For most of today’s gamers, there are a few nonnegotiables. For me personally, a great chair is high on the list. I also gotta have my snacks, gotta get the lighting right, and since I prefer the console to the computer, gotta have a top-of-the-line tv (well, I wish. the top of my wife’s line is more accurate).
The tip-top of my list, though, even above the mountain dew code red and neck wrap (I know kids, I’m a dinosaur), is great pair of gaming headphones. Serious gamers know gaming headphones pair with all the rest to create that genuinely immersive time-bending experience.
All gaming headphones aren’t alike, though, and they’re not all perfect.
When I’m not playing a game that needs a microphone, having one in the way can be a distraction. And a lot of times, the mics don’t stack up anyways. Plus, what happens when I want to use my gaming headset for something else?
So, what’s out there if you’re looking for a gaming headset without a mic? One with a hidden mic? Or one that lets you use your own stand-alone mic?
| Best Budget Gaming Headset with a Detachable MicrophoneSee On Amazon |  | EKSA E900 | See On Amazon |
| Best Overall Gaming Headphones with a Hidden MicrophoneSee On Amazon |  | SteelSeries Siberia 350 | See On Amazon |
| Best Premium Gaming Headphones with a Hidden MicrophoneSee On Amazon |  | SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Most Comfortable Gaming Headphones with a Hidden MicrophoneSee On Amazon |  | Alienware 7.1 AW510H-Light | See On Amazon |
| Also Recommended Gaming Headset with a Hidden MicrophoneSee On Amazon |  | YOWU RGB Cat Ear Headphone | See On Amazon |
The ESKA E900 Gaming headphones are wildly stylish and have the gaming conveniences you’re looking for in a budget-friendly package. These ones are for hardcore gamers and newbs alike!
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It may be news to a lot of people, but a decent gaming headset with the 50mm drivers everyone loves doesnt need to break the bank.
The E900’s cost less than a game subscription, have multiple colors to choose from and have the removable mic many gamers are looking for.
You should also love the sturdy build and multi-platform compatibility. And the two-year warranty that’ll ensure your valuable dollars don’t go to waste any time soon.
Just keep in mind a couple of things when buying these. The first is the wired connection. You’ll have to stay plugged in, but at least the cord is six feet long.
The second thing to consider is the sound quality. For the price, these will sound great, but their 50mm drivers may not compare to top-of-the-line models.
Great looks, excellent sound, and gaming-inspired tech make these the real go-to for most gamers. The reviews don’t lie. The price is a bit high but worth it.
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There’s no doubt SteelSeries knows gaming headphones, and the 350 Headset hits all the marks.
I particularly love the sleek, modern, studio-style design and the understated gaming lights on the cups. You can also retract the microphone to add even more style.
You should love the sound and setting. Next-gen SteelSeries 50 mm drivers and 7.1 surround sound on top of equalizer settings that let you change pretty much everything mean you’ll get the dialed sound you’re looking for.
Just keep in mind the price and connection. These are wired and also aren’t the cheapest.
The Arctis Pros bring cool looks, wireless capabilities, and lossless audio to your gaming experience. SteelSeries topping these off with high fidelity sound puts them in a league of their own.
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Some companies add “Pro” to a product’s name as a marketing strategy. SteelSeries has done it because they mean it.
The Arctis Pros come with the features the name implies, like the best microphone you can get on a headset that’s also seamlessly retractable and wireless high res, lossless and lag-free sound. They also feature a premium, durable, lightweight aluminum build that promises comfort for years to come.
Another thing you should love is the battery setup. SteelSeries includes two swappable batteries and a charger. With that setup and batteries that last 24 hours each, you can pretty much use these things none stop.
Just keep in mind the price. This “Pro” model isn’t cheap.
The 7.1’s 50mm hi-res drivers and noise-canceling capabilities promise you’ll get the sound you’re looking for. And because that tech is buried in a comfort-first design, you’ll be able to wear these all day.
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Alienware has been around since the Aliens built the pyramids. Well, maybe not that long, but they’ve been around long enough to learn a thing or two about gaming and audio.
The 7.1s capitalize on the experience with a comfort-first headset that also delivers in the looks department.
A sleek cushioned headband with low clamping pressure connects to cooling memory foam earpads that hide a seamlessly retractable microphone.
