Best Headsets for Console Gaming (PS4, Xbox, Switch)
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To enjoy the best gaming experience, it is necessary to use a good gaming headset. It provides an immersive gaming experience by allowing you to listen to the sound of gunshots and spot enemy footsteps accurately from different directions. It provides a more interactive experience by allowing you to seamlessly communicate with your friends or team-mates during a multiplayer or co-op mission. And, if you are a competitive gamer, having a gaming headset is a must to gain some advantage over gamers who don’t use a headset.
However, not every gaming headset is made equal and you must take into account various factors such as compatibility with different gaming consoles, surround sound technology, sound quality, comfort, etc.
Things to consider when purchasing a gaming headphone for PS4, Xbox, and Switch
Let us discuss a few important things that you need to consider when purchasing a gaming headset in general and in relation to the type of gaming console you own.
1. Compatibility – Any wired headset that contains a 3.5mm jack can be plugged directly into the controller of a PS4, the newer versions of Xbox One controllers, or into Nintendo Switch directly. Older versions of Xbox One controllers don’t have 3.5mm jack and need an adapter to work. PS4 can also be connected to USB headphones directly.
All Bluetooth headsets are not compatible with PS4 or Xbox One. Nintendo Switch only supports wireless audio when connected to USB mode and the controller is docked.
2. Surround sound – Virtual surround sound is very beneficial for gaming but not all headsets support virtual surround sound for consoles and may be limited to PCs. Plus, there is a difference between surround sound technologies such as Dolby Atmos for Windows Sonic.
3. Virtual Reality – Any 3.5mm headset can be plugged into PSVR but all of them might not work. So, you have to keep an eye out for the list of supported headsets. Xbox doesn’t support VR yet. The OIVO 3D VR is the most popular Nintendo switch VR headset.
4. Noise isolation – Noise isolation improves sound quality by allowing you to hear the small details and also prevents outside noise from distracting you during gameplay.
5. Build Quality – The durability of your headset is of great concern if you have the habit of tossing your controller or headset during heated gaming sessions.
A comparison table of the best gaming headsets is listed below:
| Name | Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum | SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless | Turtle Beach Elite Atlas | HyperX Cloud II | HyperX Cloud Alpha | Razer Kraken X |
| Connection type | Wired | Wireless | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Surround sound type | Virtual surround | No | Virtual surround | Virtual surround | Virtual surround | Virtual surround |
| Weight | 11.8 oz | 8.9 oz | 2.2 oz | 13 oz | 11.8 oz | 8.8 oz |
| Design type | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back |
| Noise cancellation | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Compatible devices | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | PC, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, Mobile, Xbox One (with Stereo Adapter) PS4, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, Mobile, Xbox One (with Stereo Adapter) PS4, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, Mobile, Xbox One (with Stereo Adapter), PS4, Nintendo Switch |
| Price | Check Latest Price at Amazon | Check Latest Price at Amazon | Check Latest Price at Amazon | Check Latest Price at Amazon | Check Latest Price at Amazon | Check Latest Price at Amazon |
Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum (Best performance)
The Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum is the best performing gaming headset in this price range in terms of sound quality, features, controls, and customization. The black, patterned design of the headset is almost unique. The large, padded, rectangular ear cups are comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions. The ear cups swivel to adjust your needs and offer a secure fit.
A useful feature of the product is that it comes with two separate cables – 3.5 mm audio cable for regular use and a USB cable for computers. The USB cable makes it possible to use the Logitech software on PCs. The controls on the audio cable include a play/pause and a mute button. It also features a mic. The left ear cup has 3 programmable buttons that change sound profiles by default.
The Artemis Spectrum supports 3 gaming audio profiles – FPS, MOBA, and Cinematic Gaming. The differences between these profiles are quite noticeable and pleasing when playing different games such as Titanfall, Batman: Arkham Knight, and StarCraft II: Heart of the swarm.
The mic audio is clear enough to provide great satisfaction while communicating with teammates during multiplayer matches. The Logitech Gaming software app is useful as it allows you to adjust full RGB lighting in each ear cup. If you love RGB, you will like this feature very much.
