Best Gaming Headsets In 2018 – The Only Gaming Headset Buyer’s Guide You Will Need

ASTRO Gaming A10

Sound Quality & Features

The ASTRO A10 gaming headset is Astro’s first inexpensive model as they’re known for their high-end and high-quality gaming headsets such as the A40 and A50 which range from $200-$300. In comparison to these expensive models, the Astro A10 look very similar but lack the equalizer and volume buttons, rotation adjustment, and the cushions are made from a lesser quality material.

However, the speakers are the same which is the most important aspect. So, you get the first-class sound quality and no fancy design gimmicks and features for a very appealing price. This doesn’t mean that the design is bad; on the contrary, it may be simplistic but the A10 gaming headsets are very durable, flexible, and comfortable. They come with the common analog PC audio jack which you can easily plug into your Xbox, PlayStation, smartphone, etc and instantly enjoy the stunning audio quality.

Now, paying $60 for a gaming headset may not sound very budget-friendly, but since they are worth much more, we find the Astro A10 to be the best gaming headset for the money. If you’re not in a rush to buy a new pair of headphones, we strongly recommend you invest in the A10.

VersionTech Gaming Headset

Sound Quality & Features

If you’re looking for the cheapest headset for gaming that is still very good, we recommend the Kotion Each gaming headset by VersionTech as the best budget option, but the design may not appear to everyone. Note that there are two models of these headphones, one comes with separate audio and microphone jacks for PC while the other version features two-in-one audio jack for the console controllers. If you don’t want to use or buy the 2-to-1 audio converter for your gaming console, you should get this Kotion Each model instead.

Both models feature LED lighting via a USB cable and the high-precision 50mm magnetic neodymium driver for the audiophiles as well as a braided and durable cable. You will also find the remote on the cable with microphone mute button and volume adjustments. While the design is unappealing with bulky and plastic design, the headphones are quite comfortable. The noise cancellation isn’t very effective but the microphone quality is outstanding for the price. Overall, you won’t be able to find better headphones for gaming at this price point.

Sentey GS-4730

Sound Quality & Features

We will start off with a very good gaming headset company, Sentey, which makes quality headsets at very affordable prices. To start the list off, we have the Sentey Arches GS-4730. This headset is fully compatible with PC and 2.0 stereo compatible with PS4 or Mac. The headset is connected to a USB cable that installs its own driver when you plug it in for the first time. The headband is self-adjusting meaning that there are no sliders which may appeal to some while repulsing the others.

The USB 2.0 cable is braided and 2m long with remote microphone and volume controls as well as the button for Vibration Intelligent 4D Extreme Bass feature for the sub-woofer emulation. Once the headset is connected, they will light-up in red at the sides and on the microphone. There are two models available, the Sentey GS-4730 as the black model and the Sentey GS-4731 as the white version.

SADES A6

Sound Quality & Features

Another excellent budget 7.1 surround sound gaming headset is none other than the SADES A6. They look great and stylish with several different models available. The earmuffs feel great as it has air holes and a multi-point pressure-relieving frame for added comfort. This gaming headset also has LED lights and has a great, although not the best gaming headset mic. The headset itself is very lightweight and has great bass and is capable of playing very loud.

Just like the Sentey GS-4730s, the Sades A6 has self-adjustable headband while the microphone is completely bendable in any direction. The headset also comes with the exclusive software which offers many adjustments including 7.1 virtual surround settings as well as microphone settings such as the microphone boost and the voice changer feature. Overall, the Sades A6 headset is worth every penny and ideal for gaming.

Kingston HyperX Cloud

Sound Quality & Features

After several days of testing, we reached the conclusion that the Kingston HyperX Cloud is the best gaming headset for under 100 USD out there right now. Designed in Sweden and used by many of the world’s best e-sports gamers, the HyperX Cloud is a gaming headset that you have probably stumbled upon already. Being the official headset of pro eSports organizations like Alliance Gaming, SK-Gaming, Team Liquid and Intel Extreme Masters, you can deduce that they are heavily promoting it and HyperX wouldn’t do that with a bad-quality headset.

With approximately 4000 reviews on Amazon.com and an average of 4/5 stars, you can also conclude that this headset has a good quality control and you shouldn’t worry about receiving a bad unit. Another thing that we are truly amazed about, is the fact that this headset is relatively cheap compared to the quality you get. Furthermore, the HyperX Cloud delivers an amazing sound quality as you can probably already guess, judging by the 15Hz-25KHz frequency response and the 53mm HiFi capable drivers.

Every tone, whether it is low, mid or high, will be outputted crystal-clear and with an enhanced bass that gives you a better gaming experience. The mic is also decent and can be easily detached if you’re listening to music and are not using it. Lastly, the HyperX Cloud design features premium build quality and come with an extra set of cushions, an airplane adapter, and a carrying bag for the accessories. This particular headset model doesn’t offer 7.1 surround sound, so if that’s something you’d want, check out the HyperX Cloud II which is basically the same model but with 7.1 support.

