Best gaming headset 2025

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is our top gaming headset overall thanks to its combination of great comfort, excellent sound quality, and loads of useful features. The addition of active noise cancelling for this latest iteration of the BlackShark also makes it even more versatile than ever before.

The core of this headset's appeal is threefold. Firstly, its simple design is practical and comfortable for long gaming sessions. Other headsets might look slicker, be more portable, or have more lights and features but the BlackShark's old-school design with excellent padding (much improved from the V2 Pro) just works.

Secondly, its range of features is really useful. You've got a great quality removable microphone, a chunky, easy to find volume knob, and, new to this version, is the inclusion of active noise canceling and the ability to connect the headset to your PC via USB and even connect an analog  input. The latter is available via a 3.5mm jack plug to USB-C cable that plugs into this headset's USB-C port, so it only works while the headset's on, but it's still a useful addition.

Then there's the sound quality. The BlackShark V3 Pro's drivers sound excellent, with loads of detail and plenty of bass, if you want it. Crucially, the EQ in Razer's Synapse software offers 10 bands of adjustability, making it really easy to dial in your preferred sound. It really works too - the EQ isn't just polishing the proverbial pile.

What's more, that EQ can be used to dial in specific sound settings for certain games. The likes of CS2, Apex, and Valorant all have ready-to-go EQs designed by pro gamers and they really do work well to enhance the audibility of crucial in-game sounds for those games.

With solid battery life, simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth audio, and decent ANC too, this headset is also useable for travel and generally wearing round the house too. Its bulky design, increased weight (367g compared to the V2 Pro's 320g), and inability to fold means it's not the most practical travel headset, but it can serve that function if needed.

The biggest downside here is a high price. The V2 Pro was $200 but the new V3 Pro has jumped to $250. It's reasonable value compared to competing products but it's undeniably an expensive option.

Read our Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review for more.

Let's face it, the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming headset just looks damn good. Its sleek design is a huge part of its appeal. Crucially, though, its beauty is more than skin deep, with this being an excellent quality and versatile headset.

For a start, it's really comfortable, with great padding and a fit that's easy to adjust. Sound quality is also top tier, with powerful bass but smooth and clear mids and lots of top-end detail too. Whether you're gaming, taking a call, or listening to music, it's more than up to the task. It isn't quite so easily tweakable as the BlackShark, and doesn't have the instant-access game-specific EQs, but its still sounds great overall.

A key advantage here over the BlackShark, though, is that the Pro Wireless not only has a reasonable quality boom mic but it has inbuilt mics too, so you can use it on the go without the boom. We did miss having a dedicated chat/game mix dial on the headset, though.

Like the V3 Pro, this is an expensive headset, but it delivers on the quality you'd expect for that price. Plus, its built-in mics and ANC really make it a versatile headset.

Check out our Alienware Pro Wireless review for our full experience.

The H3 Pro Hybrid has been out for several years now and started out as a premium headset option packed with high-end features. However, with EPOS no longer actively making gaming headsets, the H3 Pro Hybrid is now being sold off at incredibly low prices.

For under $50 you're getting a headset that has simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless (and a USB-C audio connection) with active noise cancelling from both its detachable boom mic and internal mics. All that and it delivers excellent sound quality and great comfort too. It's also a remarkably light headset at under 300g.

All this adds up to a fantastic headset overall but one that's ideal for travel, as it folds down reasonably small, you can remove its boom mic, and its low price means you're exposing a far less expensive purchase to a life on the road than with other competing products.

There are a couple of downsides to this headset. One is that its battery life is only up to 30 hours, which is fairly low by modern standards. It can also be a bit finickity in terms of its controls and auto-power off function. Some users may not get on with its fit either. It has quite a strong clamping force with earcups that, although very deep, tuck around your ears somewhat - it won't be ideal if you have particularly big ears.

Overall, though, while these are still available, they are ridiculously good value. Nothing else available can touch them. Just be aware that support is effectively ended for them and there's no fancy software features. What you get out the box is all you'll ever get.

Read our full the EPOS H3Pro Hybrid review.

The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is a budget gaming headset that gets a hell of a lot right for under $50. Solid build, subtle good looks, and great audio quality help this pair of cans steal the budget crown.

