The high quality of the sport you’re enjoying and the processing energy of your laptop will play an enormous function in figuring out your gaming expertise. But one usually ignored consideration is an honest gaming headset. It’s particularly essential in case you plan on getting the very best out of dynamic multiplayer video games, the place you’re simply as more likely to chat to pals as you might be to make use of your headset as a strategic instrument that can assist you win.
As you’d anticipate, there’s no scarcity of gaming headsets on the market. We know you don’t wish to wade by the numerous choices solely to choose one which doesn’t dwell as much as the hype. That’s why we’ve executed all of the heavy lifting for you by highlighting the very best gaming headset fashions, whether or not wired or wi-fi.
We’ll preserve updating our chart under as we assessment extra merchandise and discover even higher headsets. To see the standards we use to check every product and a few useful shopping for recommendation be sure you learn our put up scrip explainer under our listing.
Updated 03/20/2023 Check out our newest assessment of the Logitech G Astro A30 headset. This very enticing headset produces a transparent and pure sound and has glorious connectivity and cross-compatibility so you should utilize it with nearly all of your gadgets, which is why we advocate it as the very best wi-fi gaming headset. Scroll all the way down to be taught extra about it.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – Best dual-purpose wired/wi-fi gaming headset / Best total
Pros
- Great-quality audio
- Dual wi-fi performance
- Lots of software program choices for personalization
Cons
- Quite costly
- Active Noise Cancellation will not block out all exterior sound
Price When Reviewed:
$349.99
You must nit decide very laborious to search out any flaws with this premium headset that gives the flexibility of two.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity, in addition to a wired connection. In wi-fi mode, it delivers crisp sound in 44.1kHz/16-bit customary decision at as much as 40 ft out of your laptop. But if you wish to get pleasure from a richer sound you may also plug right into a GameDAC controller that permits you to entry a better 96KHz/24-Bit Hi-Res audio. The GameDAC additionally helps you to swap between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S on the press of a button—which saves you the trouble of shopping for separate headsets on your consoles.
Active Noise Cancellation and 360 Degree Spatial Audio applied sciences additionally increase the headset’s audio expertise, the standout of the 2 being the latter, which makes use of 5.1 and 7.1 encompass sound tracks to precisely mirror the route of sounds. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless additionally has the best software program help I’ve seen for a gaming headset, permitting you to select from amongst 23 pre-made EQ presets designed for video games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Dota 2, Forza Horizon V, and Call of Duty: Warzone, to call just some.
Read our full
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review
HyperX Cloud Alpha – Best wired gaming headset
Pros
- Fully detachable cabling and smarter inline management placement
- Comfortable
- Excellent audio high quality
Cons
- More costly than the unique Cloud, with fewer equipment
- Upper audio vary is usually a bit muddled
Price When Reviewed:
$99.99
Cloud Alpha is a chip off the outdated block in HyperX’s Cloud sequence, combining consolation with spectacular audio high quality. The spectacular sound comes courtesy of a twin driver chamber design that separates out bass notes from mids and highs—finally producing clearer, smoother output.
The Cloud Alpha’s earcups are the key sauce behind its snug really feel. These generously padded cups sit tightly in your head however with out squeezing your temples, in order that they’re good for lengthy gaming stints the place you possibly can overlook you’re carrying them. In our PCWorld assessment we have been impressed by the truth that you possibly can absolutely take away the HyperX Cloud Alpha’s cables within the occasion they break, somewhat than having to purchase an entire new gaming headset.
Read our full
HyperX Cloud Alpha review
Astro A10 – Best finances wired gaming headset
Pros
- Rich bass for a $60 headset
- Flip-to-mute microphone
- Very sturdy
Cons
- Narrow soundscape typically results in muddy audio
- Plastic, plastic, plastic
- Colors aren’t very eye-catching
Price When Reviewed:
$59.99
If your finances solely stretches to $60, the Astro A10 is your greatest wager for sound high quality, delivering clear mids and a wealthy bass that’s nearly pretty much as good as costlier Astro headsets. It sports activities a flip-to-mute microphone, a luxurious amongst gaming headsets and often reserved for higher-end fashions.
