The Best Gamer Helmet

The Best Gamer Helmet

After many hours of research, we have determined that the most interesting gamer helmet currently is the Hyperx Cloud Alpha. Between its excellent comfort, its precise sound rendering and its manufacturing quality, it has everything to please. It has long been a benchmark in the market and its competition is difficult to mix so many qualities at such an affordable price.

After the excellent Cloud II, Hyperx has once again won among the affordable gamer helmets. Audio quality, microphone quality and comfort are at the meeting. If we really wanted to be picky, we could criticize him for not integrating the Surround for a more precise spatialization, but despite that, he manages the stereo brilliantly, which will suit the vast majority of players.

Hyperx once again signs an interesting model. Here, it gets rid of the thread without losing in assets. Indeed, it is always a pleasure to use a helmet of the brand, even if your ears may still heat up. We have however to reproach him with a lack of functionalities, particularly related to the software of the brand which is incomplete and the impossibility to go through an analogue connection.

Hyperx once again signs an interesting model. Here, it gets rid of the thread without losing in assets. Indeed, it is always a pleasure to use a helmet of the brand, even if your ears may still heat up. We have however to reproach him with a lack of functionalities, particularly related to the software of the brand which is incomplete and the impossibility to go through an analogue connection.

More affordable than the other model presented in this price range, it allows a good entry into the world of gamer headphones. It has interesting flexibility allowing it to be used both indoors and outdoors. However, we still have to blame him for his appearance a bit cheap and his relatively low rendering, which will not suit all uses.

Unlike its Hyperx counterpart, it has a long-recognized software: iCUE, clean to Corsair. It allows you to easily adapt the HS70 to your needs to make the most of its sound quality, even if a lack of precision is to be denoted. Its level of comfort is also one of its assets but it is unfortunately marred by a structure that is too rigid.

Apart from his innovative side, Razer has also worked on other aspects of his product. In this way, the brand has ensured that the compatibility is wide enough to suit a majority of common media (PC, PS4 and Xbox) and that the comfort is of course there. We still have to criticize it for its chic autonomy once all the features are activated and the need to connect it to the Synapse software to take full advantage of its assets.

 Summary

Why do you trust us?

How did we make a choice?

Our Choice: Hyperx Cloud Alpha
The best mid-range gamer headset: Hyperx Cloud Flight
The best gamer headset: Steelseries Arctis Pro + Gamedac
A cheap alternative: Steelseries Arctis 1
A mid-range alternative: Corsair HS70
A high-end alternative: Razer Nari Ultimate
Honourable mentions
Sources

Why do you trust us?

The Selectos editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products to find those that offer the best value for money.

None of our articles is sponsored. We sometimes get a commission when you buy a product through our links, which allows us to finance our work while remaining totally impartial. To find out more.

How did we make a choice?
As Adrien from Gamingway.fr points out, “contrary to many misconceptions, the headset is an essential element in a gaming setup”, just like the computer, keyboard or mouse. Whether it is to obtain increased immersion or to keep an optimal concentration (especially partially competitive), it plays a major role.

But this market is far more abundant than you might think at first glance, and it is full of some features that are not always useful to everyone, depending, in particular, on the type of game they play, their environment or their level of professionalism. However, some parameters must be taken into account:

Sound quality: gamer headsets are distinguished from audio headsets especially by their driver (the metal disc that transforms the electric signal into sound) generally larger, allowing to produce cleaner bass. But this does not mean that the bass should take over completely, at the risk of offering a cold rendering and drowning other sounds such as dialogues.
Spatialization: it allows the ear to determine the position of the different sound sources. This can be done in two ways: in stereo (left and right) or in surround 7.1 (more precise location). The latter can be virtual (digitally managed), as on most models offered, or real (using several drivers). It is often advisable to opt for a good stereo headset rather than for low-end Surround, where the feeling will be less effective. As Hugo points out (Mon-Set-Up-Gaming), it is particularly important if you are playing FPS.
Comfort: as important as audio quality, the issue of comfort must be examined, especially if you spend several hours with your helmet on your ears. Remember to check the materials used, the weight, the adjustment options, and the density of the pads, to be sure that this helmet fits your morphology.
The microphone is often overlooked, but the microphone is a crucial point to check if you are playing in a network (“Nothing is more embarrassing than not being heard or, worse, hindering teammates by loud noises” – Sofiane, Roxarmy). It is important to check if it has a noise suppression device, if it is swivel or retractable (because the tighter the collection, the more you will be cut off from your environment). The sound must be clear.
The control buttons: placed on an earpiece or on the cable, they must be easy to access and easily distinguishable by touch.

