All gamers know how a gaming headset can make a difference in gaming and we need to ask how to choose a gaming headset to get the best out there which makes gives us advantages in the competitive gaming arena.
We have used many top gaming headsets that are available in the market till now and had experiences with each one of them and hence like to share the experience with you so that you can find the best option easily for yourself.
So, how to choose a Gaming Headset? Let’s find out
To choose a gaming headset, you should look for a gaming headset that is based on your preferred gaming platforms such as PC/laptop/console, wired or wireless, great sound quality with stereo or 3D options, best noise isolation, good headset mic, lightweight and good build quality.
We will take you through all of these factors and explain what, how, and share the best advice with our experience on each one of them. Knowing these factors will not only help you decide to choose the best gaming headset for yourself but also save the time and energy that you might have wasted on further research.
Gaming Headsets vs Gaming Headphones
There are so many things that we gamers tend not to get confused in the terminology, but confusion can happen to anyone and the confusion between gaming headphones and gaming headsets are still a thing.
Many of us search for Gaming Headphones instead of gaming headsets which is the right thing for gaming that does not require a microphone. In gaming, especially in competitive gaming, you will need a gaming headset and not a gaming headphone.
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What is a gaming headset?
Gaming headsets are more like gaming headphones designed to hear audio and virtual surround sound but have additional features such as the microphone which can be removable or attached.
So, when you see the microphone attached, it is a headset and gaming headsets are more advanced in display and features than the regular ones such as big ear-pads, modern design, and much more.
What should I look for in gaming headsets?
You should look at these factors for gaming headsets such as the current gaming platform, connection types such as wireless or wired, sound quality, noise isolation and cancellation, microphone, comfort, and pricing.
We will explain each factor in detail with the advantages, disadvantages, what is the best option for you and what to consider while choosing the best gaming headset for your gaming experience.
What makes a gaming headset good?
A gaming headset is considered good when it is best suitable for your gaming platform, it also suits your preference for wired or wireless, you get the best sound quality with noise isolation and cancellation, it is comfortable and has a great microphone and fits in your budget.
First, you need to know your preference and we will help you to understand each factor and how you can match your preferences accordingly. Make sure you go through all of them so that you know the best option for yourself.
1. Gaming Platform
A gaming platform can be gaming consoles such as PlayStation Xbox, or Nintendo and similarly gaming PC or gaming laptops which will give you the idea of what gaming headset you should choose whereas many gaming headsets are limited to certain gaming platforms.
To make sure you have the best gaming headset, you need to check out the following recommendations and advice so that you will have the right gaming headset for your gaming platform.
Gaming PC / Gaming Laptop
Most of the gaming headsets come with a 3.5mm connection or USB connections and some come with Bluetooth technology. Your gaming PC or laptop will be able to connect them easily based on what support it has. Most of the gaming headsets will work on any gaming platform.
Also, Make sure you give your attention while choosing the best gaming headset whereas there are console-only gaming headsets in the market. These gaming headsets will not work on your gaming laptop or PC so make sure you take note of that.
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Xbox One
If you own an Xbox then check out the exclusive gaming headset for the consoles which are compatible with the Xbox features. The new Xbox controllers have 3.5mm connections and you can plug any gaming headset to play multiplayer games.
If you happen to have an Xbox controller without a 3.5mm audio jack then you can use Xbox one stereo headset adapter which connects to your Xbox controller and has a 3.5mm audio jack. With Xbox one stereo headset adapter you can turn up / down the volume and turn off the microphone.
PlayStation 4
If you own a PlayStation console then check out the exclusive gaming headset for the consoles which are compatible with the PlayStation features. The new PlayStation controllers have a 3.5mm audio jack and you can plug any gaming headset to play multiplayer games.
You can also use your wireless gaming headset with a USB adaptor to pair with a PlayStation console. You also need to think twice as the new PS5 controller comes with an in-built microphone but it will have its limitations.
