The LOGITECH G430 981-000536 Dolby-7.1 Gaming Headset is our best gaming headset and the personalized fit of this gaming headset allows it to stay in place even for rigorous gaming moments due to the swiveling action of the ear cups up to 90 degrees of turning . It uses Dolby 7.1 surround sound technology as one of the greatest gaming headsets in the world today that allows you to experience a full 360 degrees of music or sound from games so you can hear even what’s behind you or things that are hidden in other parts of the game surrounding.
Our step-up pick is the HyperX KHX-HSCP-RD Cloud II Gaming Headset and this gaming headset also uses 7.1 virtual surround sound for the best quality possible. The inline sound card of the gaming headset also uses echo cancelling in its features and it uses standard analog 3.5 mm jacks for the audio connection. You can also use this gaming headset for voice chat and group conference such as Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble and much more.
The budget pick is the GW SADES SA902 7.1-Channel Gaming Headset and the 360 degrees of surround sound that you can experience with this breathtaking gaming headset is superb in its quality. It has a sleek design of black and red with LED lights for night gaming and this gaming headset offers noise cancelling capabilities and also has a volume control that is very easy to locate and to set up for easy access while playing games.
A Little Background
A gaming headset refers to the headset that has precision specifically needed for gaming purposes. Loss of signal is not an option for gaming headsets because of the very fact that it is a vital tool. A gaming headset is different from other headsets out there because they are specifically for high-end gaming. Headsets for gaming usually have a built-in microphone, especially for online games and LAN games that require player interaction.
Gaming headsets are supposed to be very versatile and heavy duty for the heavy gamers out there. They must be able to withstand the heavy use of any gamer, especially if it will be used for frequent e-sports and the like or as a gaming headset for YouTube gamers. In any case, preventing the circuitry from spills and shock is important for any gaming headset, since it will be for the most rigorous use possible for any gamer.
Another thing to consider about gaming headsets is the breathability and portability of the headsets so you can easily wear them in a very comfortable manner without getting in the way of the current games you are playing. Communicating with peers is also important and so the microphone of a gaming headset as well as the inner speakers must all be clear and crisp in sound quality and to cancel out noise as much as possible, especially if you have slightly noisy cooling systems from your CPU. A gaming headset should also be very easy to take with you to any place due to portability.
How We Picked
In choosing the best gaming headset, consider the following factors first before you buy:
Portability – the ability to play games everywhere is crucial to any player or gamer and the fact that you can fold and store it on the go makes it an ideal gaming headset.
Surround sound – the sound quality of a gaming headset should be at least at par with music production headphones, with around 32 ohms of impedance at the very most to give you high quality sound that lets you hear even the tiniest footsteps to warn you of an approaching enemy.
Durability – as we all know, gaming headsets will get tossed here and there when the excitement brews. Therefore, it is important for a gaming headset to have shock proof qualities and spill proof features to make it suitable for rugged gaming moments.
Our Pick
LOGITECH G430 981-000536 Dolby-7.1 Gaming Headset
The best gaming headset, the LOGITECH G430 981-000536 Dolby-7.1 Gaming Headset, uses Dolby 7.1 surround sound technology as one of the greatest gaming headsets in the world today that allows you to experience a full 360 degrees of music or sound from games so you can hear even what’s behind you or things that are hidden in other parts of the game surrounding. The personalized fit of this gaming headset allows it to stay in place even for rigorous gaming moments due to the swiveling action of the ear cups up to 90 degrees of turning.
The light weight build of the gaming headset also makes it comfortable for any gamer adding to the fact that the ear cups are made from soft sport cloth material for comfort and keeping away from ear strain. You can use it for a ton of platforms such as the PlayStation 4 and most Windows systems, from Windows Vista to Windows 7, Windows 8 and the like. The foldable and portable boom microphone has tremendous amounts of noise cancelling so you can play online or LAN games with your friends or broadcast your gaming stuff on YouTube without ruining the microphone quality and to reduce the background noise so that the people focus their attention more on the game.
Because the boom microphone also rotates, it is very flexible for any situation. The ear cups can also lay down flat and have protective capabilities. There are also convenient controls for mute and volume levels on the cable itself. If you put your PS4 in stereo mode then you can use this gaming headset to intensify the sound experience.
It has a sensitivity of 90 dB SPL per mW and has a frequency response of 20 Hz up t 20 kHz. It uses 40 mm drivers for the speakers of its headphone system and the impedance of the gaming headset is 32 ohms, which is a standard in gaming quality. Its microphone has a unidirectional cardioids pickup pattern and the microphone also has a frequency response of 50 Hz up to 20 kHz with electrets condenser gradient pressure type plus a sensitivity of -40 dBV at 1 kHz under the test conditions of 3 volts at 2.2 K ohms.
