Typically, one of the best gaming headset doesn’t should be a “gaming headset” in any respect. Whereas many individuals view these units as their very own area of interest, they’re in the end nonetheless headphones, simply with a growth mic and a few fancy branding hooked up. Whereas the overall high quality of devoted headsets has improved over time, they nonetheless are likely to value extra in comparison with a very good pair of wired headphones (which, sure, nonetheless exist). If it is advisable chat with buddies, you’ll be able to at all times purchase a microphone individually and get superior sound high quality there as effectively.
That stated, we perceive that many individuals simply need the comfort of a headset with a mic constructed proper in. So after testing dozens of contenders over the previous couple of years, we’ve rounded up just a few commendable gaming headsets and headphones that work effectively for gaming. As you’ll see, the 2 aren’t fairly the identical factor. Whichever manner you go, although, all of our picks ought to make your sport time extra pleasurable, regardless of which platform you employ, and whether or not you play competitively or simply for enjoyable.
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 pieces turns into a matter of style. For many, a headphone with a large soundscape and powerful imaging efficiency — i.e., the power to place sounds accurately, so you’ll be able to extra exactly inform the place footsteps and different sport results are coming from — will present essentially the most immersive gaming expertise, the sort that makes you are feeling like your head is inside a given scene.
For that, you desire a high-quality pair of open-back headphones. That’s to say, an over-ear pair whose ear cups don’t fully seal off the ear from air and out of doors 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 can 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 very good gaming headphone ought to sound. In order for you one thing that’ll aid you in aggressive multiplayer video games, you could favor a headphone with a flatter sound signature, which’ll maintain a sport’s combine from being overly boosted in a single route and is much less prone to masks the smaller particulars of what’s occurring round you. A barely brighter sound, one which pushes the higher frequencies a tad, might also work. Open-back headphones nearly by no means have big sub-bass, so that you not often have to fret about low-end sounds muddying up the remainder of the signature. On this mild, the truth that an amazing quantity of gaming headsets are closed-back and bass-heavy appears counterintuitive.
A number of folks 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 desire 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 particular person 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 keen 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 very good 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 offer stuff like explosions a bit extra juice with out muddying up the mids. Particulars within the midrange get essentially the most emphasis general, however they’re clear, and their forwardness isn’t a foul factor once you’re attempting 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, but it surely’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 attempting to win a multiplayer sport or soak up a extra cinematic single-player story. And once you’re not gaming, you get an pleasurable profile for music.
The entire thing is constructed effectively, too. The DT 900 Professional X will clamp down barely tougher than common you probably have a big head, but it surely balances its weight effectively, and its splendidly mushy velour earpads go a great distance towards protecting the pair snug over hours-long gaming classes. It comes with two removable cables, together with a three-meter choice that’s handy in case you sit far out of your PC. It may well’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 extra space 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
- Nicely-built with mushy ear cushions
- Leaks and permits outdoors noise, by design
- Missing in deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphones
$250 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 6 – 38,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 280g
If you happen to’d fairly not spend as a lot, the Sennheiser HD 560S is one other glorious open-back headphone that’s usually obtainable 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 beautiful 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 lots snug to put on for prolonged durations. It doesn’t clamp down too arduous on these with massive heads (like yours really), 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, nevertheless, so that you gained’t need 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 a terrific worth.
- Impressively balanced sound
- Comfy
- Nice worth for many who prioritize audio high quality
- Barely sizzling in treble vary
- Leaks and permits outdoors noise, by design
- Would not have the sturdiest construct high quality
$229 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back (on-ear) | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 15 – 25,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 43g
If you happen to 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 may 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. Nevertheless it locates sounds precisely, and its open design delivers an actual sense of width. It’s an excellent 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 definitely seems prefer it prices $20, although Koss backs it with a lifetime guarantee that primarily permits you to get infinite replacements for $9 every. Even when the KSC75 are pushing 20 years outdated, its comparatively balanced sound stays significantly well-suited for gaming.
- The perfect-sounding headphones $20 can purchase
- Light-weight
- Clip-on design positively not for everybody
- Feels low-cost, as a result of it’s
$20 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 40,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz (PS5, PC, Change), Bluetooth 5.2 (AAC, SBC), 3.5mm | Weight: 301g
If you happen to do desire 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 in consequence, creating the feeling that your sport is going on round you rather than feeling confined in your head. It’s additionally higher than most at positioning in-game results in the suitable locations.
The Atlas Air has a principally 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 stated, 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 supplied by its design makes an actual distinction whether or not you’re listening for enemies in Counter-Strike 2 or basking in an enormous boss battle in Closing Fantasy XVI. Going from a pair like this to a standard headset usually makes it sound like a bit of the world has been lopped off.
The Atlas Air can be exceptionally snug. Its ear cups are generously padded with mild reminiscence foam and lined in a mushy fabric materials; they offer 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, but it surely’s extraordinarily versatile, so these with particularly massive heads can nonetheless pop the headphones on with little wrestle. The design as an entire is light-weight at 0.66 kilos, and it’s mild about clamping down on the perimeters 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 nearly solely plastic, so it doesn’t fairly really feel like a $180 system to the contact. It’s additionally sort of… ugly, to be trustworthy. None of that could be a massive deal after getting it on, nevertheless, and we haven’t observed any creaking or looseness to the body after a number of months of testing.