Nintendo Switch
If you own a Nintendo switch then you can plug your gaming headset with two options. You can use the 3.5mm audio jack to plug your gaming headphone directly from the Nintendo switch. You can use the extension with male/female jacks if you want to sit far from the Nintendo switch which is connected to a display.
You can use a USB-C port or USB port on the dock to connect your gaming headset. The connection for your wireless gaming headphone will be a difficult one as you will need a 2.4Ghz transmitter and analog audio to digital convertor.
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2. Wired vs Wireless
Is a wired gaming headset better than a wireless one for gaming? Yes, the wired gaming headset is better than wireless for gaming because they are generally used by most pro gamers for competitive gaming which requires lesser input lag, is not susceptible to interference, does not need batteries and charging, and is available much cheaper than a wireless gaming headset.
Though you know now that wired gaming headsets are the primary choice for pro gamers, and if going pro is not your goal and just want to enjoy high-quality gaming on your gaming system then you can go for wireless gaming headsets.
Following are the points that you also want to consider:
- With a wired gaming headset, you connect the headset and you are ready to play.
- Wired headsets are generally a lot lighter than wireless headsets.
- The length of the cable may be an issue for some wired gaming headsets.
- Cables are liable to wear and breakage over time so consider this as well.
- Battery life for Wireless gaming headsets is a concern as you have to put them for charging once in a while.
So, choosing a wired or wireless gaming headset is all about your preferences. Make sure you consider the above points and observations and decide based on your gaming preferences.
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3. Sound Quality
When it comes to the gaming experience, sound quality is one of the main factors that can uplift your gaming experience drastically. You need to make sure you get the best quality of sound from the gaming headset so that you can have an immersive gaming experience.
There are three types of sound that you should find in gaming headsets such as stereo, surround sound, and 3D. There are many other features of a gaming headset such as a great base, sound amplification that could enhance your gaming experience as well.
Stereo
The stereo sound is mainly used for listening to music and can be used in gaming as it gives higher sound fidelity. Though it has only one speaker for each of the right and left sides which may be enough for competitive gaming.
Though most of the competitive gamers do use stereo gaming headsets and that lets out the competitiveness most of the time. Hence we recommend you go for surround sound or 3D sound quality to have a clear advantage in competitive gaming.
What is a stereo gaming headset?
A stereo gaming headset is a gaming headset that will help you to understand where the sound is coming from and that will be limited to left or right and that will help in most situations in gaming.
Surround sound
You will find surround sound in many gaming headsets with various audio configurations such as 5.1 and 7.1 where it contains 5 or 7 speakers with one subwoofer and that enhances the sound quality.
Especially in the competitive gaming arena, this surround sound will help you to get feedback from these speakers right from your back to the front side. Just imagine you are one of the million players who is competing and you will be able to hear the most detailed footsteps and more.
3D
To take things to the next level, a 3D sound also called a spatial sound with a gaming headset will enhance your gaming experience better than surround sound. While surround sound will help you to get feedback from speakers from your back to the front and left to right, the 3D sound will additionally give you feedback from above to below.
Having a 3D sound gaming headset will enhance your senses in competitive gaming situations. A 3D sound gaming headset delivers a supersonic auditory experience and ensures you to locate the exact location of others. With supersonic reactions to sound outputs such as footsteps and shots, you will be able to track and tap them easily.
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4. Noise Isolation
Sound isolation gaming headsets work as a blockade to external noise. These gaming headsets fit your ears in a way that they block outside noise that can enter your ears from any space. This is very different than noise cancellation so make sure you consider this to the next point.
So these types of gaming headsets are most common but you need to make sure they do their job very well. Check out the reviews from the users that have already used the gaming headset and talk about sound isolation issues.
Noise Cancellation
These gaming headsets have microphones built on each side of the headset cup which samples the ambient noise close to the ear. Those noise signals are then sent into the electronic circuit that creates a mirror image of the noise after analyzing the sent noise and sent back to the signal this way the real noise is getting canceled out by the mirror image of the noise.
Noise cancellation is a process that works electronically. This specific technology was first developed to improve radio communications in very noisy places like aircraft cockpits. Having a noise cancellation to your gaming headset will improve your experience.
