Best PC gaming headsets

The best PC gaming headsets
There’s no better way to immerse in your game than with one of the best PC gaming headsets. (Image credit: Future)

Nothing will quite immerse you the way the best PC gaming headsets can when gaming. And while having a good monitor and a powerful gaming PC is important for an immersive experience, it’s not going to be enough. Strong visuals and horsepower are necessary but so is great audio, and there’s no better way to get there than with one of the best PC gaming headsets.

You might need the best PC gaming headset to drown out the fans in your gaming rig or because the gaming monitors you’ve been looking at come without speakers. Maybe it’s a matter of privacy or a way to turn up the sound with waking the neighborhood. Either way, quality audio is vital for the full gaming experience and you’ll want to get the best headset available for that reason alone.

To get that full experience, that immersion into the vast, vibrant worlds of the best PC games, you’ll also need a pair of cans with good sound staging. You might be delighting in the explosions and frenetic firefights of Gears 5 or relaxing in the laid-back world of Journey. And with that excellent sound stage, you’ll be able to pinpoint the location of each sound, making you feel like you’re really there.

HyperX Cloud Revolver S

(Image credit: HyperX)

HyperX Cloud Revolver S

Specifications

Interface: Wired (USB)
Features: 7.1-channel surround sound, 50mm drivers, Dolby DSP, 3.5mm jack

Reasons to buy

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All-day comfort

When we first sat down to review the HyperX Cloud Revolver S, we were a tad conflicted. On one hand, it boasts incredible 7.1-channel surround sound, delivered through Dolby's trademark digital signal processor. On the other, it's extremely expensive when compared to other similar headsets. Fortunately, as one of Kingston's most subdued pair of cans we've ever seen (or heard), the pure comfort and top-notch sound more than make up for its high price and weirdly placed detachable mic. And that’s why it tops our list of the best PC gaming headsets.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

Specifications

Interface: Wired (USB)
Features: 40mm drivers, Retractable boom microphone, DTS Headphone:X v2.0, RGB lighting, Included DAC

Reasons to buy

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Included DAC 

SteelSeries is known for offering impeccable audio, but the SteelSeries Arctis Pro takes things to the next level. This headset doesn’t just offer up immersive surround sound for all the explosive action of your favorite games, but thanks to its included DAC (digital to audio converter), the Arctis Pro also serves you well when listening to your favorite music. One of the best PC gaming headsets to date, this one’s a little on the pricey side, but when you consider just how comfortable and exceptional sounding this headset is, well, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best gaming headsets you can buy today.

Astro A50 Wireless

(Image credit: Astro)

Astro A50 Wireless (2019)

Specifications

Interface: Wireless
Features: Dolby Audio; Works with PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and mobile; Astro Audio; 5.8GHz wireless tech with MixAmp; USB charging with base station

Reasons to buy

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Supremely comfortable

For years, the Astro A50 has been one of the best gaming headsets, known for premium comfort and audio quality. And, the latest model improves it on almost every level. Not only is the sound quality still there in full, but it looks better, with a full-black design, rather than the clashing colors of past models. The docking station is also smaller and less of an eyesore. Just keep in mind that this is still a pricey headset. 

Beyerdynamic Custom Game

(Image credit: Beyerdynamic)

Beyerdynamic Custom Game

Specifications

Interface: Wired (3.5mm)
Features: Sound Slider, Soft ear pads, Changeable design covers, Detachable cable

Reasons to buy

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Impressive audio quality

While it’s more expensive than we’d like, the Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game is one of the best PC gaming headsets we’ve used in some time. It doesn’t feature flashy surround sound or wireless functionality, unfortunately. However, this headset does excel in two of the most important categories: sound and comfort. Seriously, once you put it on and experience your games in headphones this amazing, there’s no looking back.

Corsair HS50

(Image credit: Corsair)

Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset

Specifications

Interface: Wired (analog)
Features: 50mm drivers, Easy on-ear volume and mute controls, Multi-platform compatibility

Reasons to buy

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Excellent value

Usually, when you're purchasing anything, including gaming peripherals, you get what you pay for. However, Corsair takes this rule and turns it on its head. The Corsair HS50 is, for the budget gamer, the best PC gaming headset you can get today. The HS50 has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets that are double the price. Everything, down to the build materials, radiates quality. If you don't mind forgoing some extra bells and whistles – like 7.1 surround and Bluetooth connectivity, for example – then you need to take a look at the Corsair HS50.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Specifications

Interface: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Features: Dual-battery charging system, Bluetooth connectivity, 40mm drivers

Reasons to buy

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Lossless audio 

Compromises are a part of everyday life, but nobody actually enjoys making them. Luckily, you won’t have to with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. With it, you can get high-quality lossless audio playback with a wireless headset. And, when you add the unique and ultra-convenient dual-battery charging system that lets you wear this headset in perpetuity to the mix, you have a formula for one of the best PC gaming headsets we've ever had the chance to use. If you have the money, and you absolutely need the best wireless headphones money can buy, this is your best bet.

Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

(Image credit: Creative)

Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

Specifications

Interface: Wired (USB and Analog)
Features: 50mm drivers, reinforced steel and aluminum build, detachable and flexible mic

Reasons to buy

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Very comfortable

Creative has made a name for itself over the years for crafting sublime audio products – and the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition further cements that legacy. Instead of just sitting back and iterating on the same winning formula of its previous products, Creative gives the Sound BlasterX H7 a full overhaul, resulting in a PC gaming headset that looks just as great as it sounds. If you’re looking for a comfortable, solid, and meaty-sounding headset, the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is one of the best PC gaming headsets you can get.

