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When it comes to video games, you can just use a typical pair of headphones. Still, your everyday set may cut it if you want more immersive audio and an integrated microphone for online multiplayer. You could supplement your cans with a dedicated microphone, but extra cables are a pain. That’s where gaming headsets come in: instead of buying a separate piece of equipment, sometimes it’s better to pick up an off-the-shelf option with all features built-in to avoid any complicated hookups. Overhead Headphones For Gym
Given the abundance of gaming headsets available on the market, we’ve sorted through them to save you time. Here’s a short list of the best gaming headsets you can buy today.
Those who want to remain untethered for hours on end will immediately like the HyperX Cloud Alpha. In our tests, the headset lasted 327 hours, 27 minutes which knocks the socks off of any other wireless gaming headset we’ve tested. To put this into perspective, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is runner-up for best battery and lasted 78 hours under those same testing conditions.
Unfortunately, if the battery does unexpectedly deplete, you can’t just plug in with a wired connection and keep gaming. You can’t use the Cloud Alpha Wireless while it’s charging, either. No, this headset is wireless only and connects to your device via a USB-A dongle. It works well on PC and PlayStation consoles, and you can even use the Cloud Alpha Wireless with a docked Nintendo Switch. Xbox gamers, sorry, you’ll have to keep looking.
If you want to go a step further with the headset, download the HyperX NGenuity app to access firmware updates along with mic/headphone volume adjustments. Here, you can also enable the DTS:X spatial sound feature and create a custom EQ. During our review period, the app struggled to recognize the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, forcing us to occasionally restart the PC before being able to use it.
The headset was clearly designed with comfort and durability in mind. A solid metal frame, thick plastic headphones, and deep leatherette pads make for a headset that feels fantastic. The onboard controls add an extra degree of convenience, too. For listeners who want a comfortable headset that will last for weeks, pony up for this one.
If you’re looking for something with similar features, check out our reviews of the recently released HyperX Cloud III ($99 at Amazon) and the still-popular HyperX Cloud II ($113 at Amazon).
The detachable mic sounds pretty good on the Cloud Alpha Wireless, but it isn’t the clearest audio quality. Take a listen to the demos below and let us know your thoughts!
Gaming headsets are continually improving, and the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED offers a host of feature improvements over the model it replaces, the Logitech G PRO X. Though it’s not the best headset at any one thing it does, the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED goes everything pretty well.
Audiophiles may not like this headset over other options like the Audeze Maxwell or Penrose, but the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED is what you get if you just want something that works with pretty much everything.
The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED microphone sounds decent when you use it from a quiet space. Listen below!
Corsair is no stranger to the gaming headset market, and it has outdone itself with the Virtuoso Wireless SE. At first glance, the headset looks more like a piece of studio gear rather than an accessory for gamers. However, its premium design carries a treasure trove of powerful internals that somewhat justify its high price tag.
Of course, the highlight feature of the Virtuoso Wireless SE is its microphone. While it’s not exactly “broadcast quality,” as Corsair claims, it’s definitely impressive and offers a relatively neutral frequency response. Low-end roll-off or high-frequency over-emphasis is typically one of the weakest aspects of any gaming headset.
This wireless gaming headset sports a primarily metal build, soft leatherette ear pads, and a selection of metal-accented accessories, including a USB-C to USB-A cable, a 3.5mm aux cable, and a USB wireless dongle. The Virtuoso Wireless SE has a 20-hour battery life that will last through even the most intense all-nighter gaming sessions, with or without a wire.
Regardless of your pitch, your voice is sure to come through clearly through this microphone—whether you’re talking over the phone or in a Zoom call. If you don’t believe us, listen for yourself:
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless keeps with the tradition of SteelSeries headsets, focusing on comfort above all else. Thanks to its suspended headband-style design, it’s nice to use for long periods of time. It also is a good choice when it comes to build quality. The headset comes with a USB-C wireless dongle, as well as a USB-A to USB-C adapter, and also supports Bluetooth and a 3.5mm connection in a pinch. This gives it support for an incredibly wide array of gaming devices, as well as smartphones and PCs.
The only real issue is that the frequency response profile of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 wireless isn’t very close to our ideal consumer curve. However, it’s not terrible, and you can improve it somewhat with the software EQ. It’s an excellent choice both for gaming at home as well as out on the go. Additionally, if you’re looking for something that also has active noise canceling, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a more expensive version of this headset that includes it.
