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Our Picks For Best Gaming Headphones
Use the Sennheiser Game ONE headset to adjust the volume on your game effortlessly. They’re so comfortable that you might even forget that they’re on your ears.
You’re getting some high-quality sound when you purchase the Steel Series Arctis Pro. Speak and game at the same time without ever taking over the in-game music.
The quality is what makes the Astro Gaming headphones unique. Don’t worry about dropping these or about the microphone, since everything is made to be durable and high-quality.
If you want to focus on what you are listening to without interference, these Bose headphones are your best bet. Three levels of noise cancellation guarantee you won’t be disturbed in even the noisiest situations.
You can hear everything thanks to the surround sound in the HyperX Cloud Revolver S headset. All external noise will be cancelled with these so that you can listen to every small sound.
Relax with the surround sound around you and the amazing speakers in the Turtle Beach Elite Pro headset blocking out all other noise. Comfort and sound quality: that’s Turtle Beach.
Runmus Gaming Headset
The Runmus Gaming Headset has been years in the making. It will fit any head size for surround sound and quality you can’t find elsewhere.
Imagine being at the very climax of your game. You’re sitting, holding your breath, controller in hands and — something interrupts you. Your headphones don't block the noises outside, and the sound quality isn't good enough for you to feel like you're part of the game.
That's the problem with buying any old gaming headphones: they don't help with the gaming experience. In this guide, we’re helping you navigate the best gaming headphones on the market to take your gaming experience up another notch.
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Sennheiser makes their gaming headsets with extreme sound clarity and accuracy, using original transducer technology. Use the exchangeable cables as part of the Game ONE headset to plug your headphones into multiple platforms, including PCs, Mac, consoles, mobiles, and tablets.
These headphones will cancel out noise wherever you are while providing you with intuitive, integrated volume control. Not to mention that they’re completely comfortable thanks to the plush ear pads.
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Pick up these Arctis Pro headphones to immerse yourself in your game. They're made with premium high-resolution speakers that reproduce a full and expansive range of sound.
You’ll hear great whether you’re gaming alone or chatting at the same time, thanks to the USB ChatMix Dial. This dial lets you adjust the volume of your voice relative to the game. Just place these aluminum and steel constructed headphones on your ears for a good fit.
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You can use the Astro Gaming A50 headphones with multiple gaming systems like the PS4, PC, and Mac. The sound quality is made to be professional, not to mention that the headphones themselves are constructed to fit your ears well and last in the long run. Lower the microphone to speak into it, and relax with the surround sound as you use these wireless headphones to hear everything.
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Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 is made to be completely wireless. Don’t worry about that impacting your audio experience though, since you’ll be able to chat and listen effortlessly using these headphones.
You can even hook these up to the Switch for surround sound or can watch a movie that lets you listen to the high-quality audio. For those of you with glasses, you'll be comfortable too with the padded cushions and comfortable cups.
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These HyperX Cloud Revolver S headphones include studio-grade sound stage so that you can hear everything without any sound interference. They include the next-generation directional drivers, along with a noise-canceling microphone to pick up only your voice when you speak. The durable steel frame will remain sturdy over time, while the memory foam will keep your ears comfortable no matter how long you're playing for.
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With another Turtle Beach option here, you might be wondering what’s different. Well, the Elite Pro Tournament Gaming Headset is made with a Pro Gaming Microphone, which provides you with a professional experience when you’re speaking.
Your squad will hear you without a problem, and you’ll probably even forget that you’re wearing earphones. That’s because of the comfortable padding and amazing noise isolation in the speakers
Runmus Gaming Headset
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Summary:
You have some amazing drivers in the Runmas Gaming Headset which deliver surround sound in any game you’re playing, and on any system. You might love these so much that you use them for music too.
They're certainly comfortable enough with the ergonomic design and premium materials they're made of. Use them with any gaming system and with the noise-canceling microphone.
Why It’s Better to Use Headsets in Gaming
Gaming headsets are incredibly convenient, for one. You don’t have to mount these speakers to the wall, deal with more than one wire, or mess with any complicated technology. All you have to do is place them on your head.
Not to mention that headsets are cheaper to use overall, more portable, and will make you feel as if you're right in the game with your character. Especially if you get a wireless pair of headphones. You can even walk around your house with them on.
Headphones will help with your playing as well. You’ll be so invested in your game that you’ll be able to pick out details you couldn’t pick up otherwise. The incredible sound will isolate you a little from the outside world and help keep you focused and fully immersed.
What to Consider
Buying a new set of gaming headphones can be a rushed job, or a purchase you contemplated for a while. There are some factors you need to consider if you want to find the best gaming headsets for the games you play:
Fit and Design
You’ll be using your headphones for a very long time, but only if they’re comfortable enough. If there are areas that pinch, or put too much tension on your head, you’ll end up with a big headache instead of a big win. What works for one gamer isn’t necessarily ideal for the next, so think about how you like headphones to fit.
