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Imagine camping the banana on Inferno. You are focused, waiting to spot an enemy and greet him with a bullet. Suddenly, a dark screen – you have died. An enemy has managed to sneak up on you and to add insult to injury, the enema has knifed you.
Your death could have been avoided, if only you had a good gaming headset.
Gaming headsets are not only important in professional gaming – they are a necessary tool if you want to fully immerse yourself in the world of video games. Yes, graphics are important, but nothing beats enjoying high-quality sound. Gaming headsets provide you with the ability to strategize with your teammates or talk smack with the enemy. They are an important part of every gamer’s arsenal. If you want to better the enjoyment of video games and give yourself an edge over the competition, then you need a good gaming headset.
A good gaming headset isn’t necessarily only for gaming. It can be used for music and movies as well.
But, how should you go about choosing the best one? Read on, and we will show you that choosing a good gaming headset isn’t hard.
The first thing that you need to check is whether the new headset can be used on your device. Some of the headsets that work on a PC don’t work on a PS4 or an Xbox One.
So, before you start checking out how a product performs, make sure that you can use it on your gaming system. Most of the gaming headsets can be used on a PC and consoles, but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
Wired gaming headsets allow you to plug them in and play, but there is one downside that could be a deal-breaker – the wire.
Most of the time, the wire isn’t long enough to offer you comfortable playing. Even more so if you are playing on a console. Luckily, new consoles allow you to plug in a headset into the controller. But, if you are an old-school gamer, then the wire length could be a problem. So, make sure to check out how long is the wire of a gaming headset.
Wireless gaming headsets are easy to use, and there are no cables and wires that can cause a problem if you move a lot while gaming. The only downside is that the batteries need to be charged. So, if you forget to charge the batteries, then your headset could stop working in the middle of the game.
Basically, if you want to use wireless gaming headsets, then make sure that the batteries are charged before you play. Also, note that some cheaper models are prone to interference, so be sure to check out what the people who have bought them have to say.
All in all, the choice between wireless and wired gaming headsets boils down to personal preference.
You will notice that some gaming headsets provide you with a stereo sound, while others aim to achieve a fuller sound via surround sound.
This choice is an important one, so continue reading and learn about the differences.
Stereo sound is a proven concept that gives you the best audio quality. If you want a high-fidelity sound, then stereo is your choice.
Basically, a stereo headset has two channels – left and right. There is no need for extra speakers because there are only two audio channels, which means that audio quality is not altered.
Stereo gaming headsets are great if you want to listen to music, or make music. So, if you are a gamer who loves listening to music and wants an uncompromisable sound quality, then go for a stereo sound headset.
Most of the surround sound headsets provide you with a 5.1 sound, up to 7.1, which is great for immersive gaming. The only problem is, that a headset doesn’t have enough space to fit many audio channels, and most surround sound headsets use up to eight channels. This leads to a lower quality of sound.
On the other hand, surround sound provides better immersion, and it is an important tool of an FPS gamer. If you want to know the position from which the enemy is attacking, then go for surround sound. Another advantage of surround sound gaming headsets is that watching movies is amazing. Surround sound provides you with the best movie-watching experience, so keep that in mind when you decide to buy a new gaming headset.
Open headsets have a perforated ear cup. Most gamers like open headsets more because they offer a sound that isn’t muffled and sounds natural.
The problem with the open headsets is that they are not immune to the outside noise. If you are playing in a place where there is a lot of outside noise, then an open headset won’t do you any good.
On the other hand, closed headsets eliminate all of the background noise, which makes them a perfect choice for someone living in a noisy neighborhood. The drawback is that your games will sound a bit muffled, which may cause the audio to sound less natural.
In short – yes.
Nowadays, most, if not all, of the multiplayer games require communication. While you could type to your teammates, why not use a microphone?
While some gamers use a dedicated microphone, we do not recommend that solution since it can be a hassle to set up properly. A good microphone on a headset can cancel out the background noise and it will make your voice sound crisp and clear.
If you can’t test the microphone on a gaming headset, then be sure to read the reviews of other users.
We have informed you of the most important factors you should think about before making a purchase. But, there are a few more things that you need to consider before buying a new gaming headset.
Since gaming headsets are not cheap (more on that topic later), you must be aware that not all of the headsets are created equal.
Be sure that a headset isn’t made of cheap plastic because it will break quickly. Another important factor is the quality of cables. If the cables are thin, then they won’t last you for a long time.
You should check out the ear cups as well. Some of the ear cups are made out of low-quality leather, and they will not last you for more than a few months.
Remember, be sure to check out the reviews if you are in doubt.
While we think that aesthetics are not the most important factor, there are plenty of gamers who disagree.
If aesthetics are of utter importance to you, then be sure to thoroughly check out the headset you would like to buy. Plenty of gaming headsets come with RGB lighting that can be paired up with the rest of your gaming setup. Most of the headsets are black, but secondary colors are what gives each model its unique appeal.
There are plenty of different-looking headsets out there, so make sure that you will enjoy the aesthetics of a model you want to buy.
We hate gaming headsets that cause pain after long gaming sessions. There is nothing worse than wearing a headset that causes discomfort, so make sure to try out a headset before purchasing it.
If you can’t try it out, then be sure to read the reviews of other users. The point is to wear something cozy and comfortable, so check whether the headset can be adjusted and whether you receive extra ear cups.
Wireless headsets are powered with batteries, so you need to be aware of the battery life.
Plenty of models out there provide you with uninterrupted gameplay for hours, but there are some models that switch off after only a couple of hours.
If you are opting in for a wireless gaming headset, then you must make sure that the battery life suits your needs.
Most of the gaming headsets are priced at around $100. Luckily, there are models for every gamer’s wallet.
Some of the lower priced models sell for around $50, but that doesn’t mean that they are not worth checking out. There are some models with extravagant prices that go over $200, and they have their audience as well.
As you can see, the pricing range is large, and it can be hard to figure out which gaming headsets are worth purchasing. Luckily, we wrote a guide showing the best gaming headsets. We have put a lot of time and work into testing plenty of gaming headsets, so be sure to read our guide.
Gaming headsets are a crucial component of every gamer’s setup. Serious gamers own a headset, and they have an advantage compared to the ones who don’t. A good gaming headset will allow you to hear what other players don’t, and after you are finished playing you can enjoy music or a movie without sacrificing sound quality.
Fortunately, reading our sound advice gave you an advantage of knowing what to look for. Now you can confidently purchase a new gaming headset, without making any mistakes that can be costly.
The only thing left to do is to pick a headset that fits your setup and your gaming style, and soon you will be joining the ranks of pros.