Affordable gaming headsets that will level-up your setup

As video games become more like social networks than passive recreation, the accessories get more focused on communication (and blocking out the annoying non-virtual world). A good headset is as vital as a responsive controller, because the last thing any gamer wants to hear is some kid trolling him about his McDonald’s drive-thru quality gear.

Personal comfort and intensity of use will no doubt vary from player to player, but these selections combine performance with hefty amounts of style.

Compatible with all major consoles and devices—PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC—the Runmus offers 7.1-channel surround sound and a noise-canceling microphone. Every shouted “Noob!” comes in with crystal clarity. The LED-lit earpieces are just for show, but the show is pretty cool.

Let’s be honest, most gaming headsets are designed to look like they’ll be worn primarily by kids. So it’s refreshing that the PeohZarr is so slick and, well, mature for lack of a better word. They have a 360-degree rotation microphone, and they’re noise-canceling.

The Ziumier features a 7.1-channel surround sound that nicely balances both explosions and the crunch of dried leaves behind you. The moving RGB LED lights in the headphones are just that extra touch of style cool that push them over the top.

If there’s one major complaint about most gaming headsets, it’s that a lot of them feel about as sturdy as a popsicle stick taped to a pair of earmuffs. The Envel gets the nod for performance, but also for just feeling substantial. The soft memory foam earpieces and flexible (but strong) headband hug your head and make you feel like you’re wearing serious gear on your head, in the best way.

Sennheiser has been in the premium headphone and headset business for a long time, so it’s not a long walk for them to adapt to the specific needs of gamers. The plush velvet ear pads are a joy, letting your ears breathe and helping to avoid overheating. The coolest feature is the mic mute—all you have to do is lift the mic arm and it activates. It makes rage-quitting convenient!

from Popular Science | RSS https://www.popsci.com/best-affordable-gaming-headsets/

Enhance your playing experience with a pair of high-quality headphones. (Fredrick Tendong via Unsplash/)

Quality sound at an affordable price. (Amazon/)

The ergonomically-designed earpieces have a nice amount of padding and are made for comfortable, long-term wear. (Amazon/)

There’s nothing wrong with just looking cool if you have some substance behind it all. (Amazon/)

They come in a modern camo design with slick LED lights—the complete gaming package. (Amazon/)

Slightly pricier than some of the others, but you’re also paying a bit for the reassurance you get from a known name. (Amazon/)