The 9 Greatest Gaming Headsets of 2023, In response to 400+ Hours of Testing
Whether or not you’re enjoying a solo marketing campaign and desire a premium sonic expertise with out disturbing these round you or simply need to trash-talk different gamers on-line, a high quality gaming headset will considerably enhance your spatial consciousness and makes your gaming expertise really feel much more life like. Provided that the best pair of gaming headphones could make all the distinction in on-line play, I examined the most recent choices to seek out out which of them are value your hard-earned {dollars}.
Greatest Gaming Headsets of 2023
What to Take into account
Not all gaming headphones are created equal, and selecting the most effective gaming headset could be extremely private. However for probably the most half, discovering the most effective one comes all the way down to the identical standards.
Compatibility and Comfortableness
Most essential is that you simply discover a headset that’s appropriate along with your gaming laptop or online game console. Chances are you’ll assume that discovering a gaming headset with glorious audio and microphone high quality is the subsequent most essential factor, however belief me, you’ll need one thing that’s snug. If a headset is uncomfortable, you’ll need to take it off after not more than 20 minutes of gaming.
Wired or Wi-fi
One other main issue to contemplate is whether or not you desire a wired or wi-fi headset. Should you store for the latter, once more, ensure that it’s appropriate along with your console! You gained’t discover a wi-fi headset that works seamlessly on each the PlayStation and Xbox, for the reason that two consoles use totally different wi-fi protocols.
Characteristic Units
Hold your eye out for characteristic units whilst you’re searching for the most effective gaming headset on your wants. Only a few supply lively noise canceling, however many assist 7.1 encompass sound, and plenty of have Bluetooth connectivity, so you should utilize them along with your telephone.
How We Examined
I spent greater than 400 hours testing 40 totally different gaming headsets to determine the most effective ones on the market. To be able to slender down our choices, I factored in consolation, sound high quality, microphone high quality, construct high quality and design, connection, and controls. You possibly can study extra about every of those classes beneath:
- Consolation — How does the headset really feel? Are you able to put on it for marathon gaming classes? Does it really feel too heavy? Are the supplies irritating or itchy? Are the ear cups massive sufficient to cowl your whole ear? Is the headset uncomfortable with glasses? Is it adjustable to accommodate each massive and smaller-shaped heads?
- Sound High quality — Is the sound wealthy and detailed sufficient that will help you actually get into the sport? Is the in-game dialogue clear? Are the drivers overpowering? Are you able to determine the path of sounds? Does the audio sound good for listening to music, too?
- Microphone High quality — Does the microphone efficiently cancel out background noise? Is your voice clear and simply heard by different players?
- Construct High quality and Design — How does the headset look? Does it really feel low-cost? Does it have a premium, sturdy construct that may stand up to drops? Is the headscarf sturdy? Is the cable lengthy sufficient and braided sufficient to resist put on over time?
- Connection — What sort of connection does the headset have? Does it include the right adapters for connecting it to different units? If it is wi-fi, does it keep linked with out audio reducing out and in?
- Controls — What onboard controls does the headset have? Are they simply accessible and identifiable? Are there quantity controls and a mute microphone operate?
Along with the above testing standards, I additionally took into consideration worth and included equipment, plus ease of use for the headsets and their included software program.
After gaming throughout 5 totally different consoles for a lot of hours, listening to weeks’ value of music, and numerous deaths to overcome Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, Management, God of Battle Ragnarök, Metroid Dread, Resident Evil Village, and Returnal, listed below are the most effective gaming headsets of 2023.
Greatest Total
Greatest Total
Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset
Greatest Total
Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset
Key Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Swap and any gadget with a 3.5mm port |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Analog 3.5mm with USB sound card |
| Driver Measurement | 50 millimeters |
| Weight | 0.6 kilos |
| Battery Life | N/A |
The Blackshark V2 is a premium headset with out the premium worth. The Blackshark V2 offers extremely detailed sound high quality for each video games and music. Its removable microphone did a wonderful job at cleanly selecting up my voice, and it comes with a USB sound card that allows you to allow a THX Spatial Audio encompass system for a extra theater-like impact.
The headset is light-weight and cozy, it has plush earcups, a padded headband, and an simply accessible quantity dial on the left earcup. In comparison with different headsets in its worth vary, the Razer Blackshark V2 stood out for its clear and balanced audio high quality, its intuitive and highly effective software program, and its snug match.
Imagine it or not, I appreciated the Blackshark V2 greater than Razer’s Kraken V3 Professional, which is twice as costly. The largest distinction between the 2 is that the Kraken V3 Professional has haptic suggestions. In case you’re unfamiliar, which means that the headset converts sound alerts into touch-sensory suggestions.
Nonetheless not satisfied? The BlackShark V2 has been named among the finest gaming headsets by a number of tech and gaming editors throughout the business, together with CNET, PC Gamer PCGamesN, PC Magazine, Tom’s Information, The Verge. Cameron Faulkner from the Verge mentioned it was so snug that he “didn’t need to take it off his head.”
