Best gaming headsets 2021: Wireless, budget and more
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Finding the best gaming headset is arguably as important as choosing a gaming keyboard or even a graphics card. After all, the sound of your virtual world and the way you communicate with your teammates all depend on the device you use. wear on your head.
But choosing the best gaming headset for your ears isn't easy, in part due to the current saturation of the market. dash of software magic and maybe a little RGB, PC gamers are now being offered more choices than ever. A quick search of a few popular online retailers will yield hundreds of choices from dozens of companies, ranging from less than $10 (£8) to over $600 (£460). You may already know how much you're willing to spend on a pair of cans, but there's still plenty more to consider.
Luckily, we've tested loads of gaming headsets (to see each model we've tested, check out our
gaming headset reviews page
). Below are the best gaming headsets we've tested.
Quick Gaming Headset Buying Tips
Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the best gaming headset for you:
Wired or wireless?
Wired headsets generally cost less and don't need charging, so if you typically game at your desk, you might want to stick with wired options to keep things cheaper and simpler. A wired headset won't die on you in the middle of battle, either.
Headbands and earpieces.
Comfort is more subjective than measuring audio output and input, but generally speaking, you should be wary of plush gaming headsets with thick bulges, cheap foam pads, and fabric covers. have tested these types of headphones, we have often seen disappointing acoustic performance. The material of the ear cushions can make a huge difference in what your ears ultimately perceive.
Audio and microphone quality.
These are very important if you want the best gaming headset, but impossible to rate on single or dual stage models. We focus on these aspects in detail in our reviews. In short, detailed reproduction and good resolution spatial, especially when dealing with complex noises and environments with multiple sound sources, are more important than any attempt at simulated surround sound.
A key Bluetooth specification: aptX.
If you go wireless and opt for Bluetooth (no USB dongle needed), look for headsets that support
aptX from Qualcomm
tech, a compression (codec) technology that has been used for decades in television and film voice work, in movie theater audio, and in thousands of radio stations. If you've heard Bluetooth audio on over the past few years and you hated it (that's certainly
was
bad for a long time), listen to aptX compatible headphones. As long as the underlying hardware is good, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the sound output.
The best gaming headsets you can buy today
With exemplary comfort and versatile sound, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for most.
(Image credit: HyperX)
1. HyperX Cloud Alpha
Best Gaming Headset
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
65 Ohms |
Response frequency:
13–27,000Hz |
Microphone:
Unidirectional |
Connectivity:
3.5mm |
Weight:
0.7 pounds (317.5g)
Neutral sound quality
Solid build quality
Good choice of material
Comfortable fit
a bit heavy
Small dips and peaks in the frequency curve
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for most gamers, offering near-perfect sound quality and impressive value, especially if you can find it for.
less than $100
.Noise reproduction with these boxes sounds natural and the speakers avoid annoying defects, such as overly aggressive bass or treble. range with rare reasonable price.
In terms of long-term wearability, the headset earns its Cloud mark with a lightweight, comfortable fit made from quality materials. This includes thick memory foam padding on the headband and ear cups and HyperX's decision to opt for aluminum over plastic in some important areas. The overall look and feel are both quality. If you like the design of the Cloud Alpha but want something with more functionality, there is also the
HyperX Cloud Alpha S
.Essentially the same headset but with virtual 7.1 surround sound, in-line controller and bass sliders on each ear cup.Black and blue or all black color options (instead of black and gold or black and red from Cloud Alpha) also add more options.
Read:
HyperX Cloud Alpha review
Packed with premium features and sound, Corsair's Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is the best wireless gaming headset.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
2. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE
Best Wireless Gaming Headset
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-40,000Hz |
Microphone:
Omnidirectional |
Connectivity:
2.4GHz Type-A USB Flash Drive |
Weight:
0.8 pounds (360g)
Powerful Hi-Res Sound
Impeccable presentation
Great battery life
Wireless range depends on home construction
Headband sags a little over time
Slightly heavy reverb
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of the few headsets that looks as good as it looks. The best wireless gaming headset for most, it delivers premium sound that enters audiophile territory and has the looks nice and shiny instead of clunky and heavy. The SE version of the Virtuoso RGB features bronze-colored aluminum stamped with an RGB key via the Corsair logo. It is.
