What the Difference Between Wired and wireless Headsets?
Wired headsets provide better audio quality, but that is only true if you are listening to high-quality music. It also offers lower latency because it’s connected with a cable. Wireless headsets connect to your device, usually using Bluetooth or a wireless dongle, but they need to be charged before usage.
If you are looking for freedom of movement and do not play games only at your desk then wireless headphones are great. The audio quality is pretty much the same when it comes to listening to MP3 music and playing games. There is little difference between the two when it comes to sound and you will hardly be able to tell them apart. Wireless headphones do need to be charged though.
You need a decent pair of headphones for gaming especially if you play competitive online multiplayer games such as PUBG, Apex Legends or Call of Duty. There are all kinds of headphones on the market that cover all kinds of price ranges. There are plenty of options out there for gamers. The question is: should you go for a wired gaming headset or a wireless one?
If you have been asking yourself that question then you have come to the right place as we are going to look into the differences here and tell you about the trade-off that you might encounter when you pick one over the other.
Related: Wired vs Wireless Gaming Mouse
Wired Gaming Headsets
A wired gaming headset has a cable that plugs into your PC. The interface can be USB or 3.5mm jack. Wired gaming headphones do provide better quality audio but that is only true if you are listening to high quality music files. If you are playing games or listening to MP3 music then you can hardly tell the difference.
Wired headsets are great if you only play games at your desk and do not need to move around much. Compared to wireless headsets these are relatively inexpensive. This means that they are better value for money. Due to the wire, mobility can be limited to the length of the cable.
Our Wired Pick
HyperX Cloud Alpha
This extremely popular headset available with quite a lot of features and a reasonable price is none other than HyperX Cloud alpha. It has got a unique gaming design with a lot of qualities to offer. The headset comes with HyperX Dual Chamber drivers for a high distinction and less sounding distortions.
It literally cuts you off from the external environment while you are gaming with full focus. The headset comes with an ideal comfort for the ears as well. They have got breathability which prevents sweat in the ears and keeps your comfortable listen to audio for a long time. This headset comes with an impedance range of 65 ohms as well.
Wireless Gaming Headsets
As the name implies, these headsets do not have cables and that can be a major convenience if you play games on your TV rather than on your desk. This is a great option for lounge gaming. Wireless headphones connect to your PC using Bluetooth or a wireless dongle that needs to be plugged into a USB port.
Read also: our list of the Best Gaming Headsets Under $100
Our Wireless Pick
SteelSeries Arctis 7
Another beast available from the brand SteelSeries is the new Arctis 7 which has got the attention of many gamers around the world. The gaming headset comes with wireless technology i.e. it is without any cord. It has got a 2.454 GHz audio frequency and is capable of providing HD audio without any lag.
With a range of up to 40 ft. you will never feel the necessity of a wire. The long-lasting battery is able to run for 24 hours with regular use. There is a special ClearCast mic available with the headset which clears your voice before delivering it to the receiver. It also cancels the background noise pretty good.
Wired vs Wireless Gaming Headsets
Both of these options have their pros and cons. Here we are going to look into each option and see what the major differences are and things that you need to keep in mind when choosing between the two.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is the first thing that pops up in mind when comparing the two. Yes, wired gaming headphones do offer better audio as compared to wireless options but the difference is mainly due to drivers. A $300 pair of wireless headphones will provide better audio than a $100 pair of wired headphones. This is because the wireless headphones come with better drivers.
Wireless technology has come a long way and it is going to get even better with time. A decent pair if wireless headphones can take on wired headphones easily. When choosing between the two you need not worry about the audio quality as long as you get decent quality headphones that come with good drivers.
Convenience Vs Battery Life
Imagine playing an intense game and winning at the end. You might stand up to celebrate your victory. If you have a wired headset, the cable might not be long enough and you might end up damaging your headset in that moment of excitement. That would not be the case if you were using wireless headphones as there is no wore that you need to worry about.
