A quality pair of headphones can take your gaming experience to the very next level by providing you with top-notch audio, clear communication with your gaming buddies, and, most importantly, comfort for your dear ears during those late-night gaming marathons. However, choosing the right headset is a different challenge altogether.
The gaming headset market is saturated with options, especially in the budget segment. But for those serious gamers who are willing to overlook the price tag and simply want to invest in the best, listed below are the 10 best gaming headsets of 2023.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE
Price: $229
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is a premium wireless gaming headset that is made for gamers who are also audiophiles. The sleek and sophisticated design has gunmetal-colored aluminum embossed on the cans, but it’s more than just a pretty face.
The Virtuoso RGB SE comes with hi-res support, which gives it a spot in the audiophile territory. Its 50mm drivers sound fantastic during gunfights in games like Borderlands 3. The audio rendition of the cans falls between bass-heavy cans like the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 and flatter-sounding cans like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. The RGB Corsair logo is a nice touch too.
While the Virtuoso RGB SE is a wireless headset, it has a low latency connection, which ensures that there is no delay between your gameplay and audio output. Plus, it has a 20-hour battery life that will keep the charging cable away for a couple of days.
SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Price: $350
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset comes with a hefty price tag, but it is worth splurging on. The headset has a clean, shiny look and is packed with features catering to hardcore gamers. The wireless base station connects to multiple units, and the swappable battery technology assures ‘unlimited’ battery life. Its highly customizable design is so light and comfy that you’ll forget you’re wearing it.
The Nova Pro Wireless has hi-fi-capable, custom-designed 40mm speakers that deliver excellent audio. However, a cable connection and a DAC are required to appreciate the headset’s 10-40,000Hz frequency range. The immersive and rich audio quality of the headset isn’t restricted to gaming; it also works well with other sorts of audio.
Additional features that make the Nova Pro stand out include a retractable bidirectional noise-canceling mic, active noise cancellation, and simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connection with audio mixing capabilities. The headset can seamlessly transition from PC gaming to console gaming, video conferencing, and audiophile listening. While it appears to be grandiose, it manages to deliver on its promises.
Can’t afford the Nova Pro? The Kingston HyperX Cloud Alpha is a decent sub-$100 alternative with superb audio and a comfortable fit.
Razer Barracuda X
Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
Let’s drop the price range for a moment. The Razer Barracuda X is creating waves in the gaming scene. It costs under $100 and features a 2.4GHz wireless connection via USB-C dongle, making it compatible with a broad range of devices such as PC, Nintendo Switch, numerous Android smartphones, and PS5 or PS4. There is also a 3.5mm backup connector for everything else.
The Razer Barracuda X sports a lightweight construction and a sleek all-black aesthetic, weighing only 250g. Its low-profile headband and detachable boom mic keep things unobtrusive, while the breathable FlowKnit material in the earcups keeps things comfy during lengthy gaming sessions.
Despite its low pricing, the Razer Barracuda X does not skimp on features or battery life. These headphones can last more than 50 hours, guaranteeing a worry-free gaming experience. In addition, for an immersive audio experience, Razer has integrated virtual 7.1-channel surround sound capability on PC.
Creative SXFI Air Gamer
Price: $150
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
Looking for a flexible and reasonably priced gaming headset? Take a look at the Creative SXFI Air Gamer. It offers a lot of comparable capabilities to the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT at a fraction of the price, including the option to connect to your PC by cable or Bluetooth at the same time.
Despite the lack of a wireless dongle and a unique design, the audio quality is excellent, with remarkable bass reproduction that makes it ideal for gaming, music, and movies. You may pick between quality and mobility with the three integrated microphones, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. However, bear in mind that Bluetooth may have some latency that would otherwise be unnoticeable but could be a dealbreaker for competitive gaming.
JBL Quantum One
Price: $299
Where to buy: Amazon |
The JBL Quantum One headset is pricey, but it has outstanding features such as JBL’s QuantumSPHERE 360 technology and DTS Headphone X: v2.0 surround sound, allowing for a truly immersive gaming experience. QuantumSPHERE 360 even considers your head location, so noises will change based on where you gaze in the game environment.
The JBL Quantum One is precision-engineered, featuring Hi-Res certified 50mm speakers and a frequency response range of 20Hz-40kHz. It also provides versatility with USB and 3.5mm connection choices, as well as active noise cancellation to help you focus on the game noises. The headset also includes adjustable RGB lights on each ear cup for extra flair.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S
Price: $199
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is a top-of-the-line gaming headset with premium features that make it the perfect choice for players with deep pockets. Tthe headset’s exceptional sound quality and customizable 3D mode with head-tracking technologies provide a significant edge during gameplay. The virtual surround sound in the headset correctly follows the location of opponents with head tracking and changes the auditory environment accordingly.
