Best Headsets

Before buying a headset or pair of headphones, you need to know what qualities to look for.

Speaker and microphone quality

There are three main types of speakers for headphones. Which one you choose is all dependent on what you plan on using them for.

Stereo

• Easily picks up sound by distributing it over 2 audio channels
• Uses a 3.5mm connection that makes them suitable for nearly all consoles and platforms
• Better suited for music and entertainment than gaming

Virtual Surround Sound

• 7.1 virtual surround sound uses software to simulate 7 sound channels
• Gives you better spatial awareness (i.e. lets you know where opponents will come from)
• Requires switching to the desired audio settings for each game
• Thanks to a USB connection, these won’t work as standard on every console

Dimensional Sound

• Uses volume and frequency to place sound in the room or through headset (i.e. can hear if an opponent is above or below you)
• Even more precise than surround sound
• Not every game supports this new technology yet

Along with the appropriate speakers, it’s important to have a good microphone when gaming. Here are a few things to look for, whether it’s a built-in mic or a separate microphone that attaches to your headset:

• Noise-canceling properties — improves voice clarity and minimizes outside distractions
• Mute function — convenient button for privacy in outside conversations during games
• Boom microphone — gives you better voice quality

Comfort

It’s likely that you’ll be wearing your headset for long durations of time while you game, so they need to be comfortable. The weight of the headset rests on the top of your head via the headband. It needs to be sturdy but adjustable so it doesn’t press uncomfortably into your head. As for ear cups, some models sit on your ear or completely over your ear, while some fit partially in your ear. It all depends on your personal preference and what fits your head and ear shape while staying secure but not too tight.

Battery life

The last thing you want is for your headphones to die in the middle of a game. If you have a wired headset, you won’t need to worry about battery life since your controller is your connection. If you choose a wireless set, you’ll want ones that hold onto battery life. Depending on the model, they can last anywhere from two to ten hours.

Along with the above general qualities, there are some other things you need to keep in mind when you’re picking the best headset for your specific needs-

Platform

The biggest thing you need to think about is what platform you play on. Not every headset is compatible with or supported by every gaming system. Wired headsets with a 3.5mm connection are almost always suitable for all consoles and your PC, while USB connections are less compatible. If you have a wired headset, you need to be sure that your system allows for bluetooth pairing.

Wired vs wireless

Your headset will either be wired or wireless. Wired connections are usually USB or 3.5mm, can generally be used with any platform, you don’t need to worry about charging them, but you lack the ability to walk around with them on while still being in communication with your teammates. Wireless headsets work via bluetooth or 2.5 Ghz, depend on charging up its battery life rather than plugging into your controller, are usually platform-specific, but you’re able to walk away from the system while still talking to others and hearing the game. It all depends on what you prefer and what platform you use.

Price

While price isn’t necessarily the most important factor, it can definitely play a role in your choice. You’ll find super cheap headphones, and while they may be tempting, they usually have terrible voice and speaker quality and they rarely last long. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean the most expensive headsets are the best. Functionality is usually what drives the price up, which is what leads wireless headsets to be more expensive. If you don’t mind the wires, then don’t feel like you need to spend the extra cash.