EPOS H3 Gaming Headset review: They'd be perfect if not for the limited volume

There are so many gaming headsets out there, which makes it hard to really know what you should get. Having experienced this dilemma many times myself, I'm always happy to check out a new pair of headphones. Recently I had the pleasure of testing the EPOS H3 Gaming Headset.

These headphones are marketed as a closed-acoustic gaming headset to be used on a wide range of devices. I found it worked excellently while using my phone, playing my Nintendo Switch, and while on my computer. While they aren't the very best headphones you can purchase, they're a great choice overall without costing a fortune.

EPOS H3 Gaming Headset: Price and availability

The EPOS H3 Gaming Headset can be purchased from Amazon or Best Buy for $120. You can get it in Black or White and Black. While it's temporarily out of stock on Amazon right now, you can sign up for email notifications as to when it will be back in stock. You can also purchase it now, but you will not be charged until it ships.

EPOS H3 Gaming Headset: What's good

I really love the look and feel of the EPOS H3 Gaming Headset, and not just because the white and black design makes me think of a Stormtrooper. The soft cushioning on the above band coupled with the soft, adjustable earphones feel great on my head. I don't feel squeezed, but I also feel like the device won't fall off.

One of my favorite things about this headset are the subtle mute and volume controls. In fact, it took me a second to realize that there were even on the headphone. The unintrusive wheel on the right earphone spins left or write to increase or decrease output without making a big deal over the controls.

There is no mute button per se, however, flipping up the microphone does mute the device while getting it out of the way. This headset is great for giving you controls without a garish button detracting from the overall design. While on the subject of the mic, while playing games with friends, I was told that my voice came through loud and clear without any feedback. However, the microphone cannot be removed.

As far as sound goes, the EPOS H3 uses a closed acoustic design. This means that it has closed-back headphones that isolate from external noise and have minimal sound leakage. Think of it like your ears are marinating in the sounds with nothing getting away. I found that bass, mid, and high tones all come through easily and crystal clear for enjoyable listening sessions. There's also hardly any sound leakage, so I can feel comfortable using them on a plane or bus.

I was happily surprised to find that the headset comes with both a headphone and microphone splitter as well as your standard 2.0 mm headphone jack. This opens up some more possibilities for what kind of devices you can plug into while appealing to more listening preferences. I will say that it took a bit more effort than it should have to completely plug those cables into the headset, though. At first I didn't push them in all the way and the sound came through wonky, but after pushing them in further there wasn't an issue.

EPOS H3 Gaming Headset: What's not good

While the H3 has a great range of sound, it can't get very loud. I tested it on my Nintendo Switch, my phone, and my computer. The sounds was admittedly a bit louder from my phone and got to a comfortable level everywhere I used it, but it I couldn't crank up the output as much as I wanted. This is a problem if you're listening to quiet songs or if you really want to bang out to your favorite tune. But if you're the kind of person that wants to protect your ears from loud blasts, this will be a great choice for you.

My only other complaint is that this is a wired-only headset. The cables do reach six feet giving you plenty of room to move around with. However, I'd like this headset more if there was at least the option for a Bluetooth connection.

EPOS H3 Gaming Headset: Competition

Anyone looking for a wireless connection should check out the EasySMX V07W. It features RGB lighting on either headphone and can be used both wirelessly and with a cable connection.

If you're on a budget and don't want to spend that much, I highly suggest looking at the EKSA E900. It's a wired headset that comes in a sleek red and black design.

There's also the EKSA E900 PRO if you're looking for a slightly nicer budget option that's very similar to the one above.

EPOS H3 Gaming Headset: Should you buy it?

• You want headphones that work with several different devices
• You want a mid-priced headset with good sound
• You want a headset with unintrusive volume and mute controls

• You want to listen to music wirelessly
• You want a removable microphone
• You want your sound to get really loud

I really like the look and feel of the EPOS H3. The earphones are well cushioned and the bar across the top doesn't put too much pressure on my head. I also love the subtle volume and mute controls that don't take away from the overall design of the device. The sounds come through crystal clear and easily hit low, mid, and high tones. Overall, this is a great mid-cost headset for any device.

Just be aware that this is a wired-only headset and that the volume doesn't get very loud. It will be harder to hear quieter songs or to really blast out your favorite songs, (though maybe that's a good thing for your ears).