5. Microphone
Every gaming headset will come up with a microphone and some will be detachable from the headset. These microphones are very useful in a team match online and you needed to be spot on in your communication with the team.
These gaming headsets with microphones will do the job in gaming and in other communication online such as Skype calls or regular cellular calls. If you want high audio quality then you can go for a studio microphone separately and pair it with the headphone.
How do I choose a good headset mic?
To choose a good headset mic, you need to check the frequency response which is also referred to as a range of frequency for each gaming headset. A microphone with a frequency response range of around 8000Hz to 15000Hz will be a good choice.
You will find great gaming headsets within this range of frequencies that will give you the best gaming experience. Also, make sure you check out reviews if someone is talking about microphone issues.
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6. Comfort
The comfort of a gaming headset is one of the main factors while choosing the best gaming headset. There are certain things that you need to look for such as build quality, clamp force, ear cups, weight, headbands, material and physical form of the gaming headset.
In the following sections, we will share what to look for in these factors to know the comfort ness of any gaming headset and get the one that fits your style and preferences.
Clamp Force
Clamp force, tightness, and tension matter a lot in gaming as we gamers do get longer sessions and higher clamping force can make it uncomfortable or cause pain and soreness during long gaming sessions.
The selection of the gaming headset is based on individual preference whereas some gamers might find the same gaming headset tighter and some may not. We recommend you personally check the clamping force and then decide to choose the best gaming headset for yourself.
Ear Cups
All gaming headphones come in various ear cup sizes and materials but they are most comfortable. Due to the mass production of these gaming headsets, they certainly do not fit all the ears and you may find some unfit.
Make sure you get the one with a good cushion as well because it will help your ears to feel less pain and soreness while in the long gaming sessions. Also, check the memory foam grade and material to know how it suits your gaming preferences.
Headbands
Almost all gaming headset headbands are adjustable and you can adjust them at your convenience. Although it also has a cushion towards the upper side to make sure you get a comfortable gaming experience.
Some gaming headsets come with additional support on the headband that can balance the weight and give great comfort and this gaming headset comes at a high cost so make sure you invest in a good gaming headset according to your budget.
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Weight
The weight of the gaming headset is also one of the most important factors you should consider. A heavy gaming headset can make your head and neck sore and painful due to prolong use in the gaming sessions.
When it comes to weight, wired gaming headsets are much lighter than wireless ones. Though there are some great wireless gaming headsets that are lighter in weight but come at a higher cost.
Material
Your gaming headset material will define the durability and ultimately the duration of your gaming experience. Cheap material is an enemy of the gaming experience overall and you should not neglect this while choosing the best gaming headset for yourself.
Gaming headsets are mainly made with materials like PVC, plastic, rubber, artificial leather, memory foam, and much more. We recommend you to not go for anything with plastic material, durable gaming headsets are generally pricy and a good investment.
The physical form of a gaming headset
We are talking about the design and the artistic choices of the gaming headsets that you might like. This one completely depends on the preferences and you may like one design that is very simplistic or modern it all boils down to personal choices.
We recommend you to decide on this factor at the last and after pricing which we are covering after this one because you may not get the best gaming headset that you think looks best on you. We want you to get the best gaming experience over cosmetic enhancements.
How to wear a gaming headset properly?
I know! I know! where does this come from? we just want to help you here whereas this can make things a little worse in the long run. So how wearing a gaming headset can be an issue? This comes down to two things which are gaming headset lifespan and your comfort for long gaming sessions.
Make sure you adjust the headband to a certain level that might go above your expectations to your fit. This will help you to fit the gaming headset easily. Then use both hands and hold both earmuffs. Pull the earmuffs until there is proper space to fit your head. Put in one ear and adjust then do the same for the other one.
7. Pricing
One last and important factor to consider is the pricing of the gaming headsets. There are some gaming headsets that come under $100 and some around $200 and more. You might want to consider wired gaming headsets which are much cheaper than wireless gaming headsets and fits your budget.
