Have you ever wondered maybe your approach is right and the problem lies within the gaming headset you’re using? Gaming is something more than just having a twin set of cans and a dainty microphone to support a top-tier experience. The adrenaline rush, sweaty palms, hyper fixation on the faint sound of footsteps approach is exactly how gamers describe the sessions to be.
For those who play FPS games, directional cues and proper noise isolation are a must. These features not only enhance the gaming experience but also promise a competitive edge.
Factually, not every gaming headset delivers the best sound quality or surrounding sound as the game developers have wanted you to hear. There are few gaming headsets that are suitable enough to support an avid gamer’s steamy experience but sometimes, they are too, quite laid back in delivering the best of what you can audibly connect.
Here we’ve brought you an overview of gaming headsets that support more than average sound quality and help the gamers hear footsteps while playing FPS games.
Top 10 Gaming Headsets For Hearing Footsteps
1) HyperX Cloud Alpha S
$89.02 in stock
2 used from $74.75
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 310g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes (Bi-directional, Noise-cancelling)
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
Cloud Alpha is designed with comfort and durability in mind. Listed under $90, this is definitely the budget headset for long gaming sessions.
Unlike most gaming headsets, HyperX Cloud Alpha has a pretty solid surface and a unique touch to its appearance. It features two padded ear cups, entirely cushioned to favor a rather intense gaming session. You can wear HyperX dual chamber drivers for hours without having a slight discomfort around your ears or head. However, they won’t last long if you tend to sweat a lot.
Since the ear cups are deep and soft, they have excellent passive noise isolation. Something I liked about the headset was the extended hinges.
HyperX Cloud Alpha has a detachable microphone, something I wasn’t expecting in the first place. Moving on, there is a chance you’d want to celebrate your victory not too close to the microphone. It is a bit unstable, and you’d have to arrange it close to your mouth time and again.
Apart from this, there is a competitive advantage to HyperX Cloud Alpha, which differs from most headsets I’ve reviewed. The surround sound is top-notch. 7.1 surround sound enables you to cover almost all the directions. You can hear even the farthest footsteps of enemies. To be honest, the entire time I used the headset, it gave me an upper hand, mainly because it would balance the high bass of the explosion and simultaneously alert me if an intruder was in the vicinity.
HyperX has made it compatible with PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and several other consoles making it inclusive for most gamers, myself included. I had exceptionally used it as a headset for hearing footsteps.
Pros
- Detachable microphone
- It has a good excellent sound quality
- Connectivity with several consoles
Cons
- The microphone is a bit shaky
- Ear cups are not breathable
2) Logitech G933
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 366 g
- Surround Sound: Dolby 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Cardioid (Unidirectional))
- Connectivity: Wireless/Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): No lighting: 12 hours | Default lighting: 8 hours
Review
A single look, and you can see how Logitech G933 is known as one of the best gaming headsets. The most word of mouth it has received is due to the high-end design and overlook as a wireless gaming headset.
Overall, the headset is made out of plastic, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving it a try. Under $100, G933 is great with stability and structure. It is primarily a big and sturdy headset, the very reason why it didn’t budge even after my continuous movements in longer gaming sessions.
The ear cups are made of thick foam padded cushioning but not as deep as Cloud Alpha S, so you don’t have to fret over sweating. However, the rectangular styled cans cater to most ear sizes and go over-ear to limit the outside noise. The earcups can be rotated to ninety degrees which was a quite useless feature if you ask me.
The headband is mostly plastic, but it works well for users like me and other gamers due to the extended positioning. It has soft foam padding underneath the top section to make it durable, though if you have a dreadful habit of keeping the earcups close, it’ll give you a hard time.
As far as audio quality is concerned, I was a bit skeptical, to say the least. Though Logitech wasn’t playing when it promised to deliver the best. The gaming headset delivers perfect audio when used for gaming sessions, however the same can’t be said about music. It has a mixture of DTS and Dolby virtual surround sound, so there’s nothing you’ll miss in terms of escalated explosions, dropping of gun shells, or even the faintest of footsteps. Nevertheless, it is one of the best gaming headsets for hearing footsteps.
While it lasts, the headset will definitely give you a quality experience. On the contrary, the battery life is not extended and gives Razer and others an advantage over this. Even after several breaks, the maximum I could use it to hear footsteps or cue on directions was for 8 or so hours, fairly low if you ask me. The audio was equally affected by the depleting battery life.
Apart from all of this, it is a great headset for gaming, especially if you’re fond of hearing everything there is to offer. But before buying, make sure you have a PC setup, it doesn’t work with anything less than this.
