Looking for the best gaming headset possible to make explosions and gunfire sound as immersive as possible? 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.
1. Audeze Penrose
The best-sounding wireless gaming headset
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 admittedly 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 that 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.
2. Asus TUF Gaming H3
The 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 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.
3. Sennheiser GSP 370
Best gaming headset under £200
Pros:
- Solid audio quality
- Stellar battery life
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- More expensive than key rivals
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. It stands out from the competition by offering a number of the features seen on its more expensive sibling, the Sennheiser GSP 670, plus a marathon 100hr battery life.
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 does outperform its newer stablemate, it is a seriously expensive piece of kit.
4. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless
Best wireless gaming headset for Nintendo Switch
Pros:
- 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
Cons:
- Aesthetic is bland and lifeless for the brand
- No surround sound
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have one special skill, which 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 do charge an extra premium for that special Switch support.
5. SteelSeries Arctis 9X
The best gaming headset for Xbox fans
Pros:
- Slick, attractive design
- Excellent audio that’s easy to customise
- Works seamlessly across Xbox Series S and X
- One of the most comfortable headsets out there
Cons:
- Design’s reliance on plastic can be a distraction
- Requires additional adapter for PC support
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X is our favourite gaming headset for the Xbox Series X and S, offering a seamless wireless connection to Microsoft’s consoles. The Arctis 9X also offers compatibility with PC, although you will need to buy the Xbox Wireless Controller Adapter separately.
SteelSeries hits the high notes in every key area for gaming headsets, including audio quality, comfort and the microphone. If there’s any criticism to be made here, it’s that the extensive use of plastic undermines the otherwise premium design.
But if you’re looking for a pair of headphones for the Xbox and want the most seamless experience possible, then the Arctis 9X is our top recommended pick.
6. Logitech G Pro X Wireless
Logitech’s premium wireless headset
Pros:
- Good audio quality
- Super comfortable
- Seamless wireless connection
Cons:
- Microphone is a little lacklustre
- Lack of Bluetooth limits device support
- Pricey
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 Bluetooh 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.
7. Razer Kraken X
Great value wired gaming headset from Razer
Pros:
- Comfortable design
- Great microphone
- 7.1 surround sound is useful
- Multi-platform support
Cons:
- Poor bass quality
- Surround sound won’t work with PS4, Xbox or Switch
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.
8. EPOS Sennheiser GSP 601
One of the best-looking premium wired gaming headsets
Pros:
- Clear in-game dialogue and chat
- Detailed sound for action and music
- Premium look and feel
- Comfortable across several hours
Cons:
- Lacks decent bass
- No detailed surround sound
- Pricey
The EPOS Sennheiser GSP 601 is one of the best looking gaming headset we’ve ever reviewed, proving a stylish option for those who don’t want to look like a call centre employee while gaming.
The excellent build quality and cushioned ear cups result in a comfortable experience for lengthy gaming sessions, while the headset also provides detailed audio despite lacking high-end features such as surround sound. We also found the bass disappointing at this high price point.
That all said, the EPOS GSP 601 is still a fantastic gaming headset that we thoroughly recommend, especially if you want to look good while gaming.
These 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 it. 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 use each headset for extended periods. How comfortable is it during all-night fragfests? If the headset is 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 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.