With game audio being better than ever, and so key to our experiences, upgrading to one of the best Xbox One headsets is an ironclad way to further immerse yourself in your favorite worlds, stories, and in-game moments. Specially engineered to work wirelessly with the console, it provides a near-perfect connection, combined with a rich audio experience, and impressive battery life. While the headset comes with 40mm drivers, which are smaller than many similarly priced competitors, they’re well-tuned and deliver audio that punches well above its weight while retaining a nice clarity and richness. The trademark SteelSeries ‘headband’ design offers good comfort levels too, meaning you can play for hours without really noticing that you’re wearing the headset, which clocks in at a respectable 13oz / 368g.
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 has gotten a design upgrade from the original headset, with a slightly toned-down look (no more bright green on the Xbox version) and a flip-to-mute mic that folds neatly into the earcup. Turn on Superhuman Hearing mode to get the upperhand in online shooters, or enable the bass boost for some serious rumble during a heart-pumping campaign mission.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a great headset for the price point – and will have you covered for new-gen gaming on the XBox Series X|S too. The first big wallop of excellence comes in the unavoidably good-value price tag: at just $99/£89, it is way cheaper than rival headsets that are of the same weight category, quality-wise.
Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One Feature packed and with excellent wireless audio Specifications Acoustic design: Open Back Cable length: Wireless Drivers: 50mm Weight: 15 oz Compatibility: Xbox One, PC TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Walmart Prime View at Amazon View at Razer Reasons to buy + Haptic feedback feels good + Superior audio quality + Very solid wireless Reasons to avoid – Mic isn’t the best In addition to bringing excellent surround sound, the headset also offers haptic feedback, which means this vibrates in time with the audio so you can literally feel the big noises (usually explosions). Elsewhere it’s worth noting that the Nari Ultimate is wireless, and that the battery life is surprisingly good considering this has haptic feedback as well as the usual audio features. Note that you can buy this Xbox One specific Nari Ultimate headset which is very focussed for the console and gaming, but will then require the Microsoft Wireless Adapter to use it with your PC as it does not include a 3.5mm connection option.
Turtle Beach Recon 500 A refresh for the model ends in great quality and value for XSX Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear Drivers: 60mm Eclipse Weight: c.600g Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart Reasons to buy + THAT excellent sound + No ‘gamer aesthetic’ flare or design quirks + Zero distortion Reasons to avoid – Nothing special about its construction materials You won’t find lavish gamer-y design flairs or the most premium construction materials on the Recon 500, then, since Turtle Beach’s latest in the long-running line costs less than $100/£100. The 50mm drivers deliver a clear, loud 5.1 sound that easily matches the quality found in headsets that cost way more than the Tournament Edition. It’s one of the best headsets for online play, helping you pick out enemy movements and distant gunfire at a decent range and with great accuracy.
Elsewhere, the Kraken TE is light, comfortable (thanks to cooling tech in the ear-cushions), and sturdy – three things you really need in a mid-priced Xbox One headset. Our previous champion was the Razer Kraken Pro V2, but the TE now offers superior value and audio for roughly the same price (in some cases, you can even find it cheaper), so it replaces the older model.
Corsair HS75 XB Wireless Perfect for multiplayer with great positional audio mic Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back Drivers: 50mm Weight: 13.2oz (374g) Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at CORSAIR Reasons to buy + Excellent mic + Great audio with booming bass + Comes with premium Dolby Atmos app Reasons to avoid – Quite big – A bit dear The build and design quality also help to further justify the price of admission, with the brushed metal earcup yokes feeling like they’ll protect the headset from any drops – on their sides at least – while looking good too.
Audeze Penrose X A seriously premium Xbox One headset Specifications Acoustic design: Over-ear, closed-circumaural Cable length: Wireless (c.50″ / 127cm aux cable) Drivers: 100mm Planar Magnetic Weight: 11.3oz / 320g Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One , PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Adorama Check Amazon Reasons to buy + Rich and detailed sound + Comfortable for long sessions + Easy to use and tweak game audio and chat volume in the mix Reasons to avoid – Expensive – Microphone can be a bit awkward If you have a healthy budget and want some of the most specialised, exquisite audio you can get from an Xbox One wireless headset, then the Audeze Penrose X is a great set to consider. Plus, and although the price of admission is considerable,m you’re also getting one of the top wireless Xbox Series X headsets too so this will have you covered for two whole generations (and on PC if you want further flexibility). You’re getting a practically unrivaled audio experience out of the Penrose X; deep bass, incredible clarity, and a real depth and detail to the sound that helps to immerse you into your favorite virtual worlds and give you better insight into the action unfolding around you in multiplayer arenas.
