Every warrior from matador to jet jockey prizes his gear, so a good headset is a must for the ultimate gaming experience. This is especially true today, with most games rendered with high-definition audio effects. 

Gaming headsets should be rated on five qualities: sound, noise cancellation, microphone, cable length and most of all, comfort. 

Gamers are known for their all-night sessions, so make the headsets comfort the top priority. And the only way to judge a headset’s comfort is to wear it for at least 15 minutes. How soft and thick is the padding. Are the ear cups big enough to encompass your entire ear? Does the ear bud fit comfortably in your ear? Can you adjust the headset? Does it weigh down your head? Keep checking this factors until you find the right headset for you. 

Next, check how real the sound seems. After all, the throb of the engines, the whiz of the bullets, and the grunts and groans of your vanquished foes are key to the gaming experience. Be sure to get a headset with “surround sound.” Check also for a headset with encoded 5.1 digital audio for newer games. Next, crank up the headset’s bass to check whether those whizzing bullets and roaring rockets rattle your teeth. Don’t forget to look for inline volume control to set the speaker levels.  

Microphones are another essential for a gaming headset. Some headsets carry an external microphone to pick up external noise and invert it to cancel unwanted noise. Another kind of noise can be a factor if choosing a wireless headset with Bluetooth or RF capacity. While wireless units allow freedom of movement, they can suffer signal loss and can be susceptible to hisses, pops, static and other audio horrors. If opting for a wired headset, be sure to get one with a cable with a minimum length of 2 meters to allow for plenty of movement. An extra-long cable or additional cable may be necessary if gaming with a console. 

Examples of some of the latest in gaming headsets include:

GameCom’s P20, a portable headset with good versatility for the Sony PSP. All the best is here in an entry-level headset: “surround sound” stereo, noise-canceling microphone, dual earbuds, in-line volume and mute control. GameCom P20’s Flex Grip keeps headset comfortably on the head while a QuickAdjust boom positions the microphone precisely. 

Plantronics’ GameCom X20 headset for Xbox offers in-the-ear design with Flex Grip, a flexible boom and a noise-canceling microphone.  

Plantronics backs its GameCom X10 headset for Xbox 360 and Xbox with a one-year quality warranty. It features extra cushioning, an over-the-head design, an extended boom a noise-canceling microphone and inline volume and mute controls. 

Plantronics GameCom X30 for Xbox draws raves as a premium console gaming headset. Like its less endowed cousins, it covers all the quality bases: comfortable single-ear coverage, extended boom, noise-canceling microphone, inline volume and mute, plus a hip design. This version also has a one-year warranty. 

Headsets such as these can range from a low of around $25 for a basic unit to as much as $150 for a console gaming headset to provide the ultimate game experience.  

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