
The Best Gaming Headsets—We Tested Over Hundreds of Hours (2024)
Brad Bourque, Eric Ravenscraft
created: May 21, 2025, 2:03 p.m. | updated: May 24, 2025, 11:01 a.m.
Microphones are common on most headphones and earbuds, but on gaming-specific headsets you're more likely to find boom mics sticking out from one of the ears.
These tend to provide better audio quality, as well as a few other features you may want to consider when buying a new headset.
Hearing a bit of your own voice can help you know how loud you're talking, especially with how good the sound isolation is on some of these headsets.
Audio quality matters to an extent, but if you're interested in streaming or podcasting, you'll want to check out USB microphones.
They require an extra investment, and some desk space, but will provide audio that's closer to what you might expect from professional-grade audio equipment.
2 weeks, 3 days ago: WIRED