Let’s be honest; one of the best things about being a gamer is our set-ups. We have so many peripherals to choose from and so much customization that it can be tricky at times. Switching from normal speakers to headsets is something we all eventually do. But are gaming headsets really worth it?
Yes, gaming headsets do make a big difference. They can create an immersive experience by making sounds feel more realistic than they would on speakers. This allows you to pinpoint where sounds are coming from in the game more accurately, giving you a tactical advantage in many games, especially online shooter games.
With the vast selection of headsets available, it is enough to make anyone who is in the market feel overwhelmed with choice. In this article, we are going to look at what difference a headset makes, why it makes the difference, and more. We will also discuss different types of headsets, so for everything you need to know, keep reading.
Gaming headsets do make a difference
Gaming headsets do most definitely change the way we play games. In terms of online gaming, especially online shooter games, they can be a literal game-changer. For single-player games, they are also great. They will immerse you in story-driven games in a way that speakers struggle to do.
I remember getting my first pair of gaming headsets. I play mostly online games, and I noticed the difference almost immediately. A friend did an excellent job of convincing me while I was reluctant to spend the money.
I have always been pretty good at games like Battlefield, COD, CS GO, and so on. When I made the switch to headsets, I actually got better. My KD increased, my awareness got sharper, and I felt more immersed in my games. I should have made the jump sooner.
So, my advice, from experience, is to get a gaming headset if you don’t have one already!
Why do gaming headsets make a difference?
The components that go into a gaming headset are specifically designed to make sounds more accurate so that it portrays what the developer intended when they developed the game. The sounds are also richer, and this is true for both single-player and multiplayer games.
Because the headsets sit right on your ears, the sounds can feel more alive than they would on speakers. They allow you to pinpoint where sounds are coming from in the game more accurately. This makes everything more realistic in single and multiplayer games.
For multiplayer games, they make the biggest difference. You can have a leg up against your opponents if they don’t have a headset on because they can’t hear where you are coming from, but you can hear where they are. That is a clear and massive tactical advantage.
If you have been playing multiplayer games without headsets on, I want you to think about all the times you have been shot in the back. Think about the number of times you thought there was nobody in a building, and as you come around the corner, you get surprised with a shotgun instakill.
Having a gaming headset that outputs stereo sound will eliminate this buy at least 70%. I’m not making these numbers up; this is all from my experience.
How important is a gaming headset?
To get the most out of your games, headsets are well worth it, and in fact, I consider them to be an essential part of your setup. They are one of the peripherals where I’m willing to spend the most money on.
We spoke about how a gaming headset can change your gaming experience and make you better in most of your games. However, it isn’t all just about gaming.
You need to consider that a gaming headset also acts as a communication device, and for me, that is one of the best things when it comes to gaming.
One of the things I look forward to the most when finishing a hard day’s work, besides spending time with family, is getting home and switching on my gaming PC or my console. Putting on my headset and talking to my friends is part of that. As gamers, we have friends all over the world, and being able to talk to them has been one of the best experiences I have received from gaming.
Why are gaming headsets important?
Gaming headsets are important for various reasons. Even if you just look at the small stuff like canceling out noise. A little bit less distraction equals a higher KD, in my opinion.
Here are a few reasons why gaming headsets are important:
- They allow us to talk not only to our friends but with players that we meet all over the world.
- They help competitive players better communicate with each other, and they allow teams to work together better.
- We have covered this already, but this is important for multiplayer gaming. They are almost essential if you are trying to get good at the game because they help you pinpoint where sounds are coming. This includes enemies, gunfire, grenades, and things like that.
- If you live in an apartment complex, they can help you avoid getting letters asking you to quiet down at night. And trust me, this happens more often than you think.
Are cheap headsets worth it?
We’ve all had this problem at one stage. We just can’t afford the more expensive headsets, so we end up getting some of the cheaper ones or mid-range ones. The question is, are they actually worth it?
In my opinion, they are still worth it. They still give you a relatively accurate reading of where your enemies are. They still give you richer and more accurate sounds that are closer to your ears. Lastly, they just make your gaming experience a little bit better, in my opinion.
If you are someone who is able to look after your equipment, and someone who will not go bashing your headphones on the ground because you got quick-scoped in Call Of Duty or somebody scored a cheap rebound goal against you in FIFA, well, then they will last.
As I tried to mention above, it all depends on how you look after them and how you treat them. If you keep bending your headphone jack and you keep wiggling the headset cable, you are obviously going to have a problem. That is true for almost all headsets regardless of how much they cost. Some might be slightly more resilient to treating them rough, but at the end of the day, they will still break.
Do expensive headsets make a difference?
Yes, most of the time, more expensive headsets are better. This is a bit of a tricky question, though, because I’ve had cheap-ish headsets that work better than more expensive ones. We need to look at what we mean when we say cheap or expensive headsets.