Wired headphones come with cables that need to be managed. Plenty of times the cable can be damaged and this required you to change the headset entirely. Wireless headphones do make things easier because you do not need to deal with cables but they present another problem. They need to be charged.
That is not the case with wired headphones. You can plug those in anytime anywhere and get to gaming or listening to music. This is something that you need to keep in mind when choosing between the two. Both have their pros and cons.
Portability
Both wireless and wired headphones are portable but this factor is affected by many things. If a headset is foldable then this adds to the portability. Some headphones are bigger than others which can also be a factor worth looking into. If you play games on a laptop or are on the move then this is something that you need to consider when buying a pair of headphones.
Wireless headphones usually come in a variety of designs and are often foldable so that they can be stored away with ease. This helps in carrying them around and taking them out when needed. This allows keeps the user from hanging them around the neck. Which is something that we usually see on public transports.
Compatibility
Compatibility can also be an issue when picking a pair of headphones. If you want a pair of headphones for multiple devices then you will need to check for compatibility. A wired headset can plug into any 3.5mm jack provide that is the interface that it uses. If the headphones use a USB interface then you will not be able to use it with your smartphone.
Smartphones are able to pair with devices that use Bluetooth. But if you use headphones that come with a wireless dongle then you will only be able to use it with a PC and not with your smartphone. This is something that you need to keep in mind if you are going to use your headphones with more than just one device.
Price
Price is yet another factor that you need to keep in mind when deciding between the two. While wired headphones come in all kinds of price ranges, you will notice that wireless headphones are priced a bit higher. That is due to the additional tech that needs to be crammed inside as well as the battery.
While wired headphones provide better value for money, it comes down to the person. If you prefer ease of use and price is secondary then you should go with wireless headphones but if you are on a budget then you will find the similar features in a wired headset.
Final Words
There are plenty of headsets available on the market and that might be overwhelming for some people. You might be tempted to get the cheapest one available or the most expensive one.
Remember that the most expensive headset does not have to be the best one. Finding the best value for money is the ultimate challenge. If you are in the market for new gaming gear then you have come to the right place.
Great Budget Pick
NUBWO N2
Tired of reading reviews about gaming headsets that are out of your reach budget wise? Well, we may have got an ideal choice for you and guess what, this headset has got a price range of about half the most common headsets. Sounds amazing right?
It is amazing as the brand new NUBAWO N2 are specifically designed for playing games like FPS games like COD and Battlefield 5 with a good audio experience. They have got broad compatibility options as you can connect them to PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
With a rotary type of volume adjuster, you can adjust the volume and other options of this gaming headphone. The headset is made lightweight, and with thick cushioning, you can easily use these for the long gaming session. However, they are not wireless but comes with a 1.6m cable with a 3.5mm connection.
Conclusion
There is no right or wrong when it comes to getting wired headphones over wireless ones or the other way around. It all comes down to what you need and your personal preferences. If you are interested in going wireless then you should go for it. If you would rather save some money then you should go for wired headsets instead.
If you play games only at your desk then wired gaming headsets should do the job just fine. If you are a console gamer or just like to play games on the big screen in the lounge then cables can be an issue. This is one of the cases where a wireless headset would be a better fit. Plus, wireless headsets are compatible with a wire variety of devices so you can use them on the go with your smartphone as well.
Here we have looked into the differences between wired and wireless headsets for gaming and the different aspects that you need to keep in mind when deciding between the two. I hope that tall this information will help you make the right decision.
2 thoughts on “Wired vs Wireless Gaming Headset – Are Wireless Headsets Good for Gaming?”
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another major wired vs wireless headphone is the latency of the audio. traditional BT headphone has latency around 100ms to 200ms. It will be very slow for playing those high demand game such as PUPG. Wired headphone had no such issue. My company is developing a 10ms Ultra low latency BT dongle set. You just need to plug in your wired headphone to my receiving dongle. It can receive the audio from PC with 10ms latency. I expect it will be a big heat for those who would like to upgrade their gaming experience. You can contact me for more information if interested.