The Virtuoso RGB SE delivered powerful audio, including high-DPI support, in our tests. Its 50mm drivers also sounded great with gunfights in games like
Borders 3
.The music reproduction of the cans was in the middle of bass-heavy cans like the
Audio-Technica ATH-G1
and flatter like the
SteelSeris Arctis Pro Wireless
listed below.
Rounding it all off with 20 hours of wireless battery life, Corsair's Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is a fine pair of cans that both look and sound great.
Read:
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE review
Creative's SXFI Air Gamer offers high-end features at a more value-oriented price.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
3. Creative SXFI Air Gamer
Best Bluetooth Gaming Headset
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
> 2.2 kohm |
Response frequency:
20-20,000Hz |
Microphone:
2x bidirectional, 1x omnidirectional |
Connectivity:
Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C Cable, 3.5mm Cable |
Weight:
0.8 pounds (335g)
Excellent audio quality for games, music, movies
Simultaneous USB and Bluetooth connections let you hear both your PC and your phone
Installation requires a smartphone and is much easier with a second person
External sound insulation could be better
The Creative SXFI Air Gamer offers many features of the more expensive Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT on this page, but at a much cheaper price. If you want cans you can connect to your PC via a reliable cable and switch or add a Bluetooth connection simultaneously, this is the best gaming headset with Bluetooth for you.
Creative's offering differs from the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT in looks, and there's no option to connect via a wireless dongle. If that's okay, you get a headset that can use a 3.5 connection. mm or USB and be paired with your phone or other Bluetooth device at the same time. The best part is that the audio quality is next level, including superior bass reproduction, and is suitable for your favorite games, as well as watching movies or listening to music.
The SXFI Air Gamer also takes it a step further by offering not 1, not 2, but 3 microphones. You get a small detachable bidirectional mic and a larger one, as well as the built-in omnidirectional mic on the earpiece. This lets you prioritize the quality or portability, depending on your situation.
After:
Reviews on Creative SXFI Air Gamer
You can connect to two devices simultaneously with this Bluetooth gaming headset.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
4. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT
Best Bluetooth Gaming Headset Craze
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-40,000Hz |
Microphone:
Omnidirectional |
Connectivity:
3.5mm, USB Type-A cable, USB Type-A dongle, Bluetooth |
Weight:
0.8 pounds (362.9g)
Comfortable and classy
Simultaneous dongle/Bluetooth connectivity lets you hear your phone and PC
Expensive
Battery life isn't great when connected to two devices
Many gamers prefer to play with a dongle connection over Bluetooth for speed and reliability, but if you're looking for the ability to port save or connect to two devices at once, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is the go-to. best gaming headset for you. .A newer version of the Virtuoso Wireless RGB SE and similar to the Creative SFXI Air Gamer (both on this page), the more expensive Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT lets you connect via 3.5mm, USB Type-A cable included , a wireless or Bluetooth dongle with aptX. And like the Creative SFXI Air Gamer above, with these cans you can connect to two different devices simultaneously via a dongle and Bluetooth. It has proven to be a boon to productivity , allowing us to play with a dongle and hear music or notifications from our phone, for example, so that we never miss a thing. The downside is that the headphones are designed to last 20 hours with a single device , but only 15 hours if connected to two devices.
Out of the box, the headset is designed for gaming, with sounds like moaning zombies and flapping Varkid wings. For music, you'll probably want to download Corsair's software and change the EQ. that we found our favorite setting, we enjoyed more natural mids and punchy but not overpowering lows.
But with comfort that makes the headset lighter than cans with less weight and a mature, versatile and sleek design, including 10 headband settings, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is a premium wireless option for gamers.