All professionals thought-about, the Astro A10 continues to be an entry-level headset and has just a few cons; apart from the fabric protecting the cups, it’s totally created from plastic and the somewhat boxy earcups gained’t be to everybody’s style. Still, in case you’re not choosy, these items shouldn’t hassle you an excessive amount of.
Read our full
Astro A10 review
Razer Barracuda Pro – Best encompass sound
Pros
- Excellent audio by the bass, mid, and excessive tones
- THX Spatial Audio is a deal with in video games
- Lightweight and comfy design
Cons
- No increase mic means the mic audio suffers considerably
- ANC works however might be higher
Price When Reviewed:
249.99
The Razer Barracuda Pro delivers excellent-quality sound, producing deep commanding bass tones, and clear mids and highs in each video games and flicks. On high of that, it options THX Spatial Audio expertise, which elevates your audio to a wealthy and satisfying encompass sound expertise. Unlike some spatial audio help for headsets, Razer’s Synapse app provides you various management, permitting you to personalize the directionality of the sound with easy-to-navigate dot diagrams. You may also tailor-make and assign presets on your particular video games or media.
The Razer Barracuda Pro additionally options first rate connectivity choices together with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 wi-fi, in addition to a USB-A-to-USB-C (wired) adapter for plugging it in. It’s suitable with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Android gadgets, so that you gained’t have to purchase separate headsets for every of your gadgets.
Read our full
Razer Barracuda Pro review
Cooler Master MH752 – Most snug
Pros
- Unbelievably snug
- Clean studio sound
- Minimalist branding and aesthetic
Cons
- Cheap building
- Microphone enter is not delicate in any respect
- Needs some EQ love to achieve its full potential
Price When Reviewed:
$99.99
The MH752 is modelled after Sony’s Studio Headphones, and though its skinny padding doesn’t look significantly cozy, this design ensures its mild weight just about eliminates jaw rigidity or crown stress within the wearer. For that cause it tops our PCWorld chart for probably the most snug gaming headset.
Sound-wise the MH752 is ideal for people who like to take a seat and tinker with EQ. Bass and excessive notes roll from its earcups with a high quality you’d anticipate to listen to in a costlier unit. The MH752’s dongle additionally provides 7.1 Surround capabilities producing multi-directional sound in video games.
Read our full
Cooler Master MH752 review
Logitech G Pro X – Best microphone
Pros
- Beautiful throwback look
- Outperforms headsets two or 3 times the worth
- Fantastic microphone, with a number of software-side choices
Cons
- Wired headset
- Built-in controls really feel low cost
- A bit tight till it breaks in
Price When Reviewed:
$129.99
Some time again Logitech acquired the microphone producer Blue, which explains why we discovered the Logitech G Pro X’s mic to be so succesful in our PCWorld testing. Although not bodily that completely different from different mics, it advantages from Blue-branded software program help in Logitech’s G Hub app, together with presets that make it sound convincingly like a desk microphone.
As nicely as sporting an distinctive microphone, the G Pro X is one in all Logitech’s best-looking headsets, its flat-black leatherette headband, metallic forks, and pill-shaped earcups exude a retro aesthetic harking back to the golden period of 1940s broadcasting.
Read our full
Logitech G Pro X review
Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless – Best wi-fi gaming headset
Pros
- The styling could be very interesting
- The 40mm drivers produce a pure sound
- The cans are very delicate and comfy
Cons
- Some shifting components really feel a bit tight
- Leatherette within the cups can get sweaty on scorching days
- Battery life is first rate however not glorious
Price When Reviewed:
229.99
Not solely does the Logitech Astro A30 produce a transparent and pure sound, however its connectivity can also be glorious. It sports activities twin wi-fi and wired connections with cross-platform compatibility, so you possibly can simply hook it as much as your PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S consoles, or perhaps a Mac. The headset’s Bluetooth can be used concurrently with a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, which suggests you possibly can take telephone calls and take part in staff chats, all of the whereas shedding completely none of your gaming audio.
