Gaming headsets can offer another element to play, allowing you to experience game audio with more intensity and clarity. They can give you the full impact of the soundtrack whilst not having to project it onto others, as well as often offering up a communication channel to chat to others you’re playing with. Also good for streamers who want to record their sessions and voice over their playthroughs, headsets can help the social aspect of gaming alongside helping provide the intended experience of how the game was designed without having to compromise when you want to play but don’t want to make it noisy for others.

Then there are VR headsets, over the head accessories that can help immerse you in virtual reality games, where you step inside the virtual world you’re playing with thanks to clever goggles and motion sensors.

There are a lot of options out there for different types of headsets, so finding the right fit for you (pun fully intended) may seem a little daunting. Hopefully, with this guide, we can help you find something that suits your needs.

How to pick a good gaming headset?

As with all thing’s tech, you’ll want to set yourself a budget. Knowing how much you want to/can spend helps control your spending and streamlines your search, eliminating anything too expensive so that you’re not wasting your time.

The first thing you want to look for in a headset is the sound quality of the headphones. It may seem obvious but the higher quality the sound, the better the audio experience. Alongside this, you’ll want to consider the shape of the earphones with more closed ones covering a greater part of the ear, they block out more ambient noise. However, for spectacle wearers or those who still want some awareness of their surroundings, a more open earphone shape may be better for you.

There’s also the microphone quality to consider. If you’re recording your gaming sessions, you may want a higher quality microphone for crisper sound and better editing opportunities. If you just want it to utilise voice chat options, then a lower quality option that’s cheaper, but still picks up your voice well, may be the way to go.

What brand is best for headsets?

There are a lot of headset and audio brands out there that cater to different tastes and budgets. Knowing what you want from your audio can help guide you towards certain brands. SONY are largely considered to have the gold standard in noise cancelling, gaming headsets but with options that go up to around £350 in price, you may want to consider something a little less top tier than their highest models.

The PlayStation PULSE Elite Headset is a wireless option optimised for gaming on a PS5. Lifelike sound makes for a deep immersion into the videogames you play, whilst the fully retractable microphone uses innovative noise-rejection technology to make sure it doesn’t pick up any unnecessary background noise.

For those looking for a practical and decent quality option that’s more mid-range, Rig make pro gaming headsets that are durable and lightweight that are built around comfort. The sturdy exoskeleton is designed to avoid putting extra pressure on the skull and the ultra-lightweight headband is flexible to fit different head shapes. With oversized earpads, they cover the whole ear comfortably without pinching.

Of course, there are many more choices available from low to high end, and deciding on what you need for your ideal gaming setup will help guide your purchasing decision.

Which is the best VR headset to buy?

Similarly, VR headsets vary greatly in quality and price, and how they can be used. Meta, HTC, and Apple all make some of the better-known VR headsets that can play games tailored for them but if you are a console gamer that already has a PS5, then a PlayStation 5 VR2 headset is possibly your best option.

With 4K HDR visuals it uses eye tracking and headset feedback to provide an insight into genre defining games. Easy to set up with your console, it brings VR games to life via your PlayStation.

Likewise, Nintendo Switch gamers can turn their existing console into a VR experience with the Maxx Tech VR Headset, that uses lens and distance adjustments to help make the console screen a part of the headset itself. A far more budget friendly option than others, this is ideal for those just being introduced to the world of VR.

What is the most sold gaming headset?

The wired Hyper X Cloud II headset set the bar for gaming headsets with its durable aluminium frame and memory foam comfort around the ears, with easy setup and virtual surround sound at a mid-range cost. As such, it went on to sell millions of units.

Still available to buy, other manufacturers saw the success of these headsets and have replicated and improved upon what made the Hyper X Cloud II so popular, with generational improvements coming on leaps and bounds.

For more awesome accessories and gaming inspiration, check out our gaming hub and find your next favourite game to be immersed in.

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