In review: SCUF H1 Gaming Headset

This year, I’ve been all about the headphones. This is quite a change from using an inexpensive wired headset from my phone on the laptop for calls, through various ANC Bluetooth headphones (such as this one) and now sort of full circle, with a wired headset that is worlds better than the one I was given at the office. Enter the SCUF H1.

Now, let’s get some disclaimers out of the way. First off, I am not an audiophile, nor do I have any aspirations to be one. Secondly, what I do is not anything that would carry the label of “gaming”. So, why test this headset out? Well, because the SCUF H1 is more than just for playing video games.

To be clear, the SCUF H1 is not going to be a travel headset. There’s no carrying case, nor does it fold up. But that’s fine, know your uses. Sure, you could commute with it hanging around your neck if you want, as it works just fine with a phone (provided you still have a headphone jack). In a more permanent situation, that’s where it shines.

If you’re using the SCUF H1 in a gaming setup, the standard 3.5mm jack will plug right into your controller, and away you go. You’ll also appreciate the dial for adjusting the volume (right on the cord) as well as a slider that you can easily use to mute/unmute yourself. And, wouldn’t you know it? Those same features work on your laptop as well.

I’ve been using the SCUF H1 as my daily working headset for a few weeks now, both for calls (with zero complaints about sound issues from folks on the other side) as well as listening to podcasts while I’m working away. Once I had the volume set on the cord, I then just adjusting things via my keyboard if/when I needed to. For muting, I tended to just rely on the settings/button in Teams, but I did accidentally engage the one on the cord. So, yeah, if someone complains they can’t hear you, make sure to check that little brick on the cable.

In terms of comfort, I found the SCUF H1 just fine to wear all day. I wouldn’t have minded if the headband had a few more clicks it could go bigger, but I just angled the headband a bit and fit was there. Also, the earcups are just on the border of what fit my ears. Not uncomfortable, but you can feel them if you think about it. The padding on the cups keep the sound in (and some external noise out) and did not make my ears feel sweaty at all.

Now, where things get really interesting with the SCUF H1 are the customization options. The base headset starts at $129, but you have choices to make:

Base: black or white
Speaker tags (these are on the outside of the cups) – you’ve got 31 choices, which range from free to $19.99

Rings: the color of plastic that the tags are set into
Ear cushions: synthetic leather or a synthetic leather / cloth hybrid (as well as the color)
Mic: choose uni- or omni-directional, as well as the color

Cable: choose the color

In other words, you’ve got a lot of options here to get the headset looking like you want it to. Sure, you could get extra ear tags if you want some different looks. Oh, and say you don’t care about the mic for whatever reason? It’s a simple matter to disconnect (it uses a micro-USB connector) and store it off to the side somewhere.

Given how much I’ve enjoyed the tech-laden bluetooth headsets, I was surprised by how much I liked the wired SCUF H1. Sound (and mic) quality was spot-on, and it was nice to not worry about if bluetooth was going to flake on my aging work laptop (as it sometimes does). And switching to another device? Just unplug and plug in again, easy-peasy. There’s something to be said for that simplicity, as well as the clarity a cable can bring. You can check it out and customize your own over at scufgaming.com

Tech Specs from SCUF

Compatible with consoles (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch), PC (Windows, Mac OS, Linux), & Mobile/Tablet (Android, iOS, iPad OS)
Precision-tuned 50mm High-Density Neodymium Speaker Drivers
High-Bandwidth Uni or Omni-directional Microphone