All this performance might have been delivered in a inventory customary design, however the Astro A30 is likely one of the best-looking pair of cans we’ve seen in a very long time. We particularly like its plush leatherette earcups, fashionable Astro logos, and detachable speaker tags that you would be able to swap out to personalize precisely as you would like.
Read our full
Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless review
Astro A50 Wireless – Best wi-fi gaming headset runner up
Pros
- Charging cradle is smaller and nonetheless very distinctive
- Switches to the extra dependable 2.4GHz band (lastly)
- Comfortable and sturdy
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Poor noise isolation
- Expensive
Price When Reviewed:
$299.99
Although costly, the Astro A50 is reliable, offering first rate sound over a fast 2.4GHz wi-fi connection. The audio drivers situated within the A50’s earcups ship strongly by the mid-range so the A50’s sound is heat and punchy in video games and whereas listening to music.
While earlier Astro wi-fi gaming headsets have featured massive chunky charging cradles, the A50’s is sort of compact so it takes up a lot much less house in your desk. The cradle additionally has a built-in show so as to inform which EQ profile you may have chosen, or whether or not you may have Dolby or stereo modes switched on.
Read our full
Astro A50 (2019) review
Logitech G935 – Best mid-range wi-fi gaming headset
Pros
- Leatherette is an aesthetic change from the G933’s sports activities mesh
- Hidden microphone and dongle storage are nice options to have
- One of the best-sounding headsets at this worth
Cons
- Still cumbersome and boxy in comparison with the competitors
- Mediocre battery life
- Very little noise isolation
Price When Reviewed:
$169.99
At $170, the G935 is a mid-range gaming headset, costing half the worth of some premium headsets. Yet its beneficiant feature-set features a few high-end luxuries. They embrace a folding increase mic, dongle storage compartment, and classy leatherette earcups. These options considerably make up for issues like its boxy design and mediocre battery life.
It additionally excels within the audio division, with its 50mm drivers offering a deeper, extra authoritative bass presence than you’ll get from the 40mm drivers in some mid-range wi-fi gaming headsets. Add to that easy-to-use controls, and you’ll see why the G935 is a wonderful possibility for players on a finances.
Read our full
Logitech G935 review
HyperX Cloud Core Wireless – Best finances wi-fi gaming headset
Pros
- Decent audio high quality, with deep bass and clear mids and highs
- Durable, robust and transportable design
- Highly snug earcups with reminiscence foam cushioning and leatherette coverings
Cons
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- Metal headband attachments can typically entice your fingers
Price When Reviewed:
$99.99
The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless headset delivers the excellent audio you’ll anticipate from a way more costly mannequin, however for under a fraction of the price. At lower than $100, it’s laborious to go unsuitable with this high quality gaming headset—particularly in case you’re on a finances.
By specializing in the issues that matter most to players with out worrying about extraneous software program help or costly sound enhancement settings, HyperX has been capable of present a wonderful product at an extremely inexpensive worth. The lack of setting controls may not attraction to audiophile tinkerers, however its ease-of-use, fast connectivity, and glorious spatial audio make it a gamer’s dream. It additionally sports activities an excellent compact design and cross-compatibility with consoles.
Read our full
HyperX Cloud Core Wireless review
How we check gaming headsets
Because no two gaming headsets are the identical, the PCWorld staff places every product by an intensive testing protocol. We analyze every part from how snug and sturdy they’re, to how they carry out in video games and the software program help they get through their producer’s apps. Here’s an inventory of the principle classes we take a look at:
Design and luxury
You’ll spend an terrible lot of time carrying a gaming headset, so it’s very important that it feels snug. Here we take a look at design options that both add or subtract out of your total consolation expertise—options like a headset’s form and weight, how nicely it matches in your head, and the quantity of padding within the earcups. But design additionally performs an enormous function in a headset’s performance, so we additionally take a look at how adjustable the band is, and the way accessible the controls are.
