The best gaming headsets should aim to provide the ultimate solution for immersive, detail rich, and crystal clear audio playback during your play sessions. Not only do you want a gaming headset with style and comfort, you also want to make sure you've got the latest sound tech to take it to the next level.
Many gaming headsets today feature Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and more – all of which enhance the immersion and clarity of your games, with even the most minute details in audio coming through with the utmost clarity. After extensive testing, we've brought only the very best headsets for gaming on PlayStation (PS5 and PS4), Xbox (Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One), Nintendo (Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite), and even PC.
Whether you're looking for the best gaming headset for the PS5, the best gaming headset for the Xbox Series X or S, or even the best gaming headset for Steam, we've got you covered with some of the top gaming options available right now. For even more help in finding the best gaming headset for you, check out the tips at the bottom of this page including sales, shopping advice, top brands and more.
Best gaming headsets 2022
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Top 10 gaming headsets
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless is the best gaming headset to use with a Playstation 5.
Another solid headset from SteelSeries- the audio on the Arctis 7P Wireless is set up and tuned for gaming so you’ll feel completely immersed.
T3's SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless revi
"Another solid headset from SteelSeries- the audio on the Arctis 7P Wireless is set up and tuned for gaming so you’ll feel completely immersed." – T3's SteelSeries Artcis 7P Wireless review
The best wireless gaming headset on the market today, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless, is an impressive piece of kit, delivering an excellent audio experience for PS5. Rated four out of five stars in our review, this multi-use headset offers an incredible experience for the price.
Seriously versatile this headset is compatible with both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, so if you plan to make the transition over but haven't quite got there yet, this will be a great choice that will work with both. The USB-C dongle makes it quick to set up and means that this pair of headphones will also work with your PC, Nintendo Switch and Android.
The design of the headset makes complete sense, with a steel frame and easily adjustable elasticated strap to fit it perfectly to your head. It's so comfortable that you'll find yourself forgetting it's even there. The controls on the earcups are intuitively placed, giving you easy control over the sound and mic.
When it came to the audio quality, we were impressed. There's strong audio reproduction across the soundscape with punchy, crisp sound. Though admittedly lacking some clarity so not the best pair for listening to music, they will give gamers a fantastic experience and successfully emulate 360-degree audio to make you feel really immersed in the action.
All in all, this is an awesome headset designed for PlayStation users that is well-designed, sounds great and has long-lasting battery life. If you are looking for dual-wireless connectivity though, this headset doesn't have Bluetooth so you'll need to look elsewhere.
"LucidSound not only cements its reputation as the most exciting gaming headset maker on the market today with the LS50X, but comes out punching hard in the next-gen of console peripherals with a gaming headset that delivers an exceptional all-round package." – T3's LucidSound LS50X review (opens in new tab)
LucidSound is one T3's favorite gaming headset makers thanks to its ability to deliver top-draw audio reproduction and stylish, comfortable builds at attractive price points. And the LS50X, which works with both the new-gen Xbox Series X and S consoles, as well as all Xbox One consoles, does nothing to knock that reputation.
The headset is a hugely impressive new entry as we enter the era of the next-gen consoles, with an all-round package – style, setup, audio – that's very difficult to beat. Build quality is first-rate, the sound is superb, and as added bonus, there's Bluetooth connectivity too, for attaching other devices.
The LucidSound LS50X will work with both your current Xbox One console and your new Xbox Series X or S, and you'll be up and gaming in 10 seconds, it really is that fast. There's a flexible, removable boom mic, with the ability to cancel out background noise and echoes, plus five EQ modes to pick from.
We played a variety of games on the Xbox One to test the LS50X – Forza Horizon 4, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Rage 2, Fifa 20 and Halo 5 Guardians – and every time the audio was immersive and refined. That won't come as any surprise to anyone who has used LucidSound headsets in the past.
You can learn more about his headset, as well as see how it stacks up against another top product, in our LucidSound LS50X vs Logitech G635 7.1 comparison feature.
Excellent audio performance make the Logitech G635 gaming headset a winner.
"The Logitech G635 is a well-made headset with a lot of options for customization via Logitech’s G Hub software for PC and Mac." – T3's Logitech G635 review (opens in new tab)
Logitech can usually be relied upon to produce solid pieces of kit, and so it is with the wired G635 headset – 7.1 surround sound audio, Lightsync technology for illuminating your gameplay space, plenty of features and buttons on board the headset itself, and compatibility with PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch... what more could you want?
The headset produces crystal-clear audio, which is of course the main selling point: you can hear the faintest sound of enemy footsteps, and the headset doubles up as a fine way to listen to music too. The supplied Logitech software lets you customise the lighting if you're connecting it to Windows, and it's a breeze to use.
