There are a multitude of options out there – wired, wireless, closed and open cup designs, stereo and surround sound headsets, oval and round earcups, leather and material finishes, the list goes on and on. A lot of what makes a great gaming headset will be down to personal preference, but what we were looking for was a product that struck a perfect balance between quality of design, value for money and features that gamers would love. To create this shortlist, we worked through a mass of PC gaming headsets (many of which are also compatible with consoles) to whittle down to a list of finalists that we’re sure you’ll love. The Mobius boasts awesome 100mm planar magnetic drivers which are capable of delivering a max of 50,000Hz frequency response, with 96Khz sample rate and 24-bit depth resulting in a rich, impressive and convincing sound. Deep earcups, comfortable padding and a solid build quality round off a superb package. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless continues to be one of the very best gaming headsets available, thanks to great sound and incredible versatility.
It has a variety of inputs including optical and USB for PC that allow you to take advantage of the Dolby audio and DTS virtual surround sound processing power inside the transmitter box. Built-in Bluetooth and an understated design mean it can also be taken with you out of the house in place of standard headphones. The result of all this is a marvellously comfortable wireless headset with a variety of inputs, features and functionality that deliver a superb sound quality whatever you’re doing and whatever gaming system you’re playing on.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is an expensive option but you get what you pay for, with great sound and convenience. A number of equaliser settings tuned Astro Audio V2 and Dolby options give you plenty to choose from sound-wise. When not in use, this headset is simply docked into the charging base which connects to your computer via MicroUSB for power and audio.
Thanks to 15-hour battery life and convenient charging we found we were able to get a full day’s use out of this headset on a regular basis without any need for extra juice. It has deep and warm tones and manages to cancel out a fair amount of the surrounding environmental noise during use.
It’s tighter than other headsets, but that’s no bad thing as it won’t fly off your head if you turn too quickly.
This, along with the closed-back design means it blocks out a lot of background noise and keeps you immersed in your games. The GSP 670 also shines thanks to a dual-connectivity option where you can connect via both a low-latency dongle and Bluetooth at the same time. Optional voice isolating upgrade, sidetone and noise gate settings in software
Positional audio is great in-game and you can hear footsteps of your enemies or the rumble of a car in the distance with ease. Other highlights include long connection cables, easy controls on the MixAmp and a decent noise-isolating microphone too. If you’re the sort of gamer that likes to play on a multitude of different devices, then you might find the Arctis 1 wireless highly appealing. This is a wireless gaming headset that not only works on PC, but is also compatible with PS4, Nintendo Switch and even your phone.
You get all those connectivity options, plus the great sound of the Arctis range at a pretty incredible price. Up to 20,000Hz frequency response also results in clear and rich audio thanks to the high-quality drivers.
If you want a headset that can connect to multiple devices, has a decent battery life and still has good audio too then this is it. If you want a headset that can connect to multiple devices, has a decent battery life and still has good audio too then this is it. Styled more like traditional headphones, the Logitech G Pro X wireless is far more understated, doesn’t have any RGB and as is pleasing to the eyes as it is to the ears. This headset makes use of the Blue Voice technology (within Logitech G Hub) that allows you to customise the live sound captured from the microphone and adjust it on the fly.
It’s also incredibly comfortable and the choice of (included) ear cup options makes it thoroughly appealing too. The added bonus of Blue Voice tech might be a bit of a gimmick for some, but is a nice touch. It’s well designed and comes with a high-quality finish that includes faux leather memory foam cushioned ear cups, a padded headband and an adjustable size that can be easily tweaked to fit your head. The Virtuoso XT sports 50mm custom drivers that are capable of delivering hi-res, high-fidelity (96Khz) audio when you plug into a PC. The Corsair Virtuoso XT is our favourite high-res, high-fidelity gaming headset with audio that really floats our boat. Highlights to this headset are the large, all-encompassing earcups that cover the entire ear and boast a premium protein leather design with memory foam cushioning. This design is not only comfortable, but blocks out a lot of external noise and prevents sound bleed too. We were pleasantly surprised to find that, despite its price, the Fnatic React is capable of delivering a pretty impressive soundscape with a rich sound experience for the money.
