GEARRanked · 3 picks
CS2 headset or IEM: choose around comfort and voice chat
Start with one question: do you already have a microphone? A headset can cover listening and team voice together; IEMs suit players who prefer no headband and have a separate way to communicate.
Published 11 November 2026 · Updated 11 November 2026Affiliate links
Compare the shortlist
| # | Photo | Model | Best for | Check first | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Razer BlackShark V2 X | Players who need a simple headphone-and-microphone setup for team voice chat. | The microphone and cable are not detachable | View on Amazon.com | |
| 2 | HyperX Cloud III | A player who wants dependable footstep placement and a usable team mic, and refuses to add a charging routine to match day. | Closed leatherette traps heat — after three hours your ears are warm and you know it | View on Amazon.com | |
| 3 | SIMGOT EW200 | Players who want to avoid a headband and already use a separate microphone. | The selected standard 3.5 mm version has no microphone | View on Amazon.com |
Need everything in one purchase?
Compare the Razer BlackShark V2 X and HyperX Cloud III. Both are wired headset options with a microphone. Check whether you want a removable mic, which connectors your PC has and whether the cable reaches comfortably.
The BlackShark selection is the analogue V2 X. The name also appears on USB and console-specific versions, so match the listing to your intended connection. Do not assume that a similar-looking product has the same accessories.
Already own a microphone?
The SIMGOT EW200 is an in-ear alternative with a replaceable two-pin cable. Its standard 3.5 mm version needs a headphone output or suitable DAC adapter. Comfort is personal: some people prefer no headband; others dislike an in-ear seal.
Compare it with the other options in our CS2 IEM guide. Choose one listening device first; there is no reason to buy both a headset and IEMs before finding out which format suits you.
Try your existing audio before replacing it
Use the CS2 audio settings guide to check your current setup. Avoid stacking several spatial processing systems. Test familiar sounds at a comfortable volume and make one adjustment at a time.
No product here guarantees more wins or universally better footstep positioning. Our comparison is based on manufacturer specifications and connection requirements, not a controlled listening trial.
A short checklist at checkout
- Match the exact model and version, especially analogue versus USB.
- Check your headphone and microphone sockets.
- Read what is included, including any splitter or adapter.
- Compare the seller, delivery and returns for your country on Amazon.
The headset directory and IEM directory keep the alternatives together. If mouse comfort is your next problem, use the CS2 mouse guide.
Razer BlackShark V2 X
Razer
An all-in-one wired choice if you need headphones and a microphone together. Its analogue connection keeps setup simple, but the fixed microphone and cable limit repair and upgrade options.
- Connection
- 3.5 mm analogue
- Drivers
- 50 mm
- Weight
- 240 g (manufacturer)
- Microphone
- Fixed cardioid boom
- Built-in boom microphone avoids a separate desktop mic purchase
- Analogue 3.5 mm connection needs no headset battery
The microphone and cable are not detachable
HyperX Cloud III
HyperX
Angled 53 mm drivers, a detachable mic that genuinely holds up on comms, and no battery to fail mid-match. The Cloud line earned its reputation on comfort, and the third generation did not spend it.
- Drivers
- 53 mm, angled
- Connection
- 3.5 mm / USB-C
- Mic
- 10 mm, detachable
- Padding
- Memory foam
- Drivers are angled toward the ear rather than firing flat, which sharpens left-right placement of footsteps
- Analogue 3.5 mm as well as USB-C: it works on the tournament PC, the console and the phone with no driver
Closed leatherette traps heat — after three hours your ears are warm and you know it
SIMGOT EW200
SIMGOT / Linsoul
A compact alternative to a headset if you already have a microphone. The metal shells and replaceable two-pin cable are useful practical features; comfort and the ear-tip seal should decide whether they suit you.
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- Connection
- 3.5 mm analogue
- Cable
- Detachable 0.78 mm 2-pin
- Shell
- Metal
- Detachable 0.78 mm two-pin cable can be replaced separately
- 3.5 mm analogue connection works with a suitable headphone output
The selected standard 3.5 mm version has no microphone
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FAQ
Frequently asked
Do IEMs automatically make footsteps easier to locate?
No. Fit, ear-tip seal, listening level and game settings affect the result. We have not measured a universal directional advantage for IEMs over headsets.
Can I use the standard SIMGOT EW200 for team voice chat?
The standard 3.5 mm version selected here has no microphone. You need a separate compatible microphone; check the exact version before ordering.
What if my PC has separate headphone and mic sockets?
A headset with one combined 3.5 mm plug may need a compatible splitter. Confirm the connectors and included accessories on the product listing.