JLab Nightfall Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Key Takeaways

JLab’s Nightfall wireless headset offers unmatched noise cancellation and incredible battery life for under $70.
Comfortable design with cloud foam earcups and adjustable headband, making it suitable for long gaming sessions.
Impressive audio quality with spatial audio drivers, versatile connectivity options, but may not fit larger heads.

As a tech enthusiast who’s tried my fair share of gaming headsets, I must say that the JLab Nightfall Wireless Gaming Headset has left me quite impressed! Coming from someone who often finds themselves juggling work, study, and gaming, this headset is a game-changer.

For most gamers, having a top-notch gaming headset is essential, especially for those who aim for an immersive experience in new game worlds or smooth communication with teammates during strategic attacks. The advancements in audio technology lately have resulted in an abundance of high-quality, budget-friendly gaming headsets. Although many are impressively good, choosing a wireless one within your budget can still be a bit of a risk. However, even entry-level headsets can exceed expectations if they focus on solid design and robust specifications.

JLab, recognized for its budget-friendly headphones and earbuds boasting quality on par with pricier brands, introduced the wired Nightfall gaming headset at a modest $40 price point less than a year ago. Now, they’ve upgraded that cost-effective model to develop a wireless version of the Nightfall gaming headset, slightly more expensive but still affordable. Game Rant had the opportunity to test one for a few weeks, and here’s our conclusion: Could JLab be offering the latest top budget headset for gamers?

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What’s in the Box?

JLab Nightfall Wireless Gaming Headset Review

Nightfall Wireless Headset
USB Type-C Wireless Dongle
USB-A to USB-C Adapter
USB-C Charging Cord

Design & Comfort

JLab’s Nightfall wireless headsets are famed for their comfort, making it understandable that they can be worn for extended periods. However, it’s important to note that there are some significant drawbacks. For one, individuals with larger heads might find them uncomfortable. Furthermore, the earcups have a tendency to press slightly on the back of your ears, which could be uncomfortable for those who wear glasses and may not provide an optimal listening experience in the long run.

Generally speaking, many users will appreciate the adjustable strap and soft, plush earcups on this headset. The velcro-adjustable strap is soft to the touch and can be easily adjusted for a perfect fit. It’s also designed not to catch hair or snag on anything. The strap can be flipped to reveal a black headband, though even when it’s flipped, the color isn’t particularly vibrant and appears almost entirely black in about 20% of its area. Nonetheless, the strap allows for a natural fit over your ears. It’s worth noting that there’s plenty of room for adjustment to ensure maximum comfort. However, more active gamers might find themselves frequently readjusting their headset during gameplay.

The rotating earcups don’t make it any easier to avoid micro-adjustments, but they’re supported by some very comfortable cushions. These earcups are made with high-quality faux leather and stuffed with a thick layer of cloud foam. Plus, inside each earcup is a perforated lining to help keep the ears cool, even after long gaming sessions. These earcups aren’t just super comfortable, either. They also help block a ton of noise, which will be discussed further in the next section.

The excellent design of the wireless Nightfall headset extends beyond the comfort factor, with a streamlined approach offering users effortless control. For instance, the volume scroll wheel moves in increments of two, making it easy to stop at sensible levels. Similarly, switching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz is as simple as it sounds: there’s a toggle switch with a distinctive top on the same side of the headset as the volume button. Below those two functions are the power button and, finally, the charging port. Everything a user might need to mess with is right at the tips of their fingers in an intuitive way.

Simultaneously, this mic embedded within the headset functions seamlessly with three positions: storage, mute, and open. While it’s not designed to fully retract into the headset like some others, it’s worth noting that there might be a slight risk of damage due to this design. However, most homes should find this issue insignificant.

Connectivity & Performance

Occasionally, an affordable device manages to astound and captivate the market, emerging seemingly out of nowhere. JLab is one such company that has done just that with their unique blend of a flexible headband, plushly cushioned earcups, and premium spatial audio drivers. It’s true that the sound quality may vary depending on what you’re listening to, but when it comes to their Nightfall wireless model, the sound is almost universally impressive.

This headset works seamlessly with PCs, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and smartphones, delivering superior sound quality across all devices. However, it’s worth mentioning that there is noticeable lag when connecting to the Nintendo Switch, although it’s unclear whether this issue originates from the headset or Nintendo’s stringent audio compatibility settings. It’s important to add that, similar to most wireless headsets, the USB-C dongle and microphone will not function with the Switch. Instead, you can link the device to the console for audio output using Bluetooth connectivity.

