Best Gaming Headsets Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Comfort
You may not even think about the comfort side of things when you are looking for the ideal gaming headset, they all hoop over your head and sit neatly on your ears, right? Not all headsets offer the comfort levels you will be expecting especially if you are prone to spending long periods of time wearing them. The materials used can make a difference to comfort levels, on the earpiece for instance leather may feel super soft but won’t do anything to boost comfort if you start to sweat. Manmade materials will be softer but will be better enabled to cope with moisture build-up.
When it comes to the headband, one thing you need to look out for is adjustability; not all of us have the same sized head and making the fit right is a crucial part of a pain-free gaming session. The headband should ideally have padding, without it the frame of the headset will create pressure points on your head that will become painful, and for practical reasons, you shouldn’t have the headband too tight either.
Adjustability
This question is really down to personal preference and how you use your headset if you are gaming seriously then the wired version is probably more practical. The last thing you want at 2 AM is a dead headset when you’re at a crucial part of your mission. Or if you’re constantly on walk-about during your chat times then a wireless set would benefit you more, it really is dependent on what you use your gaming headset for, and how you use it.
Sound Quality
A great advantage can be obtained during your gaming sessions if you make sure you have surround sound, this directional sound benefit is great for hearing when an enemy is approaching from a particular side – and gives you a much-needed advantage when you can hear them before you see them. Surround sound is also better for listening to your favorite tunes, and the clarity of defining different pitches is second to none.
Value
It may sound cheesy, but for somethings in life you really do get what you pay for and gaming headsets are no exception. You may be tempted by the bargain basement sale items, they look good and feel good when you try them on in the shop. But pay heed – are they really the bargain they look like? For instance; will they be comfortable when you’re indulging in one of your six-hour missions? If the headband is flimsy it may fracture during prolonged use, or it may be too brittle for adequate adjustment.
If you rely on your headset to enhance your enjoyment, check the earcups too – some are made with questionable materials that won’t withstand use especially if you get hot. Try to aim for some that are easy to maintain, bacteria build up on and around your ears may sound picky – but over time this can cause irritation and even infections. Checking for quality products is good economy in the long run, if you buy bargain gaming headsets then the false economy will be apparent when you have to keep replacing them or if they break at that all too crucial moment when you least need it.
So, a little thinking before you make the purchase will ensure you get a pair of gaming headsets that suit your individual needs for what purpose you want them for. Make sure you choose them carefully so that they fit your gaming platform too – don’t get caught out by ‘one size fits all’ if it doesn’t and ends up being a waste of your time, energy and hard-earned money. And even if you want to make your new headset your own, there are a growing number of manufacturers that offer optional purchases of different fittings like side-plates, cables, and earpads. The market is pretty vast, but with a little bit of homework, and some knowledge of what is on offer, there will be a headset that is waiting for you.
10 Best Gaming Headsets
1. BENGOO G9000
This headset if offered as being multi-platform compatible so it is ideal for those with more than one console and is cost-effective for that reason, it is ready to use with mobile phones, laptops and desktops, Nintendo 3DS, most tablets, PSP, PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. It features a noise isolating microphone that is complete with an omnidirectional bonus for optimum noise-canceling and improved sensitivity; this gives an overall experience when speaking or listening.
Quality Speaker System
The BENGOO G9000 headset boasts having a speaker system that enhances the overall gaming experience, with a precision forty-millimeter magnetic neodymium driver; this gives better clarity and a crystal-clear benefit with an added shock feeling.
Comfort Design
The headset is designed to be comfortable for wearing for long periods without causing aches and pains, it has a more than adequate cable length of forty-nine inches so won’t restrict movement unnecessarily when gaming; and has a practical volume adjuster for heightened convenience.
Cost and Value
The multi-platform compatibility offers more effective costing due to its versatility, the quality features including the surround sound woofer ensures that the balance between both cost and value is well reflected and this headset is great value for money.
2. ONIKUMA
This headset boasts a fifty-millimeter driver for enhanced performance and superb sensitivity and a frequency range of twentyHZ – twentyKHz. It benefits an anti-static design that offers a practical noise-canceling microphone for better clarity when gaming, and to compliment the sound experience altogether – the exterior noise intrusions are also reduced; further improving overall communication for the ultimate sound delivery and responses in gaming.
