Sound in Escape from Tarkov is more than just background noise. It gives clues, creates pressure, and can save your life. In a game where one footstep can lead to a kill, your headphones matter. They can change how you hear shots, steps, and gear shifts. A good headset makes you faster, sharper, and harder to surprise.
Escape from Tarkov has several in-game headphone options. Each one changes how the game sounds. Some boost footstep noise. Others block out loud gunshots. Some add clarity. A few can ruin your audio and get you killed. Knowing the difference gives you an edge.
This guide lists all headphones in Tarkov. It explains how they sound, how they work, and which ones help most. You’ll learn which gear to grab, which to avoid, and why your choice matters each raid.
How Headphones Work in Tarkov
In Tarkov, headphones sit in the “headset” slot. They change the sound of your environment. Each model has its own audio filter. Some boost high sounds like footsteps or grass rustling. Others make gunfire louder or soften explosions.
Headphones do not protect your ears. They give no armor. Their job is to help you hear more. A headset can warn you before enemies see you. It can help you track movement across walls or floors.
Sound in Tarkov is directional and layered. Headphones control how far you hear, how loud it sounds, and what gets blocked. The wrong headset can make gunfire too loud or mute nearby movement. That can cost you your gear or your life.
Full List of Headphones in Tarkov (with Sound Guide)
Below is a full list of in-game headphones. Each entry includes how it sounds and when to use it.
1. ComTac2 Tactical Headset
- Sound Profile: Boosts footsteps, gear noise, and reloads. Slightly lowers gunfire.
- Best Use: General use, early to mid-game.
- Pros: Clear footsteps, low price, always available on traders.
- Cons: Slight distortion in loud gunfights.
ComTac2 is the most common headset in Tarkov. It works well in all maps. Most players use it in early raids. It gives strong clarity without much noise boost. Footsteps sound close and sharp.
2. Sordin Supreme PRO-X
- Sound Profile: Clean and crisp. Less static than ComTac2.
- Best Use: Close combat and indoor fights.
- Pros: Sharp mid-tones, reliable in halls and rooms.
- Cons: Gunshots may feel sharp.
This headset improves on the ComTac2. It makes sound cleaner with less background hiss. Players use it in labs, dorms, or any tight space. Steps behind walls feel clear and close.
3. Peltor ComTac4
- Sound Profile: Natural sound. Slight boost in low-range tones.
- Best Use: Mid to long-range fights.
- Pros: Balanced profile, little audio fatigue.
- Cons: Lower footstep clarity.
ComTac4 gives a wide sound field. It feels open and calm. You won’t hear every step, but you’ll hear distant movement better. It works well in woods, lighthouse, and streets.
4. M32 Tactical Headset
- Sound Profile: Aggressive highs. Boosts small noises too much.
- Best Use: Rare use. Not ideal for serious fights.
- Pros: Cheap.
- Cons: Harsh sound, poor in gunfights.
M32s are budget headphones. They boost everything, which can hurt your ears. Gunshots feel loud. Steps can get lost in sharp background sounds. Use only if you have no other gear.
5. GSSh-01 Active Headset
- Sound Profile: Sharp high tones, very loud steps.
- Best Use: Factory or tight interiors.
- Pros: Extreme footstep boost.
- Cons: Too loud, adds ear fatigue fast.
This headset is loved and hated. It makes steps loud-very loud. Some players love it for close-range fights. Others hate how it amplifies all gear noise. It’s best in small maps or fast raids.
6. Walker’s Razor Digital
- Sound Profile: Smooth and clear, low background static.
- Best Use: All-around.
- Pros: Great sound mix, low distortion.
- Cons: Rare spawn, trader-locked.
This headset offers one of the cleanest sounds in Tarkov. It does not boost too much. Everything sounds natural. Footsteps come through clear without ear pain. Many pros favor this model.
7. TAC Sport
- Sound Profile: Muted bass, strong midrange.
- Best Use: Indoor use or small team play.
- Pros: Easy on the ears, long use comfort.
- Cons: Lacks long-range clarity.
TAC Sport feels easy to wear. It does not overpower your ears. This makes it good for long raids or streamers who play for hours. But it may not help in large maps like Woods or Shoreline.
8. Opsmen Earmor M32
- Sound Profile: Harsh highs, weak bass.
- Best Use: Avoid unless no other choice.
- Pros: Cheap or found in raid.
- Cons: Painful in gunfights, hard to hear details.
This headset often spawns in lower-tier loot areas. It sounds poor and boosts the wrong ranges. Use it only if you have no better option.
Best Headphones Ranked (Tier List)
Here is a quick list from best to worst, based on sound quality and use:
S-Tier (Top Choice):
- Walker’s Razor Digital
- Sordin Supreme PRO-X
A-Tier (Very Good):
- ComTac2
- Peltor ComTac4
B-Tier (Usable, Situational):
- TAC Sport
- GSSh-01
C-Tier (Weak, Avoid if Possible):
- M32 Tactical
- Opsmen Earmor M32
How to Choose the Right Headset
Not every raid needs the same headset. Your playstyle, map, and goals shape the best choice.
- Tight maps: Use GSSh-01 or Sordin for loud steps.
- Open maps: Choose ComTac4 or Walker’s Razor for range.
- Budget runs: Go with ComTac2.
- High-value raids: Pick S-Tier gear when survival matters.
Also test what works best for your ears. Some players prefer smooth sound. Others want max footstep boost. Try each one in offline mode and see what fits.
Do Real-Life Headphones Affect Tarkov Sound?
No. Your in-game headset controls how sound works. Real headphones or speakers only affect sound quality. You can play Tarkov with studio gear, but it won’t change the in-game audio filter.
Still, a good real-life headset helps. It gives clearer direction and less delay. Wired headphones work better than wireless. Closed-back types help block room noise.
Final Thoughts
Your headset slot in Tarkov is not just a gear choice. It is part of your survival plan. Sound in this game gives you a real edge. It warns you before danger comes. It lets you track players across floors, hallways, and hills. In a fast gunfight, that one extra second can decide the winner. A good headset helps you act faster, shoot better, and stay alive longer.
Not all headphones work the same. Some boost useful sounds like footsteps and reloads. Others drown those out with loud gunshots or gear clatter. If you pick the wrong one, you might miss a key sound and lose a fight. If you pick the right one, you hear every move and strike first.
Walker’s Razor and Sordin PRO-X sit at the top. These two give the clearest sound, the best balance, and less noise fatigue. ComTac2 gives good value, especially for budget runs. It works well across all maps. ComTac4 offers smoother tone but less sharp detail. GSSh-01 boosts steps but tires your ears. Headsets like the M32 or Earmor may sound harsh and offer little help in real fights.
Before each raid, ask yourself: What kind of fight do I expect? Tight interiors? Open woods? Solo or squad? Choose your headset based on that answer. Try different models. Learn how they change the game’s sound. Once you know what works for you, you’ll play smarter and win more often.
The best players listen before they move. They use sound as a weapon. If you do the same, you won’t just hear footsteps, you’ll hear victory coming.
Have a favorite headset we missed? Tell us in the comments