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If you want an edge in one of the world's most popular games, you need the best Fortnite headset you can get. And, with 99 other people all literally gunning for you, that edge can make the difference between Victory Royale and Early Death Royale. But what actually makes the 'best' Fortnite headset? While most gaming headsets bring on superior sound and comfort, there are some specially designed to make the most of Fortnite or online shooters like it.
Essentially, the best Fortnite headset is one that combines a great mic, for chatting in cooperative modes, with pin-point surround and spacial sound, so you can tell where gunfire and building is happening, and hear any footsteps that are creeping up behind you or shuffling around inside a building. These are the fine margins that can keep you alive. Sure, the headset needs to be comfortable, as it's sitting on your head for hours while you play, but the quality of sound is what really matters here. If you're serious about winning in Fortnite, these are the headsets to get.
The latest Turtle Beach headset is fine-tuned for Fortnite. While not as good an all-rounder as some of the other headsets in this list, the Elite Pro 2 has a whole host of features that make it perfect for shooters. The best feature is what Turtle Beach call 'Superhuman hearing', which basically enhances the incidental sounds around you and puts them in a spacial context. In other words, you hear footsteps, gunfire, and building with amazing clarity, and you can pinpoint exactly where it's coming from and how far away it is. It's a game changer for Fortnite.
Elsewhere, the Elite Pro 2 is very comfortable too, with soft ear cushions and a nicely padded headband, and the mic is clear and well designed. You can even detach it if you don't want to chat. The core sound quality of the headset is great for gaming, with excellent surround sound and decent bass and treble. No, this isn't the headset for watching movies and TV (but it's certainly not poor), because everything is tuned towards competitive gaming. Yes, it's an expensive investment, but hearing that Superhuman hearing in action is worth every penny, if you're serious about getting an edge in Fortnite. There are special versions for PS4 and Xbox One, but compatibility runs across all headsets, and includes PC and Switch too.
Compatible with: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
No, the Recon 200 isn't the best gaming headset you can buy, but it does provide great value for money. The sound here is nice and clear, even with the fact the Recon 200 uses 40mm drivers instead of 50mm. It punches well above its weight. The mic is excellent too, which is ideal for chatting, and the bass boost does add extra weight to any explosions you hear.
In terms of comfort, Turtle Beach excels at making headsets that can be worn for hours and hours of play. The Recon 200 is a nice, snug headset, and is padded in all the right places for long-time wear. Budget has been saved on materials, so you don't get metal trim or a lengthy connection cable, but once this is plugged into your controller and on your head it makes no real difference.
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
It isn't the cheapest headset in this guide, but - for a balance of performance versus cost - the Audio Technica ATH-AG1x is the best Fortnite headset you can buy. Here's why. The audio quality on the ATH-AG1x is brilliant, and the sound you can get from the 53mm drivers is incredible - it's incredibly rich. The headphones themselves are extremely comfortable, thanks to the significant on-ear padding and the comfortable headband. But it's the additional features that make it a great choice for gaming, and Fortnite in particular. The windscreen, for example, allows for heavy breathing and ambient noises such as wind to be removed from voice chat, so you won't annoy your team mates if you have a window open or if there are other noises in your house.
The microphone manages to deliver crisp, clear voice chat, which is essential for when you're communicating with up to four friends in regular battle royale mode. Not only that, the headset comes with a 3D Wing Support system which, if you forgive the overblown name, will rid you of that unnecessary feeling of being lumbered with a headset at all. This headset is lightweight, yet belies its weight with a crisp, rich soundscape that will offer fantastic directional output, to ensure you’ll get the upper hand on your opponents.
Compatible with: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
While a wireless option is available, those who don’t stray too far from their consoles or monitors may be best suited by the SteelSeries Arctis Pro. Boasting a sleek design akin to something out of the realms of sci-fi, the latest from manufacturers SteelSeries doesn’t skimp on the sound quality, providing an audio setup that booms through the exceedingly comfortable cans. Even the most minute of movements will be picked up by the Arctis Pro.
But what good is a headset on Fortnite if you can’t bark out orders to your squad to scream at them to get the hell out of dodge when a storm is passing through? Thankfully, the sturdy yet flexible microphone tucked away within the headset presents a crystal-clear quality that is almost unmatched on the market. And if you’re in the mood for some moody moaning, you can even double-check the mute button is toggled on with its illumination feature. Neat (and potentially friend-saving).
Compatible with: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
If you’re on the lookout for a less-rigid headset then Astro’s AR40 headset may be just the one for you. An adjustable headband, customisable speaker tags and even a swappable precision microphone means that this is a Fortnite headset that will bend to your whims, without feeling cheap or poorly-constructed. As expected for a headset at this price point, the sound is rich, with added oomph and fantastic directional output that will make sure you’re never caught off guard.
