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Whether you are listening carefully for the footsteps of your foes or chatting with your pals, your ears deserve to have the best gaming headset around. The best headset shouldn’t just produce balanced and clear sound, but it must have the right microphone for chatting and should be comfortable when on your ears.
A top-rated headset is must have for both the serious as well as casual gamer. They offer sound experiences that cannot be compared to ordinary headsets. In addition, the best gaming headsets can also be used for music like a pair of high-quality headphones, or to place phone calls like any other average headset.
What is the Difference Between The Best Gaming Headset and Other Ordinary Products?
High-quality gaming headsets are designed to endure long sessions of gaming without breaking or skin irritation. The best gaming headsets are designed with comfort in mind. You should be able to enjoy your 12-hour binge gaming session during without having any sound issue – microphone and sound quality need to be consistent.
In addition, the perfect gaming headset is designed to offer you the advantage you require in your fast paced First Person Shooter games such Team Fortress, Call of Duty, or Counter Strike. Hearing your enemy from far can give you that much needed advantage. In high-intensity games such as these, every second counts. I can almost guarantee you that the majority of top scorers will have a very good gaming headset helping them succeed.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Gaming Headset?
Choosing the ideal headset is usually based on personal preference and needs, so it is very important you know what qualities you are searching for before you buy one. However, there is one thing that you should not ignore – sound quality.
Sound quality is very important when shopping for the right gaming headset, and investing in a good headset is a must for both the serious and casual gamer. Even though dependable controls and visuals are the core of game-play, sound truly fleshes out and completes your gaming experience. Sound in games is often described in two distinct categories: functionally interactive and cosmetic. There is a lot of mixing between the two, and both are needed for the best gaming experience.
The other thing to look out for, which is often forgotten, is the material that is used for the headband and ear-cups. Leather ear cups or headbands can become sweaty over time; look for something spongier such as fabric or something specifically designed with breathable materials. In addition, an excessively bulky headset might weigh down on your head after a few hours – consider the advantages and disadvantages between lightweight comfort and massive drivers. In most of the products we have reviewed here, you can have the best of both worlds – any in many cases, all of these positive attributes can be found for under $100.
Our Top 5
Positional Audio
Games with positional audio engross the gamer into the action through coordinating with the headset’s speakers to play various sounds. A good gaming headset should pinpoint the exact areas of the sound origins. These sounds offer you the extra advantage in the game because you can hear what direction footsteps, gunshots, and other noises are originating from. If the noise is heard in the right speaker, you know where to look for your enemy.
Stereo vs Surround Sound
Surround sound is a must for exact positional audio. The best gaming headset has to have more than two speakers in every earpiece, and preferably multiple drivers. The advantage of many speakers is the increased ability to locate the direction and distance of a certain sound within a video game. If you are not interested in positional audio, and you just want high-quality sound without all the perks, then a stereo headset may be the right choice. If you do choose to go the route of multiple speakers, make sure the headset is of high-quality – virtual surround sound can cause a lot of distortion, as well as the negative interaction of sound waves in many low-quality headsets. In a case such as this, you are probably better off just going for a highly rated stereo gaming headset.
Microphones
Back when computer games were first developed, gamers had to write a message to the other player so as to communicate with him or her. Modern technologies, with the help of sophisticated gaming headsets have totally changed this. The perfect gaming headsets will provide various microphone features. Another aspect to keep in mind, is to determine whether or not the headset has any noise-cancelling capabilities, which prevents other gamers from hearing background or static sounds from the room.
Compatibility
Different gaming headsets and consoles are each built with different technology and utilize their own software. Whether you play on the Xbox One, PS4, or the PC, you need to ensure that your new headset is going to work properly. This means that certain headsets may only work with certain gaming consoles, and may not be compatible with others. If your headset doesn’t match your console, you will notice a huge video or audio delay where actions as well as audios are supposed to be harmonized, and in some cases, the headset will just not work at all. The best gaming headsets will be multi-console compatible, so you will not have to worry about replacing your headset if you happen to switch consoles down to road.
