Jump to:
- Quick List
- 1. Best overall
- 2. Best budget
- 3. Best wireless
- 4. Best for audiophiles (wired)
- 5. Best audiophile (wireless)
- 6. Best microphone
- 7. Best noise cancelling
- 8. Best earbuds
- Also tested
- How we test
- Where to buy
- FAQ
The best gaming headset is one of the most surprisingly powerful upgrades you can make to your gaming setup. Or maybe it's not actually that surprising, because the impact good game audio can have on your experience can be huge. Surrounding yourself with a detailed soundscape—as the developers intended—will ground you in a game world like nothing else.
The headsets on this list are chosen from the dozens the PC Gamer hardware team and I have tested. Between us, we've got decades of experience of the best and worst audio gear ever made.Considering all the options, we've decided today's best gaming headset is the evergreen HyperX Cloud Alpha.
Black Friday is now here and the sales are well underway. With our expert advice and opinions in this guide, you'll be all set to check out the latest gaming headset deals:
👉 Black Friday gaming headset deals 👈
If you want to ditch the cord, the best wireless gaming headset is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. With great audio and a class-leading 300 hours of battery life, it's an easy recommendation. If you prefer to spend a little less, the Corsair HS55 is the best budget gaming headset.
Curated by...
Curated by...
Dave James
Dave's been an audiophile since his time running Techradar's Home Entertainment channel around half a million years ago (give or take). Having tested the whole spread of different quality gaming gear, including $51,000 headphones, he's best placed to say which budget cans still sound good, and which high-end headsets are worth the cash.
The Quick List
1. HyperX Cloud Alpha
The best overall
The return of the king. The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset, delivering fantastic audio with plenty of bass response all for a low price. It's comfortable and the microphone stands up to scrutiny. You can't go wrong.
Read more below
2. Corsair HS55 Stereo
The best budget
The Corsair HS55 Stereo is the best budget gaming headset and improves on the HS50 with better comfort and sound. It has soft earcups, a light weight, and a detachable mic. It has a simple design and no extra features, but it is great value.
Read more below
3. HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The best wireless
The Cloud Alpha Wireless is the best wireless gaming headset for PC gaming. It has superb sound, a clear mic, and DTS surround sound. It’s also light and comfy, with a whopping 300-hour battery life. It's the best wireless headset we've tested so far.
Read more below
4. Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro
The best wired audiophile
The best wired audiophile headphones have to be the MMX 330 Pro. With a great build and comfort these cans are ideal for long hours of gaming. They are also perfect for critical listening with a well-balanced sound profile that delivers adequate warmth and boom without muddying the sharp highs.
Read more below
5. Audeze Maxwell
The best wireless audiophile
If you want the best audiophile wireless gaming headset around look no further than the Audeze Maxwell. This pair of planar magnetic cans offers outstanding, drool-worthy audio quality for gaming and listening to music.
Read more below
6. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet
The best microphone
The best gaming headset microphone comes attached to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet, which holds the lofty goal of replacing your desktop mic streaming setup with one headset capable of delivering high-quality audio from both ends. It delivers this with aplomb and a price tag that's none too punishing.
Read more below
⬇️ Click to load more of the best gaming wireless headsets ⬇️
7. AceZone A-Spire
The best noise cancelling
With an active noise cancellation system tuned for gaming, the AceZone A-Spire is perfect for anyone needing to block out a noisy environment and immerse themselves in gaming aural bliss.
Read more below
8. Steelseries Artcis GameBuds
The best earbuds
If you're looking for something a little more discreet, these are some seriously impressive, easy-to-use, low-latency earbuds from SteelSeries. Their noise cancelling is great, too, and even though it cuts down the battery life, you won't need a charge for a while.
Read more below
Recent updates
Updated 22 November 2024 to add a note in the intro about Black Friday sales and where you can find the latest deals on gaming headsets.
Best gaming headset
1. HyperX Cloud Alpha
The best wired gaming headset
Specifications
Wireless: No
Drivers: 50 mm dual chamber neodymium
Connectivity: 3.5 mm
Frequency response: 13–27,000 Hz
Features: Detachable noise-cancelling mic, in-line cable controls
Reasons to buy
+ Comfortable Great audio Often superb value
Reasons to avoid
- No flip-to-mute mic
Buy if...