As we say, the Penrose X is expensive, but it’s also an investment for the future: it’s a premium headphone offering from Audeze that delivers a quality, depth, and density in its sound that few of its peers are able to match. Microsoft Xbox One Official Stereo Headset The official headset – simple and effective Specifications Acoustic design: Closed Back Cable length: 3.3ft / 1m Drivers: 40mm Weight: 7.9 oz Compatibility: Xbox One, PC, PS4, Switch, Mac, Mobile TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon View at Amazon 158 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Reasonable price + Lightweight + Includes stereo headset adaptor Reasons to avoid – Flimsy cable
This is the official Xbox One headset produced by Microsoft, and despite its modest price it still delivers a full range of rich stereo audio. Its low weight, combined with the breathable fabric ear cups, meaning you can happily wear it for long gaming sessions without getting too fatigued.
This is a thoughtfully designed piece of kit, available in Xbox green obviously, with a sturdy yet comfortable build and some impressive audio qualities. Thanks to memory foam ear-cups and a comfy headband, the Corsair HS35 is still snug without being uncomfortable after several hours of play, and it’s tough enough to withstand being pulled on and off your head without too much care.
Sure, the bass levels aren’t quite a good as other top-end headsets, but that makes the biggest difference when you try to use it for other media like movies and music. But that doesn’t compromise build quality – the Elite Pro 2 mixes metal and sturdy, white plastic to great effect, offering an Xbox One headset that’s both stylish and durable.
Note: This is a slightly older model of Xbox One headset now so you might see stock fluctuating, prices change, and maybe even a lack of availability.
Best Xbox gaming headset for 2021
It’s also worth noting that many, if not most, options in the wired gaming headset category also work just fine with the PlayStation 5, Windows PCs, Macs and the Nintendo Switch. These are the results of our own home-based testing, updated periodically, and include some options suggested by GameSpot’s list of best gaming headsets. The build quality is solid and I liked the “cooling gel-infused” memory foam ear cushions, which really fit my head nicely and play well with glasses. Turtle Beach says this Gen 2 model has improved 50mm Nanoclear drivers — the sound is more detailed and “precise,” — there’s a redesigned metal-reinforced headband and a larger, high-sensitivity flip-to-mute mic.
There’s an “all-new” Turtle Beach Hub app for iOS and Android that allows you to tweak the audio and remap buttons. It’s sturdily built, has good sound with strong microphone performance and most importantly, it’s comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.
That said, it’s not heavy and its auto-adjusting headband makes this one of the most comfortable gaming headsets you can buy; just note that its ear cups really stick out from your head. Aside from excellent sound quality and comfort, the other signature feature is the built-in HyperSense haptic feedback technology that lets you feel the game while you’re playing.
It’s worth pointing out that this is an open-back headset, which does help open up the soundstage and give the audio a more airy quality, but the sound will leak out of the headphones, which could annoy others around you. SteelSeries On the PlayStation and PC side, Arctis has its high-end Pro Wireless ($330), which some say is the best all-around headset for both those platforms. The audio quality has been improved slightly, and like the Stealth 700, it’s equipped with a larger high-sensitivity flip-to-mute mic that seamlessly integrates into the headset when retracted (muted). Amazon As far as basic wired gaming headsets go, you can’t go wrong with the HyperX’s Cloud Stinger Core.
There’s nothing fancy about this model, but it’s pretty lightweight and comfortable with nicely padded ear cups, plus it has a detachable boom microphone. While some of JBL’s higher-end models feature wireless connectivity and even noise canceling, the Quantum 100 is just a basic gaming headphone that will appeal to more casual gamers on a tight budget.
The 7 Best Xbox One Headsets – Fall 2021 Reviews
These very comfortable over-ears have a well-balanced sound profile that you can customize to your liking using their companion software’s graphic EQ and presets. Their passive soundstage also sounds open and natural, which can help immerse you in your game, although it still seems a bit trapped inside your head.
The best wireless Xbox One headsets of 2021
Microsoft has enforced something of a closed ecosystem for its peripherals, so wireless Xbox One gaming headsets won’t work on other consoles like the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Surround sound is also supported through Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, so you should be able to hear the direction of enemies trying to sneak up on you in Fortnite just fine.
The Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One is a wireless gaming headset with big comfortable headphone pads and a suspension-style band.
A built-in retractable microphone sits in the left ear cup, and it’s flexible, so you can set it in whatever position you need.
While connected wirelessly to your Xbox One, the Nari Ultimate also supports Microsoft Sonic surround sound, so you won’t miss directional cues in games like Fortnite. Additionally, this headset even offers haptic feedback, creating a rumbling vibration on your ears in moments of intense bass.
Basically, the Razer Nari Ultimate brings gaming headset mainstays like a built-in mic, surround sound, and big booming bass, and combines it with added conveniences like Xbox Wireless and game-chat audio balancing controls—with borderline gratuitous features like haptic feedback and nearly 20-hour battery life sprinkled on top. RF signals are notoriously kind to battery life, and you don’t have to go through the process of pair the headset—just plug it in and play. The HyperX CloudX Flight offers up to 30 hours of playback time on a single charge, better than almost every gaming headset on the market.
The headset’s microphone is also detachable, so you don’t need it have it sticking in your face if voice chat isn’t your bag. To top it all off, the CloudX Flight comes with HyperX’s assurance that it will be compatible with the upcoming Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s next-generation console. The headset also features a dual-foam ear cushion design meant to cut down on the pressure of wearing glasses while gaming.
Plus, the Kaira Pro also doubles as a pair of Bluetooth headphones, which is great for listening to music or watching movies on a mobile device. The Kaira Pro takes a page from the low-profile design of Razer’s newest headsets, opting for a a sleek matte black exterior with neon-green accents. Its memory foam ear cups are layered with mesh fabric, delivering a comfortable gaming experience whilst creating a decent seal. Fans of electronic music and other bass-heavy content will appreciate the headset’s emphasis on lower frequencies, while listeners who gravitate towards more acoustic tracks will notice a significant treble de-emphasis for sounds like guitars, cymbals, and hi-hats. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Microphone quality is very good, and wireless performance is solid but not compatible with Xbox One. The Arctis 1 features a USB-C RF dongle, supports 3.5mm connections (which you’ll need for the Xbox One), has a 25 hour battery life, and a pleasant sound profile that will suit most, if not all gamers.
The gaming headset space, much like many other parts of the audio industry, is rife with exaggerated language and gimmicky features that often don’t add much of anything to your experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the flashy lights and promises of immersive audio and bass so intense it’ll rupture your eardrums (in a good way, somehow), but most of that stuff flat out doesn’t matter.
Best Xbox One headsets: the top Xbox One gaming headsets
There’s never been a better time to buy, either, as Black Friday deals have already begun, with the sales event officially taking place on November 26. It means we’re bound to see several headsets on our list have their price points slashed, so if you’ve been waiting to pick up a new set of cans, now’s the time.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 An affordable gaming headset that’s made for Xbox consoles TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Dell 100 Walmart customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Pairs directly with Xbox consoles + Microphone monitoring + Windows Sonic spatial audio Reasons to avoid – Occasionally spotty connection – A little too tight From an audio standpoint, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 delivers vibrant spatial sound (the headset worked well with Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones) with a decent amount of depth.
Additionally, a quick press of the power button will enable Superhuman Hearing mode, which amplifies subtle sounds like footsteps and reloading weapons in order to give players a tactical advantage. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, though – we experienced a spotty connection on a couple of instances during online matches in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, with dotted sound resembling Morse Code coming through.
It’s also worth noting that the headset a somewhat cheap plastic feel, and it sits fairly tight on the head and around the ears, leading to some discomfort during long gaming sessions. Turtle Beach is the longest established specialist gaming headset manufacturer, with a fanatical following among pro-gamers – and when you unbox its top-of-the-range Elite Pro, you can see why.
It simply oozes no-expense-spared design, and sports all manner of neat touches born from decades of pro-gaming experience.
Comfort-wise, it’s exemplary, with big, thick earpads that eliminate all ambient noise, and can be easily adjusted to fit all head-sizes.
On an Xbox One, we’d recommend teaming it up with piece of kit called the Tactical Audio Adapter, which clips into the Xbox One controller and operates as an amplifier, adding some of the extra sound-control features which come in a separate graphic equaliser-style box called the Tactical Audio Controller (which is pricey but adds Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound). Those features include Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing, which enhances the sound of incoming players’ footsteps and is great for hardcore first-person shooter fans, and Dynamic Chat Boost, which keeps chat-levels audible even when background noise rises.
