Oftentimes, one of the best gaming headset doesn’t should be a “gaming headset” in any respect. Though these units may be seen as area of interest inside the headphone market, they’re in the end nonetheless headphones. And although we’ve discovered increasingly more gaming headsets that impress by way of audio high quality, these are inclined to value greater than a comparable set of wired headphones (which, sure, nonetheless exist). If it’s essential chat with mates, it’s all the time doable to purchase an exterior microphone and get superior sound there as effectively.
That mentioned, we all know many individuals simply need the comfort of a headset with a mic constructed proper in. So after testing dozens of pairs over the previous 18 months, we’ve rounded up just a few high quality gaming headsets and headphones for gaming, which aren’t fairly the identical factor. Whichever method you go, all of our suggestions ought to make your play time extra pleasant, regardless of your finances or most popular gaming platform.
What to search for in good gaming headphones
Evaluating headphones is a very subjective train, so calling one pair absolutely the “greatest” is one thing of a idiot’s errand. At a sure level, whether or not you are an audiophile or not, all the things turns into a matter of style. For many, a headphone with a large soundscape and powerful imaging efficiency — i.e., the flexibility to place sounds appropriately, so you possibly can extra exactly inform the place footsteps and different sport results are coming from — will present probably the most immersive gaming expertise, the sort that makes you’re feeling like your head is inside a given scene.
For that, you need a high-quality pair of open-back headphones. That’s to say, an over-ear pair whose ear cups don’t utterly seal off the ear from air and outdoors noise. These are inherently horrible at isolating you from exterior sound and stopping others from listening to what you’re enjoying, so in case you usually play video games in a loud atmosphere, their advantages will probably be blunted. However in a quiet room, one of the best open-back pairs sound considerably wider and extra exact than extra widespread closed-back fashions.
Extra up for debate is how a great gaming headphone ought to sound. If you’d like one thing that’ll make it easier to in aggressive multiplayer video games, you might desire a headphone with a flatter sound signature, which’ll preserve a sport’s combine from being overly boosted in a single route and is much less more likely to masks the smaller particulars of what’s occurring round you. A barely brighter sound, one which pushes the higher frequencies a tad, can also work. Open-back headphones virtually by no means have large sub-bass, so that you not often have to fret about low-end sounds muddying up the remainder of the signature. On this gentle, the truth that an amazing quantity of gaming headsets are closed-back and bass-heavy appears counterintuitive.
A number of individuals love bass, although. And in case you do not actually care about aggressive play, some additional low-end can add a contact of pleasure to motion scenes or rousing soundtracks. You continue to don’t need a pair that reinforces the low-end too arduous — as many gaming headsets do — however the level is that what makes a pair “immersive” to 1 individual could sound uninteresting to a different.
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 5 – 40,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 345g (with out cable)
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Professional X ought to please most individuals prepared to pay for a capital-N good pair of headphones for gaming functions. It localizes sounds precisely and delivers the sort of spacious soundstage anticipated from a great open-back mannequin. Bass is a bit more current right here than on many open-back headphones as effectively. There nonetheless isn’t a lot in the way in which of deep sub-bass, unsurprisingly, however there’s sufficient heat to present stuff like explosions a bit extra juice with out muddying up the mids. Particulars within the midrange get probably the most emphasis general, however they’re clear, and their forwardness isn’t a foul factor once you’re making an attempt to pay attention for enemy gamers in a aggressive FPS like Counter-Strike 2 or Apex Legends. The treble isn’t pushed fairly as arduous, nevertheless it’s neither overly recessed nor harsh.
All of this helps the DT 900 Professional X sound detailed however not boring. It is the sort of sound that performs good whether or not you’re making an attempt to win a multiplayer sport or soak up a extra cinematic single-player story. And once you’re not gaming, you get an pleasant profile for music.
The entire thing is constructed effectively, too. The DT 900 Professional X will clamp down barely more durable than common if in case you have a big head, nevertheless it balances its weight effectively, and its splendidly comfortable velour earpads go a great distance towards holding the pair snug over hours-long gaming classes. It comes with two removable cables, together with a three-meter possibility that’s handy in case you sit far out of your PC. It may’t fold up, although.
