As both a gamer and an audiophile, I recently set out to find the best gaming headsets—specifically those that deliver the type of high-fidelity spatial audio that feels like you’ve just been dropped into the middle of a battlefield.After testing 30 gaming headsets over the course of 380 hours, I chose the SteelSeries Arctic Nova Pro Wireless as the best gaming headset overall.It lasts 20 hours on a single charge and features a hot-swappable battery, so you never miss a moment.I spent a minimum of 10 hours with each model—spread out over the course of 24 months and counting—and evaluated such key features as active noise cancellation (ANC), battery life, audio quality, build and software.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless doesn’t look like a typical pair of gaming headphones, with no RGB lighting or any ostentatious logos.
But once you pop off the metal ear cup plates, it becomes apparent this set is designed for gaming, as there’s a hot-swappable battery port on the left cup.Also included is a dedicated docking station that helps me adjust settings on the fly and swap between dedicated profiles.The docking station also houses a battery port that charges the extra included battery when not in use—one of the most useful features I’ve experienced in a headset to date.
Dedicated Models For PlayStation And Xbox
Make sure you double-check compatibility.There are two models—one for the Xbox and one compatible with the PlayStation 5.
Each comes with its own perks and quirks.If you’re using a PlayStation 5 and a PC as your main gaming consoles, don’t opt for the Xbox version, because it lacks some of the extra features the PlayStation model offers, like Sidetone mixing.
Immersive Sound, Average Noise Canceling
The SteelSeries Sonar mobile app is one of the best reasons to get these headphones.It not only allowed me to adjust the EQ to my specific preferences, but also comes with a slew of game audio presets (last time I checked, there were nearly 200 games, including top titles like Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Diablo 4 and more).These audio presets, especially with the dedicated spatial audio, can help make your gaming all the more immersive.
The ANC isn’t strong enough to completely tune out your environment when gaming.It’s a problem in many gaming headsets, so this wasn’t entirely surprising.
Hot-Swappable Batteries For Longer Gameplay
The battery life—around 20 hours based on my testing using the 2.4GHz band–could be better, but the hot-swappable battery essentially extends your playing time indefinitely.Whenever I heard the dreaded low-battery beep during testing, I was able to swap out the battery and pop back into the action in about 10 seconds.By the time the battery runs low again, your first battery is charged and ready to hot-swap.
That’s a great feature for those of us who forget to charge their headset.
Two Years Later: Still The Best, With One Caveat
After two years of regular gaming, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset still outperforms the competition.The brand constantly adds new EQs geared toward the latest titles, which I find helpful when optimizing both my audio quality and spatial audio.I also still appreciate how infrequently I have to swap the batteries.That said, after I began to feel pain on my right ear, I had to replace the ear pads, and now they feel comfortable to wear for long hours again.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 gaming headset surprised me.Despite the price (under $100), it comes with a wealth of features, including a Quick-Switch feature for Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, robust software and a long battery life.
Basic-Yet-Effective Design
The design feels very basic, but after playing the entirety of Saints Row 3 wearing this headset, it’s clear you can game for hours in comfort.
Because of the leatherette padding on the cups, expect your ears to feel a bit toasty.You can also adjust the headset via a stretchy band at the top.But my biggest issue is that the headset feels cheaply built of flimsy plastic.
If you’re at all rough on your headphones, you may want to spend a bit more for a sturdier set.Although the ear cups are replaceable and cost only $5 each, which can extend the life of your headset.
Surprisingly Crisp Sound, Despite No ANC
This pair doesn’t come with ANC, either in the headset or the mic.Even so, I didn’t notice the lack of noise isolation, and my husband could hear me clearly.The audio sounds great, with spatial audio thanks to the Swarm II software.The software allows for up to four EQ presets to customize your experience just enough to enhance your gameplay.You can also make a custom one with the 10-band EQ.
There’s another feature, called “Superhuman Hearing,” that amplifies spatial audio.That means environmental sounds like footsteps are more obvious, which can help improve your gameplay in first-person shooters like Far Cry 6.
Quickly Transition From Gaming To Calls
For those who take lots of calls, there’s a Quick Switch button that allows you to swap to Bluetooth in a pinch.(For gaming with high-quality audio frequencies, you want to be on the 2.4GHz network, and the included dongle makes that happen).The mic smoothly and quickly drops down, too, making it easy to mute and unmute with a flip—just keep in mind that it doesn’t offer ambient background noise removal.A separate button on the left ear cup allows you to swap between your four preset EG modes.