Coming to the sound quality, it is surprisingly good. Unlike most gaming headsets, the sound signature is flat and neutral which makes it a great product for casual music listening sessions. However, you can program the device using treble or bass-heavy profiles to suit your listening needs. It is the perfect headset for gamers who value good sound quality, comfort, features, and like the RGB color spectrum.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Great sound
- Lightsync technology
Cons
- A little bulky
- Aesthetic is not eye-pleasing
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless (Best wireless)
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 is a great solution for Nintendo Switch gamers who prefer wireless gaming headsets. In fact, it is pretty easy to swap between docked and undocked play. Plus, it is one of the best wireless gaming headsets in general as it is compatible with almost any device. It comes with a USB-C RF dongle, 3.5 mm cord, USB-A adapter cord, micro USB charging, and a detachable boom mic.
The framework of the device is the same as the popular Arctis Pro and Arctis 7. Although it is primarily made of plastic, the aluminum suspension adds to the durability and the airweave fabric provides a good degree of comfort. However, people with large ears may start to feel uneasy after a few hours of usage. The on-ear controls such as mic-mute switch and volume dial are located on the left ear cup.
The performance of the headset is quite good. You can play games like Overwatch, Untitled Goose Game, and The Outer Worlds without any problems. The explosions and gunfire in action games will grab your heart when using these headsets. Listening to music or using them for watching movies won’t disappoint you either.
On a full charge, the battery of the device supports enough juice to power it for up to 20 hours. The noise isolation is not bad for a gaming headset and won’t cause any problems when using them indoors. The mic quality is not that great but it should suffice if you plan to use it for in-game chat or Discord calls. For the price, this is one of the best wireless gaming headsets but what makes it more valuable is that it is compatible with all the popular consoles including PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Pros
- Good battery life
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Ear Cups are shallow
- Mic could be better
Turtle Beach Elite Atlas (Best value-for-money)
The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas is good for people who want a comfortable and nice performing gaming headset that can be used for multiple platforms without spending a fortune. It comes with a detachable 3.5mm cord and mic along with a 3.5 mm splitter extension cable. Thus, it is suitable for calls as well. The design of the headset is nothing fancy but the mix of metal and plastic makes it tough. The headset can be easily adjusted due to the steel suspension and the plastic hinges can be rotated to lay them flat. The soft-fabric and leatherette earpads are comfortable to wear. A unique selling point of this device is that everything from the earpads and decorative plates on the sides of the headsets to the cord and even the mic is replaceable. The replaceable parts are available on the official Turtle Beach website.
Overall, the earpads make a comfortable and secure seal around your ears which makes sure that the headset stays in place but the noise isolation is not that good. The headset is compatible with PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo and you can just plug them into the respective controller or ports to start using them. However, the surround sound feature or Windows Sonic for Headphones provided by Microsoft is only available to Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One.
Even without surround sound, games like Fortnite, Risk of Rain 2, League of Legends, or Call of Duty are very fun to play. Games like Dauntless and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are especially a treat to the ears. Overall, the audio is quite accurate with little emphasis on the low-end. The mic quality is good but it’s not loud. But using tools for boosting sound output will solve this problem easily.
Pros
- Parts can be replaced
- Comfortable to wear
- Good audio
Cons
- The band is a little tight
- The mic is not loud
HyperX Cloud II (Best comfort)
The HyperX Cloud II may not please hardcore audiophiles but it’s support for 7.1 surround sound and extreme comfort would please many gamers. The swiveling ear cups can also be adjusted up to an inch up or down as they are connected to metal forks. The memory-foam ear cups and headband fit snugly and feel ‘just right’. And, if you don’t like the feel of leatherette, you can swap them for the included cozy plush alternatives. It is quite comfortable to wear even during an extended period of hardcore gaming sessions.
The gaming performance of the HyperX Cloud II is impressive. You can easily detect enemy footsteps or where the gunfire is coming from when playing games like Assassin’s Creed Unity or Titanfall. However, the sound output lacks a good bass response which will become apparent during explosion scenes. Overall, the 7.1 virtual surround sound helps to highlight better details such as distant shoot outs, chirpy birds, or chatty townsfolk.
