Best gaming headsets: wired and wireless options

You can appreciate the impact of sound and music in video games more if you have a great headset. You can use your existing headset. You can also find out more about the following: play through a game with basic earbuds, but you’ll miss out on the little details, not to mention the clear, crisp audio and comfort that a higher-quality headset can offer. There are (almost) endless options available. The same goes for the other way around. There are many headsets that will enhance your gaming experience.

Although they are different, purchasing a gaming headphone is very similar to that of buying headphones. If you want peerless build materials, sound quality, mic quality, long battery life, wireless connectivity, and comfort, then you’ll likely pay dearly. But if you simply want one or two of those boxes checked, you can get by on something that won’t cost you more than a couple of new games, at most.

We chose a variety of headsets to suit varying tastes and preferences. We’ll keep this guide updated regularly, and we plan to update it when notable headsets become available.

The best PC gaming headset

Image: Razer

Razer BlackShark V2

Razer’s BlackShark has earned a good reputation for being a reliable esports partner. The Razer BlackShark V2 is a great esports headset. It offers stellar audio quality, an adjustable microphone and superior sound isolation at a reasonable $99.99 price (though it can often be cheaper).

Razer BlackShark V2 headsets are great for many game genres. They also have THX sound profiles that enhance in-game awareness for popular competitive gaming titles, such as Apex Legends, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Valorant” Rainbow Six: Siege. Razer’s TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers offer a great sound out of the box without any tweaks. Memory foam earcups are great for minimizing sweat and heat during intense or long gaming sessions. The headset also maintains a firm yet gentle grip on your head. This headset is compatible on many other platforms as well, thanks to its 3.5mm connector.

BlackShark comes equipped with a detachable and flexible cardioid micro. You can take it off whenever you don’t feel like using voice chat or just use the mute button near the left ear of the headset. Razer Synapse offers many audio and mic options.

Image: HyperX/HP

HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless is the HP-owned company’s latest iteration of its long-running headset series. Like its predecessor, it’s very comfortable, with memory foam ear pads and a steel headband with a plush cushion that keeps it from pressing down too hard on your head. Its 53mm drivers are a bit bigger than those inside the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless — the company’s previous wireless flagship model. It also includes a USB-C dongle, an upgrade from its predecessor’s USB-A dongle.

It comes with a detachable 10mm mic, which filters out white noise using a pop filter. The headset also has a LED indicator that shows its current status. The Cloud 3 Wireless might not reach the whopping 300-hour battery life that the Alpha does, but it’s a headset you should consider if you want more than 100 hours per charge from its USB-C charging port. You can enjoy up to 120 hours of uninterrupted wireless gaming on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and even connect to the preferred platform with USB-C. At $169.99, it isn’t necessarily affordable, but it’s a great all-around headset that works on multiple devices.

What is the best PS5 headset?

SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P is the company’s budget gaming headset geared toward PlayStation users. Arctis Nova 1P, which costs only $59.99 offers good comfort and sound quality. SteelSeries’ “one size fits all” approach stands out in this headset’s design. The memory foam and bungee band of this headset can be molded to fit many different head shapes. Its 3.5mm cord can plug into PlayStation’s DualSense controller, so you don’t need to stay tethered to your console.

The drivers may not be industry-leading in terms of performance, but they’re no slouch. Arctis Nova 1P comes with its own spatial audio that helps players to identify where sounds are coming from. This headset plays nicely with the PlayStation 5’s Tempest 3D audio, and games that tout 3D audio capabilities sound especially great. Even better, if you also plan on using the headset on PC, you can build your own PC gaming sound profile with SteelSeries’ free Sonar software.

Sony Pulse 3D

Sony designed the Pulse 3D specifically for PlayStation 5, so it’s no surprise that it’s currently the best wireless headset for the console. We’ve compared several PlayStation-compatible headsets against it, but none can beat the system-level integration that comes straight from the source. That’ll change once the new Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headsets come out later in 2023.

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Pulse has a slim, minimalistic design and generously-padded earcups. Although it could have benefited from more flexibility, including rotating earcups, the features of this headset make up for that omission. The buttons near the ear cups can swap between adjusting game and chat audio, perfect for balancing volume levels so that your game’s audio doesn’t overpower your pals. This headset has an integrated microphone that is functional and also a 3.5mm cord to connect it with your DualSense controller.

As mentioned before, the Pulse 3D’s integration helps it outshine some of the competition, making it a great value for $99.99. It connects automatically to your PlayStation 5 when the USB cable is plugged in. There’s also an on-screen battery indicator so you know when it’s time for a charge. (The Pulse 3D’s longevity is its greatest weakness; it lasts about 12 to 13 hours per charge, which is considerably shorter than many of its competitors.)

Although the Sony Pulse 3D offers superior PlayStation integration it is less adjustable and has a stiffer fit than competitors. We recommend giving the pricier Arctis Nova 7P Plus a try if you prioritize comfort and don’t mind missing out on some of Sony’s tight integration.

The best Xbox gaming headset

SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Like its name suggests, SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox is its premium headset. This wired model’s main draw is the GameDAC Gen 2, the second generation of SteelSeries’ USB-C connection hub that has a dedicated port for your Xbox.

GameDAC Gen 2 can be used with any Xbox headphone with a cord of 3.5mm, such as Nova Pro Xbox. The base station lets you adjust your equalizer even while you are gaming. It also has a function to mix voice and game audio. This headset features two USB C connections, so it can be connected to multiple consoles. You can switch seamlessly between different gaming platforms.