This is a fairly interesting bundle that takes the unique Nuraphone headphones and transforms them into a gaming headset. We enjoyed the Nuraphone design and sound when we originally reviewed them as earphones, so we were intrigued to see what this setup could bring to gaming.
On initial setup, the app measures the way your eardrum responds to sound and adjusts audio accordingly. The in-ear and over-ear design is then backed up by active noise cancellation to really immerse you into what you’re listening too.
The design takes some getting used to, as you have silicone tips in your ears the whole time, but the way the audio surrounds you is undeniably excellent. You can also crank the immersion up within the app and get a much more bassy experience with a warble that’s close to sticking your head near a subwoofer or next to a trundling tank (perfect for first person shooters).
The fit of these headphones is undoubtedly unique and we aren’t entirely sold on comfort, but the sound of Nuraphone is certainly something special. If you’re already a fan, then adding a mic and plugging in is an awesome way to bring that rich, personalised sound to your gaming fun as well.
It connects via USB-C or USB-A, meaning you can use it on your PC or Android phone with ease. Other highlights for this headset include a superbly comfortable design, AI-powered mic and RGB lighting. This headset pleases for music playback and delivers rich hi-res audio for gaming too. It also has a 24-bit USB DAC, 7.1 surround sound and drivers capable of delivering good quality audio too.
EQ settings in the software mean you can adjust sound to focus on footsteps and get the edge on the competition in FPS and Battle Royale games. It’s not the best looking or sounding headset on this list, but it’s still worth considering if you’re looking for something that’s solidly built and easy to wear. The HyperX Cloud II is a bold looking headset with a comfortable fit and a great overall aesthetic. It’s solidly built with an aluminium frame, memory foam cushioning and nice large earcups.
We found this headset not only had a great battery life but sounded fantastic while listening to music, watching movies and more. A great all-rounder but it lacks the audio richness and bass of other headsets on this list and the mic is a bit compressed.
It offers an interesting design, comfortable fit and great sound thanks to large drivers and THX audio. The mic isn’t as good as we’d like, but if you’re a Razer fan and want a wireless headset, this is well worth considering.
The Logitech G733 Lightspeed is a lightweight gaming headset which comes in various different colourways but also sports some other interesting highlights that make it stand out from the crowd.
It has RGB lighting that you can show off on camera if you’re a streamer, a lightweight design that makes it comfortable to wear all day long and more besides. DTS headphone X 2.0 gives this headset great surround sound and it can also manage as much as 29 hours use before it needs recharging too. They’re closed-back, with ergonomic leatherette earpads that block out loads of surrounding noise and let you focus on the game at hand.
The G6, therefore, adds virtual surround sound to any stereo headphones plugged into it, it also ups the levels too. The Sound BlasterX G6 is a great upgrade to your gear as an alternative to a purchase of a new gaming headset.
The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero is, in our mind, one of the very best gaming headsets we’ve seen from the company. It has a number of features that make it fairly outstanding, not least of which is a rechargeable battery system that lasts for up to 30 hours. Large drivers with Waves Nx and Maxx technologies offer an impressive 3D audio experience. The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero, unfortunately, doesn’t have the same wireless range of other headsets, but it has plenty of awesome features that we love. The Cloud Orbit S is essentially a more affordable version of the Audeze Mobius, that comes with most of the same features but no Bluetooth. The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is undeniably an expensive bit of kit, but with large capable drivers, interesting 3D audio technology and a versatile design it’s also highly appealing.
Best Gaming Headset 2021: The Top Wired and Wireless Gaming Headsets
We often think about a quality gaming experience in terms of resolution, frame rates, and how high we’re able to dial our graphics settings. Matters are only worse in games, where a bad audio experience can hurt your ears with sounds that take a sudden turn toward explosive or enemies that you can’t hear until it’s too late.
A quality gaming headset can help ensure these audio issues won’t be a concern of yours.
Some feature custom equalizers and surround sound so you can really tune your audio experience for an edge in gaming.