And underneath it all are 50mm, custom-tuned drivers, with noise-canceling capabilities and 7.1 surround sound.
Just keep in mind these may look wireless but aren’t. Instead of being true wireless, Alienware has opted for a detachable USB Bluetooth dongle.
YUWU RGB sets Cool Cat ears on top of a feature-packed headset. But don’t let the cute design fool you. 7.1 surround sound and Bluetooth 5.0 are just a couple of standouts that make these headphones the real cat’s meow (I had to go there).
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Cat ears aren’t just for the kids anymore and if you are looking for one, YUWU has a great cat ear headphone that you can purchase in the market today.
YUWU has managed to step these stylish cat ear headphones into the big leagues with features like a hidden microphone, 7.1 surround sound, and millions of custom lighting patterns, all working with Bluetooth 5.0.
Did I mention the battery? These headphones charge in an hour and a half and provide f48 hours of listening time (without the lights).
It’s not all the cat’s pajamas ( I know, I know), though. 40mm drivers are a little less than standard nowadays, and if you want to connect them to an Xbox or Playstation, you’ll need a separate Bluetooth adapter.
Not all gamers want a headset with a mic. If you’re in that boat, you may think your choice is as easy as choosing any pair of headphones lying around the house. Or even picking up a pair of earbuds or studio headphones.
Unfortunately, the thing is, not all headphones are created equal.
Studio headphones have a flat frequency response designed for broad-scope sound recreation and recording.
And many earbuds will often have a tinny sound due to small drivers. Or worse, they’ll overcompensate the poor quality and small tech with too heavy bass.
For every job, there is the right tool. Gaming-specific headphones are designed with video game sound recreation in mind.
That means they’ll be tuned to sound better with video games and will come features like low latency, immersive 3d surround sound recreation, properly boosted bass, and all-day comfort in mind.
That also means, though, that you’re pretty much stuck with a mic.
The bad news is a mic is features all gaming headset brands include in their must-haves is a microphone.
The good news is a bulky fold-away mic isn’t your only option.
Instead, your best bet is to
Playing a game all day in an uncomfortable headset can be a chore. So when looking for a great gaming headset with comfort in mind, you’ll want to consider things like weight, clamping pressure, material, and style.
A lightweight headset with low clamping pressure will let you play longer, and having the material dialed for your personal preference will make all the difference. \
Although leather is more durable, many gamers don’t find it as comfortable as velvet or velour. And if you run hot, like this gamer, consider mesh or other breathable materials.\
When it comes to style, you’ll be able to choose from the basic over the ear, in the ear, or on the ear. Like most gamers, I prefer over the ear. When paired with a noise-canceling feature over the ear, headphones give you the most immersive experience.
You’re getting a gaming-specific headset for a reason. So make sure you don’t forget that at check out. Of course, gaming headsets look sick, but they also serve a purpose. A few key things to look for are:
For many gamers who use multiple systems, a headset with multiple compatibility or connectivity options is a must.
If you’re switching between your PC and Xbox or even your cell phone and Playstation, you’ll want to look for a headset that is multi-system compatible. This means it’ll most likely have a 3.5mm jack and can also mean it’ll be USB or wireless compatible.
A lot of high-end headsets will be marketed and sold for one system but may work on others with fewer features than you’d like. So the bottom line here is to read the fine print and purchase any adapters you’ll need upfront.
You’ll also want to consider whether the headset is wired and wireless options.
A wireless system will use Bluetooth to connect to most consoles or controllers, cell phones, and some advanced computer systems. However, a few systems will require a wired connection, sometimes one that can be plugged in using an adapter.
If you have the choice and are looking for the best audio quality, generally, a wired system will be your best bet. This is because wired systems work without compressing audio nearly as much, ensuring you’re getting all the sound you came for.
If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of audio quality and want a clutter-free setup, ditch the cord and search for a wireless pair of headphones that work with all your systems.
So many things go into the perfect gaming setup (like Markiplier’s). If a large boom mic out front isn’t your ideal setup, stuff your worries in a sack.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find an optimized gaming headset without a mic, but thanks to advanced tech that lets you remove or hide your mic, you should be happy to hear the perfect headset is still out there.