Lengthy Battery Life And Solid Connectivity
Battery life is pretty great at around 40 hours, and while I’ve had issues with other Turtle Beach headsets staying connected to my MSI laptop, I didn’t experience that with this pair.
I also found the buttons on the cups are intuitive and volume is easy to adjust in a pinch.
Six Months Later: Minor Cosmetic Damage
After six months of gaming, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500s have some minor cosmetic scratches from accidental drops, which is expected at this price.The scratches, of course, don’t impact gameplay at all, but if you prefer your headphones stay pristine over their lifespan, this might not be the right pair for you.The ear pads feel plush, and the battery life has held up with no issues.
If you want to spend around $200 on a quality gaming headset, I found the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 to be a solid option.Not to be confused with the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 or the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2—which are designed to work with a PlayStation or a wired Xbox connection and Xbox, respectively—the Nova 7 works with everything except Xbox.(The 7X also misses out on the PlayStation Sidetone mixing.) It’s confusing, but it’s important to keep the various models straight so you can get the best option for your gaming needs.
Comfortable To Wear For Hours At A Time
The Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 gaming headset features plush ear cups with a mesh fabric that feels breathable when worn for long periods.For some reason, the new model feels small on my ears.It didn’t bother me because I have small ears to begin with, but if you have larger ears, look elsewhere.
Like its sibling, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it also features the SteelSeries’ signature elastic headband for a comfortable fit.I’m also a huge fan of the new magenta color, which is in addition to the regular black and white hues.Like other SteelSeries headsets, the ear cup plates can be removed to charge the device or swap them out for another color, though those fun colorways are sold separately.
Game And Listen To Music Simultaneously
You can use the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously, so it’s possible to listen to your music on your phone while you’re gaming on your PlayStation or PC.The new model also allows you to adjust the EQs for the plenty of game presets from the mobile app in addition to the Sonar software.The EQs SteelSeries has built separates for most of its models; it’s a boon to be able to flip through them and find a dedicated preset when I’m playing Horizon: Forbidden West and Diablo 4, as examples.
Improved Battery Life, But Still No ANC
The Gen 2 model also increases its battery life another 12 hours and now lasts up to 54 hours, up from 38.That number also gives it the longest life of any SteelSeries product without a swappable battery.
If you forget to charge them, they can last longer between charges.
This pair still only offers passive noise cancellation rather than ANC, but I didn’t find it to be a major drawback.
While my top pick is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (which features hot-swappable batteries), if you don’t want to think about battery life but still want to go wire-free, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless could be your go-to.Moreover, these headphones are comfortable; I found the breathable leatherette ear cups can be worn for extended periods of time after testing during long gaming sessions.
Longest Battery Life I’ve Ever Tested
The battery can last for 300 hours, which is hands down the longest battery life I’ve ever tested.In comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless can only go 44 hours.
To be clear, that’s not a knock against SteelSeries; it just highlights how impressive the HyperX’s battery life is.I charged it around once a month—but really, I could have gone much longer.
I’ve had these headphones in my home for over a year and very rarely do they require a recharge.In fact, I’ve never even heard its low-battery ping.
Limited Software Customizations
The headset offers software called “Ngenuity,” but the adjustable settings are very limited.You can apply general EQ settings and enable spatial audio, as well as adjust the time it takes before it powers off automatically.During testing, I downloaded a third-party software which helped me adjust the audio quality for my needs.
Decent Sound For The Average Gamer
The headset delivers spatial audio reasonably well, if perhaps a little flatter than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.A quick software tweak improves this, but don’t expect it to reach SteelSeries levels.If you’re not an audiophile, you’re not going to notice; my husband “borrowed” these from me and uses them as his main gaming headset for that very reason.
One Year Later: Still Has A Powerhouse Battery Life
After long-term testing this headset for over a year, I can safely say that these are a reliable powerhouse.
The battery is still as strong as ever, and the audio quality is good for most needs.I also appreciate that they’re durable—multiple times, my cat has knocked them off the desk and they still look brand new.
A Comfortable Design Built For Hours Of Gameplay
The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro Gaming Headset has only a wired connection.It features a long cable that can connect to your console and includes such incline controls as a mute switch and a volume wheel.The headset uses swappable velour pads, so you can replace them if they wear down over time.
Other velour pads I’ve tested have felt too warm for my ears, but this pair feels comfortable.
I noticed that I experienced some ear aches when I wore my glasses during gameplay, which I attributed to the headset’s clamp—it’s stronger than other models I tested.If you wear glasses frequently, you may want to shop on.
