Audio quality: This seems self-evident, but we’ll say it anyway: you can’t always tell how a headphone will sound from a spec sheet. Well-made stereo headphones will sound better than shoddy 7.1 Dolby Atmos surround sound. Check out the reviews to see how the headphones perform in real life.
Surround sound options: Modern headphones have become very good at reproducing or simulating surround sound in headphones through systems such as Dolby Atmos for Headphones or DTS:X. These systems are particularly impactful in games where you want to be able to hear exactly where your enemies are shooting at you. Make sure you can turn surround sound on or off.
Comfort: This is another subjective category, but if you’re going to wear the headset for hours while gaming, it’s important that it doesn’t hurt. Heavy headphones pressed against your temples can give you a headache after a while. Look for headphones that are adjustable, ergonomically designed, have plenty of cushioning, and are generally lightweight.
Adjustable Boom Microphone: If you plan on using a headset for online gaming, a good microphone is important. Many headphones come with a boom microphone that you place in front of your mouth. Some are removable, while others can simply be rotated or bent away from your mouth when not in use. Make sure you get the type that suits your needs.
Visible microphone mute and LED indicators: It’s important to know when to broadcast audio so you don’t accidentally share your private conversations with teammates. Some microphones automatically mute when flipped up, while others use a dedicated mute button. We particularly like the earphones with red LEDs that indicate when you’re on mute, which can be helpful.
Microphone monitoring so you can hear yourself: If you want to keep tabs on how you sound to your teammates without sounding like you’re yelling during a game, the microphone monitoring feature lets you hear your own audio through your headphones. Best of all, you can adjust its volume. When you listen to a podcast or radio talk show, chances are those people are using some form of microphone monitoring so that they can hear themselves as well as others.
Equalizer (EQ) and customization tools: Games, movies, and TV shows are mixed differently, and when you listen, you may want to emphasize different aspects of the audio signal. Custom EQ presets let you set a different balance for watching movies and playing games, or even different balances for each game.