Pros
- Good audio quality
- Great noise isolation
- Soft earcups
Cons
- Low battery life
- Only compatible with PC
3) Logitech G Pro X
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 320 g
- Surround Sound: DTS 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Cardioid (Unidirectional))
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
Unlike G933, Logitech G Pro X is regarded as somewhat a professional gamers headset. It has literally the same black touch as every other gaming headset in the market, but with a twist. It’s mostly matte.
Logitech G pro X is once again huge enough to fit over and on most users’ ears and heads. Specifically, the earcups are designed with a soft cloth texture on the inside that is deep enough to limit your cat’s screeching sound, while the outer area of the earcups is in a matte finish.
The headband itself is not bad too. For me, it was a treat since it was entirely covered in foam and didn’t feel a tinge, even after prolonged sessions. Though the hinges might place the earcups too close to your ears, it doesn’t make them uncomfortable as the earcups are breathable.
Thankfully so Logitech G pro X has no over-the-earcup display options, but the surround sound works only with a PC setup. However, it works fairly okay with Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One as well. I was lucky enough to connect it to my friend’s device and check it for myself. For the most part, it is controlled through operating software and connects with windows seven and higher. Plus, with the help of a supported microphone quality, you can even scream, and it’ll lower it down for the other end.
7.1 surround sound and the Logitech software makes the headphone a good fit for the audio quality. I was able to make out for all directional cues and react in time to avoid an encounter with the enemy.
Quite safe to say Logitech G pro X exceptionally goes well for the gaming experience, nothing of the sort you’d expect for music. The entirety of the time, it helped me with good playback audio and directional cues right on point. Best gaming headset under a tight budget and delivers quality audio.
Pros
- Great surround sound
- Noise-canceling earcups
Cons
- Compatible with PC only
4) HyperX Cloud Stinger
1 used from $39.99
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 275g
- Surround Sound: Virtual 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Uni-directional, Noise-canceling)
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
Back in 2016 when the headphone was released, it left people doubtful about durability and comfort since it was listed as a fairly cheap gaming headset at $50. However, it was quite a catch in terms of longevity and performance.
Like G933, HyperX Cloud Stinger also has rotating earcups, which are highly unexpected from a fairly low-budget headset. Even after all of this, there’s no compromise in build quality and comfortability. Cloud Stinger has a snugging fit covered in black, with the earcups and headband made out of plastic. It is super lightweight, so I wasn’t quite expecting it to last long with my not-so-subtle use.
The outer appearance is rather scratchy and not at all what you’d expect from a professional gaming headset, still one of the best gaming headsets to hear footsteps. The wired headset has a feature availability of one wire connectivity, so there’s no worry of numerous wires taking up your space. One thing that makes me bias about this headset is the generous padding in the earcups. The headset and earcups are completely cushioned with faux leather so it is even better if your ears sweat due to the can’s breathability problems.
The noise-canceling microphone is more of a plus point for this wired headset. It offered quite a lot of noise isolation while delivering perfect excitement of my voice to my teammates.
Even though it couldn’t compete with the Razer or Corsiar’s professional gaming headsets, it delivered a fair share of audio even at such a low price. I first tested it against my music playlist. It delivered stabilized bass notes while making it is as close as possible for me to hear the actual wordings. There was a difference when I used it for gaming.
Since it is more of a stereo sound-wired headset, the explosions and bullet exposures can be heard easily, but the proper position of sneaking footsteps is a bit difficult to guess. The headphone delivers great sound quality and will work well with your mobile device and any other console.
Pros
- great mic quality
- noise cancelling microphone
- stable build structure
Cons
- surround sound is weak
5) SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Best Headset for warzone
$212.15 in stock
13 used from $69.99
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 349 g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Bidirectional)
- Connectivity: Wireless/Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): 25-hour
Review
Arctis 7 is the kind of gaming headset you’d buy only if you intend to use it for longer and professional gaming sessions. It is precisely listed as a high-end headset for around $150 or below.
I’d say it is nothing like those under $100 gaming headphones you buy for a passable gaming experience. I put its durability and quality to test against the market-leading best gaming headsets, and find them acceptable. The overall structure is undoubtedly top-class. From its padded headband to cushioned earcups, comfortability is well served.
There is nothing about its appearance which didn’t appeal to me. It has nothing of the prior designs by Steelseries and is fairly different in terms of metal headband covered at either side and tactile rubber surrounding the earcups. The earcups are soft and deep enough to cut out the outside noise. The wireless headset has a retractable microphone attached to the left ear cup, which if left unused, slowly retreats back into the ear cup.