However, there are a few minor quibbles you should be aware of. For one thing, the design may not appeal to everyone, with its boxy shape and clunky aesthetic. The microphone, too, while still of considerable quality, can come across as slightly high-pitched on occasion which isn’t ideal. Having said that, the microphone can be swapped out if it bothers you that much.
Compatible with: PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch
For those who want to mimic the pros but don’t want to shell out too much for them: you can unleash your very own inner-Ninja on Fortnite with the Razer Kraken. The first thing you’ll notice upon wearing them is just how comfortable they are. It’s not an overstatement to suggest that it barely feels like you’re wearing headphones on occasion, let alone ones that provide some of the clearest, unobtrusive sound, including a fantastic bass.
Sure, the green skin (should you choose it) may be a little too garish for many, but it’s hard to argue with the sheer specs and features: a snug 99.5mm diameter cup lends itself to a snug fit when adjusted proper, and there’s even very fancy sounding cooling gel cushions and a cable reinforced by Kevlar.
Compatible with: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
If budget is a concern, or you’d rather not be playing Fortnite with a full-on gaming headset, then you have a few smaller options. The best among these (subject to an imminent test of Razer’s own earbuds) are the Turtle Beach Battle Buds - they’re relatively small, hold a good grip on your ear, and cost far less than most regular headsets. They have nicely tuned 10mm drivers, a 3.5mm cable that stretches to mobile devices, controllers, and handheld units, and they even come with a little carrying pouch. If you want something to throw into your pocket or bag at a moment’s notice, these are a great option.
What you give up here is sound quality and long-term comfort. There’s obviously no real sense of audio imaging, and most sounds are directed into your ears at a fixed volume and direction. The Battle Buds overachieve in the audio department, but it’s all relative - they can’t compete with a regular pair of cans, and audio here can appear a little ‘hollow’. And while they fit well into most ear-shapes, they lose comfort after a while and can seem overly cumbersome with those triangular plastic chambers forming the bulk of each earpiece. The tiny 3.5mm mic is a nice touch, and bravo for including one, even if it doesn’t give super clear vocal audio.
Compatible with: Mobile, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
Sennheiser and sound almost go hand-in-hand at this point. It’s no surprise, then, that the GAME ONE (yes, I will use caps, thank you very much) belies its meagre 35mm drivers to deliver a pulsating sense of gamefeel within its audio. Try playing Alien: Isolation or, even scarier, being the last man standing in your Squad and you’ll see what I mean. Chills.
It’s not without its faults, though. You may baulk at the price, even if Sennheiser is a guaranteed mark of quality in the industry, and the little quibbles – sound not being quite contained, no removable cable – can prevent this from being as versatile as some of the other headsets around, there’s no denying that this is a quality piece of equipment wrapped up in Sennheiser’s sexiest design yet.
Compatible with: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
You can tell pro gamers across the world have weighed in on the Logitech Pro G. The noise-cancelling is pitch-perfect, the sound heavy without feeling too hectic and it’s incredible comfortable to wear in either short bursts or longer Fortnite sessions. You know the ones: where you’re trying to hunt down another challenge treasure map.
Logitech has gone all-out to provide gamers with a no-frills design that focuses on the sound and voice quality. It’s so good, in fact, that you easily ditch your console and take them out and about with you without looking like something from a dystopian nightmare.
Compatible with: PS4 and Xbox One
Now. Hear me out on this one. These magical headphones are great, but a bit niche and left field for gaming but, particularly as a back up or location-specific set of headphones, they'll serve you well. These will be ideal for those mobile Fortnite players who perhaps have a busy commute and want to enjoy playing but have to watch out for traffic/people/rogue animals and so on. They have an open ear design which provides you with sound from their bone conductivity tech, which is surprisingly good. They connect only via Bluetooth, but their battery life is good, they are sturdy, comfy and well built, and their mic is deceptively good too.
Naturally, their open ear design lets a lot of exterior noise in but that is literally part of their design. The safety aspect is linked to this, of course, and makes them excellent for times when you need to have an open ear for other attentions and aspects of daily life.
Importantly, the overall sound quality is great - and like magic, considering nothing goes into your ear. However, perhaps predictably, they are a bit lightweight on bass, given there are no traditional drivers to pump out the sound waves. However, for some light, and safe, gaming on your commute, it'll be a perfect second option for Fortnite. However, it'll also be ideal for some less busy games like Life is Strange and brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and the like.
Compatible with: PS4 and Xbox One