Ideally we'd like a bit more heft to the hinges on the headphones themselves, as well as a slightly looser fit, and the angular, black design won't be to everyone's taste, but really these are minor drawbacks on what is otherwise an excellent gaming headset for PC, if not so much for console gamers.
To see how this gaming headset compares to our number one gaming headset choice, be sure to scope out T3's SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless vs Logitech G635 7.1 LightSync comparison feature.
"The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition is a bold headset that offers almost everything you could ask for, at a bargain price." – T3's Razer Kraken Tournament Edition review (opens in new tab)
The Kraken is a great gaming headset for every platform, but it’s at its best on PC where you can connect it via USB. That gives you in-line controls for mic muting and volume adjustment, and it also enables you to toggle THX Spatial Audio on and off. The in-line controller also includes a Game/Chat balance control that enables you to prioritize game or chat audio to suit your playing preference.
Whichever platform you play on, the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition delivers crisp, clear sound with plenty of punch. It’s a match for headsets that cost considerably more cash, delivering a good sound stage with plenty of detail to help your situational awareness. It’s also very comfortable to wear, even for fairly long sessions. The microphone isn’t as good as some more expensive headsets, but it’s clear enough. And if the neon green color doesn’t do it for you, it’s also available in a more sober black finish.
Last, but definitely not least, this Razer is frequently discounted, so take a look at the deals we’ve listed just under the specifications.
"With good audio, a simple setup and long-lasting battery life, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless is a winner." – T3's SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless review (opens in new tab)
SteelSeries has been one of, if not the, best gaming headset maker in the world for the past couple of years, and right here it reboots its very popular Arctis 7 headset for use on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S – say hello to the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless.
The headset, thanks to a versatile USB Type-C dongle, though, can connect to other systems such as the Nintendo Switch, smartphones, and Xbox One consoles. This makes it more of a refresh of the Arctis 7 with a renewed emphasis on the next-gen, rather than an out-and-out new product.
Regardless, though, it delivers really strong performance across the board, with nuanced audio reproduction across the soundscape, a comfortable design, and a quality Discord-certified ClearCast microphone. For gaming and streaming, the Arctis 7X delivers a very compelling package.
It's not elite-tier in terms of non-gaming applications, and there's no doubting that it retails at the lower end of the high price bracket for gaming headsets, but with its robust build quality (stainless steel headband) and immersive audio, as well as 24-hour battery life on a single charge, this is a headset that will serve Xbox gamers very well for years to come.
"The Asus ROG Delta S is a super-sounding gaming headset that offers some impressive specs and a few cool customization options, too." – T3's Asus ROG Delta S review (opens in new tab)
From gaming hardware veterans Asus comes the very impressive Asus ROG Delta S headset, which will work with just about every device out there – though the customization and equalizer software is only available for Windows. This won't suit anyone who definitely wants a wireless set of headphones, but it's well worth considering for everyone else.
It works with a host of gadgets and gizmos via USB-C (or USB-A), from PCs to consoles, and it produces audio quality of the highest order – whether you're wanting to rock out to some tunes or you need to hear everything that's happening during intense gaming sessions.
The headset is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and is well put together too. Add in extras like simulated 7.1 surround sound and support for the high-resolution MQA audio format, and it's easy to see why this made it on to our best gaming headsets list.
Need even more proof that this is a great gaming headset? Well, it's only gone and won the Best Gaming Headset award at the T3 Awards 2021!
"With its comfortable, lightweight design and great sound, the Razer BlackShark V2 is an excellent gaming headset built to work with computers and all manner of consoles, too." – T3's Razer BlackShark V2 review (opens in new tab)
Razer produces a fair few gaming headsets but for our money here at T3 the Blackshark V2 is its best overall for most gamers.
The sets of gaming cans is powered by Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm Drivers, which have been designed to improve clarity across the spectrum, ranging from bass to treble.
There's noise cancellation tech delivered, too, by the on-ear cups, which elevates in-game immersion and improves sound isolation as well.
We're particularly fond of just how comfortable the Blackshark 2 is on the head as well thanks to Razer's Flowknit Memory Foam Ear Cushions and soft, padded adjustable headband. This comfort is no doubt aided by the headset's lightweight 262-gram design.
You also get a detachable Hyperclear Cardioid Mic and USB sound card as well, which works with Razer Synapse to allow the wearer to customize features like Ambient Noise Reduction, Mic Equalizer and Voice Gate. Compatibility with THX Game Profiles also means custom-tuned profiles in-game.
