You can use two headsets on the same PC by connecting them both and setting one as your default playback device while routing the second through software

Windows doesn't natively send audio to two headsets at once without Stereo Mix, but you have working alternatives. The simplest approach is to connect both headsets, set one as your default device in Sound Settings, and use third-party software to split audio to the second one. Another option is to use virtual audio cable software that creates a duplicate audio stream. A third method involves using your headsets on different applications — one app sends sound to Headset A, another to Headset B — which works well if you're gaming on one headset while listening to Discord on the other.

The method you choose depends on whether you need both headsets playing the same audio simultaneously, or whether you're comfortable routing different audio sources to each one. Most people find the software-splitting approach easiest because it requires no special hardware and works with any headset.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect both headsets to your PC via USB or 3.5mm jack, then open Sound Settings to confirm Windows recognizes both devices.
  • Use free software like VB-Audio Virtual Cable or Voicemeeter to create a second audio output and send sound to both headsets at once.
  • Route different applications to different headsets by right-clicking the volume icon in the system tray and selecting which device each app uses.
  • If you only need one headset active at a time, straightforward switch your default device in Sound Settings whenever you want to change which headset plays audio.
  • Stereo Mix is not required — it was an older workaround that many modern PCs don't support anyway.

Connect Both Headsets and Verify Windows Recognizes Them

Plug both headsets into your PC. If they use USB, insert them into separate USB ports. If they use 3.5mm jacks, use a headphone splitter or connect one to the headphone jack and one to a microphone jack if your PC has both. Wait a few seconds for Windows to detect each device.

Open Sound Settings by right-clicking the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right corner) and selecting "Open Sound settings." Scroll down to "Advanced" and click "Volume mixer." You should see both headsets listed under "Apps" at the bottom. If you don't see both, unplug and replug them, wait 10 seconds, and refresh the page by pressing F5.

Test each headset by clicking on it in the Volume mixer and playing a short sound — open YouTube or Spotify and play 5 seconds of audio. You'll hear it come through whichever headset is currently set as default. This confirms both are working.

Use VB-Audio Virtual Cable to Split Audio to Both Headsets

VB-Audio Virtual Cable is free software that creates a fake audio device Windows treats as a real one. When you route sound to Virtual Cable, you can then send that same sound to both physical headsets. This is the most reliable method for simultaneous playback on two headsets.

read VB-Audio Virtual Cable from vb-audio.com (the blue "read" button on the homepage). Run the installer, accept the license, and restart your PC when prompted. After restart, open Sound Settings again and scroll to "Advanced" — you'll now see "VB-Audio Virtual Cable" listed as an output device.

Set VB-Audio Virtual Cable as your default playback device. Now when you play audio, it goes to Virtual Cable instead of your headsets. Open Volume mixer, find Virtual Cable in the list, and click the three dots next to it. Select "Open volume mixer." You'll see a new window showing Virtual Cable's outputs. Click "Select a device" under Virtual Cable and choose your first headset. Then add your second headset the same way. Both headsets will now play the same audio.

If you want to adjust volume separately for each headset, use the sliders in this Virtual Cable window. If you want to switch back to using just one headset, change your default device back to that headset in Sound Settings.

Route Different Apps to Different Headsets Using Volume Mixer

If you don't need both headsets playing the same audio, this method is simpler and requires no extra software. Open Volume mixer (right-click speaker icon, select "Open Sound settings," scroll to "Advanced," click "Volume mixer"). You'll see all your open applications listed.

For each app, click on it and select which headset you want it to use from the dropdown menu. For example, set Discord to Headset A and your game to Headset B. Each app will send its audio to the headset you chose, and you can hear both at the same time.

This method works best when you're using different applications on each headset — one for gaming, one for voice chat, one for music. If an app doesn't appear in Volume mixer, open it first, then refresh Volume mixer by pressing F5.

Use Voicemeeter for More Control Over Audio Routing

Voicemeeter is free software that gives you more advanced control than Virtual Cable alone. It lets you mix multiple audio sources and send them to multiple outputs, and it includes a built-in mixer so you can adjust levels in real time.

read Voicemeeter from vb-audio.com (same site as Virtual Cable). Install it and restart. Open Voicemeeter and you'll see a mixer interface with input channels on the left and output channels on the right. Set your first headset as "A1" (the main output) and your second headset as "A2" (the secondary output).