Like all open-back headphones, the DT 900 Professional X leak sport audio and let in a number of noise, so it’s not nice on the go. Clearly, in case you can afford to improve to an ultra-premium pair like Sennheiser’s HD 800 S, you’ll get more room and true-to-life element. However for a comparatively attainable $250 to $300, the DT 900 Professional X ought to fulfill.
- Immersive, detailed sound with pleasing bass
- Properly-built with comfortable ear cushions
- Leaks and permits outdoors noise, by design
- Missing in deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphones
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 6 – 38,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 280g
In case you’d moderately not spend as a lot, the Sennheiser HD 560S is one other glorious open-back headphone that’s usually accessible for lower than $200. Just like the DT 900 Professional X, it has a large soundstage that makes it simpler to really feel immersed in a given sport. Its signature is barely extra impartial on the entire, so that you gained’t really feel such as you’re lacking any a part of what’s occurring, and it retrieves a stunning quantity of treble and midrange element. There’s much less bass energy for explosions, although. And the treble, whereas extra current right here than on Beyerdynamic’s pair, can sound piercing at occasions. Imaging isn’t fairly as nuanced both, although it’s removed from poor.
The HD560S’ design is a lot snug to put on for prolonged intervals. It doesn’t clamp down too arduous on these with massive heads (like yours actually), and its velour earpads hug the ears softly. The included cable is detachable, too. The plastic body doesn’t really feel as sturdy or premium because the DT 900 Professional X, nonetheless, so that you gained’t wish to chuck it round haphazardly. It will not isolate a lot noise both, nor will it forestall others from listening to what you are enjoying. Nonetheless, the HD 560S is a pleasure, and an ideal worth.
- Impressively balanced sound
- Snug
- Nice worth for many who prioritize audio high quality
- Barely scorching in treble vary
- Leaks and permits outdoors noise, by design
- Would not have the sturdiest construct high quality
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back (on-ear) | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 15 – 25,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 43g
In case you can’t spend greater than $50, it’s nonetheless arduous to prime the Koss KSC75. It prices $20, however judging purely on audio high quality, it’s higher than some headphones priced nearer to $100. This pair could be very clearly devoid of deep bass, so that you gained’t get that full-bodied oomph from in-game results. You additionally will not hear all of the intricate particulars you’d choose up with the pricier headphones above. But it surely locates sounds precisely, and its open design delivers an actual sense of width. It’s an outstanding worth for aggressive play.
The catch is that it’s constructed like a set of free airline headphones. The KSC75 has an odd clip-on design that’s light-weight however gained’t be a cushty match for everybody. It actually seems prefer it prices $20, although Koss backs it with a lifetime guarantee that basically enables you to get limitless replacements for $9 every. Even when the KSC75 are pushing 20 years outdated, its comparatively balanced sound stays significantly well-suited for gaming.
- One of the best-sounding headphones $20 should buy
- Light-weight
- Clip-on design positively not for everybody
- Feels low cost, as a result of it’s
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 40,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz (PS5, PC, Swap), Bluetooth 5.2 (AAC, SBC), 3.5mm | Weight: 301g
In case you do need a devoted gaming headset with a built-in mic, we love the Turtle Seaside Atlas Air. It’s a little bit of a rarity: a wi-fi mannequin with an open-back design. It sounds a lot wider, airier and extra pure than the overwhelming majority of its friends because of this, creating the feeling that your sport is occurring round you rather than feeling confined in your head. It’s additionally higher than most at positioning in-game results in the precise locations.
The Atlas Air has a largely flat audio profile by default, with a soar within the treble that lends additional crispness to issues like cymbals. Like most open-back pairs, it’s pretty weak within the low-bass area, so gunfire and EDM lack the sort of muscle you’d get with good closed-backs. The DT 900 Professional X nonetheless sounds extra dynamic, with extra element within the mids and stronger bass that makes footsteps and explosions extra intimate. That mentioned, the Atlas Air holds its personal surprisingly effectively. It’s about as spacious, and what bass is right here doesn’t come off as blobby. It’s an easygoing pay attention, and the larger sense of spatial consciousness offered by its design makes an actual distinction whether or not you’re listening for enemies in Counter-Strike 2 or basking in a large boss battle in Remaining Fantasy XVI. Going from a pair like this to a conventional headset usually makes it sound like a bit of the world has been lopped off.