The LOGITECH 7.1 Gaming Headset comes with a cable that spans at a length of 2.3 meters so it is quite long for gamers and it easily plugs into any USB port for convenience. It comes with the USB cable and a user’s manual for your reference and it is backed by a limited hardware warranty of 30 days depending on where you bought it from.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The LOGITECH G430 981-000536 Dolby-7.1 Gaming Headset may look perfect but even as the best headset for gaming in our list, it does have a few cons but they are not deal breakers at all and are very minor to this point. For example, it may not work as effectively as it is when connected to USB 3.0 ports.
Step-up Pick
HyperX KHX-HSCP-RD Cloud II Gaming Headset
Our step-up pick is the HyperX KHX-HSCP-RD Cloud II Gaming Headset and this gaming headset also uses 7.1 virtual surround sounds for the best quality possible. Its frequency response is from 15 Hz up to 25 kHz for a wider range of sounds. It is compatible with PS4’s stereo option and it is also highly compatible with the Xbox One, which makes it our step-up pick. Of course, it is compatible with any PC (Windows) or Mac. The cool thing about this gaming headset is the fact that the microphone can be detached to your will and preferences.
The Velour ear pads add comfort and great peace of mind due to its material of memory foam on the ear pads and the inline sound card of the gaming headset also uses echo cancelling in its features. The neodymium magnets of the 53 mm drivers add depth and power to your surround sound experience and the inline sound card also provides noise cancelling features for the microphone that has been built-in within the gaming headset. In fact, you can also use this gaming headset for voice chat and group conference such as Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble and much more.
It uses standard analog 3.5 mm jacks for the audio connection and it has volume and mute controls for the microphone and the headphone function. The headband also uses memory foam to provide you with great comfort altogether. You also do not have to worry about voice chat optimization because of the fact that it is Team Speak certified as a great gaming headset for vocal clarity and you only need to grab a stereo adapter for the Xbox One for using this gaming headset.
The virtual surround sound of this gaming headset is superb and Hi-Fi in its quality and you can hear even the finest details to know where the enemy might be hiding. The microphone is also digitally enhanced to improve vocal clarity while using the gaming headset for YouTube or Twitch streaming as well as LAN games. The passive noise cancellation adds to its appeal as a great gaming headset and the ear cups are also interchangeable for your comfort and preferences. It also has AGC functionality on its control box that is USB powered on its microphone and it is backed by a warranty of 2 years plus free technical support.
Budget Pick
GW SADES SA902 7.1-Channel Gaming Headset
Our budget pick is the GW SADES SA902 7.1-Channel Gaming Headset and this gaming headset offers noise cancelling capabilities and also has a volume control that is very easy to locate and to set up for easy access while playing games. The USB surround sound using the 7.1 channel virtual sound makes it also a great gaming headset for our list and for your budget and it has a sleek design of black and red with LED lights for night gaming. The microphone is also very convenient to use and the 360 degrees of surround sound that you can experience with this breathtaking gaming headset is superb in its quality.
The height adjustment of the gaming headset is also reliable because of the headband that is padded and is made up of four individually tough yet comfortable pieces for the build of the gaming headset and the protein ear cushions add ventilation to the ears and prevent straining and the comfortable and soft texture of the ear pads add more hours of gaming for you without getting strained on your ears.
It is highly compatible with Windows from XP up to 8.1 with drivers or you can use it for Mac as a plug and play gaming headset without driver installation and you can also use the included in-line remote control for controlling the sounds of the microphone and the headphone such as the volume. A flexible mechanism can be found and experienced with the microphone that is included in the gaming headset so you can position it in any way that you want to.
Its neodymium drivers are at 40 mm in diameter and it has a max input power of 30 megawatts. It has an impedance of 32 ohms which is a good standard for a gaming headset and you can simply plug it using a USB port that is included. The cable spans at a total length of 2.2 meters and the sensitivity of the gaming headset is at 112 dB +/- 3 dB at 1 kHz. The frequency range of the gaming headset is from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz and the frequency range of the microphone that is included is from 50 Hz up to 10 kHz.
Unique Gaming Headset with Chroma Lighting Effect
Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma Gaming Headset
For a unique gaming heaset, the Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma Gaming Headset is great because the gaming headset uses surround sound at 7.1 channels for a full virtual sound experience as a great headset for games and uses a unique chroma lighting effect like the ones used in keyboards and mice for gaming so you can definitely use it for night gaming experience. The microphone that has digital enhancements is also very convenient due to the very fact that it is retractable in its design.