The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO sets itself apart in the gaming headset market primarily due to its open-back design. This feature makes it especially appealing for gamers and streamers who prefer a more natural sound experience and want to avoid ear fatigue during long sessions and is best suited for quiet environments.
Constructed from premium materials like aluminum and plastic, the Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO strikes a balance between durability and aesthetic appeal, resembling more studio headphones than a typical gaming accessory with RGB lighting like Razer. Its comfort improves over time, with the headband and ear cups adapting to the user’s head shape, and the cloth material of the ear pads prevents excessive sweating.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The lack of Bluetooth connectivity, noise isolation, and onboard controls might deter some users. The bass is notably emphasized, which might not suit all tastes, especially for those engaged in professional audio work. Despite these points, its unique positioning as a high-quality headset with a detachable microphone makes it a compelling choice for a niche audience in the gaming community. The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO is for those seeking a natural audio experience, particularly for home use, where its open-back design can be fully appreciated.
The JBL Quantum line has been a little hit or miss since its inception, however, the JBL Quantum 50 is an easy product to wholeheartedly recommend. On top of being one of the cheapest gaming audio products on the market, these earbuds also sound great and feel great.
The Quantum 50 doesn’t offer a lot in the way of features, but ultimately, it’s really just a pair of 3.5mm wired earbuds, so that shouldn’t be surprising. There are in-line controls for volume, mic muting, and playback, but that’s about it. However, being a 3.5mm device means it’s compatible with just about everything—gaming platforms haven’t ditched the headphone jack like the smartphone industry, after all.
Even without extra features, these gaming earbuds nail most of the fundamentals. They sound great and provide solid passive isolation. The microphone is pretty so-so, but at barely $30 USD, that’s to be expected.
The Quantum 50 microphone is decent but it won’t trick anyone into thinking you own a professional setup.
The Razer Kraken X brings a lot of value to the table. Sure, it doesn’t sound nearly as good as the HyperX Cloud Alpha, but it brings 3.5mm connectivity and 7.1 surround sound, all for around $50. This option really walks the line between “good value” and downright cheap.
The headset has a lightweight design, with a headband made of durable thermoplastic. The headphones’ memory foam pads feature slight gaps to alleviate pressure if you wear glasses. Its attached microphone is flexible and offers clear audio. All in all, this is a comfortable headset, and the volume and mic controls on the left headphone add even more convenience. The 7.1 surround sound only works with Windows 10, but you won’t find a better over-ear gaming headset for $49 USD.
This is a great boom mic for such a cheap headset but your voice will come through a bit louder here than with other options.
Yes, the INZONE H9 is a very good PlayStation headset that comes with its own PC software. The INZONE won’t work wirelessly on Xbox, but it connects over a 2.4GHz dongle to your PlayStation or docked Nintendo Switch with ease. You have the option to use Bluetooth with the INZONE H9 too, but there is no wired connection option here.
The noise canceling performance is eerily similar to that of the older Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones, which makes sense given how Sony’s marketing cites the WH-1000X series noise canceling tech on its product page. The frequency responses are very similar between the H9 and XM3 headphones too.
Unfortunately, the INZONE H9 comes in at a whopping $299 USD, making it one of the more expensive gaming headsets on the market. But there’s no denying that the sleek white style matches the PS5 console perfectly.
The microphone sounds very good, and you can flip it up to mute yourself. Listen to it below!
Maybe you reject the PlayStation vs Xbox rivalry and use both regularly. If that resonates with you, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is a great headset. It has a switch on the USB-A wireless dongle that lets you quickly switch between the consoles, and it works on PC and Nintendo Switch too. With a battery that lasts 78 hours, and 23 minutes, this is about as good as wireless stamina gets unless you go for the aforementioned Cloud Alpha Wireless from HyperX.
While there are some solid features here, you may not like the attenuated sub-bass response that is about 14dB quieter than our target curve suggests. Microphone quality, on the other hand, is better than average, but it will transmit background noise to your teammates.
The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX microphone sounds good from a quiet environment but relays plenty of background noise.
