For the ultimate multiplayer gaming experience, having a top-notch gaming headset is crucial. Whether you opt for wired or wireless, you’ll want superior sound quality, maximum comfort, and bonus features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio support. These top gaming headset picks provide everything you need to elevate your gaming audio to the next level, ensuring you don’t miss a single sound effect, note of music, or crucial communication with your allies or taunts aimed at your foes.
Certain top-tier gaming headsets cater specifically to PC gamers, while others are optimized for specific gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation 5. However, you’ll find high-end gaming headsets that offer compatibility with a wide range of gaming hardware.
To fully enhance your gaming setup, it’s advisable to complement your gaming headset with top-quality gear like gaming monitors, keyboards, and handheld controllers. Additionally, if you’re keen on enjoying your favorite PC games on the move, consider exploring our coverage of the best gaming laptops, along with our comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming system.
QUICK LIST
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Top 5 Best Gaming Headset of 2024
1.SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
- Almighty Audio – Experience ultimate clarity and sound quality with Premium High Fidelity Drivers. Fully customize the sound experience with the Sonar Software by using a first-in-gaming Pro-grade Parametric EQ.
- 360° Spatial Audio – Immersive surround sound transports you to the gaming world, letting you hear every critical step, reload, or vocal cue to give you an advantage. Fully compatible with Microsoft Spatial Sound for Xbox /Tempest 3D Audio for PS5
- Active Noise Cancellation – Immerse yourself in your virtual world as a specialized 4-mic hybrid system designed for gaming tunes out ambient noise. Use Transparency Mode with variable levels to adapt to any situation.
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
SteelSeries offers some of the finest gaming headsets available, both in wired and wireless configurations. The Arctis Nova Pro wireless gaming headset is a standout choice, boasting exceptional features such as active noise cancellation, a retractable microphone, 360-degree spatial audio support, and remarkable battery life.
Designed as over-the-ear headphones, the Arctis Nova Pro ensures comfort during extended gaming sessions with plush ear cups and high-fidelity drivers that deliver clear and immersive audio, truly bringing games to life.
One of its standout features is its ability to effectively block out unwanted ambient noise while ensuring crystal-clear communication. Whether you’re coordinating with allies or taunting adversaries, you’ll be heard with clarity.
Moreover, the headset provides an immersive and robust audio experience, enhancing the depth and richness of sound effects and music. Its base station connects seamlessly to your PC via USB, offering convenient setup and reliable connectivity. Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless gaming headset is a top-tier choice for gamers seeking unparalleled audio quality and comfort.
Pros
- Full, clear audio
- Good microphone
- Strong noise cancellation
Cons
- To achieve optimal results, adjust the EQ in the audio profile.
2.Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed
- 280G ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN — Featuring optimized weight reductions and an improved clamping force, the headset provides seamless comfort for all-day gaming
- HYPERCLEAR SUPER WIDEBAND MIC — By covering a wider frequency range of sound, the bendable mic captures an incredible amount of detailed input voice so that every shotcall sounds clear, rich, and natural
- TRIFORCE TITANIUM 50MM DRIVERS — With titanium-coated diaphragms for added clarity, the patented 3-part driver design has been individually tuned for high, mids, and lows to ensure richer trebles, brighter midrange, and bigger bass
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
We’ve selected the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed for our value category due to its reasonable price point and impressive audio features, such as THX spatial audio. Despite its affordability, it doesn’t compromise on quality, weighing in at a mere 9.88 ounces, ensuring comfort during long gaming sessions. Additionally, its impressive battery life of up to 70 hours adds to its appeal.
While the boom mic isn’t detachable, its bendable design allows for easy adjustment when not in use. A standout feature of this headset is its three-part drivers, which provide greater differentiation between high, mid, and low frequencies, resulting in enhanced audio clarity.
The soft memory foam covering the ear cups creates a comfortable seal around the ears, effectively blocking out ambient noise. However, it’s worth noting that the headset lacks active noise cancellation.
Overall, the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed offers excellent performance for gamers on a budget, providing a compelling option with its combination of affordability and quality audio features.
Pros
- Companion software is offered for graphic equalization and presets.
- Comfortable fit.
- Great overall mic performance.
Cons
- prone to inconsistent audio transmission.
- Poor noise isolation capabilities.