You can also use it for longer hours because of the comfortable plush design of the ear pads for an extended gaming experience and the chroma lighting can be customized to about 16.8 million color options so you also feel the intensity with sleek gaming gear. You can also customize the gaming headset using the Synapse software and tweak things such as lighting effects for various games or audio programs and it has a cable which spans at a length of 2 meters or equivalent to 6 feet and is also braided as a USB cable for your convenience.
Neodymium magnets make up the powerful 40 mm drivers of this gaming headset for a realistic sound experience. Its sensitivity is 110 +/- 2 dB at 1 kHz, 1V/Pa and its impedance is at 32 ohms at 1 kHz for superior sound quality. It has a frequency response of 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz so you can hear even the finest details and footsteps with the rustling of the wind in the game and the form factor of the headphone is closed back while its fitting is circumaural or over the ear.
The ear cups can also be folded for storage purposes and there is also EQ functionality for this gaming headset to customize your gaming sounds and experience. Even if you wear glasses with thick frames, you can feel at ease with this headphone.
Unique Gaming Headset with Vibration Feature
Sentey GS-4730 Virtual 7.1 Gaming Headset
Applicable for use in Windows or Mac, the Sentey GS-4730 Virtual 7.1 Gaming Headset can really enhance your entertainment or gaming system due to its 7.1 virtual surround sound feature. It lso has an in-line control to monitor and tweak the volumes of you headphone or microphone and the gaming headset also has a tilting microphone that is also equipped with a retractable arm so you can position it into any direction that you want.
The connector for the USB 2.0 cable is gold plated for superior sound quality and uninterrupted audio signal and to prevent signal loss and the noise isolation of this gaming headset is superb and it also has pads that are very comfortable. The ear cushion pads are made from protein and have a closed design to help you keep yourself away from background noise and yet comfortable for long hours of gaming and the headband is also highly comfortable for hours of game play and also gives you a very luxurious feel without sacrificing the durability of the gaming headset.
The vibration feature unit of this gaming headset adds realism because of its 4D extra bass as well as DAC unit that gives you intelligent vibration experience coupled with a suspension system in which the headband adjusts by itself and you can also use it for video conferencing such as Skype. The upper enclosure has a black polish finish for durability and there is a light indicator for the power and the controls. You can also mute or un-mute the gaming headset easily and it uses any standard USB 2.0 port.
The fact that the cables are braided means there is less likely to be tangle in your setup. The padding is made from high quality memory foam for extra comfort like you are laying down on your bed and it has a cable that spans at a length of 6 1/2 feet oe 2 meters and is of heavy duty in its build and design. The inline controller helps you gain access to the sound controls easily and the signal to noise ratio of the microphone is 600 ohms to 1,200 ohms and has an impedance of 2.2 k ohms.
The sensitivity of the microphone is at -36 +/- 3 dB at 1 kHz and the speakers of the gaming headset have a total harmonic distortion of 5 percent plus a frequency response of 20 Hz up to 20 kHz. It has a drive diameter of 40 mm and has an output power of 10 mW. Its sensitivity for the speakers is 105 dB +/- 3 dB SPL and it is also applicable for the PS4 as a great gaming headset. It is backed by a warranty of 1 year.
Ideal Gaming Headset for the PS4 or PlayStation 4
ASTRO Gaming A40 PS4 TR Headset
The ASTRO Gaming A40 PS4 TR Headset is truly applicable for the PS4 or the PlayStation 4 and it also includes the MixAmp pro TR for adjusting the volume and other parameters for your PS4. It uses Astro Audio technology for a true gaming experience due to its great sound and it is also ready for mod kits available. The fit and finish of this gaming headset is unmatched for its quality and the microphone is also swappable and has high precision for recording sounds without the excessive noise.
You can also use this gaming headset for the PS3, Windows, Mac and many more and you can enjoy lag-free gaming for various games such as Call of Duty and many more. LAN games are also enhanced with this superb gaming headset and the noise cancelling capability of this gaming headset is also due to its closed back feature and design. It uses Dolby virtual surround sound 7.1 channels for its gaming sound quality and the headset also makes a great lightweight gaming gear.
You can also use the Astro Command Center for your own EQ settings plus input and output customizations on Mac or Windows and you can also use the speaker tag customizer for this gaming headset. You can also depend upon this gaming headset for live streaming that is dedicated on its output from the microphone.
Best Noise Cancelling Gaming Headset
Sennheiser GAME ONE PC Gaming Headset
The Sennheiser GAME ONE PC Gaming Headset is great for gaming due to its accuracy and sound quality that is powered using the transducer technology that provide clarity like no other and the ear pads are made from plush velvet for high quality comfort and breathability for your ears. You can also conveniently mute the microphone to your needs using the easy to access control switch.
