Headsets are essentially audio speakers and microphones that are attached to bands which allow the user to wear them while they speak or listen. Coming in single or dual speaker varieties, with wireless, Bluetooth and corded options and various different specifications regarding power, volume and ergonomics, choosing a headset isn’t as simple as you might think.
If you need a headset, this buyer’s guide explains how to find a device that meets your needs at the lowest price possible.
Headphones were first invented in 1910 by an American named Nathaniel Baldwin. Baldwin created the first set in his home kitchen and was inspired by the US Navy’s need for reliable radio communications equipment. However, the first headsets (combining microphones and audio speakers) didn’t appear for a long time after that.
These days, headsets are standard equipment for offices, call centres, customer service desks, presentations and gaming – and they are relied upon by millions of people every day.
Why would you choose to purchase a headset instead of a standard set of headphones? Well, there are actually plenty of reasons to combine microphones and speakers in a portable package.
Gaming – Ever since multiplayer gaming became popular, gamers have needed ways to communicate with each other. That way, they can coordinate group attacks, discuss strategies, give warnings about enemies and generally discuss their games – turning the whole experience into something richer and more sociable. That’s why few gamers bother with simple headphones and tend to look for high-end headsets that deliver crisp audio and reliable audio transmission.
Office work – Headsets were probably first used in offices. As computers spread and professions like secretaries, clerks, accountants and managers became reliant on screens, workers needed a way to talk to contacts without sacrificing the ability to use their computers – and headphones supplied the perfect means to do so.
Presentations – Whether you are watching a TED talk or a commercial presentation at a trade show, you’ll generally see presenters wearing wireless headsets. The microphones allow them to deliver an amplified message on the move, while their audio speakers help to connect them to apps and questions from the audience.
Telephone conversations – Everyday telephone conversations can also involve the use of headsets, allowing you to use your landline or mobile in total freedom. This is particularly handy if you are in the kitchen or busy with kids and need to carry on a conversation without juggling the handset.
Recording audio – Musicians regularly use headsets to record their work. The microphone allows them to capture high-quality vocals and instrumental audio, while speakers let them hear backing tracks, communicate with engineers or block out external noise.
When you search on the HotUKDeals listings you’ll find a wide range of headset options, so pick one that perfectly fits your personal needs. Options to think about include:
Telephone headsets – these headsets tend to have a wider range than gaming headsets, and come with features that allow them to match up with advanced landline handsets. They should come with buttons allowing you to accept calls or switch from handsets to speakers, and they include features like volume control as well.
Office headsets – Similar to telephone headsets, office headsets are designed specifically for business environments. This usually means coming with more powerful noise cancellation features, to block out the background noise in busy office environments, compatibility with Windows apps and more advanced ergonomic features, making them comfortable to wear for long periods.
Presentation headsets – Manufacturers like Sennheiser also produce specialist headsets for delivering presentations. These products usually feature more sensitive microphones that are optimised to produce clear human speech, and they tend to be able to hook up seamlessly to speaker setups and amps as well.
Gaming headsets – Gaming headsets differ in a number of ways from other kinds, so don’t assume that a standard headset will do the job. To be effective, gaming headsets need to be able to deliver deep, rich audio – creating a truly immersive experience. And they need to be able to capture your voice effectively as well. This usually places them at the upper end of the market, and committed gamers are usually willing to spend a little more to get a set that works for them.
Whatever kind of headset you choose, you’ll encounter a similar set of features and specifications. Here are some of the most common:
Circumaural or Supra-aural – These headsets feature larger pads which envelope your ears, creating a more immersive sound (and cancelling extraneous noise more efficiently). Circumaural phones are larger and wrap over the ears, while Supra-aural phones have smaller pads that lie on top of the ear. Aside from these pad types, you’ll also find earbuds and in-ear phones, which are much smaller but less powerful.
Connections – How your headset connects to external devices could be crucial. They will tend to have 3.5mm jack connectors, but good gaming headsets need to come with USB and optical audio connections as well.
Weight – How heavy your headset is will go a long way toward determining how comfortable it is to wear for long periods. If you intend to launch gaming marathons, you might want to ditch heavier models and go for something in the region of 25-40g.
Cable length – Not all headsets are wireless, and cheaper corded models are available that deliver good audio. If you choose to go for a corded headset, make sure the cable length is long enough to accommodate your needs. Around 2 metres is standard.
Water resistance – Look for IP57 water resistance if you have any worries about your headset being exposed to spills or rain.
Battery capacity – Generally measured in standby time and talk time, battery lives vary considerably from model to model. If you intend to use your headset primarily to talk, go for a product with 8 or more hours of continuous talk time, although this isn’t as critical for gaming devices where conversations are relatively rare.
