12 Best Gaming Headsets & Headphones

Enjoy your games with one of the best gaming headsets available right now.

What are the best gaming headphones today?

You want a comfortable fit, durable design, and clear microphone and sound quality, so you can focus on the game and not worry about the real-world problems.

You know there are many “best” headsets that are supposed to be great but fall short with mediocre audio quality, bad microphone, and weak durability.

You want your next PC gaming headset to last a long time to get the best value for money.

To do that, check this list of the best gaming headsets to upgrade your game experience.

You can get a good cheap gaming headset even with a small budget (check further below for cheaper models).

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Related:

Best wireless gaming headsets

Best PC gaming headsets

Best wireless PS4 headsets

Best wireless Xbox gaming headsets

Best gaming earbuds

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Best Gaming Headsets

1. SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless

For a gaming headset, it sounds quite amazing. Bass is deep, highs are excellent. Sound is quite versatile and can be used for different games. Make sure to use simulated positional audio (DTS Headphone:X v2) on PC.

Also check best bass headphones.

If a wireless headset is what you want, then this is the most versatile option today. The noise cancellation microphone is clear and distortion-free. You can use it in louder places and teammates will hear you clearly.

The understated design is well-built and will last a long time. Large ear cups are greatly padded. Thus the comfort is really high (comfy even after long hours).

The battery lasts up to 24 hours per charge which is more than enough for a full day PC gaming experience.

2. Razer BlackShark V2

With V2’s you’re getting a nicely balanced frequency response, with a decently big soundstage that can get bigger with THX spatial audio.

BlackShark V2 are following a similar design language as their predecessor, with a more retro, aviation look. Only that now you’re getting much more padding all the way around for maximum comfort.

Earpads are covered in a unique fabric that ensures breathability while keeping above-average noise isolation. Housing is also very lightweight, despite its size.

The microphone on V2 is detachable and comes with a wide array of software options to ensure its clarity. 3.5mm jack connects to the Razer’s USB sound card, but if you want cleaner microphone output, plug the headphones directly into the computer.

Like affordable? See the best headphones under $100.

3. Asus ROG Delta S

50mm neodymium drivers provide accurate, excellent sound quality, portraying all the small nuances inside the game with good detail. A built-in QUAD DAC can even transcode MQA files for the most diehard audiophiles.

Delta’s awarded design fits wonderfully on your head, providing hours of uninterrupted gameplay. You even get spare earpads inside the box when the original ones start showing age.

Of course, there must be RGB, and Asus’s implementation is quite attractive. It can even perform lighting effects on the ear cup when you speak into the detachable microphone.

The connection runs strictly via USB-C, but you do get an adapter for USB-A.

4. SteelSeries Arctis PRO Wireless

Headset delivers high-end sound. With the quality transmission and drivers, you can use the headset for games, movies, and music. The EQ settings make it possible to adjust the frequency response to your liking.

If you are a PS5, Xbox One, or PC gamer, this best gaming headset is a fantastic choice. The SteelSeries Arctis PRO Wireless gives you a high-end feature set for a demanding gamer.

It has 20 hours of battery, and it even comes with two batteries. While one is used, the other can be in the charger dock.

It also comes with a SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC. You can choose the volume of voice chat and gaming sound effects, to get the ideal gaming audio quality for you.

A ClearCast microphone offers clear communicating, but picks up background noise.

5. LucidSound LS41

The brilliant immersive 7.1 sound profile is great for getting stuck into your favorite games. 50mm drivers provide plenty of power, too.

These headphones are immersive and great for long playing sessions. They offer 7.1 surround sound, which is great for immersive and competitive games. Feel like you’re really in the game.

The comfy earpads are gel-cooled, providing comfortable fit even after wearing them for a long time.

They also have powerful drivers and plenty of volume, with a capable battery. You can enjoy 20+ hours of gameplay or use them with a headphone jack.

Unlike many of the headphones out there, they use both audio cable and wireless connectivity and are compatible with most platforms, including Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch game console.

Related:

• Best wireless gaming headsets for Xbox
• Best wireless gaming headset for PlayStation

6. Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2. Gen)

These gaming headsets are pushing tons of details with a frequency response that works great for games, music, and movies. Imaging is razor-sharp, which gives you an unfair advantage over your opponents.

