After a nifty new gaming headset but unsure which to get? Well you’re not alone.
Gaming headsets come in all shapes and sizes theses days and cover multiple price points. Nowadays there even headsets for specific games and genres.
New technologies are also hitting the market at a near frenzied pace, with the likes of the Audeze Mobius bringing hardware traditionally seen on top headphones to the headset space.
Here to help make sure you get the right headset for your specific needs and don’t overpay, we’ve tested some of the most popular headsets on the market to separate the lemons from the limes.
But before you go rushing down to check out our list make sure to answer two key questions. First, where do you plan to use it? If you’re a PC gamer that plays at a desk next to your rig, you likely won’t need to invest in a wireless gaming headset. If you’re a console our lounge gamer Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connectivity will be a must.
Second, what’s your budget. Gaming headsets can cost anywhere from £20 all the way up to £400. If you already have a great sound system and only plan to use the headset for voice chat then there’s no point in overpaying. If you game in a shared living space where you need to keep quiet investing a little more to get a better sound headset with decent noise isolation will be well worth your while.
With that in mind scroll down to see our picks of the best gaming headsets currently available.
The very best gaming headset right now are the Steelseries Arctis 7, although they don’t come cheap. From the fantastic build quality and crisp sound reproduction through the wireless connectivity and impressively long battery life, this gaming headset has it all. DTS Headphone:X support means PC gamers can enjoy a proper surround sound experience too.
If you’re all about looking flash as you frag, Asus has you covered. The likes of the ROG Strix Fusion 700 boast programmable LEDs, using Asus’ Aura Sync software. Or if your budget is quite tight and you’re simply after a good quality, reliable headset, the Corsair HS70 delivers in spades for under £100.
We’re constantly updating this list with our new favourite gaming headsets, so check back again soon to see which new devices made the cut.
Related: Best Gaming Keyboard 2019
1. SteelSeries Arctis 7
The best overall gaming headphones for PC and PS4 players
Pros:
- Wide operational range
- Long battery life
- Outstanding build quality
- Clean and punchy audio
Cons:
- Maybe a little small for large heads
- Wired-only Xbox and Switch support
- Volume dials are a little fiddly
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is our favourite gaming headset. Why? Because it’s everything a good headset should be. It’s remarkably comfortable to wear over long periods, thanks to a clever self-adjusting band – and unlike models from some competitors, it doesn’t present any nasty side effects as a result.
Using a USB transmitter, the Arctis offers excellent battery life and range. Unlike many rivals, the retractable microphone isn’t a weak link, and vocals come across clearly.
Audio quality is sublime, regardless of the application; it’s just as happy with your music library as it is with Battlefield 1. The headset also employs DTS Headphone:X when gaming on a PC, providing an extra sense of space through virtual surround sound.
If you’re a PS4 or PC player and have around £150 to spend on a headset, then look no further.
- Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 7 review
2. Corsair HS70
The greatest gaming cans you can buy for under £100
Pros:
- Tasteful design
- Excellent all round audio
- Very comfortable to wear
- Fantastic microphone
Cons:
- Surround sound is PC only
- Perhaps lacking a little clarity
- Earpads not easily replaceable
The Corsair HS70 is the best gaming headset available for less than £100. The headset is a breath of fresh air in the gaming market, which seems to be hell bent on adding RGB lighting and sharp corners to everything it can. It features a pleasingly unassuming, refined design and is one of a select few gaming headsets you’d be willing to wear in public.
It also ticks all the right boxes when it comes to functionality, offering robust audio quality, with plenty of power in the low end. The mic is also wonderfully clear and excellent for voice chatting when playing online.
The only downside is that it uses proprietary earpads that can only be purchased direct from Corsair, which is a pain if you plan to use it long-term.
- Read our full Corsair HS70 review
3. Audeze Mobius
The only choice for audiophile gamers
Pros:
- Great audio quality
- The most immersive gaming experience on the market
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- Mic issues when used wirelessly on Windows
We won’t lie, £400 for a gaming headset is pretty extortionate. But if you can afford it the Audeze Mobius more than justifies its upfront cost. The Mobius features a wealth of custom hardware you won’t find on any other gaming headset.
For starters, it’s the first mainstream headset to use planar magnetic drivers. These a different to the dynamic drivers you’ll find on most other gaming headsets and aim to let the Mobius offer more detailed, immersive audio. It also features head tracking tech that lets it detect and optimise it’s audio settings for over 1000 different head movements. The tech works a treat and makes the Mobius the best sounding, most immersive gaming headsets we’ve ever tested.
