Best Gaming Headsets of 2023: You’ve reached the correct place if you’re searching for the best gaming headsets. Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of gaming headsets, so we know which will perform best for you. The majority of the headphones featured on this page are wireless, as the absence of cables is always a pleasant perk during lengthy gaming sessions. If you prefer the flexibility of connecting wired headphones to any device with a 3.5mm headphone jack, there is space for some wired options as well.
You may be tempted to believe that your TV or gaming monitor’s built-in speakers or a cheap pair of headphones will suffice, but a quality gaming headset will improve your odds during multiplayer sessions by allowing you to hear your opponent’s approach more clearly. For single-player adventures, you will feel more immersed in the game and lose yourself in its universe. Let’s take a look at our top recommendations for the best gaming headsets to help you find the one that best suits your requirements and budget.
What is the finest headset for gaming?
The Razer BlackShark V2 (check price) is the finest gaming headset in our opinion. Thanks to THX Spatial Audio, the Razer BlackShark V2 sounds excellent at all frequencies, ensuring that you can hear things emanating from all directions with clarity. Similarly clear is how you sound to your friends due to a great microphone, and PC gamers who prefer to customise their audio experience can use the included USB sound card. They may not be the most recent, but they continue to be exceptional.
Additional gaming headset suggestions
With an integrated head-tracking sensor, the JBL Quantum One could have been a gimmick; however, it provides highly accurate audio positioning that feels well-suited for competitive gaming. The expansive soundstage makes you feel like you’re a part of what you’re playing, and despite their bulky appearance, they’re remarkably lightweight. Active Noise Cancellation is also available if household members are too loud, allowing you to isolate yourself.
The Corsair HS65 provides consistently crisp stereo sound, making it a relative bargain for PC enthusiasts in particular. Virtualized 7.1 surround sound audio for the PC is available with a selection of presets and personal profiles to match your hearing. However, you need not rely on them; the out-of-the-box experience sounds superb. They are extremely comfortable, even on tiny heads.
The finest gaming headset currently available:
1. The Razer Blackshar
The Razer BlackShark V2 remains a clear-sounding and comfortable pair of headphones for less than you’d expect.
Technical specifications:
Up to 24 hours of battery life Driver size: 50mm Weight: 262g Connectivity: 2.4Ghz wireless or 3.5mm Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Razer is a well-known brand of gaming accessories, which translates well to its selection of headphones. The BlackShark V2 is offered in a Pro/wireless variant, but we prefer the tethered model due to its adaptability. The cable allows you to use the TriForce Titanium 50mm transducers with all of your devices, and they produce excellent sound. The audio is separated into three discrete parts so that all frequencies sound immersively.
In Fortnite, THX Spatial Audio does an excellent job of providing a wide soundstage, so you’ll appreciate hearing the footsteps of enemies approaching from behind. You can expect anything sinister to feel even more unsettling. For PC players, a USB sound card is included so you can make additional alterations, and there are also pre-tuned profiles. The ear cups are comfortable on the ears and provide excellent sound isolation without ever constricting the head.
2. This Corsair HS65
The Corsair HS65 is an unassuming-looking speaker that produces excellent audio despite its lack of flash.
Technical specifications:
Battery: Non-existent Driver size: 50mm Weight: 282g Connectivity: Wireless or 3.5mm connection Compatibility: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox, Mobile
The Corsair HS65 appears less thrilling than other gaming headsets, but they perform and sound exceptionally well. The Corsair iCUE software adds SoundID so you can customise the audio profile according to your hearing and take advantage of virtualized Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound, making them best adapted for PC. It requires some setup, but it is worthwhile because we all listen differently.
Numerous configurations are available, including a clear chat mode that improves the microphone and a competitive FPS mode. Little details such as an extra-comfortable design and a mic that can be muted with a switch make these headphones both practical and high-quality sounding. Recent support for Sony Tempest 3D audio makes it especially attractive to PS5 owners. Depending on your budget, both wired and wireless variants are available, with equivalent performance.
3. Quantum One by JBL
The JBL Quantum One, which has an unusual appearance compared to other headphones, contains a lot of features and provides crisp sound for everyone.
Technical specifications:
Connectivity: Wired Compatibility: PS4/PS5, Xbox, PC, and Mobile
We dislike the appearance of the JBL Quantum One. The gaming headset is odd and a bit ostentatious in appearance, but it is packed with useful features. Specifically, its integrated head-tracking sensor improves sound quality based on the position of your head. We do not comprehend the underlying algorithm, but it sounds fine and provides a strong sense of aural direction. Such features require a PC, but the JBL Quantum One sounds fine with other devices as well.