3.Asus ROG Strix Go
- CLEAR HEADSET MIC – Certified by Discord and TeamSpeak, the ROG Strix GO is already among the best gaming headsets in the industry. Includes a detachable, unidirectional boom microphone that is tuned to make your voice stand out more clearly and easier to communicate with teammates.
- HI-RES HEADPHONE AUDIO – With exclusive ASUS Essence driver and airtight-chamber design, the ROG Strix GO wired headset keeps you in the moment while blocking outside distractions. The 40mm Essence drivers deliver incredibly rich, pure sound with optimized deep bass for an immersive gaming experience.
- Ai NOISE-CANCELLING HEADSET – Engineered with industry-leading Ai powered noise-cancelling technology for crystal-clear in-game voice communication. Leaf blowers, dogs barking, and vacuum overpowering your voice on the microphone will be a thing of the past! The algorithm draws on a massive, deep-learning database to accurately identify and counteract environmental noises. The main-boom mic is bidirectional, detachable from headset, and fully certified by leading coms providers including Discord and TeamSpeak.
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Among the Asus ROG gaming headset lineup, the Strix Go stands out as a budget-friendly option, often available for less price. Despite its affordability, it delivers good quality audio through 40mm drivers and offers decent active noise cancellation.
A notable feature is its detachable boom mic, providing flexibility in usage. The onboard controls, including a volume wheel and mute button, are conveniently located for easy access. While the headset weighs 10.23 ounces and may be considered bulkier in size, it remains comfortable during extended gaming sessions.
The versatility of the Strix Go is evident in its compatibility with multiple gaming platforms and mobile devices, connecting seamlessly via USB port or 3.5mm audio jack. For gamers on a tight budget who require an affordable option without sacrificing essential features, the Asus ROG Strix Go is a compelling choice.
Pros
- Subtly fashionable
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
Cons
- Average virtual surround
- hiss in the background of the sound
4.Razer Barracuda X
- SMARTSWITCH DUAL WIRELESS — Instantly switch between high-speed 2.4GHz or Bluetooth mode on the headset for seamless audio when hopping between PC/console and phone during use
- 250G ERGONOMIC DESIGN — Built for gaming marathons yet comfortable and portable enough for daily commutes, its lightweight build is complemented by breathable memory foam ear cushions and swiveling earcups
- TRIFORCE 40MM DRIVERS — Patented 3-part driver design pushes out exceptional highs, mids, and lows for deeper gaming immersion and a more dynamic listening experience
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
When it comes to wireless gaming headsets with multi-platform support, the Barracuda X is a solid choice. Offering both wired connectivity via simple USB and wireless options via Bluetooth 5.2 or 2.4GHz, it caters to various gaming systems and computers.
With an impressive battery life of up to 50 hours, the Barracuda X ensures uninterrupted gaming sessions for the average gamer. While it features a detachable mic for convenience and robust stereo sound, it’s worth noting that it lacks both active noise cancellation and spatial audio support.
Available in five color options, including black, white, pink/white, yellow/black, and a black/white Roblox edition, there’s a style to suit every preference. The headset’s onboard controls offer easy access, and at 8.82 ounces, it remains lightweight for comfortable wear during extended gaming sessions.
Pros
- Strong audio performance
- Clear mic quality
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- not accompanied by a carrying bag or case
5.Asus ROG Theta 7.1
- EXCEPTIONAL SOUND CLARITY – ROG Theta 7.1 surround sound headset includes eight ASUS Essence drivers and virtual subwoofers for incredibly immersive gaming audio and powerful bass
- POWER OF Ai – Noise-cancelling headset microphone delivers crytal-clear in-game voice communication so your team is always on point.
- POWERFUL SOUND – Four ESS 9601 headphone drivers and exclusively customized ROG home-theater-grade 7.1 DAC provide exceptionally crisp and loseless audio from your ROG headset
Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
When delving into higher-priced headsets, your expectations rightly elevate. The Asus ROG Theta 7.1 gaming headset is a standout in this category, offering multi-platform compatibility and relying exclusively on a USB cable connection for wired connectivity.
What sets this headset apart is its support for 7.1 channel surround sound, achieved through front, center, side, and rear drivers in each ear cup. This configuration delivers an immersive audio experience with true surround sound, complemented by a satisfying level of rich bass.