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero

Specifications

Interface: Wireless connectivity
Features: Metal headband, powerful desktop software, enable Waves NX 3D Audio, ProSpecs Glasses Relief system

Reasons to buy

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Plenty of features  

Yes, there might be a few things that hold the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero back from true greatness – namely, its tight fit and not-so-appealing aesthetic. However, when it comes to what really matters, this headset delivers. With great sound quality to start, coupled with its ProSpecs Glasses Relief system to make it more comfortable for wearers with glasses, a plethora of features, and incredibly powerful software, this is one of the best gaming headsets we’ve ever put over our ears. And, for it, you’ll be happy to pay what would have felt like an exorbitant price. 

Razer Nari Ultimate

(Image credit: Razer)

Razer Nari Ultimate

Specifications

Interface: Wireless
Features: 8-hour battery life, HyperSense haptic feedback, compatible with many devices, 50mm drivers

Reasons to buy

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Tons of connectivity

Anyone can simply just listen to their games, but with the Razer Nari Ultimate, you can feel them as well. This gaming headset has haptic motors in the ear cups that make your ears vibrate. That’s more than enough to make this at least a curious headset, but when paired with the long battery life, amazing sound quality and comfortable build, it’s clearly one of the best gaming headsets out there. Do yourself a favor and turn off the haptic feedback, even when you’re listening to music.

Astro A20

(Image credit: Astro)

Astro A20

Specifications

Interface: Wireless
Features: Long-lasting battery life, Astro Command Center software, console compatibility

Reasons to buy

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High-quality sound

If you're searching for one of the best PC gaming headsets, but the high price tags on those high-end cans make your stomach turn, you should take a closer look at the Astro A20. Boasting solid stereo sound performance in a wireless headset, not to mention the superb 15-hour battery life, this headset has all the necessary qualities that you might want in its price range. Sure, it doesn't come with surround sound, but it more than makes up for it with its economy and battery life.

Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

Specifications

Interface: Wireless (Bluetooth)
Features: 7.1-channel surround sound, 50mm Neodymium drivers, Bluetooth, Built-in DAC

Reasons to buy

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Aesthetic 

Reasons to avoid

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With its Republic of Gamers brand, Asus has built a reputation for being the name behind some of the best gaming peripherals to constantly meet consumer standards. The Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 joins their ranks. Packed with 50mm Neodymium drivers and Bluetooth compatibility, this gaming headset provides fantastic sound quality without being tethered with a wire. It’s even compatible with other gaming platforms, so you won’t have to switch between different headsets. It’s a little pricey, but considering how good this headset sounds and how flexible it is, we’d say it’s worth it.

HyperX Cloud Flight

(Image credit: HyperX)

HyperX Cloud Flight

Specifications

Interface: : Wireless
Features: Long-lasting battery life, durable, adjustable steel slider, PC and PS4 compatibility, detachable noise-cancellation microphone

Reasons to buy

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30 hour battery life

The HyperX Cloud Flight is a long-lasting wireless gaming headset that boasts up to 30 hours of battery life. This means you can likely get two full days of gaming in between full charges. There is a catch, however – unlike the Cloud Flight’s competition, namely the Astro A20, this gaming headset only offers stereo sound, ditching any surround sound capability. You can thankfully get circumvent that by messing around with the Dolby Access app, though, and the sound profile is balanced enough to make this a non-issue, making this one of the best PC gaming headsets money can buy.

Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset

(Image credit: Corsair)

Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset

Specifications

Interface: Wireless
Features: Corsair CUE, Virtual 7.1 surround, Discord-certified unidirectional microphone

Reasons to buy

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 Great audio for gaming 

Corsair unveiled one of the best PC gaming headsets late last year with the Corsair HS50, and now, it has taken it to the next level by making it wireless and flourishing it with virtual surround sound capabilities. These features on their own might make a great gaming headset, but when you add in the fantastic Corsair CUE software on top of it, you get a complete package that would make a great addition to your gaming setup.

Corsair Void Pro RGB

(Image credit: Corsair)

Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless

Specifications

Interface: : Wireless
Features: : 50mm drivers, noise-cancelling microphone, RGB lighting, Dolby Headphone 7.1 audio

Reasons to buy

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Nice design

It wasn't that long ago that Corsair was only known for PC components. However, over the last five years or so, it has possibly become better known for its gaming peripherals. With products like the Corsair Void RGB Wireless, it's not hard to understand why. While at first glance, some may scoff at the asking price, the Void Pro RGB Wireless delivers on that price point with great build quality, fantastic sound fidelity, and – perhaps most importantly – RGB lighting. Plus, if you've already got a full arsenal of Corsair peripherals, the Void Pro RGB Wireless fits in perfectly, and can even synchronize lighting effects with other peripherals through the Corsair Utility Engine.

Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee was a former computing reporter at TechRadar. Kevin is now the SEO Updates Editor at IGN based in New York. He handles all of the best of tech buying guides while also dipping his hand in the entertainment and games evergreen content. Kevin has over eight years of experience in the tech and games publications with previous bylines at Polygon, PC World, and more. Outside of work, Kevin is major movie buff of cult and bad films. He also regularly plays flight & space sim and racing games. IRL he's a fan of archery, axe throwing, and board games.