To enhance your gaming experience on streaming platforms like Mixer, Twitch, and YouTube, it’s essential to have the best gaming headset or earbuds for streaming. By using a gaming headset designed for headset streaming, you can communicate with your team players or opponents without getting distracted from the game. Compared to using separate gaming headphones and an external microphone, most gamers prefer a streaming gaming headset because of its ease of use, comfortability, and superior audio quality.
We deviated from our usual audio headphone testing routine and focused on a new category: high-quality headsets for streaming. After shortlisting around 50 different gaming headsets available in the market for streaming purposes, we put them to the test by playing various games over four weeks. As a result of our rigorous testing process, we have narrowed down our selection to these top five best headsets for streaming in 2023.
Roundup of the Best Headsets for Streaming
| Best Headset for Streaming PS4 | Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 |
| Best Streaming Headset for PC | Logitech G433 7.1 Wired |
| Best Xbox One Headset for Streaming | Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby |
| Best Bluetooth Headset for Streaming | SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless |
| Best Wired Headset for Streaming | Sennheiser Game One Wired |
In this article, we will provide an in-depth review of the top 5 headsets for streaming. We will share our firsthand experiences with each product and highlight their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, we will provide general information about streaming gaming headsets. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Choose the Best Headset for Streaming – Buying Guide
Given the vast selection of gaming headsets available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best headset for streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. To simplify your decision-making process, we have created a brief buying guide that identifies various factors you should consider when purchasing a headset for streaming.
Sound Quality
When searching for a streaming headset, sound quality is one of the most crucial factors to consider. The more immersive and high-quality the sound, the better you can track your enemies in-game and communicate with your teammates. Closed-back headphones are preferred for streaming as they provide superior sound isolation, reducing external noise interference and minimizing sound leakage while streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Comfort
Comfort is the second most crucial factor to consider when purchasing a streaming headset. Even if your headset delivers excellent sound quality, it will be of no use if it’s uncomfortable to wear. Therefore, when buying a streaming headset, pay close attention to the earpad material and headband adjustment options. Additionally, ensure that the headset is lightweight to prevent strain on your neck and minimize pressure on your head.
Compatibility with Different Gaming Platforms
Compatibility is a crucial factor that is often overlooked but is equally important as the two factors mentioned above. In simpler terms, the headset you purchase must be compatible with the gaming platform you plan to play on. Therefore, it’s essential to check the compatibility of your headset with different gaming platforms, such as Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and others.
Microphone Quality
Since gaming and streaming require the use of a microphone, it’s crucial to check the microphone quality of the headset you plan to purchase. It is recommended to choose a headset with a noise-canceling microphone, if possible. Additionally, ensure that the microphone effectively captures your voice and delivers clear audio quality.
Top 5 Headsets for Streaming in 2023
Most gaming headsets offer directional surround sound, a critical feature for gamers, particularly in games like Fortnite. With directional surround sound, gamers can track their enemies’ footsteps and hunt them down better. As a result, all the streaming gaming headsets on our list come equipped with directional surround sound and various other features that distinguish them from other streaming headsets available in the market.
Now it’s time to delve into our product reviews of the top five best headsets for streaming.
1. Razer Kraken 7.1 V2
Best Headset for Streaming PS4
If you’ve never experienced your games at their best, it’s likely because you don’t have the best headset for streaming PS4. A high-quality PS4 gaming headset can significantly enhance your gaming experience, offering unparalleled detail, depth, and sound quality that traditional gaming headsets lack. With a good gaming headset for streaming PS4, you’ll hear the minutest sound details more crisply and clearly, be able to defeat your enemies more easily, and become more aware and focused in your game.
The Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 is an excellent choice for a PS4 gaming headset as it offers an immersive 7.1 Surround Sound experience that makes you more aware of your surroundings, enabling you to locate your enemy and monitor your team’s movements effortlessly. Furthermore, the headset features huge 50 mm drivers that deliver clear and loud audio quality for exceptional communication and listening experiences.
While the microphone comes with active noise cancellation (ANC), this feature is only available on PC since it couldn’t be used on PS4 during testing. Finally, the lightweight design of the Razer Kraken 7.1 V2 ensures comfortable wear even during extended playing sessions. In conclusion, this perfectly tuned online gaming headset works well with almost all types of PS4 games, including Apex Legends.
2. Logitech G433 7.1 Wired
Best Streaming Headset for PC
Although most streaming headsets available in the market work well with both PC and PS4, the Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Gaming Headset is particularly exceptional when used with a PC. Even if you have the best PC gaming monitor or the best gaming keyboard and mouse, without a high-quality streaming headset for PC, your gaming experience will be incomplete.