No EQs, But Plug-And-Play
The Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro Gaming Headset is a closed-back model, which means that it features some passive noise cancellation, but no active noise cancellation.It dampens outside noises just enough to help me enjoy my gaming.The headset doesn’t offer any EQs, but it’s a plug-and-play device, which meant I unboxed it and began gaming in less than five minutes.It nails audio right out of that box, too: I enjoyed deep explosions and balanced frequencies while playing Diablo 4 and Horizon Forbidden West.
It also includes spatial audio in the headset, but keep in mind that you can’t turn it off.I personally didn’t mind it—I found it helped immerse me in my gameplay.
Some Issues With The Metal Details
During my testing, I noticed that some of the headband’s metal showed signs of wear and tear—the paint was coming off.
Because it’s on the metal, I didn’t find it to be a distraction, and it didn’t affect gameplay.I noted during my research that some customers experienced some issues with the microphone not working, but I didn’t experience this issue during testing.
When the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds launched, I took them on two flights to test them for my review.Even after returning home, I found myself skipping my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset in favor of these earbuds given their lightweight feel and easy portability.
Snug And Secure Fit
These GameBuds were immediately comfortable in my ears.They come with three ear tip sizes to get an ideal fit and a design that fits snugly in my ear.Another important feature I appreciated: the physical button controls.
That design choice is a huge reason why I keep coming back to these—there are no accidental touches if you brush your hair behind your ear.
Decent Spatial Audio In A Compact Package
Because it’s a SteelSeries product, you get access to the Sonar software, this time in the form of an app, but because it’s app-based, you can’t use multi-point connectivity.The spatial audio isn’t as strong as SteelSeries’ other dedicated gaming headsets, but it’s good enough that when I’m wandering around my base in Far Cry 6, I can still hear the guerilla’s movements clearly on one earbud versus the other.More importantly, when I’m battling enemies, I can hear the direction they’re coming from.
This is very important as a gamer, so props to SteelSeries for factoring that into this compact package.
Shorter Battery Life Than A Gaming Headset
Unfortunately, GameBuds don’t deliver as long a battery life as a more traditional headset.They last for about 10 hours, which is good for the typical pair of earbuds, but much, much shorter than my other picks.There isn’t any kind of quick charge here either, other than the typical 10-minutes-gives-you-60-minutes sort of thing.However, the case does offer wireless charging.
Nearly A Year Later: A Regular Pair In My Rotation
After nearly a year with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, I remain happy with this earbud pair.
They’re a great alternative to bulky headsets, and I pop them on for gaming when I don’t want to flatten my curly hair.The earbuds look great after extended use, though the case has a few scuffs and scratches.I do find myself wishing for a better battery life visual, especially given this pair’s shorter lifespan.Overall, however, the audio quality, especially spatial audio, is still impressive considering their footprint.
Highest-Quality Sound Compared To Others I Tested
An open-back headset like the Turtle Beach Atlas Air offers a wider, more detailed soundstage, meaning this pair is among the best audio profiles of my testing.Footsteps sound clear and crisp during games, and I can easily hear the direction my opponents move during Far Cry 6 thanks to that wider soundstage.First-person shooter gamers should be pleased with the spatial audio and the sound EQs presets, which feel pretty robust for the price.
It also uses the Swarm II software the Stealth 500 uses and offers customizable EQs, which is a boon for more intensive AAA games like The Outer Worlds.Compared to the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, the audio feels more distinctive and has more depth.
They’re also wildly comfortable and feel so soft and cloud-like on my ears.
Drawbacks: No ANC And Dicey Connectivity
The major drawback to open-back headphones is the lack of ANC.If you’re sensitive to noise that may distract you from your game, this is not the headset for you.During some gameplay sessions, I could clearly hear children playing in the park outside my apartment.But if you’re a parent who needs to hear when the kids wake up, these allow for that.
The other major crisis I ran into was with connectivity.
I tested it on my husband’s gaming PC, and for reasons I still don’t quite understand, the headphones’ connectivity sometimes cut out just before a gaming session.I double-checked connectivity on the headphones, reviewed the software on my machine and only got it working again when I restarted the headset and pulled the dongle.This happened a couple of times.
Six Months Later: Connectivity Issues Ongoing
I continued to experience some connectivity issues during my long-term testing on my husband’s gaming PC.I cross-tested on my MSI gaming laptop and noted that it didn’t happen on that machine.Despite trouble-shooting for hours, I still can’t figure out what makes the gaming PC disconnect.