The Atlas Air can also be exceptionally snug. Its ear cups are generously padded with gentle reminiscence foam and lined in a comfortable fabric materials; they provide loads of room for bigger ears to breathe, with out trapping an excessive amount of warmth. The suspension-style headband doesn’t enable a lot in the way in which of guide changes, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily versatile, so these with particularly massive heads can nonetheless pop the headphones on with little battle. The design as a complete is light-weight at 0.66 kilos, and it’s mild about clamping down on the edges of your head. Put all of it collectively and also you get a headset that’s a breeze to put on for hours at a time.
All of its controls — together with a giant quantity dial that circles the left ear cup — are simply accessible past that. Our chief criticism is that the design is sort of fully plastic, so it doesn’t fairly really feel like a $180 system to the contact. It’s additionally sort of… ugly, to be sincere. None of that may be a massive deal after getting it on, nonetheless, and we haven’t observed any creaking or looseness to the body after a number of months of testing.
The Atlas Air’s removable increase mic is completely positive. You wouldn’t wish to use it for podcasting, because it robs a great chunk of bass out of your voice, however you’ll nonetheless come by way of clearly in a loud room, with no harsh sibilance to “ess” sounds. The mic itself is sufficiently versatile, and also you merely flip it as much as mute it, which is all the time handy.
The headset works with PC, PS5 or a docked Nintendo Swap by way of its USB dongle, plus it helps Bluetooth for cell units and the Swap’s handheld mode. You may’t pipe by way of audio from two connections on the similar time, however you possibly can not less than change between the 2 pretty rapidly utilizing a button on the left ear cup. Whereas there’s no assist for Xbox’s wi-fi protocol, you may as well use the headset passively (i.e., with out counting on battery energy) with an included 3.5mm cable with its personal inline quantity dial. In case you’re an Xbox participant and don’t thoughts utilizing a cable, we’d nonetheless contemplate the Atlas Air our prime suggestion. With out the wire, Turtle Seaside says the system can last as long as 50 hours, although we’ve been capable of squeeze one other 5 to 10 hours out at average volumes. It’s removed from the longest-lasting pair we’ve examined, however this implies it might seemingly go for per week or two earlier than it wants a cost.
The principle trade-offs with the Atlas Air are the identical ones famous above: As a result of they’re open-back, they let in and leak tons of noise. In case you don’t play in a fairly quiet atmosphere, contemplate our subsequent choose. We additionally had a driver challenge that prevented us from connecting to PC upon first receiving the headset, however a software program replace rapidly mounted that and we haven’t had any hiccups or stutters since. Normally, Turtle Seaside’s Swarm II app is pretty easy, providing a customized EQ instrument, sport/chat combine, mic settings and the like.
- Extra open, pure and immersive sound than most gaming headsets
- Supremely snug
- A number of connection modes
- First rate flip-up mic
- Leaks and permits outdoors noise, by design
- Lacks deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphones
- Not probably the most premium or good-looking design
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Planar magnetic | Frequency response: 10 – 50,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, AAC, SBC), 3.5mm, USB-C digital audio (elective), Xbox Wi-fi (elective) | Weight: 490g
In case you’re prepared to pay additional for a premium gaming headset with a extra isolating closed-back design, get the . At $299 for a PS5 mannequin or $329 for an Xbox mannequin, it’s not low cost, nevertheless it’s one of many few devoted gaming headsets we have used whose audio high quality holds up subsequent to the higher “regular” wi-fi headphones available on the market.
