What to look for in a gaming headset

A renowned way to know that what to look for in a gaming headset is to teach yourself. So that you can perceive what significant features do you need in a particular gaming headset. A gaming headset offers plenty of features but are they beneficial for you or not.

To understand the answer to this question, we dig deep and prepare a list of features that we need to consider while choosing the right gaming headset.

The reason for looking at the best gaming headset is to avoid the unusual choice. Because substandard choice will cause you real pain, and the day after tomorrow, you will regret your decisiveness. There are some key features to consider for a good gaming experience while choosing a gaming headset.

1. Headset Comfort
2. Build Quality and Design
3. Does isolation matter or not
4. Surround sound OR Stereo
5. Microphone
6. Wire or Wireless headsets
7. Digital or Analog

Learn the main difference between headset vs headphones

What to look for in a gaming headset

Headset comfort

Headset comfort is the first thing to consider while choosing a gaming headset. Usually, gamers played games for a long time, and for long gaming sessions, they need something very comfortable. If your headset is uncomfortable, it will end up giving you a headache or ear fatigue. To prevent, that you need to consider the gaming headset that has the proper padding.

Right, padding means the headset comes in three styles of padding. Velour, Mesh Fabrics, and Leather_ three are comfortable, but the velour padding is considered cozy, and it is even best for those who wearers glasses. Secondly, the clamping force and head size; You have to determine by yourself whether your head size is big or small.

To keep in mind that, you have to consider the right headset with the fair clamping force. For example, If your head is big, then you need a headset with a compact clamping force. If you pick the wrong one, then you feel the pressure of the clamping power against your ears so high, and the result you know better.

The same is the case with those who have a small head, they need to consider headset has a little tight clamping force, and the headset can perfectly be placed on your head. The third thing you need to inspect the ear cup's style. There are two styles of the headset in term of ear cups • Over Ears • On Ears

Over-ear gaming headsets are the ones that can cover your ear completely, and you will feel that your ears are inside the box. This type of headset is considered the more comfortable, but it varies according to the headset models. The best example of an Over-Ears headset is the Sennheiser PC37x gaming headset and HyperX Cloud Alpha.

On-Ear gaming headsets are the ones that set the place on your ears. Moreover, their ear cups and ears have contact with each other. This kind of headset also looks comfortable only if they have a good amount of padding on-ear cups and headband.

Lightweight is another substantial factor; Gaming headsets come with different weights. For stance, you can find the headset, which has only a weight of 240g. The best example of a lightweight gaming headset is Razer BlackShark V2 X. Contrarily, There are other gaming that has up to 300g weight like Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE Specs has 360g of weight.

Build Quality and Design

The consideration of built quality is as important as the gaming headsets' comfort. Right now, the headset comes with plastic material or metal-built quality. Some gaming headsets are solely made of plastic material, while some are coming up using metal and plastic. Most probably, you are not going to end up with the broken results and a waste of money.

So, for that matter, you need a headset that has flexible premium plastic built. In the same vein, make sure the headset is flexible, bendable, moveable, and of course, you have to avoid flimsy, fragile, and insubstantial gaming headsets.

Moreover, when it comes to the design of the gaming headphones or headsets, you can find some big giants and some simple design headsets. Big giant types of the headset look awkward, unusual and it feels like some sort of heavy tanks. For example, Sennheiser GSP 600,670. Either way, the gaming headsets with uncomplicated sleek design are Sennheiser Game one, HyperX Cloud Alpha, and Razer Kraken X2.

Does isolation matter or not

Isolation matter or not is the pre-eminent question you need to ask yourself. If you did not like surrounding noise or privacy is your main concern, then you need a device that can block outside noise. In addition to this, there are two types of gaming headsets • Open-back gaming headsets • Closed-back gaming headsets

Open-style gaming headphones are the ones that allow air to cross through the ear cups. They are unable to block outside noise, and everything you hear will escape through the ear cups. These types of gaming headphones are acceptable for those who are living in a quiet environment or privacy is not their concern.

Closed-back gaming headsets are the ones that do not let air pass through the ear cups. These gaming headphones completely sealed your ears and provide you a good amount of isolation. Their ear cups also don't escape anything outside. These types of gaming headphones are great for those who are surrounded by a noisy environment or privacy is their leading concern. It also depends upon your choice either you want to isolate yourself or not.

Drawback and benefit of open style and closed-back gaming headsets.

Despite blocking outside noise or not, there are other key features and drawbacks of open-style and closed-back gaming headsets.

Firstly, Open style gaming headphones are excellent for long periods of time. Because they are comfortable and their ear cups do not generate heat.

Secondly, the sound profile; the sound profile of open-back gaming headphones produce more natural and accurate sound with slightly less amount of bass. Moreover, they have a vast sound stage. while using it, makes you feel that the audio is coming from the large speakers and from the distance. In this way, it provides some incredible experiences with broad sound profiles.

Closed-Back gaming headphones are not suitable for long gaming sessions because the ear cups are closed. And there isn't any chance of air crossing. So, there is a chance of heat accumulation between the ear cups as well. Admittedly, the bass is present, and while gaming, gunfire sound, an explosion feel boomy and prominent.