Kingston HyperX Cloud II

Sound Quality & Features

The Kingston HyperX Cloud II adds support for the 7.1 audio to the original Cloud headset while everything else remains the same – which is a good thing. In order to enable the 7.1 surround sound, you will need to connect the headphones to the provided USB dongle which you can then connect to your PC, Mac, or PS4. The dongle features separate volume control for the microphone and audio as well as a dedicated button for turning the 7.1 audio on/off. When the 7.1 audio is enabled, the button will light-up to indicate it’s activated; there’s no software required, just plug and play.

This headset works great on PC & Mac with 7.1 Surround Sound support for both Windows and OS X platforms. The headset is stereo compatible with PS4, and Xbox One as well, but for Xbox One, you will need an Xbox One Stereo Adapter, which is not included. The sound is outstanding and looking closer at specs, it’s obvious why. The frequency response range for this headset is 15Hz to 25KHz and it features some impressive 53mm neodymium magnets. The sound card which is included, will provide you with mic noise cancellation and echo cancellation so that your teammates can easily understand what you are saying.

You can purchase this gaming headset for around $100 right now on Amazon and you can get it in either Gun Metal or Red with a whopping two-year warranty and free technical support. The Kingston HyperX Cloud II is still one of the top 10 gaming headsets in 2018 and worth every penny. Sometimes it goes on sale and is even cheaper than the Hyper Cloud I in which case you should definitely seize the opportunity and get this awesome gaming headset.

Astro A40

Sound Quality & Features

If you can afford something pricier, have a look at the Astro A40 gaming headset. Developed with game designers and professional players, the A40 Astro headset delivers an incredible audio quality. You can also get them paired with a MixAmp suited for either Xbox One or PS4, but these things are rather pricey – so it’s up to you whether you’re willing to invest a bit extra, though you can always purchase it separately later.

With or without the MixAmp, the sound quality is fascinating for gaming and worth the money. The 3.5mm connector goes straight into your PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox 360 controller and you get a Y splitter for PC. The premium design includes versatile ergonomics and allows you to place the microphone on both sides of the headset. Lastly, the high-sensitivity Precision microphone focuses on your voice and eliminates background noise so you teammates can always hear you clearly.

Turtle Beach Stealth 450

Sound Quality & Features

The Turtle Beach Stealth 450 is the best Turtle Beach headset for PS 4, Xbox One, and PC on the budget due to its exceptional DTS 7.1 audio output and a sleek and modern design for a fair price. Featuring the exclusive Superhuman Hearing audio preset, the Turtle Beach gaming headset will give you the edge over your opponents as you will be able to hear them coming and where from thanks to the 3D 360-degree audio.

The 50mm over-ear speakers provide excellent sound quality with deep bass, sound isolation, and comfortable cushions. The high-sensitivity microphone is removable and features variable mic monitoring, so you can hear yourself perfectly and adjust the volume accordingly. The headset uses USB audio connection.

The 2.4GHz wireless connection makes it possible for you to be up to 10 meters (32 ft) away without disconnecting while the rechargeable battery can withstand up to 15 hours of intense gaming. You can use the Turtle Beach for PS4, PC, Xbox One, and it will without a doubt be a great gift for Christmas, Black Friday, or in essence any holiday, to anyone whom you might think would be interested in a pair of wireless gaming headphones with mic.

Skullcandy Hesh 3

Sound Quality & Features

In case you’re looking for something different, you may want to check out the Skullcandy gaming headphones which are praised for the simplistic yet elegant and practical design, premium sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, and long battery life.

The Skullcandy Hesh 3 headset features the Rapid Charge technology which allows you to quick-charge the headphones for 4 hours of usage in just 10 minutes, while the battery offers stunning 22 hours of life. The design is lightweight, foldable, ergonomic, and comes in four different colors so they will suit anyone’s style.

The Skullcandy gaming headphones offer exceptional noise-isolation and amazing stereo sound quality but lack 7.1 support.

Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum

Sound Quality & Features

We got hands-on experience with the Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum and a whole lot of other wireless gaming headsets, but we really liked this one. It feels very comfortable to wear, has an impressive 12-hour battery life and connects via 2.4 GHz wireless communication with your Windows PC, PS3, PS4, XBOX 360, XBOX One or basically any TV with a powered USB and RCA audio output, which most a vast majority of modern TV’s have today. It also works great with console gaming of any kind.

The Logitech G933 is one of the best wireless headsets for PC as you don’t have to worry if your headset runs out of power while in the middle of a game or raid, as you can just plug the wired analog cable to your PC and you’ll be good to go. Even better, this wireless gaming headset supports 7.1 Dolby surround sound with advanced Pro-G drivers and an onboard equality for the audiophiles. If you have an RGB keyboard, you’ll love the next feature even more: customizable lighting.

The adjustable RGB lighting gives you full control over the lighting of the headset with the option to choose up to 16.7 million colors.
The Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum also has a neat feature called multi-source audio mixing, which essentially allows you to plug up to three devices at once so that you can answer calls and play music while you game.