Even after all of this glitz, there is a negative aspect to it. The sound gaming headset is connected through a USB cable and is more of a PC-oriented headset for hearing footsteps. I had a difficult time when I used it on my PS4. Though it was delivering quality sound around fps gaming, the absent feature of surround sound could be felt. It was fairly difficult for me to hear the enemies approaching.
A major reason why I wanted to try it was the battery life. Upon use, I was easily able to stretch 17 or so hours which is surprising for such a lightweight and a rather flashy headset for hearing footsteps. I was definitely looking to use it with my PS4 to test it with FPS titles, but the surround sound was exponentially cut.
Pros
- wireless headset with premium features
- retreating microphone
- is a solid choice for quality sound
- great sound isolation
Cons
- The surround sound is reduced to nothing on other consoles
- compatible for PC gamers mostly
6) Razer Blackshark V2
9 used from $39.80
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 240 g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Uni-directional, Noise-canceling)
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
It wasn’t hard for me to realize Blackshark V2, all in all, is one of the best gaming headsets. The headset is nothing like its predecessors in terms of appearance and build. Even though the headband is wide and earcups are large enough to cover your ears completely, it doesn’t weigh on your head. Under $100, Razer Blackshark V2 has a lot to offer.
The headset is mostly metal frame but is greatly padded at all the necessary places. The hinges are not as strong as a gamer would require them to be, but since they allow flexibility in arranging the headband and headset in almost any position, it wasn’t really difficult for me to adjust with them.
The ear cups are cushioned with soft foam and are great with noise cancellation. On the left earcup, there is a built-in boom mic, though it was interference for the starting days of my use, with time the placement wasn’t really a problem anymore.
Something that put me on the edge was the use of software for connectivity. Even though Razer’s software is advanced enough to let you customize EQ and other settings, it was a bit off-putting. Nevertheless, it is a great fit for delivering lossless wireless audio when using it for hearing footsteps.
Razer made it compatible with most consoles but you can take notice of the audio difference once you’re shifting from a PC to Xbox or PS4. When I used it on a PC, through software connectivity, the headset is able to work with THX spatial audio. 7.1 surround sound increases your chances of hearing footsteps, gunshots, and explosions. This, combined with the comfortable earcups and the noise cancellation technology, V2 is one of the best gaming headsets for hearing footsteps.
Pros
- 7.1 Surround sound quality
- Appealing design
Cons
- Surround sound differences on different consoles
7) Corsair Void Elite
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 390 g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
Corsair Void Elite is again a complete headset that is made for gaming. Just like other professional gaming headsets this one is listed under $100 and delivers the best of what one can imagine. It is completely a wireless headset and is a bit different from other best gaming headsets in terms of appearance.
The headset has a firm and classy outlook. With a heavy metal built and the hinges getting attached to the back of the earcups, it definitely attracts a lot of attention. I was quite complacent with the earcups when I first tried the headset in the attempt of hearing footsteps and level up my game. They’re rather squarish, which I think is somewhat a negative aspect since they don’t completely cover your ears, as you’d want them to.
For whatever reason, the headset wasn’t really stable and would move around even on the slightest of movements. There’s one thing which is helpful and that is they don’t really sit stiffly around your ears or neck. Someone who wears spectacles like me gets the most out of it.
The microphone is attached to the left earcup and has few controls alongside, like mute and volume control. Void Elite is compatible with PC and other consoles and surprisingly doesn’t lose its sound signature charm. Same as Razer and Logitech, Corsair also uses application software to customize controls, set EQ settings, reduce bass and practice several other functions.
Oddly enough, most of the functions are linked to the application, and honest to God, it was a disturbance to constantly look through it. But I was happy with sixteenish hours of playback battery time, however, if I wanted to check anything related to it, I had to access the application.
The 7.1 surround sound works effectively throughout PC games. However, the same can’t be said about PS4, Xbox, and other consoles. Even though I could hear footsteps, loading of weapons, and explosions from far away, they still weren’t as clear when I used the headset on my PC.
Pros
- 7.1 surround sound on pc
- great sound system
Cons
- noise cancellation isn’t too great
8) Razer Kraken X
$53.80 in stock
1 used from $51.61
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 250g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Bendable cardioid(Unidirectional ECM boom))
- Connectivity: Wired
- Battery performance( if Wireless): None
Review
Kraken X catches you right off the hook because of the simple structure it dons. Personally, for me, it was the best bait ever. Under $50, it oozes simplicity, a great design, and good structure. Razer designed the headset for people with a tight budget yet who wanted to enjoy the AAA gaming experience.
