The gaming headset is a piece of gear near enough essential for all gamers. Since 2013, we’ve seen many headsets come out touting their compatibility with the (not for much longer) current generation consoles. With that in mind, we here at ThisGenGaming wanted to do a tribute of sorts to the best headsets we’ve had the pleasure of using over the past few years. And, since many on this list will be compatible on next gen consoles too, this will also be relevant for anyone looking for a new headset to go along with their new shiny console!
The King: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
We couldn’t start this list without first mentioning the very best headset we’ve had the joy of using over the past few years. Whilst there are a few top high-quality gaming headsets out there, we have to say the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is the crème de la crème as far as we’re concerned. Though SteelSeries also offers up some other great headsets, their full range can be viewed here, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is what comes closest to the quintessential gaming headset.
Hi-res capable speaker drivers and a lossless and lag-free wireless solution make Arctis Pro Wireless the only true wireless high fidelity gaming audio system. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is unique in that it comes with a wireless transmitter base station; The headset connects to the wireless transmitter base station via the proven SteelSeries 2.4G connection. This provides lossless and ultra-low latency wireless audio with up to 40 feet of interference-free range.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless also features the most innovative battery system I’ve seen to date. The exclusive dual-battery system means never sitting next to an outlet to charge your headset. Keep one battery charged in the transmitter base station while gaming with the other in the headset. Then there’s the wireless base station which lets you adjust all your audio settings from the transmitter base station’s controls or wireless from the headset itself.
In terms of look and feel, this is a piece of gear that just exudes quality. The aluminium alloy and steel construction provide a sturdy construction and yet maintain a very agreeable and comfortable weight, even for long durations of use. I’ve happily worn these for hours on end in my longer gaming sessions with absolutely no discomfort kicking in whatsoever. Gaming headsets sometimes fall into the trap of being too “gamey” in an aesthetic sense but the Arctis Pro Wireless is slick and clean.
Of course, the most important feature is sound. How good do the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless sound? Well, they’re pretty much in a league of their own. Thanks to the GameDAC, it’s also very easy to handle audio settings like EQ profiles, turning on hi-res sound and surround sound, all of which sound fantastic and allow you to tune your audio experience to your preferences. The surround sound especially helps create a realistic 3D audio environment. I personally coupled this with the immersive EQ and it made for a wholly realistic audio experience that made me unable to go back to basic gaming headsets.
On the whole, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, and other SteelSeries headsets for that matter, tend to offer the best audio experiences you can get on console. That’s an amalgamation of sound, comfort, and features. It’s a formula that SteelSeries seems to have pretty nailed right now so it’ll take a great effort to knock them off that perch.
Other notable gaming headsets for PS4/Xbox One
Whilst SteelSeries might be the best we’ve personally tried, there’s still plenty of other high-quality gaming headsets out there. For instance, we recently tried the EPOS GSP 670 which is a high-quality headset in its own right.
In our review which can be read here, we stated that “Sound is the department that the GSP 670 really knocks it out of the park. Most of our testing occurred on the PS4 and it really does deliver a supreme audio experience. Powered via USB wireless connection and bluetooth, the headset is capable of producing a high quality sound output. The sound is precise, packs a punch, and reproduces excellent variety between highs and lows. It really is top-notch in this category.”
What let the GSP 670 down compared to the SteelSeries was overall features but on a sound level it was basically comparable whilst offering something of its own. Another headset we tested at ThisGenGaming was also from EPOS, the GSP 370. Now, this one really stood out for one reason: it has a 100 hour battery life.
You’ve probably heard the phrase that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. Well, in this case, it is true. As we state in our review which can be read in full here, “I wouldn’t say the gaming headset market is saturated but at the same time, a headset needs that ‘something’ to set itself apart. In the case of the GSP 370, that ‘something’ is it’s gobsmacking 100 hour battery life. When I first read that, the words leapt off the page. That was the USP that instantly grabbed my attention. I am ashamed to say the cynic in me wanted to test this out as I could not believe a premium wireless gaming headset battery could last this long…”
“I am pleased to be able to say that the promise of up to 100 hours of battery life is lived up to. I was thrilled when I discovered this was not just some marketing ploy with some hidden small text, it’s the real deal. I counted ever so slightly under 100 hours before the battery died but that did not include idle time I left the headset on.”
We also tested a great mid-range option lately when we reviewed the Turtle Beach 600 Gen 2 headset. You can read our full review here, but here’s a summary of what we had to say on this sub-$100 headset:
“Overall, I was rather pleased with the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 headset. It delivers great performance and a comfortable wear for a very affordable price point. The ear cups aren’t as comfortable without memory foam and some of the buttons could be designed better. Those who seek the ultimate audio experience might want to look to a more expensive pair for this set should please many gamers. With PlayStation 5 compatibility seemingly confirmed I’ll be looking forward to seeing how they perform on that when it launches this holiday.”
Of course, not everyone can or wants to spend a lot of money on a gaming headset. Luckily, we’ve also tested some budget-friendly headsets here at ThisGenGaming. For instance, the EKSA E900 scored a respectable score from us. You can read our full review here, but here’s a summary of what we had this to say:
“The EKSA 3900 is a good-looking headset that feels very comfortable to wear. Some of the finishing touches could have used a bit of extra attention to detail to make it feel more premium. There is also the issue of noise bleed & having almost none noise cancellation, so it’s best used during private gaming sessions. Audio quality is also pretty good for its low asking price though, and that’s the major selling point!”
