Best Gaming Headset 2021: Top picks for PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch
- In this article…
- 1. How We Test
- 2. Audeze Penrose
- 3. Asus TUF Gaming H3
- 4. Sennheiser GSP 370
- 5. Xbox Wireless Headset
- 6. Sony Pulse 3D
- 7. SteelSeries Arctis 1
- 8. Corsair HS75 XB Wireless
- 9. EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
- 10. Logitech G Pro X Wireless
- 11. Razer Kraken X
- 12. We also considered
- 13. FAQs
- 14. Spec Comparison
Looking for the best gaming headset possible to make explosions and gunfire sound like they’re right there in your living room? Then you’re in the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of all the best gaming headsets available, whether you want a pair for single-player adventures, or to scream down the microphone at your squad mates in multiplayer matches.
We’ve made our list as versatile as possible too, so you’ll find the perfect pair of gaming headphones whether you’re playing on PC, Switch, PlayStation or Xbox.
Check out our best gaming headsets below. We’ll be updating this article throughout the year, so be sure to check back for all the latest additions.
How We Test
We use every headset we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of games, as well as playing music in order to get the full experience.
We also check each headset’s software (if applicable) to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
- Industry-leading sound quality
- Premium, well-built design
- Solid microphone quality
- Very expensive, even by premium headset standards
- Durable, stylish and comfortable
- Impressive sound quality
- Premium, adult-feeling design
- Microphone offers clear and crisp chat
- Battery life isn’t as good as the competition
- Requires purchasing an adapter for PC compatibility
- Lack of an optional wired connection
- Compact, comfy and stylish
- Audio quality is impressively rich
- 15-20 hour battery life makes them reliable
- Support a wide of variety of different devices
- Companion software is absolutely dire
- Charging case scratches very easily
- Very expensive
- Lack of microphone with dongle connection
- Good audio quality
- Super comfortable
- Seamless wireless connection
- Microphone is a little lacklustre
- Lack of Bluetooth limits device support
- Pricey
- Comfortable design
- Great microphone
- 7.1 surround sound is useful
- Multi-platform support
- Poor bass quality
- Surround sound won’t work with PS4, Xbox or Switch
- Solid audio quality
- Stellar battery life
- Comfortable fit
- More expensive than key rivals
- Perfect companion for PS5
- Comfortable to wear
- Spatial 3D Audio is both impressive and immersive
- Internal microphone sounds surprisingly great
- Battery life could be better
- Feels cheap in some areas
- Wireless use on Switch and other platforms is flawless
- Audio is surprisingly punchy and clear for the asking price
- Mic is detachable with decent speech quality
- Aesthetic is bland and lifeless for the brand
- No surround sound
- Great sound and powerful bass
- Clever design
- Easy-to-use controls
- Incredible value
- Plasticky build
- Mic monitoring could be a little louder
- No Active Noise Cancelling
Audeze Penrose
Best for audiophiles
Pros
- Industry-leading sound quality
- Premium, well-built design
- Solid microphone quality
Cons
- Very expensive, even by premium headset standards
The Audeze Penrose is a luxury gaming headset aimed at those who want the ultimate audio quality for gaming. The high price makes it overkill for the majority of gamers, but we still believe this is the one very best gaming headsets you can buy right now.
The custom planar magnetic drivers ensure one of the best audio experiences we’ve tested yet, while the low-latency 2.4GHz wireless dongle should rule out any delay between the on-screen action and the sound blaring out of the cups. The headset also supports Bluetooth 5.0, increasing the number of devices these headphones are compatible with.
There aren’t many negative points with the Audeze Penrose, making it the overall best gaming headset you can currently buy. Just make sure you’re happy to pay a premium, as these cans are substantially more expensive than other options.
Reviewer: Alastair Stevenson
Full review: Audeze Penrose review
Asus TUF Gaming H3
Best value gaming headset
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 excels at the three most important aspects of a gaming headset: comfort, audio and microphone. It’s genuinely difficult to believe how cheap these wired headphones are when it does the fundamentals so well.
Of course, there are compromises to be had when purchasing a gaming peripheral on the cheap. In this case, it’s the build quality, as it feels distinctively plastic. And while we can’t comment on long-term durability given our limited time with the headphones, it is something we suggest to be wary of.
But if you’re looking for great-sounding gaming cans without spending upwards of £50, then the Asus TUF Gaming H3 is easily our top recommended pick.
Reviewer: Esat Dedezade
Full review: Asus TUF Gaming H3 review
Sennheiser GSP 370
Best wireless audio quality
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
Detailed, clear audio, a wonderfully subtle design and industry-leading battery life mean you’ll struggle to find a better headset than the Sennheiser GSP 370 for less than £200.
This headset is designed for comfort and simplicity. Setup and interface are also very simple. The Sennheiser GSP 370 comes with a low-latency connection dongle that makes setting it up on a PC a doddle. Pop the dongle into an open USB port, switch the 370 on, then bingo bango, you’re good to go. Controls feature a basic power switch, volume dial and unidirectional microphone that’s muted when you flip it up.
The only area the headset didn’t fully deliver on was surround sound. It matches competing sets, but is less accurate than the GSP 670, which supports full-fat 7.1 surround sound. However, while the GSP 670 headset outperform its newer stablemate, it is a seriously expensive piece of kit.
Reviewer: Alastair Stevenson
Full review: Sennheiser GSP 370 review
Xbox Wireless Headset
Best value for Xbox fans
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
If you want something doing well, you’re better off doing it yourself. Well, that’s been Microsoft’s view when it comes to creating a sure-fire premium headset to act as the ideal companion to their latest run of next-gen consoles.