For a cheaper wireless gaming headset with great performance, consider the dongle only
SteelSeries Arctis 7
.
Read:
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT Review
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset for a cheap price but a good build.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
5. Asus TUF Gaming H3
Best Budget Gaming Headset
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-20,000Hz |
Microphone:
Unidirectional condenser |
Connectivity:
3.5mm |
Weight:
0.6 lbs (272.2g)
Impressive sound quality
Incredibly comfortable
Questionable build quality
Advertised virtual 7.1 surround sound is Windows Sonic, usable through any 3.5mm headset
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset to preserve your budget. These can be hard to find, but you can usually see it selling for
about $40
.Despite the lower price, you still get a headset that fits well and sounds great right out of the box.That means you can jump right into the game without fiddling with any software.When we tested the cans , performance was on par with more expensive competitors, including the
Asus TUF Gaming H7
.We attribute this largely to the H3's comfortable fit with leatherette touch points preventing sound leakage.
The downside is that these aren't particularly pretty. And if you're keen on virtual 7.1 surround sound, note that the H3 is a 3.5mm headset that only uses Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, which any 3.5mm headphone can use.
But when it comes to gaming and hearing audio cues like weapon switches, this headset gets the job done without effort on your part or seriously damaging your bank account.
Looking for a cheap helmet
without
virtual surround sound? Take a look at our
Roccat Elo X Stereo review
.
Read:
Asus TUF Gaming H3 review
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S delivers powerful and immersive 3D audio via headtracking,
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
6. HyperX Cloud Orbit S
Best gaming headset for virtual surround sound
Driver:
100mm neodymium |
Impedance:
Undisclosed |
Response frequency:
10-50,000Hz |
Microphone:
Unidirectional condenser |
Connectivity:
3.5mm, USB Type-A, USB Type-C |
Weight:
0.8 pounds (362.9g)
Immersive and powerful 3D audio
Soft, squishy headband and earbuds
Good battery life
Precise head tracking
a bit heavy
Head tracking audio impact varies by game
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is, indeed, expensive, but its sound quality and premium features make it the best gaming headset to splurge on. The cans give you a noticeable gaming advantage, thanks to its 3D mode customizable with head tracking. When playing with head tracking, the location of your enemies is obvious and the auditory environment moves with you.
You can also use head tracking as in-game controls, freeing up your hands for more action. (For another head tracking option with premium features, check out the similar price
JBL Quantum One
).
There are cheaper headsets with true surround sound (instead of the virtual surround sound of the Orbit S) and wireless capability. But the Orbit S, which sports the same memory foam headband and ear cups from comfortable fit than other headsets in HyperX's Cloud lineup, delivers a gaming edge you'll actually notice.
We also love the versatility of this headset. In addition to supporting high resolution, virtual surround, and 3D audio, you can use the headset with a 3.5mm jack, USB Type-A port, or USB Type-A port. USB Type-C port.
Read:
HyperX Cloud Orbit S Reviews
Its Quad DAC makes the Asus ROG Delta S the best gaming headset for high resolution.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
7. Asus ROG Delta S
Best gaming headset for high resolution
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-40,000Hz |
Microphone:
Noise Canceling Condenser |
Connectivity:
USB Type-C or USB-C to USB-A adapter |
Weight:
0.7 pounds (320g)
Incredible audio clarity
Solid build quality
short cable
Slight sound leak
Not all gamers demand the joys of hi-res music equally, but those who do can upgrade to more powerful and immersive jam sessions, especially with the Asus ROG Delta S. These boxes snatched the title of best hi-res gaming headset
SteelSeries Arctis Pro+ GameDAC
, in part by including a more powerful DAC. Asus opts for the ESS 9281 Pro Quad DAC for lossless audio processing, which is specified for 140 dB of dynamic range and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 130 dB, compared to the ESS 9018 on 121 dB of the SteelSeries. and 109 dB, respectively. On the ROG Delta S, Hi-Res music had a meaty reverb and also sounded live.