Add to this a premium, mature design that’s blissfully free of the “l33t” colourings and RGB lighting seen on competing headsets and the Mobius easily earns its place in our best of list.
- Read our full Audeze Mobius review
4. Razer Kraken (2019)
Our current pick for best value gaming headset
Pros:
- Comfortable to wear
- Punchy bass response
- Attractive design
- Strong build quality
- Excellent microphone
Cons:
- Mid-tones can get a touch muddy
- Relatively weak head-grip
The new Razer Kraken is essentially a tweaked version of the older Kraken V2 Pro ‘phones from 2017 – they’re more comfortable, thanks to a gel-lined cushions around the cans, and the adjustable mic features improved ambient noise rejection, but in terms of sound quality, it’s the same story, the same custom-tuned 50mm drivers and same great gaming performance for an excellent value price.
Volume can be cranked up to a very high level, with slightly muddy midrange performance, that’s only really noticeable at high levels, or when you’re listening to music.
We had no gripes with the Razer Kraken when gaming, as solid bass response gives the roar of explosions and a jetpacks satisfying boost, while the clunk of weapon reloads clatter pleasantly around your lug holes.
The 1.3 metre cable is also long enough to give you a bit of distance without seeing you getting tied up in knots.
Put simply, the new Razer Kraken, like the V2 Pros, is an excellent value for money choice.
- Read our full Razer Kraken review
5. Razer Kraken Pro V2
Last year’s best-value option is still a good deal
Pros:
- Comfortable to wear
- Punchy bass response
- Attractive design
- Strong build quality
- Excellent microphone
Cons:
- Mid-tones can get a touch muddy
- Relatively weak head-grip
Though it’s superceded by the new Razer Kraken cans, the 2017 Razer Kraken Pro V2 headphones are still on sale, and are still a great value for money purchase.
Console users who are after an easy-to-use wired headset should strongly consider the Razer Kraken Pro V2.
It’s well built, thanks to Razer’s use of metal on the earcups, and has a relatively short cable that makes it easier to cleanly connect into your controller. We love its overall look, too, with a design that’s stylish and feels expensive.
Sound quality is excellent, with a slightly bassy signature that makes it ideal for gaming; but it isn’t so overpowering that it becomes unsuitable for music playback.
If you want something that’s quick and easy to use, without the hassle of charging, the Kraken Pro V2 will be right up your alley.
Fancy virtual 7.1 surround-sound? Take a look at the Kraken 7.1 v2.
- Read our full Razer Kraken Pro V2 review
6. Turtle Beach Elite Atlas
A versatile mid-range headset that offers oodles of comfort
Pros:
- Incredibly comfortable to wear for long sessions
- Compatible across a variety of platforms
- Solid build quality and room for customisation
- Audio is clear and distinct when gaming
Cons:
- Microphone feels a little cheap
- A lack of different audio presets is a shame
Coming in at £89.99, the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas is a mid-range gaming headset that really packs a punch with its impressive audio quality and bold, minimalist design.
It’s also supremely comfortable (even if you wear glasses), thanks to removable memory foam earcups that make extensive gaming sessions a breeze. Even after hours, it didn’t feel like we were wearing a headset at all.
While the lack of distinct surround sound and different audio presets is a bit of a disappointment, the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas still supports Dolby Atmos for select applications while also working with nearly every platform on the market right now.
- Read our full Turtle Beach Elite Atlas review
7. Corsair HS50
The Corsair HS50 may not flashy, but they offer fantastic audio on the cheap
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Excellent sound quality
- Strong and sturdy build
- Super-comfortable
Cons:
- Non-removable earcups
- Requires a good DAC
It may not look all that sexy – and is pretty much void of advanced features – but if you’re on a budget then the Corsair HS50 is a solid choice.
With prices starting at a modest £50, Corsair’s newest analogue gaming headset offers seriously good value for money.
The HS50 doesn’t include RGB lighting or any form of surround sound, but it covers the basics. For your money, you get a comfortable-to-wear headset with decent audio quality, and a reliable microphone that’s more than good enough for team voice chat – even during heated firefights.
Be warned, though: as is the case with any analogue headset, if you’re a PC player with a cheap motherboard then you’ll want to invest in a external DAC to get the most out of the HS50.
- Read our full Corsair HS50 review
8. Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500
This wireless headset is a fab option for eSport pros
Pros:
- Intuitive mobile app
- Solid sound quality
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- Touch controls can be fiddly
- No wireless, 3.5mm jack or Xbox support
If you’re a competitive gamer with a penchant for RGB lighting then the Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 may well be the headset for you.