Power Source
Although you should not have to worry about keeping you headset constantly plugged in an electrical power source, you should ensure that you are comfortable with their power source requirements. Some headsets might require batteries while others are rechargeable – others may even allow both.
Analog vs USB
A gaming headset that plugs into a customary 3.5mm headphone or microphone jack is defined as having an analog connection. A gaming headset that instead connects into the USB port only, may be less compatible for other uses, such as music listening or phone calls. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Ensure that you choose the right gaming headset for your needs. Within each of our gaming headset reviews, we will clearly outline whether they utilize analog or USB connections. If necessary, it is always possible to purchase an adapter, which luckily is a relatively cheap accessory.
1. SteelSeries H Review
SteelSeries has made a name in the gaming industry as a manufacturer of quality gaming peripherals. These include specialty gaming mice, headsets and keyboards. In this particular case, the focus is on SteelSeries H wireless gaming headset for both console and PC use.What makes SteelSeries H a premium product is the different audio features and the overall audio quality it has. First, it has positional audio capabilities. This is very important because an integral part of the gaming experience is the feeling of being involved in the game. Having realistic sounds and audio accuracy enhances the overall gaming experience. Furthermore, SteelSeries H has the surround sound mode with help from the included optical cable. The quality of audio is complemented by the choice of customizing it. Audio levels of chat and game sound can be mixed along with the choice of switching from surround to normal stereo. All of these options are neatly arranged and easily accessible – suitable for all ages.
SteelSeries H has many other features and functions that include a retractable and flexible microphone with a red light at the tip to indicate that it is muted. Although the microphone does not have noise-cancelling capability, the voice quality is still clear and distinct. Furthermore, the flexibility makes it easier and more convenient for gamers to position or put away.
Aside from the microphone, SteelSeries H has a USB hub which allows for multiple connections for other added features such as enhanced display and power charger. It has a 2 interchangeable battery packs with a battery life of 20 hours. The earpiece has foam to act as a great cushion and for comfort. On top of this, these cushioned pads are leather and there are five of them. SteelSeries’ minimal and simplistic design does not compromise its overall feature-filled and powerful headset. Overall, the SteelSeries H gaming headset is the best you can find currently, and packed with features that other headsets are simply unable to compete with.
This same review can also be found in our Best Wireless Gaming Headsets guide.
2. Sennheiser G4ME ONE Review
The past decade has seen the meteoric rise of the gaming market to new heights. It is one of the most lucrative and profitable markets today. This has opened the floodgates to a deluge of accessories made specifically for gaming — some essential, some obscure. This article takes a look at what can be considered an essential accessory for gamers out there: a great headset. With a reasonable price and solid good looks, the Sennheiser G4ME ONE gaming headset is one of the better buys today.The looks of the Sennheiser G4ME ONE gaming headset will surely please many gamers as it features a largely black body with red accents and a black headband. The black parts of the headset are rubbery and the right earcup features a volume dial. The left earcup holds the microphone. The grills of the earcups are not only for design purposes; they also make the drivers open-air.
The sound quality of the Sennheiser G4ME ONE gaming headset is nothing to scoff at — great bass response and ever-present mids and highs help it deliver a solid audio output. It does, however, only feature stereo sound which may turn off FPS enthusiasts. While being a 2.1 setup, the G4ME ONE still features great positional audio which is evident on games like Counter Strike: GO and Battlefield 4 where footsteps can still accurately be heard.
The microphone offers great background noise cancellation and no distortion or whirring noises can be heard on the other side of the line. The sound input is also clear and is very audible. Since the headset utilizes a 3.5-mm audio jack, it is compatible with a plethora of game consoles in the market. No power source is needed to drive the headset so it can also be used on mobile devices.
With great looks, a solid sound output, excellent positional audio even for a 2.1 setup, and a relatively low price tag, the Sennheiser G4ME ONE gaming headset is definitely one of the best gaming headsets within its price range.
3. HyperX Cloud II Review
The HyperX Cloud II is the successor to the original and widely popular HyperX Cloud. Although the creators of the product decided to not stray too far from the original product design, the new gaming headphones have some great new features.
