Best Gaming Headsets
The best gaming headsets for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch: premium wireless flagships, planar-magnetic audio, marathon battery life, broadcast-quality mics, and budget picks that still sound great.
8 picks · Published
Top picks at a glance
Razer BlackShark V2 X
Check pricefor Razer BlackShark V2 X (opens in a new tab)
HyperX Cloud III
Check pricefor HyperX Cloud III (opens in a new tab)
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
Check pricefor HyperX Cloud III S Wireless (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Check pricefor SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Audeze Maxwell 2
Check pricefor Audeze Maxwell 2 (opens in a new tab)
PlayStation Pulse Elite
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Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Check pricefor Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (opens in a new tab)
Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed
Check pricefor Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Compare specs
| Product | #1Razer BlackShark V2 XBest budget | #2HyperX Cloud IIIBest wired | #3HyperX Cloud III S WirelessBest value wireless | #4SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro WirelessBest overall | #5Audeze Maxwell 2Best sound quality | #6PlayStation Pulse EliteBest for PS5 | #7Razer BlackShark V2 ProBest microphone | #8Logitech G Pro X 2 LightspeedMost versatile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our rating | ||||||||
| Price | $ | $$ | $$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Connectivity | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm + USB (USB-C / USB-A adapter) | 2.4 GHz wireless + Bluetooth 5.3 | 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth (simultaneous) | 2.4 GHz (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5 mm | PlayStation Link + Bluetooth | 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth | Lightspeed 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm |
| Drivers | 50 mm Razer TriForce | 53 mm angled | 53 mm dynamic | 40 mm | 90 mm planar magnetic | Planar magnetic | 50 mm Razer TriForce Titanium | 50 mm graphene |
| Battery life | n/a (wired) | n/a (wired) | Up to 120 hours (2.4 GHz), 200 hours (Bluetooth) | Two swappable batteries (check listing) | 80+ hours (claimed) | Up to ~30 hours (claimed) | Up to 70 hours (claimed) | 50+ hours (claimed) |
| Microphone | Fixed, bendable | Detachable boom | Detachable boom + built-in mic | Retractable, noise-cancelling | Detachable boom | Retractable, noise-rejecting | Detachable, super-wideband | Detachable boom |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile | PC, Mac, PS5, Switch, mobile | PC, PlayStation, Switch (Xbox version sold separately) | PC, PlayStation, Mac, Switch (Xbox version sold separately) | PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC/Mac (via PS Link adapter) | PC, PlayStation, Switch (Xbox version sold separately) | PC, PlayStation, Switch; Xbox via 3.5 mm |
| Weight | ~240 g | Check listing | ~340 g | Check listing | ~560 g | Check listing | Check listing | Check listing |
| Buy | Check pricefor Razer BlackShark V2 X (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor HyperX Cloud III (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor HyperX Cloud III S Wireless (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Audeze Maxwell 2 (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor PlayStation Pulse Elite (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed (opens in a new tab) |
The picks, reviewed
RazerRazer BlackShark V2 X
Proof that a cheap headset does not have to sound cheap. It is light, comfortable, and clear, with a mic that beats its price bracket.
Pros
- Excellent sound for the money
- Very light
- Works on every platform via 3.5 mm
Cons
- Mic is not detachable
- Build feels budget
- Connectivity
- 3.5 mm
- Drivers
- 50 mm Razer TriForce
- Battery life
- n/a (wired)
- Microphone
- Fixed, bendable
HyperXHyperX Cloud III
The wired Cloud III works with everything that has a 3.5 mm jack or USB port, with no batteries to charge and no dongles to lose.
Pros
- Works with every platform, including Xbox controllers
- Very comfortable
- No battery to manage
Cons
- Cable tethers you to the device
- Connectivity
- 3.5 mm + USB (USB-C / USB-A adapter)
- Drivers
- 53 mm angled
- Battery life
- n/a (wired)
- Microphone
- Detachable boom
HyperXHyperX Cloud III S Wireless
The famously comfortable Cloud design, cut loose. The S model adds Bluetooth to the Cloud III Wireless, with marathon battery life and dependable sound at a mid-range price.
Pros
- Up to 120 hours on 2.4 GHz and 200 hours on Bluetooth
- Very comfortable memory-foam fit
- Great value
Cons
- No Xbox support
- Mic is good, not great
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz wireless + Bluetooth 5.3
- Drivers
- 53 mm dynamic
- Battery life
- Up to 120 hours (2.4 GHz), 200 hours (Bluetooth)
- Microphone
- Detachable boom + built-in mic
SteelSeriesSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The most complete gaming headset you can buy. It has active noise cancelling, a base station with hot-swappable batteries so you never wait to charge, and simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth.
