Need to know the best way to connect your gaming headset to Xbox One, PS5, Nintendo, your PC, or even your Smartphone? Don’t we all? However, if you are not tech-savvy in the modern world, you are in for a bumpy ride. But at least we have the internet for research purposes.
Our lives now revolve around technology, and you either embrace the techno-evolution or get left behind in the dark ages. It’s a technological and information revolution that we are all experiencing. So, if you want to know exactly How to Connect Your Gaming Headset? Then check out these pearls of wisdom…
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A Worldwide Passion
In 2020, there was an estimated 2.7 billion gamers globally. More than a third of the world’s population are gamers.
Over 1.4 billion of those are in the Asia Pacific region alone. North American makes up 210 million. Europe comes in at 386 million. The combined totals of the Middle East and Africa are 377 million, while Latin America has 266 million gamers.
The largest participation sport in the world is football/soccer, played by more than 265 million people. It puts into perspective just how popular gaming is on a global scale. Therefore, we can safely say that at least 33% of the world needs gaming and tech advice from time to time.
Now that you know a bit of background info on gaming headsets, it’s time to move to the next phase. Here are the best ways to connect your gaming headset to Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS5.
Are you a gamer? If so, check out these essential gamer headset tips…
Understanding Your Gaming Headset Options
There are three standard options that gaming headsets use to connect to your PC:
- 3.5mm Audio Out – This connector is known as a standard socket that you would find on any set of headphones. This 3.5mm plug connects to the green headphone port on your PC.
- 3.5mm Mic Input – Virtually all gaming headsets have attached microphone sockets. This 3.5mm mic input jack is plugged into the pink port on a PC.
- USB Connections – A vast majority of gaming headsets use a standard USB port for both audio input and output. These can plug directly into the USB port on your PC, Xbox One, or PS4 with a wireless dongle in many cases. Using Bluetooth to connect is also an option, although this connection is not the best option for gaming.
Now that’s covered, let’s find out…
How to Connect Your Gaming Headset to PC?
In 2019, there were a reported 2 billion computers in the world. This includes servers, desktop computers, and laptops. Learning how to connect your headset to a PC is essential knowledge for any gamer.
There are many potential issues that you might need to understand or troubleshoot. Connecting your gaming headset to a PC is supposedly easy and hassle-free, but life is never that simple.
There are some affordable PC gaming headset options, such as the RUNMUS K8 Gaming Headset for PS4, that cater to even the most stringent budget. However, we would recommend that you seek out the best gaming headsets instead of going for lower-quality, cheaper options.
How to Connecting a 3.5mm Gaming Headset to PC
Simply plug your headset into the headphone socket or USB port on your computer, depending on your connector type; in many cases, that will work automatically. This is usually the case when using gaming headsets that have standard 3.5mm audio and mic input jacks.
If you are using any version of Windows, you can left-click on the “Speaker” icon on the right. From there, you will see which device is being used for audio output. Make sure it correlates with the gaming headset you are using. If you are having issues, please refer to our section below in regards to configuring your sound settings.
How to Connect a USB Gaming Headset to PC
You could encounter some issues when using wireless USB gaming headsets. You can initially connect your USB gaming headset to PC via a cable leading from the headset to the USB port or a separate USB dongle. However, it can take approximately 20 seconds after connecting a USB headset for the connection to work.
Inserting the dongle should automatically begin the process of downloading the necessary drivers if you do not already have them on your system.
Configuring Sound Settings on Your PC
Configuring your PC’s sound settings could be the answer to your prayers if you are experiencing connectivity issues. Here is what you need to do to check your sound settings for your gaming headset:
- Right Click on the “Sound” icon on the taskbar of your PC
- Choose the “Open Sound Settings” option
- Click on the drop-down box under the “Output” option
- Select your gaming headset on the drop-down box
You will be able to configure your PC sound settings by following this step-by-step guide. You can also click on the “Troubleshoot” button under the Output options if these problems persist.
For some excellent PC Headphone options, take a look at our in-depth review of the Best PC Gaming Headsets currently on the market.
Calling all serious gamers!! Find out how to elevate your gaming experience to the next level by reading the following…
How To Connect Your Gaming Headset to PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 was initially released in the final quarter of 2020 but will take some time to reach the lofty heights of the PS4. Connecting a gaming headset on PS4 and PS5 is a simpler affair than connecting to a PC. If you need to connect your gaming headset to PlayStation 5, you will need to follow these simple instructions.
* Connecting Headset to PlayStation 5 via 3.5mm Jack
Simply plug in your 3.5mm gaming headset cable directly into the port on your chosen controller. This should automatically work right away. Audio from your console should now be playing through your headset.
* Connecting Gaming Headset to PlayStation 5 via USB
You will need to insert your gaming headset’s USB dongle into the USB-A or USB-C ports on your console. You should hear the audio in your headset immediately. If you have any issues, you can follow the below instructions to troubleshoot the problem:
- Choose the “Gear Icon” on top-right of the Main Menu Settings
- Choose the “Sound Settings” option
- Ensure that the built-in spatial audio is turned on
For some of the best gaming headset options for your PlayStation 5, check out the Orzly Gaming Headset, the HyperX Cloud II, and the VANKYO Gaming Headset CM7000.
