Great audio can draw you into a video game with bold effects, realistic details, and immersive soundtracks. A good gaming headset allows you to enjoy all of that while you chat with your friends and teammates, too. But even the best sound quality won’t do you any good if the headset isn’t comfortable to wear for long periods of time. We’ve tested hundreds of headsets over the years, and we’ve found that the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is the most comfortable, best-sounding gaming headset for the price.
Indisputably the best headset we tested in the past year, this model has rich, enveloping sound with superb clarity, as well as a generous range of adjustment to fit a variety of head sizes. But it can only be used wirelessly, and it’s not compatible with Xbox consoles.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers clear and impressive sound quality seldom found in headsets at this price, and it’s comfortable enough that most people should be able to wear it for hours without complaint. It’s also compatible with all platforms.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is the best gaming headset for most people, and it’s also affordable. Its leatherette earcups feel good against the skin, and it’s lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for lengthy gaming sessions. It delivers clear, balanced sound that keeps its integrity at any volume, and it has an excellent microphone. After our first-impression audio test, we were shocked to learn that it costs only about $50.
No other headset we’ve tested in the past year has matched the HyperX Cloud III Wireless in crispness and detail. Its surround sound makes playing familiar games feel like a new experience, and it’s light and cushy enough to wear all day—even while wearing glasses. However, the Cloud III Wireless can only be used with the included USB dongle, and it doesn’t support Bluetooth connections. HyperX sells a wired version of the Cloud III, but we don’t recommend it because the headband clamps tightly enough that it will likely be uncomfortable for many people, and the built-in cable is unreasonably short.
If you’re a gamer, having the best gaming headset can transform your gameplay. It can give you detailed spatial audio with high quality sound effects, allow you to hear your teammates’ voices clearly and help immerse you in your game. Because there are so many options on the market, from premium picks to budget-friendly options, I put a dozen different headsets through hours of gaming to see which ones are worth the investment.
The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is my pick for the best gaming headset you can get right ... [+] now.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: RetailerAfter hours of gameplay and streaming, I picked the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless as the best gaming headset overall, with the Razer BlackShark V2 as the best value gaming headset. While audio quality is most important, there are tons of other considerations when buying a gaming headset, including comfort and software features. Here are the best gaming headsets I found after extensive testing.
Amazon
Connection: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Driver size: 40mm | Battery: 18 to 22 hours | Compatibility: PC, Mac, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Warranty: 1 year
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When I first set up the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, what stood out to me was its outstanding versatility across gaming systems and connection types. This model backs up its versatility with terrific, well-balanced sound and a comfortable design. It excels across all these areas, which is why I chose it as the best gaming headset overall.
The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset offers all of the features and functionality a ... [+] gamer could want.
Christian de Looper For ForbesI tested the model designed for Xbox, since that headset works with the Sony PlayStation as well. It only lacks support for PlayStation’s Sidetone, which allows you to monitor your own microphone, but if you can also opt for the PlayStation model, too.
The Xbox model has Microsoft’s required security chip inside, and it supports the ChatMix volume dial—which makes the Xbox version the better choice if you might game on both Xbox and PlayStation. The PlayStation model supports Sidetone, but won’t work at all with the Xbox. Beyond that, the design, sound and components are identical across the different versions of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset offers a decent selection of ports for ... [+] connectivity.
Christian de Looper For ForbesThe Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz wireless from multiple sources, and it has a wired 3.5mm connection, too. Even better: You can connect to both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless at the same time, making it easier to switch between your devices, including your console and your phone. The base station has two USB-C inputs—perfect if you have both a PlayStation and an Xbox—and a line input for an analog connection.
From the outside, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless stands out for its stylish and functional design, even though it lacks the bright colors or RGB highlights of some of its competitors. It has a retractable microphone that perfectly blends in with the headset’s left ear cup, allowing you to hide it when you’re not using it, and pull it out to use as needed. The left ear cup has an easy-to-reach volume wheel and a power button—all of which were very easy to distinguish by touch. The right ear cup has a Bluetooth button.
