A great gaming headset can completely elevate your game. Whether you play competitive shooters, role-playing games or anything in between, it’s an essential piece of hardware for immersive audio.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is a comfortable and well-designed headset that works across multiple platforms, including PC and console. The wired model features a USB connection for low-latency, and the accompanying app offers EQ presets for sound customization.
Stereo Surround Sound
When it comes to gaming, audio quality and features can vary wildly. Some people swear by stereo headphones, while others prefer headsets with surround sound. But does surround sound actually benefit gamers or is it just a marketing gimmick?
Most gaming headsets use virtual surround, which essentially applies a range of processing tools to stereo signals to simulate multiple sources. This is a lot easier than building actual speakers into the headset, which can be expensive and complicated.
Some manufacturers make a big deal about their headsets’ virtual surround capabilities, but it is important to remember that this feature is largely software-based. It won’t give you a competitive advantage in games that aren’t designed to support it, and it can also confuse other players by giving them incorrect information.
Noise-Canceling
Noise cancelling features in gaming headsets eliminate disruptive ambient sounds, allowing gamers to engage with their games on a deeper level of immersion. They do so by utilizing microphones to detect incoming sound frequencies and emitting anti-noise signals to counteract them.
While most headsets are equipped with this technology, you can further maximize its effectiveness by minimizing background distractions and maintaining a good fit. Additionally, ensure that your headset is fully charged before engaging in long gaming sessions.
These headsets offer excellent passive and active noise cancellation, along with a comfortable fit, 7.1 surround sound, and great mic clarity. They have a light sound profile that’s suitable for many genres, and the companion app allows you to customize your audio with EQ settings. Their USB dongle provides low latency and works with both PlayStation consoles and PCs.
Earbuds
The earbuds in this gaming headset pack a punch with their premium features, including powerful active noise cancellation and immersive surround sound. They’re also comfortable to wear and have a solid build that won’t break in your bag.
They have a 3.5mm connector and a USB-C dongle for gaming. This makes them compatible with Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and other portable PCs.
These earbuds come with a kevlar-wrapped cable and are more durable than most competitors. They’re great for mobile gaming and stow easily in the smallest pocket of your bag or jacket. They’re also compatible with consoles and mobile devices with Bluetooth connectivity. They offer a good balance of audio quality and price, with good ANC and immersive stereo sound, as well as remappable gesture controls.
Design
A gaming headset should fit comfortably on your head and ears. The Forbes Vetted tech team recommends looking for ear cushions and external padding made from breathable materials like cloth or synthetic weave to prevent heat buildup during extended use.
Having an equalizer for sound customization is also important. You want to be able to tune the audio for your personal listening preferences and specific game audio. Clarity and detail in the high end are particularly important for a gaming headset, as they help create realism in games with orchestral music or explosions.
You should also look for the connection types a headset supports. You can choose between a wired 3.5mm connection, a wired USB connection, or 2.4 GHz wireless. Typically, a headset with a 2.4 GHz connection has the lowest latency but requires a transmitter.
Battery Life
Gaming headsets with great battery life let you game for hours without worrying about running out of juice. Most wireless gaming headsets have a battery capacity of about 20 to 40 hours on a single charge.
Some have a rechargeable lithium battery, which can take only an hour or so to charge back up. The best gaming headsets also have fast-charging technology to make this process even quicker.
Many of the best gaming headsets use 2.4GHz wireless technology, which requires a USB dongle but improves audio quality and latency over Bluetooth. Using 2.4GHz wireless can also allow you to listen to other devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Some headsets, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, offer simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, letting you connect to more devices.