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile ● Interface: wired ● Connections: USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio cable ● Drivers: 100mm Planar ● Frequency response: 10Hz – 50,000Hz ● Surround sound modes: 7.1 ● Battery Life: 10 hours ● Weight: 368g The Cloud Orbit S was built in partnership with Audeze, a company with a knack for stunning audio using planar magnetic drivers.
You’ll get impeccably precise audio and a wide frequency response range — good luck going back to your ordinary headphones for anything but listening to podcasts or the news. HyperX gives these headphones a boost with support not just for standard 7.1-channel virtual surround sound but also for Waves NX technology.
This builds positional tracking into the headset for use on PC, letting the audio shift depending on the orientation of your head. The Razer Barracuda X has a lightweight build at just 250g and keeps things discreet with an all-black design, a low-profile headband, and even a removable boom mic. You’d think there might be a few cut corners or missing features at this price point, but Razer didn’t even settle for a lackluster battery life, as these headphones can run for 20 hours. Compatibility: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4/PS5, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS ● Interface: wireless, wired ● Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle, USB-C wired, 3.5mm audio cable ● Drivers: 40mm Neodymium ● Frequency response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz ● Surround sound modes: 7.1 ● Battery Life: 24 hours
The SteelSeries Arctis 7X headset still offers a comfortable design with breathable ear cushions and a “ski google” headband the distributes its pressure well. There are plenty of extras as well, such as surround sound support on Xbox and Windows, an improved 24-hour battery life, multiple connectivity options, and a special dial dedicated ChatMix. This headset has a bigger profile on account of its use of a suspension headband to evenly spread its weight for long-term comfort and its larger earcups to accommodate 50mm speaker drivers. The headset also has a built-in dial to adjust your mic monitoring levels, so you can fine-tune how well you hear yourself in case you want to avoid shouting at your teammates.
Compatibility: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile ● Interface: wired ● Connections: 3.5mm audio cable ● Drivers: 106mm planar magnetic ● Frequency response: 10Hz – 50,000Hz ● Surround sound modes: 2.0 ● Weight: 454g The Audeze LCD GX uses sizable planar magnetic drivers for incredibly precise audio that’ll also benefit from the wide open soundstage provided by the open-back design of the headphones.
Compatibility: PS5/PS4, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mobile ● Interface: wired ● Connections: USB-C ● Drivers: 50mm Neodymium ● Frequency response: 20Hz – 40,000Hz ● Surround sound modes: Virtual 7.1 ● Weight: 300g The Asus ROG Delta S (read our review) manages to be a truly standout headset, and a lot of its excellence is actually achieved thanks to its wired connection. It’s a precise enough headset for those looking to enter a premium level of music streaming with Master Quality Authenticated files. The SteelSeries Arctis Prime headset (read our review) is built to give you clear audio both going in and coming out.
Your teammates in esports will hear you loud and clear thanks to the ClearCast microphone, which has consistently delivered on SteelSeries headsets. These drivers deliver an extended frequency response range and hi-fi clarity to ensure you don’t miss anything in game.
For a great pair of headphones that are ready for the next generation of Xbox, you’ll want the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 (read our review). These headphones don’t require any awkward solutions to set up, since they support Xbox Wireless for direct pairing with your console. On-ear controls will let you easily manage the audio coming in from different sources, so you can crank up your teammates in case they get hard to hear over the intense firefights in your games. And, thanks to a 20-hour battery life, you’ll be able to enjoy the clean game audio these can deliver without having to recharge every day. If you’re lucky enough to have picked up a PS5, you’ll want to ensure you can make the most out of the capabilities of the Tempest 3D audio engine, and the Sony Pulse 3D (read our review) is the headset to do it. The Logitech G Pro X incorporates some of Blue legendary microphone technology to capture clear, natural and isolated recorded voice.
