Home » What to Look For in a Gaming Headset – A Guide To Hours of Online Entertainment

What to Look For in a Gaming Headset – A Guide To Hours of Online Entertainment

The correct gaming headset means the difference between winning a battle or losing it in Fortnite. Don’t believe us? Ask a friend about the importance of an excellent gaming headset.

If haven’t been let down because of poor sound quality, input delays, or being uncomfortable, chances are, they considered some essential elements when making their purchase. Things like wired headsets vs. wireless headsets, sound quality, noise isolation, microphone quality, and comfort are just a few key ingredients to a fantastic online gaming recipe.

What Are Gaming Headsets?

Unlike gaming headphones that have a separate microphone, a gaming headset features a built-in microphone with add-ons specific to gaming like 7.1 surround sound, noise-canceling technology, comfort, and aesthetics. With all of those features, it’s often assumed that wireless or wired headsets are heavy and uncomfortable. However, manufacturers understand that gamers position themselves in front of computers and an X-box for hours.

If a wireless headset is uncomfortable or heavy, it’s not going to cut it. Most gaming headsets are lightweight and meant to be worn for hours at a time without the gamer even noticing them. Gaming headsets feature 7.1 surround sound allowing the gamer to feel like they are part of the game with sound coming from every direction. It’s similar to going to the movie theater and hearing the sounds from the front, side, and back.

It gives you an immersive experience, allowing for more fun and entertainment. Add that to the inbred microphone and noise isolation features and your communication and audio reach a new level with gaming headsets.

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To Be Wired Or Wireless. That is the Question.

The discussion of wireless headsets vs. wired headsets is a personal decision based on your gaming preferences. The difference in sound quality between the two is minimal. While a wired headset features a higher birate (data transferred into audio), the difference is so slight that it’s usually not able to be deciphered by human ears. There are pros and cons to a wireless gaming headset vs. wired gaming headsets so let’s take a look at what they both have to offer.

Wired Gaming Headsets

Wired gaming headsets plug into your gaming console via a plug or USB port. No need for a wireless connection to get these headsets to work and the sound quality is exceptional. A wired gaming headset is more affordable for gamers with the same features as some wireless gaming headsets. The reason for this is there is more technology available for wired headsets than wireless ones. That said, there are a range of options when it comes to wired gaming headsets. From inexpensive options to expensive ones, gamers have their pick for a great gaming headset.

Wired gaming headsets don’t require a charge so they are always ready to go. It’s as simple as plugging the gaming headset into your gaming console and starting to play. Some gamers prefer this level of convenience over anything else.

One drawback to a wired gaming headset is the possibility of damage to the cords over time. We all try our best with electronic cords, but they get tangled and pulled incorrectly often, causing the wires inside to become compromised. This can result in audio issues and leave you feeling annoyed with your gaming experience.

Another drawback of wired gaming headsets is immobility. Some people prefer to sit in front of their computer or X-box and don’t move much. For them, a wired headset is the way to go. However, many people prefer to pace or move around when playing games online. Sometimes they even want to hit the toilet in between battles without removing their headphones. We aren’t judging. Regardless of why a gamer moves around, wired headsets leave you prone to one specific spot, which is a drawback for some people.

Wireless Gaming Headsets

A wireless gaming headset requires a wireless connection like Bluetooth or a USB dongle. It works via a battery that requires a charge. The one issue there is eventually you have to charge it again before using it. There are quick-charge wireless headsets, but they are expensive. The biggest drawback of wireless gaming headsets is the price. Since the technology to use wireless is more advanced, the headsets are expensive. It’s hard to find one that isn’t and even if you do, it means sacrificing sound and audio quality to get something cheaper.

Some advantages to wireless gaming headsets are fewer restrictions for movement, the fact that future consoles may only offer wireless options, and extensive battery life. Gaming headsets have come a long way, and as technology advances, so do they. Like some computers that no longer offer disk drives, the wireless gaming headset might be the only option for your console in the future. A wireless gaming headset has more compatibility across platforms, making it more popular for all users.

Options to Consider

Regarding purchasing any gaming headset, there are specific criteria to consider. Here is a list of the most vital elements for the best gaming headset.

Budget

As with any purchase, keep your budget in mind. A gaming headset can range from $50 to $500, depending on your needs. The good news is most manufacturers have multiple kinds of gaming headsets based on your level of play. Newer gamers might want a more affordable headset until they get used to online gaming. Advanced players might want to go top quality. It’s essential to remember low-budget options for a gaming headset will not have the best sound and audio quality. They may not feature options like virtual surround sound or the ability to eliminate background noise while playing. They are going to be limited but still functional.

Audio Quality

A great gaming headset needs to have excellent audio quality. Being able to decipher footsteps behind you in a battle game or hear what your friends on your team are saying clearly could mean the difference between winning and losing. Not only that, there’s nothing worse than saying “can you hear me?” thousands of times because your audio is malfunctioning. To eliminate any of that trouble, go for a gaming headset known for its excellent sound quality. The best gaming headsets have noise isolation capabilities, allowing a seal around your ear to be vital to avoid outside noises interrupting your play. Noise-canceling headphones are a great example of this. 

Comfort

No one likes to wear something uncomfortable for hours. While we sometimes do it for fashion, having something covering your ears and over your head that is heavy or uncomfortable can lead to neck and shoulder pain in the long run. Look for lightweight options that are adjustable. A one-size-fits-all isn’t a great option. Everyone has a different size and shape of their head. Some people wear glasses and need a gaming headset that adjusts to that. Try the headset on and move your head around a bit. Ensure it doesn’t slip off easily or feel too tight even when adjusted. Make sure the gaming headset has plenty of padding on the headband and around the ears for ultimate comfort.

Microphone

Since most gaming headsets have a microphone built into them, it is much easier to communicate with friends online. A poor microphone means your friend can’t hear you when you tell them the enemy is coming up behind them. You’ll want to choose a gaming headset with a high power level for the microphone to ensure your friends can hear you properly. Some microphones are hyper-cardioid, which means the microphone only picks up sound registered directly in front of it. This feature enables you to move the mouthpiece to talk to someone else in the room without being overheard by your online friends. Other omnidirectional microphones pick up sound coming from all angles. Whichever microphone you choose depends on your preference. The most vital thing is ensuring the microphone has the power required to record your voice at a proper volume without much background noise interference.

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Quality Is Key

Finding a quality gaming headset is essential for a better gaming experience. While design and color are excellent, the sound quality, microphone, comfort, and budget make for a good gaming headset. You don’t have to break the bank to get a decent one, but you need to be willing to spend some money if you want a quality gaming headset. Sometimes a $100 headset might have many more features than a $75 one. It might be worth it to splurge a bit for a wireless headset with 7.1 surround sound and noise isolation. Check out our Bluedio-T6 Review for an awesome option. Trust us. Your friends will thank you.