The plastic ear cups and smooth aluminum side panels with an easy adjustable padded headband make for a light and flexible feel for the user, along with the choice of either using a leather covered ear pad for sound insulation, which is handy when you need to use the headphones in noisy places, or a velvet cover for extra comfort. The sound also does not congest and distort even in maximum volumes and still makes the richness and quality of the audio prominent for the listener.
The product showcases the lightweight dongle feature which can support the 7.1 channel audio that allows the product to have in-game positional audio capabilities, which enables the user to pinpoint certain locations just from the sound. For example, the direction where another player may move towards just from the footsteps he/she is making.
The dongle feature also allows the user to have full control over the audio and microphone. The detachable microphone is able to detect and record a wide range of sounds at the same time filtering any unwanted outside noise.
An improvement from the previous HyperX Cloud is the single, four conductor jack that accommodates both the audio and microphone signals instead of having two connectors. The HyperX Cloud II is compatible with consoles such as PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox and majority of smart phones.
HyperX Cloud II is a tough competitor in the market because of its affordability, specs, quality and comfort. By being under the $200 price range, you now get to maximize your gaming experience at an affordable price.
4. Jeeco G1500 Stereo Gaming Headset Review
An out of this world gaming experience awaits you with Jeeco G1500 stereo gaming headset. Unlike normal headsets, the Jeeco G1500 stereo gaming headset has an active noise cancellation feature that eliminates unwanted background sounds while you on the play. You can also customize the sound settings with the Audio Presets for an exemplary sound quality at a touch of a button. This gaming headset also assures the quality of the rumbling sounds on your game from simple earthquakes to major explosions is very well highlighted because of its bass boost.
Aside from these, the Jeeco G1500 stereo gaming headset also has Bluetooth, which will enable you to answer calls in between games so that there will be no reason for you to get interrupted while you are in the middle of a battle. Compared to other brands, it has rechargeable built-in batteries that could last up to 15 continuous hours of play to prolong your play time. This product is also set with Dual Band Wi-Fi to get rid of signal interference with other gadgets that may affect your concentration.
Turtle Beach, the maker of this outstanding headset, is proud of being the first ever company to offer a headset with wireless chat. This means that you can now get connected to your team even if you are not physically connected to your gaming console. Jeeco G1500 also has a unique feature called voice morph that will give you better communication with your team, and even with your enemies.
With the voice morph feature, you can choose who among your playmates can hear your and you can also lower, modify, and completely change your voice for more trash talking, disguising, and better enjoyment of the name game. Turtle Beach TBS-4290-01 is a unique headset that will not only give you remarkable sound quality and state-of-the-art features, but also an in-game experience that most could only wish for.
5. PECHAM Gaming Headset Review
For an optimum gaming experience, the PECHAM gaming headset has arrived. This high-end headgear is compatible with top gaming consoles such as XBOX 360, PS3, and PS4; and even your personal computer, Mac/Apple devices, and any mobile gaming device. Simply link it up either through analog connector or USB, which is also its power source.
Experience your favorite games like you are in the middle of the action with its 50-mm stereo speakers and audio-positioning technology. Its noise-isolating cups work well in muffling outside noises and allowing very minimal sound leakage.
With its lightweight headband design, you can play long hours without having to take off this headset due to any discomfort. Another good thing about this gear is its in-line amplifier, which will allow you to fine-tune the bass and treble to set the sound quality according to your preference. The volume and microphone can also be adjusted using this amp, which you can clip to your shirt for easier access.
The microphone, though not detachable, can be easily adjusted so you can move it away from your face if you don’t need it. It works successfully for gaming and functions quite as well as a mic for your phone — you can connect your mobile phone via cable and receive calls or even listen to your music while you are playing.
Another plus for this headgear is its Dynamic Chat Boost technology, which automatically adjusts the chat volume depending on the amount of noise in the game. This means that you’ll never squirm again from not hearing your teammates due to the sudden burst of sounds during your fiercest battles.