Although the design here isn't going to have people mistaking this headset for a luxury option, it's still a well made headset that's comfortable too. Its flexible headband and solid construction provide the durability needed to withstand regular daily use, and our tests confirm it's as hardy as the brand name implies.

Many budget options struggle to strike a balance in terms of audio fidelity, but the TUF Gaming H3 provides decent clarity. You won't have to deal with muddy bass spoiling your mids, and treble rings true while avoiding sounding tinny. Spend more and you get more but for its price this headset delivers sound that's plenty good enough for a fun and competitive gaming experience.

In addition, it wields a superb microphone that surprised us while testing, providing levels of capture clarity we'd usually expect from a more expensive headset.

There aren't many cheap headsets out there that hit as hard as the Asus TUF Gaming H3, and it deserves its spot at the gaming audio table.

Read our Asus TUF Gaming H3 review.

If you have no need for a wireless headset but still want a top-quality and comfortable headset, the HyperX Cloud 3 is the one. Its simple design packs in quality where it matters with great sound from both its headphone drivers and its boom mic.

This is also a supremely comfortable headset, with really deep, squishy padding on its earcups. Its headband isn't quite as adjustable as some but it suits most head sizes that we've tried it with.

As a simple, wired headset, you shouldn't expect any extra features here. Bluetooth, ANC, and the like are all not an option. However, HyperX has updated its long-running Cloud headset to now include a USB connection. Included in the box is a USB-A to USB-C adapter and a USB-C to 3.5mm jack cable, integrated into which is a ADC/DAC for converting the headset's analog signals to digital. To get the absolute best from this headset you'll want to connect it to a high quality headphone amp, but the included digital connection is a great start.

Overall sound quality from this headset is a touch light on low end, so bass heads might be better served elsewhere. Otherwise, this headset delivers fantastic clarity. Again, the ultimate quality will depend on the quality of the signal you feed into it but the drivers are more than capable of reproducing intricate audio.

While not the absolute cheapest headset around, the HyperX Cloud 3 is still great value for the quality of sound you're getting from this stalwart of the gaming headset world.

Read our HyperX Cloud 3 review.

The Astro A50 X is the go-to headset for anyone rocking multiple game consoles alongside a gaming PC and mobile devices. Its Playsync system is a game changer, bringing together all platforms into one low-latency wireless docking station, capable of video passthrough of up to 4K/120Hz via HDMI 2.1. The A50 X docking station can even change your display source at the press of a button for the ultimate convenience.

There's more than just convenience to the Astro A50 X too, as you'd hope given its premium price. Its sound quality is right up with the best while its microphone is top tier too. Both the headphone sound and microphone are customizable thanks to the Logitech G Hub app for PC and mobile, and you also have access to community EQ setups if you're not keen on playing around with the settings yourself.

As well as a 2.4GHz Lightspeed wireless connection, the A50 X includes Bluetooth to allow simultaneous connections, meaning you could be listening to music on your phone while owning lobbies on Xbox Series X or PS5. All of this comes packed into a super comfortable and light frame, available in either black or white, with 24-hour battery life and contact charging available via the docking station.

Read our Logitech Astro A50X review.

The Corsair HS65 Wireless feels like a familiar friend, as its wired sibling is also one of our favorite headsets. The latest edition to the company's headset family embodies style, quality, and functionality, and manages to cut the cord without much compromise.

Both the wireless version and HS65 Surround have good looks on their side, with mesh detailing on the cups adding a fashionable flair. Pivoting cups mean you'll also be able to comfortably wear the headset around your neck in between gaming sessions.

Aesthetics aside, the HS65 Wireless boasts great fidelity and balanced audio that delivers on multiple fronts. Its 7.1 surround sound and spatial audio capabilities are present to enhance the best new PC games, but it's going to bring an immersive level of audible delight to your entire Steam library using Corsair's impressive 50mm drivers.

The HS65 Wireless is armed with both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connections. Battery life is solid is exceptional by today's standards, with up to 24 hours on a full charge, but a quick 15-minute zap will provide you with six hours of playtime.

Read our Corsair HS65 Wireless review.