Firstly, regarding its build quality, the G433 boasts a sturdy headband that can be easily adjusted to provide maximum comfort. The detachable boom mic is flexible and can be placed at any distance from your mouth. However, we felt it would have been better if Logitech had provided an option to slide the mic up/down when not in use (although this issue isn’t significant).
Secondly, even out of the box, the sound quality of this headset is great. However, we recommend downloading Logitech’s software as it allows you to customize your listening experience further. Overall, the G433 comes equipped with everything necessary to deliver an immersive sound experience for PC gamers. We tested this headset with various PC games and found that it worked well with all of them.
In conclusion, the Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Gaming Headset provides an excellent combination of comfort, advanced features, phenomenal sound quality, and next-gen performance. We had tried out the G430 headset last year and trust us; there’s much more difference between these two headsets than just their number!
3. Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby
Best Xbox One Headset for Streaming
For Xbox One gamers, the Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby Gaming Headset is a must-have to complete their gaming setup.
Featuring a sleek and modern design, the A50 Gaming Headset is one of Astro’s premier headsets for gaming. It provides wireless connectivity, making it one of the best headsets for Xbox One.
One of its highlights is delivering high-quality audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 Surround Sound that creates an immersive sound experience. Additionally, there are three EQ modes to customize the sound according to your preferences or adjust bass/treble. The unidirectional microphone isolates your voice from ambient noise.
While it comes at a steep price point, the Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby Gaming Headset delivers excellent sound quality for Xbox One streaming. If you’re on a tight budget, we recommend considering HyperX Cloud Stinger instead.
4. SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless
Best Bluetooth Headset for Streaming
To enjoy uninterrupted gaming without the trouble of wires, a wireless headset is essential. The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Headset is our top pick for streaming as it delivers high-quality audio and has no issues with latency or connectivity.
The 360-degree precision audio offered by the headset immerses you in the game for an unparalleled experience, which is comparable to some of the best wired headsets. The sound quality is award-winning and comprises subtle sounds that enhance your gameplay. You can easily mix chat audio with regular audio using a dial on the headset.
Secondly, the microphone quality deserves appreciation; it’s better than Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset. The speaker quality is also good and further complements the experience. You can adjust the equalizer to improve its performance.
Lastly, wearing this headset for long hours will not cause any discomfort due to its premium fabric and cushioning. The Ski Goggle fabric and AirWeave ear cushions justify its price tag. Overall, SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Headset is one of our top recommendations for streaming headphones.
5. Sennheiser Game One Wired
Best Wired Headset for Streaming
Sennheiser is not just known for its audio headphones, as the Game One Wired Headset by the brand is considered to be the best wired headset for streaming.
The audio quality of the headset is outstanding, making it an ideal purchase for individuals who enjoy music and gaming. The mids, highs, and lows are all clear and crisp, resulting in accurate and natural sound output. An interchangeable cable feature allows users to connect with different gaming platforms such as Xbox One, PS4, PC, mobile devices with a 3.5mm jack. When we tested the headset with CS:GO, we found that it produced excellent sound.
Additionally, the microphone of the Sennheiser Game One Wired Headset has high-quality output without any disturbance or lag; it serves as a noise-canceling microphone that delivers your voice clearly. We were amazed by its unique feature of muting when moved up.
Moreover, its innovative design provides spacious and cleaner sound quality while being comfortable to wear due to its lightweight design.
In conclusion, Sennheiser Game One Wired Headset can be an excellent purchase for gamers who don’t require wireless connectivity or Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use a headset mic for streaming?
Yes, you can use a headset mic for streaming; nonetheless, it depends on the microphone quality of the headset. If you have obtained a streaming headset with an inadequate microphone, we suggest using an external one.
Can stream headset be wireless?
Streaming headsets that are of good quality can be either wired or wireless, and our list includes both types. Bluetooth headphones are usually used as wireless streaming headsets.
Final Thoughts
We hope that the top 5 headsets for streaming list will aid in your selection of the best choice. While we would advise using the headset that best suits your requirements, our preferred option is the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Headset. It is an all-purpose gaming headset; it has exceptional sound quality, offers excellent microphone performance, is highly comfortable to wear and looks sleek. The headset is slightly expensive; however, it is worth every penny spent.
We genuinely hope this guide was helpful. Please let us know by sharing your queries/concerns/comments below if you still cannot make an informed decision.