Having mentioned all those awesome and exciting features, there is no doubt that the PECHAM is one of the best gaming headsets today. It is not surprising that it is the official headset for many major league gaming tournaments.
6. Cowin E7 Pro Review
The Cowin E7 Pro is a 7.1 virtual surround sound headset simulated by its decoder box. It is a headset with pretty decent audio quality. Due to its narrow sound range, about 25Hz to 22kHz, its power does not particularly meet high audio expectations. Its audio quality is not as remarkable as its competitors that we reviewed above, but is still pretty good. The decoder box is a great feature because it simulates the volume at some parts of the game, letting the player know whether the sound comes from far away or near him, creating a realistic feel.
An interesting feature of this headset is its in-line audio control. It allows the player to adjust the volume and toggle settings with minimal effort. The microphone of this headset is detachable – and employs certain noise-cancellation features. This is useful especially for games that do not require microphones. Aside from being detachable, it is also long enough, flexible, and can be bent or molded to a fixed position. It is also a decent microphone and doesn’t distort your voice.
This headset is not battery-operated and does not need to be charged. The headset uses a USB connection. It also has a decoder box, which has an “Optical” outlet. It lets the player connect it to a PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, or anything with an optical cable or 3.5-mm audio/microphone cable – you should have no problem using the Cowen E7 Pro with a variety of gaming consoles.
The headset has a plastic finish, but is not easily breakable and can be adjusted according to the head size of the player. It also has a 50-mm driver and leather foam pad, with a long cord which allows the player to move at farther distances. However, as opposed to the wireless headset, the cord may get tangled if care is not taken. Velcro is attached to the cord for proper organization, and we had no problems with the cord getting tangled or in knots during game play.
Overall, the Cowen E7 Pro headset can give you an immersive gaming experience and for a decent price.
7. Sades Gaming Headset Review
The gaming industry is indeed a lucrative business. From 60-dollar games that need $100 DLC’s to be completed to $60 annual subscriptions just to play multiplayer, there is almost a need to shell out money at every turn. One of the most profitable markets today is the gaming accessory market, and it is easy to get carried away with buying unnecessary products.
Any true gamer knows that a gaming headset is a sophisticated piece of technology and a much needed accessory for online gaming. The Sades gaming headset is considered as one of the best gaming headsets around.
For starters, the comfort the headset’s design provides is great. The whole thing fits snugly on the head and is not uncomfortable to wear even for long stretches of gaming. The earpads and the headband’s foam are made from a mesh-like soft material that feels very gentle when worn. There are in-line controls and the microphone stretches long enough from the face so that it doesn’t become annoying while gaming. The gaming headset is very well-constructed even though it is entirely made of plastic. Durability will not be an issue for this one.
The sound output gets high marks with the amplified audio really kicking in during explosions or gunfire. Bullet whirs and footsteps can audibly be placed thanks to the great positional audio, though make no mistake — this is a stereo headset. No surround sound for FPS gamers out there. Still, great positional audio will do just fine for casual gamers.
The microphone features a microphone monitor that lets users hear themselves talk — perfect for gamers who like to scream on their headsets. The Ear Force X12 is designed specifically for the Xbox 360 and PC, and are exceptionally good for bursts of Forza Motorsport or HALO. The headset is USB-powered so no fiddling with analog ports is required.
Overall, with a comfortable design, great positional audio, and USB connection, the Sades gaming headset surely is one of the best gaming headsets around.
8. Logitech G930 Review
Logitech’s G930 headset is one of the best gaming headsets today. With its numerous features, it is easy to get lost in the virtual world of the computer game. Dolby, one of the most trusted names in gaming speakers and audio systems, powers its surround sound technology. Wearing this headset feels like being inside the game itself, with the sounds coming from all directions. It also provides positional audio capabilities, which makes the sound vary depending on the location that the gamer is pointing at, or the origin of a sound.
The headset is convenient to use, as it is wireless. Unlike its other wireless counterparts, the Logitech G690 provides a consistently clear sound, which is minimally affected by any interference present in the environment. The sound transmission is fast and synchronized with the visuals of the game. Lag is never a problem when using this headset.