Many of these features lean themselves towards to esports and streaming, however considering the Blackshark V2's firmly affordable price point, we think it fair to say that not only esports champions should apply.
Few other things: the Blackshark V2 is a wired gaming headset, so if you need wireless you need to upgrade to the Blackshark V2 Pro. Oh, and the Blackshark V2 also comes with an included carry case, which makes transporting them to gaming tournaments (or just using them as a pair of quality headphones) easy.
The Astro A50, in its latest guise, is simply stunning and an easy best gaming headset recommendation.
"With its comfortable design, bulletproof wireless connectivity, long battery life and deeply customizable audio, the Astro A50 Gen 4 has a lot going for it." – T3's Astro A50 Gen 4 review (opens in new tab)
The Astro A50 Gen 3 was an excellent gaming headset and the Gen 4 improves on it: it has a more compact base station (the headphones themselves are wireless), the design is now more subtle and refined, and the same great sound is available through these headphones, whether you're playing on PC, PlayStation or Xbox One (you do need to pick either Xbox One or PlayStation when you're buying, however).
The Astro A50 feels comfortable on the head, and brings rich and vibrant audio to your ears at any volume – bass, trebles and mids all come through clearly. The earpads are actually removable, so you can swap them out for a different pair if you're looking for a different feel.
You get pretty darn good noise cancellation, too, and the A50 headset packs a real punch in terms of audio reproduction across the board. From dialogue to music to sound effects, everything comes across crisply, and we'd have no reservations about adding this to our gaming setup. Astro is very much gaming headset royalty and this latest setup continues that lineage.
If you want a no-frills gaming headset with audiophile stereo audio, then the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 is worth considering.
"The Audio-Technica ATH-G1 comes from a highly established audio company and as such offers great stereo sound in a compact and comfortable form factor." – T3's Audio-Technica ATH-G1 review (opens in new tab)
The Audio-Technica ATH-G1 are rather unique in this best gaming headset buying guide as they offer a very much no-frills package aimed more at casual gamers and audiophiles.
This is a simple, stylish and comfortable pair of gaming headphones that deliver wide soundstage stereo audio. They sound great (thanks to their strong 45mm drivers) and, thanks to a removable mic and wired connection, can be easily used in other, non-gaming settings and applications.
These headphones do cost a fair bit, though, and that's why any gamer should ask themselves what they really want from a gaming headset before pulling the trigger. If you want sophisticatedly tuned, top-class stereo audio from one of the world's foremost audio firms but very little in terms of extra frills and features, then the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 are perfect.
However, if you want more of a dedicated only-for-gaming headset, and one that delivers wireless functionality, surround sound and a software suite, then there are rival headsets that cost as much as the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 that deliver that.
"If sound quality is the most important thing to you, you’re going to love the Audeze Penrose X Wireless’ audiophile sound." – T3's Audeze Penrose X Wireless Planar Magnetic Headset review (opens in new tab)
If you want natural, high-quality sound from your gaming, the Audeze Penrose X has you covered. These wireless headphones provide some of the best sound we've heard, with a wide frequency response and lots of headroom. Though fans of over-the-top bass rumble may be disappointed.
The Audeze Penrose X offers a choice of wireless, Bluetooth and wired connections. And though they are designed for the Xbox, it works with Windows too for PC Gamers thanks to the included USB wireless receiver. PlayStation and Mac users haven't been forgotten either – that's covered in the Audeze Penrose model (without the X).
The best of the rest
The Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense will make you feel like you're inside the game.
"You won't just hear the game with the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense, you'll literally feel it too, thanks to the haptic feedback feature." – T3's Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense review (opens in new tab)
An awesome and innovative piece of kit, the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense is one of the most immersive gaming headsets you can buy. Giving you a combination of powerful three-dimensional surround sound and Hypersense haptic feedback, you won’t just hear the game but you’ll feel it too.
The haptic feedback picks up on key sound cues in the game to deliver lifelike vibrations in the headset. It’s really cool, you’ll be able to feel the impact of explosions or bullets flying past you. You can switch between different levels with the Haptic Adjuster button as well, something you’ll be thankful for because in shooter games it can get very intense.
Another major plus point is the microphone which is crystal clear with plenty of manual settings, and extra features like Voice Gate which will cut out the sound when you aren’t speaking.
Because this headset packs so much clever tech in, it is quite chunky and will stick out quite far from your head. That’s not a problem for most but it could look a little silly on some people. You’ll also have to put up with a wired connection because there’s no wireless option. Those are the only real downsides though, otherwise, this is one of Razer’s very best gaming headsets.