Furthermore, the head tracking technology in the headset may be utilized with gaming controllers, freeing up the user’s hands for greater action. Although rival headsets provide wireless features and genuine surround sound at lesser rates, the HyperX Cloud Orbit S gives an edge that is difficult to overlook, along with the same comfy memory foam headband and earpads as previous HyperX Cloud headsets.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX
Price: $199
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
This headset is ideal for Xbox X/S players searching for a high-quality, feature-rich experience. The headset’s 2.4GHz wireless connectivity ensures a flawless connection to your system while also allowing for simple swap compatibility with other consoles like the PS5 and Nintendo Swap. Bluetooth adds to the device’s flexibility, and the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX offers a stunning 40 hours of listening time on a single charge. A rapid charge function also allows users to enjoy 8 hours of battery life after only 15 minutes of charging.
When combined with your console, you’ll notice the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX’s amazing sound quality and immersive experience. The headset includes 50mm Nanoclear speakers that give exceptional sound quality, as well as support for Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, DTS Headphone: X, and Superhuman Hearing. Finally, the headset’s comfy, lightweight, and long-lasting construction allows you to play for lengthy periods of time without pain.
Sony Pulse 3D
Price: $99
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
The Sony Pulse 3D headset is an excellent choice for gamers looking to fully use the Tempest 3D audio engine on their PS5. This one is designed to provide high-quality audio output via its 40mm speakers while also seamlessly integrating with your console, ensuring that you enjoy the complete surround sound experience in your PS5 games.
The Pulse 3D is not confined to PS5 gaming though; it is also PS4 and PC/Mac compatible and allows wireless networking for multi-device gaming. The headset delivers outstanding value for money at an economical price point of about $100, making it an intriguing alternative for budget-conscious gamers.
Asus ROG Delta S
Price: $150
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
The Asus ROG Delta S has been named the Best Hi-Res Gaming Headset, beating the SteelSeries Arctis Pro+ GameDAC. One element that contributes to its performance is the inclusion of the ESS 9281 Pro Quad DAC, which has a better dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio than the SteelSeries’ ESS 9018.
The ROG Delta S is an excellent gaming headset, with a soundscape that emulates the twangs of a bow or the bangs of an assault weapon accurately. However, be mindful of the loudness, since it may annoy individuals close by. Although the simulated 7.1 surround sound performance is adequate, some users prefer the DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround scheme featured on the Arctis Pro+ GameDac. While the Arctis Pro+ GameDac has some benefits, such as a screen-equipped DAC with ChatMix control, the ROG Delta S has its own unique features, such as reactive RGB on the four RGB zones of its earcups.
PDP Airlite Pro
Price: $50
Where to buy: Amazon | Best Buy |
The PDP Airlite Pro wireless headset is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers. It can connect to your PS4, PS5, or PC through a low-latency wireless dongle. If you like, you may also buy the Xbox version. With a battery life of 16 hours, you won’t have to worry about running out of charge too fast. The USB-C cord makes charging simple as well.
The headset features 50mm speakers that deliver clean highs and powerful bass for an immersive gaming experience, but it lacks 3D audio. It makes up for this, though, with its durability and comfort. It is lightweight and adaptable, featuring memory foam ear cups that fit comfortably. To converse properly with your teammates, you can even manage the volume and use the noise-canceling flip-to-mute mic.
How to pick the right gaming headset?
Although we have shortlisted the 10 best gaming headsets you can choose from, it can still be difficult to settle on the right one. Here are a few tips that will help narrow down your decision.
Audio quality
Every gamer wants to hear every minute sound detail in the game, from the smallest whisper to the loudest explosion. Of course, when it comes to the audio signature, it’s up to your individual preferences. Noise cancellation should also be a must-have feature, as it helps you drown out distractions.
Microphone quality
If you’re into multiplayers, the mic is as important as the headphone itself. Communication is key when gaming with your teammates, and you want to make sure your teammates can hear you loud and clear. Choose a headset with a noise-canceling microphone that filters out any unwanted background noise that would give you the best experience. You may also want to consider a model that comes with a detachable, extendable, or adjustable microphone, depending on your preference.
Comfort and fit
There’s nothing worse than sore ears and a headache after a long gaming session. You’ve got to make sure your headset feels like a cushion and isn’t bulky or tight. Also, your ears should remain cool; no one likes sweaty headsets. Make sure you pick a headset with adjustable headbands and ear cups, cushioned padding, and lightweight, breathable materials to ensure maximum comfort. Plus, the headset should fit just right- not too tight or too loose.
Battery life
You don’t want your headset to run out of juice mid-game while being on an important mission or in a battle with your teammates, so it is important to make sure you choose your gaming headset with at least 10 to 20 hours of battery life. Try looking for a headset with quick charging, or you could just opt for the wired ones if that’s something you can live with.
Compatibility
Make sure the headset you choose is compatible with your gaming platform, whether it’s PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or any other console. Some headsets even come with audio-enhancing software that can enhance and change your gaming experience but only on specific hardware.
Connection
Wired headsets usually offer better sound quality and reliability, but wireless headsets give you more freedom and flexibility. If you’re going for a wireless headset, make sure you take the ones with the lowest latency.