Razer’s designed a strong pair of headphones, with a very out-there feature, making the Nari Ultimate one of the best Xbox One headsets, when it comes to wireless models, on the market. That’s meant historically it was difficult to get the higher end Arctis models from Steelseries to play ball here, but with the 9x the pain all goes away. Being essentially the same shell, that means the ski goggle headband is just as comfortable as it is on other models, and the layout of the controls is still just about perfect.
It’s lively and detailed, like affordable audiophile gear – it just doesn’t smother on the bass like many PC gaming manufacturers feel compelled to.
Since the earliest days of Xbox One, the two have gone hand-in-hand like lovelorn teenagers, skipping off together into aspiration purchase territory for those of us who don’t feel completely fine with dropping $250+ on a headset.
The best Xbox headsets in 2021
These headsets are compatible with both current- and previous-gen members of the Xbox family, so you don’t need to worry about replacing them anytime soon. Black Friday deals are fully up and running now, and we’re seeing big savings on all kinds of gaming gear, including some of the best Xbox headsets. We’re tracking all of the latest sales in our Black Friday Xbox Series X deals hub, so bookmark it now to make sure you don’t miss out.
SteelSeries Arctis 7X The best Xbox headset overall Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: Yes Battery life: 24 hours TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Solid connection + High sound quality in games + Comfortable fit Reasons to avoid – Music doesn’t sound as good as games – Hard to find stock While a little pricier than many rivals, few other headsets can claim to match the Arctis 7X’s blend of lasting comfort, excellent wireless reliability and impactful sound quality. It’s at its best when gaming — the black and green color scheme shows it was built for the Xbox specifically — but it’s nice to have such flexibility.
That means you get the same comfortable fit, the same full set of onboard controls, the same game-ready performance and the same mature styling, which lets you detach the mic and wear the headset as a pair of headphones without embarrassment. Razer Kaira Pro The best Razer headset for Xbox Specifications Drivers: 50mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: Yes Battery Life: 20 hours TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Razer View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Extremely comfortable + Good sound + Ideal for Xbox consoles Reasons to avoid – Bluetooth inconveniences – Few customization options Another compelling mid-range Xbox headset option, the Razer Kaira Pro’s party trick is Bluetooth connectivity.
But the versatility is there, and thanks to the comfortable, breathable design and powerful sound output, the Kaira Pro is an excellent Xbox headset when it comes to the essentials, too.
HyperX Cloud Stinger The best cheap Xbox headset Specifications Drivers: 50mm Frequency response: 18 Hz – 23 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 620 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Very comfortable design + Handy controls + Low price Reasons to avoid – Sound gets blown out at higher ranges The HyperX Cloud Stinger is your best bet if you’re not concerned about using a wired connection, and just want good-quality sound in a comfortable package.
As long as you don’t push it to the very highest volumes, the Cloud Stinger’s audio quality is high enough for even the most twitchy competitive shooters, and the microphone isn’t quite as basic as they come. Xbox Wireless Headset The official Xbox headset is also one of the best Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: Yes Battery Life: 12 hours TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart Recommended View at Microsoft US Reasons to buy + High sound quality + Comfy fit + Smartly designed Reasons to avoid – Limited customization – Mic isn’t fully retractable or removable
Post-release updates have improved previously lacking aspects, like the mic monitoring level and what used to be some overly loud notification sounds.
Razer Kraken X The best Xbox headset for comfort Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 12 Hz – 28 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Walmart 15 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Sleek design + Comfortable fit + Good in-game sound Reasons to avoid – Can’t hide mic – Subpar music performance
Although the Razer Kraken X is far from alone in offering a sub-$50 price tag, few other cheap Xbox headsets can produce such great gaming sound. Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 Astro’s best headset for Xbox consoles Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: Yes Battery life: 15 hours TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Staples Reasons to buy + Good sound + Comfortable earcups + Clear microphone Reasons to avoid – Frustrating pairing process
HyperX Cloud Alpha A wired Xbox headset that’s great all round Specifications Drivers: 50mm Dual Chamber Frequency Response: 13 Hz – 27 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Best Buy Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart 568 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Sleek, premium design + Comfortable + High sound quality Reasons to avoid – Earcups can feel snug – Microphone picks up background noise The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a wired headset, which might not sound so enticing when you can get a good wireless model for a similar amount of money.