Want a gaming headset that you can also wear out and about? Then check out the HyperX Cloud Mix.
"The HyperX Cloud Mix is a pair of dual-purpose headphones that have Bluetooth for smartphone streaming and a detachable, high-quality microphone for gaming on PC, Mac and any console." – T3's HyperX Cloud Mix review (opens in new tab)
HyperX is one of T3's favorite gaming peripheral makers right now and, in the gaming headset market, it's been hitting nothing but home runs as of late with quality sets of headsets such as the HyperX Cloud Flight and the HyperX Cloud Revolver S (both of which also feature in this best gaming headsets 2021 guide).
Its latest effort, the HyperX Cloud Mix, is for our money the best overall gaming headset the company has ever made, combining top-rate audio reproduction with premium build quality and understated modern design.
The latter two of these qualities hit you as soon as you unpack the headset, with a rigid and cool-to-the-touch aluminum frame wrapped with a plush, soft-touch headband securely carrying memory foam-clad ear cups. Everything is finished in a delicious matte black coating, with the only notable detailing being HyperX's logo printed in silver. It's a fantastic overall look.
That premium headphone style is crucial, too, considering the big sell with the Cloud Mix – its Bluetooth functionality. This allows you to ditch the cabling and use the Mix as simply a very rich pair of regular headphones, which is ideal for portable gaming on the go, as well as listening to music and watching media, too.
The fact that the HyperX Cloud Mix can be used with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Mobile and VR, as well as any other Bluetooth-enabled device or console, makes it one of the most versatile headsets on the market today, and a definite pick for our best gaming headphones 2021 list.
Crisp and balanced Hi-Red Audio, a long-lasting 20-hour battery life, detachable boom mic, lush braided cabling and an included carry bag complete a quality package that's hard to top.
"The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 headset for Xbox impressed us in testing – a PlayStation version is also available, by the way – and we think it's a winner if you're looking to get yourself superior audio without having to pay a huge amount to get it." – T3's Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 review (opens in new tab)
You can pick up the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 for both Xbox and PlayStation, and both options will work with both current-gen and next-gen consoles. The Xbox version was the one we had in for review, and we were very impressed with the quality of the build and the sound these headphones produced.
The earpads combine memory foam and cooling gel rather well, for a fit that's going to be comfortable across extended gaming sessions, and with the padded, metal-reinforced headband, you don't need to worry about these headphones sliding off.
Across a range of games, the audio was crisp, rich and detailed at all volume levels. As an added bonus, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 comes with Bluetooth connectivity as well as Xbox Wireless connectivity, so you can hook up laptops and phones as well – and music and movie performance are great too.
Considering everything you're getting with this headset – including a flip-out mic – we'd say the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 represents excellent value for money, and this is definitely worth shortlisting whether you buy your consoles from Microsoft or Sony.
"With the JBL Quantum One headphones, you get an impressive albeit not perfect gaming audio experience: the headset comes packed with useful features, offers high quality sound, and will work with a wide variety of computers, consoles and mobile devices too." – T3's JBL Quantum One review (opens in new tab)
The JBL Quantum One headset is up towards the more expensive end of the market, but you're actually still getting very decent value for money here – these headphones sound great, not just for gaming but also for watching movies and listening to music and everything else that you might want to do.
The headset works best with Windows PCs, but you can connect it to pretty much anything via a 3.5 mm headphone jack or USB: it works with game consoles, the Nintendo Switch, smartphones, tablets, and even VR headsets. No matter where you plug it in you're going to get some impressive audio fidelity.
You also get a whole host of features with this pair of headphones, covering everything from surround sound to active noise canceling to RGB lighting that you can customize using the supplied Windows software. Absolutely one of the best gaming headsets around right now.
"The Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed headset should satisfy serious gamers and high fidelity lovers alike: it performs very well in just about every imaginable scenario, with long battery life and no discernable wireless lag, though it's also going to cost you." – T3's Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed review (opens in new tab)
The Logitech G Pro X Wireless is only for Windows computers, and only works wirelessly, but if you're okay with that then this is a fantastic offering – something we've come to expect from Logitech kit. It's a little on the expensive side, but it's worth paying for if you want one of the best gaming headsets of the moment.
It starts with the excellent design and build quality, with aluminum, steel, faux leather and memory foam all combining for a truly polished – but understated – end result. These are the kind of headphones that you want to leave on display when you're not using them, that's how good they are.
Even more importantly, the audio is excellent too, whether that's movies or gaming or something you're trying to say through the microphone attachment. A custom 2.4GHz wireless connection ensures minimal lag, so you can get on with the important business of improving your gaming.
