The 10 Best Gaming Headsets
Updated by · How we research
Ten gaming headsets compared on comfort, mic clarity, battery life and console support, from budget wired sets to the Razer BlackShark V3, our top pick. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A wireless gaming headset bought for a PlayStation or PC often won't talk to an Xbox at all, because Xbox consoles use their own wireless standard and many receivers skip it. So check the box for your system before anything else. This list covers wired picks for tight budgets, wireless sets for long sessions and one base-station model for multi-console homes.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Razer BlackShark V3 Wireless is our new favorite, because it pairs detailed sound and a quick wireless link with a mid-range price. Most of the old list was built on 2016 to 2020 designs, and the HyperX Cloud Alpha S is no longer available. We retired it along with the HyperX Cloud Flight S, Cloud Orbit S, Cloud Stinger Core, Epos Sennheiser Game One, Astro A10, Astro A40 TR X, Turtle Beach Recon 70 and the original Turtle Beach Stealth 600, in favor of current sets from the same makers such as the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 and the HyperX Cloud III. The Razer BlackShark V2 X stays as the budget pick.
The deciding evidence here was a mix of published reviews from PC Gamer, Tom's Hardware, RTINGS and Tom's Guide and the makers' own platform charts, which settle the question that trips up most buyers: whether a wireless receiver works on an Xbox. The Audeze LCD-GX honor gives way to the wireless Audeze Maxwell 2, which several reviewers rank first but which costs far more than most readers want to spend.
August 23, 2020:
One important thing we want to note is that you can probably find gaming headsets that cost less; they'll come from no-name manufacturers and they might actually work for a while, but you'll notice a massive difference just by upgrading to some of the most affordable models we've listed. For what it's worth, the main reason - aside from aesthetics - to get a gaming headset instead of a standard pair of headphones is the boom mic. If you don't plan on talking to any teammates or playing multiplayer games in general, we'd recommend looking at a pair of more traditional headphones but with active noise canceling. While they aren't actively marketed to gamers, we've found that for single-player titles, they provide considerably more immersive and overall better sound than game-centric headsets at similar prices.
That said, you'll probably notice that we have a favorite manufacturer. The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is a really great all-around wired choice, and the HyperX Cloud Flight S is a modern wireless option. Incidentally, wireless gaming headphones have come a long way recently, and are finally as reliable and lag-free as they need to be for successful use. The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is the brand's most affordable line, and it comes in a standard inexpensive model, one with simulated 7.1-channel surround, and one with wireless connectivity. The there's the HyperX Cloud Orbit S, which is quite costly, but also the first planar magnetic cans intended specifically for gaming that won't break the bank. Their drivers are actually produced and tuned by audiophile giant Audeze, who makes an incredibly expensive gaming headset called the LCD-GX that's for only the most serious enthusiasts.
Of course, there are other manufacturers worth considering. The Razer BlackShark V2 is known specifically for its microphone quality although it's a great choice all around, the EPOS Sennheiser Game One has a distinct focus on high-fidelity audio thanks to its well-known and experienced designers, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is great for Playstation fans, and the Astro A10 is sturdy enough to withstand getting tossed on the floor at least a few times, in case you ever happen to rage quit.
March 27, 2019:
One of the most critical aspects of online multiplayer gaming is the teamwork required to come out on top. If you want to hear and be heard with incredible accuracy, a headset is absolutely the way to go. Of course, a gaming headset isn't quite the same as the pair of headphones you'd use to listen to your music collection. You won't find any planar magnetic or electrostatic drivers, but you will find a couple options from audio heavyweights, most notably Sennheiser. Their GSP 300 is reported to have a broadcast-quality mic, and as such, would be a good choice for anyone who streams a lot. Their Game One, on the other hand, is an all-around high-performing unit, and it sounds as good as many music-focused headphones, if not better.
The LucidSound is another that employs top-quality drivers, although it's mostly suited to those with smaller ears or heads than average. The Arctis 7 features excellent audio fidelity in a wireless package, in large part because it uses 2.4-gigahertz wireless transmission, as opposed to the Bluetooth used by everyday wireless cans, which takes advantage of a compression algorithm that can noticeably reduce sound quality.
Comfort, for that matter, is one of the most important parts of a gaming headset. In that realm, you'll find that HyperX's Cloud series often shines above the rest, and their newest, the Alpha Cloud9, may be the best-fitting yet, for a wide range of head shapes and sizes. Their Revolver model features a suspension-style headband that some users find to fit very well. And if you're on a budget, it would be hard to do better than their Stinger offers incredible bang for the buck. And if you're a professional gamer, consider the Victrix. It's awfully pricey, but it features a 4-microphone noise cancelling system, and does a great job at drowning out noisy, competitive environments, so you can focus on winning the game.
