So, you’re ready to elevate your gaming experience with a brand-new headset? Good decision. The right gaming headset can deepen your immersion and help you feel closer to the people you play with. Picking one is admittedly a tough choice, with so many models to choose from with lists of features that raise more questions than they answer.
The Ultimate Gaming Headset Guide
First, you need to decide if you want a gaming headset or gaming headphones.
Gaming headphones are traditionally used for listening to music but possess awesome audio quality for your gaming needs. They do not, however, come with a built-in microphone, so it can lead to a higher initial investment if you want to buy a dedicated mic separately. Headphones are worth it when playing games where accurate sound cues are critical to success, such as Fortnite and Apex Legends.
Gaming headsets are an all-in-one solution, featuring a mic that is either detachable or retractable and other features specifically designed to enhance your gaming experience. This can include comfortable ear cups, virtual surround sound, and certification for use with programs such as Discord.
Ultimately, you need to pick the one which will suit you. We have come up with what we feel are the five most important factors in figuring that out. They are: build, connectivity, audio quality, communication, and compatibility. Follow us through this guide as we cover each of these in turn. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you want in your gaming headset.
Consider Your Gaming Headset’s Build Quality
With build quality, we’re referring to both the durability and comfort of your headset. This means making sure everything from the headband to the ear cups is made of quality material that can stand up to the long hours of gaming you’ll be putting it through.
For headbands, all-metal arc structures or wireframes will serve you better than even high-quality plastic. Lightweight materials are preferable as they are more comfortable to wear over prolonged periods. It’s also less taxing to wear if you are not of a heavy-set frame. Don’t dismiss heavier headsets outright though, as they can be the more durable product overall.
Comfort is never to be slept on, especially if you’re planning any marathon gaming sessions. A decent headset should sit properly around your head, without bending your ears, or slipping even when moving your head around. Properly padded headbands are a must, and typically use either pure foam, velour, pleather, or leather.
Large, soft ear cups that sit just above and below your ears are best and come in the same selection of materials as headbands. Memory-foam velour is kind when it comes to comfort, while leather takes the crown for durability.
Wired versus Wireless Gaming Headsets
Wired headsets are best if you are primarily a stationary user. They offer some flexibility across platforms provided they feature a compatible input, with a 3.5mm jack being the most common. USB, even USB-C, is becoming increasingly more available, and definitely something to consider if you are going to use your headset with a portable console. Wired headsets also don’t require charging, so you won’t be limited in usage. They typically cost less than their wireless counterparts and have more offerings from entry-level to high-end.
Wireless headsets offer more freedom of movement, great if you want a pair you can use on the go for music and gaming, provided you keep the batteries charged. Most models offer 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity and Bluetooth options to work with a wider range of devices.
For a full breakdown on how to connect your wireless headset, check out our guide.
Major manufacturers thankfully tend to offer both versions with each model so you won’t need to compromise your choice for convenience.
| Platform | 3.5mm | 2.4GHz Wireless | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Check your device supports these) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Xbox Series X/S / One | Yes | No | No |
| PS5 / PS4 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch | Yes | No | Yes (Firmware version 13.0.0 or later) |
| Mobile | Yes (if device has input) | No | Yes (if device is Bluetooth compatible) |
What Kind of Audio Quality Do You Need?
You’ll want to check what kind of noise isolation your headset offers. Headsets with Passive Noise Isolation are physically designed to block sounds from outside sources. This is typically done through closed backs and tight-fitting headbands and ear cups.
There are also headsets with Active Noise Cancelling technology, which filters out background noise for clearer and better audio quality. These are better for eliminating lower range sounds and ambient noises, while noise isolation will effectively eliminate higher pitched sounds.
There’s also surround sound to consider, which can be an essential feature for gaming. This most commonly takes form in stereo headsets, which play audio out of each speaker to create a sense of spatial audio.
If you’re after true omnidirectional hearing, then consider Virtual Surround or 3D Sound. Virtual Surround creates the sensation of audio coming from multiple directions and channels by tricking your brain. On the other hand, 3D Sound intelligently maps audio to create authentic depth of sound. Arguably the superior option, this is still in its early days as far as support from games is concerned.
Gaming Headsets with Microphones
For more causal or multipurpose users, having a microphone integrated into your gaming headset is generally more convenient than a separate one. So, must-have functions like noise-cancelation and muting are important. Since most headset microphones will be omnidirectional, noise-cancelling functionality is a must to filter out sounds like your breathing. Quick muting is utilitarian, great for intense gaming sessions where you mutter under your breath more than speaking.
What Platform is Your Gaming Headset For?
Of course, you already know the answer to this question. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t have a platform in mind for your new gaming headset. The two need to be compatible, but what if you like to slide from shooters on your PC to thrashing your friends at Mario Kart on your Switch? Provided your devices require the same-sized jack or USB port for their inputs, your wired headset should be compatible. Be sure not to always take this for granted though and check before buying.
Our Gaming Headset Recommendations
There are plenty of great gaming headsets to choose from here at Overclockers UK. We’ve picked out a few favourites that suit different needs for you to check out first. Who knows, they just may turn out to be ‘the one’ for you! Otherwise, you can take your newfound knowledge and explore our full range by clicking the button below.
ASUS ROG Delta Origin Gaming Headset
If you need a multi-platform option, the ASUS ROG Delta Origin Wired Gaming Headset could be the one for you. With its USB-C connector, you can pair it with your PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile device. Whatever you use it for, you can be sure of an immersive audio experience thanks to the exclusive ASUS Essence drivers and the airtight chamber. This all comes wrapped in comfortable and ergonomic D-shaped cushions that feature stylish red LEDs for that gamer aesthetic. What’s more, easy muting and volume control are housed on the ear cup. So, on the fly adjustments are only ever a button push away!
Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed RGB Gaming Headset
For a rich, atmospheric, and lifelike audio experience, the Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Gaming Headset has you covered. It uses THX Spatial Audio to increase your in-game awareness with next-level surround sound. There are even THX Game Profiles with custom-tuned EQ settings for a range of popular games. The ultra-lightweight frame, weighing just 280g, and ear cups that conform to your face shape provide unrivalled comfort – even during those marathon gaming sessions. On top of all this, you have three options for connectivity. Plug in via USB-C (and charge while you play!) or connect using Razer HyperSpeed Wireless or Bluetooth 5.2. You can effortlessly switch between the two, thanks to the Razer SmartSwitch Dual Wireless button.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming Headset
The SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7 Wireless Gaming Headset is perfect for audiophiles. This headset features High Fidelity Drivers delivering superior audio quality with earth-shaking bass and crystal-clear highs, on PC, PlayStation, or Switch. Plus, it comes with a retractable ClearCast microphone equipped with AI-powered noise cancellation. Paired with immersive 360-degree Spatial Audio, this is a great headset for those who want to fully lose themselves within their games. What’s more, the Arctis Nova 7 boasts multi-platform connectivity, allowing you to connect to various devices simultaneously over 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth.
We love gaming soundtracks. So much so, we made a playlist and a whole blog talking about said playlist.
Enjoy Your Audio
Now you know what to look for, go forth and buy your gaming headset and enjoy that immersive audio!
- 8 min read
Jacob Smith
Author
Jacob is a passionate gamer, plus a noted Pokemon and LEGO nutjob, who emerges only when doing the words here at Overclockers UK. Since starting at the tail end of 2021, Jacob has gone on to write dozens of blogs on everything from the latest games to whimsical Dickens-inspired poetry. Outside of creating content and being the one person in the office daring to champion Nintendo, he is often found fawning over his Pokemon card collection and his trio of lovely doggos.
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