Audio high quality
There’s no level proudly owning a headset with snug leatherette earcups if it could actually’t muster an honest sound. That mentioned, PCWorld reviewers do a variety of listening to get an total impression of a headset’s audio high quality. We take notes on the readability of the sound, how nicely the headset produces pitch, and within the case of wi-fi headsets, how a lot sign interference there may be. Our listening is guided by what we all know concerning the headset’s {hardware} or software program. For instance, if a headset has Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), we’ll examine how nicely the headset can isolate sound and block out noise. We additionally check the microphone, listening for muffled sounds, static, robotic noises, and any echoes—all indicators there might be an issue.
Software help
With audio applied sciences getting ever extra complicated, players have extra instruments at their disposal than ever through headset apps. Technologies like Hi-Res audio, Spatial Surround Sound, and Parametric EQ all spring to thoughts, which is why we glance intently on the sort of software program help on supply.
How to decide on a gaming headset
Connectivity: Wired versus wi-fi, or each?
Historically, players have principally chosen wired headsets over wi-fi ones. That’s as a result of, till lately, wired headsets have been thought-about a lot better at delivering quick and safe audio indicators than wi-fi headsets. Nowadays, because of the adoption of quicker 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band expertise, wi-fi headsets may also transmit audio indicators in a short time and with minimal interference.
Consequently, in case you’re an informal gamer and never too fussy concerning the very miniscule danger of your audio dropping out, a wi-fi headset must be utterly tremendous on your gaming wants, the principle benefit being you’ll get tons of additional mobility whereas nonetheless having the ability to take heed to your recreation’s audio—one thing you don’t get if you’re tethered by wires.
Admittedly although, in case you’re a critical gamer or esports participant, you should still wish to keep away from that small likelihood your wi-fi sign will undergo some extent of loss or interference—even when that’s much less probably than ever. If the stakes are excessive, a wired set will present just a little extra surety that you just gained’t miss any essential recreation moments, which might make all of the distinction in a intently contested match.
If you possibly can’t resolve, there are headsets now just like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that present each wi-fi and wired performance in a single simple unit and might swap between these modes in lower than a minute. These headsets can value considerably extra, so be keen to pay for the privilege.
Device compatibility: What ports will I would like?
Another factor to contemplate is which gadgets you would possibly wish to hook up with, since wired and wi-fi headsets have completely different compatibilities. For instance, most wired headsets hook up with your laptop through a USB-C connection, however in contrast to many wi-fi models, some even have 3.5 mm audio jacks, in order that they are usually suitable with a broader variety of gadgets—like smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets.
Wireless gadgets however, hook up with your gadget through a USB-C dongle or Bluetooth connection, which does slender the variety of gadgets you should utilize them with to both these which are Bluetooth suitable, or that include USB-C ports.
Comfort: Why it’s a non-negotiable
While you possibly can presumably do with out fancy styling, it is best to by no means purchase a headset that’s going to trigger you discomfort. That’s as a result of even a small quantity of power or abrasion from carrying your headset may be extraordinarily disagreeable and end in neck ache, rash, cranial stress or worse.
An enormous consideration right here is how your headset matches in your head and ears. Granted, you gained’t at all times have the chance to attempt them on, it pays to look intently at PCWorld product evaluations the place our reviewers have executed the carrying for you and have summarized how they really feel, even after prolonged intervals of time with them on.
You also needs to pay shut consideration to product descriptions for the options that point out {that a} producer has made consolation a precedence. Things you’ll wish to tick off your examine listing are:
- The headset has a versatile band to reduce stress and that the band is peak adjustable to suit your ears.
- There is ample padding on the earcups and the fabric is hypoallergenic so it gained’t trigger pores and skin irritation.
- The earcups are simply rotatable—since this may guarantee they transfer together with your head because it strikes.
If attainable, it is best to keep away from headsets which are excessively heavy, or tightly becoming, because the added weight and clamp power will undoubtedly trigger issues. When it involves consolation, the extra premium headsets are likely to do higher, so once more it may be a matter of paying extra to get extra.
Build high quality and styling: What to look out for
Although put on and tear is an inevitable results of utilizing a gaming headset, some will stand as much as the pains of gaming higher than others just because they’re created from harder stuff. Ideally you’ll desire a gaming headset that has a metallic body and headband for sturdiness, since plastic ones break fairly simply. Metal bands additionally look extra premium, so it’s a win-win.