For console gamers, you have to choose between an Xbox or a PlayStation headset; when you opt for, say, PlayStation but own an Xbox, you lose important Xbox software like Sidetone mapping.
SteelSeries’s latest launch, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, solves that.It can connect to both Xbox and PlayStation systems and is completely functional with either console software.
In fact, it can connect to pretty much any console or device you throw at it.The cups are much plusher than those on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and the headband feels comfortable for long gaming sessions, despite it weighing more than the Nova Pro Wireless’.The gold details in the sage model add to its luxe look.
Exceptional Audio Quality—In A Premium Package
The audio quality, thanks to the new carbon fiber speaker drivers, sounds stunning, and it’s worth playing around with the EQs in the SteelSeries Sonar software to customize your preferences.
Spatial audio is powerful on this headset, too.I actually experienced jump scares during Dishonored: Death of an Outsider, which almost never happens.The headset shares the usual SteelSeries offerings, but the headset also expands its customization options.Now, you can adjust your EQs on the headset with the mobile app and on the headset itself, so it’s easy to adjust music EQs when you’re on the go.
Battery Is Still Good, ANC Is Better
The battery lasts around 30 hours on a charge, and it’s swappable, too.The headset offers a blend of passive noise cancellation—found in the plush ear cups—and dedicated ANC.It’s good enough that I couldn’t hear my cat crying for his dinner (he was about an hour early), which is pretty impressive.It doesn’t completely block most noises, but it’s good enough for most needs.
My biggest gripe with the headset? The price.
Before a sale, they’re $600, making this the most expensive headset I tested.But if you’re willing to spend that much for exceptional audio quality, solid ANC, complete customizability and a long battery life, it may be worth that cost.
Other Gaming Headsets I Tested
After hundreds of hours of testing, my top recommendations are above.But the competition felt as fierce as some of my Diablo 4 world boss battles.In truth, most of the other gaming headsets I tested gave me a solid audio profile and felt comfortable, so are worth considering.
Best For First-Person Shooters: Sony Inzone H9 II (Score: 4/5 stars): The Sony Inzone H9 II features large, plush ear cups that are some of the most comfortable I tested.The Sony Inzone software can be adjusted via downloadable software or a web browser, and is built specifically for first-person shooter game franchises like Call of Duty and Battlefield.It comes with three different EQs designed to emphasize footsteps so you can tell from which direction the enemy approaches.Battery life is a little shorter than the first-gen model, but the EQs and spatial audio are a worthy tradeoff.
Best Midrange Gaming Headset Runner-Up: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro (Score: 4/5 stars): The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro features comfortable mesh ear cups and a fabric headband to keep your ears cool during long gaming sessions.
These are one of the sturdiest options I tested; it uses a blend of metal and thick plastic.
While you can adjust the EQs, the offerings aren’t nearly as robust as SteelSeries.Spatial audio sounds detailed and accurate, and it offers a 90-hour battery life.A quick 15-minute charge gets up to six hours in a pinch, too.It comes in two colorways.
Best Gaming Headset For Glasses Wearers: AceZone A-Spire Wireless (Score: 4/5 stars): I loved the AceZone A-Spire Wireless: The ear cup padding feels cushiony enough to wear for long hours, and they feel more comfortable while wearing glasses than its wired sibling.Like the AceZone A-Spire Wired, you tune the audio on your phone.I also appreciate the headset’s hybrid ANC.There’s a dedicated “Glasses Mode” to offset some of the ANC loss when you wear glasses, which I found lovely.However, the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless has a stronger ANC and swappable battery.
Best Value Wired Gaming Headset: Turtle Beach Atlas 200 (Score: 3.5/5): The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 can connect to the Turtle Beach Swarm software, but its offerings are limited; you can’t tweak the EQ, for example, but you can accomplish basic tasks like muting your microphone and adjusting chat mixes.
The ear cups are comfortable, too.The headband uses Velcro to adjust it to your comfort level, which may be off-putting to some.There are a few options—one that’s built for PC gameplay, another officially licensed PlayStation model and one compatible with both platforms.Make sure you select the model that best suits your needs.It also took some finagling to get the microphone to fully function.
Best Value Gaming Headset Runner-Up: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 (Score: 4/5): The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 comes in multiple options, including for PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
It also offers a wireless and wired option.It features the SteelSeries Sonar software, so you can adjust the EQs to suit your game’s audio, and the mesh ear pads help to keep your ears cool.It also comes in multiple colorways, including a lavender hue.
