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An Avid Gamer? Choosing The Best Gaming Headset and Where to Find it

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Cassie Wilson
An Avid Gamer? Choosing The Best Gaming Headset and Where to Find it

A good gaming headset objectively makes your gaming experience better. Whether it’s the sound effects or the soundtrack, audio is a big part of any game.

 

When you put on a quality pair of headphones on the first time, the sound of chopping a Nazi’s arm off with a hatchet as you rampage through Wolfenstein is incredible. So how do you know how to get best gaming headset for you?

 

Check the platform

 

Pretty obvious, but people do get over excited about their new toy and forget to check. If you bought a PC headset, it’s optimised for the computer, not for your console. Ditto for Xbox and Playstation headsets.

 

There’s a reason why Sennheiser has a line of gaming headsets dedicated for the computer, even though theoretically those PC headsets would work for consoles as well.

 

On top of that, you need to be careful when you buy a headset like the Astro Gaming A50 Wireless. It’s the exact same model, but one is designed for the PS4 and the other for Xbox One. Accidentally getting the Playstation version for your Xbox means you won’t be able to voice chat.

 

This said, it is less of a problem now than before. In the old days, most gaming headsets wouldn’t work across platforms full stop. Today, not only do Xbox One and PS4 controllers have 3.5 mm jacks, they also have a range of different adaptors so that 9 times out of 10, you can plug in your gaming headset just fine.

 

As long as you do some basic research beforehand, you’ll have no problems.

 

Different Types of Headset

 

With the booming popularity of gaming, there’s now a wide variety of different gaming headsets. A good headset is a good headset, so don’t worry too much about small differences between X and Y. However, there are a few decisions you should probably think about.

 

Wireless vs wired is a pretty common debate. A wireless headset is lot more portable, takes up slightly less space in the luggage and doesn’t have the problem of wires tangling up or getting in your way when you’re in a particularly tough fight.

 

The standard wired headset on the other hand, provides better audio quality compared to the average wireless headset. Wireless headsets are dependent on their bluetooth connection, which is simply not as good a connection as a wire plugged in to your gaming device.

 

When you reach the higher tier of gaming headsets however, the difference in audio quality disappears. A top notch wireless headset sounds just as good as any wired headset available. The big difference in this case is price. A wireless headset that’s just as good as a wired one is going to cost more.

 

Having an open or closed headset is something else you might like to consider. A closed gaming headset is like the name suggests, closed off from the outside. You can’t really hear anything apart from the game while you have them on. People consider closed headsets to be more immersive and bassier.

 

The audio from an open headset on the other hand, has more ‘depth’. It sounds more natural and its easier to hear how far those gunshots are from you. But because it’s open, it can more annoying to game if you have loud guests over.

 

For computer gamers, another choice to mull over is: USB or 3.5mm? Computer headsets are split between those you plug in via your USB port and those you plug in using a 3.5mm jack. A general rule of thumb is that a 3.5mm headset is better if you have decent soundcard, a usb one if you don’t.

 

Most laptops for example, don’t have a good soundcard. So the fact that USB headsets tend to have their own DACs (digital-analog converter) means that a USB headset is going give you better quality in those cases.

 

 

Comfort is King

 

Comfort is probably the most important quality to consider when you’re getting a gaming headset. If you don’t enjoy wearing your headset, it’s probably pointless to get it in the first place. This is a big issue for those who enjoy spending hours or a whole day gaming. Having your ears hurt after a gaming session is not fun.

 

It’s possible to make certain assumptions. For example, if you enjoy long gaming sessions and sweat easily, a closed headset is probably not going to be as comfortable for you as an open one. A gaming headset with tons of reviews on how comfortable it is is a good sign.

 

Additionally, a lighter headset or one with padding is also generally going to be more comfortable. Unfortunately, the only 100% method of knowing if a headset is going to be comfortable for you, is wearing it.

 

Good Fit for Price

 

Sadly, the best headset for you is ultimately the best headset you can afford. Top quality gaming headsets are pricey.

There’s a few options to think about. 7.1 headsets are more expensive than 5.1 headsets when the difference between the two isn’t that large. As stated before, wired headsets are cheaper in general, so think about whether you really need a wireless one.

 

Secondhand headsets are another great option. They’re way cheaper, though watch out if the seller doesn’t let you try them before buying. Gaming headsets are durable as hell, especially top tier ones, so the difference in quality between new and used isn’t as big as you think.

 

Furthermore, a lot of re-sellers also include their original warranty along with the headset. Services like Bountye makes it easy for you search through all the secondhand headsets available online so you can choose the best fit for you.

 

 

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Cassie Wilson
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