"The HyperX Cloud Stinger S gives you some very good audio performance for your money, with virtual 7.1 surround sound thrown in." – T3's HyperX Cloud Stinger S review (opens in new tab)
There's plenty to like about the HyperX Cloud Stinger S headset, one of many different models in this series. This is the one to go for if you're after wired connectivity to a Windows PC, though with the 3.5mm audio cable you can in fact attach these cans to any device with a headphone port.
You are, however, limited to Windows use only if you want to take advantage of the headset's virtual 7.1 surround sound capabilities – this requires the bundled USB dongle, and HyperX software that you can download for free, which does an impressive job of making sounds appear as though they're happening all around you in a variety of games.
As for the audio quality, it's impressively good for the price you're paying for the Cloud Stinger S, whether that's in the deeper bass or the higher treble. The headset is well built and comfortable to wear too, despite a slightly cheap feel, and it's definitely worth a place on our best gaming headsets list.
"The Creative SXFI Gamer headset gives you a rich and immersive audio experience for your games which wraps right around you – and it impresses with music and movies as well." – T3's Creative SXFI Gamer review (opens in new tab)
You don't get the option of wireless with the Creative SXFI Gamer gaming headset, but you get just about everything else. That includes excellent comfort, an unfussy but strong design, and of course superior audio, which is a requirement for entry on our best gaming headsets for 2022 list.
The headset works with Creative's SXFI tuning apps for mobile and desktop too. Using your phone you take a couple of photos of your ears (bear with us here), and a few clever algorithms then tune the sound coming out of the headphones to specifically match the shape of your head and ears. Based on the results we've experienced with the Creative SXFI Gamer, we'd say it works too.
The surround sound mixing works really well too, so you can hear enemies creeping up from behind you or enjoy immersive audio from your movies, as long as the source format supports 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. For a comfortable pair of headphones that are excellent across the audio spectrum – including volume levels – the SXFI Gamer is well worth considering.
You'll feel properly immersed in the action with the Corsair HS80 RGB wireless headset.
"The Corsair HS80 RGB wireless gaming headset sounds amazing, you'll be totally immersed in the action." – T3's Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless review (opens in new tab)
If you’re a PC gamer looking for a headset with phenomenal sound, then you won’t get much better than the Corsair HS80 RGB wireless.
It is compatible with PlayStation 4 and 5 but you won’t be able to make the most out of Dolby Atmos surround sound support on a console.
With custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers and a frequency range of 20Khz- 40Khz, this headset delivers truly three-dimensional sound.
You can hear every noise as well as where they're coming from, sounds like explosions are impactful while others like footsteps are true-to-life, making this perfect for shooter games in particular. Granted the omnidirectional microphone could be louder but your voice will still come through clearly enough.
This gaming headset is sleek and comfortable with subtle RGB lights decorating the ear cups, this is a more mature headset for those who don’t mind splashing the cash.
If money isn't an issue and you game on Xbox or PC, then the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is a superb choice of gaming headset.
"If you're an Xbox or PC gamer and want a premium headset that offers basically the best of everything, then the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is it." – T3's Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal review (opens in new tab)
This is the headset that blew T3's Deputy Editor and gaming headset expert Robert Jones away, with him concluding in his review that:
"If you're an Xbox or PC gamer and want a premium headset that offers basically the best of everything then the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is it. This headset takes gaming headsets to a new level and, providing you can afford its very expensive price point, then it is a no-brainer purchase."
That is seriously high praise considering the competition that the Portal is up against, and makes it a set of gaming cans that demands attention. Bang & Olufsen is one of the world's finest and most storied audio masters, and here it has poured its expertise into gate-crashing the gaming headset market.
The audio quality is absolutely top-tier, with 40mm electro-dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets, Dolby Atmos for Headphones, active noise-cancellation tech and the aptXTM Adaptive codec combining to deliver incredibly precise and immersive in-game audio.
The killer thing with the Portal, though, is that they are not just limited to use with Xbox or PC systems, with Bluetooth 5.1 and wired 3.mm connectivity allowing them to be used with basically any other piece of hardware you can think of. You can go from gaming on Xbox to listening to music streamed from your phone to watching an epic movie on your tablet in a blink of an eye with the Portal, and that makes it very high price a little more understandable.
The price will obviously mean that the Portal aren't for all gamers, but if you can afford them that you're going to be in for a treat.
The Razer Barracuda X may look simple but this is actually a gaming headset with loads going for it.
"For your money, you get impressive, accurate audio across all types of games and even music, as well as hours of wear without any discomfort." – T3's Razer Barracuda X review (opens in new tab)
If you don’t want to spend over £100 / AU$150 on a gaming headset and you don’t want to end up with rubbish sound quality either, then the Razer Barracuda X gives you the best of both worlds.
