Pinpointing where and when footsteps are approaching you can mean the difference between life and death in a game. As such, you should have a headset that makes picking up on these subtle yet important sounds easy.
Today we are going to show you five headsets that are known for providing an above-average audio experience, so you will no longer suffer from inadequate sound cues.
Whether these headsets offer advanced surround sound features or simply great stereo audio, you will surely find an option that will make the night-and-day difference in your gaming awareness.
Let’s get into the list!
| The Award | The Headset | The Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Best All-Around Headset For Footsteps | SteelSeries Arctis 7 |  |
| Best Budget Headset for Footsteps | HyperX Cloud Stinger |  |
| Most Customizable Headset for Footsteps | Logitech G Pro X |  |
| Best Sound Quality for Footsteps | Sennheiser Game One |  |
| A Safe Alternative Option | HyperX Cloud Alpha |  |
1. SteelSeries Arctis 7: Best All-Around Headset for Footsteps
The first headset we have for you is the SteelSeries Arctis 7, an attractive mid-range headset that provides clear and concise audio. At just under $150, the Arctis 7 will give you wireless capabilities, surround sound, and a retractable mic- all features that will elevate your gaming
SteelSeries headsets are easily identifiable by their sleek, sporty aesthetic, a nice divergence from most flashy gaming headsets. A trademark feature of SteelSeries models is the headband made with ski-mask material which suspends the metal headband above your head. This design reduces the load of the headset, making it much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The ear cups on this headset are also optimally designed with thick ear cushions made from airweave fabric, a breathable material that prevents heat from developing from contact with your skin.
The surround sound audio provided with this headset is truly indispensable when it comes to gaming, as you can pick up on footsteps and other cues easily. If you would like to further tweak the audio, you can download the SteelSeries Engine 3 software to make customizations.
The Arctis 7 may not be the best choice for those looking for a streaming headset, as the mic on this headset is not the most effective at conveying clear audio. I actually think the mic is pretty decent- it is retractable and noise-canceling. It would definitely suffice for everyday gamers, but if you are looking to stream you may want to opt for a headset with a higher quality mic.
To go wireless with the Arctis 7, all you will need to do is plug the included USB dongle into your PC and connect. This seamless process is super convenient and eliminates the annoyance of cords.
The battery life on the Arctis 7 is also formidable, getting you up to 24 hours of use in between charges. While having a wireless headset isn’t necessary, it is one of those features that you really appreciate in action.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is one of those headsets that offers premium features and audio but still at an accessible price. This headset is a top choice among many gamers for its all-around excellence, so if you want to check it out you can find it here on Amazon for a good price.
- Designed for gaming, the 2.4 grams connection delivers rock solid, lossless wireless audio with...
- Widely recognized as the best mic in gaming, the discord certified clear cast microphone delivers...
- Sound is your competitive advantage with the s1 speaker drivers, engineered to produce ultra-low...
2. HyperX Cloud Stinger: Best Budget Headset for Footsteps
If you are on a budget and looking for a headset that provides an uncompromising sound experience for under $50, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is a perfect pick. The audio and mic quality of this headset competes with models well above its price point, so if you are looking to get a lot of bang for your buck the HyperX Cloud Stinger is the choice for you.
In terms of design, HyperX keeps it pretty simple with the Cloud Stinger. This headset is all-black, with the exception of small HyperX logos on the outside of each ear cup.
The Cloud Stinger is a bulky headset, but it still feels light on the head and can be adjusted to get the optimal fit. The headband and ear cushions are lined with soft, plush memory foam, so comfort is definitely ensured for long gaming sessions.
The cushions are lined with pleather, so they can get a little hot with contact to your skin. Pleather isn’t the most breathable material, yet most headsets are still made with it for its durability and feel.
Many headsets are designed to only be compatible with one type of gaming system, such as XBOX, PC, or PS4. An awesome part about the Cloud Stinger is that it will work for all consoles, offering a lot of flexibility for people who like to switch up what they are gaming with.
While this headset doesn’t have any high-tech surround sound audio features, the stereo audio on the Cloud Stinger has proved more than capable of conveying directional audio and subtler sounds. If you have struggled with previous headsets to figure out where footsteps or gunshots are coming from, this headset will immediately make a difference.
Taking a look at the mic next, the HyperX has a flexible boom microphone attached that you can bend to find the ideal placement. The mic is actually really good, especially considering how affordable this headset is. No complaints here.
The Cloud Stinger is a wired headset, as you won’t find options at this price that offer wireless. I definitely don’t consider the lack of wireless a con in this situation.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger is a no-fail option for those seeking a budget headset that will pick up on footsteps. In the under $50 price range, versatility and quality offered with this headset really can’t be beat. If you would like to check out the HyperX Cloud Stinger, you can find it here on Amazon.
- Headphones fit type:Over-Ear
- Lightweight headset (275 gram) with 90-degree rotating ear cups provide a snug fit that conforms to...
- HyperX signature memory foam provides maximum comfort during extended use
3. Logitech G Pro X: Most Customizable Headset for Footsteps
Next up we have the Logitech G Pro X, a sturdy headset with lots of customization possibilities through software. This headset offers a premium build, PC surround sound technology, and a detachable boom mic all while staying in the affordable price range.
The Pro X is a fairly large headset, but it fits on your head securely and comfortably. It may seem too snug at first, but with use it will conform to your head and maintain a good clamping force.
The ear cups and headband are cushioned with faux leather, which feels soft on your skin and is a saviour when you are hunkered down for long gaming sessions. This headset also comes with velour ear cushions if you would like to swap out the faux leather.
The boom mic on the Logitech G Pro X is detachable, which is always convenient if you want to take it off and just listen to music.