The headset surprises you even with the mentioned price tag. The headband is made out of thermoplastic and the top of it is totally covered with padded foam. I don’t think anyone spending a long gaming session wearing this would feel a clamped force around their head or ears. The ear cups are cushioned with plush memory foam which makes them twice the size of regular budget headsets. Even though they’re not replaceable, the material used it breathable and doesn’t leave your ears all sweaty.
As the best budget headset, it comes with a single connectivity wire to the left can and also includes some more controls. It is one of the best gaming headsets I’ve got a chance to review since the over-expensive ones started to take most of the market. The thing which was least expected was the good audio from this headset for hearing footsteps. But the 40mm drivers and the rounded earcups delivered the best sound for me to make out cue directions and follow the lead.
With 7.1 surround sound on PC, you can play counter strike, Fortnite, and other fps games with relative ease. Even though the surround sound deteriorates as you shift from PC to other consoles, it is still enough for you to make out explosions and hearing footsteps when the enemy sneaks behind you.
Pros
- great headset for hearing footsteps
- nice padded earcups
- good sound system
Cons
- most compatible with pc
9) Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700
$139.00 in stock
3 used from $85.13
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 290g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes
- Connectivity: Wireless/Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): Around 8 hours
Review
Fusion 700 is nothing like the gaming headsets you must have used. Priced under $300, it is the most expensive headset for hearing footsteps in this review guide. It is similar to other Asus headphones and still has a unique touch to it.
The overall structure is pretty attention-seeking. Fusion 700 has a wide enough headset to position appropriately on your head. Inside the structure is pure metal neatly covered with plastic on the outside, which is why I was able to carry it in my backpack and through the station without a single scratch on it. The competitive advantage comes with the touch sensitivity on the earcups.
Even though the earcups are well-padded and soft enough to facilitate a long gaming session, the touch sensor is what makes them special. The left earcup allows you to control volume by simply swiping up and down on the outer cover of the earcups and stop it with a single touch. Just when I thought I had mastered the control, one wrong click led to disconnectivity and I lost my score.
The effort to keep the microphone minimal is the best thing Asus could do for the gamers. By simply removing a small cover, you can retract the microphone and put it into use, and put it back to mute it. 7.1 surround sound makes it all too easy for hearing footsteps or soft sounds. There’s literally nothing that I could’ve missed while wearing this best gaming headset. It was fairly easy to make out crisp footsteps, the brushing of objects against each other, and anything you could imagine while keeping an eye out for the enemy.
Pros
- touch-sensitive earcups
- good audio system
Cons
- control buttons are too close
10) Redragon H510 Zeus
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 331 g
- Surround Sound: 7.1 surround sound
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Mic: Yes(Detachable Microphone, Noise-canceling))
- Connectivity: Wired
- battery performance( if Wireless): N/A
Review
H510 is nothing different from the average headset for hearing footsteps, but it has something which catches your eye right away. It is undoubtedly the excessively large ear cans. Priced under $60, this is clearly the best gaming headset for hearing footsteps.
It wouldn’t be a lie if I said H510 Zeus delivers comfortability. The earcups on this headset are more of a horizontal shape than circular and are padded with memory foam. I was quite happy with these since the noise cancellation was pretty well. Even if you sweat, the earcups would feel sticky or too clamped around your ears.
The headband is sturdier and stable unlike many gaming headsets out there. To make the headwear comfortable, the headband is completely foam covered so even if you plan on listening to music or play extended gaming competitions, it won’t give you a hard time. Like me, you can even fit it to cover the strangest of head positions to avoid pressure.
Since it is a wired headset, it might be problematic for you if you’re changing from a wireless one. Nevertheless, the experience is questionable here. I quite didn’t have a problem with the wires themselves, but can’t really promise their durability. Like most headsets, this one also has a detachable microphone, so you can always put it out when you’re playing alone.
In terms of sound quality, they left me speechless with the deliveries. The mixed composition of high and lows is well adjusted and you can hear crisp quality, but the bass gets overlapping and too much to hear once there is an explosion nearby. I’d say it offers a lot in that price range but is fairly laid back for someone who is looking for gaming headsets for hearing footsteps.
The noise-canceling and audio sound are amazing. You can use them for your music sessions and even gaming if you’re just planning on passing time and not stacking your score with kills.
Pros
- noise canceling earcups
- good sound quality
- great build structure
Cons
- wires are a problem
Conclusion
Unlike most gaming headsets in the market working for everyone, some might not work for you. Through these aforementioned headphones for hearing footsteps, you can search about the price and availability information and decide which one is your next buy.
Kevin is a Tech journalist for over a decade. He writes on Wearables, Headphones, and Laptops. When he is not glued to his laptop, You will find him working on exciting projects that include Unboxing new Gadgets, comparing them, and tweaking their hardware.