Top 5 Best Gaming Headphones in 2025

As crucial as other gaming accessories are gaming headsets: The gadget you wear on your head determines the sounds of your virtual world and how you interact with your teammates. (Unless, of course, you’re using some of the top PC speakers.) Additionally, you’ll probably use your gaming headset to stream shows, listen to music, and answer business calls.

It’s not as simple as it seems to choose the ideal gaming headset. Gamers now have more headset options than ever before because of the enduring post-pandemic hybrid work model, the ever-increasing popularity of streaming and sports, and the startlingly high number of expensive video game titles that were released in 2023.

Although you most likely already have a budget in mind, there are still a number of other things to think about, such as connectivity, microphone and audio quality, and whether you require a wired or wireless device. These are the best gaming headsets available right now, for every situation, based on years of testing.

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Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

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1.Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)

Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Razer’s updated BlackShark V2 Pro for 2023 is my choice for the best gaming headset overall, based on months of testing, listening, and playing with a variety of headsets. Your voice will sound fantastic thanks to the detachable boom mic on this wireless over-ear headset, which is also incredibly comfortable and lightweight. It has the 50mm “Triforce Titanium” dynamic drivers from Razer and a sound profile designed for gaming, which includes a number of presets that are ready for use in games. Although this headset isn’t the best for listening to music, it can be adjusted using Razer’s Synapse 3 software to provide a respectable sound quality.

Its connectivity is limited; it can only connect via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless; it does not support analog connections. Although the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections are not simultaneous, I haven’t yet come across a gaming headset that can consistently switch between devices without any issues. The Arctis Nova Pro from SteelSeries, our previous top pick, is great when it works, but it doesn’t always work. It may be the gaming headset with the most flexible multi-device connectivity. Although I’ve had too many issues with the Arctis Nova Pro’s wireless connection to suggest it as the best gaming headset for the majority of users, it’s still worth a try if you’re looking for a device that can connect to several devices simultaneously.

I’ve found that the Logitech G735 is the best headset for combining audio from 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connections, but some of my coworkers prefer the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT.

Audio quality isn’t the only thing you should be looking for in a gaming headset, but it’s still, arguably, the most important thing. The BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) sports Razer’s 50mm Triforce Titanium dynamic drivers, which have a frequency response range of 12 – 28,000 Hz. This is slightly wider than most gaming headsets, which typically stick to the standard 20 – 20,000 Hz. The drivers are tuned for — surprise, surprise — gaming, out of the box, and the headset comes with five game-ready EQ presets for Apex Legends, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite, and Valorant. These presets, along with the four default non-game presets, can be customized with Razer’s Synapse peripheral software — and all changes save directly to the headset. The headset also features built-in THX Spatial Audio, which isn’t overly impressive but offers a slightly wider soundstage and more layered environmental sounds in games with pre-built THX profiles.

2.Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT

Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

There are four wired and wireless connectivity options available. This includes Bluetooth, 3.5mm, USB-C, and a 2.5GHz dongle. With the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT, you can play games on your PC or Playstation 5 and answer calls simultaneously thanks to its dual connectivity capabilities of 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Of course, all of that technological prowess is in addition to the amazing sound quality for gaming and listening to music, which is made possible by the 50mm high-density neodymium speaker drivers, a crisp, clear 9.5mm omni-directional detachable microphone, Dolby Atmos support, and a broad sound frequency range of 20Hz to 40,000KHz. The Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is a fantastic piece of audio equipment, despite a few problems.

Despite its attractive appearance, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is designed to withstand abuse. The headset is constructed from lightweight, aggressive, all-black machined aluminum. Additionally, each ear cup has an RGB-lit Corsair logo that can be altered via the iCue app.

Some initiative on-headset controls are located on the underside of each ear cup. Bluetooth controls, a wireless and USB toggle, and a volume rocker are all on the right side. The USB-C port, 3.5mm jack, and plug-in for the detachable microphone are located on the left side. The mute button is cleverly located beneath the detachable microphone. Interestingly, the ring of light surrounding the microphone tip turns white when it is turned on and red when it is muted.

The Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT sits firm and comfortable on your head regardless of how long you’re gaming. Ear cups feature premium memory foam that’s cozy around the ears, despite being breathable, successfully avoiding sweat build-up. The soft textured headband also allows tactile adjustments that feel locked in even during removal. For traveling purposes, the headset comes with a cross-stitched and padded pouch that seals with a magnetic clasp.

On PC, the headset offers even more immersion through Dolby Atmos support. Trust us, it’s well worth the extra dough. Beyond providing better audio for supported games including Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Metro:Exodus, Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4, it does improve in other media, whether you’re watching your favorite film or relaxing to some music. Considering Xbox Series S|X is compatible with Dolby Atmos, too bad the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle isn’t compatible. Users there and on Nintendo Switch have to use the 3.5mm configuration.    

3.Turtle Beach Atlas Air

Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

In a market where closed-back gaming headsets predominate, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air is a rare find. The open-back design of this wireless headset for PCs allows air to flow through the earcups for more realistic sound. The Atlas Air is an Editors’ Choice winner because it has excellent sound quality, a fantastic microphone, and an exceptionally long battery life. Check out the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro ($199), our Editors’ Choice winner for general midrange wireless gaming headsets, if you prefer the noise isolation that comes with closed-back headsets.

Compared to conventional closed-back headphones, open-back models sound more natural and allow you to hear everything around you clearly because of the airflow. The compromise? There is no sound isolation to block out distractions, and the low-frequency oomph is generally weaker. Closed-back headsets reduce outside noise, have more thump, and prevent your music from escaping, but you forfeit the audio balance and more organic airflow that they provide.