Active noise cancellation helps you lose yourself in the game world you’re exploring by temporarily blocking out the real world. In addition to being lightweight due to their design, they feature a detachable boom mic for solitary use. Now that they’re a few years old, they’re a fantastic value in comparison to the competition.
4. The Astro A50
The Astro A50s are expensive but provide exceptional sound quality in a wireless shell, making them an elegant addition to your gaming sanctuary.
Technical specifications:
Up to 15 hours of battery life Driver size: 40mm Weight: 380g Wireless connectivity Compatibility: PC, Mac, Xbox
The Astro A50 is eager to leave a lasting impression. Instead of a charging cable, they come with a base station that will look great on your desk or next to your television. The aesthetics wouldn’t matter if they didn’t perform well, but the highs are very clear and there is no bass distortion even at the highest volume. The price makes them more difficult to recommend than other clear headphones, but if you need headphones that make cutscenes sound cinematic, these are the ones.
A 15-hour battery life necessitates frequent docking, but these headphones are well worth the maintenance. The flip-to-mute microphone is also reassuringly clear, and features such as USB sound card support and mod kit customizations are a nice benefit for those who like to tinker.
5. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Plus
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ is a dependable all-around headset, albeit on the costlier end of the spectrum, due to its decent battery life, comfortable fit, and excellent audio.
Technical specifications:
Up to 30 hours of battery life Driver size: 40mm Weight: 453g Wireless and 3.5mm connectivity Compatibility: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ are versatile, durable all-rounders, and the entire Arctis lineup is worthy of consideration. These headphones have a battery life of over 30 hours, and while they are only compatible with a tethered Xbox, they are compatible with the vast majority of devices. Additionally, switching between wireless devices is simple, which is ideal for avid gamers.
The centrepiece is the PS5 compatibility with 3D audio support. The 40mm drivers provide exceptional sound quality across the board, and the noise-cancelling microphone ensures that your companions can hear you distinctly. The retractable nature of said microphone is somewhat divisive, as it does not suit everyone as well as a flip-to-mute microphone would, but you get used to it. Three hours of play time can be obtained from a 15-minute charge, and a comfortable design completes the product.
6. The Logitech G Pro X mouse
The Logitech G Pro X are professional headphones for work and play that are also stylish and sound excellent.
Technical specifications:
The Logitech G Pro X are professional headphones for work and play that are also stylish and sound excellent.
The Logitech G Pro X is also available in a wireless configuration, but the value of the tethered version is the focus of this review. Their design resembles that of session headphones, and their extra-comfortable memory foam cushioning and steel-and-aluminum construction make them quite sturdy. They offer 7.1 surround sound and a USB sound device separately. Together, you receive an immersive experience for PC users as well as a collection of EQ profiles to get things just right.
Such attention to detail extends to the microphone, which features a selection of real-time voice filters to reduce noise, add compression, and enhance the audio quality. While working from home, these cans will enhance your gaming experience and serve a useful purpose. However, if you’re looking for a typical gamer aesthetic, you may want to look elsewhere, as these are rather subdued.
7. Cloud Alpha Wireless HyperX
With an exceptional battery life, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are ideal for neglectful individuals. They also sound excellent with spatial audio.
Technical specifications:
Up to 300 hours of battery life Driver size: 50mm Weight: 317g Wireless connectivity Compatibility: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
Looking at devices with a 20-30 hour battery life and wishing they didn’t require charging? If so, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless may be suitable for you. The HyperX promises 300 hours of battery life, and it mostly delivers, so you will be able to game for a considerable amount of time before needing to connect the charging cable. The gaming headset features HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers that sound outlandish but deliver clear sound.
The headphones include two years of DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio so that you can hear where sounds are emanating from on a PC. As always, it’s a substantial upgrade for anyone seeking a competitive edge or who merely enjoys getting lost in the moment. Additionally, they are comfortable, with memory foam cups and leatherette that remains relatively cold. The noise-cancelling microphone can be detached as required, and an LED indicator indicates whether you are muted or not.
8. This Corsair HS80
Spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support reintroduce a sense of novelty to well-known titles, making the Corsair HS80’s comfortable design feel like a welcome embrace.