We already spilled the beans above about how much we like the Corsair HS65 Surround while highlighting its newer wireless counterpart. The key here is the balance of core features for the price you're paying.

The HS65 Surround starts off its impressive list of positive features with good all round comfort and easy adjustability. Next is sound quality that is comfortably above most options of its price range. Combined with the fact that its USB connection gets you a great virtual surround sound mode - something a plain analog wired headset won't provide without extra software - and you have a great foundation for long gaming sessions.

Mic quality is solid too, and greatly enhancing the versatility of this headset is the inclusion of a 3.5mm jack, so you can plug in any old analog like you would with a set of headphones. There are compromises here, as you'd expect for its modest price, but the core features and quality of this headset are enough to put it ahead of its competition.

Read the Corsair HS65 Surround review.

We love some RGB, and the Roccat Syn Max Air implements this beautifully across not only the headset itself but also the handy magnetic charging dock.

Aesthetics aside, when we reviewed this headset, we found the comfort to be somewhat missing. If it happens to be the right fit for you, there is very little about the Syn Max Air that misses, beyond its microphone that is a little too sensitive to ambient sound.

Roccat gets its 50mm driver tech from parent company Turtle Beach, meaning there is an incredible level of quality on show here, including the addition of Superhuman Hearing, a must-have feature for shooters. 3D Audio is also in play and offers a level of immersion to take all of your gaming to the next level.

Read our Roccat Syn Max Air review for more.

The idea of a vibrating headset might sound gimmicky, but hear us out, as the Kraken V3 Hypersense more than justifies haptic accessories. In a way, Razer's rumbly tech feels almost like a subwoofer, as it adds a sense of audio physicality to the device's 7.1 surround sound capabilities (though 7.1 is Windows-only). If you're a fan of FPS experiences like Halo Infinite, then you'll love Kraken V3 Hypersense's dedication to immersion, as its haptics transform every gunshot and explosion into directional, tactical information.

Haptics aside, the Kraken V3 also is an exceptional headset in its own right. A mix of durable plastics, metals, and leatherette gives the V3 Hypersense a premium feel, while its detachable mic boasts clarity and efficient noise reduction.

Of course, if you're a fan of colorful accessories, then you'll be pleased to know that the Kraken V3 Hypersense is clad in Chroma RGB, and the company's lighting tech looks better than ever.

Read the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense review.

It's not often that the only negative we have for a headset is the software you use with it, but in the case of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it's truly the only fault we could find after weeks of testing.

The price may turn away some potential customers, but the reality is that the Nova Pro Wireless is worth it. If you want to improve your gaming experience, few headsets can compete. A big factor in this is the AI audio cancellation. Rather than being a feature you turn on and off, the Nova Pro Wireless is listening to your surroundings and making adjustments on the fly.

Simultaneous connection, 40mm drivers, 20-hour battery life, and a reasonable 336g weight all combine to create what we called "The total package" during our review. The final point in favor of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is their customizability, as you can purchase booster packs for $34.99 to change the earcups and headband, a nice touch even if it comes with a cost.

Read our SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review for more.

For true wireless earbud convenience and easy gaming PC connectivity in one, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the ultimate gaming earbud. Thanks to their included 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, you can connect to any PC with ease, while Bluetooth gets you an easy connection for your phone or laptop too.

That portability comes with great battery life too, with 10 hours of listening per bud and another 30 hours of charge time in the carry case. With active noise canceling also built in you can block out the din of trains or planes around you when using these as travel earbuds too.

Crucially, they're also really comfortable, assuming you don't mind the style of fit where the eartips push into your ear canals. They also sit securely in your ear, so can stand up to use in moderate exercise as well as remaining comfortable all day, whether you're working or gaming.

Sound quality is excellent too, with a sound that's very similar to the AirPods Pro. They have bass presence without it sounding forced and plenty of mid-range warmth and top-end clarity. They're a clear cut above the Razer Hammerhead earbuds, for instance.

For gaming, you also get over 100 sound profiles tuned specifically for different games. Audiophiles will still want to seek out high-end wired earbuds but for general listening the GameBuds are great.

The GameBuds aren't a cheap option but are competitively priced compared to other wireless earbuds and are ultimately worth the money, if portability is crucial for you.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review to find our more.