Should you still buy a gaming headset in 2022?

Date:
Sun, 20 Mar 2022 15:15:28 +0000

Description:
Gaming headsets are still one of the most popular gaming accessories, but for some, there's a convenient alternative.

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Gaming headsets are one of the most common accessories youll find being sold in both physical and digital stores, and that's for a good reason. While peripherals such as gamepad controllers , keyboards and mice are often locked into specific systems (or at least may need a workaround to work across all platforms), gaming headsets are used across almost every current generation
of consoles, as well as gaming PCs .

This makes them easy to sell to folks who are buying their first system, be that a PS5 , an Xbox Series X (or Series S ), or new PC gamers. Heck, even
the Nintendo Switch can support a gaming headset when in docked mode, despite not being a platform known for competitive games that benefit from live communications.

Thing is, even the best gaming headsets will typically offer convenience over quality. Audiophiles will need to splurge on something seriously expensive if you want something that can rival the quality of a semi-decent pair of headphones, and even the best microphones built into these gaming headsets pale in comparison to relatively cheap USB microphones .

That convenience is nothing to sniff at of course if you enjoy gaming on a couch then setting up a more dedicated solution is more of a pain than its worth, unless youre planning on streaming to platforms like Twitch or YouTube . I say this because the quality of your audio is one of the most important factors in live streaming as nobody wants to listen to someone who sounds
like theyre talking from inside a box. Radio and TV presenters sound that
good for a reason after all.

As such, the following advice probably wont come as a surprise, but if youre buying a new system for yourself or a loved one and you know this will be set up on a desk or table, but consider removing a gaming headset from your shopping list and instead opt for a decent quality USB microphone. Just 'ear me out okay? (Image credit: Shutterstock / Eugenio Marongiu)

These can often be cheaper than a premium headset despite offering much greater clarity, which isnt just a benefit that streamers can enjoy your teammates will also have a much easier time understanding you, as well as
that better audio quality extending to applications like Discord for general chatrooms or video calls for PC gamers who will be using their computer or laptop to participate in video calls.

For better broadcasting quality, a dedicated microphone is the best option, and this really is a piece of kit thats not just designed for germs or
content creators. Ive been complimented on how clear my voice is during video conferences, and the last two years have proved that working from home could be the new normal for many of us.

But what about audio? Well, chances are you already have a pair of wired earphones or headphones laying around your home, and if youre fussy about the quality of your music then these might even be something high-quality.
Another TechRadar native Tom Bedford also confessed to ditching a specialized PS4 headset in favor of some old Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones for a myriad of reasons, including weight and convenience.

Notably, though, he mentioned that the difference in audio quality between
the unnamed fancy Logitech headset and the aging Sony headphones was minimal, which suggests that youre going to get a much better listening experience
with something more recent. I also use my Sony WH-CH710N headphones across most of my gaming systems these days as theyre comfortable, dont require charging on a wired connection, and offer better audio quality than most gaming headsets Ive tried.

Many of the best headphones are typically lighter than a headset as theyre
not stuffed with all the additional features such as a microphone or LED lighting, and while wireless gaming headsets are great, they sometimes
require charging between each use and either a USB-A receiver or BlueTooth connection. By contrast, standard headphones can plug into the standard aux connection on Xbox One/Series X and PS4/PS5 controllers. In some cases, you can even plug your headphones directly into a USB microphone. Style over substance? Fine by me (Image credit: Future)

This isnt to say that gaming headsets dont have a place in 2022 though. As mentioned, theyre convenient if you play competitive titles on the couch and need to update teammates, and some new models like the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense include haptic drivers that convert sound into vibrations, much like the PS5 DualSense controller . Outside of features, they also allow you to express yourself.

Hear me out on this. Most accessories you could get in the 2010s were available in the usual black or white, with the funkier designs in edgy color combinations like black and red, or camo print patterns. It was all very masculine, but things changed when we started to see headsets like the Kraken Kitty gaming headset released back in 2019.

It wasnt just available in black, but also a gorgeous pink, and as suggested by its name, included built-in cat ears that contained RGB lighting. This was one of the first instances I can recall feeling catered to by a gaming company, and I clearly wasnt alone because this is still one of the most popular headsets worn by feminine-presenting streamers to this day, even if the microphone goes unused.

Other brands have since started to launch headsets in more traditionally 'girly' colors, such as the lilac Logitech G733 , which has since become another popular option across livestreamers, likely because its one of the
few peripherals that your audience can actually see during your broadcast. As a woman who loves gaming, all this new variety is a breath of fresh air.

You can even purchase some interesting add-ons for headphones if you want a particular look - Etsy has plenty of options from small sellers that include cat ears, horns, crowns or even angelic halos, and these can be switched out, unlike the fixed options on purpose-built gaming headsets.

Still, if you dont have your heart set on something based on its aesthetics, and you dont intend on playing competitive titles on a couch, I would suggest using some existing headphones over buying a fancy gaming headset. Youll save some cash if you already have a pair, and if you dont then buying a decent
set of regular cans will also allow you to use them for listening to music or podcasts when youre not playing games or chatting on Discord. Overall, it really does feel like a smarter choice. These wireless earbuds could actually replace your gaming headset



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/should-you-still-buy-a-gaming-headset-in-2022/


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