As mentioned earlier, the software compatibility is really where the Pro X distinguishes itself. The Logitech G Hub app allows you to make customizations to the mic and audio, which can be meaningful for those of us who like to tweak everything to our liking. Rarely are you are able to have make so many changes to the mic output, so this a cool aspect of this headset.
Through the G Hub app you can also enable the surround sound on PC, which will enhance sounds in the game and make footsteps easier to pick up on. While the surround sound doesn’t work with all consoles, the stereo sound on the Pro X will work with everything.
On the cord of this headset there is a volume dial and a switch to mute/unmute the mic, but other than that the controls are found by using software.
There are a plethora of cords included with the Pro X to ensure that all of your devices can connect, so even though this headset is wired, you shouldn’t have any missing parts that prevent from getting it up and running.
The Logitech G Pro X is a solid choice for people looking to upgrade their audio experience, especially PC gamers who can benefit from the surround sound feature. However if the reliance on software by the Pro X seems daunting, you may not enjoy all the Pro X has to offer. If you want to find out more about the Logitech G Pro X, you can find it on Amazon here.
- Detachable pro grade microphone featuring real time Blue Voice technology, including noise reducer,...
- Next gen 7.1 and object based surround sound for greater in game positional, distance, and object...
- Soft memory foam ear-pads with your choice of premium passive noise canceling leatherette or soft,...
4. Sennheiser Game One: Best Sound Quality
The Sennheiser Game One is a headset that mainly focuses on providing the sharpest, clearest audio experience. Don’t expect any fancy features or design factors with this model, it truly is a no-frills headset.
Aesthetically, the Game One remains pretty simple but still definitely has the “gamer” look to it. There are red accents that add some interesting pops of color, but otherwise this headset is solid black or white depending on which color-way you opt for.
The ear cups are lined with a soft velour padding, which feels nice on the skin and doesn’t hold as much heat as pleather cushions do.
If you are looking to improve your gaming experience by getting a headset with great audio, the Sennheiser Game One does just that. You will be able to pick up on a lot more sounds in a game than you could with normal headphones, and many people love this headset for listening to music given the nice bass and clarity provided.
A downside to this headset’s design is the open back ear cups, which offer little noise cancellation or sound isolation. This will present no issues if you are to be gaming alone in your room, but if you plan to bring this headset anywhere else the ambient noise might get distracting.
On the right ear cup you will find a volume control wheel, which is nice to just be able to reach up and adjust.
The boom mic extends out from the left ear cup, and I would say it is ok, nothing special. I found myself having to speak a little louder than normal, but other than that it provides a pretty standard quality output.
The Sennheiser Game One is for all of the audiophile gamers who prioritize sound quality above all other features. The Game One might not be the best pick for someone looking to have an all-encompassing gaming headset, but it does the trick for its intended audience. To learn more and check the price of thee Sennheiser Game One, you can find it on Amazon here.
- Signature Sound Dynamics -Engineered For Incredibly Natural And Accurate, High Fidelity Sound, The...
- Noise-Canceling Microphone - The Flexible Boom Arm Easily Adjusts For Best Voice Pick-Up Positioning...
- Open Acoustics - The Classic High-End Open Acoustic Gaming Headset Is Designed For Extremely...
5. HyperX Cloud Alpha: A Safe Alternative Option
The last option we have for you today is the HyperX Cloud Alpha, a favorite in the gaming community for its humble excellence. At just under $100, this headset is durable, noise-cancelling, extremely comfy, and great at picking up on important cues like footsteps in games.
The Cloud Alpha feels well-built with its strong metal headband and forks holding the ear cups in place. Even though this headset is relatively inexpensive, it does not feel cheap.
The great build translates to its fit, which ideally hugs your head while not being too tight. The faux leather ear cushions allow for a nice seal that accentuates the noise-cancelling capabilities of the Cloud Alpha.
If you have a roommate or siblings around, the HyperX Cloud Alpha will surely tune them out for a distraction free gaming experience.
This headset is wired, which be disappointing for some people. I think this headset is certainly worth it without wireless capabilities though, as every aspect exudes quality.
On the cable there are the easy-to-find mute switch and volume wheel, which I think is a preferred location than on the ear cups. It eliminates the seconds where you have to reach around to find the right buttons to make simple adjustments.
The beauty of the Cloud Alpha is in its simplicity, to get it working out of the box all you will need to do is just plug it into the device you want to use. No need to download or fiddle with any software.
The mic on the HyperX Cloud Alpha is sufficient for ordinary gaming use, but might not be the best choice for streamers. There aren’t any major distortions in the sound, but it could be slightly clearer. Generally, I’m happy with how the mic works on this headset.
If you are looking to upgrade to a long-lasting, tried and true headset for gaming, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is one of the best affordable choices out there. The notable stereo audio will allow you to hear footsteps and distinguish where they are coming from, so if that is what you seek this headset will suit you well. The HyperX Cloud Alpha can be found for a good price on Amazon.
- Frequency response 15Hz–25,000 H.Headphones fit type:Over-Ear.The versatile Cloud Alpha is...
- HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers for more distinction and less distortion
- Signature award winning HyperX comfort
Conclusion
If you’ve been missing important cues in games like footsteps, it is definitely time for a headset upgrade.
Today we presented five headset options that will immediately eliminate issues of poor audio quality so you can keep up with competitors and have utmost situational awareness.
If any of these headsets piqued your interest, be sure to check them out- we only picked options that have been highly rated and tested to see if they are up to par.
There are many factors you will want to consider when looking at these different headset options, such as price, comfort, adjustability, wireless vs. wired, and design. I hope amongst the options we’ve shown you’ve found a headset that will work for you and your needs!
Thanks for reading!