18 Best Gaming Headsets of 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]

This is the Kraken Ultimate by Razer, who's been making gaming accessories since 1998. The ear pad cushions contain a cooling gel which allows for prolonged use without becoming hot and stuffy. The speaker quality emphasizes middle tones, and we were able to hear little details in Justin Bieber's song "Peach" that we couldn't on other headsets. The sound gives the impression of expanding beyond the listener's immediate audible range, such that most people wouldn't hesitate to use this headset in place of regular headphones.

The mic on this headset is top of the line, and by using the included Razer Synapse software you can cut out noise completely. The volume is just a little low, but the crispness of sound makes voice chats while gaming a pleasure. The cooling effect on the ear covers prevents stuffiness from prolonged use, and we didn't feel any excessive pressure while wearing it.

When testing the sound localization, we found that it was sometimes difficult to discern sounds coming from diagonals. This was offset by the fact that footsteps and other far off sounds could be heard approaching smoothly, making it easy to judge distances for gamers who play first- and third-person shooters frequently. As for features, the Kraken Ultimate allows for a high level of customization, including the surround sound technology THX Spatial Audio. With its comfort for the wearer and top class mic, gamers will find it ideal for long play sessions and voice chat.

The HS60 PRO headset is by American PC accessory maker Corsair. In addition to supporting 7.1ch surround sound when connected by USB, the mic is detachable and equipped with noise-canceling technology. The speakers produced a resounding, heavy-on-the-bass sound, but not to the point of drowning out the delicate sounds of instruments or female vocals. This is thanks to the high sound resolution, which seemed to fill the entire room with a vibrant soundscape. The impression of space makes using this headset great not only for listening to music but for watching video as well.

The mic transmitted a voice clearly with all frequencies intact, making up for just the tiniest amount of background noise. The ear covers are tight and give a sense of being sealed in, which can end up causing discomfort after prolonged use. Also, there's a small amount of pressure on the wearer's head, but the cushioning was sufficient to prevent this from being a distraction.

In terms of sound localization, sounds coming from diagonal directions were a bit difficult to catch due to a muffled echo, but sounds from other directions, including above and below, were clear and easy to distinguish. The headset also has a user-friendly set of features, such as maker-provided software updates, surround sound and on-device mic muting.

The A50 headset by ASTRO Gaming boasts built-in voice amplifier technology that allows the user to balance the volume of voice chat and in-game sounds. We were impressed with the balance of the speakers, which were able to produce dense bass sounds as well as lucid female vocals. With each instrument sounding as if it's occupying its own space, this headset really brings out the best in each song. You can use it for getting deep into your gaming session or for relaxing with some music.

As for the mic, we noticed it only started picking up background noise once the wearer began talking. It's not the most common method of noise-canceling, but voices passed through the mic were still easy to hear no matter the speaker's vocal range. The material used for the headband was surprisingly hard on the wearer's head, and even with its soft ear cushions, we didn't feel it would be suited for long play sessions. The sound localization on the A50 gave us no trouble in grasping distances. Only sounds above and below the player were a bit repressed; otherwise, sounds from all directions were easy to distinguish, making it easy for FPS and TPS players to pinpoint enemy locations.

In addition to mix amplification, this headset also allows for sound tuning by installing custom software. With its user-friendly features, we can easily recommend it to both gamers and those looking to enjoy some music.

Gaming accessory maker Razer's BlackShark V2 sports a green and black exterior. This headset employs a patented driver on the wired model and claims the sound is tuned by three different drivers for peak performance. When testing out the speakers, we found that high and low frequencies contrasted well and produced a realistic experience with both games and video. Unfortunately the sound quality also gave the impression of being artificially processed, and the headset seemed unable to reproduce instruments naturally.

The mic did a good job of balancing high and low frequencies of audio passed through it, but it wasn't able to cut out inherent noise in the background. The good news is the volume was loud enough such that we had no problems conversing on voice chat. In terms of wearability, the ear covers were just the right size for us, with sufficient cushioning and good ventilation. The fit was just a bit snug but nothing that would prevent you from staying focused on your gaming session.

And the sound localization beat out every other headset we tested, even overcoming the hurdle of accurately producing sound above and below the wearer. With its ability to catch even far away footsteps, we can confidently recommend this headset to FPS and TPS gamers hungry for victory. Features include compatibility with the Razer Synapse software, a volume lever and on-device mic muting, resulting in a user-friendly experience.

