EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone Review: The Unbeatable Budget Workhorse?

There’s a unique kind of frustration that sets in around the third hour of back-to-back video calls. It’s not just the meeting fatigue; it’s the physical discomfort of a heavy, ill-fitting headset clamping down on your ears. It’s the anxiety of constantly wondering if your voice is coming through as a muffled, distant echo. I’ve been there countless times. I’ve tested headsets that promised the world—immersive audio, studio-grade microphones—only to find they were too bulky for all-day wear or, worse, their microphones picked up every keyboard clack and distant siren, much to the annoyance of my colleagues. In today’s world of remote work, e-learning, and online gaming, clear, effortless communication isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental necessity. A poor-quality headset can lead to misunderstandings, missed information, and a generally unprofessional impression. The search for a simple, lightweight, and dependable solution—one that prioritizes microphone clarity above all else without breaking the bank—is what led us to this deep dive.

What to Consider Before Buying a PC Headset

A PC headset is more than just an accessory; it’s a key solution for clear communication, focused work, and immersive entertainment. It solves the critical problem of audio feedback loops, eliminates background noise for your listeners, and provides a private audio environment for you. The main benefits are vastly improved call quality, the ability to work or learn in shared spaces without disturbing others, and a more engaging experience for media and gaming. In a professional setting, the clarity it provides can be the difference between a successful client pitch and a garbled, frustrating conversation. For students, it ensures every lecture is heard and every group project discussion is productive.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who spends significant time on voice or video calls, such as a remote worker, a call centre agent, an online student, or a casual gamer who values clear team chat. They need a tool that is reliable, comfortable for extended periods, and straightforward to use. Conversely, this type of focused, communication-first headset might not be suitable for audiophiles seeking high-fidelity music reproduction or competitive gamers who require advanced features like 7.1 surround sound and wireless connectivity. Those users might consider higher-end gaming headsets or dedicated studio headphones as alternatives.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fit & Comfort: A headset’s weight and clamping force are paramount for long-term use. An overly heavy or tight headset can cause headaches and ear fatigue. Look for lightweight designs (under 200g is excellent), adjustable headbands, and comfortable earpad materials. The distinction between on-ear and over-ear designs is also key; on-ear rests on the ear, allowing for more ambient sound, while over-ear cups enclose the ear for better isolation.
• Audio & Microphone Performance: For a communication headset, microphone quality is the most important metric. A unidirectional, noise-cancelling microphone is the gold standard, as it focuses on capturing your voice while rejecting ambient sounds. For audio output, a balanced frequency response (e.g., 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz) is ideal for clear voice reproduction, though it may not produce the booming bass some users prefer for music or movies.
• Materials & Durability: The build quality determines a headset’s lifespan. While many budget-friendly options use plastic to keep weight and cost down, pay attention to the flexibility of the headband and the quality of the cable. A long, durable cable (2 metres is a good length) provides freedom of movement, and robust strain relief at the connection points can prevent premature failure.
• Connectivity & Ease of Use: The simplest headsets are plug-and-play. However, you must check the connection type. Many modern laptops and consoles use a single 3.5mm TRRS jack for both audio and mic, while older PCs have separate 3.5mm jacks for each. A headset with dual jacks may require a Y-splitter adapter for use with newer devices.

Keeping these factors in mind, the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone stands out in several areas, particularly its focus on microphone clarity and lightweight comfort. You can explore its detailed specifications here to see how it aligns with your needs.

While the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone is an excellent choice for its intended purpose, it’s wise to understand the broader market, especially if you’re considering different features like wireless freedom. For a broader look at top-tier audio solutions, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Masterclass in Simplicity

Unboxing the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone is a refreshingly straightforward experience. True to the user feedback we’d seen praising its “eco-friendly” packaging, it arrives in a simple, no-fuss box containing just the headset itself. There are no complicated drivers to install or software to configure. The first thing that struck us was its incredible lightness. At just 120 grams, it feels almost weightless in the hands, a stark contrast to the bulky, RGB-laden gaming headsets that often dominate the market. The design is minimalist and functional. The aesthetic is pure utility, favouring a slender, flexible headband and compact, on-ear earcups. The boom microphone is mounted on a sturdy 180-degree pivot, allowing it to be swung up and neatly out of the way, parallel with the headband, when you’re just listening. The 2-metre cable terminates in the classic dual 3.5mm plugs—one for the microphone, one for the headphones—a clear indicator that this headset is designed primarily for desktop PC users. It’s a design philosophy that screams “get the job done,” and we were eager to see if its performance was as focused as its appearance.