When it comes to buying a gaming headset, there are plenty of things to take into account, like price, design, sound, microphone quality, portability, and more. If you already know that you’re looking for niche produce (e.g., something for mobile gaming), then you can get even more specific with our lists of the best Steam Deck gaming headsets and best Nintendo Switch gaming headsets. Multi-platform gamers or those who want to be able to use their headsets beyond gaming should consider the following.
Aesthetic considerations are also worth making. If you’re interested in a headset that you can use in front of other people on a video call or out and about, something a little more low-key is probably a good idea. Oddly enough, a handful of Razer‘s most recent headsets may fit that bill.
Gaming headsets don’t have to sound different from headphones, but many gaming headset frequency responses crank up the bass to make boomy sounds, well, boomier. That can be a good thing for immersion, but too much bass can actually detract from the experience and hinder your performance. Ideally, you want to have a slight bass bump that makes explosions stand out without making it hard to hear other in-game sounds like nearby enemy footsteps or the “twinkle” sound of a proximate treasure. A gaming headset with a versatile frequency response will more closely align with our target curve (the pink line in our charts).
Mobile gamers who use a Switch, Steam Deck, or mobile phone for most of their gaming will want to look out for a headset with good isolation performance. When a set of headphones can passively block out noise, you’ll be more able to hear in-game sounds over real-world noises—ideal for those of us who game on our train commutes.
Good isolation requires a good fit, particularly with how the ear pads cover space around your ear. You don’t want any gaps between the pads and your skull, or else you risk auditor masking. It can be hard to get a good fit if you wear glasses. If you are a bespectacled gamer, we recommend paying a bit extra for good velour pads.
Not every headset is created equal when it comes to connectivity. For better or worse, some gaming headsets offer limited compatibility or are completely incompatible with certain consoles altogether. Don’t worry, we have you covered. If compatibility is of utmost importance, you may want to stick to wired 3.5mm options or wireless gaming headsets that use USB-C dongles.
Features are still an important consideration, but these days they’ve moved to the backburner a bit. Gaming platforms (including Windows) all have their own onboard solutions for things like spatial audio, so there’s not a whole to buying headset because it comes with that feature preloaded. For instance, as long as you can plug a headset into your PlayStation 5, it will work with the 3D audio feature. For features like EQ customization, you’ll still need something that uses a companion app, though.
The team at SoundGuys is deeply invested in helping you find the best audio products for your needs and budget. We want to share our passion with our readers and minimize the legwork you need to put in. Whether we’re interviewing experts on hearing loss or submerging waterproof speakers, we do what it takes to get to the truth of the matter. Our team has years of experience reviewing products, conducting lab tests, working in studios, and in the field of journalism.
We’ve got a whole list of them right here! We also have a separate list for the best wireless Xbox One gaming headsets.
If you’re looking to produce a gaming voiceover or just really want your voice to come out crystal clear when talking to your teammates, you might want to consider one of our best gaming microphones or even one of our best podcasting mics. An external mic will almost always give you a better sound simply because they’re designed to produce high-quality audio and reproduce a natural frequency response. Depending on the type of microphone you buy, you may need to purchase additional equipment in order to power it. If you just need the mic to do the job of communicating with your teammates and don’t want to spend too much, a headset with a mic will suffice. Additionally, because a headset mic is often physically closer to your mouth than an external mic, it can be better for canceling out clicking sounds from keyboards.
Some of the best brands for gaming headsets include Logitech, Corsair, SteelSeries, HyperX, and Razer. Check out our list for the latest options.
Our number one pick for the best all-around gaming headset is the HyperX Cloud Alpha because it has one of the best battery life, comfort and sound customization options via the app we’ve tested.
Many pro gamers and esports professionals use many of the gaming headsets featured on this list, such as the Logitech G Pro X, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the HyperX Cloud II, and the Razer Blackshark V2.
Some of the best Call of Duty players have been spotted wearing headsets featured on this list, such as the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT, the Logitech G Pro X, and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro.
In one word: sponsorships. During live tournaments, esports players will be seen wearing two headsets, often one over their ears and one around their neck, to showcase a product from their sponsors while actually using the organizer-provided or their preferred headset.
Over The Head Headphones Ninja, one of the most popular gaming live streamers, typically wears the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. They technically aren’t a gaming headset but rather a premium pick of headphones for audiophiles.