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Best gaming headset in 2022

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Sep
27
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The best gaming headset comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the wearer, but each model should provide excellent sound quality for immersion in-game. Getting this right can be all that’s needed to push your gaming setup to the next level and help you land those extra few Warzone or Valorant frags. We’ve collected the cream of the crop so you can choose between the best high-end PC headsets and the top budget gaming headset under $100.

Sure, it’s nice to kick back with the best computer speakers when you want to relax, but choosing the right pair of cans can help you pick out footsteps around the corner like some audio-based wall-hack and transform your entire experience when you’re playing the best PC games, binging the latest TV series, or listening to music.

Our headset reviews put Razer, SteelSeries, Sennheiser, Corsair, and more to the test, helping you figure out what the right set of cans are for the games you play. Are you an isolationist who needs a pair to block the outside world or a set that will deliver the most natural soundscape possible, regardless of leakage? Do you need the best wireless gaming headset, or is wired just fine? Do you even need a dedicated gaming headset at all? At least that last one’s easy – yes, you do.

Here are the best headsets for gaming:

1. Razer BlackShark V2

The best gaming headset is the Razer BlackShark V2.

In film, sequels are so rarely better than the original, but the opposite is true for technology. The BlackShark V2 is much more than an iterative upgrade to the 2012 original, being one of the most impressive pair of Razer gaming headphones we’ve seen. It builds upon the very same foundations that were lauded by the esports community, wrapping great audio, a crisp microphone, and sleek professional design in a staggeringly affordable sub-$100 package.

Its new 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers work overtime to separate the bass, mid, and treble, knocking our previous champion, the HyperX Cloud Alpha, down a peg in value.

In fact, Razer have cornered pretty much all markets with its latest design, as those willing to spend a little more can opt for the wireless BlackShark V2 Pro, and those on a tighter budget can give up the detachable microphone and included USB soundcard by grabbing the BlackShark V2 X. There really is something for everyone.

What we like

  • Detailed TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers in all models
  • Best value
  • Strong and stunning design
Razer BlackShark V2 specs
Drivers TriForce Titanium 50mm
Frequency range 12Hz – 28,000Hz
Weight 262g

The best budget gaming headset - the Asus TUF Gaming H3 - stands upright against a sofa

2. Asus TUF Gaming H3

The best budget gaming headset is the Asus TUF Gaming H3.

Asus is fending off serious competition with the TUF Gaming H3. While the Corsair HS50 had us smitten when it first launched, the added comfort of the Asus TUF Gaming H3 has it taking the best cheap gaming headset crown just before the busy holiday buying season.

Breaking the bass-heavy gaming mould, the TUF Gaming H3 offers a pleasant profile suited to the most gun-heavy FPS games as much as any rhythm game. The microphone similarly offers clear audio that won’t see you hampering your teammates with muffled cries in-game.

Read the PCGamesN Asus TUF Gaming H3 review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Comfortable
  • Solid audio
  • Tough
Asus TUF Gaming H3 specs
Drivers 50mm
Frequency range 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Weight 298g

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is the best gaming headset if money is no object

3. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The best wireless gaming headset is the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.

Going cordless is bliss, ditching the wire in favour of free movement so you can slam your arms on the desk with gamer rage without getting tangled up – much like the best wireless gaming mouse, the only issues are lag and battery life. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless solves this problem with its handy dock, which gives a lossless connection to prevent lag and houses a secondary battery for you to tag in whenever the other is running low.

It comes at a higher price than most on this list, but the price is offset with audiophile-quality sound, an impressively wide frequency rage, and cloud-like comfort that’s emphasised by its lightweight build and ski-band design. Plus, you can bring wireless sound to your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5- making it one of the best PS5 headsets, too – and your mixer, if you own a fancy setup.

Read the PCGamesN SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Lossless wireless connection
  • Hot-swappable battery so you never run out
  • Choice of 2.4G and Bluetooth connectivity
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless specs
Drivers 40mm neodymium
Frequency range 10Hz – 40,000Hz
Weight 357g

The best wireless gaming headset for travel is the Sennheiser GSP 370, which is lying face down on a wooden table next to a mouse pad

4. EPOS Sennheiser GSP 370

The best wireless gaming headset for travel is the EPOS Sennheiser GSP 370.

The EPOS Sennheiser GSP 370 is the gold standard for wireless gaming headset battery life, making it perfect for travelling with the best gaming laptop. With 100 hours of uninterrupted play, you won’t need a hot-swappable battery or to reach for the charging cable mid-game… unless you’re really forgetful.

Even beyond that battery life, you can expect top-quality audio from the maestros at Sennheiser, offering just enough bass to make sure you really feel all the ruckus in-game without washing out the mids and highs. And to top it all off it’s cosy and comfortable, too.

Read the PCGamesN EPOS Sennheiser GSP 370 Wireless review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • 100-hour battery life
  • Fantastic audio
  • Comfortable
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 370 specs
Drivers 50mm neodymium
Frequency range 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Weight 285g

The Corsair HS65 gaming headset has the best headset mic, seen here hanging on the corner of a gaming monitor

5. Corsair HS65 Surround

The best headset mic is the Corsair HS65 Surround.

Headsets understandably struggle to hold up against the best gaming microphone options, but the Corsair HS65 Surround offers incredible capture performance at a low price. This stylish pair of gaming cans boast levels of quality you’d expect from premium alternatives, and its sense of style proves you don’t need to clad all gaming gear in RGB and edgy aesthetics.

