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How to buy the best gaming headset
Buying a gaming headset for the first time? Or buying on behalf of an avid gamer in your life? Then below you’ll find the things to know before you click that bright orange ‘buy now’ button.
Comfort
It’s all too easy to be distracted by flashy LEDs or amazing colour options, but the reality is, you want your chosen headset to be maximally comfortable - especially if you (or your partner) like to engage in lengthy gaming sessions.
In order to pick a gaming headset that’s going to be comfortable, look for the following features:
- Cushioned ear cups - thick, plush ear cups will maintain comfort for long periods of time. Some manufacturers also explicitly state that their cushioned ear cups are suitable for people who wear eyeglasses.
- Cushioned headband - as well as the ear cups, ensure that your chosen headset has a cushioned headband. This will stop the top of your head from getting sore during long bouts of game play.
- Adjustable headband - not only should the headband be cushioned, but it should be adjustable, too. This will allow you to adjust it to sit perfectly on your head. Most gaming headsets have a sliding style headband which allows you to adjust the size based on a series of notches.
- Weight - a heavy headset is almost inevitably going to become uncomfortable over a long enough time period. So, make sure your chosen set isn’t overly heavy. Although opinion varies, a weight of between 250 and 350 grams seems to be the ideal weight for a gaming headset.
Wired or wireless?
Do you (or your partner) get annoyed by wires whilst gaming? If the answer is ‘yes’, then you may want to go wireless.
Wireless headsets generally feature Bluetooth connectivity allowing them to be connected to a wide range of devices - meaning they’re ideal if you want to use your headset with different devices (e.g. a portable device, desktop etc). It’s why wireless headsets are sometimes called Bluetooth headphones instead.
They do, however, tend to have a higher price point than their wired counterparts.
Here at Comet you’ll find a selection of both wired and wireless gaming headsets.
Sound quality
Naturally, if you want to create an immersive gaming experience, then you’re going to want your gaming headphones to deliver pitch perfect sound.
But, what does ‘good’ sound like when it comes to a gaming headset?
Here are few things to look for that can be indicative of good sound quality:
- Passive noise isolation. Headsets with passive noise isolation use physical barriers such as closely fitting ear cups (and closed backs on those ear cups), to prevent outside noise from ‘leaking’ into the headset. As you can imagine, passive noise cancellation can really contribute to creating an immersive gaming experience.
- Active noise-cancelling. Some gaming headsets feature active noise-cancelling. This is a type of sound technology that uses microphones to analyse external sounds and, in turn, create opposing sound waves to ‘cancel out’ those external noises. At present, active noise cancellation tends to be present only on slightly higher end headsets. Some headphones that combine both passive and active noise cancellation are known under the generic term of noise-cancelling headphones or noise reduction headphones.
- Stereo. Headsets for gaming will often feature stereo audio - meaning sound is produced by both speakers in such a way as to create a multi-directional listening experience.
Microphone
A headset arguably isn’t a gaming headset unless it includes an integrated microphone.
When looking at a gaming headset’s microphone, check the following things:
- Does it (at least partially) cancel out background noise? Is it detachable? This can be useful if you want to use your headset outside the home.
- Does it allow you to easily mute the mic? This is ideal for scenarios where you want to take a quick drink whilst gaming etc.
Compatibility
Whilst most gaming headsets are universally compatible (meaning they’ll work with desktop PCs, consoles, and hand held devices alike), that’s not always the case. So, always check compatibility before you commit to a purchase.
The product description will usually tell you what platform/devices a gaming headset is compatible with.
Design
Of course, if you’re going to be gaming with your mates or streaming let’s plays on YouTube, you’re going to want a gaming headset that looks awesome.
As you’ll find when you explore gaming headphones at Comet, there’s certainly no shortage of cool-looking headsets.
But, aside from flashy colours and paint jobs, today’s gaming headsets sometimes also include other design features such as glowing lights or LEDs. In fact, brands such as Stealth offer ‘light up gaming headsets’ that allow you to coordinate with other light-up peripherals such as keyboards.
Brand and build-quality
Brand matters. So does build-quality. Really cheap, generic over ear headphones are often a false economy as they’ll break quickly.
Instead, look for well-made headsets from reputable gaming brands such as MSI, Stealth, and Steelseries. You only have to look at a Turtle Beach headset to see that you can buy a well-made, high-quality gaming headset without breaking the bank.
Can you hear the sound of unbeatable deals at Comet?
Yes, it’s true! Comet is always adding new gaming headsets to our collection and offering some of the best deals and discounts you’ll find on the web.
If you’re looking to pick up a pair of gaming headphones, then shop with Comet today. With flexible ways to pay, including PayPal Credit and Klarna Pay in 3, you can shop now, but pay later!
And, if you want to get gaming sooner rather than later, we offer an express delivery option.
Shop to win with Comet.
