This month, we've got a new addition to our list of gaming headsets, and this time it's a high-res audio one from Dell. The Alienware AW720H is a fantastic wireless gaming headset that not only delivers crisp and detailed sound but offers an immersive listening experience as well.
We also have a new best gaming headset overall. Though we're still in the process of reviewing it, it's very clear that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the best there is in terms of audio performance.
Michelle Rae Uy, Buying Guides Editor
The best PC gaming headsets deliver a deeper level of immersion for a better gaming experience. A top-notch gaming headset is a clear upgrade if you want better soundstage and to disconnect from the outside world. And, in many ways, it's much better for your gaming sessions than most traditional PC speakers.
Although a case can be made for the best computer speakers, PC gaming headsets are designed to make gamers feel like they're in the middle of the action. Some can even help them win, thanks for features like enhanced environmental sounds (often called superhuman hearing) and better sound imaging.
Admittedly, the best headphones can often offer better audio. However, you're also losing out on microphone quality, as well as features that are specifically designed to make online gaming more enjoyable. So, whether you're a regular gamer or a pro, the best PC gaming headset might be a better choice, as you're getting a higher-quality microphone and incredible gaming features to help you reach the top of the leaderboards.
We’ve tested tons of gaming headsets, including the latest releases, and we've put each one through its paces to gauge its performance, comfort, features, and design. So, we know which ones are worth seeking and which ones are worth skipping. To help you make the right choice, these are our top picks for the best PC gaming headset along with the best prices available. From budget gaming headsets to wireless gaming headphones, there's something here for everyone.
The best PC gaming headsets 2023
We are currently still in the process of testing the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the wired (and therefore less expensive) version of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but it's already evident that it's the best gaming headset on the market right now. That's for both PC and console gaming.
This gaming headset delivers hi-res audio, which means that you're getting crisp and highly detailed sound, whether you're gaming or consuming music and movies. Add in the Spatial Audio feature, which you do have to enable via the supporting software, and it's a whole new immersive experience that we haven't really experienced with other headsets with surround sound. And, it's also incredibly comfortable and luxurious feeling, so we honestly do not mind wearing this for hours on end.
The only difference here is that since it is wired, the price of entry isn't as steep as on the wireless version, making it more accessible to those who don't have deep pockets. Make no mistake; it's still pretty pricey. But, if you're willing to pay the price for audio that even audiophiles can't resist, this is the PC gaming headset to get.
It’s hard to believe how much the Corsair HS65 costs considering the many advantage you’re getting from it. This absolute stunner of a gaming headset punches well above its weight not just in features but in sound quality, making it a must for pretty much every, including those who can afford the pricier options on this list.
This is one of the best wired gaming headsets right now, sporting Corsair’s new elegant design, a flip-to-mute mic that’s intuitive to use, luxurious memory foam leatherette ear pads, a lightweight form factor, and a 3.5mm connectivity that you can turn into a USB connection via the included 7.1 surround sound USB adapter.
It terms of sound and surround sound performance, it absolutely slays. During our review, we found that even with stereo hardware, it manages to maximize that Dolby Audio 7.1 capability for an immersive experience. All of the frequencies are represented well, with a bass that’s incredibly present, highs that are clear and detailed, and mids that sound full.
Read our full Corsair HS65 review
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is an impressively feature-filled affair. It comes with active noise cancellation, the ability to connect to two different sources and mix them in together at once, and a noise-cancelling mic that can block out the clicky-clack of your keyboard.
It even tests the limits of how long you can wear a headset before charging. It might not have 300 hours of battery life but its 20 hours of use per battery can be extended for as long as you want since you can hot swap batteries while still in the middle of the action.
And, like most SteelSeries headsets, we found the audio quality here to be top-notch no matter if you’re gaming or listening to music. It's clear, detailed, clean, and comes with great bass response. The main concern is the fact that you can get the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless with support for Playstation or Xbox but not both.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review
Wireless headphones are no longer plagued with latency, with such releases as the Logitech G Pro X Wireless setting a higher standard for wireless audio. One of the best gaming headsets out there, this pair of cans gives you wireless freedom alongside low latency, robust build quality and, most importantly, excellent sound. We were absolutely blown away its audio quality and surround sound.
It also boasts up to 20 hours of battery life, and a wireless range of up to 13 meters, which is pretty impressive and means you won’t have to stop communicating with your team members when you’re grabbing a snack or a drink.