Impressive headset mic aside, the Corsair HS65 Surround wields 7.1 audio capabilities, which really makes a difference when playing the best FPS games. It’s also nicely balanced when it comes to general listening, which enables it to double up as a conventional pair of headphones. We’re also a big fan of its included 3.5mm to USB dongle, as it adds a level of versatility that makes it compatible with both the Steam Deck and normal gaming PC setups.

Read the PCGamesN Corsair HS65 Surround review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Outstanding mic
  • Stylish
  • USB and 3.5mm
Corsair HS65 Surround specs
Drivers 50mm
Frequency range 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Weight 298g

A white EPOS H6Pro is the best open-back headset, currently lying on a wood grain desk

6. EPOS H6Pro

The best open back headset is the EPOS H6Pro.

The EPOS H6Pro is a versatile heavy hitter that caters to both open and closed-back headset fans, so you can decide whether you’d rather have excellent noise cancellation, or a natural soundstage that boasts clarity. The H6Pro’s detachable microphone is also a winner, and it could even stand in for the best gaming microphone.

The H6Pro isn’t cheap, but its excellent build quality and comfortable cups more than back up its price tag. It’s also compatible with a variety of devices, thanks to its 3.5mm output.

Read the PCGamesN EPOS H6Pro review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Open and closed-back options
  • Incredible microphone quality
  • Comfortable construction
EPOS H6Pro specs
Drivers N/A
Frequency range 10Hz – 30,000Hz
Weight 322g

The best headset for bass is the Sennheiser GSP 500

7. EPOS Sennheiser GSP 500

The best headset for bass is the EPOS Sennheiser GSP 500.

Sennheiser hasn’t forgotten its roots in high-end audio, and that’s evidently clear with the GSP 500. Its open-back design creates a spacious sound profile that makes for a bassy soundscape, whether you’re diving into the best action games or listening to music. While it’s not the cheapest gaming headset out there, the Sennheiser pedigree just might convince you.

The build quality is great, the features decent, and the sound quality almost unmatched in the gaming space. Its price may be too big a hurdle for some, but, in return, you receive a fantastic gaming headset from one of the most reputable audio companies going.

Read the PCGamesN EPOS Sennheiser GSP 500 review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Great build quality
  • Excellent, open soundscape
  • Impressive bass response
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 500 specs
Drivers Neodymium magnet
Frequency range 10Hz – 30,000Hz
Weight 358g

The Corsair HS70 Pro is the best budget wireless gaming headset, seen here against a white background with a cream-coloured band

8. Corsair HS70 Pro

The best budget wireless headset is the Corsair HS70 Pro.

Corsair’s HS70 Pro is a wireless gaming headset that not only competes with wired headsets in quality and sound, but also in price, making it the best cheap wireless headset. This low-cost wireless set features the same comfortable design, simple styling, and clean audio reproduction as the wired HS50 headset from Corsair. The price for cutting the cord from its tethered sibling to help you manage cables isn’t too dear, either.

This headset offers a solid microphone to complement the clear audio from those two 50mm drivers, and the battery life is a hefty 16 hours to keep you gaming without distraction.

What we like

  • Solid wireless connection
  • Fantastic value
  • Decent audio
Corsair HS70 Pro specs
Drivers 50mm
Frequency range 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Weight 330g

The most sturdy gaming headset - the Sennheiser GSP 670 - is seen here standing upright against a keyboard

9. EPOS Sennheiser GSP 670

The most sturdy gaming headset is the EPOS Sennheiser GSP 670.

EPOS and Sennheiser know exactly what it takes to produce great audio, and its GSP 670 wireless gaming headset is one of the few on the market that refuses to crank up the bass with little regard for crafting balanced, quality sound. And it does it in a frame that will take a lot of punishment – perfect if you’re a little butterfingered and tend to smash your headphones down onto the best gaming desk when taking them off.

It does, however, face stern competition on that front from the Arctis Pro Wireless. Nevertheless, it’s still a superb wireless headset and the only one that will appeal to players seeking Sennheiser’s signature sound without cables getting in the way.

Read the PCGamesN EPOS Sennheiser GSP 670 review for our full verdict and score.

What we like

  • Great audio
  • Responsible bass
  • Incredibly robust build
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 670 specs
Drivers Neodymium magnet
Frequency range 10Hz – 23,000Hz
Weight 398g

The Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense is the most immersive gaming headset, seen here wrapped around a fake skull

10. Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense

The most immersive gaming headset is the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense.

The idea of a vibrating headset might sound gimmicky, but hear us out, as the Kraken V3 Hypersense more than justifies haptic accessories. In a way, Razer’s rumbly tech feels almost a subwoofer, as it adds a sense of audio physicality to the device’s 7.1 surround sound capabilities. If you’re a fan of FPS experiences like Halo Infinite, then you’ll love Kraken V3 Hypersense’s dedication to immersion, as its haptics transform every gunshot and explosion into directional, tactical information.

Haptics aside, the Kraken V3 also is an exceptional headset in its own right. A mix of durable plastics, metals, and leatherette give the V3 Hypersense a premium feel, while its detachable mic boasts clarify and efficient noise reduction. Of course, if you’re a fan of colourful accessories, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Kraken V3 Hypersense is clad in Chroma RGB, and the company’s lighting tech looks better than ever.

What we like

  • Unique bass-driven haptic feedback
  • Detailed audio
  • Adjustable EQ levels with Razer Central
Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense specs
Drivers TriForce Titanium
Frequency range 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Weight 344g

 

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