Greatest Funds Headset
Greatest Funds Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset
Greatest Funds Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset
Key Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Swap and any gadget with a 3.5mm port |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Analog 3.5mm |
| Driver Measurement | 40 millimeters |
| Weight | 0.5 kilos |
| Battery Life | N/A |
Should you’ve shopped for gaming headsets earlier than, you’ve in all probability realized simply what number of ridiculously costly choices there are on the market. This entry-level headset from SteelSeries will get all of the fundamentals rights and proves you don’t have to drop a number of hundred {dollars} for a high quality headset.
The Arctis Nova 1 packs the identical 40-millimeter drivers as its pricier siblings — the $100 Arctis Nova 3 and the $180 Arctis Nova 7, however it’s priced at a a lot easier-to-swallow worth of simply $60. The headset delivers stellar audio efficiency with punchy bass and a very good quantity of treble that makes it nice for listening to music if you’re not gaming.
I admire that it packs a completely retractable mic, however discovered that it didn’t do as robust a job at blocking ambient room noise as different headsets. The headset has a ski google-inspired elastic band that helps it present a comfortable, snug match (even if you happen to put on glasses) and options comfortable and cool-to-the-touch “AirWeave” material ear pads so your ears gained’t get overheated.
It is also value mentioning that SteelSeries sells a number of variants of the Arctis Nova: There’s the Nova 1P for PlayStation house owners, the Nova 1X for Xbox players, and the Nova 1 for PC customers.
Greatest Wi-fi Headset Beneath $50
This colourful and extremely light-weight headset from Logitech is likely one of the most cheap wi-fi headsets you should purchase. Regardless of its inexpensive worth level, the Logitech doesn’t require players to make many sacrifices relating to consolation and audio high quality.
It comes with a 2.4GHz wi-fi transmitter that you simply use to attach wirelessly to a PC or PlayStation. For the reason that headset has Bluetooth, you may as well use it along with your Nintendo Swap or cell gadget. It’s value a fast point out that the G435 does not embody a conventional 3.5-millimeter audio jack for wired connections. It additionally doesn’t have a growth microphone. As an alternative, it depends on built-in “beamforming” mics.
Though its ear cups are adjustable, I’d say this headset works finest with smaller-sized heads. I feel you’ll be pleasantly stunned at how good the headset sounds, too, particularly given its budget-friendly worth.
Greatest PlayStation Headset
Greatest PlayStation Gaming Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gaming Headset
Greatest PlayStation Gaming Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Gaming Headset
Now 11% Off
Key Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Swap |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Analog 3.5mm, 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wi-fi, Bluetooth |
| Driver Measurement | 40 millimeters |
| Weight | 0.93 kilos |
| Battery Life | 38 hours |
PlayStation house owners, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P ought to be in your shortlist if you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new gaming headset. This fashionable headset delivers stellar sound high quality, a premium design, and an especially snug match. Most significantly, it offers players with long-lasting, all-day battery life.
What separates it from the vast realm of different gaming headsets is its distinctive ski-band-inspired suspension headband. The band is totally adjustable and stretches to suit any head form. Plus, it’s machine-washable.
The headset is light-weight and conforms to your head with out squeezing an excessive amount of or ever feeling free. Its ear cushions are breathable and comfortable, and they do not get too scorching, even throughout the longest of gaming classes.
The SteelSeries’ Sonar software program takes your sonic expertise to the subsequent degree and helps immersive 360-degree spatial audio for the PC, Xbox Sequence X, and PlayStation 5 consoles. In fact, you should utilize the software program for adjusting the microphone’s noise discount, setting EQ profiles, and balancing recreation/chat audio.
By and enormous, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is an excellent snug and sturdy wi-fi headset that’s versatile and works with most consoles, together with the Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. It packs spectacular battery life and offers players with a better-than-average onboard microphone and strong sound high quality.
Greatest Xbox Gaming Headset
I’ve examined greater than 10 wi-fi Xbox headsets over the past 4 years, and I’ve all the time discovered myself going again to wired headsets due to audio lag or skips. However that was till I received my palms on Microsoft’s very personal gaming headset: It sounds nearly as good as different headsets that value $200 or extra.
It is each snug and very straightforward to make use of because it solely has two buttons. Somewhat than counting on a wi-fi dongle like quite a few different choices, this one immediately pairs straight along with your console with out an adapter.
All through my testing, I used to be impressed by how robust its vary is. The connection is so dependable that my recreation’s music didn’t lower out after I walked 25 toes away to the kitchen to seize a glass of water. You possibly can count on round 15 hours of juice earlier than needing to recharge it with the included USB-C cable.
Conveniently sufficient, this feature can connect with a second gadget concurrently along with your Xbox console utilizing Bluetooth, that means you’ll be able to take a telephone name or hearken to music whereas sporting the headset.
