Take Your Gaming to the Next Level with HP UK’s Headsets

The best gaming headsets will elevate your playtime, whether you’re a recreational gamer or an all-day, everyday player. State-of-the-art surround sound boosts in-game immersion, while clear comms facilitate rapid team collaboration.

But not all headsets are created equal. Some units offer a more comfortable, immersive, and collaborative gaming experience than others.

To help you pinpoint the perfect option, we’re presenting this gaming headset buyer’s guide. We’ll outline the key benefits, discuss what features to consider, and provide a shortlist of some of the top gaming headsets in the HP UK store.

The benefits of a gaming headset

While it’s possible to play any game with your PC speakers or ordinary old headphones, a good gaming headset cranks up the audio experience.

The biggest benefit is superior sound. The best gaming headphones are specially designed with video games in mind, so you can hear all the essential in-game sounds with crystal-clear clarity.

That not only enhances immersion; it also helps you perform at your peak. Virtual surround sound technology improves spatial awareness to pinpoint your foes, allowing you to fire off the first shot.

Comfort is another major drawcard. As competitive players smash through lengthy play sessions, they need a headset that remains comfortable after hours of use. Top gaming headsets prioritise comfort over portability - expect more cushioning than even the best PC headphones.

Collaboration is crucial for any online team-based game. And that’s why good gaming headphones come with a high-quality in-built microphone. Many offer nifty extras like noise cancelling technology and mute-on-swivel functionality to avoid broadcasting unwanted sounds.

Finally, good headphones for gaming are compatible with various device types. In addition to linking them up to your PC, you can use your go-to headset on a wide range of consoles, from Xbox to PlayStation and even Nintendo.

Features to look for in a gaming headset

Modern gaming headsets range from cheap and cheerful units to premium, state-of-the-art tech. A wide range of features determines the price - and the quality - of any given device.

Drivers

The drivers are a crucial headset component that converts incoming electrical signals into crisp, booming sounds. Think of the drivers as teeny weeny speakers hidden inside the headphone that delivers audio straight to your ear lobes. Manufacturers use three components to create drivers:

1. The magnet creates a magnetic field to enhance audio quality
2. Voice coils enable an electric current to vibrate the diaphragm
3. The diaphragm is a type of transducer that converts vibrations into sound

While most earphones have relatively small drivers, between 6 mm and 10 mm, the modern-day gaming headset goes bigger. Aim for anywhere between 40 mm and 50 mm for an exceptional audio experience. Top-tier headsets can feature drivers as large as 100 mm.

However, big beefy drivers don’t necessarily equate to top-quality audio. Other factors include frequency response, sensitivity, harmonic distortion, and the driver material/type.

Most gaming headsets use dynamic drivers, where a neodymium magnet magnetises the voice coils. Some high-end headsets feature Planar Magnetic Drivers, which activate the diaphragm through a magnetic field to create distortion-free sound.

Wired versus wireless headsets

Should you opt for a wired gaming headset? Or would a wireless gaming headset suffice? The answer depends on your budget and whether you value audio quality over convenience.

Pro gamers with limited funds often opt for wired headsets, as the cable sends sound directly from the source (your PC) instead of rerouting it through a Bluetooth adapter. This ultra-efficient transmission method slashes latency and minimises audio loss. The best wireless gaming headset will overcome this hurdle to a degree, but they don’t come cheap.

While a wireless headset isn't as responsive, it's much more convenient. Wireless connectivity lets you obtain complete freedom of movement and continue communicating from anywhere in the room. Plus, wireless gaming headsets minimise the tangle of cables encircling your gaming rig. However, you will have to factor in battery life.

Some headsets offer wired and wireless functionality, so you can switch between the two as you please.

The microphone

A top-notch mic is a godsend when collaborating in fast-paced competitive games.

While most music-orientated headphones feature a small, in-built mic (if any at all), the gaming headset typically comes with a miniature boom microphone. Most boom mics are adjustable, so you can move them out of the way.

Some models come with a mute-on-swivel command, which automatically switches off the mic once you push it away from your face. That way, you won’t inadvertently subject your teammates to unpleasant sounds (chewing your food, heavy breathing, burping, and so on).

Others require you to press a button on the cable or keyboard to activate and deactivate the mic. Most models come with noise-cancelling technology to minimise annoying background sounds.

Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound

Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound enhances immersion by offering superior positional audio.

The technology also optimises 360-degree spatial awareness. This 3D soundscape gives you a better sense of where your enemies reside, so you can react faster to an imminent threat.

Comfort

A wide range of factors contributes to comfort.

Most modern gaming headsets weigh between 300 grams and 500 grams. Weight is somewhat important, but not as crucial as you may think.

