Choosing a headset is an important process, as the quality and comfort of the headphones determine the comfort during use and the enjoyment of listening. In this guide, we will look at the main criteria for choosing a headset to help you make the right purchase.
Choosing between a wired and wireless headset is one of the first and most important decisions when buying. Each category has its advantages and disadvantages that can significantly affect your user experience.
Wired headsets usually offer higher sound quality and do not require recharging. They are ideal for stationary use, such as at home or in the office. It is important to consider the type of connector: headsets with a 3.5 mm jack are compatible with most devices, while USB headsets can offer additional features such as a built-in amplifier or sound card. Wired headsets also often have higher quality microphones, which is important for work and gaming.
Wireless headsets provide freedom of movement and convenience as there is no need for wires. They can be used with both computers and mobile devices. Bluetooth technology is the most common, but gamers prefer models with low signal latency, such as those with aptX Low Latency support or specialized radio frequency models. Pay attention to battery life and the presence of a fast-charging function. It is also important to check the quality of the built-in microphone, as it can vary in wireless headsets.
Bluetooth headphones:
Radio frequency (RF) headphones:
Infrared (IR) headphones:
Sound quality is one of the key factors when choosing a headset. This parameter includes several aspects: frequency range, impedance, sensitivity, and driver type. In addition, the quality of the microphone used for communication plays an important role.
The frequency range that headphones can reproduce is measured in Hertz (Hz). The standard range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz covers all the frequencies that a human can hear. Low frequencies (bass) are important for sound depth and power, mid frequencies for vocal and instrument clarity, and high frequencies for detail and sharpness.
Impedance, measured in ohms (Ω), determines the headphones' resistance to the sound signal. Low impedance (16-32 Ω) is suitable for mobile devices, while high impedance (more than 50 Ω) requires a more powerful sound source, such as an amplifier or a professional sound card.
Sensitivity, measured in decibels (dB), indicates how loud the headphones can reproduce sound at a certain input level. High sensitivity (over 100 dB) provides loud sound at low power, which is important for use with mobile devices.
The microphone is an important part of any headset, especially for work and gaming. It is important to consider the following parameters:
Microphone quality is especially important for gamers and those who frequently participate in online conferences or stream. A good microphone should clearly transmit voice and minimize background noise.
There are several types of headphones: on-ear, over-ear, in-ear, and earbud. Choosing a form factor is personal; your comfort and preferences will guide you.
In-ear headphones are the most portable on the market, so if you're looking for something to take on the go, this might be your best choice. They can easily be folded and stored in a pocket.
As the name suggests, these headphones sit in the ear. They can be divided into two different forms: earbuds and in-ear. Earbuds rest on the outer ear, while in-ear headphones are inserted a bit deeper into the ear canal, which helps them stay in place if the ear tips are properly sized.
On-ear headphones represent a middle ground between in-ear and over-ear headphones. While they retain the same general shape as the over-ear options, they are usually slightly smaller and often foldable, making them a great choice for those who do not like in-ear headphones.
Most people find on-ear headphones a bit more comfortable than in-ear ones, and they often also provide better sound quality due to the larger space for bigger drivers.
As the name suggests, on-ear headphones rest on the outer ear. Comfort here is more determined by the clamp strength. If too tight, it will be uncomfortable to wear them for long periods. If too loose, the headphones will not stay well on the head and may fall off.
Over-ear headphones provide maximum comfort and sound quality, but they are certainly the least portable among other form factors. This may not matter much for those looking for great headphones for home use, but if you are looking for devices to take on the go, you are better off choosing in-ear or on-ear headphones.
As the name suggests, over-ear headphones often do not touch the ears. Instead, they have pads that enclose the ears. This is why they can be comfortable for longer periods. One reason over-ear headphones can sound much better is that they can house larger drivers.
Bone conduction headphones differ from the other types described above. You will not see them as often as traditional headphones, but they might be preferable if you prefer to keep your ears open to nearby sounds.
Bone conduction headphones do not go in the ear, on the ear, or around it like other headphones. Instead of sending sound to the eardrum, bone conduction headphones cause the cheekbone near the ear to vibrate, which in turn stimulates the inner ear.
This type of headphone is not ideal for high-quality sound. It is recommended to choose bone conduction headphones if you need to be attentive to external noises, such as traffic or surroundings.
Drivers convert an electrical signal into sound. There are several types of drivers:
Dynamic drivers offer a good balance between sound quality and cost, balanced armature drivers provide precise and detailed sound, planar magnetic drivers offer high sound quality with minimal distortion, and electrostatic drivers provide exceptional detail and clarity.