Greatest Nintendo Swap Headset
Greatest Nintendo Swap Headset
Razer Barracuda X
Greatest Nintendo Swap Headset
Razer Barracuda X
Key Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Swap and any gadget with a 3.5mm port |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Analog 3.5mm, 2.4 GHZ Wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Driver Measurement | 40 millimeters |
| Weight | 0.55 kilos |
| Battery Life | 50 hours |
Funds gaming headsets — particularly wi-fi ones — oftentimes lower corners and omit options within the identify of a cheaper price level. Not the Razer Barracuda X. Regardless of its tempting $100 price ticket, this gaming headset delivers top-tier audio high quality, a snug kind issue, and a formidable battery that ought to get you thru 3 days’ value of gaming.
The Barracuda X comes with a tiny USB-C transmitter you can plug proper into the underside of your Nintendo Swap for dependable and fully wi-fi audio. It additionally features a USB-A adapter for utilizing the headset along with your PlayStation, Nintendo Swap dock, or PC. Should you’re a PC gamer, you’ll be pleased to listen to it helps digital 7.1-channel encompass sound for extremely immersive audio. In fact, you’ll be able to join it to something with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, too!
Should you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive, light-weight, multiplatform headset that has a long-lasting battery, you gained’t be disenchanted.
Greatest Wi-fi Gaming Headset
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi combines excellent consolation, impeccable sound high quality, and an impressive microphone, making it very best for customers who recreation for hours on finish. Should you’ve been in the hunt for a snug gaming headset, look no additional.
What separates this headset from the handfuls of different ones in the marketplace is its massive battery. It packs a whopping 300-hour battery life, whereas most different choices can final not than a day and a half.
The Cloud Alpha Wi-fi has a extra engaging design than the competitors, too, due to its modern end. The headset flaunts an aluminum body that barely resembles the Golden Gate Bridge. It sports activities further breathable reminiscence foam ear cushions with leather-like padding, an adjustable design, and a removable microphone that will not get in the way in which.
It didn’t clamp down too laborious round my head, and it by no means felt too scorching to put on. Similar to the identify suggests, it actually is cloud-like. You gained’t be disenchanted with the headset sound-wise, both. It does a unbelievable job of isolating exterior noise and the audio is highly effective however clear. It has a deep, punchy, and well-balanced bass that doesn’t drown out the midrange. Plus, its microphone excels at selecting up voices.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi offers a sleek-looking design, excellent consolation, and good sound high quality for an inexpensive worth.
Greatest Wired Gaming Headset
What I really like most concerning the G Professional X from Logitech is that it doesn’t seem like a gaming headset. Its design seems extra polished and complicated than different headsets, due to its high-end steel elements and sturdy construct high quality.
The headset comes with a variety of equipment, together with a journey bag, USB DAC, and two units of earpads. Consumers have the selection of leatherette or fabric earpads, and each are crammed with reminiscence foam to supply a comfortable match. The headscarf is well-padded, too, however this G Professional X feels a tad snugger than different choices, so it might not be the most suitable choice for people who put on glasses.
I used to be impressed with the headset’s sound replica capability and located that they ship a thunderous bass that makes explosions in video games sound epic. Scores to my favourite video games had been well-balanced, the bass didn’t ever really feel overpowering, and the soundscape was very detailed, making it an ideal all-around wired headset.
Greatest Sound High quality
Greatest Sound High quality
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional
Greatest Sound High quality
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional
Now 12% Off
Key Specs
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Swap and any gadget with a 3.5mm port |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Analog 3.5mm, 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wi-fi, Bluetooth |
| Driver Measurement | 40 millimeters |
| Weight | 0.74 kilos |
| Battery Life | 36 hours / battery utilizing 2.4GHz or 20 hours utilizing 2.4GHz and Bluetooth |
The Nova Professional is the be-all, end-all wi-fi headset. It comes with two long-lasting swappable batteries, a base station that delivers an impressive wi-fi vary and allows you to combine a number of audio sources, and a retractable microphone that is clearer in high quality than virtually each microphone I’ve examined.
Not like another gaming headset on this record, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi has lively noise cancellation on board, so you’ll be able to drown out your environment and totally immerse your self in your video video games — so that you gained’t get distracted by what’s taking place round you.
The headset works with all main consoles, has Bluetooth connectivity and audio mixing capabilities onboard, and sports activities plush ear cups which can be equally cozy and good at shutting out background sound.
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte has been masking know-how at BestProducts.com since 2017, the place he is been writing concerning the newest devices, home equipment, and scouring the web for the merchandise that make life simpler. His reporting has been featured on , Good Housekeeping and USA Right this moment. When he isn’t researching washing machines or testing robotic vacuums, yow will discover him at concert events, swimming laps, or on the films. He thinks smartphones are too large, prefers MP3s to Spotify, and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.
