RELATED: Wired Vs. Wireless Gaming Headsets
Not all headsets are created equal. Some spare no expense in bringing the user the highest quality possible. Others may scale back on a feature or two to help reduce costs. There are entry-level models that are offered at an extremely low cost. Which gaming headset a player prefers is a very personal decision, as what criteria one deems important may differ from person to person. But, no matter what market a gamer finds themselves in, there is a standout gaming headset. Here is an in-depth look at the pacesetters for each category. Need a headset just for your PC? Here’s our picks for the best PC gaming headsets!
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The QuietComfort 35 headset has a sleek and modern look. They are only available in one color scheme which is predominately black but does feature some subtle rose gold accents. It’s very handy that the headset has the option to be connected both wirelessly and with a cable. The microphone is detachable which is very clutch considering a damaged or broken microphone can be replaced without the need of replacing the entire headset. Everything that the user will need, from power and Bluetooth connection buttons to volume control, can be found on the set’s earcups.
The faux-leather covered memory foam earcups are some of the most comfortable earcups to have ever existed. Even after hours of wear the user will not suffer any pain or discomfort. As with all Bose products, the audio is of the highest quality. The owner can get double use of these and also use them as their headphones when listening to music or videos. The detachable boom microphone is no slouch itself. Its noise-rejecting technology allows for one’s messages to be heard loud and clear, even in noisy environments.
These are one of the coolest looking headsets of all time. The polished matte black look and embedded SteelSeries logo on the headband give them a modern look and feel. The real MVP of the design though is the prism RGB illumination on the earcups. The colors are customizable, so the player can really make them their own, and with 16.8 million options to choose from they could literally use a different shade every day for 46,027 days. The added bright colors take the modern look to the next level and almost makes them seem futuristic.
The detachable microphone provides a near studio quality experience and can be twisted in any direction. If paired with the SteelSeries GameDAC, the user has the ability to tweak a high number of settings. The GameDAC can also convert and improve audio in ways that other headsets cannot. The Arctis Pros boosts one of the largest frequency ranges of any gaming headset with a spread between 10 Hz and 40kHz. That’s nearly double the range of the average gaming headset and allows listeners to hear a huge range of tones. This is super beneficial when needing to hear footsteps or other specific sound effects. Drawing inspiration from headsets designed for athletes, the Airweave fabric ear cushions are extraordinarily comfortable, leading to pain-free extended gaming sessions.
There are many reasons why some gamers prefer a wired headset experience over a wireless one. Not having to worry about lag, connection issues, or battery life are some examples of the advantages of a wired headset. And when it comes to wired headsets, SteelSeries absolutely nailed it with their Arctis Pro High Fidelity Gaming Headset. They’re very comfortable, provide great sound, and have a cool, unique look. For these reasons and many more, they would make a great addition to any gamer’s at home setup.
Even with the lower price point, this set is stylish and smooth. They come in a variety of colors and are available for both Xbox and PlayStation consoles. The simplistic design allows for on the fly changes to volumes levels and muting. Everything the user needs is on the left earcup. The separate volume knobs for chat and game audio are very helpful. Another thing that is extremely handy is the flip-to-mute microphone. It makes it easy and deliberate to mute one’s mic at a moment’s notice.
The Stealth 600 Gen 2 headset is lightweight and very comfortable. The dual-foam ear cushions and thick padding under the headband makes these easy to wear for hours on end. Despite the lower cost, they feel durable enough to last a long time. Compared directly to many other headsets, the microphone delivers some of the crispest messages in party chats. The flip-to-mute aspect of the microphone has proved to be very helpful time and time again. The 50 mm drivers provide great sound and the patented Turtle Beach ‘Superman Hearing’ increases awareness to where sounds are coming from in a 3D environment.
For gamers that want a quality gaming headset for under $100 they should go straight for the Stealth 600 Gen 2s. One would find it very difficult to acquire a headset for their Xbox or Playstation that has quality audio, easy-to-use controls, and a superb microphone under this price point. With almost 20 years of experience creating gaming headsets, Turtle Beach has set the standard of providing great features for a lower cost. Click here for a full, hands-on review of this headset.
As with all Razer products, the Kraken’s design is sleek and intimidating to opponents. The triple-headed snake logo guarantees to strike fear into the user’s opposition. This wired headset stands out even more with its Razer Chroma RGB lighting. Gamers have the ability to change the appearance of the triple-headed snake logo to any color of their choosing. The unidirectional and bendable microphone easily picks up the player’s voice and not too many ambient sounds. The volume knob and mute button on the left earcup are easy to use, even when in the middle of a stressful firefight. This set is great for a beginner as it has everything they’ll need to get started gaming online without having to spend too much hard-earned money.
