The best gaming headsets for Call of Duty

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Best gaming headsets for Call of Duty: Quick Menu

If you're a regular Call of Duty player then owning one of the best gaming headsets for Call of Duty can make a huge difference. A high-quality headset will allow you to more accurately decipher key audio cues like enemy footsteps or nearby gunshots. Having access to a headset's microphone will also let you communicate with your team more clearly, greatly improving your ability to coordinate with other players in the lobby. 

Sure, you might be able to make do with just the audio from your TV and the microphone that came with your console, but it could potentially be putting you at a serious disadvantage. 

Fortunately, there are loads of options available if you're shopping for a new headset and that is exactly where this guide comes in. We've scoured through our own headset coverage to assemble this list of high-quality recommendations for Call of Duty. Better still, we've taken a wide range of desirable features and budgets to still give you plenty of alternate options to choose from.

With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone still going strong, there has never been a better time to invest in an upgrade. If you play lots of other games, it might also be worth considering some of the picks from our more general best gaming headsets guide.

The Quick List

Best overall gaming headset for Call of Duty

Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless

(Image credit: Future)
The all-round best gaming headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Wireless: Yes
Compatibility: PS5, PS4, PC
Battery life: 20 hours
Drivers: 50mm

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable
+
Dolby Atmos works well

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Mic arm not easily positioned
Buy it if

You want great audio: The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless sounds great and offers Dolby Atmos surround sound for the most immersive experience.

You enjoy long Call of Duty sessions: The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is incredibly comfortable over long gaming sessions thanks to its plush ear cushions and stretchy headband.

Don't buy it if

You are an Xbox player: The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is, unfortunately, only compatible with PC, PS5, and PS4. If you're an Xbox player, consider one of the other options on this list instead.

The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is our pick for the all-round best gaming headset to play Call of Duty. It's an immensely comfortable headset that you won't mind wearing for hours on end, with breathable fabric that will help protect against the build up of gamer grease.

The build quality is great, featuring a combination of high-quality plastic and lightweight machined aluminum. It not only feels good in the hand, but looks great on the head. This is enhanced by the stretchy ski-style headband and the premium plush ear cups.  

The wireless range is fantastic too, giving you plenty of freedom to move around while you play. Perhaps best of all, the battery can last around 20 hours between charges so you won't need to worry about keeping it plugged in between play sessions.

The only downside is the limited compatibility. Unfortunately, this headset is only compatible with PC, PS5 and PS4. Furthermore, if you want to make the most of the Dolby Atmos features, you will have to use a PC as that is the only platform where it is properly supported.

Best budget gaming headset for Call of Duty

Corsair HS50

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget gaming headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Wireless: No
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: N/A
Drivers: 50mm

Reasons to buy

+
Strong stereo sound
+
Excellent value

Reasons to avoid

-
Mic easily misplaced
Buy it if

You're shopping on a budget: The sound quality of the Corsair HS50 punches well above its modest price tag making it our top choice if you're shopping for a Call of Duty headset on a budget.

You appreciate a sleek design: Despite what some might say, you don't actually have to pay a lot for a great design. This headset stands out from the crowd with its neon green highlights.

Don't buy it if

You might lose the microphone: This model features a removable microphone which is fantastic if you don't want it getting in the way while you game. As many Call of Duty players rely on voice chat, however, this might also mean that you could find yourself without when you need it in a match.

Looking at the Corsair HS50, you likely wouldn't even realise that it's a budget product. The design is extremely similar to a lot of their high-end offerings and even sports some striking green highlights to help this gaming headset stand out from the crowd. Corsair also haven't cut any corners when it comes to the quality of the audio or materials here.

Featuring large faux leather cups, this is a comfortable design that is very resistant to wear and tear. The detachable microphone also does a great job of picking up your voice, something that is going to be very important for most online Call of Duty players.

The one thing to note, however, is that the ability to remove the microphone can be something of a double edged sword. On one hand, it gives you one more layer of customization but, on the other, the detached module can be very easy to lose thanks to its small size. Still, if you want high-quality headset at a bargain price, you can't go wrong with this.

Best premium gaming headset for Call of Duty

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

(Image credit: Future)
The best premium gaming headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Wireless: Yes
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: Dual-battery system, 10 hours each
Drivers: 40,000Hz hi-res drivers

Reasons to buy

+
Lossless audio
+
Convenient dual-battery system
+
Very versatile

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
Buy it if

You need something with a long battery life: Having a long battery life is a huge benefit for a headset. The last thing you'd want is to find yourself without audio in the middle of a Warzone match.

You want something versatile: If you play Call of Duty alongside other games, a versatile headset that will sound good in a range of titles like the Nova Pro can be a worthwhile investment.

Don't buy it if

You're shopping on a budget: This headset certainly doesn't come cheap. We think it's well worth the money for an avid Call of Duty player but, if you're working with a tight budget, consider some of the cheaper options on this list.

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless offers impressive lossless audio playback without any of the hassle that wires bring. It's absolutely perfect for Call of Duty players who are willing to spend more to get their hands on one of the very best wireless gaming headsets

The ultra convenient dual-battery charging system also means that you can swap out the headset's battery in a flash, getting a full charge without interrupting your game. Although it costs quite a lot, you're certainly going to be getting plenty of value for money from the incredible audio quality. 

The design is also very comfortable and it is compatible with a wide range of platforms. Better still, the wireless build means you're not even restricted to a single space when playing. If you're willing and able to pay the high price for a great headset like this, you're not going to regret it.