Deep Dive: Performance Where It Counts

A headset can look good and feel comfortable, but its true worth is measured in performance during a busy workday or an intense online session. We put the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone through its paces over several weeks of testing, using it for everything from marathon Zoom conferences and Discord chats to e-learning modules and casual gaming. Our conclusion is simple: this headset is a specialist that absolutely masters its core function.

Microphone Clarity: The Undisputed Star of the Show

Let’s be perfectly clear: the unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone on this headset is its crown jewel. In a market saturated with mediocre mics attached to decent headphones, EPOS (building on its Sennheiser heritage) has prioritized voice transmission above all else, and the results are staggering for this price point. In our tests, we intentionally created challenging audio environments—the loud, clacky clicks of a mechanical keyboard, a fan running on high, and even background conversations in the same room. The microphone consistently and effectively isolated my voice, delivering it with crispness and clarity.

This finding was immediately validated by others. On the very first team call using the headset, a colleague stopped me mid-sentence to ask, “Did you get a new microphone? You sound incredibly clear.” This experience mirrors that of numerous users, one of whom noted that in Discord, Teams, and Zoom, others immediately asked what headset he was using because his voice was “so beautiful and clear.” The unidirectional pickup pattern does its job flawlessly, rejecting off-axis noise. We also found that the noise-cancelling effectively prevents feedback loops, a common issue when multiple people from the same office join a call. One user confirmed this, stating he could leave his mic open in a meeting with a colleague in the same room “without hearing or having feedback.” The flexible boom arm is easy to position perfectly, and the 180-degree rotation that tucks it away is a simple but brilliant piece of functional design. For anyone whose job or hobby depends on being heard clearly, the microphone alone makes this headset a phenomenal value.

All-Day Comfort and Featherlight Design

The second area where the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone excels is long-term comfort. Weighing a mere 120 grams, it’s one of the lightest stereo headsets we’ve ever tested. As one user aptly put it, it’s so light “you forget you’re wearing it.” This is not an exaggeration. After a full eight-hour workday filled with calls and focus time, we experienced none of the typical pressure points on the scalp or ear fatigue that plague heavier models. The clamping force is gentle but secure; it stays in place without feeling like a vice grip.

However, our testing did confirm a point raised by some users. The initial fit can feel quite snug, especially for those with larger heads or who wear glasses. One user mentioned it was so “stramm” (tight) for the first few days that he stretched it over an object at night. We found that the flexible headband does indeed relax and conform to your head shape after a few days of consistent use, becoming significantly more comfortable. The on-ear earpads, made of a soft faux leather material, are pleasant against the skin. While they don’t provide the passive noise isolation of larger, over-ear cups, they prevent your ears from getting overly warm and allow you to remain aware of your immediate surroundings—a feature many home workers appreciate. While one user wished the pads were thicker, we found them perfectly adequate for their purpose, contributing to the headset’s minimalist, low-profile feel.

Audio Performance: Clear, Capable, and Fit for Purpose

While this is a “Chat” headset, its audio drivers, born from the Sennheiser legacy, deliver a surprisingly capable listening experience. The sound signature is clean, balanced, and articulate, with a strong focus on the mid-range frequencies where human voices reside. This makes it absolutely perfect for its primary tasks: listening to people speak in meetings, following along with online lectures, or catching every piece of dialogue in a narrative game. There’s no muddy, overpowering bass to obscure the details, and no harsh, tinny treble. As one user described it, the sound is “restful and clear.”

We were also pleasantly surprised by its performance in casual gaming. While it lacks the cinematic, bass-heavy punch of dedicated gaming headsets, its clarity provides excellent spatial awareness. Echoing a user’s sentiment, we found that in games, “you can hear where noises are coming from.” Positional audio cues like footsteps and distant actions were easily discernible. For music, it provides a clean, neutral presentation. It won’t satisfy bass-heads, but for acoustic, classical, or vocal-centric tracks, the reproduction is accurate and enjoyable. The open-back nature of the on-ear design also lends a more natural, less “in-your-head” soundstage, which many users find less fatiguing over long periods. Given its primary role and price, the audio quality is not just acceptable; it’s genuinely impressive. If you value clarity over earth-shaking bass, this headset delivers performance well beyond its price tag.

Connectivity and Build: The Necessary Compromises

To achieve this level of performance at such an accessible price, some compromises are inevitable, and they are most apparent in the connectivity and build materials. The headset uses a dual 3.5mm plug system—one green for headphones, one pink for the microphone. This is a legacy standard for desktop PCs with dedicated sound cards. However, the vast majority of modern devices, including laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, use a single, combined 3.5mm audio jack. This means that for many potential users, an essential accessory is a Y-splitter adapter, which combines the two plugs into one. Multiple user reviews highlighted this, noting that “you need an adapter” to use it with a Switch or a modern laptop. This isn’t a flaw, but it is a critical piece of information for potential buyers.