The next headset we looked at was the Cloud Alpha by Hyper X, the gaming accessory brand started by memory device maker Kingston in 2002. It sports a detachable noise-canceling mic and fabric cable that prevents tangling. The sound through the speakers gives the listener a clear contrast between high and low frequencies, resulting in a bold, in-your-face mix. It wouldn't necessarily bring out the best in nuanced audio like a piano recital, but for gaming it's just the right amount of force.

Speaking through the mic resulted in some audio impurities, so voices don't come through with perfect clarity. To be fair, it didn't pick up any background noise when the wearer was silent, but we couldn't help but notice some choppiness while speaking. The Cloud Alpha benefits from soft cushioning that doesn't apply pressure to the wearer, although it isn't a perfectly snug fit either. Most gamers could wear it comfortably for long gaming sessions.

We couldn't differentiate between sounds coming from above or below, but otherwise sounds coming from all directions on the same level as the player were prominent and easy to keep up with. Even quiet sounds in the distance and nearby footsteps were easy to distinguish, allowing first- and third-person shooter fans to pick out enemies hiding in the terrain. With the included custom software you can set up the mic and speakers as you see fit or manage battery life options in wireless mode. While it doesn't support mix amplification, it's still a sufficiently customizable model.

Now let's look at the Arctis 7P+ from SteelSeries, a Danish gaming device brand. This headset features a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection and claims to have a battery life of 30 hours. We immediately noticed the quality of the speakers, which brought out the fluidity and finer points of song vocals. The balance of sound frequencies was excellent; in particular the clear bass tones resulted in a crisp, well-refined sound.

On the other hand, the sound quality through the mic was muffled with a constant stream of background noise. While this product is well suited for listening to music, the person on the other end of a voice chat might not appreciate it very much.

The headband was just a bit harder than what we would have preferred, but thankfully the ear pads were the perfect size and a pleasure to wear. The soft cushioning along the ears makes it easy to wear for long periods with no discomfort. FPS and TPS players will be happy to know that the sound localization allows for both picking up minute sounds and a natural sense of direction and distance. The Arctis 7P+ also has a healthy number of features, like compatibility with the PS5's Tempest 3D Audio as well as its own custom software, the GG/Engine.

Next we looked at the PRO X Wireless by Swiss PC accessory maker Logitech. It boasts crystal clear mic quality when used with the maker's own Blue VO!CE software. With speakers that reproduce the nuances of both singing voices and instruments down to the very last detail, we can safely say the sound quality is high enough to use it in place of regular headphones. The sound it produced with movie audio was also top-notch, and put the wearer directly in the action.

However, while the sound quality through the mic was fairly clear, it wasn't able to filter out some abrasive background noise. As long as it's used in a quiet setting, it provides sufficiently clear sound and will make for enjoyable conversation. While wearing the headset we noticed it had the tendency to build up some heat, but at least the cushioning was soft and didn't put any pressure on the wearer. The headband itself was a bit small but still didn't feel restrictive, and by adjusting the length even a person with a head 23 inches in diameter could wear it.

When we tested the sound localization, it didn't necessarily pick up all the tiny sounds from far in the distance but successfully conveyed the direction they were coming from. Sounds coming from diagonal directions had an echo to them and weren't as clear, but as long as you don't need pro gamer-level gear, it should be enough to satisfy you when playing first- and third-person shooters.

Most of the features on this headset require installing the included G HUB software on a PC, but once you've got it set up, you can adjust the mic sound quality and enable surround sound. We recommend the PRO X Wireless for gamers who play exclusively on their PC.

The Barracuda X is a headset by Razer, and its most prominent feature is the ability to switch seamlessly between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. The speakers delivered not only rigid bass tones but smooth vocal lines as well, bringing out the best in each song. The mic worked well when picking up male voices and produced a robust, enunciated sound, albeit along with some noticeable noise that felt stacked on top of the speaker.

The cushioning on the ear cups is sufficiently soft, complementing good ventilation. We didn't feel any pressure on our heads while wearing it due to the ease of adjusting the headband, so long play sessions went unhindered. This headset handled the daunting task of portraying sounds above and below the wearer accurately, and we could hear sounds from all directions well. While it wasn't as commendable in the task of picking up smaller, far away sounds like distant footsteps, it's still an excellent choice for gamers.

As for features, the surround sound option is only compatible with Windows 10 64-bit. Otherwise, it allows for software tuning and dual-band Wi-Fi, which isn't too shabby. As it works well for both gaming and listening to music, the Barracuda X is a good choice particularly for those who don't plan on using the mic.

