Inside This Article:
- Why Sound Wins Fights in Tarkov
- Tarkov Headset Tier List: From God-Tier to Garbage
- š„ S-Tier: The Unbeatable Elite
- š A-Tier: Strong Contenders
- š B-Tier: Use Only If Desperate
- š® C-Tier: Just No
- Best Tarkov Headset for Footsteps: Hear Them Before They Hear You
- 1. ComTac4 ā The Footstep God
- 2. GSSh-01 ā The Budget Sniper
- 3. Sordin ā The Reliable Workhorse
- How to Choose the Right Headset for Your Playstyle
- Personal Take: Which Headset Do I Use?
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Tip: Donāt Cheap Out on Sound
Sound is everything inĀ Escape from Tarkov. Miss a footstep, and youāre dead. Hear a reload, and you win. Itās that simple. But with so manyĀ Tarkov headsetsĀ to choose from, how do you pick the right one? This guide dives deep into theĀ Tarkov headset tier list, theĀ best headset for footsteps, and how to avoid becoming another nameless corpse in a bush.
Why Sound Wins Fights in Tarkov
Tarkov isnāt Call of Duty. You canāt rely on reflexes alone. Here, sound is your sixth sense. A distant shuffle, a faint breath, theĀ clickĀ of a grenade pināthese decide life or death.
How Headsets Work
Headsets in Tarkov do two things:
- Amplify subtle soundsĀ (footsteps, rustling, breathing).
- Reduce loud noisesĀ (gunfire, explosions) to prevent ear damage.
Without one, youāre deaf. With a bad one, youāre confused. With the right one, youāre a predator.
Source: Tarkov wiki Headsets

Tarkov Headset Tier List: From God-Tier to Garbage
Not allĀ Tarkov headsets Ā are equal. Some turn you into a sound-whispering demigod. Others make you question if your ears are broken. Hereās the breakdown:
š„ S-Tier: The Unbeatable Elite
These headsets are for players who want every advantageāand donāt mind paying for it.
- ComTac4Ā ā The undisputed king. Crystal-clear audio, insane range, and perfect directional sound. If roubles arenāt an issue, this is the only choice.
- GSSh-01Ā ā The budget beast. Not as refined as the ComTac4, but punches way above its price. Sounds a bit metallic, but youāll hear rats crawling from 50 meters away.
š A-Tier: Strong Contenders
Great for players who want performance without selling their stash.
- SordinĀ ā Balanced sound, comfortable to wear, and reliable. Doesnāt excel in any one area but gets the job done.
- M32Ā ā Decent for mid-range play, but struggles with pinpoint accuracy. If youāre not a hyper-aggressive chad, this works.
š B-Tier: Use Only If Desperate
These headsets are situationalāfine if youāre broke, but upgrade ASAP.
- Tactical SportĀ ā Cheap, but muffled. Like listening through a wet towel. Avoid if footsteps are your priority.
- RAC HeadsetĀ ā Rare, expensive, and⦠underwhelming. A flex, not a functional pick.
š® C-Tier: Just No
If youāre using these, you might as well play without sound.
- PeltorĀ ā The audio equivalent of static. Why does this even exist?
Best Tarkov Headset for Footsteps: Hear Them Before They Hear You
Footsteps win fights. If youāre tired of getting ambushed, hereās theĀ best headset for footstepsĀ in Tarkov:
1. ComTac4 ā The Footstep God
- Pros:Ā Unmatched clarity, insane range, perfect directional audio.
- Cons:Ā Costs more than some guns.
- Verdict:Ā If you can afford it, thereās no debate.
2. GSSh-01 ā The Budget Sniper
- Pros:Ā Cheap, great for hearing footsteps, widely available.
- Cons:Ā High-pitched sounds (gunfire, glass) can be ear-piercing.
- Verdict:Ā The best value in the game.
3. Sordin ā The Reliable Workhorse
- Pros:Ā Balanced sound, good for mid-range engagements.
- Cons:Ā Not as crisp as the ComTac4.
- Verdict:Ā A solid pick if youāre not swimming in roubles.
Avoid the Tactical SportĀ unless you enjoy guessing where footsteps are coming from.
How to Choose the Right Headset for Your Playstyle
Your idealĀ Tarkov headsetĀ depends on two things:Ā budgetĀ andĀ playstyle.
For Aggressive Players (Chads)
- Pick:Ā ComTac4
- Why:Ā You need every audio advantage when pushing dorms or Labs.
For Budget Players (Rats)
- Pick:Ā GSSh-01
- Why:Ā Cheap, effective, and losing it wonāt hurt your wallet.
For Balanced Players (Mid-Game Enjoyers)
- Pick:Ā Sordin
- Why:Ā Good all-around performance without breaking the bank.
Personal Take: Which Headset Do I Use?
Iāll admit itāIām aĀ GSSh-01Ā stan. Yeah, the ComTac4 is better, but unless youāre a Labs main, the GSSh does the job. Plus, losing a 50k headset hurts less than losing a 150k one.
If youāre new, start with the GSSh. Once youāre rich, upgrade to the ComTac4.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
What are the best headsets in Escape from Tarkov?
The best headsets depend on your playstyle, but popular choices include the ComTac 4, GSSh-01, and Sordin for their balance of sound clarity and situational awareness. -
How do headsets affect gameplay in Tarkov?
Headsets amplify ambient sounds like footsteps and gunfire while dampening loud noises, helping you detect enemies earlier and react faster in combat. -
Are expensive headsets worth it in Tarkov?
Higher-tier headsets like the ComTac 4 offer better sound filtering and range, making them valuable for serious players, but budget options like the GSSh-01 can still be effective. -
Can I use multiple headsets in a single raid?
No, you can only equip one headset at a time, so choose one that best fits your needs for the raidās map and expected engagements.
Final Tip: Donāt Cheap Out on Sound
Tarkov is brutal. You can have the best gun, armor, and ammoābut if you canāt hear the guy sneaking up behind you, none of it matters. Invest in a good headset. Your survival rate will thank you.
Now go out there, listen carefully, and maybeājust maybeāyouāll finally extract with that GPU. š§š„
Hear Every Step, Win More Fights! š„ Upgrade your Tarkov experience with the best headsetādon't let bad audio cost you another raid. Shop Now and dominate the battlefield! š§š„
Ā
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