Nowadays, gaming headsets are a big deal, and it’s hard to succeed in multiplayer games like Battleground or Call of Duty without them. So, if you've ever wondered what the best headset for Xbox One is, or you want to use it with the PS4 or a Windows PC, there are some things that you should always look out for.
Firstly, know your brands. There are plenty of also-rans on the market, offering lower-quality audio and less reliability. So when you search on HotUKDeals, look out for reputable brands like Sennheiser, Plantronics, Logitech or Corsair – all of which create high-end gaming and everyday headsets.
Go for a wireless variety as well, if your budget stretches that far. No gamer wants to be stuck in the same place as they play, making it hard to reach for snacks, drinks or move around the room as the action intensifies.
Surround sound is also essential. You didn’t spend hundreds of pounds on a PS4 and the latest games to be met with tinny, barely audible sound, so make sure your headset delivers Dolby surround sound.
Try to max out on battery life as well. Over 12 hours is fine, but try to find 15-hour sets that won’t let you down in the middle of a death match.
Another thing to think about is support apps. Gaming headsets tend to come with software that allows you to customise their settings for specific games. Sometimes you’ll want to boost the treble or bass, sometimes muting speech makes sense. With the right support software, you can create different settings for every game in your collection.
Comfort is also critical. Go for gaming headsets with soft headbands and ear cups, which won’t become clammy or unpleasant when you are playing for long periods.
Think about connectivity as well. Not all gaming headsets are “universal”, meaning that they can connect to PCs, Macs, Xboxes, Nintendos or PS4s. Double check that your chosen model has the right compatibility options before you buy.
Increasingly, both office and gaming headsets come in wireless versions, making it easy to chat or play and stay mobile at the same time.
Before you take the plunge and opt for wireless headsets, remember that they aren’t universally loved. Some people find that the audio quality delivered by wireless sets isn’t as good, due to the need to encode and transmit data over an extra step, while they also have a reputation for being slightly less durable than sturdy cabled varieties.
If you do go for a wireless headset, you’ll need to choose between infrared, UHF (Ultra high frequency) and Bluetooth versions. Bluetooth gives you the capability of matching your headset up with major smartphone models, which could be useful for streaming music or carrying out conversations as you wander around your home.
On the other hand, Bluetooth sets are usually more expensive. You can probably find infrared options which just plug into your computer’s headphone jack and do an adequate job for much less money. Both UHF and infrared wireless headsets also work better with older computers and TVs, which could be a factor for some buyers.
Headsets aren’t all about audio speakers and microphones. You can also purchase sophisticated VR headsets, which enable you to enter the world of VR gaming. If this sounds appealing, you’ll find a range of VR options on HotUKDeals:
Oculus Rift – The most accomplished VR headset around, Facebook’s Oculus Rift provides a wide field of vision and has been optimised for gaming.
Samsung Gear VR – Designed to synch up with Samsung’s latest generation of smartphones, Samsung Gear offers a high-quality VR experience without the need for a PC or gaming console.
Google Cardboard – The cheapest option around, Google Cardboard also hooks up to smartphones and is a good entry-level VR headset. Try it and see if you get on with the technology, then move onto more sophisticated alternatives.
Sony PlayStation VR – Sony’s PS4 has VR compatibility (the first console to really offer this feature), and PlayStation VR is acquiring an ever expanding range of VR-ready games to try.
Be aware that VR headsets don’t come cheap, so if you are set on joining the VR revolution, be sure to check out the headset offers at HotUKDeals.
From professional headsets for office tasks to high powered gaming headsets and VR devices, you’ll find a huge array of headset offers at HotUKDeals. Whatever kind of headset you desire, it’s the best place to start looking for the best possible prices and the next headset sale.
When you search for headsets on HotUKDeals, you’ll find major brands like Logitech, Sony, Samsung, Sennheiser, Turtle Beach and Astro on offer from UK merchants like Currys, John Lewis, Richer Sounds, Argos, Zavvi and Amazon.
Be sure to shop around, and feel free to visit local stores to try out headsets you are interested in. Comfort matters, so try them on for size.
It might also make sense to time your purchase to find the best headset deals. If you can hold out that long, delaying until Black Friday in November will allow you to choose from far more deals (particularly on expensive gaming and VR headsets). The January Sales are also a great time for bargain hunters.
Whenever you need to buy a headset, make HotUKDeals the first place you look.
Whether you are a busy office professional or an obsessive gamer, finding the right headset is essential. But high-quality gaming, office, home and VR headsets aren’t cheap. Don’t worry though, because every type of headset can be found at the HotUKDeals listings – putting the device you need within your reach.