The Maxwell’s default signature is sort of a extra refined model of the widespread “gaming headset” sound. Bass is impactful however well-controlled, whereas highs are crisp however not sharp. There is a bit of additional vitality within the upper-mids, nevertheless it’s not overwhelming, and the headset’s planar-magnetic drivers do effectively to breed smaller intricacies all through. It nonetheless cannot present the immersive width and exact imaging of our open-back picks, the Atlas Air included, however the Maxwell sounds unusually textured, balanced and intimate in comparison with different wi-fi gaming headsets. Whereas it lacks the airiness of the Turtle Seaside headset, the punchier low-end makes issues like footsteps extra simply identifiable in video games. In case you don’t just like the out-of-the-box profile, Audeze’s app additionally contains quite a few tasteful EQ presets.
Alongside these strains, the Maxwell’s removable increase mic is a standout. It does an exceptional job of muting background noise, and whereas your voice will lose some air, it will sound clearer and fuller right here than on most wi-fi headsets we’ve examined.
The Maxwell could be very a lot on the cumbersome facet, it leaks sound at increased volumes, and its metal headband makes use of an odd suspension mechanism that is successfully unattainable to regulate with out taking the headset off. Normally, although, its design feels substantial. The squishy, closely padded ear cups could make your ears really feel heat, however they preserve the headset snug and isolate a good quantity of out of doors noise. The important controls are constructed into the left earcup, and the system can join over Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable along with a USB-C wi-fi dongle. You may even join to 2 units directly, one over the dongle and one other over Bluetooth, although you possibly can’t stream audio from each sources concurrently. The headset additionally must be powered on with the intention to play music over a cable.
Audeze charges the Maxwell’s battery life at roughly 80 hours, which is nice and has usually held true in our testing. You may get a bit much less in case you play at excessive volumes or use options like Bluetooth or sidetone closely, although.
- Splendidly textured audio high quality
- Good mic efficiency
- 80-hour battery life
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 369g (with out cable)
In case you’d desire to avoid wasting money and purchase a good wired gaming headset, contemplate the . It’s one other open-back pair that sounds extra spacious than most conventional gaming headsets and usually locates in-game results precisely. Its sound signature emphasizes the bass, which provides explosions a clean and satisfying thump, nevertheless it doesn’t overdo the low-end the way in which lots of its friends do.
The A40’s audio high quality remains to be a step behind the DT 900 Professional X, HD 560S and Atlas Air, particularly for on-line shooters. Subsequent to these headphones, its veiled treble and pushed upper-bass/low-mids can blunt footsteps and different positive particulars. Its soundstage is narrower by comparability as effectively. But it surely’s higher balanced than most gaming headsets, particularly these in its value vary. It does effectively to envelop you in no matter’s occurring onscreen.
Consolation shouldn’t be a problem, both. The A40 is on the bulkier facet, however its weight is evenly distributed, and it doesn’t clamp down overly arduous. The fuzzy earpads are comfortable and breathable, whereas the ear cups are roomy sufficient to suit bigger ears. The headset has the same old open-back shortcomings, although, because it leaks a bunch of sound and blocks virtually zero outdoors noise. The mostly-plastic design seems “gamer-y” and lacks built-in quantity controls, too. No one would name it “premium.” Nonetheless, it isn’t flimsy.
The A40’s mic, in the meantime, is simply OK. It picks up background noises when you chat and makes voices sound considerably muffled. It’s serviceable, however you’d purchase the A40 for its sound high quality (and relative worth) first. The mic isn’t removable both, however you possibly can simply flip it up and out of the way in which.
The A40 has been round for a number of years now, however its value has come down from $150 to a extra affordable $130 in that point. Astro sells an elective with additional controls for $130, however at that value we’d strongly advise shopping for one in every of our different picks as a substitute.
- Extra spacious sound than most devoted gaming headsets
- Snug
- Strong worth
- Mic efficiency is simply OK
- Design is way from premium
- Treble is underemphasized
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 10 – 28,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 275g
You gained’t discover a good open-back gaming headset for lower than $50, so in case you’re on a decent finances and want a built-in mic, you’ll need to compromise on sound high quality. With that in thoughts, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a good purchase for $40 or so. It will get the consolation half proper, as its pleather ear cups don’t clamp down arduous and have sufficient comfortable padding the place it counts. Its mic makes voices sound comparatively clear and correct as effectively. Actually, the mic is a transparent step up over the Astro A40’s, although it isn’t removable.
