I check gaming headsets and these are my prime 5 ideas
Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld’s gaming headset knowledgeable shares 5 important ideas for selecting the best gaming headset, specializing in wi-fi efficiency, sound high quality, and luxury options.
- Key suggestions embody deciding on removable microphones for versatility, prioritizing consolation with correct padding and adjustability, and selecting drivers 40mm or bigger for strong sound.
- Trendy wi-fi headsets now match wired efficiency whereas providing distinctive battery life, with some fashions just like the HyperX Cloud Alpha offering as much as 300 hours of use.
In case you’re considering of shopping for a gaming headset, that’s nice. A gaming headset is a quality-of-life improve that you just gained’t remorse having as you wile away the hours having enjoyable. In that case you must try our information to the Greatest Gaming Headsets the place we’ve reviewed and rated one of the best of one of the best.
Nonetheless, there are some top-line stuff you should know earlier than you half together with your cash and purchase a headset. Right here I’ve put collectively a bunch of insider ideas that I’ve solely come to know by reviewing dozens of headsets over a few years. So, seize a cup of espresso and luxuriate in studying.
Wi-fi is simply nearly as good as wired today
First, are you going to tether your self to your PC or go wire-free? There are compelling arguments both means. However the reality is there’s not that a lot distinction today.
Wired headset followers will put ahead a case for audio high quality and argue that it’s one of the best ways to take away any points about connection latency. They’re not improper about these factors. However wi-fi headsets have come a good distance in recent times. Most often a wi-fi connection courtesy of a 2.4GHz dongle will sound nice, have an virtually flawless connection and close to zero latency.
Some headsets just like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi have each wi-fi and wired connections so that you get one of the best of each worlds.
There’s one large caveat with wi-fi headsets although. You’re going to need to keep away from Bluetooth for gaming. Bluetooth is helpful for taking calls on the go and turning your gaming headset right into a roving headphone however even the most recent customary of Bluetooth will introduce some latency points. You may discover your audio lagging behind the motion on the display, so use the Wi-Fi mode as an alternative.
The dimensions of the drivers issues
Contained in the headset are the drivers. These are like small audio system that ship the sound to your ears. As a result of they produce the sound, the standard of the drivers is necessary to your listening expertise. Dimension issues on the subject of the drivers, with a minimal dimension of 40mm being what you need to get a strong sound. If you could find greater than that, just like the 90mm planar magnetic drivers within the Audeze Maxwell wi-fi headset, then all the higher.
You’ll additionally need drivers which are basic objective somewhat than for gaming particularly. Loads of gaming corporations promote the standard of their headset drivers for video games and even their encompass sound prowess, however an excellent pair of drivers is an effective pair of drivers and in the event that they sound good for music, they’ll sound good for video games too.
So whereas it could be tempting to go for a gaming headset with specifically tuned drivers, you actually ought to be going for a headset that simply sounds nice. Certainly, headsets from Razer, Logitech G, Corsair, and HyperX, that are trusted manufacturers will sound nice and be appropriate for music in addition to gaming.
Dominic Bayley / Foundry
Consolation is of paramount significance
Consolation is a really subjective factor that relies on an entire bunch of various elements. It’s additionally a tough level to make in a headset evaluation as a result of what feels good to 1 gamer will really feel awful to a different. However on the subject of consolation, one easy rule applies: If it appears to be like uncomfortable it often is.
There’s loads to consider on the subject of headset consolation. Regardless of the dimensions of your head or the way you put on your hair, you’re going to need some severe padding within the earcups and on the highest headband to cushion your head over lengthy stints.
Moreover, the clamp stress of the headscarf ought to be average, neither too laborious nor too smooth. If it’s too laborious you’ll really feel ache, but when it’s too smooth it’ll most likely fall off your head the minute you look down at your telephone or your keyboard. You additionally need an adjustable headband which you can simply manipulate to suit your ears.
With earcup padding it’s necessary to consider sound isolation and sweat. Leather-based and leather-based substitutes can really feel very plush and do wonders to passively block out ambient sound, however they are often extraordinarily sweaty at instances. Then again, mesh materials will be remarkably smooth and let you play with out accumulating a lot sweat.
It’s tough to know what the consolation ranges of a headset are before you purchase, however I counsel paying shut consideration to any mentions of consolation in opinions earlier than placing down your hard-earned money. Search for headsets just like the Logitech G Professional X2 Lightspeed that basically make consolation a precedence, with super-soft earcups and extremely adjustable headbands.

Dominic Bayley / Foundry
A removable microphone is healthier than an connected flip-up one
Microphone high quality issues loads particularly if you wish to minimize by way of the cacophony of jarring plosive sounds and distortions in multiplayer matches with a wealthy and extra balanced-sounding voice. For such a microphone you need to discover one which has a heat and clear sound profile.
You then have to consider whether or not it’s a removable or an connected flip-up microphone. Whereas many headsets with connected flip-up microphones often include automated mute performance, which will be extraordinarily handy if you don’t need to be heard, removable microphones are my microphone of alternative as a result of they permit your headset to seem like and double as a headphone. The Logitech G Professional X2 Lightspeed has a removable microphone so excels on this class.
Battery life could be a recreation changer
You don’t need to be in the midst of an epic Fortnite battle solely to your headset to energy down. Yep, battery life in wi-fi headsets is an enormous challenge that may make or break your gaming expertise. You possibly can discover a headset with simply 10 to 14 hours of battery life and be continually charging it a number of instances per week, or you might get one thing just like the HyperX Cloud Alpha with an epic 300-hour battery life which you can cost and overlook about for weeks.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a little bit of a standout on this regard. Most gaming headsets could have a extra modest 20 to 50 hours battery life, so it’s price doing all your homework to search out out which of them can go the longest.
As a rule, headsets in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi mode will drain their batteries quicker than in Bluetooth mode. That’s unavoidable as a result of we nonetheless favor Wi-Fi mode for gaming. However what’s avoidable is RGB lighting that may be an enormous drain in your battery. Battery life actually does equal high quality of life on the subject of headsets and gaming, so it pays to get it proper.