Next, let’s find out…
How to Connect Your Gaming Headset to Xbox One?
Microsoft’s uber-popular gaming console, Xbox One, has approximately 5 million users worldwide. Alternatively, Xbox’s total sales from 2005 to 2019 are just over 85 million. If you are an Xbox gamer, knowing how your Xbox One connects to your gaming headset is obviously vitally important.
Connecting your gaming headset to your Xbox is very similar to many other consoles. However, there are a few unique features you need to consider.
* Connecting 3.5mm Gaming Headset to Xbox One
You should be able to simply plug your gaming headset into the 3.5mm port on your Xbox controller and hear sound right away. The headset should be plugged in while your Xbox is turned off. Once plugged in, turn on your console, and you should be able to hear sounds through your headset immediately.
Please remember that Xbox One only supports 3.5mm gaming headsets that were specifically made for the console. Other headsets might not be compatible, so bear that in mind.
* Connecting USB Gaming Headset to Xbox One
Most modern gaming headsets have USB dongle connectors. As mentioned above, your PlayStation 5 USB gaming headset is not compatible with Xbox. It’s important to remember that Xbox One doesn’t have Bluetooth, so you won’t be able to connect a standard Bluetooth headset.
You could purchase a USB gaming headset with a “Made for Xbox” symbol, such as the Turtle Beach Ear Force Recon 50x Stereo Gaming Headset that can connect to the console without a dongle. But whether using this type of headset or a dongle, you will have to follow the same instructions to connect.
To do this, you will need to simultaneously press the connect button on your console and the pairing button on your headset for a few seconds. This should form a connection between the two devices. Once connected, you will receive a message on your TV that says “headset assisted.” And you are ready to get started.
Next, let’s move on and find out…
How to Connect Your Gaming Headset to Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch console might not have the popularity of a PS5, but it does have a real cult following. You can connect your gaming headset to the console with a 3.5mm cable or via a wireless USB connection.
The Nintendo Switch is more versatile than some other consoles and is a hybrid by design. The Switch works when plugged into your TV at home but also remotely when you are out.
Connecting to Nintendo Switch is a little more complicated than a PlayStation 5 but less hassle than a PC. The truth is that this console does not work very well with USB headset devices. And although you can use a USB headset, such as the Turtle Beach Recon 70 Gaming Headset for Nintendo Switch, the device options are currently limited.
* Connecting 3.5mm Gaming Headset to Nintendo Switch
The most reliable option for connecting a gaming headset to Nintendo Switch is via a 3.5mm cable. But the main issue with this option is that most Switch games do not support a mic used in this manner.
The only viable way to solve this mic problem is by simultaneously plugging your headset into your phone and Switch. You will need a splitter to do this. If your phone doesn’t have a headphone socket, you will need a dongle. Plug your mic into your phone and your headphones connector into your console.
You will then need to link your Nintendo Switch account to the Nintendo Switch online app. Everything should then be okay in regards to using your voice chat while gaming.
* Connecting to Nintendo Switch with USB Gaming Headset
Connecting your gaming headset to Nintendo Switch via USB can be a confusing affair. The console does have USB ports that support wireless audio when you use a dongle. But in all honesty, it’s not great. You can only use them when docked or by using the console’s USB-C port and two dongles. The old double-dongle scenario!
We suggest that you settle for using the 3.5mm route when you want to connect your gaming headset to a Nintendo Switch.
For more great options, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Nintendo Switch Gaming Headsets currently on the market.
And finally, we’ll discuss…
Using a Gaming Headset with your Smartphone
The evolution of Smartphone technology over the past decade has been nothing short of monumental. And the quality of smartphone gaming improves at a meteoric rate. Did you know there are over 5 billion mobile phone users globally? It was reported in 2019 that 2.71 of those use smartphones.
You can connect gaming headsets that support 3.5mm connections to your smartphone with relative ease. It’s much more difficult to connect via Bluetooth. Gaming headsets are not generally designed for phones, and Bluetooth is not a very reliable connection for gaming. So it’s important to bear that in mind.
Simply plug it in…
If your gaming headset supports a 3.5mm connector, it should be straightforward. Just plug the headset into your phone, and that should be it. However, if your phone doesn’t have a 3.5mm port, you will need a dongle to connect your headset.
Looking for some superb gaming headphones?
Then check out our comprehensive reviews of the Best Razer Gaming Headsets, the Best Wireless Playstation 4 Headsets, and the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets you can buy in 2023.
You may also be interested in our in-depth reviews of the Razor Kraken, our Amazon Basics Pro Gaming Headset Review, the HyperX Cloud Alpha, our Logitech G Pro X Wireless Review, the Playstation Gold Wireless, the Beyerdynamic Custom Game, the Astro Gaming A20, or the Logitec G432.
How to Connect Your Gaming Headset? – Final Thoughts
Knowing the best way to connect your gaming headset to a PC, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and smartphone has never been easier. In many cases, it’s as simple as plugging your headset into a 3.5mm port on your device.
Connecting via USB can be more difficult but is still relatively stress-free… unless you are using a Nintendo Switch!
Happy gaming.