✅ You want one of the best sounding gaming headsets: There's really no better option that the HyperX Cloud Alpha for the same money, providing you don't want to cut the cord entirely.
✅ You need a headset for work and play: You can wear the HyperX Cloud Alpha throughout a work day and still find it comfortable enough to game in after the work day is done. Trust us, we've done this plenty of times ourselves.
Don't buy if...
❌ You'd prefer a wireless headset: It may go without saying, but this isn't a wireless design. A wireless gaming headset is one of life's little luxuries, and if you'd prefer to pick one of those up then take a look at the best wireless gaming headset. Don't be surprised by what you find.
The best gaming headset in 2024 is the HyperX Cloud Alpha—that's right, the king is back and it's as great as ever. While Razer's BlackShark V2 gaming headset was able to dethrone the Cloud Alpha previously, it's no longer widely available in many regions. HyperX's headset, however, is easy to find and frequent discounts put this wonderful gaming headset back into the spotlight once again.
What's special about the Cloud Alpha gaming headset is how it sounds. That should be a given, right? Yet it's easy to get distracted by extraneous features that don't altogether matter much when looking for a gaming headset. The Cloud Alpha, however, is a simple beast. It delivers fantastic audio that's really difficult to match for the same money.
The 50 mm neodymium drivers produce a hearty bass response and that's key for gaming. It means you can feel the explosions or the hum of a sports car, and you absolutely get the best out of a game's soundtrack. But it's not only the powerful bass that impresses here, as this headset offers fantastic clarity and definition throughout mids and highs.
HyperX achieves such impressive audio quality thanks to the use of a two-chamber design on the Cloud Alpha. Each earcup's driver is separated into two chambers, which effectively reduces distortion that might muddy the bass with the mids and instead maximises articulation. The ability to deliver crisp and indulgent audio all at once is what separates the Cloud Alpha from the rest.
The Cloud Alpha also stands as a gaming headset for its other attributes, namely it's hella comfy. The padded earcups and headband are comfortable over long periods and we've used this headset day in and day out, for long periods, and never run into any issues with its comfort.
Our one complaint in 2024 with this headset would be that it doesn't come with a flip-to-mute microphone, but the detachable one included is still a great quality unit and comes through loud and clear during online gaming or voice calls.
Don't be put off by how long this headset has been around. HyperX has gotten so much right with the Cloud Alpha, it doesn't need changing. That age actually helps us with pricing, as this headset is regularly available for under the asking price and further discounts are plenty. For a wired gaming headset, you really can't go wrong with the HyperX Cloud Alpha in 2024.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha review.
Best budget gaming headset
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2. Corsair HS55 Stereo
The best budget gaming headset
Specifications
Wireless: No
Drivers: 50 mm, Neodymium magnets
Connectivity: 3.5 mm
Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
Features: Flip-up mic
Reasons to buy
+ Superb microphone quality Flip-up mic arm Light and comfortable Good value
Reasons to avoid
- Mic arm can be fiddly at times Older HS50 feels a touch more premium
Buy if...
✅ You want a quality all-round headset for less: The HS55 is a well-made piece of kit for the cash. There's no major drawback to any of it.
✅ You value a quality microphone: If you're struggling to be heard over Discord, the HS55's microphone arm comes through loud and clear.
Don't buy if...
❌ You can spare a little more budget: If you can spend a bit more on your gaming headset, the Cloud Alpha is a really good get and often very affordable.
The Corsair HS55 Stereo is the best budget gaming headset around because, surprisingly for a budget headset, it covers all bases well, including the microphone. It's incredibly well-rounded and comes across better than its low price tag might lead you to believe.
The Corsair HS50 was already a solid choice for a budget gaming headset and the newer HS55 improves on it in all the most important ways. It's lighter and comfier than the HS50 and features a flip-up mic arm, unlike the previous model's detachable one.
This mic is probably the HS55's most stand-out feature, too. In his review, Jacob found it to pick up his voice with incredible clarity and accuracy that's not only great for a set of budget cans, but for any gaming cans at all. So none of your Discord friends need to worry, your voice will come through perfectly clear.
Audio quality isn't bad, either. Although higher frequencies come out a little too sharp, this headset is perfectly serviceable for gaming, music, and other audio endeavours. There's plenty of definition between different frequencies and gaming is pleasant in no small part because the HS55 hasn't fallen into the "let's cram them full of bass" trap.
