You have a choice of dozens of headsets for every platform, and good sound is as important as any other part of the experience. Whether you play on a PC, Xbox, PS, or even mobile device, here are a few of the best headsets for your gaming pleasure.
We have some returning brands and a couple new ones in the new year. I focused on headsets that are completely wireless and are less than $200. You get the most bang for your buck at that location.
This isn't a systematic review, just my impressions, and I left off a couple of pairs that didn't make the cut. I would recommend them to a friend, but they have pros and cons. Some of these are discounted right now for holiday sales, but I based my opinion on the normal price.
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I was impressed by the SteelSeries 7P, which had an enormous soundstage, great battery life, and a really comfortable fit. Right now, those headphones are on sale for $90, which is the best value on this list.
The company has achieved more or less the same thing in a smaller, lighter package with the Nova 7.
The control/port layout of the 7P was messy and bulky. The Nova 7 has a simpler layout. The volume wheel has more distance, the microphone is flush at rest, and buttons are tucked away. The fit has not improved despite the Nova 7 being lighter and more trim and the 7P earcups being very generous. They are very comfortable and have a ski goggle strap.
The sound is the same as its predecessors. The quality of sound that you get with both of these headsets is a real feel that the game environment is surrounding you. It isn't ideal for all music, but it's great for games and I prefer it. You can use the sidetone to hear what someone is saying instead of taking off the whole thing.
Even as wireless becomes the norm, this input continues to be indispensible. How much they packed in is a bit of a mystery. I recommend the SteelSeries Nova 7s the most.
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The Kaira Pro is one of the two products on this list. I think the Kaira Pro is the better set, but I don't know if it's worth it. I found the Barracuda to be an excellent headset, with a good sound quality and comfortable headband fit.
When you first hold them, they seem a bit rigid, but they are light and fit my large head with a couple headband stops to spare. The layout is easy, with just the volume dial, power and mic mute, and a switcher for wi-fi. You don't get the richness of a good boom sitting in front of your face with the dual slit mics.
The advantage of these is that they have a 3.5mm port that can be used as a microphone. I think these are the best value of the wireless line.
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I justified including them because they appear to be on a permanent sale for $199. I thought it was worth having an upgrade pick as the only headset I tested had active noise canceling.
The picture doesn't do them justice, but the Epos design aesthetic is not really to my liking, but I was pleasantly surprised by the H3pro's quality and comfort They are not as rigid as they appear due to a single headband attachment point. Their sound is immediate and intense, but with a good sense of space, not as wide as the SteelSeries. The noise-canceling may be attractive to travelers who don't want to keep 2 or 3 pairs of cans.
The controls and inputs are where they go down. The volume dial on the earcup was unresponsive for a while and then a sudden jump or drop in volume. The buttons and switch are in good shape. A boom mic can be attached via a magnet. The included cable is 2.5mm so you need to keep an eye on it.
The sound and ANC for the Epos were great, but the hardware felt dated and under thought. If the comfort, sound, and ANC outweigh my quibbles, you could do worse than the H3 Pro.
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I had never used any of the newer Airlite Pro headphones, but the Gambits were very good. Their bass-laden sound is not the best for music, but it is accurate in action games. It's not as large or balanced as the Nova 7, but it's very good. The fit is good, even though they look a bit plasticy.
The headset has a dial-based volume control that is a little tricky at first but refreshingly analog-feel and ultimately precise, and a mic monitor button that lets you quickly set or turn off hearing your own voice. The boom mic is strong and flexible. Always a plus is the 3.5mm input.
They don't fold up and a micro-usb instead of type-C is a minor gripe. The headset is going for a sound.
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These things are great, but I don't like them very much. The sound is good, but not as good as the one in the Barracuda. The fit is better, with a bigger, softer earcup you won't be adjusting as often.
The Kaira Pro adds a lot of things, but I prefer not to. What do your ears feel like? It sounded weird to me. The headset uses a physical pulse to emphasize peaks and periods.
I didn't think I'd like it. It felt cool when I tried it on a boss fight in God of War, it felt like a sub kicking in. After an hour or so, the pulse strength could be adjusted on the fly or turned off completely.
It was a bit too intense and the sound of the headphones made it hard to listen. I decided that the extra money, battery drain, and fuss wasn't something I cared about. If you want the same sound in a somewhat superior package and don't mind spending another $30, the Barracuda is a better deal.
They went on sale for $130, and I would definitely recommend them, even if they were not reduced. Go for it if you can catch them.
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The headphones were light and comfortable, and fold flat. I wasn't a fan of the sound, but that plus theusb-c port would make them something of a side grade to the Gambits. I felt the Airlites pushed the bass even further than those, to the point where I felt it was overwhelming other details.
It's a matter of taste. These might be great for you if you like bass-heavy music or want to have a sub. They lose a point if they don't have the 3.5mm jack.
Review: Wireless headsets from Logitech, Audio-Technica, SteelSeries, HyperX and more
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