For the earcups, Razer used a hybrid fabric and memory foam material to create some comfy and cost-efficient padding. While not the most comfortable headset to wear for hours on end, shorter gaming sessions will be pain-free. Supplied with the Razer TriForce Driver and a frequency range of 12 Hz – 28 kHz, the Kraken lives up to the high standards of the company behind it. Of course, higher products in the line will provide more powerful and detailed sounds. But, for an entry-level product they can certainly get the job done.
If a consumer is needing a gaming headset and working within a smaller budget, they will definitely want to check out the Razer Kraken V3 X Gaming Headset. Backed by one of the largest gaming accessory companies in the world, buyers can feel confident purchasing the Kraken V3 X. Heck, they can even pick up the matching mouse and keyboard and immediately have a quality setup at their disposal for a fraction of the price that they thought it would cost.
Released on October 4th, 2022, the Astro A30s are one of the newest gaming headsets available today. Its features and design definitely showcase that fact. Available in two color options, a black/red combo and a unique white/purple look, they look way more stylish than the average gaming headset. On the Astro website, users have the ability to create fully customizable speaker tags to truly make them their own. The button design functionality shows that Astro really understands what they’re doing. The multidirectional volume knob allows for changes to the in-game audio and chat volumes on-the-fly. Powering on, connecting to Bluetooth, and muting are all able to be completed with buttons placed on the headset itself. More detailed options can be done while using the Logitech G mobile app.
The headset is light and comfortable. After a marathon Minecraft session or an extended Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament the gamer would be no worse for wear. The A30s may be on the more expensive side, but one can feel the difference when holding them. The materials feel of the upmost quality and seem very durable. The set boosts dual microphones, with a built-in mic on the earcup available for quick chatting needs while connecting the boom mic provides crisper messages. The sound quality on them are of the highest quality, so much so that the owner may want to use them for listening to music or watching videos. An interesting feature of this set that really stands out from the competition is that it can connect to three audio sources all at once. One could listen to their favorite tracks while playing Xbox and still hear all the necessary in-game audio.
Shopping for an Xbox gaming headset can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of options and many brands to choose from. If a gamer is focused on getting the best set possible no matter the price, a safe bet would be to go with the one of the newest and best headsets around that is manufactured by a reputable gaming company. The Astro A30 Wireless Gaming Headset fits all of that criteria and would be one of the best purchases that gamer could make.
The Pulse 3D headset was designed specifically for the PS5. This gives it a huge advantage as their competitors must focus on producing units that can work seamlessly across multiple platforms. When geared solely for the PS5, Sony is able to make accessories that work in perfect harmony. Firstly, the look and feel of the headset is like a continuation of the console itself, especially if gamers go with the white color option. There are also two other versions, a minimalist all black and a unique gray camouflage. No matter which option is purchased, the materials used and the overall look make them feel like an extension of the console. Players can even find some familiar looking symbols when giving the set a deep inspection. The headset is configured with four convenient buttons. The mute, master volume, chat volume, and mic monitoring buttons are easy to find and use, even while the device is being worn. The Pulse 3D headset can be plugged into a 3.5 mm audio jack or connected wirelessly with the help of the included USB wireless adapter.
The refined earpads and headband are moderately comfortable and are great for sessions lasting 90 minutes or less. At that one and a half hour mark some pain can be felt around the user’s ears. Its dual microphones help deliver crystal clear messages to teammates. Powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech, the headset impresses with its 3D sound. While not every game is compatible with this technology, gamers can feel like they’re in the middle of the action in Sony-made exclusives, like Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The headset boosts a 12-hour battery life and some decent noise-canceling ability.
Built with all these features and designed specifically for the PS5, the PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Gaming Headset performed comparatively to some much higher priced gaming headsets. With a price tag of around $100, players would be getting a premium headset at a mid-range price. When searching for the best PlayStation gaming headset, gamers should go straight to the source and pickup Sony’s own headset option.
Q: How do we test gaming headsets?
The chosen headset is used as the reviewer’s main listening and communication device for an extended period of time prior to the creation of the review. It is tested in an office, casual, and gaming setting.
Q: Do I need a gaming headset?
Those looking for voice communication between friends and other gamers will definitely want a gaming headset with an appropriate microphone. Players that find themselves sticking primarily to single-player titles may want to consider using higher-quality headphones, as communication isn’t necessary for these types of releases. That said, many gaming headsets currently on the market feature technology and mixing that helps to accentuate the specific sounds associated with video games.
