grouP TeST headSeTS

Upgrade your gaming sound and get the edge on other players with these headsets STephen AShby

Sound is now such a key part of gaming that having a solid audio setup can genuinely make you better. Whether you’re hearing your enemy creeping up on you thanks to the directional audio or marvelling at the cinematic realism provided by the Xbox One’s Dolby surround sound, listening through your TV’s tinny speakers is bordering on criminal.

Of course, to get the most from your games, you want the very best – the best sound quality, the best comfort, and the best microphone. This month, we’ve tested five gaming headsets for Xbox One so that you know which will give you the best audio experience. We’ve also awarded one headset the best value award to the cans that give you the most bang for your buck.

GrOuP test WiNNer

Razer Thresher Ultimate

01 turtle beach elite 800x

£179.99, turtlebeach.com

03 razer thresher ultimate

£249.99, amazon.com

this wireless headset boasts a charging dock and active noise cancellation that is surprisingly effective. Switching between the built-in audio profiles depending on the type of game you’re playing is great, although cycling through them all if you hit the button accidentally can become tedious. The headset is weighty and feels sturdy, but the headband would benefit from more padding. The on-ear controls take some getting used to, but the 7.1 surround sound is excellent, immersive, and loud. A great choice.

The best thing about this headset is how it keeps complex ideas simple. Setup took just a few seconds and we got used to the on-ear volume control dials in no time at all. The retractable mic is great and can be tucked away in the ear cup when not in use, and the wireless base station comes with a stand to make storage simple, integrated and stylish. It’s pricey, but solid construction, a sprung 8 headband for a comfort fit, 7.1 surround sound and a battery that lasts well over 12 hours 10 make this well worth the cost.

best value aWard

creative Sound blasterx h7 Te

02 seNNheiser Game ONe

£159.99, sennheiser.com

04 creative sOuNd blasterx h7 te

£89.99, amazon.com

05 steelseries arctis 3 bluetOOth

£139.99, steelseries.com

We were disappointed by Sennheiser’s effort here. The plastic casing looks tacky, and while the on-ear volume control works well enough, it doesn’t feel great – especially compared to other headsets in this test. The microphone is just as poor, with an inflexible arm that isn’t easy to adjust. The sound isn’t bad, and the clarity of the audio is actually excellent, but they lack any real bass, making explosions, revving engines and other deep sounds feel empty. If you’re going to spend this much money, you can do far better. This is how you do it. Deep, powerful sound is delivered in a comfortable and sturdy package by creative, who have plenty of audio experience. The detachable mic isn’t brilliant but does the job, and the headband is well padded and stays comfortable. The USb adapter sadly doesn’t offer the same audio profiles on xbox one as on Pc, so just acts as a volume control. Still, the powerful bass and 7.1 surround sound is excellent, and despite being the cheapest on test, this is one of the best-sounding headsets here.

These stylish cans certainly look the part. The band is the same material used in ski goggles, meaning you can choose your own design, but also ensures a comfortable and snug fit on your head, even during longer gaming sessions. The sound lacks a little bass compared to the Sound blasterx, but the balance is excellent, giving a good all-round audio expervience. The bluetooth connection is a 4 9 nice bonus for wireless audio outside of gaming, and the on-ear controls are easy to 7 use while you play.