The other compromise is the build material. The entire headset is constructed from a lightweight, flexible plastic. It doesn’t feel fragile, but it also doesn’t exude the premium, robust feel of more expensive headsets that incorporate metal into their headbands. One user, familiar with Sennheiser products that lasted over seven years, expressed concern that this model didn’t have the same “sound build quality” he associated with the brand. This is a fair assessment. The EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone is built to be light and affordable, not to be a rugged, throw-in-a-bag-daily travel companion. It’s a functional and well-designed piece of equipment, but it should be treated with reasonable care to ensure its longevity.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user consensus on the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone is overwhelmingly positive, especially when framed by its excellent price-to-performance ratio. The most frequently praised feature, by a wide margin, is the microphone. Reviewers from Italy to Germany to the UK consistently report that their voice clarity in calls improved dramatically, often earning unsolicited compliments from colleagues and friends. One Italian user perfectly captured the sentiment, admitting he was skeptical of paying for what looked like “walkman headphones with a microphone,” but concluded that “Sennheiser never misses,” calling the microphone “exceptional.”

The lightweight comfort is another common theme, with many users highlighting their ability to wear the headset for hours on end without discomfort. On the critical side, the most common piece of feedback is the necessity of a Y-splitter adapter for non-desktop PC use, which caught some buyers by surprise. A few users also noted the slightly underwhelming plastic construction, expressing hopes that it holds up over time, and one user with a Linux system reported that getting it to connect was occasionally “a hit or miss,” though this seems to be an isolated OS-specific issue rather than a fault of the hardware itself.

How Does the EPOS PC 3.2 Compare to the Alternatives?

The EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone operates in a competitive field. While it excels in microphone clarity for its price, other options might appeal to users with different priorities.

1. Logitech G G335 Wired Gaming Headset White

The Logitech G G335 is a direct competitor that leans more heavily into a “gamer” aesthetic with its colourful design and suspension-style headband. Its primary advantage is connectivity; it uses a single 3.5mm jack, making it universally compatible with PCs, all major consoles, and mobile devices right out of the box, no adapter needed. It also features comfortable memory foam earpads which may offer a slight edge in comfort for some. However, while its microphone is perfectly serviceable for gaming chat, the EPOS PC 3.2 generally holds the edge in pure, noise-cancelling vocal clarity, making the EPOS a superior choice for professional communication.

2. Logitech G935 Wireless Gaming Headset

The Logitech G935 represents a significant step up in both features and price. It’s a wireless headset, offering complete freedom from cables, and is packed with premium features like 7.1 surround sound, large 50mm Pro-G drivers for powerful bass, and customisable RGB lighting. This headset is aimed squarely at serious gamers and media enthusiasts who want an immersive, feature-rich experience. The EPOS PC 3.2 doesn’t compete on these features. A user should choose the G935 for a premium, wireless, all-in-one entertainment experience, whereas the EPOS is the specialist tool for clear, wired, and reliable communication at a fraction of the cost.

3. Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset

The Corsair HS35 v2 is another strong contender in the budget wired headset category and, like the Logitech G335, it offers broad multi-platform compatibility thanks to its standard 3.5mm connection. It boasts a flexible omni-directional microphone and is designed to be a solid all-rounder for gamers on a budget. The choice between the HS35 v2 and the EPOS PC 3.2 comes down to priorities. The Corsair offers better out-of-the-box convenience for console and laptop users. However, the EPOS’s dedicated unidirectional, noise-cancelling microphone is specifically engineered for vocal isolation and often outperforms the more general-purpose omni-directional mics in noisy environments, making it the better pick for critical voice calls.

Our Final Verdict: The Clear Choice for Clear Communication

After extensive testing, the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone has earned our strong recommendation as a purpose-built tool that executes its primary function with near perfection. It is not a headset for everyone; it lacks the booming bass of gaming headsets, the convenience of wireless connectivity, and the robust build of premium models. But for what it is—a lightweight, comfortable, and affordable tool for crystal-clear voice communication—it is simply outstanding. The microphone quality is its standout feature, punching far above its weight class and rivalling that of headsets costing three or four times as much.

We highly recommend this headset to remote professionals, students, call centre employees, or anyone who spends hours a day on voice and video calls. Its featherlight design ensures you’ll barely notice it’s there, while its microphone ensures your voice is always heard with pristine clarity. Just be prepared to purchase a simple Y-splitter if you plan to use it with a modern laptop or console. For pure communication performance on a budget, it’s a difficult product to beat.

If you’ve decided the EPOS PC 3.2 Chat Headset Noise-Cancelling Microphone is the right fit for your work or study needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.