Additionally, you can use the Blue VO!CE software to auto-tune your voice with presets making it a great option as a microphone for streaming and podcasting. Drivers are the internal mechanism inside headsets and headphones (or really any speaker) that ultimately create the soundwaves you hear by vibrating back and forth in response to an electrical current. The larger the driver, the more air they can move to not only to make louder sounds, but it also allows them to produce a wider, more nuanced range of frequencies—which happens to take us to our next specification. As you go from the bottom of the range to the top, sounds go from a low thud to a warm, steady hum and finally a piercing screech.
While on the hunt for a gaming headset, you’ll likely find more than a few promising 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround sound, which are both designed to give users a more immersive audio experience. They both essentially do the same thing of adding positional audio for effects for objects like say a plane flying over or a bomb falling from the sky above you.
There are very few gaming headsets like the Razer Tiamat that actually come with the individual drivers necessary to create a real surround sound environment.
Best gaming headsets 2021: high fidelity headphones for immersive gaming
This headset is dual wireless, meaning you can connect to Bluetooth devices while playing on Xbox, and its powerful 50mm drivers deliver excellent audio reproduction. The USB-C dongle makes it quick to set up and means that this pair of headphones will also work with your PC, Nintendo Switch and Android. The design of the headset makes complete sense, with a steel frame and easily adjustable elasticated strap to fit it perfectly to your head. Though admittedly lacking some clarity so not the best pair for listening to music, they will give gamers a fantastic experience and successfully emulate 360-degree audio to make you feel really immersed in the action. The headset is a hugely impressive new entry as we enter the era of the next-gen consoles, with an all-round package – style, setup, audio – that’s very difficult to beat. Build quality is first rate, the sound is superb, and as added bonus there’s Bluetooth connectivity too, for attaching other devices. We played a variety of games on the Xbox One to test the LS50X – Forza Horizon 4, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Rage 2, Fifa 20 and Halo 5 Guardians – and every time the audio was immersive and refined. Asus ROG Delta S The best gaming headset for Windows PC gamers Specifications Compatibility: PC / Mac / Android / iOS / PlayStation / Xbox / Nintendo Switch Drivers: 50 mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz Wireless: No Mic: Detachable unidirectional boom mic Weight: 300 grams Connectivity: USB-C Reasons to buy + Strong battery life + Versatile USB Type-C dongle + Discord-certified ClearCast mic Reasons to avoid – Limited on-board controls TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys
It works with a host of gadgets and gizmos via USB-C (or USB-A), from PCs to consoles, and it produces audio quality of the highest order – whether you’re wanting to rock out to some tunes or you need to hear everything that’s happening during intense gaming sessions. Add in extras like simulated 7.1 surround sound and support for the high-resolution MQA audio format, and it’s easy to see why this made it on to our best gaming headsets list. Corsair HS80 RGB wireless The best gaming headset for surround sound Specifications Compatibility: PC / Mac / PlayStation Drivers: 50 mm Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz Wireless: Yes Mic: Omnidirectional microphone Weight: 367 grams Reasons to buy + Excellent audio quality + Sleek, stripped back design + Wireless connectivity Reasons to avoid – Dolby Atmos not available on consoles – Microphone can be quiet TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys You can hear every noise as well as where they’re coming from, sounds like explosions are impactful while others like footsteps are true-to-life, making this perfect for shooter games in particular.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal The best premium gaming headset for Xbox and PC gamers Specifications Frequency range: 20-22,000 Hz Drivers: Electro-dynamic driver w/ Neodymium magnets, 40 mm diameter Driver sensitivity: 95dB @ 1kHz / 1 mW Impedance: 24 Ohm +/- 15% Fit: Over-ear Materials: Aluminium, leather, fabric, polymer, rubber Weight: 282 g Dimensions: 167.3 W x 178.7 H x 92.6 D mm Wireless: Yes Battery: 1200 mAh Lithium-Ion Connectivity options: Xbox, PC, Bluetooth, wired Reasons to buy + Incredible audio quality + Premium build quality + Supremely comfortable + Xbox/PC, Bluetooth and wired connectivity Reasons to avoid – Very, very expensive – Can’t play Bluetooth and Xbox audio at the same time TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Microsoft UK IE View at Amazon View at John Lewis Bang & Olufsen is one of the world’s finest and most storied audio masters, and here it has poured its expertise into gate-crashing the gaming headset market.
