — on a desktop with separate jacks you may need a splitter.
No. Both are wired, so neither needs a battery, pairing or an app. The Verbatim USB Headset draws its connection from a USB-A port, and the APETOO Earbuds 3.5mm run straight off the 3.5 mm jack. That means no charging routine and no Bluetooth latency to think about — you plug in and you're live.
Only if your phone still has a 3.5 mm headphone jack that supports a mic, or if you use the right adapter. APETOO lists compatibility with iPhone, Samsung, iPod, MP3/MP4 players, MacBook, laptop, PC, gaming console and any device with a 3.5 mm port — but the brand also advises checking whether your device needs an adapter before ordering. Phones without a headphone jack will need one.
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