Read our full Corsair HS55 Stereo review.
Best wireless gaming headset
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3. HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The best wireless gaming headset
Specifications
Wireless: Yes
Drivers: Dynamic, 50 mm with neodymium magnets
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless dongle
Frequency response: 15–21,000 Hz
Features: Bi-directional detachable mic
Reasons to buy
+ Battery life that can only be described as witchcraft Excellent for listening to music Precise, powerful audio is great for gaming Very comfortable
Reasons to avoid
- Microphone isn't up to par with the rest of the headset They aren't the loudest headphones
Buy if...
✅ You want a long-lasting battery: Rated to 300 hours of battery life, this is one wireless headset that doesn't need constant charging.
Don't buy if...
❌ You listen at high volume: The Cloud Alpha Wireless is not the loudest headset, and if you're one to crank up the volume, look elsewhere (be careful with your ears, too).
The wired version of these is still our pick for the best gaming headset, so it's no surprise that the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is the best wireless gaming headset. The wireless version shares pretty much all the benefits of the wired one, but eliminates that cumbersome cable.
One worry with wireless headsets is battery life, and it's in this department that HyperX has somehow smashed it out the park, across the next park, and beyond the horizon. This headset has a battery life of up to 300 hours, which is beyond the pale as far as I'm concerned. Nothing should be capable of such wizardry.
This bore out in Hope's testing of the Cloud Alpha Wireless, too, as she found that she couldn't even come close to draining its battery in a week of testing, and she did try her damndest to. It just lasts for an impossibly long time.
Moving on to its sound profile, this is a little different to the wired version, but no less pleasant. It's equally crisp across all ranges and directional sound is spot-on. Its microphone is fine, nothing to write home about but nothing to worry about, either.
The only real downside to this headset is it doesn't crank up as loud as some of the other headsets we've tested. But who needs to burst their eardrums, anyway? This thing still gets plenty loud enough for music and gaming. It's a superb and conveniently cable-free headset that's still worth the money in 2024.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review.
Best wired audiophile headphones for gaming
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4. Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro
The best wired audiophile headphones for gaming
Specifications
Wireless: No
Driver-type: STELLAR.45
Connectivity: 2 x stereo jack plug w/ 3.5 mm adapter
Frequency response: 5–40,000 Hz
Features: Velour earpads
Reasons to buy
+ Properly comfortable Balanced yet powerful sound profile Excellent mic Wide and airy soundstage
Reasons to avoid
- Pricey for a wired gaming headset Cable is slightly bulky Non-detachable mic No noise reduction software
Buy if...
✅ You want a punchy open-back profile: The MMX 330 is a gorgeous blend of punchy audio and an open-back design, which tends to be easier on the ears for critical listening. There is also a closed-back version, though we haven't tested them.
Don't buy if...
❌ You plan on being on the move: Thanks to being wired only, and having a bit of a bulky cable, these aren't a great choice if you plan on taking them with you on the go.
If you're like me, you care less about gamer-specific functionality and more about stellar sound quality. Of course, as gamers, we also want this to sound great for gaming. This is where Beyerdynamic's MMX 330 comes in, as they're certainly the best audiophile headphones for gaming that haven't opted to cut the cord.
While these cans lack some gamer-specific features, such as USB connectivity, and RGB lighting, they absolutely nail the sound experience. This is thanks to the MMX 330 Pro's STELLAR.45 driver, which delivers incredibly punchy audio despite the Pro's open-back design (which, by the way, aids audio quality). There is a closed-back model available if you don't like sound leakage but we haven't had the chance to test them personally.
There's little to dislike about the audio quality of these cans, as it's up there with the best we've heard. We're talking fantastic separation across all ranges, even within bass frequencies. And as far as gaming goes, these headphones help games to feel not just immersive but actually alive, with fantastic directional audio.
They look the part, too. Beyerdynamic's gone for a minimalistic black-and-grey design that screams audiophile suavetée (yes, I just made that word up, but it fits, doesn't it?). And it's low-power, too, meaning you shouldn't need an amp to get it up and running. Audiophile quality for the masses, who can argue with that?
Notably, this dethroned the DT 900 Pro X, also from Beyerdynamic, partially due to the inclusion of an excellent microphone.
