If you're reading this, you're likely well aware of how crucial audio quality is to enhance your gaming experience. With a vast array of gaming headsets available, choosing the right one can be as challenging as selecting the best gaming mouse or keyboard. When searching for the perfect headset, consider factors such as budget, sound quality, comfort, and the features that matter most to you. To find the best fit, it's essential to understand what you need and trust reviews from experts who have firsthand experience.
Having reviewed numerous headphones and gaming headsets, I've gained a deep understanding of what makes them stand out. Each recommendation I make is based on a thorough evaluation of the headset's overall performance and its strengths in specific categories. Whether it's the budget-friendly HyperX Cloud III or the premium Audeze Maxwell, I've chosen options to cater to different needs. Advanced features like virtual surround sound, active noise cancellation, and customizable EQ profiles can significantly enhance your experience, as seen in models like the JBL Quantum One, Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, and Logitech G Pro X 2.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Gaming Headsets:
Our Top Pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
29See it at AmazonSee it at Target
HyperX Cloud III
8See it at Amazon
Audeze Maxwell
15See it at Amazon
Turtle Beach Atlas Air
4See it at Amazon
Turtle Beach Stealth 500
4See it at Amazon
Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro
5See it at Amazon
Sennheiser HD 620S
4See it at Amazon
JBL Quantum One
3See it at Amazon
Logitech G Pro X 2
6See it at Amazon
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
2See it at Amazon
Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
6See it at Amazon
This guide offers a comprehensive look at the best gaming headsets across various categories, based on extensive testing and firsthand experience. While there are many excellent headsets not listed here, the ones recommended are those I can confidently endorse. I will continue to update this guide with new models as they are released and tested, so check back for the latest recommendations when you're ready to choose your next gaming headset.
*This guide contains contributions by Danielle Abraham and Adam Matthew.*
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Images
20 Images
1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Best Gaming Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
29Multiple connectivity options, including simultaneous listening on different devices, a hot-swappable battery, excellent sound, and hybrid active noise canceling make this a hard-to-top headset. See it at AmazonSee it at Target
Product Specifications
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, wired
Drivers: 40mm Neodymium
Battery life: 18-22 hours (per battery)
Weight: 338g
Pros
- Fully featured with ANC, base station, etc
- Swappable battery system is innovative
- Fantastic sound quality
Cons
- ANC could be better
It's hard not to fall in love with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. You still get all the great features of the previous SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, along with new technology including active noise cancellation and improved audio all around. Using a hybrid noise-canceling system with four mics, you can drown out harsh noises from outside your room to the ambient hum of loud fans.
Most importantly, the Nova Pro offers some fantastic sound quality out of the box with bold and balanced audio. Its spatial audio onboard is crucial as well, so it's easy to hear enemy footsteps around the corner or gauge the distance of action happening in a competitive shooter. And you can make some next-level customizations to the EQ settings and game-chat mix with Sonar and the SteelSeries GG app – good luck going back to your ordinary headphones for anything but listening to podcasts or the news.
With SteelSeries’ latest top-end headset, we see the biggest design shift since the start of the Arctis lineup. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless sports telescoping arms on its adjustable headband so it can better accommodate larger head sizes. The earcups are also slimmer and sleeker, giving off less of a gaming headset vibe and more of a look akin to wireless headphones without sacrificing the comfort SteelSeries headsets are known for. And one of our favorite features remains intact with a few upgrades: the hot-swappable rechargeable battery system. This means that when the battery runs low during a gaming session, you can quickly change it out without having to plug in, giving you wireless freedom indefinitely.
The Arctis Nova Pro is one of the best headsets you can buy right now. It’s well-rounded with uniquely robust features, great sound quality for gaming, and comfort to keep you going. Take our word for it – in our Arctis Nova Pro headset review, it earned a rare 10 for all the aforementioned reasons and more.
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HyperX Cloud III – Photos
6 Images
2. HyperX Cloud III
Best Budget Gaming Headset
HyperX Cloud III
8The HyperX Cloud III is a wired gaming headset that's compatible with everything, thanks to its 3.5mm audio connection. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm), USB-A / USB-C
Drivers: 53mm Angles Drivers
Battery life: N/A
Weight: 318g
Pros
- Extremely durable and flexible
- Dense earpads for premium-grade comfort
- Great sound and mic quality, especially in its price range
Cons
- May clamp a little too tight
No matter which version of the HyperX Cloud headset you go with, you get a quality product. If you’re running on a budget and want to get the most bang for your buck, I always recommend the wired HyperX Cloud III, which can often be found below its $100 base price. It punches above its weight with impressive sound and mic quality and great comfort. Plus, it’s built like a brick house so it’s not going to fall apart through years of use.
Out of the box, the Cloud III impressed me with its build and durability – its aluminum frame can be flexed and contorted in any which direction without ever feeling like it’s going to break. Stretching the headset out to fit on your head is super easy and you can toss them on your desk without worrying about damaging them. It's built for comfort as well with dense foam earpads wrapped in a leatherette (just be aware it tends to get a bit sweaty), although its clamp force may be a bit much for some.