While the Theta 7.1 headset lacks active noise cancellation, it compensates with a noise-canceling microphone, ensuring clear in-game voice communication for seamless team coordination.
The comfort factor is not overlooked, with padded ear cups made from ear-cooling material that prevents heat build-up and alleviates pressure on the ears during extended use. Furthermore, the headset excels not only in gaming but also in delivering high-quality audio for music, movies, and TV shows streamed on various platforms.
Pros
- Well-tuned, clean, crisp audio
- outstanding construction quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Mic audio is a distorted mess
HOW WE TEST GAMING HEADSETS
Here’s a brief explanation of the precise method we use to test gaming headphones, but you can learn all about how PC Gamer examines hardware in our how we test guide.
For a minimum of one week, we test every headset by using it as our daily driver. This allows us to experience not only the sound quality but also the daily use of each set of cans.
We evaluate each headset across a variety of gaming genres; racing, shooters, and battle royales are especially useful testing situations because the former tend to test the low-end and show muddiness and distortion, while Battlefield, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and other titles are excellent for positional audio tracking.
Using Audacity, we record a sample of our voice and compare it to earlier recordings made by different models, then proceed to Discord to seek input from our friends regarding our audio quality. Many of the mics and headsets we test are available for listening on our Soundcloud page (it’s not all amateur rap by PC gamers, I assure you).
Oh, and we definitely listen to a lot of high-definition audio. We can tell when a tune is at its best by listening to well-known versions of it that hit the bass, mids, and highs. Furthermore, a pretty damned good headset is usually indicated if we hear something in a known track that we have never heard before.
BEST GAMING HEADSET FAQ
What does a gaming headset need?
When selecting a gaming headset, there are a few factors to take into account. Priorities should be given to a good price and sound quality, but comfort is also important. Additionally, the majority of the headsets on our list have noise-cancelling microphones because these are essential for communications. You want a microphone that won’t pick up on every keystroke made on your mechanical keyboard, along with respectable voice quality.
Are wired or wireless headsets better for gaming?
It actually depends on your preferences, but if you choose to go wireless, you should look for a battery life of at least 20 hours. Having a headset with a poor battery life that requires frequent charging is the last thing you want. It somewhat negates the benefit of being wireless. When using wired headphones, check sure the cord is long enough to reach your PC without causing you any discomfort.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the perfect gaming headset, there’s a multitude of factors to consider, ranging from sound quality to comfort and additional features, all within your budget constraints. Among the top contenders, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless stands out for its exceptional sound quality, dual wireless connectivity options, and superior comfort, making it a top choice for immersive gaming experiences.
Another strong contender is the HyperX Cloud II Wireless, renowned for its outstanding sound quality, comfort, and virtual 7.1 surround sound capabilities, providing versatility and performance for discerning gamers.
Logitech G Pro X Wireless caters to professional gamers with its high-fidelity audio, customizable EQ settings, and lightweight design, ensuring extended gaming sessions remain comfortable without compromising on audio quality.
Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4 is favored for its Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos support, delivering immersive sound and featuring a convenient charging base station along with a flip-to-mute microphone for clear communication.
For those seeking precise positional accuracy, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro shines with its THX Spatial Audio and Triforce Titanium drivers, coupled with a detachable HyperClear Supercardioid Mic for crystal-clear communication.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT offers high-fidelity sound and Dolby Atmos support, alongside a detachable broadcast-grade microphone, providing versatility and premium audio quality for gamers who prioritize both.
Sennheiser GSP 670 is a favorite among audiophiles for its low latency wireless connectivity and customizable sound profiles, ensuring an immersive and personalized gaming experience.
Moving towards budget-friendly options, the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed impresses with its THX spatial audio, lightweight design, and impressive battery life, making it an excellent choice for gamers seeking value without compromising on performance.
Asus ROG Strix Go offers good quality audio, a detachable boom mic, and multi-platform support, catering to gamers on a budget who require versatility and functionality.
Barracuda X stands out for its multi-platform support, wireless connectivity options, and a detachable mic, providing convenience and versatility without breaking the bank.
Lastly, the Asus ROG Theta 7.1 delivers premium 7.1 channel surround sound and comfortable ear cups, ensuring an immersive gaming experience with uncompromised audio quality and comfort for discerning gamers seeking the best in audio immersion.