As well as sporting an extrovert gold design with full RGB rimming, the ROG Strix Fusion 500 benefits from advanced synchronisation features that make it quick and easy to sync the lighting of multiple headsets using an intuitive mobile app.
This, plus above-average virtual surround sound and a super-comfortable fit, makes the Fusion 500 a great choice for hardcore gamers in a clan or formal e-sports team.
A lack of wireless support and 3.5mm jack will be an issue for Xbox gamers. Plus, with pricing starting at £150 there’s no doubt that the Fusion 500 is expensive. But if you have the money, and want your team looking bling during tournaments and LAN parties, then the Fusion 500 is a fantastic choice.
Having reviewed its less expensive counterpart, the Asus ROG Strix Fusion 300, we can safely say that it’s worth splashing out the extra 30 or so quid for these instead.
- Read our full Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 review
9. Sennheiser GSP 300
A pair of versatile headphones that are great for both games and music
Pros:
- Great for music and games
- Large adjustable volume dial
- Comfortable to wear
- Excellent microphone quality
Cons:
- High notes can get a little sharp
- Only one set of earpads provided
- Microphone is non-detachable
Surround sound doesn’t necessarily make for a better headset, which is exactly why Sennheiser offers the Sennheiser GSP 300.
For £90 you get fantastic audio quality, with performance that holds up to headsets costing much more. This includes music, too: it doesn’t matter whether you’re listening to Drake or Howard Shore, sound is delivered with clarity and substance.
However, as is often the case with analogue cans, you’ll need a decent soundcard or DAC to get the most from it.
While the large microphone isn’t retractable, it’s arguably one of the best on any headset – regardless of price. If you regularly take calls or perform Destiny raids, you’ll love it.
- Read our full Sennheiser GSP 300 review
10.Corsair Void RGB Wireless
These headphones have a couple of flaws, but still offer great value
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Balanced audio quality
- Comfortable over long sessions
- Superb range and battery life
Cons:
- Lacking that ‘quality’ feel
- Head-fitting is rather loose
- Microphone is a little quiet
The Corsair Void RGB Wireless represents fantastic value for money. It’s one of the cheaper wireless headsets out there, and while it does make compromises, it performs well in the areas that count.
The wireless signal is strong, with 12m of range, and it offers up to 16 hours of battery life.
Even better is the audio quality, which somehow surprises each time the headset sits on our ears. Comfort could be slightly better, though. While it’s plentiful in the padding department, we do find it a little loose around the head.
- Read our full Corsair Void RGB Wireless reivew
11. Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2
These premium cans offer solid surround sound and cracking audio quality
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Fully customisable audio
- Comfortable
Cons:
- No direct control
- PC app borked
- Expensive
If you’ve got money burning in your pockets and don’t mind the slightly unusual setup, then we can definitely recommend the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 for competitive PC and PS4 gamers.
Audio quality is stellar, with solid surround sound support and the ability to tweak all manner of settings via the Turtle Beach app. Comfort levels get a big thumbs up too, for extended play sessions.
The microphone is equally impressive, providing a means of competitive communication that is crisp, clear and easy to tweak to your liking alongside other settings.
- Read our full Corsair Void RGB Wireless review
12. Astro A50 Wireless
One of the best cans on the list – if you’re willing to pay the steep price
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Strong audio quality
- Very easy to use
- Sturdy construction
- Immersive surround sound
Cons:
- Design won’t appeal to all
- Slightly too much head-gripping force
- Very expensive
If you have deep pockets then there’s plenty to like about the Astro A50 Wireless.
Despite its large size and the fact that it’s wireless, it feels surprisingly lightweight in operation. This is mostly down to the extravagant use of soft foams and plush material used on the headband and earcups.
Audio quality is superb, with excellent vocal clarity and instrument reproduction. It’s also the best headset in this roundup for virtual surround sound, with a seriously convincing sound that magically opens up as soon as you enable the Dolby technology.
It’s up there as one of the most expensive headsets in the group, but bar the price, there really isn’t much else here to dislike.
- Read our full Corsair Void RGB Wireless review
13. Steelseries Siberia 840
Headphones for hardcore gamers on either PC or console
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Engine 3 software support is useful
- Decent audio for a gaming headset
Cons:
- Not a big upgrade on last year’s model
- Microphone can be echoey
- Have to remove batteries to charge
The Steelseries Siberia 840 is considerably more expensive than the Arctis 7, yet offers unrivalled audio quality and customisation in return. The Siberia 840 boasts a quietly understated design, rather than flashing lights and flair. Wireless support works perfectly with no pesky lag and the hot swappable battery system keeps you powered up at all times. Plus full Dolby 7.1 surround sound support means you get a truly immersive experience.