The Cloud II by Hyper X, Kingston Technology's gaming brand, boasts hardware-driven 7.1 virtual surround sound and provides a stereoscopic experience without the need for a driver. The speaker quality was notable for its crisp, satisfying bass, but was a bit lacking in fullness. Our voices came through the mic crystal clear, picking up only a faint amount of noise that shouldn't disturb most users.

In terms of wearability, this headset gripped our ears comfortably, and the cushioning effect offset a slight mugginess caused by the material. While the wearer may feel some pressure along the sides and crown of their head, it wouldn't be to the point of causing discomfort, even during prolonged use.

Gamers who enjoy FPS and TPS games will appreciate the easy-to-grasp sound localization of this headset, which helps to determine the direction of enemy footsteps. With virtual surround sound compatibility and options for muting the mic directly on the product, there's little room to complain about the features included.

The Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is by American maker Corsair, known for their CPU fans and PC cases. With its simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi, it can connect to both a game console with a receiver and the player's smartphone using Bluetooth.

The speaker quality is notable for its delicate treatment of higher tones, and makes vocals sound as if they're floating on the air effortlessly. Instruments also come through well and add to an immersive sound experience. In contrast with this, the mic's noise gate has a low threshold, cutting only small amounts of static but letting through the noise of wind or breathing. It did a good job of conveying our voices, but wouldn't be optimal to use if you've got the air conditioner on.

This headset sat comfortably on our ears with soft cushioning and a comfortable material. The headband, however, is rather stiff, and the attached arm is large, resulting in a fit that didn't quite meet our expectations. The sound localization made it easy to pick out sounds in front and back and on our sides, and only sounds above and below weren't as easy to distinguish. Even though its ability to produce enclosing sounds isn't perfect, the Virtuoso's sound quality is detailed enough to grasp distances with no trouble.

One of its claims to fame is in its dual-band Wi-Fi, which allows players to connect to Discord on their smartphones while playing. With the ability to play wired or wireless and use custom software, this is one headset that you can put to use regardless of your preferred gaming console.

The Wireless Gaming Headset by Binnune, who primarily sells PC mics and headphones, claims to have a battery life of 48 hours. However, it's only compatible with a PC or Playstation when connected using 2.4GHz. In terms of speaker quality, the bass was on the thin side, and the overall mix was unimpressive. Higher frequencies were easy on the ears, but players might be dissatisfied with its ability to produce in-game sounds. It turns out, however, that the mic on this headset is exceptionally high-quality, with voices coming through clearly and very little noise. It would definitely come in handy for in-game voice chat.

While the firmness of the ear cushions was just right, it felt like they put a bit of pressure on the wearer's head. There was a disconnect between the grip of the ear cups and the lack of a firm, stable hold overall. Sounds from in front, back, left, right, or diagonal were easy enough to pick out, although we couldn't hear any difference in sounds coming from above or below. Thankfully the effect of approaching sounds was smooth enough to be able to grasp enemy distances.

With only the most basic mic muting and volume slider, this headset lacks a wide range of options for customization. For gamers looking for something with a really good mic and reliable wireless connection, it could still be a good choice.

Next we looked at the G06 Wireless Gaming Headset by Nubwo, a manufacturer who specializes in this very type of product. The product emphasizes its memory foam ear covers which form to the user's head comfortably. The sound through the speakers delivered booming bass while maintaining balance with mid and high frequencies, and overall produced a natural, exquisite sound.

But we also found that the wireless connection was erratic, which sometimes resulted in noise when dropping in and out. While the mic didn't have the same issue with noise, our voices sounded muffled and never achieved optimal volume, resulting in a difficult experience for the listener.

When trying the headset on, we noticed the ear covers were a bit stiff, but they redeemed themselves with good ventilation and no buildup of sweat. The cushioning on the headband made for a comfortable fit that would be perfect for long play sessions. We were also able to easily distinguish the direction of enemy fire and footsteps due to the precise sound resolution and lack of unnecessary echo. FPS and TPS players should feel that their money was well spent.

Unfortunately, this headset doesn't support custom software updates or virtual surround sound, a bit of a shame considering the quality otherwise.

The Arctis Nova Pro is a gaming headset developed by the Danish brand Steel Series, which is known for its wide range of gaming devices. The company claims their headset’s sound quality improves when using the included DAC (Digital Analog Converter) for gaming.

Speaker quality leans towards expressing mainly high-frequency tones, which provides a sound with noticeably high sound resolution. This left us feeling it can separate sounds for you to clearly pick apart, which includes even subtle audio cues. However, microphone quality tests found that, although the mic picks up little background noise, vocal audio was slightly muffled and difficult to pick up on.

