Which gaming headsets are worth buying?

Next time you need to yell at your guild members, try one of these.

Contributing Reporter

UpdatedMon, February 15, 2016 at 6:13 PM UTC

We may call them "video games," but audio plays a big part in the experience too. Good music and sound effects can set the mood, immerse us in the story and alert us to impending danger. But all of this could easily be hampered by crappy speakers or a surfeit of background noise, making a quality headset key to an ideal gaming experience. Do you need surround sound, or can stereo do the job just fine? And how much is good audio quality worth? We've scoured the market to find the best headsets available now to fit the needs of both hard-core and casual gamers.

The G230 doesn't particularly excel in any one thing, but with an MSRP of $60, it doesn't have to. The design feels "aggressive" to *Reviewed.com*, with a sturdy plastic build that could "survive the worst freakout you can have." Unfortunately, the mic leaves something to be desired, with *Tom's Guide* finding it "extremely quiet and full of static."

But the mic's shortcomings are outweighed by the G230's audio capabilities. *Gadget Review* calls it "a marvelous addition to the stereo arena," with "punchy and deep bass" that doesn't steal the show from the mid and high ranges. It might not top more-expensive headsets, but *Reviewed.com* says it should work "well enough for most games that aren't saturated with constant gunfire."

**Price:** $46

The Kraken 7.1 Chroma may advertise its major new feature right in its name, but it still has plenty to offer besides the pretty colors. Though *TechRadar* finds the colors alluring, it also likes the Chroma's "lightweight, travel-friendly design" and comfort level, even despite some mild irritation to the reviewer's ears.

One thing that wasn't mild was the audio quality, with *Overclock3D* noting it offers "plenty of tight bass to get your chest pounding" as well as "well defined and easily discernible" sounds in-game. Of course, both the lighting and audio can be adjusted via Razer's Synapse software, making this an easy choice if you've already invested in some of the company's other peripherals.

**Price:** $100

The Siberia 650, the Elite Prism -- whatever name you call this headset, there's no denying that it's pretty flashy, thanks to its customizable accent lighting. Without the LED effects *Tom's Guide* finds it "fairly vanilla," but the 650's suspension design still stands apart due to being so comfortable that *TweakTown'*s reviewer says it "became an extension of me."

The closed-ear cups help provide "realistic depth and separation of sonic elements," though *NDTV Gadgets* still finds the headset somewhat lacking in how it handled stereo and surround sound. However, if you spend a little time with the software you can tweak the audio to your liking -- and you should, given this headset's relatively high price.

**Price:** $196

Users with small heads need not apply when it comes to the 720+. *EGM*, for one, finds it cumbersome, thanks to cups that sat "weird on the ears." But at least it's durable and solid, and *GamingBolt* likes how the ear cups swiveled.

But the 720+ definitely delivers in terms of audio quality, with *EGM* calling out its "great highs and lows while *Gaming Bolt* likes how the deep bass "reverberates through your skull. The real standout was the 7.1 surround sound, which carries *EGM* into "a new realm" thanks to sound crisp and clear enough to tell which direction footsteps were coming from. *IGN* concurs, saying that "sneaky suckers trying to stab us in the back didn’t have a chance."

**Price:** $151

PlayStation gamers will get the most out of this headset, but the included cable means that even PC and Xbox players can enjoy what the Gold has to offer. Though *Kotaku* notes it felt a bit "cheapo and loose," *Digital Trends* still likes its "solid feel and minimalist frame," while *IGN* admits you have to make a few concessions in a headset at this price point.

That's especially pertinent with the Gold being a 7.1 surround sound headset. Indeed, *Digital Trends* finds it lacked some of the "rich definition and texture" that fully bring sounds to life. However, *Destructoid* says it still "hits the marks that I'd expect a $100 quality set of headphones to hit with its clean, balanced sound."

**Price:** $81

The Corsair H2100 might be a wireless headset, but *Tom's Guide* isn't going to recommend this for your travel kit anytime soon, because of its "positively huge" build. However, big and bulky doesn't have to mean ugly, as *Tom's Guide* says it's actually "rather attractive," thanks to the headset's sleek, black design and yellow trim.

It's a bit of a mixed bag in the comfort department as well: *PcGameware* thinks the fabric in the ear cups is "a little rough," while *PCWorld* notes the unusual lack of padding. But audio and mic quality are as solid as the build, with *pcGamewar*e liking the bass and midrange and finding the headset as a whole "well tuned for gaming."

**Price:** $70

The Sennheiser name is a big one to live up to in terms of audio products, but the Game One delivers brilliantly with excellent sound that puts it at the top of *PC Mag's* "audio fidelity pile among gaming headsets."

The company's reputation for elegance is also evident in the headset's design, with *AVForums* admiring how its curves "remind you solely of headphones rather than a star destroyer." The lack of metal parts might be disappointing given the Game One's high price, but *IGN Middle East* says it still feels "sturdy in the hand" and could take a few beatings if necessary.

**Price:** $150

SADES isn't a heavyweight brand like some of the others in this gallery. However, in the eyes of its fans, the company's a definite champ, with the SA-708 punching far above its weight given its ridiculously low price.

For *Dragon Blogger* the SA-708 hits high marks for its build, comfort and audio quality, meaning they are all pretty decent for the money. But the SA-708 is most appealing for its friendliness to younger players, with *Dragon Blogger* noting it provides a "good snug fit" on both a 7- and 11-year-old, thanks to its wide range of adjustment options. The sub-$20 price sweetens the pot even more for parents and other thrifty gamers.

**Price:** $18

The HyperX Cloud may be a rebrand, but slapping a Kingston logo on a pair of Takstar headphones doesn't mean this headset is subpar. *Techgage* likes the Cloud's "mix of classical looks and modern aggressive sensibility" as well as its build quality, ultimately calling the headset "a high-quality piece of kit."

That definitely extends to the audio as well, with *IGN* taking note of the Cloud's "clear mids and highs" and "phenomenal spatial awareness." The one major change made to the original headphones was the addition of a mic, but no worries: *Legit Reviews* feels the mic's quality meets expectations, while *KitGuru* simply calls it "commendable."

**Price:** $78

1 / 9

Logitech G230

The G230 doesn't particularly excel in any one thing, but with an MSRP of $60, it doesn't have to. The design feels "aggressive" to Reviewed.com, with a sturdy plastic build that could "survive the worst freakout you can have." Unfortunately, the mic leaves something to be desired, with Tom's Guide finding it "extremely quiet and full of static."

But the mic's shortcomings are outweighed by the G230's audio capabilities. Gadget Review calls it "a marvelous addition to the stereo arena," with "punchy and deep bass" that doesn't steal the show from the mid and high ranges. It might not top more-expensive headsets, but Reviewed.com says it should work "well enough for most games that aren't saturated with constant gunfire."

Price: $46

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Which gaming headsets are worth buying?

Next time you need to yell at your guild members, try one of these.

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