There are a ton of different designs from wireless to corded, and open to the closed back. A good way to find a comfortable headset is to try one on in person, for several minutes, if possible. This way, you can tell if there are problems you can't see from a picture; for example, ear cups that get way too hot after only a short time.
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Sound Quality
The audio quality is, invariably, one of the most important aspects of headphones to most gamers. It’s also one of the features worth putting a little more of your budget into, rather than extras you won’t notice.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose stereo or virtual surround sound, as well as other audio features like equalizers and sound settings.
Again, this is great to check out in person, but searching through customer reviews is another reliable way to choose.
Price and Value
There’s a difference between price and value. One determines how much you cash out. The other determines the level of quality and the benefits it gives you. Naturally, you’re looking for value, at a price that won’t go over budget.
Just because a pair of headphones is expensive doesn't mean they're the best quality. Often you can find the brands that mix high-quality audio, with an affordable price. The catch? You’re probably giving up a few bells and whistles in exchange for great audio.
Battery Life
If you’re looking at gaming headsets that run on battery (and a great many do), look at the battery life. Who wants to get into a team raid just to lose headphone battery midway through? The battery life for headphones can vary, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, to days, depending on the brand. Always check the run time and the charge time to make sure it fits how you play.
Headset Connections
Gaming headsets come with a variety of different connection types, and it’s important to know about what these types mean. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about the most common connections in gaming headphones:
Optical Connections
Optical connections are one of the less common types, but you’ll still see them around. The problem with these? They’re great if your equipment has an optical connection port, but chances are, it doesn't. You'd need an upgraded sound card or a fairly heavy-duty motherboard.
If you do happen to have these, optical connections can be a convenient option; but keep in mind that’s only if you have a compatible port, so double check before you get purchase headphones you can’t use. In some cases, you may see gaming headsets that have the option to use optical connections, in addition to another connection type, such as USB.
3.5mm Connections
You can find these connections on just about anything from your laptop to your old stereo to mp3 players to smartphones. In short, if it plays audio, it probably has this round little headphone port. Since it’s an available connection on just about any device, you can be sure it’ll work with your gear.
There is a little more variation in sound quality, but 3.5mm connections also don't take up USB ports that you need for other cords. The variable sound quality doesn't come from the headset itself; it has more to do with the device you're plugging into.
Some brands put high-quality 3.5mm ports into the products, so most headphones will sound great (especially top tier sets). If your device doesn't have a good 3.5mm port, even the most advanced, most expensive pair of headphones won't sound close to the audio quality they're capable of.
Wireless Connections
There are wireless gaming headphones that let you listen and play virtually untethered. A wireless gaming headset will connect over WiFI or Bluetooth. They should specify which they connect to, although either option should work for PC, Ps4, Xbox, or any other gaming system.
Wifi connections most commonly sit on the 2.4GHz band, although this should also be specified. Wifi connections aren’t quite as quick and easy as Bluetooth pairing, but not by much. There may be an extra step here or there that takes another couple minutes, but it’s fairly simple anyway. Bluetooth connections are as easy as turning Bluetooth capabilities to enabled on your devices and pairing your headphones and gaming system.
USB Connections
USB ports are another way that some gaming headsets connect to your system. Keep in mind that while there are advantages to this type of connection, not all devices come equipped with a USB port.
When devices do include a USB port, check to make sure it supports audio output before you purchase a USB connected headset. The good thing about USB connections is that they’re fully digital. That means unless you damage the physical USB port, you’ll get great signal.
Open-Back vs. Closed-Back
Gaming headsets have many different design options, but the ones most gamers are concerned about affecting the sound. When it comes down to it, there are open-back and closed-back headphones. What's the difference between them, and what types of gaming do they work best for? Here's what you need to know:
Open-Back
Headsets with an open back design allow air to flow through the D-cup, which creates a more spacious feel. That’s because it doesn’t create the isolated sounding audio of closed back sets. If you have areas where you won’t have a lot of interruption and distracting noise going through the room this could be a good choice.
They give a feel of more open surroundings, which creates an expansive feel that’s perfect for immersive games where you want to feel more depth of audio and get a more realistic experience.
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Closed-Back
Closed-back gaming headsets, naturally, don't have the open spaces and airflow that open sets do. That’s because this design is intended to create a more closed off, isolated feel. The closed design helps keep distractions and ambient noise out of your gaming audio.
Many gamers like this format because they can get rid of noises that otherwise distract from intense gameplay. When you don’t have an undisturbed area for gaming (or have to use shared spaces for gaming), this is often an ideal solution. It’s also a great option for tournament play and LAN parties, where you’ll need to hear your team, not your neighbors.
Conclusion
There's no shortage of different variations of gaming headsets, so don't jump on purchasing the first set that fits within your budget. Once you've found a set that you're considering, make sure you check the connection type. If it’s 3.5mm, you’re probably in the clear (as long as your device’s manufacturer put in a quality 3.5mm port). Make sure it works with the system you use for gaming. After that, it's a matter of weighing factors like sound quality with extra features and determining what works for you.
