Your $200 gaming headset sounds worse than my $50 headphones

I don’t even want to think about how much money I’ve spent on gaming headsets over the years. The answer is way too much, and all because it took me way too long to give up.

I’m not here to tell you to never buy a gaming headset. I’m just here to say: don’t expect it to be good, because it probably won’t be.

Why gaming headsets can’t keep up

It’s all a question of priorities

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Most gaming headsets are the result of some sort of compromise. This doesn’t make them inherently bad, but it does mean that they can almost never be as good as a standalone product.

You’re paying for a pair of headphones and a microphone integrated into one. Many gamers prefer wireless headsets, but the audio quality takes a hit. Add to that software bloat, fancy gamer branding, and an audio profile that’s supposed to be okay for just about everything… and you often end up with a mediocre product. It makes sense: something has to give if you’re trying to create a product that can do everything at once.

Gaming headsets are designed for a very specific type of gamer, and unless you’re exactly that person, you’ll probably find them lacking. Some do it well, some don’t, but the fact is that the focus is rarely on overall sound quality; it’s about checking certain boxes.

Audio aside, headset mics are also physically limited and therefore often don’t sound amazing. Capsule size and location, combined with noise cancellation techniques, often trade clarity for noise-canceling artifacts, sometimes resulting in muffled audio.

Some headsets are designed for competitive gaming, like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, and some are more of a “jack of all trades” type headset. Others, like the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, focus on aesthetics and streamer appeal. No matter what the priorities are, they all have to compromise to keep players comfortable.

There are many alternatives to gaming headsets

You don’t need a streamer-like setup to get good sound

Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek

There’s a simple way to avoid the problem of headphones not sounding as good as you’d like. You just need a separate pair of headphones and a microphone.

Personally, I use a pair of decent Audio-Technica headphones and an Antlion Modmic, which is a detachable microphone that turns your headset into a headset without sacrificing audio quality on either end. There are wired and wireless versions, and both are much easier on the ears than most gaming headset mics.

If you decide to get a standalone mic, you can either purchase a microphone arm or let it sit on your desk. Keep in mind that environmental factors come into play here. Placement is key for some models, and the choice between cardioid/supercardioid/omni plays a role in how much background noise the microphone picks up.

No matter mic or headset, a proper equalizer is your free upgrade. Spend some time tweaking the sound settings to match your tastes exactly.

The prices will surprise you

You can actually save money by going this route.

Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek

After testing my fair share of headsets and earphones, I can tell you one thing: my $50 Audio-Technica headphones outperform the vast majority of gaming headsets I’ve tried, including those costing between $150 and $250.

However, it is difficult, if not impossible, to gather objective data on this subject. A sound that’s perfect for me might be horrible for someone else. However, it is a fact that you can create a headset and microphone combo for less than the price of a gaming headset. Often the quality is even better.

I’ll use my own hardware as a point of comparison:

• One headset I really liked was the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, priced at $200 for the Gen 2 version; the older model can be found for $110 to $125 these days.

• The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x usually costs around $50, and to my ears it sounds better in gaming and music.

• Finally, a wired ModMic costs $55 and up, but you can also get a microphone like the Razer Seiren V3 Mini for $36 (on sale) or $60 (MSRP) and still get a better setup.

The bottom line is this: you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good audio setup.

Need a helmet? Choose a good one

Don’t go there unprepared.

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Look, there’s a reason I kept trying to find a good headset. I too enjoy the convenience of having a single device that is easy to use and gets the job done.

Of all the headsets I tried, my favorite was the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, and before that, the aforementioned SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. I know there are better headsets out there, but I can only speak from my own experience. That’s the problem with headsets: Much of what you find online will be at least a little subjective.

If you really need a headset, do a lot of research beforehand. Read reviews that include real microphone recordings, not just written opinions. Look for tests that measure how well the mic rejects background noise, such as keyboard clicks, while still keeping your voice natural.

Also read user reviews. Some won’t be real and most will be biased, but you’ll be able to identify recurring themes.

It’s not about being an audiophile

You don’t need to be an expert.

Credit: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek

You don’t have to be obsessed with audio to want to aim for something good. I’m not an audiophile, but over the years I’ve learned to expect more than the bare minimum, which has made me wary of gaming headsets.

The most audible elements are basic: muffled or high-pitched voices, out-of-sync wireless connections, or soundtracks so flat they might as well not be there. It’s about your own enjoyment and spending your money in a way that gives you the best audio quality possible.

If you need or want a headset, do your research and don’t hesitate to return it and try again if you don’t like the end result. But if you’re willing to try a headset and microphone combo, I’m sure you’ll be happier with it, while potentially saving money for other upgrades.