Creative HS-230

The Creative HS-230 is a budget wired headset with a genuinely good noise-cancelling mic. Sound is fine for calls but weak on bass, and build quality is nothing special. Worth it at CAD 29 from Memory Express if you just need a reliable meeting headset.

The mic is the standout, landing in the 88th percentile in our database. That noise-cancelling boom mic does exactly what it promises, cutting background chatter so your voice comes through clean. Sound quality sits at a solid 65th percentile, which means it's fine for meetings and podcasts but nothing special for music. The 100Hz low end means bass is basically absent. Build quality is a weak spot at the 33rd percentile, and comfort isn't much better at 30th. Connectivity is the real letdown at 18th percentile, which makes sense for a wired-only headset in a world full of wireless options.

Stacked against the Soundcore Life Q20, TOZO HT3, and JBL Tune 670NC, the HS-230 is the odd one out. Those competitors are all wireless with ANC and better sound, but they cost more and their mics aren't necessarily better for calls. The HS-230 wins on mic clarity and simplicity, but loses on comfort, build, and connectivity. If you want one headset for music, travel, and calls, the JBL or Soundcore are better picks. If you just need a reliable wired mic for Zoom, the Creative does the job for less.

Pricing is all over the place in Canada, ranging from CAD 29 to CAD 45 across three listings. Memory Express has the best deal at CAD 29, and at that price it's a reasonable pickup for a dedicated call headset. At CAD 45 you're getting into territory where better-built options start appearing. In the US it's around USD 19-20, which is fair for what you get. Just don't expect premium anything here.

The Creative HS-230 is a no-frills wired headset aimed at video calls and meetings. It's light, plug-and-play, and the noise-cancelling boom mic is the clear star here. The 40mm neodymium drivers are fine for voice and casual audio, but the 100Hz to 20kHz range tells you this isn't built for deep bass or music lovers.

At 240g it's not the lightest thing we've seen, though Creative's own copy claims 108g, which is a weird mismatch. Either way, the on-ear design and basic build put it firmly in budget territory. You're buying this for the mic, not the soundstage.

Skip this if you want wireless, ANC, or anything resembling decent music playback. The 100Hz low end kills bass, and the on-ear comfort won't win any awards. If you need a headset for travel or long listening sessions, look at the Soundcore Life Q20 or JBL Tune 670NC instead.

Buy this if you need a cheap, dependable headset for work calls and don't care about music quality or wireless freedom. The mic is the reason to pick it up. Everyone else should keep scrolling.