Computer headphones can be split into three different categories depending on what you want their primary function to be: gaming headphones, Skype or VOIP headphones or headsets and USB headphones. This article will concentrate on gaming headphones, aiming to give information and advice on the important features to look for when purchasing a pair of computer headphones for playing games.

When you are playing games, the computer headphones you look at can be a lot different to the types of headphones used for listening to music. The first consideration is how comfortable they are to wear because there is a good chance that you will be wearing them for prolonged periods of time while you are playing the latest game! Make sure the earphones are well padded and check that the computer headphones are lightweight and feel good to wear. There are various styles to choose, from the over head type which are more bulky, the wrap around style that fits in a narrow band around the back of the head. I find these to be the most comfortable as they give the best compromise between quality and ergonomics. There are also ear bud computer headphones available that press directly into your ear, some of which can provide a noise cancelling technology that block out low frequency background noise.

Check the cable length, if your cable is too short you will be too close to the screen, too long and your computer headphones could cause problems with tangling and messing up your desk top! Another important consideration is sound quality; there are different factors than if your computer headphones are used primarily for listening to music. To give the best gaming experience, your computer headphones must have a good bass response, a powerful bass can enhance the atmosphere and feel of the game, especially the latest first-person shooter.

When you are forking out your hard earned cash for a new pair of computer headphones some people would want to use their computer headphones for listening to music and watching movies as well as playing games. In this case you'll need headphones that give good all-round performance. Some computer headphones even have a separate mode that you can switch between when you are playing games or listening to music.