When comparing gaming headphones vs normal headphones, there are a few categories that stand out. Regular headphones are built for general performance, whereas gaming headsets lend a more immersive gaming experience and allow the user to communicate with others.
Key Takeaways_
- A quality headset made for gaming might cost more. However, they come with features that provide a more accurate gaming experience, like surround sound technology.
- Regular headphones don’t have an inbuilt microphone and typically won’t provide a virtual surround feature.
- If surround sound technology isn’t crucial and you don’t mind not having an inbuilt microphone, then a regular pair of headphones will be fine.
Finding the best gaming headset for your needs provides a more enjoyable gaming experience. Keep reading to find out which type of headphones better matches your style.
How do You Pick the Best Headphones for Gaming?
First, consider what features are most crucial to have. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you need a built-in mic for multi-player?
- Is background noise cancellation necessary?
- Will immersive sound make gaming better?
These are essential factors to consider for an enjoyable gaming experience. The presence of a surround sound feature is another factor to consider heavily.
insider tip
Choosing wireless headsets will remove the concern of additional connections for wires.
Comparing a Dolby vs a DTS gaming headset will help you decide how vital virtual surround modes are.
Microphone for Communication
With gaming headsets, a built-in microphone comes standard. Having a high-quality microphone is crucial for any gaming setup. Regular music headphones will not include a dedicated microphone.
warning
Poor microphone quality will prevent communication between team members in multi-player games.
That means you’ll need to purchase a separate microphone for a better gaming experience if you choose normal headphones over a pair of headphones made for gaming.
Overall Audio Quality
The sound quality comes up as a draw since each pair has different audio channels and purposes. Regular headphones are better for a higher-quality sound overall. However, a regular pair cannot provide the same immersive gaming experience that virtual surround sound brings to the table.
If overall sound quality for a better musical experience is appealing, then go with a regular pair. If you want the sounds from explosions in your game to stand out, stick with quality gaming headsets.
Available Price Range
Gaming headphones are more expensive on average because of their added features. Once you get into high-end headphones with either type, the prices are comparable. Wireless headphones will always cost more than those that add additional cables to your setup.
You do lose some features with regular headphones. For example, not purchasing a separate microphone is one feature of gaming headphones that will save you money.
Additionally, gaming headsets may not be as portable as regular headphones. Many headphones can fold into themselves to make them easier to transport whereas that is not as popular with gaming headsets as they are usually kept near the gaming device.
The connection type can raise or lower the price, as well. Comparing a gaming headset USB vs a 3.5 mm audio cable will clear up any confusion you have.
Additionally, you might wonder if speakers vs a headset are better for gaming.