I found this headset extremely comfortable to wear through hours of gameplay. It’s lightweight with an elastic headband that fits well on any head size or shape. It also has plush over-ear ear cups and a soft-touch faux-leather covering. I noticed the ear cups felt slightly warm after long gaming sessions, but not enough so to cause discomfort. Plus, it’s very common for headsets to feel a little warm after hours of gaming.
The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset outputs stellar audio, too. During my gaming sessions, the headset produced excellent frequency response, with enough bass for most situations and good clarity and detail in the high end to provide an exciting, immersive gaming experience. It’s not the single best-sounding gaming headset I tested, though: The Master & Dynamic MG20 delivers a little extra sparkle in the high frequencies, but the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gets very close.
Microphone quality is sufficient for in-game chat.
Christian de Looper For ForbesMicrophone quality is sufficient for in-game chat, but don’t expect to use it for things like recording podcasts. I found the microphone on the HyperX Cloud Alpha, and even the cheaper Steelseries Arctis Nova 1X, was better than the one on the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Again, however, your teammates won’t have trouble understanding you with the microphone on this headset, by any means.
The biggest problem I had with the audio quality had to do with the noise cancellation. It succeeded at cutting out some outside noise and hum, but it doesn’t match the noise cancellation on noise canceling headphones like the Apple AirPods Max and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. This is common—especially since gaming headset manufacturers more often build products that will stay in your home, rather than be used out and about.
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the only headset I tested with a hot-swappable battery (included in the box), an uncommon feature in headsets today and useful considering the headset’s battery life over 2.4 GHz wireless is a little below average. The headset works with SteelSeries’ GG software for PC and Mac, which lets you control the audio equalizer, change some of the microphone’s settings (such as the volume) and set behavior upon startup (like defaulting to the Bluetooth connection). It’s the most comprehensive software I tested, and it’s easy to navigate, too.
Ultimately, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless stood out for its versatile connectivity and excellent audio handling—see my full review for more details. Add in its cross-platform compatibility, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the clear pick for the best gaming headset overall.
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Amazon
Connection: 3.5mm, USB-C | Driver size: 50mm | Compatibility: PC, Mac, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Warranty: 2 years
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If you’re looking for an excellent gaming headset that is more affordable than the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless, the Razer BlackShark V2 earned the title of best value gaming headset among the many gaming headsets I tested. The BlackShark V2 doesn’t offer the same range of wireless-connectivity features as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but it looks good and sounds great. It also has a complication-free wired connection that works well with any gaming console that has a headphone jack.
The Razer BlackShark V2 is sleek, stylist and lightweight.
Christian de Looper For ForbesThe Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset is sleek and stylish, with green highlights for a gamer-design touch. I found the volume knob on the left ear cup easy to reach, so I could make adjustments quickly while gaming. The same ear cup has a handy microphone mute button.
The buttons and dials on the Razer BlackShark V2 are easily accessible.
Christian de Looper For ForbesThe headset has a lightweight, metal wire frame that should survive day-to-day use. The rest of the headset, including the ear cup shells, uses plastic. The lightweight frame helps keep the headset feeling light and airy, even while wearing it for hours on end.
The headset is lightweight, so it doesn’t put as much pressure on the top of your head. When you factor in the headset’s plush padding and soft-touch faux-leather coverings, you have a winner. The Razer BlackShark V2 is one of the most comfortable headphones I’ve tested, and remained so even after hours of gaming. The only issue was that the headset got slightly warm, due to the good seal created by the ear cups.
Complementing this headset’s comfort is its excellent sound. Over the course of my testing, it produced powerful bass, with well-tuned mids that helped ensure a more realistic sound quality. The best thing about the audio quality is the detail and clarity in the high-end—which makes for an exciting, precise sound. This also helped make the headset great for listening to music, too.
The headset also comes with a USB-C sound card, which makes it THX-certified on a PC, so you can have a more immersive experience while playing THX-certified games and watching THX-certified movies. The sound card itself is compatible only with PC and PlayStation—not Xbox. I find using it on a PC worthwhile, as it allows you to tweak the audio equalizer, control aspects of the microphone and more through the Razer Synapse 3 software.
