How well your gaming headset isolates noise makes a big difference to its sound quality. This is especially the case when you’re playing first-person shooters (FPS), where external noise can make it more difficult to locate the direction of sounds, like the footsteps of approaching enemies. In marketing materials, manufacturers will often use terms like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and passive noise isolation, but these terms mean quite different things. Here’s a quick definition of each: a) Passive noise isolation: How well a headset can block out external noise just by forming a physical noise-blocking barrier over your ears. b) Active Noise Cancellation: A technology incorporated into your gaming headset that actively blocks or filters out ambient noise so the sound you hear is the clearest it can be. If possible, you’ll want a headset that sports both passive noise isolation as well as ANC, since these noise-blocking measures both have benefits. Passive noise isolation tends to be better at blocking out higher-pitched sounds, whereas ANC is more effective at blocking out lower-pitched sounds—like background noise and the sound of traffic. How well ANC and passive noise isolation work can vary greatly among headsets, so it’s worth doing your research to find a headset that makes the cut.