Its microphone could be better, in our humble opinion, and it could also be cheaper. The Logitech G Pro X Wireless is among the most expensive option on this list, beating out even the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro. However, if you have the cash (and you don’t use the mic that much anyway), this one’s a shoo-in.
Read our full Logitech G Pro X Wireless review
The HyperX Cloud Alpha has always been a mainstay for gaming headsets with great sound quality that doesn't cost a fortune. And, the latest update of this classic gaming headset is no different.
It keeps everything we love about the original – including its affordable price and all-day comfort – while adding a few vital improvements like support for virtual 7.1 surround sound. That should help you enjoy a more immersive experience and enhance your gameplay. We felt a wild rush playing PC games on it, enhanced through its audio presentation.
There are a few other things to love here. With excellent and removable Mic, this is a solid choice for anyone that likes to jump in Discord with their friends and chat - and the Discord certification certainly helps there too. Naturally, it’s durable enough that you won't have to just turn around and buy another gaming headset after a few months.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha (2022) review
There aren’t a lot of gaming headsets that offer hi-res audio, and some of the ones that do struggle to make it on this list for one reason or another. But there’s certainly no doubt that the Alienware has earned its spot here.
Decently affordable for the sound quality of offers, this new offering from Alienware is incredibly detailed and crisp. We’ve tested it with games that have a lot of high end environmental sound, and we’re not exaggerating that it’s a whole different experience. Enable Dolby Atmos, and you’re instantly transported inside your game. We only wish that the mid range frequencies are represented better, but that isn’t really a deal-breaker especially if you’re looking for a wireless gaming headset that won’t feel like highway robbery.
It's got a long battery life as well, even with the RGB lighting on, and a comfortable fit as well so that you can wear it for hours. Strangely enough though, it won't look as good on those with smaller heads due to the way its headband is designed.
Read our full Alienware AW720H review
Not only does the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless sound fantastic, but it has an absolutely incredible battery life. When tested, we barely made a dent in its reported 300 hours of use. What’s more impressive is that it achieves that long battery life without cutting many corners. It’s a comfy fit and keeps a relatively light weight while housing some surprisingly large 50mm drivers.
Of course, it does compromise in a few places. We sorely missed the ability for Bluetooth or even analog connectivity. And, some of its features such as Spatial Audio are only accessible through its Windows-only app. But, those are mostly small quibbles.
The Cloud Alpha Wireless comes with a solid mic that offers excellent background rejection and a good amount of customizability via its Ngenuity app. Combine that with clear audio that works with all media and a battery life that’s ten times longer than most headsets and you have an almost perfect headset.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The new SteelSeries Arctis Nova line is even better than its predecessor, ushering in the next generation of Arctis headsets that are better-sounding and more feature rich than the headsets before them. That includes the mid-range SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless whose great sound quality, good battery life, new elegant yet still comfortable design, and great feature set makes it a better investment than the Arctis 7.
Because SteelSeries has rolled out its Sonar Audio app to let you customize the headset’s sound using the parametric EQ, the Arctis Nova starts you off with a more neutral sound. But, at its default, we found it to be already impressive with mids that are just right and lows that are present enough for you to feel that rumble without overwhelming you.
As a nice bonus, you’re getting a USB-C dongle for wireless connectivity, which means you can use it with your Switch and phone as well as your consoles.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless review
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max isn’t just a great headset for glasses wearers because Turtle Beach says so. It’s because Turtle Beach took an already comfortable headset and used dual-foam cushions that are softer where your glasses sit. No longer do you have to worry about feeling that pressure against your head after a few hours of gaming.
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max also does what it can to be your one-and-only headset by including compatibility to just about every device, including all the major consoles. We did find the audio quality to be gaming-focused with features that accentuate certain frequencies for playing that don't translate as well to music.
Still, anyone that wears glasses will be happy to keep a pair of these around for that next gaming session. And, those cushions are also infused with cooling gel so that you’ll also feel cool no matter how long you’ve been playing.
Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max review
The Corsair HS55 Wireless is improves on its predecessor, the Corsair HS55 Wireless Core, in a massive way. This affordable wireless PC gaming headset comes with many extra frills you’ll be glad to have, including its on-the-fly EQ preset control, lightweight design, wireless connectivity with a 50ft range, and a decent 24-hour battery life. It also sports Corsair new elevated and elegant design upgrade that will make you want to wear it as a pair of headphones.
