The best gaming headset right now is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, though with a hefty price point it's certainly not going to be right for everyone. If you're looking to spend less than $50 / 50, the Corsair HS35 is the best gaming headset for you. Meanwhile, anyone after a mid-range $60 - $100 / 60 - 100 headset should invest in the Razer BlackShark V2.
Gaming headsets come in a range of different configurations and, therefore, prices. At the budget end you can expect to pay between $40 and $60 / 40 and 60 for a wired headset with solid stereo audio quality, basic drivers, and a detachable boom microphone for online play. As we near the $100 / 100 mark you'll find more surround sound and wireless options, larger drivers, and additional EQ customization options.
The $100 - $200 / 100 - 200 price range is the most competitive. This is the upper mid-range where we tend to see high value gaming headsets offering premium features with some sacrifices to build or additional extras. Drivers and surround sound qualities will all be improved dramatically in this price range, and you'll find higher quality materials (which means a more comfortable form factor and longer lasting durability). You're also more likely to pick up split connections in this price range, allowing you to swap between a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection with different devices.
Adding one of the best gaming headsets to your setup can have a massive impact on the quality of your playtime, from sharpening your directional audio to giving those rumbling gunshots the bassy response they need. Everyone can benefit from finely tuned drivers, delicate balancing, and powerful volume - whether you're on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch.
We've had a massive range of gaming headsets wrapped around our ears over the years so we know a thing or two about what separates great audio from the rest. Between intensive testing and long term comparisons with newer releases, we've found a select few that stand out from the crowd. These aren't just gaming headsets that pack all the latest and greatest features into luxury price tags, though. We carefully balance cost and performance to find the highest value options out there.
Of course, the best gaming headset overall is going to cost a pretty penny. Currently that's the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, a multi-platform battery-saving superstar with fantastic sound and comfort. However, there's no shortage of excellent options further down the price scale either. We live and work with each of the gaming headsets we test, running them through a series of directional audio and balancing tasks across a range of different genres. You'll find all the fruits of our labor below.
If you're just after a solid set of cups to see you through everyday play, the Corsair HS35 is your go-to. Things are simple here, but the quality is still there and you're getting a sturdy yet comfortable frame for longer sessions.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless has blown the competition out of the water with its all-round excellence, and it's the best gaming headset we've tested so far. That premium look and feel is backed up by unmatched audio quality, a plethora of additional controls at your fingertips, and its unique answer to battery woes. With its latest generation of high-end gaming headsets, SteelSeries has truly outdone itself.
Design: Sitting at the top of the Nova line, the Pro Wireless carries the same design language as cheaper options through its build. That means you're getting a ski-goggle style headband and those chunky, slightly elongated cups on each side. We found the whole aesthetic to be more inline with an everyday set of headphones than a gaming headset. Everything feels solid and secure with an excellent level of adjustability on each side, and controls are within easy reach as well.
Features: Straight out the box we were greeted with a whole host of additional kit to truly help the Nova Pro shine. The base station is much more than a DAC, it's a charging, EQ fiddling, multi-platform connecting beast. Not only do you have easy access to a whole host of EQ settings via this small box, but you'll also be able to connect both a PC and PlayStation to easily switch your audio between them. We have a lot of gaming headsets to run through in testing, and none have been so easily slotted into everyday life as the Nova Pro.
However, the true triumph here lies in the charging capabilities. The right earcup opens up to reveal a swappable battery pack that can be lifted right out of the set itself. Simply throw in the additional battery charging in the base station and you'll never find yourself without charge. This was such a simple solution to a problem plaguing many a headset, it's difficult to understand why it hasn't been implemented in more high-end solutions. While the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless can pack a serious battery punch all by itself, this solution offers far greater peace of mind.
Audio: We'll admit it, we find ourselves naturally favoring the clarity and definition of SteelSeries' soundscapes - even if we've found previous models like the Arctis 7P lacked a little in the bass ranges. SteelSeries has upped the ante for its Nova line, and the Pro Wireless sings because of it. We were impressed with the power of the lower ranges here, but not only was the bass beefier than we've experienced with previous releases - the overall sound definition remained crystal clear in the higher ranges as well. That's a difficult balance to strike, but the result had us picking up on even the smallest of audio cues all while enjoying a rich tapestry of well-rounded sound.
The Verdict: The price point is going to be prohibitive for some, we'll admit. However, if you're looking to invest in a high-end headset for a PC / PS5 setup it's well worth indulging your ears with the Arctis Nova Pro. Between its slick battery implementation and luxury audio quality, there's plenty to love here - even without considering the hub based EQ settings and easy switching features.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed offers pretty much everything the far more expensive Pro model does (also featured down below), but does so at a price point that won't scare off the everyday player. We previously held the original Razer BlackShark V2 as the best gaming headset for the majority of players, but with a wireless connection and excellent microphone, 2023's Hyperspeed model has taken the cake.
Design: The Hyperspeed model doesn't stray too far from the rest of the BlackShark line. You're still getting the oval cups, pilot-style form factor, and steel adjustment sliders running from the main headband. Looking a little closer, it's obvious that Razer has made some cutbacks in the build quality, though. The plastic construction feels considerably cheaper than that of the Pro device, with a hollow plastic feel and leatherette cups. Those cups aren't going to last as long (they're prone to cracking and flaking), and they don't provide the same level of comfort thanks to increased temperatures compared to the breathable mesh used elsewhere. Still, with a low weight and densely cushioned headband this is still a comfortable fit for even the lengthiest session.
Features: Not only are you getting wireless capabilities in both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth here (features not present on the wired BlackShark V2) but you're also getting something even the Pro doesn't have - the ability to wire directly into your PC. That, plus the 70 hour battery life that far outranks its competition, means you'd be hard pressed to find yourself stuck without audio.
You'll still find the raised volume dial on the side as well - one of our favorite features of the BlackShark line. This dial provides super quick and easy access to volume controls, with a new textured surface for even greater precision. With Razer's super wideband microphone you're also getting an excellent audio quality to your chat comms as well.
Audio: The TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers under each side work particularly hard to keep your game audio crystal clear and well defined across the ranges. These are the same drivers featured in the Pro model and they shine just as bright in this cheaper form factor. Game audio was impressively detailed across the mid and lower ranges here - something cheaper wireless headsets tend to struggle with. On top of that, though, there was plenty of space in the scene for directional cues to ring true as well.
Verdict: You won't find audio and mic quality like this in many wireless headsets at this price. In fact, other options in this price range generally struggle to stand out. They're either just shy of the experience you can get for just a little more cash, or they can't offer enough to separate them from much cheaper options. In taking the audio quality of a premium headset and making some due sacrifices to the build materials, Razer has produced the best gaming headset for the majority of players out there.
Keeping it simple but maintaining some quality too, the Corsair HS35 is one of the best gaming headsets going when on a budget - and certainly one of the best cheap gaming headsets. The HS35 really bucks the trend of lower price tags usually meaning far less quality. Just because you're saving some cash doesn't mean you should have to forgo all the delicious sound goodness.
Design: In our eyes, this is a thoughtfully designed piece of kit, with a sturdy yet comfortable build and some impressive audio qualities. We were impressed by the HS35's first impression straight out of the box. Where we would usually expect to find an overload of hollow plastic and thin padding at this price point, the lightweight form factor and thoughtful coloring details stood out with a more premium feel. Thanks to memory foam ear-cups and a comfy headband, in our testing the Corsair HS35 proved itself to be snug without being uncomfortable after several hours of play, but also tough enough to withstand being pulled on and off your head without too much care, and withstand the odd accidental fall or bump.
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