That said, I didn’t find the THX surround profiles to be helpful or even a faithful reproduction of a real surround sound system, and I don’t think you’re missing much if you skip out on them. On PlayStation, I found it more convenient to simply plug the headset into the controller and skip the USB sound card altogether since I still got excellent audio quality. For this reason, I don’t think Xbox players are missing much by not being able to use the dongle. The dongle is most relevant on the PC, where it makes the biggest impact.
A close-up view of the Razer BlackShark V2's microphone.
Christian de Looper For ForbesThe few downsides to this headset are mostly that the detachable microphone is merely adequate, but not terrible. You also won’t get more on-headset controls, like the ability to tweak chat mixes like you get on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. For most gamers, these downsides will be relatively easy to look past.
Those issues aside, the Razer BlackShark V2 is an excellent headset that’s worth looking into for anyone who wants a widely compatible, high-quality gaming headset on a budget.
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Amazon
Connection: 3.5mm, USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz | Driver size: 90mm | Compatibility: PC, Mac, Sony PlayStation 4, Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch | Warranty: 1 year
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If you consider audio quality to be your top priority in buying a gaming headset, then the Audeze Maxwell is the gaming headset to buy. The headset has earned its title as the best gaming headset for audiophiles, thanks to the fact that it sounds better than any other gaming headset currently available. Additionally, it offers great connectivity features, and while it’s not quite as comfortable or as feature-rich as the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it still offers the majority of features that gamers want from a versatile headset.
The Audeze Maxwell is a little bulkier than the other headsets on this list, so it’ll take up more space in your backpack. It’s clear that the headset isn’t really built for portability—proven by the fact that it can’t fold up and doesn’t come with a carry bag or case. The headset is still, thankfully, built with premium materials and so it feels like it will survive accidental drops. The headband on the top is built from a strong leather, while the rest of the headset is made strong-feeling plastic and metal.
The Audeze Maxwell gaming features a design of plastic and metal. Note the leather headband.
Christian de Looper for ForbesOne of the best things about this headset is the fact that it supports a range of connectivity options. You can connect to a console or PC with the included USB-C dongle, or through a wired USB-C or 3.5mm connection. And, the headset supports Bluetooth connectivity, so while it’s not the most portable headset, you could use it on the go with your phone if you so choose.
Audeze sells Xbox and PlayStation variants of this headset. Both will work the same when gaming on a PC, Switch or mobile device. If you game on either a PlayStation or an Xbox, you’ll want to buy the variant that works best with your console. If you game on both PlayStation and Xbox, you may have to use the headset with a wired connection on one of them.
I tested the PlayStation variant, and was unable to get it to work with the Xbox, likely due to Microsoft’s requirements around security. It’s possible the Xbox variant will work a little better with the PlayStation, however I couldn’t test that. Again, the PlayStation model worked just fine when plugged in to the Xbox controller through a 3.5mm connection.
Audeze Maxwell gaming headset controls.
Christian de Looper for ForbesOf course, easily the best thing about this headset is the fact that it sounds excellent—and better than any other headset I tested. The headset produced deep and powerful bass, likely thanks to the huge 90mm drivers in the ear cups. The high frequencies were detailed and crisp too, and seemed to extend beyond the already-excellent high-end response on offer by the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. That’s likely due to the fact that the headset uses Planar Magnetic drivers, which Audeze has used in the past on some of its best-sounding headphones.
The headset connects to the Audeze HQ software, which is available for both PC and Mac and is actually useful. The software allows you to upgrade the firmware of the headset, plus control EQ, toggle spatial audio on and off and more. Not everyone will want or need to download the software—the headset is very capable out of the box. But if you like tweaking settings, it’s worth taking a look at.
It’s not the most comfortable headset I tested, and it also feels heavier compared to others I tested. It has a leather headband that’s screwed into the headset, so adjusting fit means unscrewing four screws, and screwing them back in. There are only three fit settings, and while most will be happy with one of them, I wished I could set the fit to between two of the settings.
