The Oculus Quest ships with positional audio built directly into the headset to support the VR experience offered by the standalone device. While the sound quality is sufficient, we believe that using an external pair of headphones is the way to go for a truly immersive experience without projecting sound to everyone around you.
To really feel like you're in the middle of the action with your Oculus Quest, you need superior audio to accompany the amazing visuals.
Wired headphones are as simple as plug-and-play, since the Quest supports an audio jack on both sides of the headset. You can plug a pair of headphones into either side or plug a separate headphone into each side.
Wireless headphones, while a bit more complicated to set up initially, are worth it in the end if you want a truly untethered VR experience. See this guide on how to set up and use wireless headphones for the Quest.
Here is our list for the best headphones to use with your Oculus Quest.
The HyperX Cloud Revolver S headphones boast fantastic 7.1-channel surround sound, delivered through Dolby's trademark digital signal processor. While a bit pricey, these headphones carry excellent all-around sound and all-day comfort. The mic positioning is a bit finicky and the cable may be too long though. Elite feel and sound at a premium price. View on Amazon.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro headphones are known for offering impeccable audio. Not only does it offer explosive sound for all of your favorite VR titles, but thanks to its included DAC (digital to audio converter), the Arctis Pro also serves you well when watching movies or listening to music. While a bit pricey and the surround sound might not be great, these headphones are one of the best you can buy today. View on Amazon.
The Beyerdynamic Custom Game headphones are the headphones you want if your main concern is discomfort. These headphones excel in both sound and comfort, which is great for long VR sessions in the Quest. While you may be paying extra, the sound quality on these is seriously impressive, and you won't want to take them off. View on Amazon.
The Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset is the budget king. Usually when you're buying anything, including gaming peripherals, you get what you pay for. With these headphones, that is not the case. Designed for the budget consumer, this is the best set of gaming headphones you can buy today. It has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets that are twice as expensive. Everything, down to the build materials, radiates quality. Excellent for trying out external headphones for your Quest for the first time. View at Walmart.
The Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset is another great headset for the budget-friendly gamer. It boasts raw perfomance with a subdued design that is comfortable for long periods of time. Perfect for long VR sessions in the Quest. While the bass can be a bit heavy at times, this headset is the best for its value, offering excellent quality over style. View on Amazon
The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero is the ultimate wireless PC gaming headset featuring immersive Waves 3D Audio, 30+ hour battery life and unmatched comfort with cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions. See on Amazon.
SteelSeries makes our list again but this time with the wireless SteelSeries Arctis 7 headset. With a retractable noise-canceling mic, chat mix control, and customizable earcup plates and headband, this is one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy for your Oculus Quest. It has excellent battery life, so you won't have to worry about it dying during your VR experience, and the headband is quite comfortable (although it slackens a bit over time). View on Amazon.
The Corsair HS70 headset is the best budget wireless gaming headset you can buy today. Available in either black or white finishes, the headset features a sturdy build that lasts, a light and well-padded construction, and a 16-hour battery life. While the headset may not be the comfiest, it is perfect for venturing into your first truly tetherless Quest experience with external headphones. View on Amazon.
The Asus ROG Strix Wireless is a great wireless headset for real surround sound. Featuring a USB audio station, true 7.1 surround, detachable mic, and on-headset controls, this headset is perfect for the true VR experience. While the bass may be a bit heavy, its distinct look will make you stand out while wearing a pair of headphones. View on Amazon.
The BoseQuietComfort 35 II headphones are a brilliant non-gaming option headset, which could actually be perfect for what you use your Quest for. Whether it's for watching movies or enjoying nice relaxation apps by yourself undisturbed by others, these wireless headphones are some of the best you can buy. The memory foam padding around each earcup here, along with a lightweight design and ultra-soft leatherette pads create for a truly noise-cancelling experience with excellent sound quality and comfort. The headphones also feature Google Assistant and Siri compatibility, so it's great for multi-device usage. View on Amazon.
Ah yes, the Apple AirPods, Apple's first foray into wireless headphones, offering near-instantaneous pairing with your iOS device and impressive audio performance. Known for their lightweight, wireless design, their quick and seamless connection on iOS devices, solid Siri integration, 5 hours of battery life, and great audio quality, many are left wondering if they could be compatible with the Oculus Quest. While many believe they are not, the truth is that they are. As stated earlier, any of the aforementioned wireless headphones require a bit of a lengthy setup process, but once they are up and running, the end result is worth it. This applies to the AirPods as well. See the video below for a quick-and-easy guide on how to use AirPods with your Oculus Quest. View on Amazon.
Conclusion
While the sound quality of the positional audio built directly into the Oculus Quest is sufficient for most games and applications, it just doesn't cut it for more "audio-demanding" titles such as Beat Saber. We hope that this list for the best external headphones you can use with the Oculus Quest has served useful!
If you're looking for our Oculus Quest battery tricks, check out our newer article here.
Got any other headphones for the Oculus Quest that you want to share? Think we missed any? Tweet us @baserealityco