Razer has stripped back the design of this headset and has focused in on what really matters - performance - and it shows. The audio not only gives you an immersive, 360-degree experience for gaming but you can use the Barracuda X for listening to music too. You won’t find better sound at this price. The microphone is almost as impressive, it’s crystal clear even if it can be a tad quiet at times. You’ll get a whopping 20 hours of battery life from the headset as well.
There are a few downsides to the Razer Barracuda X, like the fact that there’s no Bluetooth connectivity and you don’t get any manual equaliser settings through desktop software, but in the grand scheme of things those are just minor faults. Overall this is a solid gaming headset that offers fantastic value for money.
The Roccat Syn Pro Air a strong gaming headset choice for PC gamers.
"The Roccat Syn Pro Air impresses in most of the areas that matter, not least sound quality and comfort." – T3's Roccat Syn Pro Air review (opens in new tab)
In terms of sound quality and comfort, as we note in our Roccat Syn Pro Air review,
this headset absolutely nails it. For PC gamers, because this is a gaming headset designed specifically for them, if you prize those two things most (and we think most people do), then this is absolutely a headset to check out.
It's a wireless headset, too, meaning that on top of that comfort and sound quality you get to banish wires entirely thanks to a 2.4GHz wireless receiver, and on top of this great core functionality the Syn Pro Air adds 3D audio and a TruSpeak mic, too.
The comfort comes from the fact that the Syn Pro Air features ProSpecs-grade memory foam earpads and headband, while the defined and balanced audio reproduction comes courtesy of 50mm Nanoclear drivers, with the headset's delivery of Superhuman Hearing tech boosting key in-game sounds.
While this headset does come with Roccat's AIMO lighting system, which is controlled by its NEON software, the actual scope for lighting on the headset isn't massive, though, so RGB junkies may be turned off. There's also no 3.5 mm or wired way of using this headset, so its wireless use with PC only. If you need a headset that can act as you main pair of headphones then this isn't a feasible option.
Overall, though, an exciting and stylish new gaming headset from Roccat, and one that PC gamers should absolutely scope out before making an upgrade decision.
For PC gamers, this is one of the best cheap gaming headsets on the market today.
"The AOC GH300 is an affordable gaming headset with a detachable microphone and customizable RGB lights on the earcups." – T3's AOC GH300 review (opens in new tab)
If you want a gaming headset to use with a PC or Mac but you don’t want to spend above the odds, you should consider the AOC GH300.
One of the brand's very first attempts at a gaming headset, the AOC GH300 delivers solid audio quality and ease of use. You’d be surprised at how much of a kick the sound has, you can hear everything around you during gameplay so it’s easy to tell when someone else is nearby. Admittedly, it wasn’t as effective as some of the other headsets on this list but you don’t really expect it to be for this price.
One problem was with the omnidirectional microphone which was quite muffled, the set also looked pretty bulky on the head so it won’t be a pair that you’d use as regular headphones as well. Despite that, for this price, this gaming headset is fantastic value for money.
"The Audeze Penrose headset definitely impresses when it comes to the quality of the sound it produces, across music, games and movies." – T3's Audeze Penrose review (opens in new tab)
What stands out first about the Audeze Penrose headset is its versatility: it can be used with a wired connection, over Bluetooth, or via the bundled 2.4GHz USB dongle, and you can connect it up to Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, the Nintendo Switch, PlayStations and Xboxes (if you want Xbox compatibility, go for the Audeze Penrose X model).
Despite the very reasonable price – these are expensive, but not really for what you get in return – the headphones feature top-tier 100 m planar magnetic drivers, which results in an excellent, rich sound whether you're watching movies on your laptop or gaming on your console.
Throw in a quality fit and finish as well, and you can see why we think this is one of the very best gaming headsets of the moment. Some more advanced features like surround sound would be welcome, but overall we can't fault the Audeze Penrose, especially in terms of audio quality.
The Aukey GH-X1 RGB is an affordable wired headset with decent audio.
"A wired gaming headset with RGB lighting and decent audio quality that won’t cost you an arm and a leg." – T3's Aukey GH-X1 RGB review (opens in new tab)
For those on a tight budget who don’t want to sacrifice too much on audio quality, the Aukey GH-X1 RGB Gaming Headset could be a good choice. The lightweight black headset is well-tuned for gaming and has an omnidirectional microphone on the left earcup. It’s not got the most robust build, and it isn’t the most comfortable headset out there, but for this price that’s kind of expected.