Audeze Maxwell headband adjustments.
Christian de Looper for ForbesStill, that isn’t to say that wearing the headset is uncomfortable. I was still able to wear the headset four hours at a time with ease, and while it may get a little warm, most wearers won’t have an issue with the headset’s fit.
The comfort issues aside, the Audeze Maxwell is the best-sounding gaming headset out there right now.
I tested other gaming headsets that didn’t quite match my top picks in terms of quality. Here’s a look at the ones that didn’t make the cut, but are still be worthy of your consideration.
Astro A10 Gaming Headset Gen 2 ($48 on Amazon): The Astro A10 is one of the least expensive headsets I tested, but unfortunately the construction and design felt a little low-end. Its gaming audio performance was good overall, but sometimes I found it slightly heavy on the low mids, which made for unrealistic audio reproduction. I also heard little extension in the highs or lows. Beyond that, the headset’s ear cups were small, which I found uncomfortable during periods of long wear. This model has a very high-quality microphone, with solid voice pickup and bass. But that wasn’t enough to make it compete with my top picks.
Steelseries Arctis Nova 1X ($55 on Amazon): The Steelseries Arctis Nova 1X has a slightly more premium feel than the Astro A10, with neat design touches like an invisible retractable microphone. It sounded a little better than the Astro A10, with boosted bass extension that meant explosions and gunshots sounded full-bodied. It also has 360-degree audio. But its audio still sounded muted compared to other options. While this model was more comfortable than the Astro A10, it still wasn’t very comfortable due to how the headband clamped tightly on my head. The headset felt relatively hot and more uncomfortable after I gamed for 3 hours. This headset has one of the best microphones of the headsets reviewed here, with crisp detail and natural-sounding frequency response.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wired Headset ($61 on Amazon): The HyperX Cloud Alpha is an excellent option in its price range. It has a sturdy build, with a metal frame and reasonable comfort, although it got a little too warm for my taste. Audio sounded loud and crisp, with good low-end response for explosions and gunshots and flat, accurate mids. That’s along with a microphone that delivered more body than most, meaning that voices sounded deeper—like they are in real life. Its main deterrents were that the highs weren’t as detailed as the Razer BlackShark V2, so audio wasn’t as exciting or ultra-realistic.
Logitech G Pro X Wireless ($230 on Best Buy): The Logitech G Pro X Wireless offers a classic design, with coiled cables and a premium look and feel. As the hours passed, this headset felt a little heavy and uncomfortable on my head. I found other headsets more comfortable than the Logitech G Pro X Wireless. It outputs good-sounding audio though, with excellent high-end clarity and detail and strong frequency response overall that provides accurate sound. But the microphone disappoints, capturing shrill audio with a heavy emphasis on the high mids.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless ($169 on Amazon): The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless was one of my favorite headsets, offering a comfortable fit, excellent audio quality and impressive 300-hour battery life. During gameplay, it exhibited excellent overall frequency response, particularly in the low end, which sounded deep and powerful without being muddy. But it doesn’t work with Xbox. It lacks the required Microsoft security chip, and it doesn’t have a 3.5mm port for wired listening. The microphone didn’t impress, either. It was quite mid-high heavy, capturing audio that sounded too sharp and grating. Those who don’t game on Xbox and don’t care about a high-quality microphone may find this to be a good option for its battery life.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset
AmazonTurtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max ($171 on Amazon): The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is a solid headset, with a heavily plastic build and a relatively tight clamp that made it less comfortable for extended wear. Its audio exhibited deep bass response and faithful reproduction and clarity in the highs, but its bass extension lacked the oomph to give things like explosions more body. The microphone had good lower frequencies—better than most I tested. Overall, this headset was good, but not enough to beat either of the two top picks. Specifically, the Razer BlackShark V2 was more comfortable and offered an even better frequency response.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless gaming headset supports multiple platforms and has a ... [+] better microphone than most.