Its microphone has a noise-cancelling feature, which enables the gamer to communicate clearly. All other outside background sounds are blocked. The microphone’s volume can also be adjusted and muted. A red light indicates a muted setting.
When playing using Logitech 960, a Windows Vista, Windows 8, or Windows 7 USB port is needed. Logitech’s game software also has to be downloaded in order to use the surround sound feature. Some gamers claim that it also works with PS4.
The headset is powered by a rechargeable battery which can last for up to 10 hours. It is worth mentioning that the level of power left never affects the sound quality. It can function at its prime condition until the battery is totally empty.
The Logitech 960 is a good investment for gamers, considering its features that make every gaming experience an excellent one. With its relatively low price tag, this gaming companion can last a long time if properly cared for.
This same review can also be found in our Best Wireless Gaming Headsets guide.
9. SteelSeries Siberia v2 Review
Video gaming has evolved much from the simple pong television games in the 1970s. With better graphics and gameplay experiences come new ways of ponying up for better gaming experiences. Thus, different segments of the gaming market have sprouted, especially during the past decade. The accessory market is one of the more active segments in gaming. This article takes a look at one of the best gaming headsets around today — the SteelSeries Siberia v2 gaming headset.
Its design is sure to please even the pickiest of gamers, coming in with an astonishing nine color combinations. The construction of the SteelSeries Siberia v2 gaming headset is extremely sturdy with no creaks or rattling noises exhibited by the body. The headset is extremely lightweight and comfortable when worn. Metal grilles on each earcup protect the 50mm drivers while also providing an open-air setup. A cool feature of the headset is that the earcups can be programmed to light up. Nifty.
The sound quality of the SteelSeries Siberia v2 gaming headset is amazing especially considering its low asking price. While the audio fidelity is not comparable to other high-end gaming headsets or audiophile headphones, the Siberia v2 still holds its own with deep lows and crisp highs across a pretty even sound spectrum. Positional audio is excellent as well, though the Siberia v2 is only a stereo headphone with a fancy built-in USB sound card. Footsteps and gunfire can accurately be placed in games like Call of Duty: Blackops 2 and Counter Strike: GO.
An awesome feature of the SteelSeries Siberia v2 gaming headset is the retractable microphone that produces crystal clear sounds without much distortion or background noise. The Siberia v2 also utilizes a 3.5mm audio jack for better compatibility across a myriad of gaming devices. There is an analog connection option, too.
Coming in a variety of colors, superb sound quality with great positional audio, and a retractable microphone all for a single Benjamin, the SteelSeries Siberia v2 is definitely one of the best gaming headsets today.
10. NUBWO 7.1 Gaming Headset Review
With product features and functionality that are unmatched by many of its competitors, the NUBWO 7.1 gaming headset is one of the best. Simply plug your device and you are ready to go. Check out the specs of this gaming headgear below.
Robust stereo audio when using the TRITTON Kunai gaming headset
- A pair of precision-tuned 40-mm speaker drivers employs neodymium magnets that provide separate adjustments in the chat volume and voice volume.
- Rich bass provided by the full frequency response (20Hz-20KHz)
Comfortably designed for extreme use and in-line audio controls
- It comes with an adjustable head rail to accommodate different head sizes (can be extended 1.25 inches on either side) and soft ear pads that bring comfort even after long hours of use.
- It can be conveniently stored with its advanced flat-fold design.
Specially designed to work with most gaming devices
- Compatibility with a wide range of gaming platforms is not an issue with the NUBWO 7.1 gaming headset.
- The 3.5-mm output can easily be connected to other devices.
- You can use the headphone connecting with other online gamers (be they teammates or opponents) by simply plugging in the headset into your gaming device.
- Microphone can be easily detached if not in use (saving it from wear and tear).
- USB-powered for added flexibility
Product Specifications:
- Cables: 3ft/1m for Wii U, mobile
- 14ft/4.25m for Xbox 360/PS3
- 40-mm speaker
- Supra-aural ear coupling
- Magnetic Neudymium
- 20Hz-20KHz frequency response