Good news if you like to game on lots of different platforms, too. This Siberia headset is fully compatible with PC, Xbox and PS4.
- Read our full Steelseries Siberia 840 review
14. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
These fantastic headphones are pricey, but not far from audio perfection
Pros:
- Best-in-class audio
- Comfortable
- Great performance in music and games
Cons:
- Pricey before you factor in a DAC
- A bit plasticky
- Non-detachable mic
As a gaming headset from audio connoisseurs Audio-Technica, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X puts sound quality at top of the list. If it’s good sound you’re looking for – and you don’t mind some leakage from its open-back design – the performance on the ATH-ADG1X is very good indeed.
However, this headset has plenty more to offer too. For a start, its lightweight design means it’s extremely comfortable to wear over long periods, while still having just enough grip to keep it firmly on your head.
It’s super-easy to use as well, with an adjustable (but non-removable) microphone and foam pop filter, plus two 3.5mm headphone jacks for separating out the mic and audio signals on PCs.
There’s no DAC here, however – available on the Astro A40 TR for half the price – and you’ll want to use a decent one to get the best from them.
That’s a bit of an oversight at this price, and joins the less-than-premium finish at keeping the ATH-ADG1X just short of gaming headset perfection.
- Read our full Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X review
15. HyperX Cloud Alpha
One of our favourite analogue gaming headsets at a sensible price
Pros:
- Class leading audio
- Fantastic build quality
- Top notch microphone
- Extremely comfortable
Cons:
- Audio quality is DAC dependant
- No surround sound
- Only one colour choice
- Spare earpads aren’t included
The HyperX Cloud Alpha costs less than a hundred quid and yet it’s one the best analogue headset that we’ve tested. HyperX has crafted something that’s both compact and comfortable (although red remains the only colour choice), with the option of replacing the mic, cups and cable if needed. Thankfully the overall construction is reassuringly durable, in case you’re in the habit of throwing your ‘phones across the room in fits of despair.
Although there’s no on-board DAC, you can expect punchy, bassy sound from the Alpha – as long as your rig can handle it. Meanwhile the noise-cancelling mic will clearly pick up your taunts. Overall this headset definitely punches above its weight, impressing with its strong value for money.
- Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha review
Those are our top picks of the best gaming headsets. If you want to know more about the different types of gaming headset and what to look for when buying one then read on.
How we pick the best gaming headsets
As with all of our gamer peripherals, we rigorously test each headset before fully reviewing. If a device is compatible with different platforms, consoles as well as PC, then we’ll be sure to try it out on the lot. Wired or wireless, we check that the audio quality is good enough and that features such as surround sound support work as expected. We also make sure the mic clearly picks up your voice, even in a noisy environment, so your online pals can hear every zinger and sick burn.
To make sure our testing is thorough enough, we’ll use each headset for extended periods. How comfortable are they to wear for all-night fragfests? And if they’re wireless, does the battery unexpectedly give out halfway through a match?
What type of headset should you buy?
Analogue headsets: These use one or more 3.5mm headphone jacks to transmit audio to and from the headset, and are often universally compatible with PCs, consoles and mobile devices. The sound quality will rely on your individual device however, and they won’t support surround sound out of the box. Keep in mind that on PCs with separate mic and headphone jacks, you’ll need a splitter. Some headsets will come with one, but not all. Check before you buy and pop one in your basket if you need one.
Digital headsets: Featuring an integrated DAC (digital-to-analogue converter), digital headsets offer cleaner sound, higher volumes and software integration. USB-connected headsets will work on PC/Macs and PlayStation consoles, while optical-based headsets will work with Xbox and PlayStation consoles, plus PCs with optical ports either on the motherboard, internal sound card or USB sound card.
Wireless headsets: Using a transmitter that’s connected to your PC or console, wireless headsets offer hassle-free gaming audio. However, they do require charging, are often heavier, and cost more than their wired counterparts. Check compatibility with your console of choice, since not all wireless headsets support all consoles.
Virtual Surround Audio: Headsets using stereo drivers can recreate multi-positional audio to deliver a surround sound effect into your ears. The advantage is that the headset remains cheaper and lighter than those using multiple drivers, but the effect is usually less accurate than a ‘true’ surround headset.
‘True’ Surround Audio: For the most authentic surround sound you’ll be after a headset with multiple drivers in each earcup. Each speaker fires sound from different placements, with the user in the centre of the action. Such headsets are often quite pricey, though, and the extra speakers require a larger and heavier design.
