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

Tarkov Headset Tier List: From God-Tier to Garbage
Not all Tarkov headsets are equal. Some turn you into a sound-whispering demigod. Others make you question if your ears are broken. Hereâs the breakdown:
đ„ S-Tier: The Unbeatable Elite
These headsets are for players who want every advantageâand donât mind paying for it.
- ComTac4Â â The undisputed king. Crystal-clear audio, insane range, and perfect directional sound. If roubles arenât an issue, this is the only choice.
- GSSh-01Â â The budget beast. Not as refined as the ComTac4, but punches way above its price. Sounds a bit metallic, but youâll hear rats crawling from 50 meters away.
đ A-Tier: Strong Contenders
Great for players who want performance without selling their stash.
- Sordin â Balanced sound, comfortable to wear, and reliable. Doesnât excel in any one area but gets the job done.
- M32Â â Decent for mid-range play, but struggles with pinpoint accuracy. If youâre not a hyper-aggressive chad, this works.
đ B-Tier: Use Only If Desperate
These headsets are situationalâfine if youâre broke, but upgrade ASAP.
- Tactical Sport â Cheap, but muffled. Like listening through a wet towel. Avoid if footsteps are your priority.
- RAC Headset â Rare, expensive, and⊠underwhelming. A flex, not a functional pick.
đź C-Tier: Just No
If youâre using these, you might as well play without sound.
- Peltor â 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 youâre tired of getting ambushed, hereâs the best headset for footsteps in Tarkov:
1. ComTac4 â The Footstep God
- Pros:Â Unmatched clarity, insane range, perfect directional audio.
- Cons:Â Costs more than some guns.
- Verdict:Â If you can afford it, thereâs no debate.
2. GSSh-01 â The Budget Sniper
- Pros:Â Cheap, great for hearing footsteps, widely available.
- Cons:Â High-pitched sounds (gunfire, glass) can be ear-piercing.
- Verdict:Â The best value in the game.
3. Sordin â The Reliable Workhorse
- Pros:Â Balanced sound, good for mid-range engagements.
- Cons:Â Not as crisp as the ComTac4.
- Verdict:Â A solid pick if youâre not swimming in roubles.
Avoid the Tactical Sport unless you enjoy guessing where footsteps are coming from.
How to Choose the Right Headset for Your Playstyle
Your ideal Tarkov headset depends on two things: budget and playstyle.
For Aggressive Players (Chads)
- Pick:Â ComTac4
- Why:Â You need every audio advantage when pushing dorms or Labs.
For Budget Players (Rats)
- Pick:Â GSSh-01
- Why:Â Cheap, effective, and losing it wonât hurt your wallet.
For Balanced Players (Mid-Game Enjoyers)
- Pick:Â Sordin
- Why:Â Good all-around performance without breaking the bank.
Personal Take: Which Headset Do I Use?
Iâll admit itâIâm a GSSh-01 stan. Yeah, the ComTac4 is better, but unless youâre a Labs main, the GSSh does the job. Plus, losing a 50k headset hurts less than losing a 150k one.
If youâre new, start with the GSSh. Once youâre 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 raidâs map and expected engagements.
Final Tip: Donât Cheap Out on Sound
Tarkov is brutal. You can have the best gun, armor, and ammoâbut if you canât 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 maybeâjust maybeâyouâll finally extract with that GPU. đ§đ„
Hear Every Step, Win More Fights! đ„ Upgrade your Tarkov experience with the best headsetâdon't let bad audio cost you another raid. Shop Now and dominate the battlefield! đ§đ„