When you play video games, you’ll know how important a good set of headphones is. There are so many advantages to having a high-quality pair of headphones – not only can they improve your overall sound quality but they also keep your voice crystal clear.
The most basic feature of any gaming headset is the microphone, which allows players to communicate with other people while playing a multiplayer match or taking part in a chat room on an MMO. But, what goes beyond that functionality sets a great gaming headset apart from the rest.
Choosing the right headset is an important decision for anyone looking to play video games. Here, we’ll give you some tips on choosing one that works best for you.
Usage
What will you be using it on? Assuming you’ll be using it for gaming, then the next thing would be to determine what kind of platform you primarily will be using it on. Console, PC, VR, and even Mobile will have slightly different needs. In addition, will you be using it for other stuff like Podcasts and Music? These are things you will have to consider to arrive at the best decision.
VR technology will definitely be a better fit with a wireless gaming headset. Having a cable nearby your neck while moving around is not only unsafe but also very inconvenient.
Comfort
Does it fit just right? Is it too tight or loose? Basic comforts are vital questions you must ask before moving on to other factors. Your gaming headset might have checked all the right boxes, but if it doesn’t fit well on you, that’s going to be an issue that you’re going to feel each time you use it.
If you are a professional gamer or a streamer like Shroud comfort is 1 of the most important factors to keep you going on long gaming sessions.
Clamp force on headsets in general is a deciding factor for many people. A lot of cheap manufacturers don’t really consider it, but having an uncomfortably tight or ill-fitting set of headphones can ruin the entire gaming experience.
Esports gaming requires intense concentration and any discomfort will take away from your focus on real-time decision making which is key to winning in such competitive pursuits.
Cost, Design, & Features
How much do they cost? The price of gaming headsets can vary greatly depending on what features and brands you choose. We recommend checking out different brands with differing price points before purchasing one.
Build quality and extra features do matter in the grand scheme of things. Some prefer headphones made of lighter material like plastic, while some prefer the sharper-looking ones made out of steel.
Some are compatible with the advanced Bluetooth versions, making faster data transfers because of lower latency.
Wired or Wireless?
Are there any benefits to buying a wired vs wireless headset? Some gamers prefer the convenience of a wired connection over a wireless one. Others like having the freedom that comes with using a wireless headset.
It really depends on your needs. For example, if you’re playing competitive multiplayer matches, then it might make sense to invest in a wired headset so you can get better sound quality and higher frame rates than you would otherwise. Checking for what Bluetooth version it uses is also helpful since the more updated versions of Bluetooth technology like the 5.2 version can transmit more data, faster than its older iterations.
Microphone
As we mentioned earlier, a good gaming headset should have a good microphone. Since we’re talking about headsets that have microphones sticking out, instead of built-in ones for headphones, it’s clear that mics are very important for communication. The sound quality should be clear and crisp at the minimum.
Some gaming headsets have the ability to be detached and that is a great feature if you’re primarily into gaming at home.
Sound
Do you need plain stereo, 3D audio, or surround sound? While some newer games feature all options, most are only available when you use a particular brand of headset. There’s no way around this. You either need to spend extra money to get 3D audio or surround sound, or you just go without it.
Some competitive fps games like CSGO will require something with 3d or surround sound for detecting footsteps nearby, while some AAA action-adventure games like Uncharted won’t really require extra sound features other than stereo sound.
Warranty
Is there a warranty included with your headset? When shopping for a new headset, you want to make sure you buy one that includes at least a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Some companies offer extended warranties as well. Check with your retailer to see what they include with their products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The best gaming headset for computer games has to offer superior sound quality, good build quality and durability, comfortable fit for long hours of use, and a great price tag. Search online for many other options before buying one, and there are tons of options to choose from these days. Just make sure you set your priorities on what is most important to you as a consumer then go from there.