What To Look For When Buying a Gaming Headset

Gaming headsets are an essential accessory when you’re playing video games—especially online and team-based games. You need headsets in order to communicate and coordinate strategies with your teammates or guild members. An exceptionally good headset can not only enhance your game experience but also give your team an advantage in-game! 

In this article, we’ll review some of the important things you should consider when buying a gaming headset:

Price

When it comes to price, you can find basic headsets for as low as $20-$50. Some are even free and simply included when you purchase your console, laptop, or PC.

The best ones can go up as high as $150 – $330— these headsets are packed with extra (luxury) features and the best sound quality money can buy. However, be wary! Once you’ve used high-quality gaming headsets, it can be hard to turn back. You’ll find low-quality devices terrible to play with.

Wired vs. Wireless

There are two kinds of headsets you can buy today: wired or wireless. Wired headsets are those that are plugged in using a USB cable or jack. They are more reliable when it comes to audio quality and offer no hassle when it comes to battery and charging. They’re also cheap and easier to find.

When it comes to price, wireless models cost more. Most modern wireless headsets today either use Bluetooth or radio signals. The great thing about Bluetooth is that it’s often compatible to any device with Bluetooth enabled. 

Wireless can also help you minimize the clutter in your desk since you don’t have to deal with wires. However, wireless headphones are more prone to latency and interference, especially if you’re using ones with low frequency.   

Sound and Mic Quality

Sound quality is important when choosing the right gaming headset. The best gaming headsets deliver crystal-clear audio during gameplay. It can also remove any kind of outside sound (noise-cancelling) so that you can focus your attention in the game.

So even if you’re gaming in your dorm room filled with noisy and annoying roommates, the sound won’t affect you. On the other hand, headsets with poor isolation can change the sound of your game. 

Another important factor is the quality of your gaming mic. In some games, it’s important to voice chat in order to win the game. This is why you’ll want a headset with a mic that can capture your voice as clearly as possible.

This is very important if you’re playing team-based games such as Fortnite or Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. Some of the best mic allows you to chat with your fellow players with crystal clarity. 

Surround Sound  

The best high-end gaming headsets offer this feature. Surround  sound allows you to hear accurate directional in-game audio. It offers a 360-degree soundscape which can give you a real competitive advantage. 

This is a very important feature when playing immersive online games where the ability to track the direction of your opponent is crucial for gameplay. Hearing the exact location of footsteps or distant gunshots can give you a lot of time to reposition and meet your enemies from a stronger vantage point. 

Design Comfort 

Another important factor to consider when buying gaming headsets is the level of comfort of the device. You want a headset that isn’t too heavy, that has a perfect fit, and provides just the right amount of comfort around the ear. 

The best headsets are also the most comfortable ones. If you’re someone who games more than 5 hours a day, you should invest in comfy and high-quality headphones. When choosing headphones, make sure that the fit over your ear is perfect. A headset that’s too tight can be physically painful when worn for longer hours. This pain can affect your focus and your overall gaming experience. 

Material Quality and Durability

Always choose gaming headsets that are durable and worth its value. You want headsets that will last you for many years. Today, headset materials can vary depending on design and budget. 

The common gaming headsets we know today are often made of rigid plastic with rubber or PVC layer. These devices aren’t very sturdy and can break after a little bit of tension.

The best ones are the ones made with metal or wireframes. They also have exceptional cushion foams that mold to the shape of your ear so that you can game in comfort for long hours. 

Compatibility 

Before buying a gaming headset, first, consider the type of platform you play on and the kind of games you play. Do you play using PC or Console? Are you more into immersive online games?

Do you enjoy the coop and multiplayer genre? Some headsets are only compatible with certain types of platforms—and some games don’t need a mic or a high-quality gaming headset to be playable.