Read our full Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro review.
Best wireless audiophile headset for gaming
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5. Audeze Maxwell
The best wireless audiophile gaming headset
Specifications
Wireless: Yes
Driver-type: 90 mm Planar Magnetic
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5 mm
Frequency response: 10–50,000 Hz
Features: Hypercardioid boom mic
Reasons to buy
+ Stunning sound Long battery life Fast charging Comfortable Good mic
Reasons to avoid
- Poor software
Buy if...
✅ You're a basshead: If you want plenty of bass but you're wise enough to know that cranking the bass up on an equalizer won't always cut it, the Maxwell is the headset for you.
✅ Planar magnetic is calling to you: There's a place in every headset collection for a pair of planar magnetics. We love them, and for good reason: they often sound absolutely fantastic.
Don't buy if...
❌ You're strapped for cash: The Audeze Maxwell don't come cheap. While they replace the need for two pairs of headphones, one for gaming and the other for wearing outdoors, they're still a lot of money.
The best wireless audiophile gaming headset is the Audeze Maxwell, and you can thank its planar magnetic drivers for that. The Maxwell delivers a gloriously rich and impactful sound that goes a long way in gaming and listening to music.
So, what's the big deal with planar magnetic? These drivers utilise an entirely different concept from dynamic drivers often found in gaming headsets. Each driver uses a large, flat diaphragm manipulated by magnets to produce audio. The end result tends to be a much more natural, broader sound than a dynamic driver with plenty of bass.
For the Maxwell, the benefit of planar magnetic drivers is apparent as soon as you listen to any music or play any game. The level of clarity and tonal separation is fantastic. It's possible to tune in and isolate almost any sound pumping through these planars at any one time. That's wonderful when you're trying to relax into your favorite album, but it's also crucially important when playing competitive shooters.
Audeze has opted for a closed-back design here, which is great for noise isolation but can usually lead to a more closed-in sound profile. That's not the case here, however, as the Maxwell sound impressively wide and expansive. That's likely down to the planar drivers working their magic.
However, you do have to be aware of a few drawbacks with the Maxwell. Firstly, this is a heavy headset thanks to those chunky drivers, and secondly, it's very expensive. The best wireless audiophile headset, unsurprisingly, doesn't come cheap. That said, we think they're worth every penny because you can use the Maxwell for a lot more than gaming on your PC.
Wireless connectivity means you're not locked to your desk while wearing them, which is pretty freeing, but the Maxwell also offers Bluetooth connectivity. You're free to take these headphones with you out of the house, and you won't be laughed at—at least not for your choice of headset—as the Maxwell looks for the most part like any other pair of over-ear headphones. It doesn't look like a PC gaming accessory. There are also heaps of quick controls to make using this headset out and about much easier.
Read our full Audeze Maxwell review.
The best gaming headset microphone
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6. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x STS StreamSet
The best gaming headset microphone
Specifications
Wireless: No
Driver-type: 45 mm Dynamic
Connectivity: USB Type-A w/ Type-C adapter, Analog XLR
Frequency response: 15–28,000 Hz
Features: Cardioid condenser mic
Reasons to buy
+ Best headset mic I've tried Excellent cans too Plug and play
Reasons to avoid
- No sound control on headset Expensive for a wired headset
Buy if...
✅ You don't want a desk microphone: If you're a streamer or content creator, the ATH-M50x STS StreamSet is capable of fantastic mic quality without the dedicated mic.
Don't buy if...
❌ You're after a cheaper option: You could buy a gaming headset and one of the best cheap microphones for less than this all-in-one option.
It's taken a while, but manufacturers are finally starting to realise that streamers have their own specific product wants and needs. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50XSTS StreamSet understands this because it has a seriously stellar mic.
What does a streamer need that your average gamer doesn't? A quality mic. And this StreamSet headset more than delivers on mic quality. We're not talking your average high-quality headset mic here, such as the one on the Corsair HS55 Stereo, which is certainly a great mic. No, we're talking a full-on cardioid condenser mic.
Cardioid condenser mics are found in stand-alone mics like the ones your favourite gaming influencers use in their streams and podcasts. The ATH-M50XSTS StreamSet packs one of these bad boys into the itty-bitty end of a headset mic.