Giving a well-rounded, immersive experience, the Aukey GH-X1 RGB Gaming Headset impressed us with its sound quality, which is comparable to a much pricier headset. Plus, the microphone did a great job at isolating noise.
You won’t be able to wirelessly connect these to your console, PC or smartphone, so you’ll need to plug it in using the 3.5mm audio cable, but that does make it versatile. It would probably be best used on a PC because then you can power the RGB lights via USB without affecting your setup.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is the best gaming headset in the world for Sony PlayStation 4 gamers.
The best wireless gaming headset on the market today, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, is an awesome piece of kit, delivering a best-in-class audio experience for PS5 and PS4 gamers.
Yep, that's right – the Arctis Pro Wireless is Sony PlayStation 5 compatible, making it brilliantly future-proof as well as versatile. If you're a Sony gamer transitioning from PS4 to PS5, but intend to keep your old systems for some retro play, then this is a truly great option.
In terms of hardware and features, this headset not only features a dual-wireless audio system that allows for both 2.4G and Bluetooth connections simultaneously (meaning you can listen to music or chat while gaming), but it also comes packing Hi-Res capable speaker drivers and lossless audio, too.
A very impressive 40-feet range, well-built wireless transmitter, lightweight aluminum construction, and swappable dual-battery power system complete a superb all-round package.
Simply put, T3.com hasn't heard better from a wireless gaming headset in 2022, and if you are shopping for a pair of PS5 gaming headphones right now with a high-end budget, then look no further.
And, when we said you needn't look much further, we were absolutely right, with the panel of judges in the T3 Awards 2020 bestowing the highly-desirable Best Gaming Headset award on the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
To find out more about this headset why not check out our SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless vs LucidSound LS50X comparison guide.
Buying advice
How to choose the best gaming headset for you
There are a huge number of headsets and headphones out there for the keen gamer, with most manufacturers offering multiple products with only small variations. While it might be easy to just go with a certain model because of a recognizable brand, before you spend any of your hard-earned cash, it's worth weighing up exactly what you need from your next headset.
Do you want a great-sounding headset for gaming that can also do double duty as a regular pair of headphones, for example? If so, you need to go for a pair of on-ears and, for style and portability issues, one with a built-in or detachable mic.
Equally, if you are looking for a dedicated, heavy-duty headset for streaming and super-long gaming sessions, you'll need a set with excellent battery life, a good boom mic, and an over-ear comfortable fit. Everyone's needs vary to some extent, and the best gaming headset of 2022 is going to be different for everyone.
Who are the best gaming headset makers?
There are lots of gaming headset makers in business today in 2022. Some of these firms are specialist gaming headphone producers, who do nothing but that, and others are arms of much bigger companies, who produce a wide-range of gaming accessories and peripherals.
Equally, there are gaming headset makers who have decades of experience under their belt, as well as others who are more young, disruptive new challengers. Here at T3 we've found that while heritage does tend to indicated quality, that is not always the case, though, and often headsets from relatively new makers, such as LucidSound, can outperform similar products from more established producers.
Rating or not rating gaming headset makers is of course subjective, but here at T3 after decades of reviewing gaming headphones, we consider the best gaming headset makers to be:
1. SteelSeries
2. LucidSound
3. Astro
4. Razer
5. Turtle Beach
6. HyperX
7. Roccat
8. Logitech
9. Corsair
10. Audio-Technica
This doesn't mean that headsets in this guide that are not from these makers are poor – far from it. These are just the top 10 companies that, based on empirical evidence, have consistently delivered great gaming headsets.
Gaming headset jargon explained
If you're new to the gaming headset market, or wearable audio products in general, then there's a fair bit of jargon that needs to be processed and understood. Right here T3 provides a small guide to some of the most important terms and phrases, in the aim to make it easier for each gamer to determine which headset will work for them, and which will not.
Type – There are multiple types of gaming headphone styles, but the two most common are over-ear and on-ear. Over-ear headphones have cups that fully encompass each year, and tend to be used on headphones with noise-canceling technology and/or surround sound built-in. On-ear headphones on the other hand have cups that sit on top of the ears and tend to be more compact and direct in terms of their audio delivery.
Drivers – The most important part of each gaming headset, drivers turn electrical signals into hearable sound pressure. In the simplest terms, the better and bigger the driver the better the sound quality will be. Drivers come in magnet, coil and diaphragm types, which determine how they work. Here at T3 we think, as a general rule, a good gaming headset should feature 40mm or larger drivers.