The Cloud Stinger 2 has a V-shaped sound signature, which is to say it exaggerates the bass and treble whereas recessing the mids. It’s not dangerous for what it’s, and it’ll positively give motion scenes a heavy dose of increase. However the upper-bass is bumped to the purpose the place it could get tiring over time, and also you lose a few of the positive particulars you’d hear on our different picks. Since this can be a low cost closed-back headset, the Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t sound practically as vast because the pairs above, neither is it as nuanced about positioning sounds precisely. All of that makes it lower than superb for aggressive video games, although it might nonetheless sound “enjoyable” with many different titles.
Past that, the plastic design feels cheapish. Its cable isn’t detachable, and it doesn’t block a lot outdoors noise regardless of having a closed-back design. Nonetheless, you need to choose your battles on this value vary. The Cloud Stinger 2 is flawed, nevertheless it does sufficient effectively to be a great headset for sure budget-conscious consumers.
- Robust worth
- Snug
- Strong mic efficiency
- Boomy sound is not superb
- Feels cheapish
- Poor noise isolation for a closed-back headset
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Astro A50 X prices an eye-watering $380, so we will’t moderately advocate it to most individuals. Nevertheless, in case you can abdomen the worth, this can be a uniquely handy wi-fi headset for hardcore players who personal a PS5, Xbox Collection X/S and gaming PC. That’s primarily as a consequence of its included charging dock, which serves as a unified A/V station for these three platforms. By chaining HDMI and USB cables from a PS5, Xbox and/or PC to the A50 X’s base station, you possibly can join the headset to all three units concurrently. From there, you possibly can swap to your lively machine simply by urgent a button on the precise earcup.
It is a ache to arrange: As proven in Logitech’s 12-minute (!) video tutorial, connecting each consoles and a PC requires seven completely different cables, just a few of which aren’t within the field, plus some futzing round in every system’s menus. It’s not completely seamless as soon as all the things’s up and working, both: We needed to manually change video indicators when switching from a PC to a console (although not when doing the inverse) and manually change our PC’s audio output after we wished to pay attention by way of desktop audio system. All of this requires you to maintain your gaming {hardware} in the identical space, too.
However for probably the most half, the A50 X is probably the most sensible wi-fi headset we’ve examined for multi-console setups. As an alternative of needing two headsets for Xbox and PS5/PC, or having to reconnect one headset every time you alter consoles, all you need to do is take the A50 X off its dock, flip it on and choose the platform you wish to use. A small LED show on the dock will present the lively connection, and the headset will mechanically play the proper audio supply. With a PS5 and Xbox, it’ll mechanically swap video. As long as you utilize HDMI 2.1 cables, the bottom station can pass-through 4K 120Hz HDR video to the 2 consoles, with assist for VRR and ALLM. You can too join the A50 X to a Swap or cell system through Bluetooth — although it’s essential be inside vary of the bottom station for that to work, and also you don’t get the identical fast-switching performance.
All these connectivity tips wouldn’t imply a lot if the A50 X was a shoddy headset, however fortunately, it’s not. It’s among the many better-sounding wi-fi headsets we’ve used; it’s not “$380 good,” nevertheless it’s dynamic, with wealthy, comparatively nuanced bass and a clear midrange. Explosions and gunshots have a great crunch with out sounding overly thick, and it’s usually correct at finding footsteps and close by results. The Audeze Maxwell remains to be a stage above, nonetheless; the A50 X has a darker tilt by comparability, so it captures much less element within the treble vary and feels extra boxed-in. It can also’t match the broader, extra enveloping soundstage of our open-back picks. Nonetheless, most individuals will probably be proud of it, and you’ll customise its EQ curve to an extent by way of Logitech’s G Hub software program.
