These days, gaming headsets can set you back almost as much as the console itself. For some, this is a necessary expense as they want to hear every blade of grass move when an enemy is approaching. But sometimes you just want a headset that will allow you to get a session in without waking the whole house or hop on with a friend and get a party chat on the go. If the latter sounds more like you, then the GXT 415 Zirox headset is ready to serve you.
Like many, when buying a budget accessory, whether it be a headset, controller or anything else for that matter, build quality is always one of my main concerns. It stands to reason that the cost efficiency has to come at the expense of something.
However, here there is no glaring area where the team have held back. The plastic finish, while not premium, certainly does its job and the padding around the earcups provides enough comfort for long sessions. Likewise, padding in the headband provides extra comfort for those of us whose hair failed them years ago. I was particularly impressed with the headband padding as this something I have seen not included in other budget headsets.
The device is wired, with a 3.5mm jack to connect to your desired device. The cable felt pretty robust in our testing, but unfortunately it is hard-wired at the headset end, so if it was to get caught on anything and damaged, it’s game over. In a future design I would prefer to see a separate cable that can break free from the device if tugged.
Sound quality is good, with the headset’s powerful 50mm drivers delivering a clear and crisp audio. This is another aspect that impressed during our testing, as other similarly priced headsets sometimes sound muffled when the volume is cranked up.
The microphone quality is nothing to write home about, but it is certainly serviceable and is bolstered by the handy foldaway arm that lets you keep it out of the way during solo sessions. There are no mixing options for chat and in-game audio volumes, but this can be done in your console or PC settings. Volume controls and a handy mute button feature on the left earcup are always easily accessible.
As connection is handled via the 3.5mm jack, you’ll find the headset is compatible with most devices. PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X|S and One all have audio jacks built into the controller, and so you just need to plug it in and off you go.
One downside to the GXT Zirox headset is that it doesn’t feature any noise cancelling assistance. This is to be expected with a headset in this price range, but do be aware that if you plan to use them in a busy location you may encounter some bleed through.
In terms of value, the GXT 415 Zirox Gaming Headset is hard to beat. You often hear the term “You get what you pay for”, but in this case you’ll be receiving a product that delivers more than its £17.99 asking price. Available in Booster Black, Winning White, Brilliant Blue or Powerful Pink, this is the ideal choice for a young gamer or someone just looking for a capable headset that won’t break the bank.
-Craig