But, more importantly, It's better sounding, more user-friendly, and ever so slightly plushier than its predecessor, which makes it a better value considering it's just as affordable. The high end, we found, is more detailed and present, giving you brighter and crisper audio - though for some reason Corsair also tones down the bass, which might turn off bass-worshipping gamers.
We also appreciate Corsair’s efforts to deliver improved surround sound. The inclusion of Dolby Audio 7.1 allows the soundstage to be wider and more three-dimensional, making you feel like you’re right in the action.
Read our full Corsair HS55 Wireless review
Don’t judge the Corsair HS80 RGB USB by its looks. Or do, if you like RGB lighting. Instead, judge it by how it sounds. That’s because the HS80 gives you blow-you-out-of-your-seat amazing Hi-Res audio whether you’re tethered or going wireless, not to mention the inclusion of Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. During our review, we particularly enjoyed the immersion of its surround sound and found the sound to be clear and well-rounded whether we listened to streaming, gaming, or use the HS80 for video conferencing.
We were also impressed by its build, if not quite its look, and its comfort. This headset is built to last. And, its floating headband and memory foam earpads mean you can wear these for hours and barely notice. You might not be able to detach the mic or the cable and that could be a dealbreaker for some. But, the audio quality more than makes up for it.
Read our full Corsair HS80 RGB USB review
There are not many headsets as feature-packed as the Razer Barracuda Pro. It comes with beamforming mics so there’s no pesky mic in your face. Its hybrid active noise cancellation is good enough to become your main headphone at work, at home and everywhere in between. And, it comes with the ability to switch between two paired devices with the press of a button. However, we find that feature’s execution to be a little spotty.
We also find the audio quality to be excellent for general use but strangely not as good for gaming. Depending on how you like your audio, that might be positive or negative. Either way, the Barracuda Pro is one of the more comfortable headsets we’ve had the pleasure of testing. So, if you’re looking for a gaming headset that adds great ANC to a complete package, look no further.
Read our full Razer Barracuda Pro review
Focusing primarily on three attributes: positional audio, communication clarity and noise cancellation, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a premium wireless gaming headset in every sense of the word. It’s a little on the expensive side, but with high-end features like Titanium 50MM drives, breathable Flowknit memory foam ear cushions and Razer’s HyperClear Supercardioid mic, you’ll be happy to pay that price. Combine those with its light 262g weight, and it’ll feel like an aural spa treatment on your head.
Of course, it delivers a badass gaming audio performance as well. Razer’s THX Game Profiles should also help pinpoint your enemies with uncanny precision. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has a great feature set, serious battery life, excellent build quality and impressive sound quality, all of which work together to deliver an amazing audio experience whether you’re gaming on your PC or watching a movie.
Read our full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review
The JBL Quantum 810 Wireless isn’t just one of the best-sounding PC gaming headsets we've ever tested. It’s also one of the most feature-rich ones for PC gamers, with extras like surround sound for PC and lots of delicious RGB lighting.
More importantly, it delivers excellent audio reproduction and a fantastic mic performance, making a complete package for gaming. JBL claims a frequency response of 20Hz to 40kHz, and while a ceiling of 40kHz is unnecessary as it is beyond most human’s hearing capacity, we have found in our testing that this allows the headset the capability for clearer audio reproduction. And, that certainly helps give it that beautiful audio it delivers.
Finally, there’s ANC here – something that most headsets are missing. It isn’t anything to write home about, but it works fine especially when your game audio is going.
Read the full JBL Quantum 810 Wireless review
The Astro A30 ticks many elements that make a fantastic PC gaming headset, delivering great sound quality, a decently wide soundstage for gaming, and a mostly comfortable experience (once you break it in since it's got a slightly tighter clamping force out of the box). It's versatile as well, following in the footsteps of other newer headsets that can moonlight as headphones that you can use with your mobile devices and wearables. Astro even throws in Logitech G mobile app support that allows you to EQ its sound, among other things. And, while there isn't any RGB here, its customizable design makes it for that in a big way.
The sound quality isn't perfect, we've found during testing, and there's not a lot of rumble to satisfying deep bass-hungry gamers. But there's good sub-bass extension, good mids, and a fairly balanced high end for your general audio needs. When it comes to gaming, that high end is lifted, allowing games to sound more detailed and the low-mids are boosted to make everything sound even fuller.
The biggest downside to the Astro A30 is that it is a little pricier than its direct rivals. However, its great feature-set, which we've mentioned in our full review, makes it an excellent proposition if you can afford it.
