The Best Gaming Headphones
Sound is an essential part of the gaming experience. Aside from putting you in the environment of the game, it also alerts you when things are flying at you and when enemies are approaching. You literally can't live without it. Headsets are often preferred by gamers to speakers because you can get that loud surround-sound experience without disturbing the family or neighbors. There were a few major factors we considered while reviewing these headsets. Sound quality was one such factor, of course, because low-quality sound equals low-quality gaming. Comfort, because it stinks to have to cut a gaming session short because your headset is hurting your ears. And the microphone, because if you're playing with others online, you need a mic to talk to them. In our research, we found a few pairs of headphones for gaming that all have excellent sound quality and superb comfort, so take a look and see what you think.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
Bose Knows Best
For gamers who really care about an immersive audio experience, these amazing headphones from one of the most trusted names in the business are absolutely worth the investment. Bose is known for producing high-quality sound and the QuietComfort 35 II headphones do not disappoint. The full rich sound will make you feel like you’re literally in the game. The noise-canceling is really top of the line, too. The headphones will tune out any noise going on around you so you can fully enjoy the game you’re playing. They’re Bluetooth compatible, as well. Fewer wires is always a good thing. The ample padding and ergonomic design make these comfortable enough to play for hours on end without having to take them off.
Pros
- Noise-canceling
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Doesn’t mix 2 audio sources at once
RUNMUS Gaming Headset
Let the Games Begin
One look at these headphones, and you can tell they were made for gaming. Blue LED lights on the sides let everyone know you are not to be disturbed, which is good because you won’t be able to hear anyone else due to the headphones’ noise-canceling capabilities. The microphone also has noise-canceling and anti-static technology, so when playing with others online, every word you speak will be heard clearly. With super soft padding on both the headband and the ear cups made from memory foam, these lightweight headphones can be worn all day, so you won’t have to stop playing right when the going gets good due to ear or head discomfort. For the more-than-affordable price, you’ll be surprised at the sound quality – these headphones do an excellent job at simulating surround sound, so you will be able to tell which direction the incoming object or enemy is coming from. Specially designed for gaming, this headset is definitely a solid choice for serious gamers.
Pros
- Soft memory foam padding
- Simulated surround sound
Cons
- USB cord is short
Beexcellent Gaming Headset
Runs the Gamut
Beexcellent has made a gaming headset that is, well, excellent. Easy on the wallet but heavy on the features, this a great option for gamers. For such an affordable electronics product, the first question that comes to mind is, will it last? The answer is yes – expect to get a more-than-decent lifespan out of these. Memory foam on the earcups will keep your ears nice and cozy for those long gaming sessions, while you are treated to stellar surround sound courtesy of the high-precision magnetic neodymium driver in the headphones. The mic is great at isolating your voice even when there’s a lot of background noise, and it rotates 120 degrees for your convenience. And with LED lights on the outside, this headset looks really cool, too.
Pros
- Breathable ear cups
- Noise isolation mic
- Super strong cord
Cons
- Does not work for Xbox 360 and PS3
- USB powers the lights, but you still need 3.5mm for sound
SteelSeries Arctis 5 – RGB Illuminated Gaming Headset
Mark My Words
You might think these aren’t that comfortable because they don’t have bulky padding like many other gaming headsets, but don’t be fooled by the way these headphones look. Instead, wait till you try them on and wear them for marathon gaming sessions – you might forget you’re wearing them, they’re so comfortable. With fabric used for athletic wear, the headphones stay cool and dry, no matter how hot your ears get from an intense gaming session. The sound is fantastic, too. You will hear even the faintest sounds in the game. Furthermore, they’re wireless with more than enough range to hit the bathroom or grab a snack in the kitchen without having the sound cut out. And last, but certainly not least, the mic is one of the best we’ve encountered. The mic transmits crystal clear sound and noise-canceling, and it also retracts into the headset when you’re not using it, which is pretty darn cool.
Pros
- Wireless
- Retracting mic
Cons
- The volume roller is easy to accidentally adjust
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gaming headset and a regular headset?
Designed for long gaming sessions, gaming headsets have extra padding so you can wear them for longer without suffering discomfort. Also, the intensity and excitement of video games can make you sweat, so gaming headphones are designed to breathe and keep you cool. Also, they come with a good mic for when you’re playing with others online.
Will the headphones work with my system?
The headphones we reviewed are compatible with the newest generations of consoles and computers. If you have an older system, it is best to double-check that it will work with your system before ordering.
What does noise-canceling mean?
The term “noise-canceling” is a little bit confusing because it makes it sound like you won’t hear anything at all. But noise-canceling headphones don’t cancel the noise coming through your headphones that you want to hear; instead, they cancel the background noise in the room outside of your headphones so that you can hear the sound coming through your headphones clearly.
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.