In terms of gaming, the ROG Delta S is also top of the line, delivering more punch to the overall soundscape than its rivals, from the tinkle of a bow and arrow to the cracks of an assault rifle. Just be sure that those nearby might start to hear the action if you crank the volume up to 75% or more.
Meanwhile, virtual 7.1 surround sound performance varied. We couldn't identify enemies any better with
Riders
, but in
Horizon Zero Dawn
, the amplified environmental sounds featured. It's easy to prefer the DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround system used by Arctis Pro + GameDac to the one concocted by Asus.
The Arctis Pro+ GameDac has other quality of life benefits too, like a display-equipped DAC with ChatMix control. However, the ROG Delta S doesn't leave you hanging when it comes to extras, instead, it adds 4 reactive RGB zones to its earcups.
If you really like high resolution, the ROG Delta S stands out from other gaming headsets.
Read:
Asus ROG Delta S review
The best gaming headset mic ensures your teammates hear you loud and clear.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
8. Corsair Void RGB Elite USB
Best Gaming Headset
Driver:
50mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-30,000Hz |
Microphone:
Omnidirectional condenser |
Connectivity:
USB Type-A |
Weight:
0.9 pounds (390g)
You could land planes with this mic
Exceptionally soft foam padding
Very breathable
Some fit issues on small heads
Sound leaks affect bass tightness
Clumsy mic mute button
If you talk a lot with your headset, be with your
Surveillance
teammates, co-workers, or mom, the Corsair Void RGB Elite USB will make sure you sound like you to whoever's listening. need to take a sip of water or sneeze. It's also Discord certified and showed better low-end response than its rivals. It's not as hot as you can get with the
best gaming microphones
or any micro USB, but it's close.
In contrast, when we tested the headset with a smaller head, bass was lacking due to sound leakage. Your head size can make a difference. The Void RGB Elite USB also has virtual 7.1 surround sound, but that doesn't matter. didn't turn out to be anything extraordinary.
For talkers, this is the best gaming headset with its mid-range price, comfortable padding, and splashes of RGB. Note that there's also a
wireless version of the Void RGB Elite USB
.For more mic options, consider the expensive
JBL Quantum One
, which comes with a unidirectional, detachable boom microphone and a separate calibration microphone.
Read:
Corsair Void RGB Elite USB review
If money is no object, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is hard to beat.
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
9. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Best gaming headset craze
Driver:
40mm neodymium |
Impedance:
32 Ohms |
Response frequency:
20-40,000Hz |
Microphone:
Bidirectional condenser |
Connectivity:
USB Type-A or Bluetooth 4.1 wireless dongle |
Weight:
0.8 pounds (357g)
Comfortable headband design
Unrivaled swappable battery system
Clear Hi-Res Audio
Feature-rich base station
Requires base station to charge
Headband durability issues
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro steps things up a notch or two over other SteelSeries cans, including the Arctis 7 wireless cans listed above. That's very expensive, even for a wireless headset. But you get the choice of wireless dongle or Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can use the Arctis Pro Wireless without it taking up a USB port.
The boxes provide a wide frequency response range and high resolution. Lossless titles, like
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus,
sounded noticeably crisper with plenty of depth on the Arctis Pro. Overall, the game sounded more immersive, especially in the high end where you could hear the different sound layers. You also get DTS Headphones virtual surround sound :X via a transmitting base station with other useful features, such as ChatMix and general volume control.
Despite its higher price, the Arctis Pro Wireless isn't much more comfortable than the cheaper Arctis 7 wireless cans and doesn't offer twice the detailed sound. But the Arctis Pro Wireless has the advantage of its smart design, Bluetooth capability and interchangeable batteries to keep the party going while travelling.
For a cheaper Bluetooth option, consider the
Sennheiser GSP 670
.
Read:
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless review
Discounts on the best gaming headsets
Whether you're looking for one of the best gaming headsets we've listed above or something similar, you can save money by checking out our lists of
best razer promo codes
,
best corsair promo codes
and
best newegg promo codes
.