The A50 X’s design is sort of a nicer model of the A40. It’s largely plastic, nevertheless it feels sturdy. The fuzzy, fabric-covered foam on its earpads and headband is comfortable and breathable, and whereas the headset isn’t tremendous gentle at 0.8 kilos, it distributes its weight in a method that feels snug but safe. You can too alter your game-to-chat audio combine proper from an earcup. It doesn’t isolate outdoors noise very effectively, although, and its increase mic is completely hooked up. Its battery life is mediocre as effectively — Astro charges it at as much as 24 hours at average volumes — however because the headset is designed to sit down on its dock when it’s not in use, that is not a critical challenge. The mic, in the meantime, is among the highest we’ve used any gaming headset, wired or wi-fi. Voices sound cleaner and extra pure than they do with the Maxwell, and background noise is essentially stored in examine.
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 60 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: HDMI audio, USB audio, Bluetooth | Weight: 363g
- Closest factor to a really common wi-fi gaming headset
- Glorious mic efficiency
- Good audio high quality
- Wildly costly
- Requires a ton of cables to totally arrange
- No analog audio assist
Different gaming headsets we examined
Observe: It is a number of noteworthy gaming headsets and headphones we’ve put by way of their paces, not a complete checklist of all the things we’ve ever tried.
Corsair Virtuoso Professional
The $200 Corsair Virtuoso Professional is one other one of many few devoted gaming headsets with an open-back design. It has a comparatively darkish sound with largely underemphasized treble and elevated upper-bass, although the highs are clearer right here than they’re on the Astro A40, and it nonetheless delivers a wider soundstage than most gaming headsets. We most popular this signature over Astro’s pair with some video games, although in others it felt much less balanced. The Virtuoso Professional’s mic is decidedly much less muffled than the A40’s however nonetheless sounds pretty skinny, so it’s merely first rate in comparison with the broader headset market. Its headband adjustment mechanism feels low cost, too, and you’ll’t detach the mic with out swapping cables out fully. Its spherical, breathable ear cups and manageable weight do make it straightforward to put on, although, and it comes with a sturdy journey case for cover. In the end, it’s a good purchase, nevertheless it’s arduous to justify over the extra featured and easier-sounding Atlas Air.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi can final effectively over 300 hours at average volumes, which is outstanding and by far one of the best of any wi-fi mannequin we’ve examined. It’s gentle and never too cosy on the top, and its highly effective bass lends an actual sense of pleasure to in-game motion. But it surely blunts extra element than the Atlas Air, Maxwell and A50 X, and its mic isn’t pretty much as good. A number of customers have additionally reported latency points when utilizing the headset with HyperX’s Ngenuity software program, and there’s no Xbox, Bluetooth or wired audio assist. Nonetheless, if battery life is paramount, you might be able to look previous all of that.
Logitech G Professional X 2 Lightspeed
If the Audeze Maxwell is out of inventory, the Logitech G Professional X 2 Lightspeed is one other high quality wi-fi headset price contemplating. It sounds higher than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi, with satisfying however extra managed bass and extra correct mids, and it’s lighter on the top than the Maxwell. Logitech charges its battery life at 50 hours, however we discovered it to final for much longer at average volumes. Nevertheless, just like the Astro A50 X, a dip within the treble makes it sound darker and extra veiled than the Maxwell, and it doesn’t have any HDMI-switching tips to fall again on. Its mic additionally sounds much less pure than these of the Maxwell, A50 X and Cloud Alpha Wi-fi. Plus, whereas it might join over a USB dongle, Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, it might’t pair to 2 units directly like Audeze’s and Astro’s pairs. Our largest challenge is the worth: Worth-wise, it’s in one thing of a no man’s land at its MSRP of $250. It’s a positive selection if it dips beneath $200, although.
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional
The wi-fi Razer BlackShark V2 Professional is tremendously snug and has a great mic, however its boomy sound is much less refined and detailed than the Audeze Maxwell. As a closed-back headset, it additionally lacks the width of the Atlas Air. There’s no assist for wired audio both.