With plenty of padding, a heavy headset can remain comfortable during a marathon gaming session. Premium materials like pliable leatherettes and dense memory foam let you forget your headset is there - even when playing well into the night.

For optimal comfort, FrostCap is an OMEN-specific technology that uses thermoelectric coolers to chill aluminium grills near your ears and siphon heat away. How cool is that?

Brand

Three distinct brands currently offer gaming headsets in the HP UK store.

• HP Pavilion is a budget-friendly headset range suitable for gaming and multimedia
• OMEN is HP’s elite gaming brand with a slew of superb, custom-built gaming headsets
• HyperX is a proud HP partner and industry-leading peripheral manufacturer

Compatibility

Compatibility is crucial should you desire to game across multiple platforms.

While some gaming headsets work equally well across all console types and PC, others don’t. Likewise, an Xbox wireless headset won't necessarily work on your PC. Always double-check compatibility when planning to play - or even just listen - on numerous device types.

The top gaming headsets on the HP UK store

We’ve covered the key considerations. Let’s take a gander at today's best deals on the HP UK store.

HP Pavilion Gaming Headset 600: Best budget gaming headset

Shop HP Pavilion 600 Gaming Headset Now

If price is a pressing factor, this cost-effective headset offers an immersive audio experience for a rock-bottom rate. Life-like acoustics come courtesy of 7.1 Surround Sound, while a lightweight self-adjusting headband and synthetic leatherette padding offer all-day comfort.

For budget-orientated gamers, the HP Pavilion Gaming Headset 600 offers unbeatable bang for your buck.

• Sound: 7.1 Surround Sound
• Weight: 0.36 kg
• Comfort: self-adjusting headband, synthetic leatherette padding
• Connectivity: Wired
• Compatibility: Windows 10

HyperX Cloud II: Best midrange gaming headset

Shop HyperX Cloud II Headset Now

Invest a little more, and you’ll get the HyperX Cloud II, a popular mid-range option chock full of enticing gaming-orientated features.

HyperX Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound combines with powerful 53 mm dynamic drivers to deliver top-notch audio quality. Unlike other headsets, you can remove the detachable noise-cancelling mic to switch the unit into headphone mode for listening to tunes around town.

A long-lasting aluminium frame and cushy extras like memory foam and premium leatherette enhance the durability, comfort, and aesthetics of this excellent all-rounder. It also comes in red.

• Sound: 53 mm dynamic drivers, HyperX Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound
• Weight: 320 grams
• Comfort: memory foam, adjustable frame, premium leatherette
• Connectivity: Wired
• Compatibility: PC, PS5™, PS4™, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

HyperX Cloud Orbit S: Best premium gaming headset

Shop HyperX Cloud Orbit S Now

Want the best pc gaming headset money can buy?

Then check out the HyperX Cloud Orbit S. Boasting 100mm planar magnetic drivers, Waves Nx™ 3D audio, and 24-bit 7.1 Surround Sound, this unit offers the most immersive in-game soundscape imaginable.

Three detachable cables optimise compatibility, and the noise-cancelling mic has a pop filter to eliminate unpleasant sounds. A cool little feature is Waves Nx™ head tracking technology, which monitors your head movement 1,000 times per second to offer next-level sound localisation.

• Sound: 100 mm planar magnetic drivers, Waves Nx 3D audio, 24-bit 7.1 Surround Sound
• Weight: 368 grams
• Comfort: Memory Foam cushions
• Connectivity: Wired
• Compatibility: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, Mobile device, and Nintendo Switch™

OMEN by HP Mindframe Prime: Most comfortable gaming headset

Shop OMEN Mindframe Prime Gaming Headset Now

If comfort is your key consideration, you can’t go wrong with this icy-cool mid-range option.

The OMEN by HP Mindframe Prime Headset comes with FrostCap Technology, which actively cools the ear cups by conducting heat away from your skin. The self-adjusting suspension headband and moisture-wicking ear cushions further ramp up the comfort factor during extended gaming sessions.

But it’s not just about comfort. C-Media Xear™ lets you tweak audio EQ settings with ease, and crystal clear comms come courtesy of the noise-cancelling flip-to-mute microphone.

• Sound: 7.1 virtual surround sound, 40 mm Neodymium drivers
• Weight: 0.53 kg
• Connectivity: Wired
• Comfort: FrostCap Technology, breathable fabric, PU leatherette
• Compatibility: PC

Finding the right gaming headset for you

There’s no universally superior choice regarding the best gaming headset - the ideal option depends on your preferences and budget.

Consider your top priorities: sound quality, comfort, or compatibility. Next, decide what you’re prepared to spend and compare the best headsets from HP.

In addition to these excellent options, you’ll find a wide range of other fantastic headsets on the HP UK store.