The killer thing with the Portal, though, is that they are not just limited to use with Xbox or PC systems, with Bluetooth 5.1 and wired 3.mm connectivity allowing them to be used with basically any other piece of hardware you can think of.
You can go from gaming on Xbox to listening to music streamed from your phone to watching an epic movie on your tablet in a blink of an eye with the Portal, and that makes it very high price a little more understandable.
The headset, thanks to a versatile USB Type-C dongle, though, can connect to other systems such as the Nintendo Switch, smartphones, and Xbox One consoles. Regardless, though, it delivers really strong performance across the board, with nuanced audio reproduction across the soundscape, a comfortable design, and a quality Discord-certified ClearCast microphone. It’s not elite-tier in terms of non-gaming applications, and there’s no doubting that it retails at the lower end of the high price bracket for gaming headsets, but with its robust build quality (stainless steel headband) and immersive audio, as well as 24-hour battery life on a single charge, this is a headset that will serve Xbox gamers very well for years to come. There are a few downsides to the Razer Barracuda X, like the fact that there’s no Bluetooth connectivity and you don’t get any manual equaliser settings through desktop software, but in the grand scheme of things those are just minor faults. Creative SXFI Gamer One of the best wired gaming headsets Specifications Driver: 50mm neodymium magnet Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz Sensitivity: 114 dB / mW @ 1 kHz Mic type: Unidirectional noise-reduction Wireless: No Reasons to buy + Includes 7.1 surround sound + Affordable price + Excellent comfort and fit Reasons to avoid – No Bluetooth – Occasional app frustrations TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Amazon That includes excellent comfort, an unfussy but strong design, and of course superior audio, which is a requirement for entry on our best gaming headsets for 2021 list. For a comfortable pair of headphones that are brilliant across the audio spectrum – including volume levels – the SXFI Gamer is well worth considering. Astro A50 Gen 4 A fine upgrade to one of the best gaming headsets ever made Specifications Driver: 40mm Neodymium Magnet Frequency response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz Weight: 380g Wireless: Yes Wireless range: 30ft Battery life: 15 hours Mic type: 6.0mm uni-directional Reasons to buy + Superior sound quality + Versatile base station + Swappable earpads Reasons to avoid – Expensive TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon
The Astro A50 feels comfortable on the head, and brings rich and vibrant audio to your ears at any volume – bass, trebles and mids all come through clearly. You get pretty darn good noise cancellation, too, and the A50 headset packs a real punch in terms of audio reproduction across the board. AOC GH300 The best cheap gaming headset for PC gamers Specifications Compatibility: PC, Mac Drivers: 50mm Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz Wireless: No Mic: Detachable omnidirectional Weight: 363.5g Connectivity: USB Reasons to buy + Good audio quality for this price + Customisable RGB lights on the earcups + Comfortable to wear for long periods Reasons to avoid – Muffled microphone – No wireless connectivity – Poorly design desktop app TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon One problem was with the omnidirectional microphone which was quite muffled, the set also looked pretty bulky on the head so it won’t be a pair that you’d use as regular headphones as well. Logitech G635 7.1 Lightsync Gaming Headset Super gaming headset audio for PC gamers Specifications Driver: 50 mm PRO-G Weight: 344g Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 KHz Audio sensitivity: 93 DB SPL/mW Mic type: Boom Wireless: No Lighting: Lightsync RGB Reasons to buy + Comfortable, tight fit + 7.1 surround sound + Customisable LED lights Reasons to avoid – Loss of functionality when used with consoles TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys View at very.co.uk Ideally we’d like a bit more heft to the hinges on the headphones themselves, as well as a slightly looser fit, and the angular, black design won’t be to everyone’s taste, but really these are minor drawbacks on what is otherwise an excellent gaming headset for PC, if not so much for console gamers.
