Gaming is supposed to be an immersive experience. You want to feel like you are right there in the action with your character. To do so, you have to have the right gaming setup. That means a monitor that can deliver all of the action in crystal clear quality. It also means having the right headphones to make it feel like you are hearing the digital world the way it was meant to be heard.
Beats are one of the most well-known options out there. Because they are high-quality headphones, Beats can definitely be used in your gaming setup. That said, there are known issues when it comes to calibrating the mics, though there are more than a few solutions. This isn’t unique to Beats; it is a problem that other brands have had issues with.
Are Beats Headphones Good for Gaming?
Because the gaming market is full of competition – headphones included – it can feel overwhelming trying to find the right option. After all, you want to ensure that you are in a fully immersive world when gaming.
Making the wrong choice means failing to experience that digital world the way that it was meant to be experienced. Going with the wrong headphones can make for an expensive mistake that reduces the overall quality of your gaming experience.
Beats are generally not great for gaming because they deliver a better overall sound quality. Some believe that they are overhyped and overpriced. There are known microphone issues as well, making it difficult to communicate when using Beats headphones.
What Makes for a Quality Gaming Headphone?
There are three primary factors to consider when looking for quality gaming headphones. Comfort is imperative and perhaps the most important factor. There is also sound quality and durability to consider as well. Let’s take a deeper dive into each.
Comfort
As important as sound quality is to finding the right gaming headphone, it is a clear second to comfort. Even the best-sounding headphones can become unbearable to wear if they are uncomfortable or even painful.
Gaming is about putting in long sessions. Trying to wear a pair of headphones that are uncomfortable can be extremely cumbersome. It can mean having to take breaks or remove them for long periods, which can take way from the purpose of getting them in the first place. Go with something that has adequate cushioning and is lightweight as well.
Sound Quality
Right behind comfort, sound quality will be one of the two main factors driving your selection. When it comes to gaming, make sure that you get a headset that has a driver size of at least 40mm if not higher. Anything lower will likely result in poor sound quality while gaming.
Bass is another important consideration. With the right capabilities, that added base can really make you feel like you are in the game. But too much or a poor quality base can have a lot of feedback, which detracts from the experience.
Finally, you will want to find a pair of gaming headphones with noise cancellation. You want to hear all that your game has to offer, not everything from the outside world. Besides, with noise-cancelling headphones, it is easier to focus on the action.
Durability
When buying headphones that have great sound quality and comfort, you are going to be spending quite a bit. Because of the investment required for a decent pair of gaming headphones, the last thing that you want is a pair that wears down sooner rather than later.
Durability is crucial, though it does come in a distant third place to the other two features. You want a headset that is rated to last because, eventually, you will need to replace it. That means more money out of your pocket and that can really add up over time.
Beats Headphones and Mics
There are more than a few different variations of the Beats headphone out there that have a mic. That said, they are not standard across all Beats models. Depending on whether or not you plan to be interactive with other players, you may or may not need a mic.
There have been noted issues with the mics as well. Calibrating the mic can be particularly difficult as this is a known issue that is experienced across several different types of Beats headphones.
The Major Downside to Beats Headphones
Not everyone loves Beats headphones. Like any major brand, there are naturally going to be detractors. Some will swear against the quality of Beats headphones. Others will simply harp on the price. And the thing is that they aren’t necessarily wrong.
The biggest downside to Beats headphones is the cost. Beats headphones can run from $75-$100 for a low-end pair all the way up to $300-$350 for a high-end pair. It depends on the features (wireless can be particularly expensive) and the style of the headphone.
The other downside is that, while Beats delivers a quality sound experience, it isn’t really aimed in any one direction. You can use them for a lot of different things, but they aren’t outstanding for music, sports, gaming, etc. When it comes to gaming, you want to have the most immersive experience possible. You may not quite get that with Beats headphones.
The Different Models of Beats Headphones
If you do decide that you want to go with Beats for your gaming setup, it is important to know that not all Beats are created equally. Some models definitely are not worth buying for gaming, which means needing to know the different types.
Since Beats is such a popular option, there are different variations available. Some models will fare a lot better for gaming than others, these models are chief among them.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones have really taken a place as the more popular options out there. A gaming setup can come down to timing in order to secure the win and no one wants to find themselves tangled up in their headphone wiring.
According to some reviews, the Studio 3 headphones have exceptional noise-canceling technology. This means keeping in the game and not being distracted by anything going on outside of the game. The downside is that they are quite a bit heavier and more expensive. If you can stand the extra weight, this is one of the best options for overall sound quality, battery life, and noise cancellation technology.
Beats Solo Pro
One thing that you will notice about Beats technology, in general, is that it has great noise cancellation technology. If you want to block out the outside world and focus on your gaming experience, you can’t go wrong with the Beats Solo Pro.
With a matte finish and lightweight, they go on effortlessly and have the sound quality to match. There is even a cool transparency mode that lets you get just enough outside noise to be alert if that is what you need. Highly durable, comfortable, and stylish, you can’t go wrong with the Solo Pro for your gaming experience.
Beats Powerbeats Pro
These tend to be a favorite of sports lovers, but they have the comfort and sound quality to do well as gaming headphones, too. These are wireless buds, which means they are far less cumbersome and fit easily into your ear.
Even better, they are very user-friendly. If you want something to just pick up and go, this is the headphone for you. The downside is that the bass is seriously lacking, especially when compared to some of the other options in the Beats line.
Dedicated Gaming Headsets May Be Better
Beats headphones can definitely be used for gaming. That said, they are not necessarily made for gaming. There are plenty of dedicated gaming headsets out there to choose from that are made exclusively for gaming. That means a more thought-out, better-crafted gaming headphone to accommodate your needs.
Beats headphones were built with music first and foremost, but they are also meant to be more fun and less spec-driven. Gaming has a litany of different requirements that those categories do not. Being off in even one of those requirements can drastically alter the experience that you have.
If you want something that will deliver a superior gaming quality sound, a dedicated gaming headset is the best option. Especially when you consider how expensive Beats headphones are. The last thing you want is to shell out that kind of money thinking it is a gaming headset only to experience mic issues or a lacking bass quality.
A Unique Experience
In the end, it all depends on what you are looking for in your gaming experience. Some will put more of a focus on the visual aspect. Others will want to really hear and feel the world. Beats headphones can definitely be more than passable if you aren’t getting nit-picky about it.
But if you really want to get immersed in the world that you are playing in, then Beats may not be the best option for you. A gaming-specific headphone would likely deliver a better overall quality.