Memory Foam Cushioning
The ONIKIMA headset is produced with comfort in mind and uses memory foam on the earcups for less discomfort when worn for prolonged periods. The over-ear design provides support for the headset and relieves pressure spots when used, the headband is also cushioned to improve comfort further.
Multi-Platform Compatible
The headset boasts being suitable for a multitude of platform consoles with the simple addition of an adaptor, great idea especially when there are more than one in the house. The neat design is both practical and very stylish.
Cost and Value
When considering the balance between both cost and value, the sound quality offered combined with the clarity of inbound and outbound communications reflects both more than adequately and offers great value for money.
3. BlueFire Professional
This headset is available in four stylish color combinations; blue, red, black/blue and black/red. They are designed to be lightweight and comfortable for long periods of gaming, and both earcups and headband have practical cushioning. It boasts being fully compatible for use with the PS4; but also, with the addition of an adaptor, can be used on smartphones, laptop/desktop, iMac, tablet, PSP and Xbox One. The functional design incorporates a seven-foot braided cable so is convenient for those urgent rest breaks and refreshment gathering without losing communication.
Practical Microphone and Volume Control
The practicality of the lengthy cable is complimented with a smooth and easy control that is quickly accessible on the cable itself, enabling higher or lower volume control, and the ready turning the microphone on or off with effective usefulness.
Quality Sound Provision
The headset offers surround sound with its high precision magnetic driver that delivers crystal clarity when communicating. The benefits of this feature are a handy bonus when every noise or spec of communication is vital for the latest part of the mission.
Cost and Value
The practical functionality offered with the BlueFire Professional gaming headset is combined with comfortable cushioning, surround sound and versatility to use on multiple platforms; all ensure these are great value for the money spent on them.
4. CORSAIR VOID
This versatile headset is available in three contrasting colors; black with carbon piping, black with red piping and black with white piping. They are also offered in three practical specifications for ultimate choice; there is a multi-platform option, a wireless RGB option, and a USB RGB option. The addition of the CUE software allows personal interfacing and practical use of all the headsets features; including the uni-directional microphone that actively reduces noise pollution and increases overall sound enhancement.
Functional Features
The headset has a USB adaptor that allows access to Dolby Headphone seven-point one surround with use on a PC and also enables full stereo when used with games consoles and mobile tech. The functional set has a practical cable with a length of one point eight meters.
Comfort Cushioning
The headset is presented with a memory foam cushion insert that improves comfort for longer periods of use, and the micro-fiber mesh gives it sustainability even in warmer conditions. The practicalities considered enable an enhanced gaming sound experience.
Cost and Value
The impressive features offered with the CORSAIR VOID headset, that include the overall surround sound quality and the noise reducing microphone, reflect both good values for the money and ensure a good, solid purchase for the cost.
5. HyperX Cloud II
The smart design of this headset belies a quality in the manufacture that is clearly visible in the stylish design, and they are offered in a choice of either black with red contrasts or black with a gun-metal contrast. There is also an option to purchase it with an XL mousepad for even better value. They present a frequency range of between fifteen and twenty-five kHz and a twenty dBa optimized ambient noise attenuation for enhanced sound during any gaming experience, and this is with a microphone that enables noise reduction through an inline sound card.
Sound Quality
The HyperX Cloud II gaming headset boasts a USB audio sound card for seven-point one virtual surround sound to enable ultimate clarity when needed, it is equipped with fifty-three-millimeter drivers with neodymium magnets.
Compatible Versatility
The headset is compatible with PS4 stereo, Xbox One with additional adaptor and the USB connectivity is ideal for most PC’s and Mac’s; this increases its versatility especially when there is more than one platform or console used.
Cost and Value
The price this headset is offered at reflects well when considering the overall value, the versatile connectivity and enhanced sound communication make this very good value for the money; the quality of the production style adds to this further.
6. ASTRO Gaming A10
This headset is produced using memory foam for ultimate comfort around the earcups and on the headband to provide a better level of comfort for even long periods of use. It is manufactured primarily from a tough polycarbonate blend that is wrapped around an anodized aluminum headband that is designed for longevity and durability. The stylish design is practical in terms of both functionality and usability and is made to withstand many hours of gaming in comfort.
Optimum Sound
Communication is enhanced and built on with the technological gaming sound quality, it provides crystal clear transmissions for improved game honing skills and also offers low latency and no time dropping so sending and receiving sound is superior.