Read our full Astro A30 review
How to choose the best PC gaming headset for you?
How to choose the best PC gaming headset for you?
Whether you've recently invested in a gaming laptop or you’re working with the best budget gaming PC you could piece together, your PC gaming experience isn’t going to be fully realized until you have invested in quality, immersive audio. That’s where PC gaming headsets come in.
PC games are just about the visuals, after all. In fact, many of them require you to have accurate sound imaging and an excellent soundstage to get to the top of the leaderboards. Luckily, top-notch gaming headsets from budget to premium are already equipped with those.
However, these days, you can be more discerning about things like sound quality and mic performance as well. Thanks to the improvements manufacturers have made to their products, PC gaming headsets – or at least, the best of them – are now just as great for music listening and movie watching as they are for gaming. That’s without costing a whole lot more than those with subpar sound quality.
Take a look at how comfortable the headband and ear cups sit on your head as well. Many headsets these days pride themselves on having plush memory foam and soft, sweat-wicking foam cover; however, not all of them actually offer that level of comfort. And, if you plan on gaming for hours, you need to choose one that won’t hurt your head when you wear it for long periods.
Finally, there are things like type of interface (wireless or wired), connectivity and range, and RGB lighting to consider as well.
What are the best gaming headset brands?
There are so many options out there, it can be hard to figure out which companies really deliver when it comes to a quality pair of cans. Just about every computer peripheral company seems to make gaming headsets. But, they are not all equal.
While SteelSeries has some of the more expensive options out there, the company consistently offers top-notch sound quality. Even in more stripped down models, the audio never suffers. Likewise, Logitech may not always reach the same heights in audio quality as SteelSeries but it always puts out a good sounding, comfortable product at a reasonable price.
However, the heaviest hitters in gaming audio are Razer and Corsair. Not only do they offer pairs for most every budget, but they come with all sorts of features like THX or Dolby Atmos, haptic feedback, and great battery life for the wireless options.
But don’t limit yourself to just those brands. As proven by our picks here, Astro, Turtle Beach, and the typically non-gaming focused Beyerdynamic all make some excellent headsets.
What headset do pro gamers use?
If you want a gaming headset like pro gamers, look no further than our list. One of the most well-known and sought after gaming accessory brands is Razer and quite a few of their products made our list. Razer is not only highly regarded for its brand recognition - their products are what most pro gamers swear by. Razer headsets are lightweight and have stellar audio performance, so if you can afford to make the jump there’s no reason to delay.
A more affordable pro gamer headset is the Corsair HS50 Pro - another one of our top picks. Corsair is known for making great gamer technology that doesn’t disappoint and can often be more affordable than other top-of-the-line accessories. If you’re looking for a headset pro gamers use without breaking the bank, Corsair might be a great choice for you.
How we test PC gaming headsets
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Testing gaming headsets are among our favorite things to do here at TechRadar. They might not be as exciting as the latest graphics cards or the newest gaming PCs, but they can be just as fun to try out and appraise.
During such a test, we take a look at the design aspects first, checking to see if the gaming headset is as robust and as comfortable as it should be. We also check how responsive and accessible its controls are. If wireless, we test the connectivity, range, and battery life as well, making sure that it delivers as promised or better. If wired, we test the length, durability, and flexibility of the cable.
Finally, we test the sound quality – just how balanced it is and how present all the frequencies are, as well as the soundstage and sound imaging to see just how immersive and accurate they are. We test these out on games as well as music and movies.
We then take everything we’ve learned about the gaming headset and compare it to its price – whether or not it’s performance and features are worth that price tag, and whether or not it offers the best value to customers.
Today's best PC gaming headset deals
Focusing primarily on three attributes: positional audio, communication clarity and noise cancellation, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a premium wireless gaming headset in every sense of the word. It’s a little on the expensive side, but with high-end features like Titanium 50MM drives, breathable Flowknit memory foam ear cushions and Razer’s HyperClear Supercardioid mic, you’ll be happy to pay that price. Combine those with its light 262g weight, and it’ll feel like an aural spa treatment on your head.
Of course, it delivers a badass gaming audio performance as well. Razer’s THX Game Profiles should also help pinpoint your enemies with uncanny precision. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has a great feature set, serious battery life, excellent build quality and impressive sound quality, all of which work together to deliver an amazing audio experience whether you’re gaming on your PC or watching a movie.
Read our full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review