Razer BlackShark V2 A customisable Razer gaming headset Specifications Dimensions: 235 x 193 x 100 mm (H x W x D) Weight: 263 g Type: On-ear Audio output: 7.1 surround sound Frequency response: 12 – 28,000 Hz Driver size: 50 mm Mic type: Boom Wireless: No Reasons to buy + Superb audio reproduction + Very comfortable earcups + USB sound card and carry bag included Reasons to avoid – Less impressive with music and movies TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys View at Razer The sets of gaming cans is powered by Razer’s Triforce Titanium 50mm Drivers, which have been designed to improve clarity across the spectrum, ranging from bass to treble.
We’re particularly fond of just how comfortable the BlackShark 2 is on the head as well thanks to Razer’s Flowknit Memory Foam Ear Cushions and soft, padded adjustable headband. Oh, and the BlackShark V2 also comes with an included carry case, which makes transporting them to gaming tournaments (or just using them as a pair of quality headphones) easy. The Audio-Technica ATH-G1 are rather unique in this best gaming headset buying guide as they offer a very much no frills package aimed more at casual gamers and audiophiles. They sound great (thanks to their strong 45mm drivers) and, thanks to a removable mic and wired connection, can be easily used in other, non-gaming settings and applications.
What stands out first about the Audeze Penrose headset is its versatility: it can be used with a wired connection, over Bluetooth, or via the bundled 2.4GHz USB dongle, and you can connect it up to Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, the Nintendo Switch, PlayStations and Xboxes (if you want Xbox compatibility, go for the Audeze Penrose X model). Despite the very reasonable price – these are expensive, but not really for what you get in return – the headphones feature top-tier 100 m planar magnetic drivers, which results in an excellent, rich sound whether you’re watching movies on your laptop or gaming on your console. The JBL Quantum One headset is up towards the more expensive end of the market, but you’re actually still getting very decent value for money here – these headphones sound great, not just for gaming but also for watching movies and listening to music and everything else that you might want to do.
You also get a whole host of features with this pair of headphones, covering everything from surround sound to active noise cancelling to RGB lighting that you can customise using the supplied Windows software. A fantastic all-round round gaming headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless delivers excellent audio for PS5 and PS4 gamers. A very impressive 40-feet range, well-built wireless transmitter, lightweight aluminium construction, and swappable dual-battery power system complete a superb all-round package.
The wireless connection is solid and stable, delivering the same impressive audio as the wired version, and you can realistically expect around 24 hours of use between charges. Aukey GH-X1 RGB Gaming Headset The best wired gaming headset on a very tight budget Specifications Drivers: 50mm Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Wireless: No Mic type: Omnidirectional Weight: 310 g (10.9 oz) Reasons to buy + Immersive 360-degree audio + The mic isolates noise well + Easy setup, just plug in and play Reasons to avoid – RGB lighting will only work with the USB plugged in Today’s best Aukey Aukey GH-X1 RGB Gaming Headset deals Amazon UK View Similar Amazon No price information Check Amazon
For those on a tight budget who don’t want to sacrifice too much on audio quality, the Aukey GH-X1 RGB Gaming Headset could be a good choice. You won’t be able to wirelessly connect these to your console, PC or smartphone, so you’ll need to plug it in using the 3.5mm audio cable, but that does make it versatile.
HyperX Cloud Mix Wired Gaming Headset + Bluetooth The best gaming headset for versatility and wear-everyday style Specifications Driver: 40mm neodymium magnet Frequency response: 10Hz–40,000Hz Weight: 260g Mic type: Electret condenser boom Wireless: Yes Wireless range: 10 meters Battery life: 20 hours Noise cancelling: Yes Reasons to buy + Modern, understated design + Premium build materials + Versatile Bluetooth functionality Reasons to avoid – Detachable mic can’t be used over Bluetooth TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon 1 Amazon customer review ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Its latest effort, the HyperX Cloud Mix, is for our money the best overall gaming headset the company has ever made, combining top-rate audio reproduction with premium build quality and understated modern design.