Build quality is excellent, with high-quality materials all over the place. For a premium price, you can expect durable metal construction with enough padding so that you don’t feel the excess weight.

Speaking of padding, earpads are dressed in velour, which might lower the passive noise isolation but increases overall comfort and breathability.

While the boom microphone and inline controls are permanently attached, they’re of excellent quality and are fun to use.

7. HyperX Cloud II Wireless

While the non-wireless version has a sculpted sound, the new wireless Cloud II presents an almost neutral sound signature. That makes them great for picking up small details in both games and music.

The outside of these gaming headphones didn’t change much. A sturdy aluminum frame comes in either gunmetal or red color, whereas the memory foam earpads provide excellent comfort.

There’s no option for a 3.5mm audio cable, which is why you have to rely on a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle only. The battery should last for 30 hours straight.

For spatial audio, you get support for 7.1 surround, which only works for PC gaming.

8. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen. 2

The V-shape works nicely for gaming, with bass amplifying big explosions and the treble revealing the opponent’s footsteps. The latter is further improved by enabling the Superhuman Hearing feature.

Earcups have a generous amount of padding on them, with a layer of cooling gel to prevent your skin from overheating. Earpads are designed to avoid pressure from wearing glasses (ProSpecs Glasses Relief System).

Turtle Beach can work in 2 modes: via Bluetooth and a 2.4GHz USB dongle. That way, you can use them with most gaming platforms. Sadly, they only support Windows Sonic for surround effect.

Their battery life is rated at 20 hours on a single charge.

9. Sennheiser GSP 370

When it comes to sound, you can’t go wrong with Sennheiser. GSP 370’s 7.1 spatial sound is decent, but their main selling point is excellent audio clarity and good imaging.

The second best thing is their runtime. Headsets with wireless connection have an impressive 100-hour battery life, providing you with a whole week of careless gaming without needing to search for a plug.

Gaming headsets need a good mic, and 370’s have precisely that. It’s flip-to-mute type, but it works great. On the sides, a built-in wheel lets you quickly adjust the volume. As for the comfort, they’re lightweight and have thick pleather/velour earpads for better breathability.

10. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

Finding excellent sound clarity like this under $100 is rare. These headphones have high fidelity frequency response and lossless wireless capabilities. You will be impressed by the level of clarity and quality at the price point.

Gaming headset SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the little sibling of the Arctis Pro. They have the same drivers as award-winning Arctis 7. Considering the price, this is a big bonus.

You also get a ClearCast microphone for distortion-free communication with friends or in-game.

The steel-reinforced headband is very durable and flexible. You can use it on the go and put it in your bag without worrying.

Check out other related guides:

• Best wireless gaming headsets
• Best microphones for gaming

11. HyperX Cloud Stinger

The quality is pretty good as well. To be frank, it’s not as good as with top models but can easily compare to best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

They have slightly emphasized bass, decent mids for a budget gaming headset, and good highs. Overall, if you are just an average user, you’ll be pleased with the audio.

The earphones are slightly smaller than with HyperX Cloud or Revolver models but still big enough to comfortably fit adult ears. They are very comfortable headphones, and you quickly forget you’re wearing a budget model.

The boom microphone is not detachable, but you can move it in a vertical position when not needed. Its sound quality is good, and other players will think you have a high-end gaming headset.

HyperX Cloud Stinger review

12. Asus TUF Gaming H3

Don’t let the low price point fool you. These headsets have a clear frequency response with a slight bass boost to make in-game effects more engaging; excellent performance for under $40.

TUF means “tough,” and the TUF Gaming H3 are quite durable, even though they feel somewhat cheap. They’re flexible and should survive few accidental drops from a desk.

Due to build materials, these PC gaming headphones are very lightweight. With the addition of thick earpads, you will forget about them being on your head.

Thankfully, Asus hasn’t cheap out on the microphone. It delivers good clarity and is Discord-certified.

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Best Regular Headphones for Gaming and Music

Don’t want a dedicated gaming headset? Don’t worry. You can get great regular headphones and add a microphone. Famous streamer Ninja has Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO with standalone microphone (his Twitch). And it works great.

How to Create Your Own Gaming Headset?