Best Gaming Headset For Teens: Logitech G321 Lightspeed Gaming Headset (Score 3.5/5): The Logitech G321 Lightspeed Gaming Headset has a lightweight build, but it feels a little cheaper than other options I tested.The mesh-and-fabric padding on the headband and ear cups keep my ears fairly cool, and the purple cable is a fun touch of color.Audio quality is adequate—it just didn’t stand out when other options offer a plethora of extras.
After testing, I believe this is best suited for teens or a casual gamer.
Best Wired Earbuds: Sony Inzone E9 Gaming Headphones (Score: 4/5): The Sony Inzone E9 gaming headphones are wired earbuds that snake around the back of your ear, so they stay out of your way while gaming.The design feels very comfortable and I could wear them for long hours.Like the Sony Inzone H9 II gaming headset, the software includes footstep boosters built for FPS games.The cord is also long enough for PC gamers, but PlayStation gamers may feel it’s a little short.They also feature a small case with a convenient cable organizer strap, so there’s no need to untangle them when you want to game.
Best Value Gaming Headset For PlayStation: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Score: 3.5/5 stars): The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is an upgrade pick from the Turtle Beach Stealth 500.It features a much longer battery life, a more durable headband and more on-headset controls.
You get a small suite of audio EQs, including Bass Boost and Treble And Bass Boost.There’s also the Superhuman Hearing software, which enhances footsteps for FPS games.However, the clamping was a little too strong and left my jaw aching for days after an hour of gameplay—and this pattern repeated throughout my testing.If you’re not sensitive to clamping, then I believe these would be a great option for PlayStation gamers who use the Superhuman hearing software.
Best RGB Gaming Headset: Logitech Astro A20 X (Score: 3/5 stars): The Logitech Astro A20 X gaming headset features an RGB light on the ear cups that you can program in the Logitech G Hub software.
The mesh ear cups are breathable and comfortable.The detachable microphone can only bend up to a certain degree, but it kept my voice clear during gameplay.
The built-in PlaySync button helps to swap between consoles pretty seamlessly, too.They’re adequate for most needs, but they just didn’t stand out from the competition.
Best Wired Headset Runner-Up: Sennheiser Game One Wired (Score: 4/5 stars): The open-ear design makes it easy to hear outside noise, but that also means that this headset doesn’t offer ANC.Our tester notes, “I like that they are open so I can still hear people around me, [like] if my wife comes downstairs and asks me a question.” This is by design, as the headset was built for natural-sounding spatial audio.The spatial audio feels accurate and immersive, making this a great choice for those who absolutely need a wired option that doesn’t break the bank.
Unfortunately, it’s out of stock.
Best Plug-And-Play Gaming Headset: Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset (Score: 4.5/5): The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is very comfortable, even when worn with glasses.I particularly like the hybrid ANC, which allows me to focus during long gaming sessions.
The audio quality is good right out of the box, and you can use the Dell Command Center to make adjustments, but my testing found the Command Center finicky when launching.If you opt for the white color, keep in mind that the mic’s foam cover turns yellow pretty quickly.
Gaming Headsets I Don’t Recommend
Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless (Score: 3/5 stars): The Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless has breathable, padded ear cups and a detachable microphone that left me impressed.The audio profile was great out of the box, too.However, I experienced the audio disconnecting a few times and I was forced to restart the gaming headset.I also noted one time when the microphone disconnected for reasons I never could figure out despite troubleshooting.
HyperX Cloud III S (Score: 3.5/5 stars): The comfort on the HyperX Cloud III S is great; I put them on and wore them for hours with my glasses and didn’t feel any pinching.
The audio quality is stellar, too, but don’t expect any EQ presets.You can manually adjust the EQ to your liking, but I’d like to see more options.You can also opt to turn spatial audio on or off, and adjust both the volume and microphone volumes, which was a nice touch.These would be a great midrange pick for some, but for my high standards, there are other, better options.
Gaming Headsets I’m Testing Next
SteelSeries Nova Pro Omni Wireless: The successor to my current pick, the SteelSeries Nova Pro Omni Wireless headset promises to unseat the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless.
It reportedly offers enhanced omni-directional, enhanced microphone, support across all gaming consoles—Xbox included—and more.I’ve just started testing, so stay tuned for my verdict.
Audeze Maxwell 2 Wireless: Featuring up to 80 hours of battery life, Auracast and more, the Audeze Maxwell 2 combines two of my favorite features: stellar audio quality and immersion in my gameplay.The set supports LDAC, AAC and more.