This is no gimmick, either, as Hope found out in her testing. This flexible, flip-to-mute mic delivers microphone audio of a level that helps your videos and streams sound that touch more professional.
This thing's great on the audio front, too. While it might not quite muster the audio chops of the DT 900 Pro above, it gets pretty damn close, with clear, well-balanced audio that sounds great in games and out of them. It looks pretty nice, too, sporting a decidedly non-gamery, somewhat minimalistic aesthetic. Perfect for those of you who like to hop on-camera.
Read our full Audio-Technica ATH-M50XSTS StreamSet review.
Best noise cancelling gaming headset
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7. AceZone A-Spire
The best noise cancelling gaming headset
Specifications
Wireless: Optional
Driver-type: 40 mm
Connectivity: USB Type-C to Type-A, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm jack
Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
Features: Active noise cancelling, game-specific EQs, flip-to-cancel boom mic
Reasons to buy
+ Excellent noise cancellation Microphone is crystal clear Comfortable over long periods Mobile app is handy
Reasons to avoid
- Microphone boom arm design could be better Not truly wireless on PC High price
Buy if...
✅ You're in a noisy environment: The active noise cancellation on the A-Spire is really impressive. It works wonders for both your own gaming experience in a loud area and anyone listening to you talk.
✅ You play Counter-Strike or Apex Legends religiously: For players of these two games, or really any competitive FPS, the A-Spire offers a clear and defined audio profile that should help you stay alert in-game..
Don't buy if...
❌ You want a wireless gaming headset: This headset offers Bluetooth connectivity for connecting to the mobile app and for listening to music while out and about. It's not intended as a wireless headset for PC gaming.
Gaming dens can be noisy places, especially during competitions, so a headset that can block all of that out, and still sound great is worth seeking out. It's for these very reasons that the AceZone A-Spire is the best noise cancelling gaming headset.
AceZone has been making products for esports tournaments for a good few years now and the A-Spire is its first model for the general gaming market. Naturally, it's brought across many of the features that make its products so popular in competitive gaming, most notably the active noise cancelling system.
The A-Spire has been tuned to block out sounds commonly experienced at home, such as voices, and it does an exceptional job of it. It can be easily adjusted via the AceZone mobile phone app and it's a breeze to go from total isolation to being able to hear the doorbell if needed.
Its plush earpads, thick earcups, and cushioned headband all conspire to make the headset comfortable to wear all day long. Despite offering wireless connectivity, the A-Spire is predominantly a wired gaming headset and the Bluetooth system is only suitable for using the app and a spot of music—you can game over it, but it's not meant to be used for this, due to the increased lag and decreased audio quality.
Speaking of which, the 40 mm dynamic drivers produce a well-defined sound, with a lot of clarity in the higher ranges. The overall profile has been tuned to work best in competitive shooters and the app even offers dedicated EQ profiles for Counter-Strike 2 and Apex Legends.
The AceZone A-Spire is pretty expensive for a gaming headset and while the microphone is perfectly decent, the design could be a lot better. At least the included travel case is solidly built and a handy inclusion.
While primarily targeted at esports gamers, the A-Spire is capable enough of being used by any PC gamer. It's stand-out feature, the active noise cancellation system, makes it ideal for anyone needing to isolate themselves from the work around them and get fully immersed in their games.
Read our full AceZone A-Spire review.
Best earbuds for gaming
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8. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
The best earbuds for gaming
Specifications
Drivers: 6 mm
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz
Weight: 11 g for both earbuds
Connection: 2.4 GHz wireless | Bluetooth 5.3
Battery life: 40 hr (10 hr earbuds + 30 hr chaging case)
Reasons to buy
+ Incredible audio quality for earphones Game-specific audio profiles are useful and easy to change Earphones and charging pod both look and feel wonderful Qi wireless charging Great battery life
Reasons to avoid
- Can only connect to one Bluetooth device at a time WearSense (auto-pause when earbuds are removed) is a little sensitive
Buy if...
✅ You want something discreet: For example, if you want to game on your Steam Deck while out and about without wearing over-ear headphones. These are a great alternative to the more bulky options on this list.
✅ You want a hassle-free experience: These things are versatile, offering Bluetooth and snappy 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, and they're pretty much plug-n-play.
Don't buy if...