The latter two of these qualities hit you as soon as you unpack the headset, with a rigid and cool-to-the-touch aluminium frame wrapped with a plush, soft-touch headband securely carrying memory foam-clad ear cups. This allows you to ditch the cabling and use the Mix as simply a very rich pair of regular headphones, which is ideal for portable gaming on the go, as well as listening to music and watching media, too. The fact that the HyperX Cloud Mix can be used with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Mobile and VR, as well as any other Bluetooth-enabled device or console, makes it one of the most versatile headsets on the market today, and a definite pick for our best gaming headphones 2021 list. Crisp and balanced Hi-Red Audio, a long-lasting 20-hour battery life, detachable boom mic, lush braided cabling and an included carry bag complete a quality package that’s hard to top.
That gives you in-line controls for mic muting and volume adjustment, and it also enables you to toggle THX Spatial Audio on and off. Whichever platform you play on, the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition delivers crisp, clear sound with plenty of punch.
It’s a match for headsets that cost considerably more cash, delivering a good sound stage with plenty of detail to help your situational awareness. SteelSeries Arctis 1 One of the best gaming headsets for quality components at a fantastic price Specifications Frequency response: 20–20000 Hz Weight: 1.15 lbs Mic type: Noise Canceling Bidirectional Wireless: No Cable: 10ft (3m) Connection: 3.5mm + Dual 3.5mm PC extension Noise cancelling: Yes Reasons to buy + Very affordable + Top-end components + Detachable mic Reasons to avoid – Basic spec TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon View at Currys View at argos.co.uk 8 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The Arctis 1 uses the same design, speaker drivers, cushions and noise-canceling microphone as the 3, 5, 7 and 9X models, so these headphones aren’t cutting too many corners to reach that inexpensive price point. SteelSeries has changed the headband design and there’s no wireless option here, but it’s an excellent choice if you want to get a superior gaming headset experience without breaking the bank. cable) Dimensions: 200 × 220 × 105mm (W × H × D) Wireless: No Wire length: 2.2m Audio: 7.1 surround sound RGB lighting: Yes Drivers: 40mm Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz Mic: Yes Reasons to buy + Attractive price point + Quality fit and materials + Wide choice of lighting effects Reasons to avoid – Design won’t be for everyone TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon There are a lot of reasons why the Speedlink Orios makes our best gaming headset list: the 7.1 surround sound, the RGB illumination effects (customisable via software), the comfortable fit and quality finish, and more besides.
You can pick up the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 for both Xbox and PlayStation, and both options will work with both current-gen and next-gen consoles. The earpads combine memory foam and cooling gel rather well, for a fit that’s going to be comfortable across extended gaming sessions, and with the padded, metal-reinforced headband, you don’t need to worry about these headphones sliding off. Considering everything you’re getting with this headset – including a flip-out mic – we’d say the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 represents excellent value for money, and this is definitely worth shortlisting whether you buy your consoles from Microsoft or Sony.
It starts with the excellent design and build quality, with aluminium, steel, faux leather and memory foam all combining for a truly polished – but understated – end result.
Sennheiser GSP 670 The best gaming headset for a head filling soundstage Specifications Driver: Neodymium magnet Frequency response: 10 – 23,000 Hz Weight: 0.9lbs (398g) Mic type: Bidirectional electret condenser Wireless: Yes (via USB) Connector: USB dongle Battery life: 16 hours USB, 20 hours Bluetooth Reasons to buy + Loud, quality audio + Comfortable to wear Reasons to avoid – Industrial looks TODAY’S BEST DEALS Low Stock View at Amazon View at very.co.uk View at Amazon 100 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ You can turn up the volume without worrying about any kind of distortion, whether you’re listening to a pounding bass-heavy soundtrack, or trying to tiptoe through the quietest of enemy bases.
Not only is the audio great, but they’re really comfortable to wear, with leatherette earpads that wrap nicely around the ears and a solid headband that’s reinforced with metal. These cans will work with PCs and PS4s, and you get a bunch of useful features as well – a flip-to-mute mic, low latency Bluetooth, around 20 hours of use between charges, and support for 7.1 surround sound.
