The 6 Best Flight Simulator Headphones for Virtual Flying in 2024
6 July 2021 | Updated on December 03, 2023 | 0 comments
You invested in a home flight simulator, either to use as a flight training aid or just for fun. A great way to improve your experience even further is by using a decent gaming headset!
Every pilot knows the critical role that clear, lifelike sound plays in the cockpit. The same goes for flight simulator enthusiasts. A top-notch headset can make all the difference in your virtual flight experience, transporting you from your living room right into the heart of the skies.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best one? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best options available today!
We’ve also included a full buying guide below the article.
The Best Flight Simulator Headphones and Headsets in 2023
For those of you already flying real aircraft, we don’t need to convince you of the importance of a quality headset. Just like aviation headsets, gaming headsets come in a wide range of features, quality and prices. Although a gaming headset does not serve quite the same purpose as a regular aviation headset (noise cancellation/suppression is not as much a factor in gaming headsets as with real headsets), other factors such as voice clarity and sound quality or just as, if not even more, important when choosing a gaming headset.
Let’s take a look at 6 of the best gaming headphones for flight simulator you can buy today!
1. T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition Gaming Headset
The T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition gaming headset joins Thrustmaster’s existing range of Flightsim products by the U.S. Air Force (such as the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Flight Stick & Dual Throttles).
Taking inspiration from real aviation headsets, it’s designed to provide a highly immersive and authentic flight simulation experience. One of its standout features is the large memory foam earpad cushions incorporated with a gel layer, ensuring comfort and coolness even during extended gaming sessions. This design also aids in passive sound isolation, enabling users to focus on their flight without distractions from ambient noise.
In addition to comfort, the headset emphasizes user-friendly controls and versatility. The volume level of the microphone can be quickly and easily adjusted through an inline controller, a feature that proves beneficial for swift and effective communication during flight simulations. Its headband combines imitation leather cushions with a durable polyketone structure, striking a balance between comfort and longevity.
The T.Flight gaming headset can be used with PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
2. Logitech G PRO X Gaming Headset (2nd Generation)
The PRO X Gaming Headset delivers professional-level sound quality and functionality, making it a standout choice for flight simulation. Its key strength is its advanced 7.1 surround sound technology and PRO G 50mm drivers, offering impressively clear sound imaging. This makes the sound in-game ultra-realistic, helping pilots to discern positional, distance, and object cues with pinpoint accuracy. These capabilities are supported by a premium USB external sound card, which, when used with the included Logitech G HUB software, offers superior game sound and voice communication.
But it’s not just about sound. The headset also focuses on user comfort and durability. It features soft memory foam ear-pads that come in two variations – noise-canceling leatherette and breathable velour, allowing users to choose based on their preference. With a robust construction combining aluminum and steel, it’s built to withstand long hours of continuous virtual flying!
3. HyperX Cloud Alpha S – PC Gaming Headset
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S stands out with its specialized HyperX virtual 7.1 surround sound system, which can be a boon for flight simulation use. The inclusion of an audio control mixer makes it easier for users to activate the surround sound and fine-tune game audio and chat balance without navigating complicated menus. Another unique feature is the bass adjustment sliders on the ear cups, allowing users to tailor their sound experience to their liking.
The flexibility of connecting the headset via either a 3.5mm jack or USB, coupled with a detachable microphone, provides users with various options depending on whether they’re communicating with other players or just focusing on the audio of the simulation.
4. Redragon H510 Zeus Wired Gaming Headset
This gaming headset is ideal for flight simulation enthusiasts who prioritize core features, high-level comfort, and exceptional sound. The design caters to personalized comfort with an adjustable headband that fits the unique shape of each user’s head. Despite its sturdy frame, the headset remains lightweight, providing a balance of comfort and durability that’s essential for lengthy simulation sessions.
Sound quality is another strong suit of this headset. Its leatherette ear cushions cover the ears completely, allowing users to immerse themselves in the superior sound while staying comfortable. Additionally, the headset boasts a USB digital signal processing hard output, ensuring consistent high-quality sound across different systems. One of the standout features is the detachable noise-canceling microphone, which guarantees clear communication, a crucial aspect of flight simulation. Overall, this headset successfully combines essential features, comfort, and sound quality, making it a reliable choice for daily flight simulation use.
5. HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset
The HyperX Cloud II headset is a favorite among gamers and flight simulation enthusiasts, boasting over 20,000 Amazon reviews and an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5. Its success hinges on several notable features that contribute to a realistic flight simulation experience.
The highlight of the HyperX Cloud II is its newly designed USB sound card audio control box. This feature amplifies both audio and voice, providing an optimal Hi-Fi gaming experience that brings subtle sounds to life. Whether it’s the rustling noise or distant echoes, the headset’s next-generation 7.1 surround sound creates a sense of distance and depth that enriches the overall flight simulation experience. It’s worth noting, however, that this USB surround sound feature is limited to PC, Mac, and PS4 platforms. Overall, this headset offers a blend of superior sound quality and intricate detail recognition that can make a world of difference in flight simulations.
6. JBL Quantum 800 – Wireless Gaming Headset with Active Noise Cancelling
JBL’s reputation for producing high-quality sound products extends to their Quantum range, designed specifically for gaming and, by extension, excellent for flight simulation. The JBL Quantum 800 is a wireless headset that stands out in this line, notably for its Active Noise Cancelling feature. This functionality helps to eliminate background noise, ensuring an immersive flight simulation experience, free from distractions, even in a virtual cockpit.
The JBL Quantum 800 provides an exceptional blend of high-quality sound, personalization, and wireless convenience, making it a strong contender for any flight simulation enthusiast.
What Should You Look for in a Flight Simulator Gaming Headset in 2023?
Now, how do you decide which gaming headset is right for you? Which headset will give you the best possible flight simulator experience?
There are a few factors your should consider, such as price, quality, comfort, and connections before deciding on the best flight simulator headphones for you.
Price
First and foremost it’s important to consider the price. Gaming headsets come in many different prices, depending on their quality and features, so you need to decide which price range will work for your budget.
For example, if you’re on a budget, there are great gaming headsets available that can be purchased for under $50. But it’s important to remember that the less expensive headphones won’t last as long or offer the same level of sound quality as you would get in more premium models.
Sound and Build Quality
As we mentioned above, quality is a factor that will determine the price of the headphones. There’s both the build quality of the product itself, and the sound quality you should consider.
The build quality of the gaming headset is what will determine how durable it is. Is it made of durable materials or just some cheaper plastic? Can you adjust the height and width to get a perfect fit for your head size? Is it water-or shock resistant?
When considering sound quality, some headsets are built with simulated surround sound (many of the headsets mentioned above offer 7.1 surround sound!), so you can hear every little detail in your games. Others have noise-canceling features to block out external sounds and focus on the game audio.
Comfort
When you are planning on lots of hours of virtual flying, the comfort of the headset might be one of the most important aspects to look for.
Adjustability is important to find out if the headset will fit comfortably over time, and also consider how much weight the material used feels when worn.
Compatibility/Connections
Just as with regular aviation headsets, it’s important to make sure they’re compatible with your PC. Most headsets use standard 3.5mm jacks or USB connections, but some are built specifically for a certain console, and might therefore not be compatible with your system.
Your other needs
A last important aspect to consider: are you going to use the headphones purely for gaming, or would you like to use them for other things as well, such as watching movies, listening to music, etc.
If you’re going to use them for other things as well, it might be a good idea to look for more general headphones, instead of gaming headphones. Just make sure they have a built-in microphone if you’re planning on multiplayer flying, streaming or chatting.
Some final words
As you can see, there are a lot of great headsets out there, all offering the perfect blend of sound quality, comfort, features, design and affordability.
Our recommendation:
If we had to pick one favorite from the list above, it would be the T.Flight U.S. Air Force Edition Gaming Headset, just because it’s such a realistic headset, which really makes the whole experience as real as it gets. Of course, feel free to consider all headphones above, compare Amazon reviews and find the one which best suits your needs!
To conclude this article, there are 2 more tips we’d like to share with you;
A great way to enhance your flight sim experience even more, is by using your own aviation headset. There are some great little adapters available online that allow you to plug your headset into your computer and use it as headphones and mic when flying a simulator, like this one from Pilot USA:
$92.05
Buy now on Amazon
The last tip we’d like to share: if your computer has the option to use multiple audio output channels, it might be a cool idea to take advantage of that by using your speakers for aircraft sounds (engine, alarms, wind,…) and your headphones for ATC or multiplayer chat. That will make everything feel just that little more realistic!
Enjoy your (virtual) flight!
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