The Xbox Wireless Headset certainly wows with its great overall sound, dual connectivity and premium looks and construction. In addition, it supports virtual surround sound such as Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X that help to raise this headset’s audio game to another level.
Throw in the fact it’s practically half the price of a truly premium headset, and you’ve got something an OEM headset that stands up well against others from equally established audio brands.
Reviewer: Esat Dedezade
Full review: Xbox Wireless Headset review
Sony Pulse 3D
Best value for PlayStation fans
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
The Sony Pulse 3D Headset is the official PS5 headset, and is also arguably the best option for Sony’s new console. It’s comfortable to wear, offers great audio quality and offers wireless connectivity via the bundled USB-C dongle.
Other than being great value for the audio performance, the only unique strength here is the Spatial 3D Audio, which creates an incredibly impressive immersive effect. However, this feature only works with select first-party games such as Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls, limiting the use for the headset.
Battery life is pretty poor too, although the 12-hour charge should be enough to endure each play session. But if you’re a PS5 owner who will be playing lots of first-party titles, then the Sony Pulse 3D Headset is arguably your best bet.
Reviewer: Jade King
Full review: Sony Pulse 3D Headset review
SteelSeries Arctis 1
Best for Switch
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have one special skill that is fairly unique in the gaming headset world: wireless Nintendo Switch support. While Nintendo has refused to enable Bluetooth support for its portable console, SteelSeries has come up with a workaround thanks to a USB-C dongle that can be plugged into the bottom.
This isn’t just a one trick pony either, with the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless boasting terrific audio and microphone quality, making it a solid option for multiple platforms.
However, the lack of surround sound and a bland design are noteworthy niggling issues for a headset at this price point, as the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless charge an extra premium for that special Switch support.
Reviewer: Jade King
Full review: SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless review
Corsair HS75 XB Wireless
Best premium Xbox headset
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
If you want a rather fetching looking gaming headset, then Corsair is on hand to provide with its HS75 XB Wireless. It fuses grown-up design with premium looks and impressive sound quality to create what is one of the best Xbox headsets out there.
Its design is overall unobtrusive and misses the typical gaming tropes that characterise other headsets, providing a welcome change. In addition, it’s not all looks with the HS75 XB Wireless; its audio is crisp with a nice wide soundstage proving perfect for games, chat and music all the same.
The only issues with the HS75 XB is its high price, making it an ideal choice for those with plenty of cash. There’s also no wireless connectivity options besides the Xbox Wireless measures, reducing its versatility.
Reviewer: Tom Regan
Full review: Corsair HS75 XB Wireless review
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
Best true wireless gaming earbuds
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
If the swathes of over-ear gaming headsets aren’t your thing, then EPOS is on hand to provide a rich audio experience with some great true wireless earbuds that are not only comfortable, but also compatible with a wide range of devices.
They also offer a great 15-20 hour battery life thanks to the wireless charging case, which puts then firmly in the frame with some of the over-ears on this list. The EPOS GTW 270s also look good too, with a smooth two-tone black and silver colouring keeping them looking professional. Being so small too, you wouldn’t expect them to be primarily a gaming product.
Do beware though, that the charging case they come in can scratch easily, and their accompanying software isn’t the best in the world. Moreover, with an RRP of £179, they aren’t cheap by any means, but if you’re wanting to game without a stonkingly massive headset with obtuse amounts of padding, then this is a fantastic option.
Reviewer: Tom Regan
Full review: EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid review
Logitech G Pro X Wireless
Premium wireless headset
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
The Logitech G Pro X Wireless is the brand’s most luxurious gaming headset, packing top class features such as the Lightspeed wireless connection, 20-hour battery life and excellent audio quality.
We were very impressed with build and comfort of this headset during testing, with faux leather and metal giving off a very classy vibe. However, we were also disappointed that it’s lacking some key features despite its high price, including Bluetooth which opens up the number of devices the headset can work with. The microphone quality was also a underwhelming for the cost.
Still, if you’re looking to play a lot of single-player games, crave maximum comfort and enjoy fiddling around with Logitech’s superb G Hub software, then the Logitech G Pro X Wireless are an excellent pair of wireless gaming headphones.
Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Logitech G Pro X Wireless review
Razer Kraken X
Budget wired
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent, balanced sound quality
- Clear microphone
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Non-removable mic
Don’t fancy spending more than £60? Then the Razer Kraken X deserves a shout out, with a really comfortable design, clear microphone and handy on-headset controls.
The 7.1 surround sound is a superb feature at this price point, although it’s worth pointing out that 7.1 surround sound only works with a PC. Fortunately, it still works with the likes of a PS5, Xbox Series X and Switch via the 3.5mm cable, you’re just limited to stereo sound.
The Razer Kraken X is admittedly not quite as cheap as the Asus TUF Gaming H3, but it’s still a great value buy for those who love the Razer brand and the Synapse software that goes with it.
Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Razer Kraken X review
We also considered…
We’ve reviewed
See all reviewsFAQs
Headphones with a 7.1 surround sound can make audio seem as if it’s coming from a specific location, which is helpful to determine where your enemies are lurking. This feature is often only available on PC.
Some gaming headsets can be used for work, but be mindful that many have garish designs and can often see lots of sound leakage.
The Nintendo Switch lacks Bluetooth support, so you need a gaming headset with either a 3.5mm cable or a USB-C dongle in order it to work with the portable.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.