Arctis Nova Pro Xbox is also compatible with SteelSeries Sonar Audio PC software. We really like the ClearCast Gen 2 mic because it’s fully retractable into the earcup. It also supports bidirectional sound cancellation.

For gamers who have cash to splash (and don’t mind a wired connection), you probably won’t regret buying this model. Try the SteelSeries Arctis 1X if $249.99 seems too expensive.

SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Plus

If you’re looking to cut the cord, SteelSeries makes the best wireless Xbox gaming headset, too. Arctis Nova 7X Plus’s wide range of connectivity is one reason it stands out. It can be connected to Xboxes via 2.4 GHz, and tethered to phones or tablets via Bluetooth. Besides that, it touts the audio features found in SteelSeries’ high-end gaming headsets, like spatial audio that immerses players in their surroundings, and the new parametric EQ, a smart equalizer that enables you to precisely adjust sound frequencies in games to your liking.

Arctis Nova 7X Plus is also capable of lasting up to thirty hours before charging. If you do need to charge, the USB charging port will recharge your battery to up to three hours in only 15 minutes. You can connect its 3.5mm headphone socket to your Xbox Controller. The entire package is available for $179.99. That’s pricey, but we feel that this headset is worth the asking price.

Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Headset was in the running for our top Xbox gaming headset. While it’s more affordable at $99.99, it falls short of the reliability that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Plus offers. For our tester, it kept disconnecting. Other testimonies prove that we aren’t alone. Other publications like The Verge and our sister website have tested the software without issue.

The best Nintendo Switch gaming headset

Logitech G333

Logitech G333 earbuds are a perfect match for Nintendo Switch. They’re a set of pocketable earbuds that can be used with the portable console. On top of offering solid sound quality and an eye-catching design, they’re among Logitech’s most affordable earbuds that cater to gamers and commuters alike. For $49.99, this model comes in black, white and other basic colors. It also includes more vibrant combinations, such as purple and yellow.

The G333’s attached mic and integrated volume and play/pause controls make these convenient for using on the go, so that you can communicate in-game and swap to a call if needed. This headset’s dual drivers clearly transmit audio with one driver dedicated to the highs and mids and another one dedicated to bass, resulting in a detailed audio profile for earbuds at this price point. In terms of comfort, the G333 likely won’t convert people who despise earbuds. The G333 comes with standard-sized earbud tips so you can adjust them to your preference.

A 3.5mm to USB C adapter makes it possible to use the Nintendo Switch with devices other than Nintendo Switch. These include PCs (including Windows), mobiles phones and tablets, Xbox, PlayStation, Steam Deck, Xbox 360 controllers. Of course, if you already have a set of trusty earbuds and a USB-C or Lightning connector, then you’re covered.

SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4 is the successor to the budget-friendly Arctis 1 wireless headset, which was touted as the “first truly wireless headset” for the Nintendo Switch. It plugs in the Switch using a USB C dongle to enable 2.4 GHz connectivity, just like the Arctis 1. The new model is only $20 more expensive than the Arctis 1. It has a battery that lasts 36 hours, and it can be charged via USB-C in 15 minutes. The headset also features popular Arctis Nova design elements, including the retractable microphone and bungee-style headband.

This headset sidesteps the Switch’s infamous Bluetooth latency issues. Since it communicates with its own 2.4 GHz dongle, you’ll get less latency and better performance overall than, say, using your Apple AirPods. Nova 4 is not only compatible with Switch but also PC, PlayStation and Steam Deck.

In May, the Nova 4 was launched as an exclusive GameStop product for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in North America. It then migrated over to Amazon, where its PC-version (which will still work on Xbox but not PlayStation) is available. If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out the Logitech G435. Unlike the Nova 4, it can connect via 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously, but its dongle is USB-A and can only plug into the Switch’s dock unless you have a USB-A to USB-C adapter to plug directly into the console.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova (wireless).

Price taken from the publication.

SteelSeries offers separate color schemes to suit PCs, Xboxes, and PlayStations, but they all work on the Switch.

Best Steam Deck gaming headset

Logitech G333

Logitech G333 is a great companion for Steam Deck, whether you’re on the move or playing at home. You even have the choice of plugging it into the Deck’s 3.5mm headphone jack or its USB-C port.

Several members of Polygon’s staff tested the G333 on their Steam Decks, and they can attest to the audio quality. They don’t sound as amazing as an over-ear headset, but their portability is a more valuable asset for use with the Steam Deck. Don’t forget about the squishy silicon tips that you can match to your ear size and the colorful aluminum-crafted buds. Logitech has paid attention to the details that make it a good choice for Steam Decks and other portable gadgets.

Amelia Holowaty Kreles/The verge

Logitech G435

Logitech’s G435 Wireless Headset is the perfect wireless headset for anyone looking to get the most out of their phone. The Logitech offers a variety of color schemes, with prices between $29.99-$79.99. It’s one of the lightest headsets on the market, enough so that you can likely won’t get tired of wearing them. Its microphone is built into the headset’s body, so there’s no chance of accidentally clipping it against a wall or something similar while you’re traveling. Also, the wireless battery lasts a respectable 18 hours, even if it doesn’t compare to the monstrous 100-hour plus battery life of a premium PC headset.

These headsets are made to fit smaller heads, as opposed to the majority of headsets that we have reviewed. The headband can be adjusted to fit the size of your head. However, people with large heads may want to take caution. This makes it a great option for kids using Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.