When choosing a headset, it is important to consider not only the main features such as connection type and sound quality but also many additional aspects that can significantly affect your comfort and overall impression of use:
Choosing wireless headphones often comes with the need to understand various audio codecs that can significantly affect the sound quality and overall user experience. Audio codecs determine how the audio signal is transmitted and compressed over Bluetooth, and they are crucial for the clarity and richness of the sound. In this section, we will look at the main audio codecs used in wireless headphones and their impact on sound quality, latency, and compatibility with different devices.
The choice of a headset also depends on the purposes for which you plan to use it. Different types of headsets are better suited for specific tasks. Let's consider the key aspects of choosing a headset for different usage scenarios.
For gaming, sound quality, comfort, and microphone quality are important. Surround sound technology (7.1 or virtual surround sound) helps accurately determine the location of sounds, which is important for first-person shooters and other multiplayer games. The ear cushions should be soft and breathable, and the headband should be adjustable. A noise-canceling microphone with a wide frequency range will ensure clear voice transmission.
For work, clear speech, comfort, and a good microphone are important. Lightweight headphones with a comfortable design will help avoid fatigue during long wear. A noise-canceling microphone with a wide frequency range and adjustable position will ensure clear voice transmission. The connection can be either wired (USB or 3.5mm jack) or wireless for greater freedom of movement.
For specific purposes, special types of headphones may be required.
Sports Headphones:
Professional Studio Headphones:
Comfort and design of headphones directly affect your comfort and user experience. It is important to consider the construction, materials, weight, and additional aspects of convenience. Below, we will take a closer look at various aspects to pay attention to.
The materials of the ear cushions and headband affect comfort and durability:
The weight of the headphones is also important: lightweight models are less tiring, while heavier ones are often associated with higher sound quality.
An adjustable headband allows you to customize the headphones to the size and shape of your head, ensuring a better fit and comfort. The adjustment mechanism should be smooth and reliable.
Replaceable ear cushions extend the life of the headphones and allow you to adapt them to your preferences. A foldable design makes transportation and storage easier. Detachable cables are easily replaceable in case of damage. Controls can be either touch-sensitive or physical buttons.
The cost of a headset can vary greatly. Determine your budget and try to find the best option within that range. Wired headphones often offer better sound quality for their price, while wireless ones provide convenience and additional features.
In 2024, there are many interesting and technologically advanced models to choose from. In this section, we will look at which headphones are worth paying attention to in 2024, based on current trends and expert recommendations.
Cloud III from HyperX is not the most multifunctional headset on the market, but it handles the main tasks very well — balanced, detailed sound, a lightweight, comfortable frame, and a detachable microphone.
Cloud III is a wired-only headset — it can connect to your PC via USB-C and also offers a 3.5mm analog connection for anything else. HyperX has a wireless version that is very similar to the Cloud III but offers wireless connectivity only at 2.4 GHz and costs almost twice as much.
The Cloud III features a soft headband covered in leatherette, aluminum forks curved towards the ear cups, and memory foam ear cushions covered in leatherette. It somehow has the perfect clamping force — light enough for you to forget you're wearing a headset, but not so light that it falls off your head when you look up (or down).
The headset is equipped with 53mm dynamic drivers, the same as the Cloud II, although they have been redesigned and angled to provide «accurate, smooth, and detailed sound by directing the sound into the ears in a more optimal position.» The drivers have a frequency response range of 10 to 21,000 Hz and provide a balanced sound profile with impressive bass and excellent gaming performance.
The Logitech G733 is a mid-range wireless gaming headset. It has a comfortable, lightweight design and RGB lighting that adds extra style. Its accompanying software offers a wide range of customization options, so you can adjust the sound profile, controls, surround sound, and lighting. They can only be connected using a USB dongle compatible with PCs and PlayStation consoles.
This wireless full-size headset is lightweight and extremely comfortable. It features a detachable microphone that makes your voice sound great. It is equipped with Razer's 50mm Triforce Titanium dynamic drivers and a sound profile tuned for gaming (complete with several built-in game-ready presets). While not very convenient for listening to music, it can be adjusted using Razer's Synapse 3 software to provide a more comfortable listening experience.
The headset is quite light (320g), and the stainless-steel sliders allow for smooth and easy height adjustment of the ear cups. The sliders are thin and flexible to provide moderate rotation of the ear cups, and while they may look a bit flimsy. The ear cups do not rotate to lie flat like some gaming headsets. The BlackShark V2 Pro is primarily designed for PC gaming and is not very convenient for travel.
The BlackShark V2 Pro is equipped with 50mm Razer Triforce Titanium dynamic drivers with a frequency response range of 12–28,000 Hz. The drivers are tuned for gaming right out of the box, and the headset comes with five game-ready equalizer presets for Apex Legends, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite, and Valorant.