What Makes for the Best Gaming Headset for PC?

It’s a blast to be able to compete head-to-head with someone from across the globe or work cooperatively with a complete stranger to complete a mission. Online multiplayer has revolutionized gaming and it’s only going to become more common as the future wears on. A key component in any multiplayer game is the ability to communicate. That’s where the gaming headset comes in handy. How else are you going to warn your teammate that there’s a swarm of enemy soldiers around the corner? Having a good headset will not only aid your accomplices, but it can also enhance your entire gaming experience. So how do you know how to find the best gaming headset for PC?

Gaming headsets are available in many variations and can be found at many different price ranges. Understanding what makes a headset a good one will help you narrow down your options and also find a headset at a price point that matches your needs and preferences. Of course, in most cases you will find that the more expensive the headset is, the higher quality it will be. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes the price will be inflated due to a flashier design or simply because it’s manufactured by a more popular brand.

At the core, there are a few key attributes that make for an optimal headset. One necessity is that the headset has a good microphone. Your voice should sound crystal clear when transmitted to your competitors from across the globe. The second importance is that the headphones are exquisite. The game should sound wonderful through a good headset and totally immerse the player in the environment. Another key factor that is often overlooked is the durability of the headset. Even if you are extra careful, chances are that the headset will be dropped, stepped on, sat on, and maybe even thrown once or twice. At the very least, long-term wear and tear will eventually set in. A headset is an investment, and you want to make sure that yours is going to last to for many years to come.

Lower End

So now that you know what to look for in a good headset, it’s time to explore the market. If you’re not a heavy gamer and just want something simple to make team communication possible, you can take a look at these headsets that are in the $30 or less range. Some of the best headsets at this price tag include

• Yapster TM-YB100A
• Turtle Beach Ear Force Z11
• Creative HS-800 Fatal1ty
• and the SteelSeries 3H VR.

Headsets found in this tier aren’t going to blow you away with their sound quality. They’re serviceable. Other players will be able to hear your voice and comprehend what you’re saying, but it will certainly be fuzzier than the ideal reception. These headsets are also noticeably less sturdy than the higher-end sets.

The materials used to make the casing are less expensive, and as a result they’re going to be more fragile. If you’re rough with one of these headsets, you might just snap the band or tear the cord. The Turtle Beach Ear Force Z11 is a very good quality for such a cheap price, and while the Yapster TM-YB100A is far from the best on the shelf, its reasonable pricing makes it a bargain for someone who just wants something cheap and easy. Though none of these are the absolute best gaming headset for PC, they will all get the job done.

Middle of the Road

If you’re willing to spend a little bit more but still don’t want to spend too much money on a headset, you might want to take a look at the CM Storm Ceres 400. With 40MM drivers, these headphones deliver a respectable sound with adequate bass. A noise-cancelling microphone insures that your friends around the world will be hearing your voice nice and clear and won’t be picking up a lot of static or background noise. The CM Storm Ceres 400 can be found for around $40.

Another option in this price range is the Thermaltake eSports HT-SKS004ECBL Shock Spin.

At about $60, this headset offers nice, immersive sound and a high quality microphone that picks up your voice nice and clearly. The Thermaltake headset design is not only sturdy, but it’s also stylish. You can even choose from a few different color options if you wish.

Top of the Line

For those that are fully dedicated to gaming and want nothing but the best, the rest of these headsets are for you. They may be pricey, but the following headsets offer the most impressive sound performance and are guaranteed to last you a good while. First on the list is the Sennheiser PC 350. Widely known by music connoisseurs for offering some of the best headphones on the market, Sennheiser’s dive into the gaming headset market is every bit as impressive.

The PC 350 offers top notch sonic clarity, not only in the headphones but also in how well the microphone picks up your voice. If you’ve got approximately $250 to spend, the Sennheiser PC 350 deserves some serious consideration as it is quite possibly the best gaming headset for PC.

One of the most popular high-end headsets among gamers is the Logitech G93, and with good reason. Logitech is another well-trusted brand, and the G93 is a perfect example of why they’ve earned that reputation. The large, comfortable ear pads provide an excellent sound the draws you into the three-dimensional universe. The noise-cancelling microphone will automatically mute itself when rotated to its upmost position.

What makes the Logitech G93 a special headset is that its wireless. No need to worry about getting tangled up in the cord or running over it with your wheeled gaming chair. The danger of wireless headsets is that they can easily lose their connection, but the G93 is surprisingly efficient and rarely has connection issues. Of course, having a wireless headset means you have to recharge the battery, but that’s when personal preference comes into play. Would you rather have to deal with a cord being in the way or having to monitor the battery life and recharge it every once in awhile? The G93 is usually sold for $110 or more.

One more challenger for the title of best gaming headset for PC comes from Astro. Both the A40 and the A50 could be regarded as of the best gaming headset for PC. Both headsets make great use of the 7.1 Dolby Surround and have a strong microphone that will cancel out unwanted background noise and deliver a crisp sound from your end. The large cans are very comfortable and the headset band is built to withstand some beating.

There’s a reason that the Astro A40 is the official headset of Major League Gaming. The A40 and A50 offer top quality in all three of the vital areas. The main difference between the A40 and A50 is that the A50 is wireless while the A40 does have a cord. Once again it comes down to personal preference. Either way, if you’ve got $250 to spend on a headset, it’s hard to find a better product.

Best Gaming Headset for PC

So there you have it. Whether you have a large budget or are sifting through the bargain bins, there’s a gaming headset out there that fits your needs. For $30 or less you can find a nice, serviceable headset that will enable you to chat with your teammates and enemies online. If you want the best of the best you’re going to have to spend a lot more cash, but the investment is worth it for those who are serious about their online gaming.

Logitech, Sennheiser, and Astro both offer some of the best headsets that will impress even the biggest audiophile with their high quality sound. Alternatively, you can settle somewhere in between and pick up a very solid headset for less than $100. Explore the market and find out what headset is the right one for you. There are a lot to choose from. The headsets mentioned in this article are just a few of the possibilities. However, the aforementioned headsets are some of the best at their respective price points, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them in your search for the best gaming headset for PC.