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While gaming consoles and controllers have made it more common than ever to physically feel the gameplay in your hands, the best haptic headset really takes things up to the next level.
But what does that mean? Haptics are basically any technology that adds an experience of touch or feel to it. For example, those taps and vibrations you get from your phone when a new email or text comes in? Those are haptics. But when it comes to headphones, especially gaming headphones, haptics are often what immerses you deep in the gameplay itself. Feeling the explosions and impacts can add a whole new dimension to your favorite games and mobile connection, and doesn’t significantly affect battery drainage in your headset device either.
Some gamers have learned to utilize it to enhance their skills too, specifically in FPS shooters and multiplayer online titles. Plus, most importantly, the best haptic headsets can significantly increase how much fun you’re having by delivering a multi-sensory experience, wherever you wear them.
What to Know About Haptic Headphones
From their fit to how they feel, here’s what you should know when shopping for the best haptic headsets.
Haptic Quality: Game developers pick and choose which aspects of gameplay will cause that vibrating reaction that reaches your hands, and the same idea works for headsets, though the vibes can be set off by low, bass-heavy tones and deep sound effects that convert feedback to give you a boom that shakes up your skull. Not only does it enhance the fun and experience of gameplay, but some gamers claim it actually makes them better because their senses are all so immersed. If you’re looking to crank the bass and haptics up to 100 percent, just be aware that the vibrations can also affect the mic, blurring your voice and making commands unclear for teammates to hear.
Fit and Feel: Even the best haptic headset out there isn’t going to work for you if it’s uncomfortable. Manufacturers sometimes fall into the “bigger is better” trap and make the ear cups huge, leaving room for booming haptics, which may increase the room for vibration and reverb inside, but leads to other issues. First, they’re not practical to use for long stretches, as you have to position them just right to prevent them from sliding off, readjusting every time. A smaller, tighter fitting headset may not look as immersive at first glance, but they’re usually the better choice for the long run.
Controls: Having an adjustment for the haptics on the headphones themselves makes things a whole lot easier than having to get into settings each time, plus allows you to quickly adapt it for different games, music, or phone calls. These most likely will connect through Bluetooth, which is great for not being bound to wires, but be aware of the potential lag and latency that might come along with it. Though it’s not a complete dealbreaker, it’s a total nuisance, and can really put a damper on your gaming experience.
The Best Haptic Headsets
Having haptics in your headset undeniably adds excitement to your gaming, and can make even older games feel new again. Here are the top haptic headsets worth your money.