Cushioning for the headscarf and earcups may be created from leather-based, velour, pleather, or foam. Leather and pleather (pretend leather-based) feel and appear luxurious. They additionally are usually probably the most immune to put on, however these supplies aren’t very breathable and might trigger sweaty ears throughout lengthy gaming classes. Foam is the other in that it’ll preserve your ears cool, however disintegrate faster. Sitting between the 2, velour retains your ears comparatively cool however tends to be pretty immune to put on and tear.
That’s extra of a basic rule than an absolute. If you do desire a fabric apart from velour you can purchase anti-sweat or abrasion-resistant covers on your headset’s earcups, which is able to assist them final just a little longer.
If your headphones do succumb to put on and tear, some producers supply the choice of buying and swapping out broken components. Replacing your earcups can refresh your headset’s feel and appear. But having a headset with replaceable cabling can truly prevent from having to purchase an entire new set if the cabling wears proper by.
Noise isolation: Its significance for sound high quality
How nicely your gaming headset isolates noise makes an enormous distinction to its sound high quality. This is particularly the case if you’re enjoying first-person shooters (FPS), the place exterior noise could make it harder to find the route of sounds, just like the footsteps of approaching enemies. In advertising and marketing supplies, producers will usually use phrases like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and passive noise isolation, however these phrases imply fairly various things. Here’s a fast definition of every:
- Passive noise isolation: How nicely a headset can block out exterior noise simply by forming a bodily noise-blocking barrier over your ears.
- Active Noise Cancellation: A expertise included into your gaming headset that actively blocks or filters out ambient noise so the sound you hear is the clearest it may be.
If attainable, you’ll desire a headset that sports activities each passive noise isolation in addition to ANC, since these noise-blocking measures each have advantages. Passive noise isolation tends to be higher at blocking out higher-pitched sounds, whereas ANC is simpler at blocking out lower-pitched sounds—like background noise and the sound of site visitors. How nicely ANC and passive noise isolation work can range tremendously amongst headsets, so it’s price doing all of your analysis to discover a headset that makes the minimize.
Surround sound: The secret weapon of professional players
Of all of the applied sciences that come packed into gaming headsets, this one offers arguably the very best tactical benefit for players. Headsets with encompass sound make the most of spatial audio applied sciences like Dolby Atmos to create a 360-degree soundscape. Multiple audio system ship the sound at completely different positions in every earcup, telling your mind its exact location in your video games.
If you play FPS video games like Overwatch, Fortnite, or any of the Call of Duty or Battlefield video games, this could have real-time advantages, like having the ability to hear gamers sneak up on you from behind, or pinpointing the route of grenades rolling in direction of you, so as to react accordingly. It’s the sort of expertise that takes a little bit of getting used to, however if you do, it may be an actual recreation changer.
Headsets with encompass sound applied sciences are usually costly, so in the event that they’re out of your worth vary don’t fear an excessive amount of. Most headsets additionally include first rate stereo, which is able to nonetheless do a very good job relaying the final route of sounds.
Why is a microphone essential?
Most video games use both in-game chat or exterior chat apps like Discord, so an honest microphone is a must have. Mics in gaming headsets have a tendency to return in two flavors: hyper-cardioid, that decide up the sound immediately in entrance of them, or omnidirectional, that decide up sound from completely different instructions.
If you propose on utilizing your headset only for gaming, a cardioid mic ought to do the trick, since you should utilize it to speak to people in your recreation after which transfer it away out of your mouth to speak to others in the identical room. If nevertheless, you propose on additionally utilizing your headset for, say, work conferences in addition to gaming, an omnidirectional microphone will higher decide up the sound of each you and your colleagues speaking. Additionally, in case you plan on utilizing your set as a pair of headphones, you’ll want to verify your headset’s mic is removable.
The sound readability and ease-of-use of your microphone can also be essential. We recommend searching for options like noise cancellation and sound dampening for a better-quality sound expertise. For comfort, an automated mute button is helpful if you wish to shortly block out any sound out of your finish.