While closed-back headphones are made for recording and casual listening, many audiophiles and audio professionals prefer open-back headphones for critical listening and music mastering. However, since gaming headsets aren’t usually tuned for a purely accurate signal, the Atlas Air won’t necessarily have the same accuracy as an open-back headset made for music. Therefore, you should choose between a beefier bass with less background noise and an open, natural sound.

The large, round earcups of the Atlas Air immediately highlight its distinctive design. Rather than being fixed to the headband by a rigid strut or pivoting hinge, they float on springy bands, much like a microphone shock mount. This prevents the headband or earcup back from obstructing the ring of the metal grille that faces outward. With the help of the mesh-wrapped elastic suspension that extends along the underside of the headband, the design also allows the cups to naturally rest against your ears. This adaptability is crucial because the Atlas Air lacks many ergonomic features; the only way to change the suspension tension of the headband is to use two tiny Velcro tabs.

In addition to the metal grille rings that signify the open-back design of the headset, the backs of the earcups have sizable, glossy discs. The left earcup’s disc, which controls the headset’s volume, can be freely twisted, while the right earcup’s disc is merely for display. All of the headset’s other controls and connections, such as the power, source, and Bluetooth buttons, a USB-C charging port, a 3.5mm wired port, and a short, hinged connector for the detachable boom mic, are also located along the front and bottom edges of the left earcup. You can flip the microphone away to mute it. It is a capsule with a detachable foam pop filter fixed on a flexible rubber arm.

4.HyperX Cloud III Wireless

Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

One of HyperX’s classic models is brought into the twenty-first century, where wireless headsets appear to be the norm, with the HyperX Cloud III Wireless. The main selling point of the Cloud III Wireless is its 120-hour rated runtime, which makes it one of the best wireless headsets available and eliminates the need for frequent charging.

While it isn’t the best I’ve tested for music, its bass-heavy sound and good visuals make it a great option for games. Although it can be very erratic, spatial audio is present. The same is true of the NGenuity software, which, in contrast to the competition, only provides basic functionality despite being lightweight.

As long as you properly adjust the headset, the Cloud III Wireless is a well-made device with luxurious memory foam earcups and outstanding comfort for prolonged use. Its microphone is clear for use with conferencing apps or Discord, and even though it doesn’t have as many features as other SteelSeries and Razer models, it’s still a good option.

In terms of design, the Cloud III Wireless is a signature headset from HyperX, featuring the same instantly identifiable shapes as the company’s earlier models. Actually, if you squint, you might mistakenly believe that you are looking at the Cloud Alpha Wireless.

The most noticeable differences here compared to the Alpha Wireless are the lack of red stitching on the headband, and slightly angular earcups compared to the perfect ovals found on other headsets in the HyperX range. The Cloud III Wireless also comes with bright red aluminum forks, as well as speckled black and red wiring from the headband to the earcups, which looks excellent.

This is a well-made headset, with no creaks or odd noises from the plastic. Its headband and earcups are noticeably plusher than the Cloud Alpha Wireless, while the cups are deep, aiding comfort and also helping the Cloud III Wireless to provide some class-leading passive noise isolation. At 11.6oz / 330g, this sits in the middle of over-ear gaming headsets weight-wise and feels reasonably comfortable to wear for extended periods, although the slightly lighter clamping force can mean the Cloud III Wireless moves around on your head if not adjusted properly.

5.Audeze Maxwell

Last update on 2025-03-23 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Since audio companies approach gaming headsets from an audio perspective rather than a gaming one, I love seeing them. I am confident that they will sound fantastic. And the Maxwell, Audeze’s newest wireless gaming headset, sounds fantastic. However, sound quality is only one factor that contributes to the best gaming headsets being the best.

The Maxwell is a large, wireless over-ear gaming headset with a steel and aluminum frame, a detachable boom microphone, and 80+ hours of rated battery life. It features newly-designed 90mm planar magnetic drivers (more on what that means later) and an out-of-the-box sound profile that’s tuned for gaming. And again, it sounds fantastic. Design-wise, it’s a departure from Audeze’s previous wireless gaming headsets, the Penrose and the Mobius, which were smaller, lighter, and mainly made of plastic. 

The Maxwell is a large, sturdy headset with an aluminum and steel frame and glass-infused nylon earcups with plush, leatherette-covered foam earpads. The headset has moderate clamping force, which, combined with its weight of 1.06  pounds (490g), means you’ll definitely feel it on your head.

The clamping force’s strength and the unit’s general bulk didn’t cause me any discomfort during the many hours I spent wearing this headset. The large size of the earcups was a little annoying to me when I was traveling; in particular, it was hard to lean against anything with such large earcups. However, if you intend to use the Maxwell for its primary function of at-home gaming, that shouldn’t be too big of a problem.

The Maxwell isn’t the most stylish headset; in fact, it appears a bit bulky in comparison to some of the top wireless gaming headsets, particularly those that are meant to transition into the lifestyle market, like the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless. The Maxwell just owns its bulk, but other headsets, such as the Barracuda Pro Wireless, have at least made an effort to reduce the size of their earcups. The Maxwell’s dual-chamber design, which acoustically isolates the driver from the headset’s electronics, is probably responsible for some of the earcups’ size and chunkiness. There’s no doubting that this headset is enormous, but I find this to be acceptable (in the interest of audio quality!).