Finding a good pair of headphones is hard enough, and finding a pair with a decent built-in microphone can be an even bigger challenge — especially if you need professional sound quality. However, if you’ve found your ideal pair of headphones, you can add a microphone to them relatively easily, and there are a few different ways to do it.
If your headphones have a 3.5mm audio jack, you can plug in an external boom mic or inline mic. If they don’t, use ModMic — a magnetically-attached boom mic that adheres to the side of your headphones but doesn’t need plugging in. You can also attach a mic to your headphones with glue or tape.
Microphones can make or break a podcast episode, video call, or game stream. That’s why it’s critical to find the best microphone for one’s specific needs, and what better than having the option to combine the finest mic with the best headphones? Let’s take a look at a few of the best ways to add a microphone to your headphones.
Can You Add a Mic to Your Headphones?
Yes, you can add an external microphone to your headphones without too much hassle. There are a few different ways to go about it, and it depends on what type of headphones you have. Let’s take a look at some of the options:
Headphones With a 3.5mm Audio Jack
If your headphones have a detachable cable with a 3.5mm audio jack, like those in wireless gaming headphones, you can simply plug in an external microphone, and you’re good to go.
Different types of detachable mics are available on the market. You can use a boom microphone (on Amazon) that plugs into the jack. Its wire connects both the headphone and mic to the PC or other devices.
You can also use a headphone-to-headset adapter cable (on Amazon) that comes with an inline mic and splits the headphone output into two — one for the microphone and the other for the headphone jack.
This type of adapter is particularly useful when you want to connect to a PC with separate audio and microphone inputs. However, if you want to connect to a mobile device or a gaming console, you can still use the adapter cable with an extra Y-splitter adapter.
When buying an external microphone, make sure it’s compatible with your headphones. Some mics are designed to work with specific models of headphones, while others can be used with any type.
Wired/Wireless Headphones Without a 3.5mm Audio Jack
If your headphones don’t have a jack to plug external microphones, you can go for a ModMic. These are headphone-mounted mics (on Amazon) that don’t need to be connected to the headphones directly but instead use a strong adhesive or magnets to stick to the side of your headphones. They are available in both wired and wireless variants and can be used with any type of headphones.
The best part is that they’re very easy to install and remove, so you can take them off and put them back whenever you need them. Depending on the available ports, you might need an adapter to use a wired ModMic with your headphones.
DIY Headphone Mics
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can even affix a microphone to your existing headphones with a bit of jerry-rigging. You can do it with the help of hot glue or velcro, or if you’re especially confident, you can even solder the mic directly to your headphones.
This way, you can extract a microphone from any old headset and use it with your headphones. Plenty of people have done it before, so there’s no reason you can’t as well.
While the method isn’t particularly elegant, it can work in a pinch — and it’s definitely cheaper than buying an all-new microphone.
How Do You Add a Microphone to Your Existing Headphones?
As we mentioned, there are a few different ways to add a microphone to your headphones. If you have a pair of headphones with a 3.5mm audio jack (on Amazon), you can simply plug in an external microphone adapter (on Amazon) and enjoy high-quality sound.
If your headphones don’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, you can use a ModMic (on Amazon) attached to the side of your headphones with magnets. Both of these solutions are easy to use and relatively inexpensive.
However, if you’ve decided to go the DIY route and have a spare headset lying around, the customization options are endless. Since you’re not limited by the need to use an adapter or anything else, you can add a microphone to your headphones in any way you see fit. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to DIY add a microphone to your existing headphones.
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
Before you start soldering, it’s important to have all the necessary tools and materials at hand. For this project, you’ll need
- A pair of headphones (on Amazon)
- A microphone (can be from an old headset)
- Hot glue and hot glue gun (on Amazon)
- Wire cutters or scissors
- A small box to attach the microphone
- Thin enameled copper wire
- Electrical insulation tape (on Amazon)
Step 2: Extract a Microphone From an Old Headset (advanced)
If you’re using a recycled microphone from an old headset, you’ll first need to carefully remove it from the headset.
- Use wire cutters or scissors to remove the plastic casing around it carefully. Be careful not to damage the microphone and keep the wire with a 3.5mm audio jack soldered to it.
- If wires are visible on any part of the microphone, cover them with electrical insulation tape.
Step 3: Attach the Microphone to the Plastic Box
To maintain the integrity and protect the microphone, it’s best to attach it to a small plastic box and then fix the box to the side of your headphones.
- You can use a hot glue gun or a soldering iron to fix the microphone inside the box.
- Make sure the wires have space to pass through the bottom of the box.
Step 4: Hook the Plastic Case to the Headphones
Once you’ve fixed the microphone in place, it’s time to attach the box to the side of your headphones. One way to do this is to use hot glue to fix the box in place. However, you may not want to disfigure your headphones permanently, so another option is to use thin wires to make a hanger.
To do this:
- Make two small holes on either side of the box by pushing hot wires through them.
- Next, thread a thin wire through each hole and twist the wires together at the top, making a loop.
- Take another long piece of wire and loop it around the headband of your headphones to the side where you want to place the box.
- Twist its end, making a small hook, and then thread it through the loop you created at the top of the box.
- Finally, twist the wire around itself to secure it and cut off any excess wire.
For a more secure fit, add a bit of hot glue around the base of the box. Keep it clean so that if you ever need to remove the box, you can do so without damaging your headphones.
Your microphone is now ready to use! Just plug its wires into the respective audio jack in your PC or console, and you’re good to go. If your console has a single 3.5mm audio jack for both headphones and a microphone, you can use a Y-splitter (on Amazon) to connect both devices.