Moreover, these gaming headphones have closed off the sound profile, and it feels like the sound is coming from the very nearer speaker. These are good for those who want to feel some real gaming experience with the bass boot.

Surround sound OR Stereo

It is a most favorite topic of the gamers Surround OR Stereo which one is better. Well, it depends on the type of model which one you are using. If positional cues are your only concern, then you might be surprised to know stereo sound profiles also provide audio cues. After that, you might be a little confused but let me be clear about that.

What is surround sound?

A system of stereophony involving three or more speakers surrounding the listener so as to give a more realistic effect. It is a dictionary definition of surround sound. Surround sound has two types • Virtual surround sound • True surround sound

Virtual surround sound creates the sound by using stereo drivers. You might saw the headset that allows you to turn on the virtual surround from the software. On the other hand, True surround sound is actual surround sound that has placement of extra drivers within the device. This is called real surround sound, and it creates some realistic effect in providing an immersive gaming experience, but it is not satisfactory for music listening.

Stereo sound

Stereo sound creates sound by using only two or more speakers right and left. It is adequate for both gaming and music listening. The audio quality of stereo sound depends on the types of headset you are using. For example, HyperX Cloud Alpha is considered the best gaming headset in terms of stereo sound profile.

Microphone

Another important thing, you need to consider either you are going to get a wireless gaming audio device or a wired one, and that is a microphone. Firstly, If you need a microphone that can sound like a dedicated mic. You are wasting your time because they never exist. So, keep your expectations realistic you can find a better mic but not at the level of a dedicated microphone.

The first thing you need to consider for Mic is noise cancellation features. Noise cancellation is essential for in-Communication because you did not want to mess up with the calling person. The second thing you need to have the microphone sound quality. There are mics in a gaming headset that have a low-frequency spectrum and bass range. In this case, you will find the audio production quite low.

The third thing is you want a detachable Mic or attached one. If you are a home bass gamer and you did not like to go outside with a microphone then the attached can be better but make sure it is adjustable. On the flip side, if you want to use the headset indoor and outdoor as well, then a detachable microphone is the best one. So, noise cancellation, mic sound quality, and flexibility are compulsory.

Wired or Wireless headsets

The wired or wireless headset is depended upon your choice because if you need freedom while wearing a gaming headset then you must go for a wireless headset but it is expensive than wired. On the other hand, if you don't want to spend more money wire is a good one for you.

Drawbacks and benefits of the wired headset and wireless gaming headset.

No doubt wireless headset gives you freedom but does they really sound better than wired gaming headsets. I guess you can decide for yourself. Firstly, the headset sound production has based on bitrates. Bitrates are the quantity of data transferred into audio production.

That means the higher the bitrate, the higher the sound quality. For that matter, the headset that has a direct connection to your device will end up with better sound quality. But we are not supposed to rely on that particular point because headset drivers also matter.

A wireless gaming device gives you freedom but with more money. Usually, a wireless device is expensive and heavy because it has a built-in battery. So headset weight could be more than a wired gaming headset. Charging and the battery life might be an issue but not for everyone because we can use a headset for 4 to 5 hours consistently or 4 to 8 hours (not sure). So, after that place, the headset on charing won't be an issue. (I think)

On the other hand, a wired gaming headset won't cost you an arm and a leg. But you have to stick with your game desk. Despite this, you are free from charging as well.

Wireless gaming headset • Low sound quality • Freedom • Charging requires • Expensive

Wired gaming headset • Better sound quality • Bound with wire • No charging require • Not expensive

Digital (USB) or Analog (3.5mm connection)

As other things to consider while going after the gaming headset. It is also crucial to know while you need a USB or 3.5 mm gaming headset. Analog 3.5mm headphones usually provide a separate connection for both Mic and headset. Contrarily, USB headsets provide two-in-one connections via USB. But which one you need. Well, you have to take that one into your account which allows you to connect the headset with multiple platforms. For example, surely you want to get a headset that you can connect with PC, Xbox, console, Nintendo Switch, laptop, and mobile device.

Difference between Digital or Analog.

Digital or USB headset offer comes up with built-in DAC digital to analog converter that bypasses the need for a sound card. It is good when your motherboard did not have a sound card. Instead of buying a new sound card USB headset is a way better solution because it will cost you less price.

On the other hand, a 3.5mm connection is great if your device has an onboard sound card or integrated chip on the higher-end motherboard. With that, it can perform far better than a USB headset. When plugin the 3.5mm jack within your PC, if it produces hissing sound chances are it is not compatible and you better end up using a USB headset.

Conclusion

In the end, we hope this informative guide will help you to choose the right option for you. Every place is overwhelming with the best gaming headsets, but in the end, you decide which one suits your self based on your environment. For example, if you wear glasses, you need to choose a lightweight and headset with velour padding.

Most probably, You can find the best headset for any platform within the range of 50$ to 100$. In the same vein, if you need a gaming headset for long gaming sessions, you should have considered open style gaming headset like the Sennheiser PC 37x gaming headset. It sounds natural with balanced-based.

For some reason, if you need a headset that can block outside noise, you should consider a closed-back headset for your favorite platforms like HyperX Cloud Alpha or Sennheiser GSP 300.

Needless to say, these are not compulsory, you can end up buying and decide by yourself by following this guide and hopefully you will find the best one.