The Best Gaming Headsets for 2021
You need a good headset (or gaming headset, if you prefer) to play online. Without one, you won't have a reliable way to outwit the competition or coordinate strategies with your team or guild. Surprisingly, gaming headsets are very good
tools for your home office
.
Your choices range from basic wired headphones and boom mics that you can buy for $20 at a drug store (or are included with your gaming console), to pricey simulated surround sound, esports-oriented, wireless, in-ear headphones. -auricular
available from site enthusiasts. You should buy the one that suits your budget and needs. Luckily, you don't need a ton of money for a quality headset; $50 can get you started if you don't want to get into high-end features and connection options.
Wired or Wireless Gaming Headsets
Headsets can be wired or wireless, with wireless models generally costing more money. More importantly, each gaming headset supports different system, handheld, and computer connections. You can use Bluetooth with a wireless headset to connect to a
playstation5
,
Xbox Series X
,
Xbox Series S
, latest generation consoles, most mobile devices, and some computers (the original Xbox One does not support Bluetooth, however). Other systems require a different wireless connection, often with a separate base plugged into your console or computer.
Bluetooth has come a long way in recent years, but proprietary wireless connections generally offer better audio and signal quality. Proprietary wireless connections are typically designed for a single console, or a console and PC; you have to choose between Xbox and PlayStation models for most wireless gaming headsets.
See how we test headphones
See how we test headphones
If you are playing on the PlayStation 4/5, the
nintendo-switch
, newer Xbox models or most portable gaming devices, you can simply plug a single 3.5mm headphone jack into the controller or system and start playing. Xbox One and Series X/S work the same way, but if you have an older Xbox One gamepad, you may need Microsoft's Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter
to use a headphone cable with. Most of the headsets on this list can connect to your preferred system in some way.
If you want to use your headset with later-generation systems like the PS3 and Xbox 360, you'll need to see if the headset supports their own unique connections, or if adapters are available. PCs are the most flexible with gaming headsets, as they can work with USB headsets (which are generally only compatible with PCs), 3.5mm analog connections (although you may need a splitter adapter if your headset ends in a single jack), and often optical audio.
To find out more, see our selection of
Best Wireless Gaming Headsets
.
Do you need surround sound?
Most high-end gaming headsets claim to offer some form of surround sound, but that's not accurate. The vast majority of surround sound headphones still use stereo drivers (often a single 40mm driver for each ear) to produce sound. The surround aspect comes from Dolby, DTS, and/or THX processing technologies that alter the way headphones mix sound between your ears to give the impression of 360-degree sound. This is an artificial effect that would not provide a true surround sound image even if the headset had individual drivers for each channel; there simply isn't enough space for the sound to resonate to produce the impression of precise directional sound. However, it can make things more immersive and improve your ability to follow the direction sounds are coming from.
Some expensive gaming headsets like the
JBL Quantum One
deliver more immersive sound by incorporating head tracking into the mix. They still offer the same simulated surround sound as other headphones that support this feature, but they also pan and shift the sound depending on how you move your head, giving the surround effect a lot more of realism.
Gaming Headset Console Compatibility
Currently, many of the headsets on this list seem to support PS4/5 systems more than Xbox systems, but higher-end headsets often come in separate, console-specific versions. If a headset is marketed primarily for PC, it may work with a console via USB, but the headset may not support all features. Of course, any headset with a wired 3.5mm connection can work with either console via the headset jack on the controller; it's the USB compatibility that can confuse different versions. Check the packaging and product page to make sure the headset you want is compatible with the system you plan to use it with.
There are a few console-specific headsets and variants you can consider, such as the Xbox Wireless Headset, which offers good performance. Still, you won't usually find a "best" headset unique to a console; higher-end models usually have several system-specific versions.
The best microphone for gaming
In terms of headset microphones, we've always been impressed with the mics Razer puts in its high-end Kraken and Nari headsets, as well as the mics on Astro Gaming. Logitech, Turtle Beach's flagship headsets. These models can be quite expensive, but they offer excellent voice clarity.
You can also consider the
Antlion Audio ModMic
(pictured above). It's a boom mic that easily attaches to your favorite headset and can be removed when not in use with a two-piece magnetic mount. ModMic lacks the gaming-specific features associated with dedicated gaming headsets, but it lets you use your beloved old cans for voice chat. Just make sure you have the right connection or adapter to use it with your favorite gaming rig.
If you're really serious about
streaming
or other gaming commentary, you might want to forgo the boom mic altogether and get a
dedicated USB microphone
. Decent USB mics can be found for around $50 to $150, and they sound much clearer, richer, and more natural than any boom mic. However, it's harder to set up correctly to get good sound; you have to pay attention to the position of the microphone and where you are.
If you prefer single-player games and live alone, you don't need a headset at all. You can use
speakers
and enjoy the room-filling atmosphere, and shout into the cheap, mediocre monophonic headphones that come with many consoles.
Next time you're in a deathmatch, raid, or capture mission, be sure to shout into the boom mic of a good headset. To find the right one, check out our recommendations here, then take a look at our
5 simple tips to extend the life of your headphones
.