While I’ve started testing them, more insights are needed.
Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro Open-Back Gaming Headset: While the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro closed-back gaming headset nabbed my top pick for a wired gaming headsets, the Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro is the open-back sibling, so you can game and stay alert.I’m excited to test these in the coming weeks and share my findings here.
How I Tested The Best Gaming Headsets
While I’ve tested many of these headsets for nearly two years, I reviewed and updated my testing methodology one year ago, and to date have logged roughly 380 hours with these gaming headsets.As a devoted PC and Nintendo Switch gamer, I used the gaming headsets on this list for a minimum of 10 hours each.I evaluated a slew of features, including ANC, battery life, its associated software and user friendliness.The lengthy test periods also allowed me to dive into the finer details of each headset’s build, comfort and spatial audio quality, especially during first-person shooter gameplay.
Each model was evaluated based on the following factors:
– Battery life: To review the battery life on each headset, I cross-checked what the brand promised versus how long the battery actually lasted during real-life testing.If ANC was offered, I also checked battery life with that setting on versus while it was off.
– Audio quality: I homed in on the details: I checked base, mid and treble frequencies to see how each performed across a variety of genres.
I also checked if special settings were offered to enhance one genre over another.With spatial audio, I also determined whether this affected audio quality and performance.
– Software: I reviewed each headset’s accompanying software (where applicable) and tested it for user intuitiveness and adjustability.
– Comfort level: I wore each headset for a minimum of two hours per gaming session to check for any discomfort over long gaming periods.
Additionally, I wore them with my contacts and while wearing my glasses to see if any pinched my glasses on my head during sessions.
I focused on these various features applied to a variety of game genres.In particular, I tested these headsets with the following games: Stardew Valley, Far Cry 6, Dishonored, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Horizon: Forbidden West, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Diablo 4, Saints Row 3 and The Outer Worlds.
What To Consider In The Best Gaming Headsets
For advice on how to find the best gaming headset, I spoke with John Levee, the assistant program director of game sound design at Champlain College, and Jeremy Rambarran, Touro University Graduate School of Technology adjunct professor.Here’s what they recommend considering most:
Audio Quality
The most important factor to consider in a pair of gaming headsets is the audio quality.“Audio professionals working on these games are doing all of their work and mixing on studio monitors or headphones with flat frequency response,” says Levee.“If you want an experience that is closest to what the sound designer or composer intended, use a gaming headset with flat frequency response.” Rambarran adds, “An evenly adjusted sound profile guarantees clear conversations, engaging effects and precise spatial audio.Seek out a headset which contains premium drivers (preferably 40mm or larger).”
Wired Vs.
Wireless
Gamers have long debated wired versus wireless, but the answer comes down to your specific preference.“I’m personally a fan of wired headphones because they reduce the latency (even if by a small amount) involved with transmitting audio from the computer to the headphones,” says Levee.Wired gaming headsets also offer superior audio quality.
On the other hand, wireless headsets are highly portable and eliminate clutter from your gaming space.The downsides to wireless headphones, though, “include worries about battery lifespan (10 to 30 hours per charge) and potentially higher latency,” says Rambarran.
Comfort
A gaming headset needs to be comfortable.After all, you’ll “be wearing them for long periods of time,” Levee says.Signs of comfort include breathable ear cushions (to prevent overheating), padded headbands and adjustable features that let you find your ideal fit.
Battery Life
If you have a pair of wireless headphones, the worst feeling is when you hear the dreaded low-battery notification mid-battle.Opt for a pair that can last a minimum of 20 hours—and the longer, the better.
Some of the picks on this list, including the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, can last for an impressive 300 hours before needing a recharge.
Software
Not all software that accompanies your gaming headset is created equal: Some offers more EQ bands and dedicated EQs for fan-favorite games.Additionally, some offer profiles that can save EQs, so it’s easy to swap between settings, depending on the game you’re playing.Make sure you consider what kinds of games you play and whether you prefer to “set it and forget it” or fully customize every band.
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The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things consumer tech.
Our team has over three decades of collective experience testing everything from noise-canceling headphones to TV for bright rooms.
– In addition to covering
gaming—including testing thebest gaming TVs—the author of this story, consumer tech and electronics editorRebecca Isaacs, has also tested most of the latest audio devices on the market, including thebest wireless earbudsand thebest wireless headphones.
Our Experts
John Levee, assistant program director of game sound design at Champlain CollegeJeremy Rambarran, Touro University Graduate School of Technology adjunct professor.