Connectivity: PS4, PC, smartphone, Xbox… Not all headphones are compatible with the same systems, especially according to their type of connection (USB, 3.5 mm jack, etc.). Jack plugs are the ones that are best supported.

It is also important to ask you about wireless. This one has the significant advantage of letting you move more freely. Nevertheless, it is a technology that is sometimes still quite expensive and is generally less effective in terms of sound quality and reactivity.

If you are moving to a wireless headset, in addition to the above criteria, you must consider the following:

Autonomy: a good wireless headset should give you enough autonomy for you to play a full day. In addition, it is preferable that it also includes a device allowing to use it also with an audio cable, so as not to depend on your load level.
Latency: it is important that your gamer helmet does not suffer from too much latency, at the risk of losing all the benefits of good sound insulation. To do this, it is necessary to refer to specialized tests.
On the basis of these criteria, we were able to reduce our initial list of about 20 helmets by half. Then, to distinguish them, we found a wide range of user opinions, collected from various specialized sites both French and English (test sites, dedicated blogs, etc.). This search allowed us to determine that the following 6 helmets are the best gamer helmets of the moment, each in its price range.

Our Choice: Hyperx Cloud Alpha

After the excellent Cloud II, Hyperx has once again won among the affordable gamer helmets. Audio quality, microphone quality and comfort are at the meeting. If we really wanted to be picky, we could criticize him for not integrating the Surround for a more precise spatialization, but despite that, he manages the stereo brilliantly, which will suit the vast majority of players.

In terms of sound, the quality is there. The bass and the mediums are rendered very faithfully, and the power is quite stunning, without ever ending up with a lot of indecipherable sounds (fans of FPS should finally find their account here). He can also boast of a beautiful musicality, to the benefit of the variety of uses.

The very good sound processing also allows a careful spatialization, despite the absence of surround sound. Note, however, that the distance between the sound sources could have been better identifiable.

As for comfort, the picture is just as satisfying. It has a sturdy construction, with a stretch aluminium hoop covered in soft faux leather and sufficiently padded, all coated with a successful design. This same coating is present on the over-ear pads and contributes to their comfort. They have a rather thick memory foam, which makes them extremely soft. With this set, the brand guarantees completely correct sound insulation.

On the other hand, this same coating prevents perfect breathability which makes the ears may tend to heat. It is also impossible to rotate the headphones.

His microphone, on the other hand, has the advantage of being removable. Placed at the end of a flexible pole, it can easily be modulated to adapt to your sound environment. The rendering is very good, with a voice that is well intelligible, but its sensitivity could be improved. However, it is always possible to place it close to the mouth (while taking care not to disturb your listeners with your breath sounds).

To use it, it is obligatory to go through the cable. It covers the comfortable length of 1.3 m and ends with a 4-point mini-jack. The volume and (dice)micro activation controls are attached. The connection is multiplatform and, to connect it to the PC, a 2 m Y extension is provided.

The best mid-range gamer headset: Hyperx Cloud Flight

This other model still comes from Hyperx, whose know-how is no longer to be proven. We have however to reproach him with a lack of functionalities, related to the software of the brand, incomplete, and the impossibility to go through an analogue connection.

Let’s start with the sound. The rendering is sweet which makes it pleasant for long sessions. Unlike his younger brother, neutrality disappears in favour of an oriented sound where the basses are deep and present. On the other hand, it does not fall through the usual cracks and avoids the cavernous effect that can sometimes be found.

The whole set has good precision. The sound is ventilated which allows a result free of distortions and wide and well defined high pitches.

Spatialization is of a stereophonic nature. In fact, the absence of extended functions in the software does not allow to integrate the equalization, the virtual surround or the balance of sound between the chat and the game. Nevertheless, immersion is very good even if the sensation of presence and proximity deserves a little more attention.

In parallel, comfort is maintained with thick and dense memory pads. They include the ear for good passive insulation but, in return, can pose a problem of heating the pavilion.