Pros
- Hot-swappable batteries mean effectively unlimited playtime
- Active noise cancelling
- Hears game audio and your phone at the same time
Cons
- Very expensive
- Buy the Xbox version specifically if you play on Xbox
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth (simultaneous)
- Drivers
- 40 mm
- Battery life
- Two swappable batteries (check listing)
- Microphone
- Retractable, noise-cancelling
AudezeAudeze Maxwell 2
The 2026 update to Audeze’s planar-magnetic gaming headset. Huge 90 mm planar drivers from a high-end headphone maker deliver detail and imaging ordinary gaming headsets can’t match, now with Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio and multipoint.
Pros
- Audiophile-grade 90 mm planar-magnetic sound
- 80+ hours of battery life, with fast charging
- Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, LE Audio, and multipoint
Cons
- Heavy at about 560 g
- Premium price
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5 mm
- Drivers
- 90 mm planar magnetic
- Battery life
- 80+ hours (claimed)
- Microphone
- Detachable boom
SonyPlayStation Pulse Elite
Sony's own headset, with planar-magnetic drivers, deep PS5 integration, and lossless, low-latency PlayStation Link. It also pairs with the PlayStation Portal.
Pros
- Seamless PS5 and PlayStation Portal integration
- Planar-magnetic drivers at a mid-to-high price
- Retractable mic with noise rejection
Cons
- Shorter battery life than rivals
- Limited use outside the PlayStation ecosystem
- Connectivity
- PlayStation Link + Bluetooth
- Drivers
- Planar magnetic
- Battery life
- Up to ~30 hours (claimed)
- Microphone
- Retractable, noise-rejecting
RazerRazer BlackShark V2 Pro
An esports-focused wireless headset whose super-wideband mic sounds clear enough for streaming, with light weight and long battery life.
Pros
- Among the clearest mics on any gaming headset
- Light and comfortable for long sessions
- 2.4 GHz plus Bluetooth
Cons
- Plain, esports-focused sound tuning
- Buy the Xbox version specifically if you play on Xbox
- Connectivity
- 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth
- Drivers
- 50 mm Razer TriForce Titanium
- Battery life
- Up to 70 hours (claimed)
- Microphone
- Detachable, super-wideband
Logitech GLogitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed
Lightspeed wireless, Bluetooth, and a 3.5 mm cable in one. It works with nearly any device you own, with graphene drivers tuned for competitive clarity.
Pros
- Three ways to connect, including wired 3.5 mm
- Graphene drivers with crisp, detailed sound
- Durable aluminum and steel build
Cons
- Mic trails the Razer and Audeze
- Pricey
- Connectivity
- Lightspeed 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm
- Drivers
- 50 mm graphene
- Battery life
- 50+ hours (claimed)
- Microphone
- Detachable boom
How to choose a gaming headset
Check platform compatibility first
This is the most common mistake people make. Xbox consoles only accept wireless headsets that use Xbox’s own wireless protocol, so many wireless headsets come in separate Xbox and PlayStation/PC versions. Buy the one that matches your console.
Wired 3.5 mm headsets work with everything. Plug them into the controller on Xbox or PlayStation, or into the Switch.
Wireless: 2.4 GHz vs. Bluetooth
| 2.4 GHz dongle | Bluetooth | |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | Very low, fine for competitive play | Noticeable delay in fast games |
| Audio quality | High | Compressed, especially with the mic on |
| Best for | Gaming | Phones, music, calls on the go |
The best headsets offer both, simultaneously, so you can take a phone call without leaving the game.
Drivers: size isn’t everything
Bigger drivers don’t automatically sound better. Tuning matters more. Planar-magnetic drivers, like those in the Audeze Maxwell 2 and Pulse Elite, generally deliver more detail and lower distortion than conventional dynamic drivers, but they’re heavier and pricier.
Microphone
If you stream, record, or talk to a team every night, prioritize the mic. Detachable boom mics almost always beat retractable or built-in ones. For the best possible voice quality, pair any headset with a separate USB microphone.
Comfort
You’ll wear this for hours. Look for:
- Weight under ~350 g if you have long sessions, unless the headband spreads the load well.
- Clamping force that holds without squeezing, which matters especially if you wear glasses.
- Replaceable ear pads, since they wear out long before the drivers do.
The audiophile alternative
Many PC players skip gaming headsets entirely and pair open-back headphones with a USB microphone. Open-backs give a wider, more natural soundstage, which is great for hearing where footsteps come from. The trade-off is that they leak sound and let the room in.
FAQ
Is virtual surround sound worth it? Sometimes. Modern spatial audio on PC and PlayStation’s Tempest 3D Audio can help with positioning, but good stereo headphones already give you a lot of directional information. Try it on and off in your games.
Why does my wireless headset sound worse when I use the mic over Bluetooth? Bluetooth drops to a low-quality “headset” profile when the mic is active. Use the 2.4 GHz dongle for voice chat.
How long do gaming headsets last? The drivers usually outlive everything else. Ear pads and headband cushions wear first, so headsets with replaceable pads last far longer.