In Sound Settings, set Voicemeeter as your default playback device. Now any audio you play will appear in Voicemeeter's mixer. Use the sliders to control how much audio goes to each headset. You can also mute one headset or adjust its volume independently without affecting the other.

Voicemeeter is more complex than Virtual Cable, but it's worth learning if you need precise control — for example, if you want to hear game audio at 80% on one headset and Discord at 20% on the other.

Switch Between Headsets Quickly Without Changing Settings

If you only need one headset active at a time and want to switch between them without opening Sound Settings each time, use a keyboard shortcut. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray and select "Open Sound settings." Scroll to "Advanced" and click "Volume mixer."

At the top of Volume mixer, you'll see your current default device. Click on it to open a dropdown of all available devices. You can click this dropdown to switch between headsets when ready. Some third-party tools like EarTrumpet (free from the Microsoft Store) make this even faster by adding a quick-switch menu to your system tray.

This method is the least technical and works if you're comfortable unplugging one headset and plugging in another, or if you're switching between two USB headsets that stay plugged in.

Troubleshoot When One or Both Headsets Aren't Working

If a headset isn't appearing in Sound Settings, first check the physical connection. For USB headsets, try a different USB port — some ports share bandwidth and may not provide enough power. For 3.5mm headsets, make sure the jack is fully inserted and not bent.

Right-click the speaker icon and select "Open Sound settings." Scroll down and click "Advanced" then "Volume mixer." At the very top, click "Show inactive devices." If your headset appears grayed out, right-click it and select "Enable." Refresh the page with F5.

If audio is playing but you can't hear it, check the volume slider for that headset in Volume mixer — it may be muted or turned all the way down. Also verify you're not using an app that has its own audio output setting. For example, Discord has a separate "Output Device" menu in User Settings that overrides Windows settings.

If Virtual Cable or Voicemeeter isn't working, restart your PC. If it still doesn't work, uninstall the software (Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program), restart, and reinstall it. Make sure you restart after installation — Windows needs to load the new audio drivers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't assume both headsets will work if you just plug them in — you must set them as outputs in Sound Settings or Volume mixer. Don't forget to restart your PC after installing Virtual Cable or Voicemeeter; Windows won't recognize them until you do. Don't leave both headsets unmuted in Volume mixer if you only want one playing audio — you'll hear both at once and may get confused about which is which.

Don't use a cheap headphone splitter for 3.5mm jacks if you need both headsets to play at full volume — splitters reduce power to each jack and audio will be quieter. Don't set your default device to Virtual Cable and then forget about it — if you unplug your headsets, you'll have no audio until you switch back to a physical device.

If you're using Discord or another voice app, don't forget to check its own audio settings. Many apps let you choose a different input and output device than Windows default, and this can override your Sound Settings choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two wireless headsets at the same time?

Yes, as long as they use different wireless protocols or different USB dongles. Two headsets using the same 2.4GHz USB dongle will interfere with each other. If both are Bluetooth, connect them both to your PC and use the same methods described above — Windows will treat them as separate devices.

Will using two headsets drain my PC's battery faster?

If your PC is a laptop, two USB headsets will draw more power than one, but the difference is usually small — maybe 5 to 10 minutes of battery life. Bluetooth headsets draw even less power. If battery life is a concern, use one wired and one Bluetooth headset.

What if my headsets have different audio quality?

Windows will play audio at the quality of your default device. If you want one headset to play high-quality audio and another to play lower-quality audio, use Volume mixer to route them to different apps — high-quality audio to one app, lower-quality to another. This is rarely necessary in practice.

Do I need to buy special hardware to use two headsets?

No. If you have two USB headsets or two 3.5mm headsets, you can use them both with just software. A headphone splitter costs $5 to $15 if you're using 3.5mm jacks, but it's optional.

Can I use one headset for audio and another for microphone input?

Yes. In Sound Settings, set one headset as your default playback device (for audio) and another as your default recording device (for microphone). Windows will use them independently. You can also set different devices per app in Volume mixer.