Technical specifications:
Up to 20 hours of battery life Driver size: 50mm Weight: 367g Wireless or USB connectivity Compatibility: PS4, PS5, PC, Mac
The Corsair HS80’s 50mm Neodymium drivers are a solid starting point. They look excellent. When you revisit an older classic, such as Skyrim, you will observe details you missed the first time around. Dolby Atmos support is the best if you play on PC. Immersive is the keyword here, so it’s fortunate that the Corsair HS80 is also comfortable to wear. There are memory foam ear cushions and breathable fabric, but the combination of the two makes the headphones exceptionally comfortable. A movable headband design also reduces the possibility of feeling suffocated.
These wireless headphones reduce compatibility, but the dongle is simple to set up, has a battery life of 20 hours, and a reasonable range of 60 feet. The mic can be muted by simply flipping it up, and there is an LED mute indicator as well. Conveniently, you can alternate between three devices connected to a single receiver.
9. Wireless SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
If you’re serious about gaming, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless will be a worthy investment.
Technical specifications:
Up to 44 hours of battery life Driver size: 40mm Weight: 337g Wireless and wired connectivity Compatibility: PC, Mac, mobile, PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch
Many individuals find the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to be prohibitively expensive. However, if you want the finest and can afford to spend more, you should consider these. It contains numerous buzzwords, such as spatial audio, Tempest 3D audio support, and active noise suppression, but it executes all of these features competently. It includes additional features such as a transparency mode so you can still hear what’s happening at home if necessary and multi-system connections so you can easily connect multiple devices at once.
The mic is retractable, which is not ideal for everyone, but the ability to block out background noise and even keyboard noise is excellent. In recognition of your commitment to this endeavour, you also receive two hot-swap batteries to extend battery life. Not everyone will require it, but if the thought makes your eyes light up, you have it.
10. The Razer Barracuda X is a gaming mouse.
The Razer Barracuda X offers a reasonable price for a wireless headset, and while the audio quality is not ideal, there is still much to like about it.
Technical specifications:
Up to 59 hours of battery life Driver size: 40mm Weight: 250g Wireless and wired connectivity Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4/PS5, mobile
At first inspection, the Razer Barracuda X provides all the features you could desire at an affordable price. They are wireless, relatively inexpensive, and have a 50-hour battery life. You can attach them to two devices simultaneously and switch between them with ease, making them ideal for a variety of gaming preferences or if you need to take a phone call. They are also quite comfortable, with a thick headband and memory foam ear cushions.
The drawback? In actuality, the battery life is closer to half that, depending on usage. Additionally, the 40mm drivers are imperfect. When the volume is turned down too low, objects become less crisp. If the volume is set too high, the sound may become distorted. If you are a perfectionist with this budget, however, you should stay with wired.
How to select the optimal gaming headset
Okay, so you’ve decided to purchase a gaming headset but have no idea where to begin? There are a number of essential considerations you must make in order to obtain one that meets your requirements and preferences. Below are some important considerations to bear in mind.
First and foremost, you should consider sound fidelity. Sound is essential for an immersive gaming experience, so we’ve evaluated the audio capabilities of every headset on this list. You should acquire a headset with clear, balanced sound and strong bass response.
Numerous gaming headsets feature surround sound or virtual surround sound, which we believe is essential for improved positional audio when playing games.
Obviously, comfort is also a significant factor during extended gaming sessions. You should look for a headset with cushioned ear cups and an adjustable headband. Consider the weight and clamping force of the headset to avoid discomfort and migraines during prolonged use.
The quality of the microphone is a consideration you would not ordinarily make when purchasing a pair of typical headphones. A high-quality microphone is essential for cooperation (or trash-talking) in multiplayer games.
Connectivity and compatibility must be taken into account. Gaming headsets are available with a variety of connectivity options, including wired via USB or 3.5mm audio input, or wirelessly, typically via Bluetooth. Wireless devices offer greater mobility, but wired alternatives may have slightly lower latency.
Ensure that the gaming headset you select is compatible with your gaming platform, console, or other device.
Lastly, some gaming headsets include additional features such as RGB illumination customization, programmable buttons, and software that lets you adjust audio settings. Observe these if you like to entirely customise your gaming experience.
How we evaluate the leading gaming earphones
We’ve evaluated every gaming headset on this list, so you can rely on our advice regarding which model to purchase.
Typically, we devote a week or more to evaluating the comfort, sound quality, battery life, and connectivity of each gaming headset.
Once we’ve thoroughly evaluated every aspect of the gaming headset, we’ll compare them to competitors, assign them a star rating, and include them in this buyer’s guide.
