The 10 Best Gaming Headsets to Take Your Virtual World to the Next Level
The 10 Best Gaming Headsets to Take Your Virtual World to the Next Level
There’s an old filmmaker adage that says most people can overlook mediocre video quality; bad audio, however, is unforgivable. Likewise, modern gaming is a fully immersive experience that has to look great and sound even better. Audio quality may be the most essential component to any gaming setup, and that’s why the best gaming consoles deserve the best sound. There’s no sense in dropping $300 on “premium” cans if they can’t make your system seriously rock. If you’re opting for a gaming headset over a traditional speaker setup, the other most important features are reliable (preferably low-latency wireless) connectivity and a great-sounding mic. Decent battery life and a comfortable fit that can survive 10-hour marathon gaming sessions are must-haves, too.
But wading through the vernacular and gimmickry of today’s headset market can be confusing. Beyond understanding the complexities of your system’s video hardware, knowing the difference between decent audio and great audio means sifting through even more uber-technical terms like “3D spatialization,” “latency calculation,” and “frequency response curves.” Thankfully, we’ve done the legwork, researching dozens of the most popular headsets to find the very best gaming headsets to shop in 2022.
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Best Gaming Headsets
- Best Overall Gaming Headset: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
- Best Wireless Gaming Headset: HyperX Cloud II Wireless
- Best Budget Gaming Headset: Razer Barracuda X
- Best Dobly Atmos Gaming Headset: Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
- Best PC Gaming Headset: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT
BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
Razer
walmart.com
$199.99
Razer’s best-selling BlackShark V2 Pro is our top pick for the best gaming headset overall. The wireless connectivity frees up your gaming space, with the option of a direct, wired connection if you’re latency-obsessed. The 50mm high-end sound drivers and THX 7.1 surround sound capability ensure they sound amazing. Plus, they’ll run wirelessly for 24 hours on a single charge. What we like most, though, is the price: At less than $150, these feel practically free.
Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset
HyperX
amazon.com
$129.94
A close second to the BlackShark V2 Pro is the Cloud II Wireless headset from HyperX. They boast many of the same features, including a durable aluminum frame, a noise-canceling detachable mic, and wireless connectivity with a long battery life. The dual 53mm drivers and 7.1 surround sound are immersive, although the quality isn’t quite as good as Razer’s flagship entry.
Read More: Best Wireless Headphones
Barracuda X Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset
Razer
walmart.com
$70.18
At less than $80, it’s hard to beat Razer’s Barracuda X as the best budget gaming headset. They offer all the must-have features, including wired and low-latency wireless connectivity, a lightweight build (at just 250 grams!), and a removable boom mic. The 20-hour battery life isn’t bad either. Plus, the low-profile headband and FlowKnit material earcups are comfortable enough for all-day gameplay.
Arctis 9X Wireless Gaming Headset
SteelSeries
amazon.com
$188.99
Wireless gaming headsets often lack the crispness of their wired counterparts. SteelSeries irons out most of those wrinkles with its Arctis 9X. The sound through both the cans and the mic is fantastic on every platform. We also love the woven “ski goggle” suspension headband that keeps much of the headset’s weight off your dome. The only downside: The price.
HS80 RGB Wireless Premium Gaming Headset
Corsair
amazon.com
$136.10
If surround-sound quality matters above all else for you, Corsair’s HS80 RGB Wireless is your man. These PC-gamer-centric cans deliver phenomenal audio via Dolby Atmos-certified surround sound and custom-tuned, 50mm neodymium drivers with a wide frequency range. The result is ultra-immersive gameplay where every sound from the quietest whisper to the loudest detonation is crisp, clear, and true-to-life.
Quantum ONE Over-Ear Performance Gaming Headset
JBL
amazon.com
$249.95
JBL is well-known for some of the best wireless headphones on the market, and the Quantum ONE Professional PC Gaming Headset is no exception. This flagship headset boasts modern, aggressive looks and a long list of next-gen features. Of them all, the coolest by far is the QuantumSPHERE 360 technology that uses a head-tracking sensor to help you perfectly pinpoint sounds in your gaming environment. They’re on the pricey side at nearly $250 but worth every penny for serious gamers.
Beoplay Portal Gaming Headphones
Bang & Olufsen
Neiman Marcus
$499.00
For decades, Bang & Olufsen has made some of the world’s sexiest audio equipment. They bring that considerable design panache to bear on the ultra-premium Beoplay Portal Gaming Headphones (making these a great gift for gamers). They deliver must-have features like active noise cancelation tech, Dolby Atmos surround sound, multi-platform compatibility, and 24-hour battery life. Oh, and the sleek, minimalist aesthetic makes these the best-looking gaming headphones on this list.
Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT High-Fidelity Gaming Headset
Corsair
walmart.com
$224.99
At $225, Corsair’s Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT ranks among the most expensive on this list. But, that cost of entry ensures a long list of excellent features making these our pick for the best PC gaming headset. They’re versatile, extremely comfortable, and far sleeker than most other headsets. Added bonus: They can connect to two devices simultaneously, so you can game while listening to music or notifications on your phone via Bluetooth.
H6PRO Closed Acoustic Gaming Headset
EPOS
amazon.com
$179.00
EPOS is proving to be a legit contender in the gaming headset space. The H6Pro not only boasts a premium look, but a long list of premium tech features to boot. It’s arguably the best sounding headset on this list with fantastic audio quality that’s more balanced and less “all about that bass” than most gaming headsets.
PRO X Gaming Headset (2nd Generation)
Logitech G
amazon.com
$94.73
True to the brand, Logitech's G Pro X is a great mid-range gaming headset. The all-black design is sleek and elegant without the bold, in-your-face styling typical of other headsets. The wired connection ensures zero-latency, while 7.1-channel compatibility delivers a rich, immersive soundscape no matter your game of choice. We also dig the ability to fine-tune the mic and mic software to dial in your personal voice quality.
The best game consoles deserve the best sound—and the best gaming headsets will give that and more. Check our picks for you're getting into the gaming zone.