Frequency response – This is important as it determines the entire range of audible sounds the gaming headset can produce. A wider range on paper indicates that the headset is probably more capable than one that has a smaller one, but it is not an indication of sound quality, just the potential of the headphones. Our top-rated gaming headset for PlayStation gamers, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, has a frequency range of 10–40,000 Hz.
Noise cancellation – Noise-canceling technology has developed rapidly over the past five years and is now offered on a fair few gaming headsets. There is both active and passive noise canceling tech, with active the more desirable. In basic terms, active noise canceling works by recording environmental sounds around the gamer and then creating an inverse sound wave to cancel them out within the headset. The result is exterior environmental noise is cut out making in-game audio clearer. Passive systems, on the other hand, just look to block out noise and don't actively try to cancel it out.
Sound pressure level – Finally, sound pressure level (SPL) is, in simple terms, a way of determining just how quiet or loud a set of gaming headphones can go. SPL is often linked to decibels, so simply look for 'dB SPL' in gaming headphone spec sheets. Most gaming headphones will offer between 90 and 105 max dB SPL.
How we test gaming headsets
T3's testing procedure for gaming headsets is detailed and authoritative. Firstly, we examine the package contents and build quality of the headset itself from a fit and finish point of view. We look at this stage for deficiencies in the product and overall package, or things of particular note.
Next up we test out the headset purely from an ergonomic point of view. So we wear the headset and examine its ability to be adjusted for different head shapes and sizes. We wear the headset for a prolonged period to ensure we know how it feels during long gaming sessions.
Thirdly, we then move onto testing the headset's audio reproduction and mic quality. This is done by using the headset in a variety of game types, such as FPS, RPG and RTS, as well as out of game for applications such as Amazon Music Unlimited, Disney Plus, YouTube and Microsoft Teams.
Lastly, we consider the gaming headset in terms of everyday useability from an experiential point of view. This stage is particularly important for headsets that advertise themselves as general-purpose headphones as well as a gaming headset, so we wear them while commuting or on trips out.
When these four stages are complete, we then judge the headset compared to its contemporaries on the market, both in terms of its quality and its price point. It is then here that we finally bestow a star score on a gaming headset, with 5 stars being the best score a product can achieve.
What headset is best for gaming?
If you need a quick top pick for the best gaming headset right off the bat, then the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless (opens in new tab) is T3.com's top choice of the models on sale at the moment. For PS4 and PC users, it is a dream gaming headset that's going to serve you well for years.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is one of the most stylish and best-sounding headsets we've ever tested, with its Hi-Res capable speaker drivers, lightweight aluminum alloy and steel construction, and swappable dual-battery system delivering a super all-round gaming package.
To play top PC games and PS5 games with the audio quality they deserve, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is simply the best gaming headset going out of all the models we've put through their paces.
The best gaming headset is going to be different for everyone though, so we'd encourage you to spend plenty of time on your research, and to check out all the other options that we've listed in our guide above.
Are wireless headsets good for gaming?
While in the past wired headsets have been the preferred method, modern wireless sets are stepping it up quite a bit. Wireless headsets always come with the possibility of connectivity issues, especially in homes with plenty of wireless electronics running. That said, brands have taken big strides in combatting this issue with improved wireless tech, Bluetooth capabilities and more.
From a sound quality perspective, there isn't much of a difference between wired and wireless gaming headsets. Both can offer surround sound, noise cancellation, built-in mics, and more. So if you're concerned about sound quality, there's no need to worry.
Are gaming headsets worth it?
Before we answer that, let's talk about one key aspect of purchasing a good gaming headset – money. Price is important, of course, but the difference between the best gaming headphones and lesser models isn't just about cash. Playing with a sub-standard gaming headset is rather like playing with a really rubbish monitor: you're getting a two-star experience instead of a five-star one. And yet we see lots of gamers who'll spend hundreds or even thousands on the best gaming monitor, a top-rated gaming mouse and a superb gaming keyboard, and then they top it all with a cheap and nasty set of cans. Don't do it!
A gaming headset that delivers high-quality gaming audio is a crucial part of your gaming setup, and making sure you get the best gaming headphones you can afford will make as much difference to your gaming experience as investing in the best graphics card, the fastest SSDs and the most comfortable gaming chair. You're going to spend many hours with these headphones on, so don't settle for a headset that isn't brilliant.
There are lots of different headsets here but they all have one thing in common: high-quality sound. That's because game audio isn't just about hearing the big bangs. It's also about hearing the little details that tell you what's coming your way. Whether it's birds singing or planets exploding, these headsets will put your ears right in the middle of the action.
Underneath our list of top gaming headphones, we've also included some useful advice on what to look for if you're shopping for a new gaming headset, wireless or otherwise, which you can apply no matter what your situation.
