An elite gaming setup is nothing without a quality headset. Regardless of your preferred genre, the best gaming headsets will make your experience more enjoyable.
What makes a good gaming headset?
When gaming, comfort, and performance are the most pertinent concerns. A headset is often overlooked as an important part of the first equation. Several factors contribute to a headset’s comfort level: for instance, since we all have different head shapes, headsets must come with an adjustable headband.
Making sure your skin is comfortable, allowing for a breathable enclosure, and blocking out unwanted sounds are some qualities of the best gaming headsets. Audio and mic quality is also of the utmost importance. Ideally, a gamer wants to receive crisp sound through the headset and provide clear audio from the microphone to teammates.
The best gaming headsets
1. Turtle Beach Stealth 600
Turtle Beach is without a doubt the most respected manufacturer in the industry. Think of them as the Cadillac of headsets. You can expect the highest level of comfort and audio quality from their products. The Stealth 600 is the company’s premium selection, meaning they will appeal only to experienced gamers.
The Stealth 600’s are offered in a few different color schemes. These Turtle Beach headsets will match your console’s design. Xbox players can choose between a black and green or white and green option, while PlayStation players can opt for Sony’s traditional blue.
It’s rare to see such a high-quality product use a wireless design. A wire-free experience is superior for many reasons. For starters, you’ll never have to untangle your headset wires again! The ability to play from any distance is also desirable. Lastly, players can simply keep the headset on when stepping away from the screen. Grabbing a drink or taking a bathroom break has never been so convenient.
The biggest concern regarding wireless headsets is the inevitability of running through batteries. Luckily, this headset comes with a rechargeable one with a lifespan of 15 hours. Turtle Beach certainly delivers with regard to comfort. Not only are the ear cushions impervious to sweat, but they are also comfortable with glasses, as the design removes pressure on them while in use.
Pros:
- Color Scheme matches your gaming platform
- Freedom to move with a wireless headset
- Industry-leading audio quality
- Ear cushions don’t make your ears sweat
- Glasses-friendly
Cons:
- Little appeal for casual gamers
- Price point
2. Astro A10
The A10 headset is Astro’s entry-level product. In terms of audio quality, it will blow all expectations out of the water. This is especially true considering its price point. If you must rely on immersive and accurate audio, then the A10 will deliver.
Besides excellent audio quality, the A10 headsets are incredibly durable. They are designed to withstand even the most negligent owners.
The headset is a mixed bag in terms of comfort. They feel sturdy when worn. The ear cushions are impervious to sweat, which enables long hours of gaming. However, because of the cloth material, gamers with long hair will struggle to keep the A10 tidy. Expect to find strands of your hair trapped within the cloth.
Another aspect gamers should know is the “flip to mute” function, which is not ideal for those who game in loud surroundings. Constantly switching from mute to unmute while keeping your hands off the controller is a burden. This issue is compounded because the microphone lacks noise-canceling technology, forcing you to mute yourself more often than you’d like to.
If you don’t mind dealing with a few minor inconveniences, this headset will provide the best audio quality available at this price range.
Pros:
- Incredible audio quality
- Impervious to sweat
- Durable
Cons:
- Flip to mute
- Lack of noise-canceling technology
- Strands of hair will stick to the cushion
3. HyperX Cloud Stinger
The Cloud Stinger designed by HyperX is quickly gaining traction as a must-have product. Its simple design and excellent performance quality is extolled in the industry. HyperX subverts the trend of offering a tasteless futuristic-looking headset. This model’s minimalist aesthetic is anything but an eyesore.
Most headsets are adjustable but HyperX takes this a step further: not only is the headband adjustable but the earmuffs rotate 90 degrees. Combine this with their memory foam material and you can see why the Cloud Stinger is suitable for many hours of gaming.
The microphone is of supreme quality. Your voice will come out clear and concise on the receiving end. The passive noise cancellation will diminish the unwanted audio that gets picked up from your environment and sent to your comrades.
The “flip to mute” function is a letdown. As discussed above, the ability to mute or control volume settings via a control box or headset knob is the preferred method.
Pros:
- Passive noise-canceling microphone
- Flexibility
- Minimalist design
- Memory foam earmuffs
Cons:
- Flip to mute
4. Runmus
Runmus is the ideal choice for those who enjoy flashy and colorful headsets. Luckily, Runmus isn’t just trying to distract consumers with dazzling lights: they also have the performance power to please even the most experienced gamers.
Runmus is the king of comfort. This is the company’s strongest selling point. Even after six straight hours of gaming, you’ll feel as though you’ve just put these on. The soft memory foam and the padding on the adjustable headband work in tandem to deliver maximum comfort.
Although the audio reception cannot reach the height of a Turtle Beach headset, casual gamers won’t mind one bit. That’s not to say that the audio quality is poor. However, Runmus can’t compete with premium-priced products.
The microphone uses noise-canceling technology to provide crystal clear audio. This will easily block out unwanted noise from your surroundings.
Pros:
- Maximum comfort
- Noise-cancelling technology blocks unwanted sounds from entering the microphone
- Colorful design
- Appeals to casual gamers
Cons:
- Audio quality cannot compete with premium-priced products
- LED lights don’t always work
5. Razer Kraken X
Over the last five years, Razer has emerged as a fan favorite manufacturer of gaming products. Whether you’ve dabbled with their famed mouse devices or their gaming headsets, top-tier design and quality are to be expected.
The Razer Kraken X boasts an incredibly tasteful design. There’s nothing corny about the sleek black exterior. The headset is one of the lightest in the industry: weighing in at just 250 grams; it is no burden on your head and neck.
Credit to Razer for implementing a bendable microphone. Microphone flexibility is a severely underrated quality amongst gaming headsets. Besides being flexible, the microphone also includes noise-canceling technology.
Razer offers a user-friendly experience by allowing gamers to control settings on the headset itself with a volume wheel and a mute button, which enables quick adjustments.
The one issue with the headset is its 40mm drivers. The standard for this price point would be 50mm drivers. That said, we need to remember that sound is subjective. A magnificent pair of 40mm drivers can outperform a lackluster pair of 50mm drivers. Ultimately, it is safe to trust Razer’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of gaming products.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Lightweight
- Flexible noise-canceling microphone
- User friendly
Cons:
- 40mm drivers