Simultaneously, the USB dongle is crafted with user convenience as its focus, enabling it to fit into either a USB-C or USB-A port thanks to the provided adapter. This flexibility means that on computers packed with wireless gadgets, users won’t need to switch accessories for superior audio quality. The headset boasts a wireless range exceeding 30 feet; during testing, sound quality remained clear even up to 50 feet from the device, though more than one or two walls may impact the connection at around 30 feet. Despite this, the range is quite impressive for a mid-range model like the Nightfall.

Continuing to impress as promised, the Nightfall headset boasts an exceptional battery. A standout aspect is its ability to inform you of your remaining battery level when you turn it on, a handy detail that has proven quite beneficial in practice. The headset tends to stay active for long periods without automatically shutting off, which can be slightly inconvenient, but it seems to enter some sort of low-power mode after prolonged inactivity. Remarkably, the battery life stretches up to an impressive 70 hours, and if left on unintentionally throughout the week, it’s likely to have enough charge for that weekend gaming marathon.

Not only does the Nightfall gaming headset excel at the often-disliked but crucial aspects, it handles them superbly! The voice alerts come through softly, and the warnings are sparing, typically sounding every 10 minutes during the final half hour before running out of power. This might seem minimal, but it’s usually sufficient time to recharge. Moreover, this headset charges swiftly; it can store up to 10 hours of power in just 10 minutes! And if that’s not impressive enough, it fully charges within less than an hour.

Establishing a strong connection and bringing along the batteries to back it up is one thing, but the actual audio quality is another. However, this is where JLab’s wireless Nightfall really shines. The headset boasts a set of 50mm drivers, which work well across a wide range of sounds. Deep bass tones allow you to absolutely rock out, even while the higher-pitched noises land perfectly as well, avoiding harsh peaks. At full volume, most sounds are still just as crystal clear, though sibilant sounds (S-sounds) tend to suffer above 80% volume.

The audio quality is exceptional, with spatial audio enhancing it further. This clarity was particularly noticeable in solo games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Tears of the Kingdom, as well as when listening to background music while working. It made it simple to determine the direction from which sounds were originating. Moreover, this meticulous balance of sound proved crucial in shooters and other multiplayer/competitive games.

This is also where the comfy, foam-padded earcups come back into play, along with the flexible headband strap. These two elements work in conjunction with the drivers to create an impressive noise seal, making the headset on par with many noise-cancelling headsets that have been reviewed by Game Rant. To be fair, the noise cancellation does rely heavily on volume, but even at just 30% volume, many sounds are completely blocked, and at 50% volume hardly anything can get through. It is so effective that people who need to stay aware of their surroundings should not buy this headset. However, if you’re looking to game at home, study in peace, or focus on a work task, the Nightfall wireless headset is the perfect choice.

The microphone is designed to minimize background noise. It performs fairly well, but it’s not flawless, especially in busy homes. However, it captures voices clearly and transmits them accurately. What’s more, it automatically adjusts the sensitivity based on how loud or quiet you speak, thereby avoiding blasting your friends or colleagues with excessively loud sounds.

Overall Impression

The JLab Nightfall wireless gaming headset has come out of nowhere and now seeks to dethrone the best budget wireless headsets on the market. There are really only two downsides to this headset: it’s incompatible with Xbox, and it has a limiting size. The former negative is common enough to forgive, while the latter is a bit more difficult to overlook. However, if you have an average head size, there are few reasons not to get the Nightfall wireless headset.

For just $70, the Nightfall wireless gaming headset offers a budget-friendly option compared to most other headsets in its category, typically priced at approximately $100. Moreover, JLab often hosts sales, implying that you might find numerous opportunities for savings during holiday seasons. In essence, the Nightfall headset delivers impressive performance and allows you to save $20-$30 on a top-tier, pseudo-noise-cancelling gaming headset.

JLab’s ingenious and user-friendly design has resulted in a gaming headset that provides exceptional comfort alongside an impressive level of noise reduction, even with a small boost in volume. If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly gaming headset suitable for PC or Bluetooth devices, priced under $75, the Nightfall wireless gaming headset from JLab is definitely worth considering.

Similar Products

If you have lots of money to spend or are looking for a headset with different features from the Nightfall, these gaming headsets might be a better fit for you:

Feature	Headset	Price
Higher-End	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless	$314
Compatible with Xbox	Razer Kaira Pro	$83
Open-Back Design	BeyerDynamic DT 990 Pro	$180

FAQ

Q: Can you connect JLab headsets to the Xbox?

JLab’s wired earphones can work with Xbox through controllers, however, their wireless earphones do not currently support Xbox connection.

Q: How long to JLab headsets last?

As a devoted fan, I can vouch that JLab’s accessories are built with reliability and durability in mind. This means I can confidently anticipate enjoying their budget headsets for well over a year due to their robust construction.

2024-08-27 04:04