Creative HS-230
The Creative HS-230 uses 40mm neodymium drivers and a noise-cancelling microphone to deliver clear voice pickup and enhanced audio for calls. It weighs only 108g and offers both USB and 3.5mm plug-and-play connectivity with an inline mic mute button for easy control. This headset is best for remote workers or students who need a lightweight, wired headset for long video calls in noisy environments.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Creative HS-230 is a dirt-cheap wired headset with a solid noise-cancelling mic for calls. Sound is fine for voices but weak on bass, and comfort is just okay. For around $20, it's a decent backup or budget work headset, just don't expect it to replace your main pair.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Noise-cancelling mic keeps your voice clear in meetings 73rd
- Plug-and-play with USB and 3.5mm, no drivers needed 66th
- Cheap enough to buy as a backup headset
- Inline mute button saves you from awkward fumbling
Cons
- Bass starts at 100Hz, so music sounds thin
- Build quality is mediocre at 35th percentile
- Comfort is underwhelming for long sessions
- Wired-only connectivity feels dated
The proof
Performance
The 40mm neodymium drivers put out decent sound for calls and casual listening. Our database puts sound quality at 67th percentile, which is solid for the price. The noise-cancelling mic lands at 66th percentile, so your voice comes through clearly enough in a normal room. But the frequency response starts at 100Hz, meaning bass is basically a rumor. Fine for voices, less fun for music. ANC sits at 74th percentile, which sounds impressive until you remember this is an on-ear headset with passive isolation doing most of the work. Connectivity is the weak link at 21st percentile, thanks to the wired-only setup and no modern conveniences.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | on-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | neodymium |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Freq Min | 100 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Codecs | Creative HS-230 Lightweight Headset with Noise-cancelling Mic - Stereo - USB Type A, Mini-phone (3.5mm) - Wired - 100 Hz to 20 kHz - Over-the-head, On-ear - Binaural - Circumaural - Noise Cancelling, |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Boom Mic | No |
vs Competition
Stacked against the TOZO HT3 or Bose Bass BH1 NC, the HS-230 looks outclassed in nearly every category. Those competitors offer wireless connectivity, better build quality, and actual bass response. The Truefree HF-10 and SoundPEATS Cove Pro also beat it on comfort and connectivity. But here's the thing: all of those cost more. The HS-230 wins on price alone, and for a wired headset that lives in a desk drawer until your next meeting, that might be enough.
| Spec | Creative HS-230 | JBL Tune 670NC | Soundcore Life Q20 | TOZO HT3 | Truefree HF-10 | QCY H3S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | on-ear | on-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | neodymium | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 32 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 40 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 70 | 60 | 90 | 125 | 102 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative HS-230 | 73.4 | 64.1 | 33.7 | 66.2 | 46 | 29.8 | 18.9 | 29.5 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.1 | 75.7 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 99.2 | 98.6 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 90.8 | 100 | 91.3 | 87.1 | 95.9 | 89.8 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 52 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
| Truefree HF-10 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 82.8 | 99.8 | 80 | 95.2 | 95.1 |
| QCY H3S Compare | 94.2 | 95.7 | 33.7 | 98.8 | 99 | 80 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $19-20 USD, the HS-230 is hard to argue with if you just need something for work calls. It's not going to impress anyone with audio quality, but it gets the job done without draining your wallet. The included USB adapter is a nice touch for laptops that ditched the headphone jack. Just know that you're buying a utility tool, not a listening experience.
Amazon 1 offer From €23
Price History
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Overview
The Creative HS-230 is a budget wired headset aimed squarely at video calls and meetings. It keeps things simple with a 3.5mm jack, a USB adapter, and a noise-cancelling mic. No Bluetooth, no app, no fuss. At around $19-20 USD, it's priced like an impulse buy, not an investment.
Creative calls it lightweight and they're not wrong. The spec sheet says 240g but the marketing copy claims 108g, which is a weird gap. Either way, it's an on-ear design that won't crush your skull during a long Zoom marathon. Just don't expect it to double as your daily music driver.
Common Questions
Q: Does the Creative HS-230 work with both PC and Mac?
Yes. It comes with both a 3.5mm jack and a USB Type-A adapter, so it works with any PC or Mac that has either port. No drivers or software needed.
Q: Is the microphone good enough for work calls?
The noise-cancelling mic sits at 66th percentile in our database, which means it handles normal background noise reasonably well. Your voice should come through clearly in a typical home office.
Q: Can I use this headset for music?
You can, but the frequency response only goes down to 100Hz, so you'll miss most of the bass. It's tuned for voice, not music.
Who Should Skip This
If you want wireless freedom, real bass, or all-day comfort, look elsewhere. The HS-230's wired-only design and mediocre build quality will frustrate anyone who wants a primary headset for music or gaming. Commuters should definitely pass, since the commute score is the weakest area at 32.6 out of 100.
Verdict
Buy the Creative HS-230 if you need a cheap, reliable headset for video calls and don't care about music playback. It's perfect for remote workers, students, or anyone who wants a no-frills mic that actually works. Skip it if you want something for music, gaming, or travel.