One thing that may disappoint some gamers is the lack of any support software for customizing the sound profiles. You are stuck with the default sound profile and cannot tweak the bass or treble. The multimedia performance of the device is average and can get the job done in times of need. The boom mic attached to the headset performs well and catches minimal background noise.
It is a good option for people on a low budget who want to experience 7.1 virtual surround sound but want a more comfortable option. The lightweight design is also one of its strong points.
Pros
- Provides the best-in-class comfort
- Lightweight and stylish design
- Includes both plush and pleather ear covers
Cons
- Bass is not good
- Lack of software for customizing the sound
HyperX Cloud Alpha (Best all-round)
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a community favorite due to its superb combination of excellent sound quality and good durability. For the price, you cannot get a better gaming headset that ticks almost all the basics. The solid metal band and metal forks along with the metal backing of the ear cups with thick plastic encircling it make it very durable. It survives the rage-throws during heated gaming sessions with your friends. Plus, the microphone and cables are replaceable so you don’t have to worry much.
The thick padding makes it comfortable to wear and also creates a good seal around your head with a little adjustment to the band. As a result, you get a secure fit and remain isolated from outside noise quite well. In fact, the noise isolation is the best-in-class which is very useful as it reduces destructive interference or auditory masking, allowing you to hear every minute detail.
There is a separate mic mute switch and volume controls down the cable. The universal 3.5 mm headphone jack makes it compatible with almost all devices. If you purchase an adapter, you can use it with Xbox One controllers that don’t have a headphone jack.
The performance of the HyperX Cloud Alpha lives up to all the hype and expectations. The sound signature of the device is balanced with a good bass response and clear mid and treble frequencies. If you choose the 7.1 virtual surround sound headset option instead of the stereo option, it will paint a completely different picture of the game world when you turn on the sound.
The only feature which the product could improve is the microphone which is average. This is the ideal gaming headset for gamers whether they want to play competitively or enjoy the gaming world a bit better.
Pros
- Excellent noise isolation
- Outstanding sound quality
- Awesome durability
Cons
- The mic could be better
Razer Kraken X (Best budget)
The Razer Kraken X covers all the basic necessities of a gaming headset at half the price of popular gaming headsets. These headsets are compatible with PC and popular gaming consoles like Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation. Although the surround sound is only supported on PC, the stereo performance is not bad in consoles. The unique selling point of this headset model is the hidden eyewear channel that allows you to wear it comfortably even while wearing spectacles. The hidden channels relieve the pressure around the eyes.
The headband and slider are made of a durable thermoplastic known as polycarbonate-ABS. It’s lightweight and comes with plush ear pads. The left ear cups contain the volume dial and mute buttons. The sound performance of the gaming headset is quite good due to the 40mm dynamic drivers. The feeling of three-dimensional space is apparent when playing games like Destiny which helps you to identify enemy footsteps.
The sound quality is not the best at this price range but suitable as a gaming headphone. The noise isolation is also not good. So, to get the best out of these headsets, you have to play in a quiet room. The boom microphone that comes with the device is of good quality. It will provide a good feeling when communicating with friends during missions and during normal voice chats. However, there is a little reverb as it also picks up the ambient noise.
The Razer Kraken X is the most affordable gaming headset in this list but it is only suitable for gamers who have a limited budget and don’t care about extra features.
Pros
- 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Cross-platform compatibility
Cons
- Surround sound not supported on consoles
- Non-rotatable ear cups
Conclusion
A good gaming headset can breathe new life into your gameplay. However, before you purchase one, make sure to look at all the technical specifications to make sure it is supported by your gaming consoles and has the features that you want to enjoy. Additionally, you may also compare different products based on their looks if it is important to you. Just make sure they offer good audio performance while gaming and it will be all good.
Generally, a wired gaming headset is recommended as they are cheaper than wireless products and offer better compatibility. But if the freedom of movement is important to you, they can also be a good option.