We didn't feel any discomfort while wearing this headset during comfort testing, thanks to the soft and breathable material providing a good fit and minimal pressure. This makes it easy to wear for long gaming sessions.

Overall, sounds felt like they were coming from far away during directional sound testing, which made it difficult to grasp the actual distance of in-game sounds. This was especially difficult when discerning sounds from above, below, or at an angle. This gaming headset may not be the best pick for FPS and TPS games, where you need to be able to differentiate the sound effects like footsteps or gunfire.

The Sonar configuration software allows you to adjust both audio and microphone quality when in use. It even offers you the ability to configure the 7.1-channel virtual surround sound, so we recommend this gaming headset to those who want to immerse themselves and feel the intensity of the gameplay.

Here we've got the famous PC accessory maker Logitech's 7.1 Surround Sound Wired Gaming Headset. It claims the user can enjoy a sound experience "beyond 7.1" by installing the included G HUB software. As some people may also use it with devices other than a computer, we decided to keep the surround sound off for our examination.

The speakers produced a spacious soundscape, giving emphasis to vocals. But the bass was lacking in strength, which took away from the immersive feeling gamers expect. The volume on the mic was substantial but it picked up some noticeable noise along the way, producing a rustling sound that left us dissatisfied. While testing the headset's fit, we found it to be comfortable without being overly tight, but the ear covers had a tendency to get sweaty and might not be ideal for prolonged use.

As for audio localization, we could hear the minute details of sounds coming from the left, right, or diagonally, but sounds in front or behind of the user seemed farther than they actually were. The mic on this product doesn't have noise-canceling, and only the volume can be changed. But it does allow for custom software updates and supports surround sound, which is a respectable set of features.

Let's look at the Cloud Stinger by the maker Hyper X, known for their gaming keyboards and headphones. This headset uses Hyper X's special brand of memory foam for the ear covers, resulting in a soft fit that doesn't put pressure on the user's ears. The headset had a soft, comfortable fit without being unnecessarily tight and only produced the slightest amount of sweatiness.

But the timbre of the speakers emphasizes high and low frequencies while undercutting middle frequencies, which won't appeal to everyone. We couldn't help but notice a characteristic sharpness to vocals on this headset, which was slightly unnatural. The volume on the mic was loud enough, but it also picks up an amount of white noise which can't be ignored. Sounds approaching the listener from far off didn't grow gradually, making it difficult to keep track of distance.

On the plus side, we were able to follow sounds on all sides, including diagonals. While not the most precise, FPS and TPS fans should be able to play their favorite games with little trouble. Features include only on-device mic muting and a volume slider, putting it at a disadvantage to other, more customizable headsets.

The Quantum 100 is a headset by JBL, an American brand which has been around since 1946. Its defining features are the light headband and memory foam ear cushions, which are intended to make long play sessions comfortable. The speaker volume was lacking in presence, but the balance of audio frequencies resulted in clear vocals and accurately portrayed instrument sounds. Sadly, the mic picked up quite a bit of noise, to the point of being a distraction to the listener. It gives you the impression that you're hearing a distant echo of the speaker's voice, which would cause some discomfort during voice chat.

We liked how the relatively large ear covers fit on our ears, but the material was prone to causing stuffiness. While the headset doesn't feel unnecessarily tight, the wearer will notice a buildup of heat after a while. Sounds coming from the left, right, front and back were easy to grasp, but sounds off in diagonal directions weren't as clear, making it difficult to perceive distance at times. The feature set is on the short side, with surround sound that's only compatible with Windows 10 or Xbox ONE and no other customization options.

The G9000 from Bengoo, a manufacturer that specializes in gaming gear, is compatible with the Xbox One, but gamers should be aware that it requires Microsoft's own adapter to connect to older versions of the Xbox One controller.

The speakers produced an edgy bass powerful enough to shake the room, but at the cost of sound balance. We didn't feel this headset was able to accurately reproduce audio as it was intended, as people's voices in videos sounded drowned out. The mic wasn't able to cut background noise at all, picking up all audio from the surrounding environment and even the sound of the wearer's mouth moving, which didn't result in a pleasant experience for the person listening on the other side.

We frequently felt compelled to take the headset off during play sessions due to the cheap build and lack of cushioning on the ear cups. In the sound localization department, sounds from diagonals were all mixed together and the volume shifted to predetermined levels. FPS and TPS gamers would be thrown off by the disconnect between the audio and what's playing on screen. The G9000 has a controller along the cable that allows for mic muting and volume adjustment, but offers no other features or options for customization.