The Cloud Alpha is extremely comfortable, as we’ve come to expect from HyperX headsets, and its Dual Chamber Driver tech helps reproduce the full frequency range with a clarity to rival the best headphones. It’s also very comfortable — adjusting the earcups to find a perfect fit can be tricky, but once they’re in place you can easily wear the BlackShark V2 for hours. Astro A10 Another great, cheap Xbox Series X headset Specifications Drivers: 40mm Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: No Battery life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Walmart View at Best Buy 5 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reasons to buy + Good design despite low price + Impressive audio performance + Clear microphone Reasons to avoid – Tight fit on large ears Logitech G333 The best gaming earbuds for Xbox Specifications Drivers: 5.8 mm + 9.2 mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: No Battery Life: N/A TODAY’S BEST DEALS Prime View at Amazon View at Best Buy View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Highly portable + Works with both consoles and phones + Good sound quality Reasons to avoid – Fit could be better – Limited customization
Functionally, it’s not that different to a a wired, over-ear headset, as you still plug it inot your Xbox controller and can use the inline microphone for in-game voice communication. As such it’s worth considering if the HyperX Cloud Stinger or Astro A10 don’t take your fancy, and you can always use it as an everyday pair of earbuds too; the 3.5mm plug and included USB-C adapter help it seamlessly work with phones, tablets and laptops. That said, most wireless headsets can go for several days’ worth of regular play before running out of charge, so don’t worry too much about battery life if you want to keep your gaming space wire-free.
We’ll play a variety of Xbox games across different genres, which helps us comprehensively judge each headset’s audio quality.
Best wired and wireless Xbox headsets for 2021
Whether you want it for single-player story-driven experiences, or to give you the edge in multiplayer matches, you’re going to notice a big difference when moving to a headset – unless, of course, you’ve got an astonishingly good home theatre setup. We’ve exhaustively tested a wide range of headsets with our Xbox consoles, putting them through their paces and determining which you should consider for your own gaming setup.
SteelSeries takes the top spot on our list because it nails the combination of convenience and quality that we’re looking for when it comes to a console headset. It’s a genius revision of the manufacturer’s top headset, adding in the Xbox Wireless standard to make for superb connectivity.
Plus, the headphones are really nicely constructed and extremely comfortable to wear and, more than that, have easily the most subtle design we encountered in our testing (only Logitech’s effort comes close). You’ll gain a real advantage in reaction-based multiplayer games, and be fully immersed in single-player adventures.
Xbox recently debuted its own official headset and it’s a really excellent bargain, priced very sensibly but delivering premium sound. The comfort is superb, and the headset is actually extremely similar to the 9X with a few slightly lighter and less solid design elements being the only real clue.
Firstly, it’s wireless with superb battery life, but it also has Bluetooth connectivity and can be paired with two devices at once and play audio from both at the same time as well. Secondly, it sports decent drivers and faux-leather noise-blocking ear cups with a comfortable memory foam cushioning/liquid cooling gel mix that makes them a joy to wear. That’s paired with massively impressive sound that manages really solid bass and clear highs to make for a really well-rounded experience. We understand that the Xbox headsets listed above may not be to everyone’s taste and budget, but we also only want to provide insight and recommend the very top options to consider.
In order to provide some context to our decision making and testing, as well as give you more suggestions to explore, below are the devices that haven’t quite made it into our top picks. A big question with headsets at the moment is whether you want to be untethered by cables – all of our top picks are wireless, for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you have to go with one of them.
How much a headset weighs might not be the most glamourous stat, but it plays a huge role in determining how comfortable it is to wear for long periods.
If comfort is key for you, it’ll be worth your time to compare weights so that you’re not caught out if your headset ends up feeling like a chunky monkey.
For Xbox gaming headsets, that means using it for an extended period of time – not just for single-player titles, but also multiplayer sessions. As we point out in all of our buyer’s guides, it’s impossible to deliver a set of picks that works for every type of user, but we take on board the above and the opinions of the experts on the Pocket-lint team in order to determine a select crop of Xbox headsets to recommend. What we always tend to avoid when compiling these picks are in-depth spec comparisons and marketing jargon; we just want to provide an easy to understand summary that gives you an idea of what each headset is like to use.