AmazonMaster & Dynamic MG20 ($450 on Amazon): The Master & Dynamic MG20 was one of the best-sounding gaming headsets I tested, with incredibly detailed high frequencies and a deep, round bass, both of which translated to a better music and gaming experience. Frankly, it sounded better than the Steelseries that ultimately won. But it got slightly uncomfortable after a few hours of playing, and it didn’t do enough to warrant the higher price—even with its impressive microphone and its built-in surround sound (which didn’t add that much).
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal ($217 on Best Buy): The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal was another excellent-sounding headset with platform-specific models, like the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, plus Dolby Atmos support. The headset had a solid bass extension that creates powerful sound and good detail and clarity in the high end for natural, authentic audio reproduction. It has a lightweight, premium design and solid feel, and it includes a useful mobile app. But it also wasn’t as comfortable as the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, with a tighter clamp that created some discomfort on the top of the head. Comfort, together with cross-platform compatibility, made the more versatile and more comfortable Arctis Nova Pro Wireless the better overall option.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150 ($149 on Amazon): The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 is another great-sounding gaming headset from a classic audio company. The headset offers a sleek and stylish design and a comfortable fit, plus its microphone sounds better than much of the competition. The headset is a little light on features given its price, and can only be connected through a wired connection. Additionally, while it sounds good, it doesn’t sound quite as high-end as the Razer BlackShark V2, which has a similar feature-set.
When buying a gaming headset, there are a few things you want to take into consideration. Design, audio quality and comfort are all key features, but there’s more than just making sure you get great sound. Here’s what you should look for before you add a gaming headset to your setup.
Choosing the right gaming headset can dramatically improve your gameplay experience.
gettyDesign may not immediately jump out as an important consideration—and it’s perhaps slightly less important than some other aspects. But beyond the fact that you want to wear something that you like the look of, design can play into functionality too. Features like built-in controls that are easy to find and use should be considered. Other design factors, like an adjustable headband and materials used such as metals, should be considered, too.
Comfort is one of the most important aspects of a gaming headset. Your headsets should be comfortable to wear and lightweight enough to have a good weight distribution across the head, rather than settling all of its weight on one point of contact, under the headband.
Great headsets also offer a light clamp around the ears, ensuring that they won’t shift as you move your head, but are tight enough to prevent letting in any sound from outside the headset. Additionally, they don’t make your ears ache after long hours of use.
Lastly, a great headset offers a breathable ear cup material that won’t get too hot while you’re wearing it. The vast majority of gaming headsets are over-ear, not on-ear or in-ear. Over-ear headsets tend to be the most comfortable.
Audio quality is another top consideration for anyone buying a new gaming headset. It’s also another metric that you can’t really judge based on a spec sheet. Headset manufacturers often point to a headset’s frequency range—but it’s often wider than the human range of hearing, which is widely accepted to be 20 Hz to 20 kHz (though it shrinks the older that you get). Because of this, these frequency range specs are often largely meaningless. More important is to find a headset that strikes a balance between bass, mids and highs, making for a more realistic and immersive listening experience.
Choosing the right gaming headset can dramatically improve your gameplay experience.
gettyClarity and detail in the high end is particularly important for a gaming headset that’s trying to create realism. And robust bass and deep bass extension ensure things like explosions and orchestral music sound powerful and present. Some gaming headsets also offer equalization tools, allowing you to tune the audio to your preferences.
Many headsets support spatial audio, also known as virtual surround sound, but unfortunately, it’s a very fragmented industry. Even if you get a headset that supports a particular format of spatial audio, there’s no guarantee the game you’re playing will. So for example, if you have a headset that supports Dolby Atmos, you need games that support it, too—and while they are out there, count on running into games that don’t work with the format. The same goes for THX.
Frankly, as a music technology expert, I’m not a fan of using surround sound for gaming. Usually, those formats sound unrealistic, and just plain bad when gaming. Sometimes, the virtual effects sound okay when listening to music. Most of the time, virtual surround formats end up making music sound less detailed and clear.