Although, your budget is one thing and how much you can pay for something that will be the best gaming experience is yours to decide. We recommend you wait a little longer until you have the budget to get the best gaming headset.
Check out our favorite gaming headsets along with the specifications such as connection, types, sound, weight, and noise cancellation that any gamer will want for the gaming experience.
What headset do most pro gamers use?
The most common gaming headsets that most pro gamers use are:
We also have included these gaming headsets as well as similar ones with our recommendations on our gaming headset page. We have done our research and had experience in these gaming headsets and gave our recommendations.
What is the number 1 gaming headset?
The number 1 gaming headset with our experience is Razer BlackShark V2. The Razer BlackShark V2 headset is a very good wired gaming headset. It is very comfortable with a detachable boom mic that makes your voice clear and you can adjust microphone settings using their software. (Please note that this gaming headset is not compatible with Xbox one)
Is a good gaming headset worth it?
Yes, a good gaming headset is not just worth it but also a good investment that will help you to get the best gaming experience in terms of enhancing sound quality, great comfort, and competitive advantage in online gaming. Overall, the gaming headset is worth it for the next level of gaming experience.
Gaming headset buying guide
To get you a quick overview, check for the following questions that you should ask while choosing the best gaming headsets from the market and you will be able to choose the best gaming headset for your gaming experience.
- Does it suit your current gaming platform?
- What is the preference for the connection type? wired or wireless
- What sound quality do you want stereo, surround sound, or 3D?
- Does it have noise isolation and noise cancellation?
- Does it have a microphone with a frequency response range (8000Hz to 15000Hz)?
- Is it comfortable such as less tight, lighter, and has quality material?
- Is it in your budget?
Once you have the answers to all of the above questions, you will be able to choose your best gaming headset easily. Sometimes it is hard to get answers to some questions right away so we recommend and go back to the section on this article to clear your doubts.
Best Gaming Headset
Following are the top 5 best gaming headsets based on our experiences. We have added our recommendations along with pros and cons for each of the 15 gaming headsets that will give you some idea about each gaming headset and will help you to choose the best one for yourself. You can check all 15 of them on our recommended products page about 15 Best Gaming Headsets Top Gaming Headsets in Market.
| # | Headset Name / Brand | Connection | Connection Type | Noise Cancellation | Weight | Sound | Our Recommendations |
| 1 | Razer Blackshark V2 | Wired | 3.5mm / USB | Yes | 262g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
| 2 | SteelSeries Arctis 7 | Wireless | 3.5mm / USB | Yes | 240g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
| 3 | Logitech G Pro X | Wired | 3.5mm / USB | Yes | 258g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
| 4 | SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless | Wireless | USB / Bluetooth | No | 357g | X v2 surround sound | Read More |
| 5 | Astro A50 | Wireless | USB sound card | No | 363g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
Best Budget Gaming Headset
Following are the top 5 best and budget gaming headsets based on our experiences. All of these gaming headsets are wired gaming headsets and because of their connection type, the price is affordable. Most of these gaming headsets come under $100 and has great features such as noise cancellation, surround sound, and stereo.
| # | Headset Name / Brand | Connection | Connection Type | Noise Cancellation | Weight | Sound | Our Recommendations |
| 1 | Razer Kraken X | Wired | 3.5mm analog | Yes | 249g | 7.1 surround sound | Read More |
| 2 | HyperX Cloud Stinger | Wired | 3.5mm | No | 275g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
| 3 | Razer Blackshark V2 | Wired | 3.5mm / USB | Yes | 262g | 7.1 Surround Sound | Read More |
| 4 | HyperX Cloud Alpha | Wired | 3.5mm | No | 298g | Stereo | Read More |
| 5 | Corsair HS60 Haptic | Wired | USB | Yes | 420g | Stereo | Read More |
We hope that you will find the best gaming headset that will enhance your gaming experience. If you still have issues finding the best gaming headset then please let us know in the comments. Also, share your feedback on the article, did it help you to choose the best gaming headset and answer the question of how to choose a gaming headset?