Best gaming headset 2021 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch
A good pair of headphones is key to victory in many games – particularly shooters like Valorant, Fortnite and CSGO – where hearing a single footstep from a wayward enemy could mean the difference between a delicious chicken dinner and an ignoble defeat. The new models supersede the earlier Arctis 7 (2019), with 24 hours of battery life (up from 20), next-gen console compatibility and a matching look – the white/blue or black/blue 7P for PlayStation fans and the black/green 7X for Xbox users.
:: The 20 best Xbox One games you can play right now The Arctis 7 headsets connect via low-latency 2.4GHz wireless to a USB-C dongle, which can then be plugged into the next-gen consoles plus PCs, the Nintendo Switch and Android smartphones.
Sadly, SteelSeries hasn’t opted to include USB-C charging here, meaning you’ll need to keep an archaic Micro USB cable around for this purpose. This is a stereo headset, which we recommend for competitive play, but a 7.1 surround sound mode with “THX Spatial Audio” is also available for games where you want maximum immersion. The athletic-knit-covered memory foam ear pads remained comfortable for hours, no doubt aided by the light weight of the headset – just 262 grams. The BlackShark V2 also lacks any kind of RGB lighting, with only green cables and a subtle Razer logo on each earcup betraying this design’s gaming focus. USB comes via an included dongle which adds the simulated 7.1 capabilities, microphone settings (like a noise gate and side tone) and compatibility with Razer’s Synapse software.
The Arctis line is defined by its ski goggle style suspension headband, athletic fabric and a retractable microphone – and Corsair have got two out of three here, just opting for a flip-down mic rather than a disappearing one. The headband and cloth fabric ear cups work wonderfully together on the HS80, as you’d hope, and proved comfortable with glasses even for long play-sessions – once properly situated on the head, which does require a little trial and error. Wireless range is good, but not great – I could maintain a connection in the rooms directly above or below my office, but couldn’t walk to the opposite side of the house without getting drop-outs. The HS80 has a pleasant, neutral response, with the only major criticism being slightly under-developed bass that makes some genres or cinematic moments feel a little lacking.
The HS80 does get nice and loud, and imaging feels fine to me – I had no issues listening for enemy footprints while finishing off my Dark Matter grind in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. While it’s relatively expensive now, by Black Friday it could be an awesome pick-up around the £120/$100 mark – and even at its full £140/$150 RRP, its comfort, usability and flexibility make it a fine choice for PC, PS4 or PS5. Another great headset that combines dongle-free Xbox Wireless with Bluetooth is the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, which boast neutral audio reproduction, a comfortable “ski-goggle” headband and battery life of around 20 hours. I loved using this headset with games like Tetris Effect and Call of Duty Warzone, where the bass-heavy profile and Dolby Atmos surround sound made for a bombastic experience.
This cross-platform headset offers great comfort for the spectacled and non-spectacled alike, with the option of velour or memory foam ear pads, as well as impeccable build quality with plenty of metal evident. Wireless headphones tend to suffer in mic quality, but the solid hardware here plus the addition of Blue Voice software on PC make this one of the best-sounding options in the category. One area I’d like to particularly highlight is usability; Logitech has done well to incorporate a large number of controls (power, volume, mic mute) onto a single earcup while ensuring each has a distinct feel. Fnatic opted to emphasise highs and mids while flattening lows, providing a bright sound signature with plenty of clarity that makes it easier to hear that single errant footstep that can give you an edge in competitive games like CS:GO or PUBG.
The good seal produced by the plush earcups also ensure great passive noise isolation, making these an ideal choice for playing competitive or immersive games where you don’t want to be disturbed by the world around you. All things considered, the React is perfectly tuned for competitive multiplayer games, thanks to its clarity and comfort, especially given its killer £60/$70 price point. Despite costing less than £100, this headset feels premium, with a choice of 3.5mm or USB connections, leather or fabric earcups, a folding design, a chunky in-line remote, a good retractable microphone and a foam-lined carry case. The only noticeable area where MSI have cut corners to keep the price reasonable are in the materials, which are simple plastics – but honestly, the GH61 still feels as well-built as headphones that cost twice as much.
We found the headset was lightweight and stayed comfortable for hours on end, thanks to its memory foam earcups – and it even lived up to its ‘Glasses Relief’ branding with no added discomfort for spectacle wearers. The light weight (270 grams), soft headband and only moderate clamping strength means that these headsets feel comfortable to wear, and the plastic construction felt relatively sturdy in the hand. Best premium wired headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC The Arctis Pro + GameDAC has the best sound of any PC or PS4 gaming headset on the market, achieved through the pairing of well-tuned, high-end 40mm headphones with a quality DAC (digital to analogue converter) that replaces the often lacklustre DACs built into most onboard sound cards and games consoles.