Conversations are so easy because of the crystal clear voice quality that is powered by the microphone that is equipped with a noise cancelling capability. The transducer is powered at 50 ohms for accuracy and sonic clarity and noise cancelling is not reduced by the open back design which also helps your head breathe and keep itself cool. The sturdy yet breathable design makes this gaming headset one of a kind.
It connects with any 3.5 mm port for audio such as PC, Mac, tablets, smart phones and the like and the XXL plush also adds depth and comfort to the user. The volume control is located on the right ear cup and you can just raise the boom arm to mute the microphone conveniently. The cables can be exchanged easily and the transducer technology is very accurate in detecting sounds so you can hear all of the details on the game.
Best Wireless Gaming Headset
Turtle Beach Ear Force Gaming Headset
The Turtle Beach Ear Force Gaming Headset is very portable in its build due to being wireless and the surround sound 7.1 technology makes it very versatile when it comes to experiencing high quality surround sound in any game experience. You also get less interference with this gaming headset.
Using the DTS technology for the surround sound feature, it is very versatile and very portable in its qualities. You can enjoy music, games, movies and many more due to the surround sound and you can also hear your own voice so you don’t have to shout to the other party while playing games using the variable microphone monitoring. You can also easily hear enemies before approaching. The battery can be recharged easily and the gaming headset can provide you with up to 15 hours of battery life wirelessly and it also comes with connections for the headset power, 3.5 mm audio jack and USB port.
The frequency response is 20 Hz up to 20 kHz and the magnets are made from neodymium and measure 50 mm in its drivers / speakers. The over-ear design of the ear cup makes it highly portable and the lithium polymer quality of the battery makes it high in its battery life. The microphone has the capability of switching to various directions and is removable and the mesh fabric of the ear pad adds to its comfortable features.
Ideal Gaming Headset for the Xbox One
UL SADES SA807 Multi-Platform Gaming Headset
The UL SADES SA807 Multi-Platform Gaming Headset is highly compatible with the Xbox One and also compatible with most computer systems such as Windows, Mac, iOS as well as the PS4 due to its multi platform capability and it is also very comfortable due to its closed ear cup design and does not have the seashell effect compared to other headsets. You can also use it on smart phones and you can easily hear the smallest footsteps and the slightest enemy noise using the stereo sound quality that gives a clear and crisp and also a very rich sound.
The diameter of the neodymium speakers is at 40 mm each and the impedance of the gaming headset at 1 kHz is 32 ohms. It has a sensitivity of 113 dB +/- 3 dB and a frequency range of 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz and it uses a standard audio plug at 3.5 mm. Its microphone that has been built-in has a sensitivity of -54 dB +/- 3 dB and it has a total harmonic distortion of less than 5 percent. Its cable spans at a length of 2.2 meters and the magnet has a size of 15 1/2 by 2 mm. It comes with a microphone splitter cable for use with PCs and Macs.
Best Over Ear Gaming Headset
Bengoo Comfortable Stereo 3.5mm Gaming Headset
The Bengoo Comfortable Stereo 3.5mm Gaming Headset is made from a neodymium driver at 50 mm with high precision and great sound quality and the ear pads are designed to be very comfortable due to the over the ear design and are very soft and comfortable to the ear. The LED lights help add a sleek and stylish design of the gaming headset. Sound quality and clarity is superb for this gaming headset and it also has a reliable noise isolation feature plus volume controls to add to your convenience.
The microphone is also excellent placed and can be easily controlled to your liking and the tensile wire is also braided for added tangle-free features. The Velcro cable tie keeps the wire from tangling and the leather material used for the gaming headset is hypoallergenic and skin-sensitive leather.
The Competition
Gaming headsets that we did not include in this review are the ones that have delays in sound signal and do not have a good voice clarity or noise cancelling features. Durability is also important when you have to choose for the best gaming headset for your budget and needs.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What guidelines should I know first before buying a gaming headset?
A: According to Geek Squad , the sound quality should be great, such as 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound and some gaming headsets are also compatible with consoles such as the Xbox One, Xbox 360 or even the PS4 and PS3.
Q: Why should I get a gaming headset?
A: According to eBay , headsets for gaming usually have sound isolation and noise reduction to help you focus on the game better and microphones on a gaming headset also have noise cancelling features.
Wrapping It Up
To wrap it up, the LOGITECH G430 981-000536 Dolby-7.1 Gaming Headset is our best gaming headset so you can have a greater chance of winning against the enemy or the opposing party.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.