Thankfully, consoles have their own surround sound formats that work on any headset you connect them to. The game console itself handles decoding Sony’s Tempest 3D audio and Microsoft’s Spatial Sound, and those protocols work with any connected headset, regardless of the kinds of formats that the headset supports. They also sound way better, and way more natural, than the surround sound that’s processed by some headsets. If you’re into gaming in surround sound, simply enable that feature on your console.
There are multiple ways you can connect a gaming headset to a console, computer or mobile device, but they all basically boil down to wired or wireless. And the myriad options available to you depend on the device you’re connecting to, and what your headset supports.
“Connectivity nowadays is a preference. There is barely any difference [between a wired connection and 2.4 GHz connection],” said pro gamer Robin Kool, who plays Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) professionally for the FaZe clan under the gamer tag Ropz, and was MVP at the ESL Pro League Season 15. “With wired, you don’t have to charge or swap batteries, while with wireless you need to make sure it has enough battery.”
A wired gaming headset typically connects via a 3.5mm headphone jack connection, which you can usually plug into your console’s controller. Nintendo Switch is the big exception to that rule; if you have the Switch docked so you can play it on a TV, you need a third-party controller to connect a wired headset. Of course, in handheld mode, you can plug a headset directly into your Switch, thanks to the Switch’s built-in headphone jack.
Some headsets only have a wireless connection, while others sport a jack on the ear cup and come with a wire so you can use a wired connection as well. Alternatively, some gaming headsets—typically those for use with PC gaming—connect through a USB-C connection. If you game on a console, you’ll want a headset that doesn’t connect through USB-C, or that can connect through other means on top of USB-C.
Among wireless gaming headsets, there are two connectivity options. The most common uses a 2.4 GHz wireless network formed between the headset and a USB dongle that you need to plug into your console or PC. While almost all wireless gaming headsets support 2.4 GHz, some also now have a Bluetooth radio. The advantage of 2.4 GHz is that it offers a much lower latency than Bluetooth. But Bluetooth is a convenience for listening to streaming music or gaming on a mobile phone. For headsets with both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, you can sometimes switch from gameplay to taking a Bluetooth call with ease. If you plan on using your gaming headset for casual listening too, look for a headset that also has a Bluetooth connection.
Don’t think that pro gamers only use wired headsets. “For me, wireless is better. I don’t mind changing batteries every time they need to be recharged,” said another pro gamer, Helvijs Saukants, also part of the FaZe clan under the gamer tag Broky and was ranked the sixth-best player of 2022 by HLTV. “I can walk away from my PC and still hear music or respond to people talking to me.”
Does it bother you when you’re gaming and your teammates have a terrible microphone that sounds shrill in your headphones? It probably bothers them when you do, too. Getting a high-quality microphone will make your voice sound more natural, while preventing those you’re chatting with from wanting to turn your voice off altogether.
The better-quality headset microphones have a boom arm, which may be detachable or retractable. Unfortunately, it’s tricky to determine just how good a microphone sounds without hearing audio from it—so if you can find audio from the headset online, it’s worth doing so.
If you’re getting a wireless headset, then it has a battery in it. That battery will eventually run out. Most gaming headsets these days offer decently long battery lives, though none so long as the 300-hour HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headset just yet. It’s worth finding a headset with at least a 30-hour battery life, which is at the low end of the scale for a gaming headset. Alternatively, a headset with a removable battery, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, will make battery issues less of a problem. This approach allows you to have multiple batteries, and swap them out within a few seconds if and when you run out of juice.
A headset that doesn’t work with the platforms you game on is a non-starter, and not all headsets work with all platforms. Why? Some of it comes down to different chat technologies. Microsoft’s ChatMix allows you to mix game audio and the chat audio from your teammates, while Sony’s Sidetone allows users to adjust how much of their own microphone is in their headphones—and headsets don’t support both. Some of it also has to do with security protocols on each platform. For example, Microsoft requires that wireless headsets for Xbox have a security chip.
While all 3.5mm wired headsets and some wireless headsets support all platforms, not all wireless headsets support all platforms—so make sure your headset supports the platforms you game on before you buy it.
