How we test gaming headsets

Last Updated: June 14th, 2022

A solid gaming headset is an essential part of any gamer’s setup and there’s a huge range on the market suitable for every budget. But what do you want to get from your gaming headset and how much should you pay? They’re the questions we’ll help you answer. We put all headsets we get through the same rigorous testing to ensure that you can buy with confidence.

Design

• Unboxing and setup – we detail how the box looks and feels, and detail whether it’s been packaged safely. We’ll let you know about any other notable features, such as a magnetic open/close clasp.
• We detail the design, including color scheme, shape, size, and materials used in construction.
• We detail the software features including UX, UI, EQ settings, and we’ll play around with the presets.
• We detail any other notable features.
• We show you video footage of the headset being modeled by the WePC mannequin.

Build quality

• We detail the build quality – headband flex, general robustness of construction, materials and fabric.
• We detail the weight of the headset and cable (if applicable).
• We test battery life and compare our experience with the manufacturer’s claims. We do this with full lighting.

Sound quality

• We test sound quality with a subjective listening test and a mic test.
• We test gaming performance and check surround performance.
• We conduct a microphone test over discord.
• We test the audio with The Ultimate Headphones (and Earphones) Test.
• We test the headset at maximum volume.
• We test for sound leakage.

How we score wired gaming headsets

Some aspects of gaming headsets are more important than others, so we’ve assigned different weightings as such. We score wired headsets out of 5 stars with the following weighting.

Comfort (30%)

Headsets can vary widely in terms of comfort. There is a large range of weights, clamping forces, and materials that all influence the overall comfort level.

Audio quality, including mic test (30%)

A detailed soundscape is vital, especially for gaming. This is important for establishing the quality of one headset versus another. Movies, music, and films are also tested to verify the audio quality.

Build quality (20%)

The physical aspect of a gaming headset. This is important for the longevity of the headset and how it feels to the touch. We consider materials and overall construction here.

Features – controls, software, etc (5%)

The features cover the accompanying software (if applicable) and on-headset controls. If there are any additional features like haptics or a display, they will also be factored into this weighting.

Value for money (15%)

This is a subjective measure of the overall worth of a gaming headset. Cheap doesn’t necessarily equate to good value. It’s about what you get for your money.

How we score wireless gaming headsets

Some aspects of gaming headsets are more important than others, so we’ve assigned different weightings as such. We score wireless headsets out of 5 stars with the following weighting, adding battery life to the equation.

Comfort (29%)

Headsets can vary widely in terms of comfort. There is a large range of weights, clamping forces, and materials that all influence the overall comfort level.

Audio quality, including mic test (29%)

A detailed soundscape is vital, especially for gaming. This is important for establishing the quality of one headset versus another. Movies, music, and films are also tested to verify the audio quality.

Build quality (19%)

The physical aspect of a gaming headset. This is important for the longevity of the headset and how it feels to the touch. We consider materials and overall construction here.

Features – controls, software, etc (5%)

The features cover the accompanying software (if applicable) and on-headset controls. If there are any additional features like haptics or a display, they will also be factored into this weighting.

Value for money (13%)

This is a subjective measure of the overall worth of a gaming headset. Cheap doesn’t necessarily equate to good value. It’s about what you get for your money.

Battery (5%)

This is a subjective measure of the overall worth of a gaming headset. Cheap doesn’t necessarily equate to good value. It’s about what you get for your money.

Test team

Our gaming headset specialist is Ben Atkins Chafer. He’s been gaming since the tender age of 6 and understands how important audio is to the gaming experience. He’s tested a lot of gaming headsets over the years and knows what to look for. Additionally, he has a keen interest in audio science which helps him understand how gaming headsets tick.

How a gaming headset can feature in our best of guides

Only our most highly rated gaming headsets feature in the best of guides. In order to win a place among the best of the best, they must impress us with comfort, audio quality, and overall value for money. This is in addition to the aspects detailed above.

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Take a look at our most recent gaming headset reviews.

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