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

Anyone who’s left an all-night gaming session with buzzing head and sore ears will want to make comfort the number-one priority. There’s only one way to judge a headset’s comfort: Wear it. Seriously. Clap the thing on your head for at least 15 minutes and let the feeling soak into your body and brain. Check the thickness and softness of 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. 

After comfort, getting the full sound realism of game play is the most important asset in a headset. Look for “surround sound” in a headset; newer headsets come with 5.1 digital audio encoded to heighten this effect. In-line volume and mute control will allow setting the proper speaker levels, and a good strong bass is another must. As veterans gamers say, if the explosions don’t rattle your teeth, the game isn’t worth it. 

The headset microphone should include noise-canceling features to block out background sounds, especially if gaming in a busy Internet café. 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. 

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

The next step up for gamers is Plantronics GameCom X10 headset for Xbox 360 and Xbox. Backed by a one-year warranty, this headset offers extra cushioning, an over-the-head style to keep your headset from falling off when you do your victory dance; an extended boom to ward off that annoying background noise; a noise-canceling microphone that will amplify your voice commands; easy-to-use inline volume and mute controls to keep the sound just where your want it. 

Veteran gamers ready to shift their playing experience into the highest gear – or newbies who want plunge off the cliff for the rush – can crown their strategies with the ultimate quality of Plantronics GameCom X30 for Xbox headset. This top-of-the-line console gaming headset covers all the bases for quality: noise-canceling microphone, extended boom, single-ear coverage, inline volume and mute, and a hot, hip design that would shoot you to the top of heap in no time.  

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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