1. Get a pair of headphones
2. Buy a microphone mod
3. Combine and get the best of both worlds: superb audio and voice quality

See the best microphones for gaming.

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How we do reviews?

Are Gaming Headphones Good for Music?

PC gaming headphones are generally okay for music. But because they’re tuned for playing games first, they don’t sound as good as regular headphones.

Drivers aren’t the problem. The reason is the special tunning manufacturers do to make them more appealing to gamers.

A lot of them come with emphasized bass, to make explosions more dramatic. Consequently, this might not be the best when you want to listen to Mozart.

Also, surround simulation improves the soundstage in a game but is debatable for music.

What is the Difference Between Gaming Headphones and Regular Headphones?

Any gaming headphones come with a boom microphone, thus creating a headset.

They’re also built for long hours of comfort, and often come with virtual surround sound, LED lights, and other related features.

A headset for gaming needs to be comfortable

Game-playing marathons are common nowadays, and many people play for hours on end. For this, you need a pair of headphones that won’t irritate your ears.

Some people use earbuds for gaming, but most aren’t that good and there aren’t many to choose from. Check best gaming earbuds.

Sleek design with a sturdy structure

Since the best gaming headsets aren’t cheap and are frequently used, durability plays a part.

You want to spend your hard-earned money on solid, quality built headphones that will stand the test of time.

Many best gaming headsets come with virtual 7.1 surround sound

While the audio quality usually isn’t at the forefront for gaming headphones, having surround sound modes is a nice advantage.

Closed headphones have a rather intimate soundstage, and with the help of software, you can expand it.

Types of Gaming Headphones

• Wired with 3.5mm or USB connection are most common.
• Wireless connection (not Bluetooth) is becoming more popular and offers the most versatility.
• Multi-platform compatible you can connect to many different platforms including PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
• Single platform compatible sets are dedicated to one, usually a specific console, and offer limited features with other systems.

Do the Types of Headphones Differ Between Gaming Systems?

Usually, the only difference is how they connect.

However, due to business reasons, some manufacturers create different versions of the same gaming headset. Like when a headset specifically made for Xbox connects to the console wirelessly without any adapters.

Otherwise, they use the same drivers and structure but with different compatibility.

The most expensive wireless gaming headsets usually cost more money and are commonly packed with extra features like simulated surround sound, customization features, and more.

The cheapest type of gaming headset will always be wired and without fancy surround sound or other software. Thankfully, a good pair of neodymium drivers and a quality mic is often enough to have an enjoyable experience.

What to Look for in Gaming Headphones

Compatibility. Know what gaming systems you have before getting your headphones.

• 3.5mm is supported by all major gaming devices (PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X). Some headsets also use wired USB connections.
• Wireless gaming headsets usually come with an adapter or base station that you connect with a cable. Some even support Bluetooth for mobile platforms.

Comfort. Look for plush ear cushions and over-ear design (preferably memory foam). Adjustable headband and swiveling cups are a nice bonus.

Reliable Microphone. Mic problems are the most annoying when you want to play with friends. Check for the best microphones.

Extra Features. Maybe you want surround sound or a detachable mic. Perhaps you fancy customization options for the audio quality and RGB lighting.

Is 7.1 Surround Better for Gaming?

Many companies market their best gaming headsets as having 7.1 surround, but headphones can’t really produce true surround sound.

You can find true surround headphone with multiple drivers, but they’re mostly a gimmick. Instead, most headsets simulate the effect with software.

Virtual surround sound (or any 3D audio software) comes into play for PC gaming as consoles don’t have support for it (exception is MixAmp Pro with surround built-in).

Nonetheless, there’s a small increase in soundstage when the software does its magic which slightly improves your audio experience.

Is Wired Better Than Wireless for Gaming?

Wired or wireless, here’s a quick rundown:

• The slightly better sound quality in a wired headset is the biggest benefit. Wireless models aren’t far behind but can come with white noise, static, etc.
• When it comes to convenience, wireless wins. Grab a snack, go to the toilet, and chat on Discord, easy. But you also have to charge them. If you don’t, you might have a problem.
• Wireless headsets usually cost more, the wired ones are more affordable. Wired start from $30 to $300+, wireless start from $80+.

Check the best wireless gaming headsets.