❌ You want something cheap: Though not ludicrously expensive, especially for the quality you're getting, these are a good bit more than some of the best budget headphones. You pay for their convenience.
❌ You want the best audio quality possible: These sound great for earbuds, but they're no audiophile-quality open-back headphones.
Sometimes you want something a little more discreet than the giant over-ear cans on this list. This is particularly important for those of you who like to game while out and about, perhaps on a Steam Deck. In which case, the best wireless earbuds for gaming might work a treat, and we reckon the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the best premium bang for your buck.
The main draw to these in-ear mini-cans is that they're incredibly easy to use. Once they're paired, just take them out of their magnetic charging case and plonk them in your ears—no constant faffing with Bluetooth pairing. They work over 2.4 GHz wireless, too, for connecting to your gaming laptop or gaming PC, delivering a lower latency connection than Bluetooth which is what you want for gaming, right?
Importantly, these things sound phenomenal, often stacking up to some headphones-level audio quality. You, of course, lose a little here due to their size and shape, meaning you don't quite get that immersion factor of all-encompassing bass but, for earbuds, these perform excellently. Even the mic, something that is often pretty poor in earbuds, is of servicable quality too.
They can, unfortunately, only connect to one Bluetooth device at a time but the 2.4 Ghz connection means you can swap between devices with ease, and game-specific audio profiles are just as easy to customize. This, combined with wireless charging and a great battery life, makes these feel like a solid and thoughtful set of buds that can fit into almost any gaming setup.
You fancy taking your games on the go with the Steam Deck? Go for it. You want to hook them up to your PC? Be my guest. You going for a run? These are the perfect companions.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review.
Also tested
Asus ROG Delta II
These cans have a great 110-hour battery life, are incredibly comfortable, and connect seamlessly with Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connection simultaneously, but the sound is a tad flat and its software lets it down.
PC Gamer score: 85%
Read our full Asus ROG Delta II review
Razer Kraken V4
The Razer Kraken V4 offers excellent sound quality and comfort for its price point, but the headset itself is a little heavy, and the built-in software feels bloated.
PC Gamer score: 85%
Read out full Razer Kraken V4 review
Razer Kraken V4 Pro
The price tag really drives home the Pro label on these things, but so too does the impeccable haptic feedback, stylish controls, and great wireless performance.
PC Gamer score: 85%
Read out full Razer Kraken V4 Pro review
Turtle Beach Atlas Air
For those dreaming of wireless open back sound in a gaming headset format, the Atlas Air is a commendable effort to mash these two demands together, but it may prove too niche for some.
PC Gamer score: 80%
Read our full Turtle Beach Atlas Air review.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X
A clear and detailed sound in combination with a comfortable build and easy-switch connections makes this headset a delight for everyday use. That being said, the slight lack of low-end bass does give pause for thought.
PC Gamer score: 82%
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X review.
Sony InZone H5
Sony's mostly cable-free affair offers impressive sound and quality for the price but lacks in some pretty basic ways. It's an otherwise excellent piece of kit with minor caveats.
PC Gamer score: 80%
Read our full Sony InZone H5 review.
Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed
Logitech has made a good effort to do something different with the Pro X 2 Lightspeed cans, but it's so expensive it makes it a very tough recommendation. Our favorite wireless gaming headset is quite a bit cheaper.
PC Gamer score: 72%
Read our full Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed review.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 edition
While Razer is still manufacturing the original V2 Pro, and selling it for considerably less, this 2023 update is less tempting. But this is still a great-sounding wireless gaming headset, with a greater battery life, and now with a genuinely good microphone, too.
PC Gamer score: 83%
Read our full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 edition review.
Razer BlackShark V2
The Razer BlackShark V2 is a superb gaming headset that delivers on every front. It sounds great and has a simple, functional, and incredibly comfortable design that feels light on your head. It's just a shame it's no longer as widely available as it once was.
PC Gamer score: 92%
Read our full Razer BlackShark V2 review.
HyperX Cloud III Wireless
With frequent discounts, a sturdy build, and a clear microphone, you'd think the Cloud III would be a worthy choice. Unfortunately, it's uncomfortable and music playback leaves much to be desired.
PC Gamer score: 65%
Read our full HyperX Cloud III Wireless review.