Versatile Headset
The headset boasts being fully compatible with the PS4, the Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch, PC’s, and Mac’s; this increases its cost efficiency especially in households where there are multiple platforms or consoles in use.
Cost and Value
The great features offered with this headset include the comfortable memory foam earcups and headband strip, the full multi-console versatility and the functional flip-up microphone ensure this is great value for the overall cost.
7. TurtleBeach XO One
Primarily designed for Xbox One consoles, these TurtleBeach XO One headsets can be compatible with mobile tech that uses a three-point five-millimeter connector. They are designed with comfort in mind and enable prolonged use during gaming; lightweight with padded earcups they boast a fully removable omnidirectional microphone that can also be versatile in its use. They are connected through a cable and won’t prevent sound transmissions through recharging, and boast an independent game and chat control so it can be tailored to individual preferences.
Quality Sound
The headset has optimum fifty-millimeter speakers that are capable of providing quality sound transference without distortion or echo. The Audio Controller is user-friendly and is adjustable, has a bass boost and master volume control and is easily accessed and altered.
Comfort Design
The design has been thought about to enhance not only in-game and/or chat sounds; but also comfort. They are lightweight and the earcups are padded favorably to completely cover the ear and keep the sound where it’s meant to be.
Cost and Value
This TurtleBeach XO One headset is designed for full functionality and durability, and the balance between both cost and value is reflected well when taking into account the style and spec offered by this product.
8. SteelSeries Flux
This SteelSeries Flux headset is available in three stylish color combinations; white, black and multi luxury design. They are designed for comfort with earcup mesh cushioning for prolonged use in gaming and boast being light and compact enough for traveling; they have SNDBlock material for superior sound transmission. Additionally; they have two input jacks, so the experience can be shared, and they are equipped with omnidirectional microphone adjusters fitted in them, so discretion can be observed with what is shared.
Performance Sound
The headset comes with forty-millimeter drivers that increase acoustic transference to heighten and enhance any gaming session; the sound isolation it provides ensures that any sound is clear, crisp and of the highest standard.
Personalisation
Unique to the headset is the additional options available for purchase that allow complete personalization of colors. They can be as bold and bright, or odd and interesting from the side-plates to the ear cushions and even cables.
Cost and Value
Considering the unique features that come as a standard including the superior acoustics and sound enhancement, the balance between both cost and value is well reflected and the headset is a good purchase for the money.
9. Sades Stereo 7.1
This headset has quality forty-millimeter drivers that utilize neodymium magnets and membranes that offer a good, balanced sound across different platforms and devices; providing enhanced bass and treble. The stylish design has been thought out to provide a comfortable wear for prolonged use and enjoyment without stresses on the ears or head. It benefits from a seven-point one decoding chip that provides superior surround sound and allows both treble and bass to be adjusted individually to suit personal preferences depending on what is being transmitted through them.
Sound Enhancing
The Sades Stereo headset boasts a virtual speaker that enables clarity of sound and a clear, well-balanced effect that enhances and compliments any gaming experience; the virtual surround sound offers a unique experience.
Comfort Fitting
The headset has ergonomically designed earcups that are not only smooth and soft but are also benefitting from air flow maximization for reduced discomfort through moisture build up during challenging missions.
Cost and Value
The benefits offered with the Sades Steel headset including the virtual surround sound and ergonomic design provides a good balance when considering both cost and value; money spent on these is money hard earnt, and well spent.
10. Razor Kraken 7.1
This headset boasts PC and Mac USB connectivity for versatility and convenience and offers Synapse configuration from Razor to enable software setups for individual preferences and choices between audio or gaming transmissions. It has a fully retractable microphone boom that is conveniently placed for easy access and proffers to provide a sound that is unrivaled comparatively to analog microphones. The stylish technical design is both functional and practical for a comfortable listening experience.
Sound Quality
The sound experience gained from the Razor Kraken headset is achieved with a seven-point one virtual surround sound technology that not only enhances the sound transmission but also draws the game closer for an improved overall effect during play.
Practical Functionality
The headset has been designed to be comfortable for longer gaming sessions and provide a high-quality balanced sound. It can also be personalized with the purchase of different Chroma lighting effects and options.
Cost and Value
Overall the cost and value of this headset is well balanced and reflected, the quality sound transmission it provides with the technological advantages makes the headset an excellent purchase for the money.