A headset is a device you wear on your head that combines headphones for listening with a microphone for speaking. Think of it as headphones and a microphone joined together, letting you hear and talk at the same time.

Gamers use headsets to communicate with teammates while playing online games, hearing both the game sounds and their friends' voices clearly. People working from home wear headsets for video calls so they can type notes while talking, keeping their hands free. Pilots wear specialized headsets in noisy cockpits so they can hear air traffic controllers over the roar of the engines.

A headset differs from regular headphones because it has a built-in microphone, usually on a small arm that curves toward your mouth. Some headsets are wired, plugging into a computer or phone, while others connect wirelessly using Bluetooth technology. Virtual reality (VR) headsets are different devices entirely: they cover your eyes with screens to create immersive 3D worlds, though they often include headphones too.

The key advantage of a headset is convenience. Instead of holding a phone to your ear or leaning toward a computer microphone, you can move around freely while staying connected to a conversation or game.