I narrowed the field of gaming headsets by focusing on models from well-established manufacturers, including SteelSeries, HyperX and Logitech. I also looked for gaming headsets from high-end audio companies, like Bang & Olufsen, Beyerdynamic, Audeze and Master & Dynamic. I reviwed models with the most rounded set of features and widest compatibility among gaming systems across a range of prices. I also considered whether a manufacturer offered a version of the headset for both Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation, since due to Microsoft’s security requirements, not all wireless headsets work with both.
Once I narrowed down top contenders, I put them to the test, spending hours with each headset across different gaming genres. I evaluated the comfort level wearing each headset for hours of gameplay, and when applicable, I installed and checked any PC software for its customizability and ease of use. I also gauged the audio quality across gaming, music and TV and confirmed how well each headset holds a wireless connection (where applicable).
My testing is based on my primary test game, Call of Duty: Warzone. I chose this game because it’s a good cross-platform game with solid sound design that includes all kinds of different audio effects and cinematic music (albeit only in the loading screens). I also played Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, God of War Ragnarök, Starfield and more. For music, I listened to multiple genres, with my test tracks including songs like “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (a track I’ve listened to hundreds of times since childhood). For TV, I watched The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
To test comfort, I spent a minimum of three hours wearing each headset, judging its comfort level after the first hour and again at the end. And of course, since capturing your voice is essential for gameplay, I recorded multiple samples from each microphone, listening to them side by side to see how they compared to each other.
I've been an avid gamer since I was a kid. My first console was a Sony PlayStation 2 that I got at around the age of 10, and since then I’ve owned various consoles and gaming devices. Currently, I game the most on a Sony PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, but also own and regularly use a Microsoft Xbox Series S.
Perhaps just as important is my audio experience. I have a bachelor’s degree in music technology, which is a fancy term for a degree in music production. In my career as a tech reporter, I’ve combined my gaming side with my audio background. I’ve reviewed hundreds of different pairs of headphones and dozens of gaming headsets. For this piece, I also interviewed three experts about gaming headsets, including professional gamers.
Based on my testing, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the best gaming headset, thanks to its wide compatibility, excellent audio quality, top-tier comfort level and more. Your needs, however, might mean a different headset is best for you. For example, I found the Razer BlackShark V2 to be the best value headset for those who don’t want to spend the cash on the SteelSeries model. The likes of HyperX and Astro also make quality options. The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, for example, offers a 300-hour battery life, which some gamers may prioritize.
That really depends on you and your budget. Like with anything, the more you spend, the better the headset you can usually get. If you’re looking for a wireless headset with all the best features and extra bells and whistles, then the $350 Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is worth its high price. But you can still get a great headset for less. The Razer BlackShark V2 saves money by being wired and offering fewer features, but it still prioritizes great-sounding audio.
It depends on your needs. Wired headsets offer lower latency and never have to be recharged, but you’ll have to deal with that pesky wire. And, if you game on the Nintendo Switch you’ll have to deal with using a third-party controller if you want to use a wired gaming headset. Wireless gaming headsets introduce some latency (though usually not enough to be noticeable), and they require you charge them regularly—but you won’t have to worry about wires. Some offer very long battery life, like the HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless, whereas our top pick, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless, features a unique swappable battery for uninterrupted gameplay.
Not usually. Open back headphones offer a slightly wider soundstage and often a more natural sound, but the trade-off is that there’s no sound isolation. That means that you’ll usually hear what’s going on around you, and the people around you will hear your game’s audio. While audiophiles often use open back headphones for their wider soundstage, most gamers should stick with a closed back headset that can deliver a more immersive experience.
The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things digital, having written hundreds of articles in the category. A couple of staffers, including Dave Johnson, our executive editor, have even authored a number of books on the subject.
Christian de Looper, the writer of this story, is an audio expert. In addition to working with audio, his experience extends into the smart home space here at Forbes Vetted, where he’s extensively covered networking, from the best modem-router combos to the best gaming routers. With years of experience in the tech space, de Looper’s other bylines include CNN, Wall Street Journal, Tom’s Guide and many more. The tech vertical is overseen by Rebecca Isaacs, the consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted.
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