The C-arm covers the same type of material but with a smaller thickness which prevents the helmet from being completely forgotten when worn. For the adjustment, many notches are present and the headphones can rotate both vertically and horizontally. Thanks to this, it adapts to all morphologies and the wearing of glasses.

For the microphone, one is entitled to the same removable and easily adjustable system as on the Cloud Alpha. The reception quality is high and the signal is clean and powerful. As a bonus, despite the absence of a windshield, he remains unaffected by ploys (“p” and “b”) and whistles (“s”). He even manages to effectively isolate the voice in a noisy environment.

Finally, connectivity, as well as controls, are meant to be basic. It is equipped with a slightly notched knob for the volume, an on/off button that also controls the backlight and a button dedicated to the microphone. It connects via a dongle or cable to your PC or PS4. Its maximum autonomy is 30 hours but it drops to 13 hours when the RGB is activated.

The best high-end gamer headphones: Steelseries Arctis Pro + Gamedac

Here is a helmet that stands out for its relevant use as a Gamedac. Certainly, there is a simple wired version (cheaper) as well as a wireless version (more expensive), but it must be admitted that the configuration with this accessory brings a real plus to the level of equalization and quick and easy management of all your parameters.

At the level of the sound, it is useless to go through the equalization: the balance is already there by default, even if nothing more power on the high is preferable. The result is a rendering where the bass is present, without however suffocating the medium and high. No distortion or saturation is to be deplored. At this level, the Gamedac does an excellent job, which makes it possible to obtain a more clear and dynamic sound.

As for the surround, even if it is still virtual, it is one of the most convincing: it does not present a cavernous sensation to the listening, often the weak point of this type of configuration.

Its C-arm, slightly more rounded than the previous versions, further improves the comfort conferred by the use of a hammock, distributing the pressure points better. The earpieces are made of soft fabric. Well-integrated (over-ear format), they offer good passive insulation and sufficient ventilation.

If this headset is again multiplatform compatible, the version we propose here reveals its full potential only with the PC or the PS4, thanks to the Gamedac.

The Gamedac is a box that dispenses you from installing software on the PC. You can perform your various adjustments directly, without having to go through the software again. The chat channel can thus be adjusted very quickly in relation to the audio channel. It also makes it easy to disable Surround, which can be disturbing in some cases.

On the microphone side, even if many settings are offered via the “Sidetone”, it is very efficient, with a faithful voice rendering and good isolation of ambient noise.

In the end, no matter which version you choose, the Arctis Pro is the best in what it does.

A cheap alternative: Steelseries Arctis 1

More affordable than the other model presented in this price range, it allows a good entry into the world of gamer headphones. It has interesting flexibility allowing it to be used both indoors and outdoors. However, we still have to blame him for his appearance a bit cheap and his relatively low rendering which will not suit all uses.

The sound rendering is, as we mentioned, oriented towards the bass. In this sense, they are well respected and the rhythm is well felt. We deplore the fact that we cannot directly intervene via the Steelseries Engine to rebalance this. However, the overall quality is more than correct, especially with regard to its price.

The spatialisation is

Spatialization is also not its strong point. Indeed, there is little variation depending on the situation at stake. Some users report that passing through a sound card to manage these situations can compensate for this problem.

The comfort level is much more positive. The relatively rigid main arm is covered with a well-padded and very comfortable leatherette cover. It adapts easily to your morphology which allows for a rather pleasant long-term use.

Headphones are covered with relatively soft fabric protection and wrapped in memory foam. The set is a real pleasure and also suitable for users wearing glasses. The sound insulation is also correct for its range.

When you look at the microphone, the result is a little more mixed. Thus, if its sensitivity is correct and allows to minimize common nuisances, it still manages to pick up loud or deaf noises such as a mechanical keyboard. On top of that, there are certain situations where there is an echo. Nevertheless, the service is still interesting when compared to the competition.

To use it, it is necessary to go through a 3.5 mm jack. No program is necessary because the controls, relatively simple, are located directly on the helmet (control of the volume and activation of the microphone).

In the end, although not perfect, Arctis 1 is an excellent solution for players with a tighter budget.
A mid-range alternative: Corsair HS70

Unlike its competitor, it has a recognized software: iCUE, specific to Corsair. It allows you to adapt the HS70 to your needs to make the most of its sound quality, even if a lack of precision is to be denoted. Its comfort is also one of its assets but it is unfortunately marred by a structure that is too rigid.