This wireless gaming headset is truly a wonderful product and the three programmable G-keys only make it better. Please note that 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound, RGB light configuration, and G-key customization requires you to install some necessary software. The mic itself is a noise-canceling one and it works just great. It is foldable so that you can fold it up so that it doesn’t annoy you.

Inside the box, you will find the headset, 3.5 analog cable with audio controls, 3.5mm to 2.5mm audio adapter, RCA to 3.5mm cable, USB charging cable, USB powered wireless mix adapter and custom left/right tags. On Amazon, you will also be able to find the Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum which is the wired gaming headset model.

Sennheiser GAME ONE

Sound Quality & Features

If you like listening to music in high quality, but also enjoy playing games, we found the Sennheiser GAME ONE to be the perfect match right now. You probably already know Sennheiser and their reputation as a high-quality headphone and headset maker and the GAME ONE is no exception. It delivers an amazing music experience along with a great sound output for gaming. The mic is outstanding and one of the best ones we have ever tried on a headset.

The Sennheiser GAME ONE can be purchased for around $150 right now and can be found in both black or white editions. With your purchase, you get two years manufacturer’s warranty, which is an added bonus. It isn’t the best headset for listening to music only and neither for hardcore gaming, but if you blend the two together, this headset is your greatest option right now.

ASTRO A50

Sound Quality  & Features

We absolutely love this headset and if you are console streamer, then you should too. With full compatibility with PlayStation 4 or Xbox One and with three color variants (black, white and halo), this headset should definitely be worth looking at. It feels great to wear, even after long periods of use, and we didn’t feel any discomfort at all at any time.

With cutting-edge wireless Kleernet 5.8 GHz technology, you will get an uninterrupted, high-quality signal from and to your device as this frequency is higher than frequencies that most wireless devices operate on.

Furthermore, the ASTRO A50 has three EQ preset modes so that you can easily switch between profiles and fit the sound to your liking. Dolby DIGITAL 7.1 surround sound technology is, of course, also supported on this gaming headset, which will enhance your ability to pinpoint exactly where the sound is coming from and thus giving you the upper hand in first-person shooters.

The major drawback of the Astro headset is that it is very pricey. With a price tag of ~$300, this headset is the most expensive one on this list and you should really consider if you need a headset in this price category.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Sound Quality & Features

Our top nominee for the best headphones is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These headphones are used by professional studios and are pretty affordable too. A pair of these headphones will outperform any gaming headset you will find out there. These headphones have been engineered by top audio engineers and have been reviewed and tested by professional audio reviewers. It has proprietary 45mm drivers and an exceptional clarity through the extended frequency range of 15Hz-28KHz, with a deep and accurate bass response.

The build quality gets a solid 10/10 score from us and listening to music and gaming with this headset is very joyful. The ATH-M50x are collapsible so that you can easily bring them anywhere on the go and are an obvious gift choice. These headphones are simply the best headphones for the money and you can’t find any other headphone in this price range that can compete with this one.

Blue Snowflake

Sound Quality & Features

Now pair it up with a USB mic and you got yourself audio input and output, just like you would with a headset. We recommend the very popular Blue Snowflake mic for this, which is an amazing mic that gets the job done beautifully. You can attach this mic to your laptop or monitor and you have got yourself a professional grade quality portable USB mic that absolutely no gaming headset can match. You can also just put the mic on the desktop, as the little stand can be adjusted to do just that. The Blue Snowflake is fully compatible with PC and Mac without any need for additional drivers.

JVC HA-RX900 

Sound Quality & Features

If you would like to spend a bit less money on headphones, we got you covered too. JVC is a brand with a good reputation in the headphones industry and the JVC HA-RX900 is certainly one of their greater achievements. With a price tag of $55 right now as of the date of this writing, these headphones are an absolute steal and one of the most comfortable headphones out there.

These are also some high-grade headphones and are capable of delivering sound that a vast majority of headsets cannot match. The head pad is also nice, so that the headset perfectly fits your head, while still being adjustable on both sides.

The headphones offer 50mm neodymium drivers and an extended 7Hz-26KHz frequency response range for a good audio output and the padding is extremely comfortable and we never got uncomfortable wearing them. The isolation that it gives you is very good and will block the outside world and let you focus on whatever you are doing.

Blue Snowball

Sound Quality & Features

For a mic, we also have another high-quality product from Blue Microphones. I’m talking about the Blue Snowball USB mic, which comes with a desktop stand too. It may pick up some background noise, as we far as we could tell and what some users have suggested too, but that was a minor issue.

A strong competitor and alternative would be the Samson Go Mic, which we also tried and that one didn’t pick any background noise. Overall, we preferred the Blue Snowball because of the design and build quality, but we will let further testing decide which mic offers the best recording quality and let that be the deciding factor. For now, we will leave this little notice here, so that you are aware of a very good alternative.

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