Closer Examination, Build Quality and Comfort

The Fnatic React sports a familiar design we already saw on several beloved gaming headsets, such as the HyperX Cloud/Cloud 2 or the Corsair HS50/HS70 Wireless. Two large ear cups are attached to a pair of metal hangers, which give them a certain level of freedom of movement, enough for them to be able to fully adjust to just about any head shape or size. The ear cups are completely sealed from the outside.


Fnatic steered clear from any aesthetic escapades. Aside from the company logo on both ear cups, the word "Fnatic" can be found subtly engraved on both sides and the top of the headband. The whole headset looks very neutral, even professional, which comes as a breath of fresh air in a world where gaming peripherals oftentimes look like they came straight out of a circus.


The inner side of the headband is decently padded and covered in mesh fabric. The removable, pleather ear cushions are filled with thick memory foam. All of this results in a very comfortable gaming headset, one I was able to wear for hours at a time without feeling any discomfort around my ears or on top of my head. The comfort of the Fnatic React also has to do with the flexibility of its frame. I should point out that the frame, while flexible, never creaks or looks like it could break—the overall build quality is really good, well above anything I'd expect from a $75/€70 gaming headset.


The exposed wires connecting the ear cups to each other are rubberized and don't get in the way when handling the headset. The left and right channels are clearly marked on the yellow fabric that covers them.


The height of the headset can be adjusted by sliding the ear cups up and down the metal frame.


The markings on the inner side of the frame should help you adjust both ear cups equally.


The detachable microphone connects to the left ear cup. For some reason, the port isn't shaped in a way that would make it impossible to plug the microphone in backwards, which is what other manufacturers usually do. One way or the other, the microphone has to face away from the nearby cable.


Fnatic based the microphone arm on a familiar design: it's covered with a series of metal rings that make it easily bendable yet very stable. A pop filter covers the microphone capsule, which makes it look more professional.


Some 30 centimeters down the rubberized cable you'll find an in-line remote control with two of the usual elements: a small volume dial and a microphone mute switch. The microphone mute switch could do with a clearer way to inform you that the microphone is off. The volume dial isn't very impressive either, but gets the job done, so there's not much to complain about. At least the remote control is very compact and light, so you don't even feel it's there.


The 1.2-meter cable terminates in a 3.5-mm 4-pole TRRS plug, which is what you'll use when connecting the Fnatic React to a console or mobile device. For the PC or any other device with a separate audio input (microphone) and output (headphones), there's an additional 2-meter splitter cable with a pair of 3.5-mm TRS plugs.