Rode NTH-100M
The Rode NTH-100M is a fantastic sounding headset that is elevated even further by the addition of a surprisingly great microphone, though the price is beaten out by some stiff competition.
PC Gamer score: 88%
Read our full Rode NTH-100M review.
Razer Kraken X
The X is a worthy addition to the Kraken range, and it impresses with its virtual 7.1 surround sound and low price. However, it drops the ball with a non-detachable mic.
PC Gamer score: 75%
Read our full Razer Kraken X review.
Cherry HC 2.2
A decent all-round option for those looking for a no-frills headset. Comfortable, easy to use and with good audio, the Cherry HC 2.2 is one to consider.
PC Gamer score: 72%
Read our full Cherry HC 2.2 review.
Drop + Sennheiser PC38X
The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X is one of the best gaming headsets I've used in terms of raw audio quality. Paired with a straightforward design, it's a real winner for gamers who don't mind a wire.
PC Gamer score: 88%
Read our full Drop + Sennheiser PC38X review.
Logitech G Astro A50 X Lightspeed
Rich-sounding, comfortable, and with a great mic, the Astro A50 X is meant to be for gamers who use PCs and consoles. The result is an overly complex system that costs too much, unfortunately.
PC Gamer score: 80%
Read our full Logitech G Astro A50 X review.
How we test gaming headsets
How do we test gaming headsets?
You can read all about how PC Gamer tests hardware in our How We Test guide, but here's a quick breakdown of specifically how we test gaming headsets.
Each headset that we test we use as our daily driver for at least a week, that way we get to experience not just the sound, but what it's like to use each set of cans on a daily basis.
We test each headset in a number of different game genres—shooters, battle royales, and racing games make for particularly good testing scenarios since the former tends to test the low-end and reveal muddiness and distortion, while Battlefield, PUBG, et al are great for positional audio tracking.
We record a sample of our voice in Audacity and compare it to previous recordings from other models, then head to Discord to get some feedback from our friends on how we're sounding. You can hear a lot of the microphones and headsets we test on our Soundcloud (I promise it's not PC Gamer's homemade rap).
Oh, and we listen to a lot of high-res audio music, obviously. Listening to tracks we know well, that work through the bass, mid-tones, and highs, means we know how they should sound at their best. And if we hear things we've never heard before in a familiar track, that normally indicates a pretty damned good headset.
Where to buy
Five things I always tell people before they buy their first gaming headset
1. Wired might mean ultimate audio, but wireless has come a long way
2. Drivers make the difference
3. If it looks uncomfortable, it usually is
4. Built-in mics are nice to have, but not necessarily essential
5. Battery life = quality of life
Where are the best gaming headset deals?
In the US:
Amazon - Big discounts on popular gaming headsets
Walmart - Console, and PC gaming headsets up to 30% off
B&H Photo - Deals on pro-sumer and gaming headsets
Best Buy - Save up to $100 on gaming headsets
Target - Gaming headsets as low as $13.99
Staples - Tons of budget gaming headsets
Lenovo - Turtle Beach headsets starting at $29.95
Newegg - Lots of gaming headsets on offer
In the UK:
Amazon - Tons of budget gaming headset options
Newegg - Variety of gaming headset brands
Overclockers - Deals on wireless gaming headsets
Scan - Deals on Razer and Beyerdynamic headsets
Ebuyer - Gaming headsets as low as £17
Argos - Budget gaming headsets aplenty
Best gaming headset FAQ
What does a gaming headset need?
There are a few things to consider when choosing a gaming headset. A good price and sound quality are foremost, but comfort is up there, too. Also, noise-cancelling mics are crucial for coms, so most of the headsets we've listed here include this feature. You want decent voice quality and a microphone that won't pick up every single keypress on your mechanical keyboard.
Are wired or wireless headsets better for gaming?
This really comes down to preference, but if you're going the wireless route what you want to look for is for decent battery life (20 hours or higher). The last thing you want to have a headset that's constantly needs to be plugged in because the battery life is bad. It kind of defeats the purpose of being wireless. For wired headsets, you want to make sure the cable is long enough to reach your PC without feeling like it's tugging on your head.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
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Dave James
Editor-in-Chief, Hardware
Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Formatfull-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others. Now he's back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.
With contributions from
- Hope CorriganHardware Writer
- Jacob RidleyManaging Editor, Hardware
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