Corsair is renowned for the quality of its products. The HS70 does not denote by offering a qualitative and balanced sound rendering. This balance can still be perfected via the integrated iCUE equalizer. The restitution is intended to be rather sharp with well-marked treble and sufficiently deep bass. However, the big downside is precision.

In fact, as soon as the sound scene becomes more complex, the sources tend to clump together which offers a rather confusing result. As a bonus, as soon as it is a question of reproducing low frequencies, distortions can easily appear. Unfortunately, passing through the software does not resolve this defect.

In terms of spatialization, you have the virtual Surround… which we do not recommend you activate! In fact, it complicates the identification of the elements and their position while damaging the sound experience by amplifying the whistles and metal sounds. Stereo rendering is much more interesting on this point.

For comfort, one is entitled to a generously padded rigid arm. It adjusts itself via a notch system that adapts it to the vast majority of morphologies (watch out for large ears). Shape memory pads are also a great asset that allows for proper sound insulation. However, as always with over-ear headphones dressed in leatherette, the heat can quickly be felt.

The microphone is still removable. It is easy to adjust and effectively captures the signal while restoring it cleanly, with a good volume. He’s focusing a little too much on psychics, which accentuates the nasal side. It effectively isolates the voice that remains intelligible in the middle of a relatively loud ambient noise. However, it is sensitive to ploys. So avoid sticking it to your mouth.

Finally, the connection is provided by a USB dongle (a wired version without surround is also available). It is compatible with PC and PS4 and its autonomy is about 16 hours. The built-in commands are relatively simple, but options such as voice announcements can be activated via iCUE.

A high-end alternative: Razer Nari Ultimate

Apart from its innovative side, the Razer headset has enough compatibility to suit a majority of common media (PC, PS4 and Xbox). Comfort is of course also part of the game. We still have to criticize it for its chic autonomy once all the features are activated and the need to connect it to the Synapse software to take full advantage of its assets.

With the Nari, the brand corrects its rendering for a much more balanced result than its other models, lower. The rendering is therefore quite solid even if the frequency response is perfectible. The sound scene could be better transcribed if the bass were less blurred and the mediums less cluttered. However, the spatialization remains very effective in stereo, which makes it easy to place the different sources.

Immersion is further enhanced by the addition of new functionality: integrated haptic feedback to the headphones (called Hypersense)! Thus, depending on the bass of your piece or the situation at stake, you can feel vibrations at the level of your ears. Of course, this option is disabled.

Comfort is ensured by headphones and a well-padded hoop. The latter has an automatic adjustment system that reinforces its rigid part. On the other hand, the rather high size of this helmet makes it rather heavy and unstable which penalizes its long-term use.

Voice capture is effective, even in noisy environments, thanks to excellent voice isolation from secondary sources. The retranscription is quite clear and audible but lacks breadth. The voice is slightly absent but this element is quite secondary.

For the connection, you will have to go through a USB dongle or via the included cable. It is also possible to use it during charging by plugging it into USB while keeping the dongle connected. Compatibility is guaranteed basic for PC and PS4 but an Xbox version is also available.

For the controls, the kit is quite standard. Haptic feedback can only be managed via the Synapse software, but there is no possibility of influencing vibration intensity.

The range of this wireless headset is 8 hours with all options activated (RGB and Hypersense) and 20 hours when they are not. A good compromise can be to disable only the lighting.

Honourable mentions

Hyperx Cloud Orbit S: released in autumn 2019, this headset developed in collaboration with Audeze already makes a lot of talk about it, in that it includes the tracking technology Waves Nxtm to create a 3D audio experience while following the movements of the head 1000 times per second. With its incredible sound quality in play as well as in audio and its great compatibility, it has many advantages, but its tedious handling and its high price have led us – temporarily, at least – to exclude it from our main selection.

Astro A40 (2019): The 2019 version of the famous A40 does not bring many changes, but optimizes an already stunning sound rendering. With its audio and microphone qualities, ergonomics and comfort, the A40 TR is able to satisfy already demanding gamers. But the more meticulous will definitely find their happiness with the combo Mixamp Pro TR, which makes its Surround function even more convincing.