Best wireless gaming headset for Call of Duty

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

(Image credit: Future)
The best wireless gaming headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Wireless: Yes
Compatibility: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Battery life: 24 hours
Drivers: 50mm titanium

Reasons to buy

+
Great sound quality
+
Razer’s THX Spatial audio app for fine audio customization

Reasons to avoid

-
Isn’t fully compatible with consoles
-
Could use a better battery level indicator
Buy it if

You need a high-quality microphone: If the quality of your in-game communication matters to you, the microphone attached to the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is just the thing to deliver clear audio to your teammates.

You already own other Razer products: The power of the Razer brand is not to be underestimated and there's nothing better than having a fully coordinated setup from one manufacturer. Mixing this headset with other Razer products also allows you to make full use of its RGB features.

Don't buy it if

You value bass: It's not uncommon for gaming headset to lack bass but if you want gunshots and explosions to sound their best in matches you might want to consider something else.

Offering fantastic sound quality and an attractive design, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a great option for Call of Duty players looking for a quality wireless headset. It's also comfortable to wear which, accompanied by the long battery life, makes it ideal for long gaming sessions. 

Like other wireless headsets, the lack of wires tethering you to your PC or console also offers a good degree of additional flexibility to move around while you play. The Razer BlaskShark V2 also had absolutely no noticeable audio lag whatsoever in our testing. 

That said, it's worth noting that not all of its best features are compatible with consoles. If you play Call of Duty on a PC then you're set. If not, make sure to check the specific compatibility with your device before you buy so that you are not caught unawares.

Best wired gaming headset for Call of Duty

Fnatic React Plus

(Image credit: Future)
The best wired headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Drivers: 53mm
Microphone: Yes, detachable
Open/Closed back: Closed

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound quality
+
Lag-free
+
Used by pros

Reasons to avoid

-
Wired only
Buy it if

You play Call of Duty competitively: The Fnatic React Plus is specifically designed to help you get edge in competitive shooters like Call of Duty. Though the drivers are tuned to help emphasize footsteps, they don't sound harsh or lack depth.

You frequently chat with your friends: If you’re the kind of gamer who regularly jumps in to party chat with friends, the boom microphone on the Fnatic React Plus is a worthy choice.

Don't buy it if

You plan on listening to music: The Fnatic React Plus sound great when gaming, but is very underwhelming to use if you're going to be listening to music.

If you're looking for a wired headset that will help you take your Call of Duty gaming to the next level, the Fnatic React Plus is a superb contender. This wired gaming headset features Dolby Atmos support for simulated surround sound and we are also huge fans of the unique black on orange aesthetic.

Available for $74.99 / £84.99 / AU$140, the Fnatic React Plus is one of the more affordable wired gaming headsets available - especially from a such big-name brand. Most Call of Duty fans will also recognise the Fnatic name, as one the most popular and long-running eSports organizations. It's safe to say that they clearly know a thing or two about how to develop audio solutions for competition, but the performance is noticeably less impressive when listening to music. 

The microphone of the Fnatic React Plus is also a highlight, which makes it ideal for Call of Duty. With some gaming headsets, it can often be quite a challenge to stay heard during intense firefights, potentially leading to vital callouts being missed. That's not the case with the detachable mic found here, however, which features a cardioid pattern and pop filter that do an excellent job of ensuring that you are heard at all times without issue. 

Best haptic gaming headset for Call of Duty

Corsair HS60 Haptic gaming headset

(Image credit: Future)
The best feature-filled gaming headset for Call of Duty

Specifications

Wireless: No
Compatibility: PC
Battery life: N/A
Drivers: 50mm neodymium

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound
+
Haptic feedback works well
+
Good microphone

Reasons to avoid

-
Some might prefer a wireless headset
Buy it if

You want a noise-canceling microphone: You might not immediately appreciate the lack of background noise when you're talking in a match, but your teammates absolutely will.

You love haptic feedback: Haptic feedback can help create an even more immersive gaming experience. If you want a headset with haptic feedback, this is the one.

Don't buy it if

You don't want a wire: Having a wired headset necessitates you staying relatively close to your setup. If you don't want a wire restricting your movement, look at the wireless options on this list instead.

The Corsair HS60 Haptic is a great headset for Call of Duty players thanks to one rather unique feature. As the name suggests, it comes with haptic feedback, which works in a similar way to how force feedback works on most game controllers.

In action-heavy titles, it gives a decent buzz without compromising sound quality which is very impressive. As a feature many headsets don't include, it's undeniably something that makes this headset stand out against other alternatives you might consider when shopping.

Alongside making tense in-game moments all the more immersive, the crystal clear audio this headset offers makes it a valuable addition to our list of the best headsets for Call of Duty. Although it's among the more expensive on this list, the haptic feature comfortably justifies the additional cost. For team players, the microphone not only provides incredibly clear voice input but also comes with a few onboard controls for microphone muting, headset volume, and haptic intensity.

FAQs

What is the best Call of Duty headset?

If we had to recommend just one headset from this list, it would be the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless. It is a supremely comfy headset making it ideal for long gaming sessions. The addition of Dolby Atmos also greatly enhances the Call of Duty experience if you're playing on PC. It's a touch expensive, but is well worth the investment.

How do I hear footsteps better in Call of Duty?

Many of the headsets featured in this list will have preset equalizer settings tailor-made for FPS games which can help you hear footsteps better. Typically, this EQ setting will boost quieter or distant sounds like footsteps and gunshots so that you can better understand where your enemies are.

For a more general guide to headset shopping, be sure to check out our list of the best wired gaming headsets. For platform-specific headphones, see our best PS5 headsets and best Xbox Series X headsets guides.

Dashiell Wood
Hardware Writer

Dash is TechRadar Gaming's Hardware Writer. Before joining TechRadar, he was a print journalist writing articles for some of the UK's biggest gaming magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.

With contributions from