The sound environment of a game can be a key factor in your ability to play well. Being able to differentiate where a sound is coming from can be the difference between you spinning around and getting a clutch kill and losing the game. A good gaming headset gives you clear audio and a good quality microphone so you can communicate with your team.
The best way to work out which gaming headset is the best is to look at what the pro-gamers use. The website prosettings.net has analysed more than 1500 pro gamer’s settings and setups across a range of esports titles and drawn up a list of the most popular gaming headsets for the best of the best.
Note: Unless specified otherwise, all prices are in US Dollars from Amazon US for new models offered by official sellers and are correct at the time of writing.
HyperX Cloud II / Alpha
The HyperX Cloud II is available for $90.99 while the HyperX Cloud Alpha is available for $95.41. The headsets have a frequency range of 15-25k and 13-27k Hz respectively meaning they cover the entire frequency range audible to humans. The headphones weight 350 grams and 336 grams respectively. Both models allow you to unplug the microphone from the headset for when you don’t need it, but the alpha also lets you unplug the headphone cable from the headset too.
The Cloud II has a USB extension option that allows for volume control and a “virtual 7.1 surround sound experience”. The Cloud Alpha has a traditional inline mic mute switch and volume adjust wheel. The Cloud Alpha also offers a noise-cancelling microphone, that the Cloud II doesn’t have.
EPOS Sennheiser Game Zero
The EPOS Sennheiser Game Zero headset, available for $147.99 weighs in at 300 grams. A carry case is included with the headset as is a 3-metre cable. The boom microphone isn’t detachable but does automatically mute when swung up. A volume dial is available on the outside of the right headphone. Sennheiser is a very recognisable and high-quality brand for audio equipment so you know you’ll be getting good quality
Astro A40
The Astro A40 headset, available for $149.99 weighs in at 369 grams. It comes with a detachable boom microphone and two removable headphone cable: a 1-metre “mobile” cable, and a 1.5-metre “PC” splitter cable. The A40 is compatible with a mod-kit (sold separately for $59.99) that allows you to swap out the microphone, ear cushions, headphone backplates, and the padding in the top band.
Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset
The Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset available for $99.99 from Logitech’s store weighs in at 320 grams. It comes with a detachable microphone as well as a two-metre audio cable with inline mute and volume control, and a “Y” splitter for separate headphone and microphone ports. A small USB soundcard is also included that allows you to configure a five-band equaliser so you can plug into a new computer and instantly have your audio mix preferences.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro
The SteelSeries Arctic Pro headset, available for $189.95, weighs in at 425 grams. The microphone can be retracted into the left headphone shroud when it’s not needed. Rather than primarily using a 3.5mm jack connector, the Arctis Pro headset uses a proprietary connector although a 3.5mm jack and a USB adaptor is included.
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