Logitech G535 Lightspeed
The Logitech G535 is an impressively gentle (0.52 kilos) and cozy wi-fi headset that’s usually accessible for $100 or much less. It has a comparatively impartial sound signature: not flat, however not beholden to massive, thumping bass. It may make particulars within the mids sound skinny, and if something it may use slightly extra sub-bass, nevertheless it’s an agreeable pay attention general. Nevertheless, its mic is not particularly full, and its 35-or-so-hour battery life is a big drop from our prime suggestions. It doesn’t work with Xbox’s wi-fi protocol or Bluetooth both, and it forces you to crank the amount to succeed in a listenable stage. However in case you don’t wish to spend a ton on a wi-fi headset, it’s a positive worth.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
Xbox house owners who need a extra reasonably priced wi-fi headset than the Audeze Maxwell may do worse than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X. It’s one other bass-forward pair, and its mic is akin to that of the Cloud Alpha Wi-fi. It provides a number of connectivity choices, together with Bluetooth and a 3.5mm cable. Whereas it is marketed for Xbox, it might additionally hook up with PCs and PS5s. Its 30-ish-hour battery life is effectively wanting the Maxwell and Cloud Alpha Wi-fi, nonetheless, and its uneven treble may cause issues like in-game dialogue to sound masked in sure titles.
HyperX Cloud Alpha
The wired HyperX Cloud Alpha usually goes for $80 or much less, and at that value it’s a good center floor between the Cloud Stinger 2 and Astro A40 in case you actually need a closed-back gaming headset. It’s outdated, however its plush earpads and headband are comfortable, and its removable mic, whereas not excellent, remains to be higher than the one on the A40. Its treble is underemphasized, nonetheless, and once more it sounds extra “in your head” than Astro’s pair.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional is snug and has a noticeably clearer mic than the Astro A40. It additionally comes with a helpful DAC that makes it straightforward to regulate the headset’s EQ and game-to-chat combine on the fly. Nevertheless, its closed-back design can’t present the identical enveloping sense of width, and its default sound can sound piercing within the treble. Just like the Virtuoso Professional, it’s additionally a bit too expensive, sometimes hovering within the $200 to $220 vary.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi is essentially just like its wired counterpart however provides a satisfactory stage of lively noise cancellation. With the ability to hot-swap battery packs and hook up with a number of units directly can also be good. It’s not as handy for multi-console play because the Astro A50 X, although, and it often prices greater than the Audeze Maxwell, which sounds higher, has a superior mic and lasts longer on a cost.
Beyerdynamic MMX 200
The wi-fi Beyerdynamic MMX 200 locates in-game results precisely, feels sturdy and has an ideal increase mic, nevertheless it sounds much less articulate than the Audeze Maxwell, with closely exaggerated bass and recessed lower-mids. There isn’t any game-to-chat combine or customized EQ instruments, which is hard for a $250 headset, and its 35-hour battery life is unremarkable. We additionally discovered its sweat-inducing ear cushions and headband to clamp down too tight for consolation. Nevertheless, the built-in transparency mode is good and the tight match does a great job of isolating outdoors noise.
HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi
The HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi is comfortable and may last as long as 120 hours per cost however sounds much less dynamic than the older Cloud Alpha Wi-fi, with weaker bass response. Like that pair, it additionally lacks a 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth audio assist and Xbox compatibility. The Cloud Alpha Wi-fi nonetheless will get practically 3 times the battery life, too, so it stays a greater purchase if you’d like a wi-fi headset for PC or PS5 within the $150 vary.
Sennheiser HD 490 Professional
The Sennheiser HD 490 Professional are studio-focused open-back headphones that additionally work effectively for gaming. They arrive with two units of ear pads, one which barely elevates the bass and one other that bumps the midrange, although they ship spectacular width and element both method with out pushing too arduous in a single route. They’re a pleasure to put on over lengthy stretches, each lighter than the DT 900 Professional X and fewer stiff than the HD 560S. That mentioned, they value $400 and their sound profile is extra of a pleasant various to our prime picks than one thing clearly extra pure or resolving. Most individuals don’t have to pay the premium.
Latest updates
November 2024: We have up to date this information with a brand new suggestion for one of the best devoted gaming headset, the Turtle Seaside Atlas Air, and reorganized our picks accordingly. We have additionally added notes on different gaming-friendly headphones we have examined, together with the Sennheiser HD 490 Professional and Razer BlackShark V2 Professional, and eliminated a few write-ups on headsets which are not accessible.