Razer Thresher Ultimate Razer delivers superb wireless gaming audio for PS4 and Xbox One gamers Specifications Drivers: 50mm neodymium Frequency response: 12Hz-28,000Hz Wireless: Yes Battery life: 16 hours Features: Noise-isolating ear cushions, quick control buttons Reasons to buy + Wireless 7.1 audio + Comes with own stand + Comes in PlayStation and Xbox variants Reasons to avoid – No Bluetooth TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon Low Stock View at Amazon 660 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Yes, you have to pay the Razer tax on the Thresher Ultimate, which means there are definitely more affordable headphones in this best gaming headset buying guide, but if you want quality and have a large budget, these cans are a great choice. Trust Gaming GXT 488 Forze-B A great cheap gaming headset choice for PlayStation 4 Specifications Driver: 50mm Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20000 Hz Sensitivity: 115 dB Wireless: No Weight: 300g Mic type: Boom condenser Cable length: 120cm Reasons to buy + Officially licensed for PS4 + Solid, well-made construction + Good audio performance Reasons to avoid – Design is a bit dated TODAY’S BEST DEALS View at Amazon The audio from the 50mm active speaker units inside the cups is top notch, whether you’re listening for enemies sneaking up behind you or just taking in the ambient noise in whatever virtual world you happen to be in.
We had several extended evening gaming sessions wearing this Trust headset, and didn’t notice any major problems with how it felt. You get a generous cable that’s over 1.8 metres (or close to 6 feet), you get 50mm neodymium speaker drivers to power the audio, you get a high sensitivity microphone that you can detach if you need to, and you even get a nice black carry pouch to hold your new headphones too. Equally, if you are looking for a dedicated, heavy duty headset for streaming and super-long gaming sessions, you’ll need a set with excellent battery life, a good boom mic, and an over-ear comfortable fit. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless is stylish and one of the best-sounding headsets we’ve ever tested, with its Hi-Res capable speaker drivers, lightweight steel construction, and long-lasting battery delivering a super all-round gaming package. Here at T3 we’ve found that while heritage does tend to indicated quality, that is not always the case, though, and often headsets from relatively new makers, such as LucidSound, can outperform similar products from more established producers. Right here T3 provides a small guide to some of the most important terms and phrases, in the aim to make it easier for each gamer to determine which headset will work for them, and which will not.
On-ear headphones on the other hand have cups that sit on top the ears, and tend to be more compact and direct in terms of their audio delivery. “Since the launch of the first HyperX gaming headset in 2014, we’ve steadily evolved our designs and selection of products to become an industry leader for quality, comfort, and sound.
As competitive and casual gaming continues to gain popularity across PCs, consoles, and mobile platforms, we strive to further advance our headsets to new levels and look forward to delivering the next 20 million high quality headphones to discerning customers worldwide.” The new models “combines a fresh new pink colour scheme with signature HyperX comfort, optimal audio performance and gaming-grade sound quality.” The Cloud Stinger weighs in at a light 275 grams, too, making it comfortable on the head even during prolonged gaming sessions, while its 90-degree rotating ear cups mean there is plenty of flexibility for gamers to wear it as they wish. The pink Cloud Stinger is powered by a pair of 50mm directional speaker drivers, which have been designed to position and deliver quality audio with top precision.
In terms of advanced features, the Cloud Stinger delivers a swivel-to-mute microphone, on-headset volume controls and a memory foam / leatherette headband and ear cup cushions. “We are excited to add the pink colourway to provide users with another headset choice that offers the same great comfort and sound as the original.”
The Best Gaming Headsets
The Cloud Alpha sounds great, with a spacious soundstage and clear distinction across bass, mids, and highs so you can hear light footsteps, dialogue, and rumbling explosions. It’s light and comfortable for a wide range of head sizes, it has an airier soundstage than the HyperX Cloud Alpha, and it sounds more accurate (if less bassy, which some people who play games tend to prefer) than our other picks.
The microphone muffles voices slightly, but they remain clear enough for you to converse with other players, and the ATH-PDG1 is compatible with PC, consoles, and any tablet or smartphone with a headphone jack. The Cloud Flight S also offers mic monitoring, has chat balance (on PC only), and supports Qi charging and surround sound, features our other picks don’t have.
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