Beyond Accuracy: User Experience Matters in the Comparison of Two EEG Headsets for BCI

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are a promising Assistive Technology (AT) for individuals with severe motor impairments, enabling communication and interaction through neural activity without requiring muscular control. However, their integration into everyday assistive services remains limited, partly due to usability issues related to EEG acquisition devices. In particular, the comfort and acceptability of EEG headsets are key factors for longterm adoption. This study compared users’ subjective experience with two EEG headsets during a P300-based BCI spelling task: a gel-based cap (EasyCap), commonly used in laboratory and clinical settings, and a mobile semi-dry system (X.on) designed for out-of-lab applications. Ten healthy volunteers completed two sessions, performing the same task with each headset. After each session, participants filled out a questionnaire assessing satisfaction with headset, along with Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) evaluating perceived physical discomfort. Results showed higher overall satisfaction with the semi-dry headset, suggesting greater suitability for everyday BCI communication.