This provides excellent sound quality from a variety of sources, including standard game audio all the way up to hi-res lossless music, all of which is easily adjustable using a built-in graphical equaliser and mixer. The Penrose is defined by excellent clarity and separation, making it easy to pick out details even in chaotic soundscapes, with a slightly warm sound overall. Audeze tells me that the headset uses a common earcup size, so it’s possible that replacement cushions from different materials could be sold down the line if there’s enough interest (I’d be down for a set of velour ear pads that let out more bass but are comfier with spectacles, for example). The Penrose does come with its quirks – I experienced a quiet hissing in the left earcup at low volume levels, which required turning off side-tone in the Windows app to solve. Just like the legendary wired version loved by esports pros and casual gamers alike, the Cloud 2 Wireless are supremely comfortable, well built and sound great with a neutral profile and good imaging.
These premium wired headphones are comfortable, with soft memory foam earcups and a lightweight design, making them easy to wear for hours on end – even for glasses users.
The default tuning is warm with nice emphasis on low and low-mid tones, but the Astro Command Center software makes it easy to find a more neutral EQ setting. The MixAmp provides convenient dials for adjusting the volume and game/chat balance, compatibility with the Astro Command Center software, plus easy connections to PCs and either Xbox One or PS4 units depending on which variant you purchased. I tested the headphones in competitive Counter-Strike and Warzone matches, and found no issues with the wireless connection – the link remained stable with no discernible delay compared to a wired headset.
Otherwise, there’s a lot to like here – the GTW 270 is comfortable, long-lasting and sounds great, with a unique low latency option that makes these the best in-ears we’ve tested for gaming. The initial setup is quite involved – you’ll be asked to use the Android or iPhone app to develop a custom EQ based on the shape of your ears, then upgrade the headset’s firmware over a leisurely 20 minute period if an update is available. Thankfully, the result of this long setup process is excellent audio with pinpoint imaging – plus significant bass response if you knock the in-app slider all the way.
It offers incredible noise isolation, thanks to its thick ear cups and moderate clamping force, making it easy to lose yourself in a virtual world.
If you’d prefer a wireless headset, then the Corsair Virtuoso SE’s aluminium construction, USB-C charging and bright sound signature make it a strong choice. However, the Virtuoso SE’s high clamping force out of the box makes it slightly less comfortable than the GSP 600, consigning it to our back-up choice for this slot. If you prefer more competitive fare, then there’s a battle mode which emphasises sounds like footsteps and reloads to help you track down your Warzone or Valorant opponents. Convenient earcup volume controls, a performant “AI-powered” mic and RGB lighting are also included, ticking all the boxes for a high-end gaming headset. The USB-C and USB-A connectivity allows easy use with the PC, PS4, Switch and Android smartphones, but the thick cables emerging from each side of the headset are hard to ignore. Unfortunately, this latter mode didn’t work well for me, with the initial setup process playing extremely loud noises into my ear, pausing and then repeating ad infinitum for about 10 minutes. You can adjust the mix with a graphical equaliser and several presets in the provided Armoury Crate software, which also allows you to choose RGB lighting effects (toggled between ‘on’, ‘off’ and ‘reactive’ via a simple hardware switch). The microphone gets access to Asus’ AI features for cancelling out unwanted background noise, and they work well – but you do lose a bit of detail and clarity with this turned on.
Beyond the audio quality, this is one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve worn in years, with a lightweight (288g) design, D-shaped ear pads and the perfect amount of clamping force. I played through 70 hours of Horizon Zero Dawn with this headset, and exploring new areas or experiencing new weather conditions like snow, storms or rain often spurred me to spend a few seconds not doing anything at all, just listening.
There are still some oddities here – such as needing to manually turn on what is a wired headset and potentially reset your audio devices in apps like Discord – but by in large everything works as it should. The best console DAC we’ve tested so far is the Sound Blaster G3, a tidy USB-C dongle that packs a ton of functionality into a compact and reasonably priced package.
Finally, there’s a button at the top that enables another key feature, the built-in footstep amplifier mode, intended to give you an edge in competitive shooters. The boost in audio quality is evident out of the box, and you also have the ability to customise your EQ (either by hand or by selecting per-game presets) using apps on Android, iOS or Windows.
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