At the end of the day, it’s all about sound quality and the Cloud III handles various frequencies wonderfully. In my Cloud III headset review, I felt comfortable tracking enemy footsteps while playing a ton of Valorant and enjoyed the balanced audio in Final Fantasy XIV, which this more budget-friendly headset handled gracefully. Assuming you’re on a budget, you probably don’t want to spend extra on a decent microphone – luckily, the mic clarity on the Cloud III was equally as impressive.
3. Audeze Maxwell
Best High-End Gaming Headset
Audeze Maxwell
15The Audeze Maxwell is a high-end wireless gaming headset from one of the best headphone manufacturers on the planet. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
Connectivity: USB-A / USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm wired
Drivers: 90mm planar magnetic
Battery life: 80+ hours
Weight: 490g
Pros
- Top-notch audio experience
- Sleek, low-key design
Cons
- Leans on the heavier side
You can ask anyone who has used the Audeze Maxwell if it’s worth its price tag, and you’re going to get the same answer: It’s a resounding yes, including from me. It sports a sleek, nondescript design akin to many audiophile-style pairs of headphones and performs just like one as well. Sometimes I need to break away from the misconception that wired is always better for sound quality, especially when the Audeze Maxwell proved me wrong.
Its 90mm planar magnetic drivers jump out from the spec sheet – and while bigger drivers doesn’t always mean better, this is one case in which the audio experience matches the driver size flex. Overall clarity, balance across frequencies, and a rich natural audio profile make this high-end headset stand out from the rest of the pack. While the aforementioned SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the one I recommend overall for its robust features, it’s hard to compete with the Audeze Maxwell purely in the audio department.
That said, while the Maxwell is comfortable, it does land on the heavier side of gaming headsets. It’s built like a tank, but if you’re okay with that, then it’s more of a non-issue. When you get a great mix of sound quality, battery life, and features such as toggleable noise isolation, it’s easy to justify its high price.
Turtle Beach Atlas Air - Photos
16 Images
4. Turtle Beach Atlas Air
Best Wireless Gaming Headset
Turtle Beach Atlas Air
4The Turtle Beach Atlas Air is an open-back gaming headset with some serious audio fidelity. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm wired
Drivers: 40mm drivers
Battery life: 50 hours
Weight: 301g
Pros
- Extremely comfortable with light clamp force
- Open-back design elevates sound quality
Cons
- Mediocre microphone
Turtle Beach has been a major player in audio for several console generations at this point, and I think the Atlas Air marks a peak in its gaming headsets. I can’t get over how comfortable it is to wear thanks to its soft, cushioned earpads and super-light clamp force. Its headband and overall construction also feel durable despite being a very lightweight headset. When I reviewed the Atlas Air, I just couldn’t get over how these felt to wear all day, which is also a credit to the sports mesh-like upholstery that prevents heat and sweat.
It’s also rare to find open-back gaming headsets, which gives the Atlas Air an upper hand on providing a full and spacious audio experience on top of its great overall sound quality. Of course, a drawback of open-back is the lack of natural sound isolation, so be aware of whether or not the ambient noise of your gaming environment is suited for such a thing.
Turtle Beach packs some neat features into its Swarm software with customizable EQ profiles and presets that work well for getting more out of the headset (just ignore Superhuman Hearing – it’s not worth the fuss). Between music, gaming, and spatial audio, the Atlas Air performs beautifully and it’s currently one of my favorite wireless gaming headsets available.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Headset - Photos
7 Images
5. Turtle Beach Stealth 500
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Headset
Turtle Beach Stealth 500
4The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is a wireless gaming headset for under $100, and you can't beat that value. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.2
Drivers: 40mm drivers
Battery life: 40 hours
Weight: 235g
Pros
- Durable and flexible build
- Great sound quality for its price
Cons
- Bulky design with messy button layout
As I mentioned above, Turtle Beach knows what it's doing when it comes to gaming headsets, and even if I go down the pricing hierarchy, there are still impressive headsets like the Stealth 500 to be found. Although it’s quite bulky in its physical design, I found the Stealth 500 to be easy to wield thanks to its super flexible headband and durability, which also translates to solid comfort that’s easy on the ears.
More importantly, the sound quality you get from the Stealth 500 is nothing to scoff at. While it may struggle in higher frequencies, which tend to sound a bit crunchy, its strong bass and clear mids make games sound full without coming across as artificial. With the Swarm software’s Signature Sound profile, you’ll be set without having to fiddle with too many settings. Its positional audio was great as well, which I sussed out while playing competitive rounds of Counter-Strike 2, so you don’t really need to shell out the big bucks to get that kind of advantage.
Even at this price point, you get Bluetooth capabilities and can swap between devices with the press of a button. While the mic isn’t anything to boast about, it’s serviceable and can be customized in the software as well. It’s no surprise that there are compromises that need to be made in budget-level headsets, but it gets the essentials right, which earned it an 8 in my Stealth 500 review.