We also need to consider what games you are playing. I have found that when playing multiplayer games, more expensive headsets generally just give me richer sounds and better sounds, but for hearing where footsteps are coming from, any stereo headset will tell you where your enemies are coming from. In my experience, that is the most important part of a headset for multiplayer.
Why are wireless headsets so expensive?
Wireless headsets are so expensive because of the components that go into them. They also tend to be of higher quality in terms of build quality. They also offer a different level of convenience, which warrants a higher price tag.
Wireless headsets normally have more features than wired headsets, specifically when it comes to things like 7.1 surround sound and different sound modes and customization.
Another thing to remember is that they come with extra components in the box. Things like Bluetooth dongles or whichever radio signal they use, they have to include a dongle receiver in the box.
Are wireless headsets better than wired ones?
Wireless headsets are better than wired ones most of the time. That does not mean that all wireless headsets are better than all wired headsets, it is all subjective, and it depends on the quality of the components inside each headset.
Wireless headsets tend to offer more features than a wired headset. This is not always the case. For example, you could get a USB wired headset that offers more features than a wireless one. Again, features like surround sound.
One thing that I do not like about wireless headsets is the latency factor. When you are using wireless devices, you will always have some form of latency. Even if it is just a small amount of latency, for competitive gaming, you want to minimize the amount of latency you have.
Wireless headsets also come with a few complications. In fact, we wrote an article about them, which I will link here. Basically, you could run into trouble such as your headset keeps cutting out, and as we explained in our previous article, there are various reasons for that. The main one being wireless signal interference from other devices.
How long should gaming headsets last?
Gaming headsets should last at least 1 to 2 years. That being said, it boils down to how you treat the headsets, what the build quality of the headsets are, and in my experience, how much rage.
Every pair of headsets that I have owned has lasted me over two years. This includes cheap, mid-range, and expensive headsets. So, that is why I say that a headset should last you at least 1 to 2 years.
Most headsets come with warranties that are in that range and sometimes longer. They don’t often cover external physical damage, so be careful with that.
If you have a wireless headset, the first thing that will start giving problems is your battery. It seems that no matter how technologically advanced we become, batteries seem to be the one thing holding us back. It seems that battery technology is stuck in stagnation, and hopefully, people like Elon Musk will soon crack the battery issues we face today.
What headsets do the pros use?
Pro gamers tend to use wired headsets, and some of the favorites that they use are from HypeX and Steelseries.
The reason why gamers prefer wired headset is because of latency, and we spoke about this in the wireless headset section. Pros need instant communication between team members. It can be the difference in a game between the best in the world.
To them, a millisecond is too long, and while it might seem silly to us, it shouldn’t because we need to understand that pro gamers are very different from us.
Pro gamers also spend a lot of time gaming. This means that they can’t have situations where the headset needs charging. It just cannot happen to them. With a wired headset, they can just get on their chairs, log into their PC or console and start gaming without having to worry about whether or not the batteries are charged.
Pro gamers usually use wired equipment for all their equipment, from their keyboards, mouse, to the headset.
What gaming headsets should you get?
I just want to give you a quick list of my top three gaming headset suggestions. All the headsets I will talk about have great sounding drivers, and all have good build qualities.
Playstation platinum wireless headset: The best headset to use with the PS4
The Playstation platinum wireless headset is, in my opinion, the best headset to use on the PS4. It offers all the features you would need.
Here are some features of the Playstation platinum wireless headset:
- Sony’s own 7.1 surround sound and 3D audio.
- You can use this on the PS4, the upcoming PS5, your mobile device with the included 3.5mm jack, and a PC. This makes it great for people with multiple devices.
- Sony exclusive audio mode presets that allow you to hear a game the way a developer wants you to hear it.
The Sony Playstation Platinum wireless headset can be found on Amazon for $159.99.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 lossless wireless headset
SteelSeries makes some of the best gaming peripherals. Their headsets have some of the best sound accuracy and quality, while their MICs do a great job of portraying your voice.
Here are some features of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 lossless wireless headset:
- The Arctis 7 has DTS 7.1 Surround Sound.
- More than 24 hours of battery life for long gaming sessions.
- It runs on the 2.4Ghz frequency for minimal lag.
It retails for $149.99 on Amazon and you can find out more about this headset through this link
The Razer Kraken Gaming Headset
Razer has established itself as a household name in the gaming industry. The Kraken is a budget-friendly headset that holds back no punches.
Here are some features of the Razer Kraken gaming headset:
- 7.1 Surround Sound
- Convenient 3.5mm jack
- Retractable noise isolating mic that has great quality
- In-line audio controls
Conclusion
We are gamers. We can make almost any situation work for us. Away from gaming, we have lives that consume most of our time, so making decisions on things like headsets might seem mundane, especially because we are spoiled for so much choice.
My goal is to make your life easier by giving you all the information you need to make easy and informed decisions. We don’t want to spend time making decisions. We just want to play the game and have fun. We cannot do that if we are too busy going through every review of every headset.
Be sure to bookmark the site, we release a few new articles every week.