Special Honors
Audeze Maxwell 2 Audeze's wireless gaming headset uses large planar magnetic drivers, the kind found in studio headphones, and several major reviewers rate it the best-sounding gaming headset sold today. It costs well over twice what our top pick does, and PC Gamer found it heavy for long sessions. audeze.com
Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro A wired, open-back gaming headset from the German maker of studio headphones, picked by PC Gamer for players who care about sound first. Open backs leak sound both ways, so it suits a quiet room, not a shared one. beyerdynamic.com
Wired, Wireless Or Bluetooth
A wired headset is the cheapest way to get good sound, never needs charging and adds no delay.
A wired headset is the cheapest way to get good sound, never needs charging and adds no delay. A single 3.5 mm plug works in a PC, a phone and the jack on PlayStation, Xbox and Switch controllers, which is why budget picks like the Razer BlackShark V2 X and Logitech G432 fit almost any setup. A USB sound card, as on the G432 and Logitech G PRO X, adds virtual surround and mic processing on a PC.
Wireless sets for gaming use a 2.4 GHz USB receiver, not Bluetooth alone. The receiver keeps the delay low enough for shooters; Bluetooth adds a lag you can hear when footsteps and gunfire don't line up. Tom's Hardware makes the same point in its shopping tips. The better sets have both, so a phone call can come through while you play.
The trap is Xbox. Xbox consoles use their own wireless system, so a receiver made for PC and PlayStation usually won't work there. The Razer BlackShark V3, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 and this version of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 all say so on their spec sheets. Xbox owners should buy a set labeled for Xbox, use a cable, or pick a base-station model like the Logitech G Astro A50.
Mics, Surround Sound And Software
A boom mic on an arm near your mouth beats any mic built into the ear cup, because it hears your voice more than the room. Detachable booms, as on the HyperX Cloud III and Razer BlackShark V3, can be removed for music and replaced if they break. Flip-to-mute booms are handy because you can see at a glance whether you're live.
Much of what makes a gaming mic sound clean is software. Logitech's processing on the G PRO X filters hum and evens out your level, but it runs only on a PC with Logitech's app. Plug the same headset into a controller and you get the raw mic.
"7.1 surround" on a stereo headset is software, too: two speakers, one per ear, processed to suggest sound from behind and beside you. Some players find it helps them place footsteps, and others hear it as an echo. PC Gamer and Tom's Hardware both judge headsets on plain stereo first, and so should you: good drivers and a good fit matter more than the surround switch.
Comfort, Battery And Your Hearing
Comfort decides whether you'll still like a headset after a three-hour session. The sets here run from about 240 grams (BlackShark V2 X) to 363 grams (Astro A50), but clamp force and cushions matter as much as weight. Memory foam in leatherette seals out noise and holds heat; fabric breathes better but lets more sound in.
Battery figures are the makers' own, usually measured at moderate volume. Logitech rates the Astro A50 at 24 hours at a listening level of 78 decibels, and PC Gamer notes the BlackShark V3's fastest connection mode drains its battery sooner. The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is rated for about 300 hours, the longest here.
Loud game audio for hours can harm hearing. NIOSH sets its workplace limit at an average of 85 decibels over eight hours, and the safe time halves for every 3 decibels above that (CDC/NIOSH). A simple rule: if you can't hear someone talking to you from arm's length with the headset on, turn it down. For children, look for a volume-limited headset.
How we researched this
We compared 16 current gaming headsets and screened 10 in depth, read the makers' spec sheets and platform charts, weighed published reviews from PC Gamer, Tom's Hardware, RTINGS, Tom's Guide and SoundGuys, looked for patterns in owner feedback on mics, headbands and batteries, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records. Battery figures are the makers' claims unless a review is cited.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7.1 surround sound worth it on a gaming headset?
It's optional. Gaming headsets have two speakers, so 7.1 is software that imitates directions. Some players like it for placing footsteps; others find stereo clearer. A good fit and good drivers matter more.
Are wireless gaming headsets laggy?
Not with a 2.4 GHz USB receiver, which keeps the delay low enough for fast games. Bluetooth alone does lag, so use it for phones and calls, not for shooters.
Will a wireless gaming headset work on Xbox?
Only if it's made for Xbox. Xbox consoles use their own wireless system, and many receivers built for PC and PlayStation don't support it. Any headset with a 3.5 mm plug works through the Xbox controller.
What's a good cheap gaming headset?
The Razer BlackShark V2 X and Logitech G432 are both wired, light enough for long sessions and work with every console through the controller jack. The HyperX Cloud III costs a bit more and is the most comfortable budget choice reviewers name.
Can a gaming headset damage my hearing?
Yes, if it's loud for long periods. Keep the volume low enough to hear someone talking nearby, take breaks, and pick a volume-limited set for children.