The Atlas Air’s removable growth mic is completely advantageous. You wouldn’t need to use it for podcasting, because it robs a very good chunk of bass out of your voice, however you’ll nonetheless come via 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 at all times handy.
The headset works with PC, PS5 or a docked Nintendo Change via its USB dongle, plus it helps Bluetooth for cellular units and the Change’s handheld mode. You possibly can’t pipe via audio from two connections on the similar time, however you’ll be able to no less than change between the 2 pretty shortly utilizing a button on the left ear cup. Whereas there’s no assist for Xbox’s wi-fi protocol, you may also use the headset passively (i.e., with out counting on battery energy) with an included 3.5mm cable with its personal inline quantity dial. If you happen to’re an Xbox participant and don’t thoughts utilizing a cable, we’d nonetheless take into account the Atlas Air our prime advice. With out the wire, Turtle Seaside says the system can last as long as 50 hours, although we’ve been in a position to squeeze one other 5 to 10 hours out at reasonable volumes. It’s removed from the longest-lasting pair we’ve examined, however this implies it might probably probably 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. If you happen to don’t play in a fairly quiet atmosphere, take into account our subsequent choose. We additionally had a driver problem that prevented us from connecting to PC upon first receiving the headset, however a software program replace shortly 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 device, 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 essentially the most premium or good-looking design
$141 at Amazon
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
If you happen to’re keen to pay additional for a premium gaming headset with a extra isolating closed-back design, get the Audeze Maxwell. At $299 for a PS5 mannequin or $329 for an Xbox mannequin, it’s not low-cost, but it surely’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 in the marketplace.
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, but it surely’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. If you happen to don’t just like the out-of-the-box profile, Audeze’s app additionally consists of numerous tasteful EQ presets.
Alongside these traces, the Maxwell’s removable growth mic is a standout. It does an exceptional job of muting background noise, and whereas your voice will lose some air, it’s going to sound clearer and fuller right here than on most wi-fi headsets we’ve examined.
The Maxwell may be very a lot on the cumbersome aspect, it leaks sound at larger volumes, and its metal headband makes use of an odd suspension mechanism that is successfully inconceivable 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 maintain the headset snug and isolate a good quantity of outdoor 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 possibly can even join to 2 units without delay, one over the dongle and one other over Bluetooth, although you’ll be able to’t stream audio from each sources concurrently. The headset additionally must be powered on with a view to play music over a cable.
Audeze charges the Maxwell’s battery life at roughly 80 hours, which is nice and has typically 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
$299 at B&H Picture
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)
If you happen to’d favor to avoid wasting money and purchase an honest wired gaming headset, take into account 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 supplies explosions a clean and satisfying thump, but it surely doesn’t overdo the low-end the way in which lots of its friends do.
The A40’s audio high quality continues 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 advantageous particulars. Its soundstage is narrower by comparability as effectively. Nevertheless it’s higher balanced than most gaming headsets, particularly these in its worth 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 aspect, however its weight is evenly distributed, and it doesn’t clamp down overly arduous. The fuzzy earpads are mushy and breathable, whereas the ear cups are roomy sufficient to suit bigger ears. The headset has the standard open-back shortcomings, although, because it leaks a bunch of sound and blocks nearly zero outdoors noise. The mostly-plastic design seems “gamer-y” and lacks built-in quantity controls, too. No person would name it “premium.” Nonetheless, it is not flimsy.
The A40’s mic, in the meantime, is simply OK. It picks up background noises whilst 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’ll be able to simply flip it up and out of the way in which.
The A40 has been round for a number of years now, however its worth 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 worth we’d strongly advise shopping for certainly one of our different picks as an alternative.
- Extra spacious sound than most devoted gaming headsets
- Comfy
- Strong worth
- Mic efficiency is simply OK
- Design is much from premium
- Treble is underemphasized
$100 at Amazon
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 good price range 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 an honest 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 mushy 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 is not 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 unhealthy for what it’s, and it’ll positively give motion scenes a heavy dose of growth. However the upper-bass is bumped to the purpose the place it might get tiring over time, and also you lose a few of the advantageous particulars you’d hear on our different picks. Since it is a low-cost closed-back headset, the Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t sound almost as vast because the pairs above, neither is it as nuanced about positioning sounds precisely. All of that makes it lower than perfect for aggressive video games, although it might probably 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 worth vary. The Cloud Stinger 2 is flawed, but it surely does sufficient effectively to be a very good headset for sure budget-conscious patrons.
- Robust worth
- Comfy
- Strong mic efficiency
- Boomy sound is not perfect
- Feels cheapish
- Poor noise isolation for a closed-back headset
$40 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Astro A50 X prices an eye-watering $380, so we are able to’t moderately suggest it to most individuals. Nevertheless, in case you can abdomen the worth, it is a uniquely handy wi-fi headset for hardcore players who personal a PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S and gaming PC. That’s primarily as a result 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’ll be able to join the headset to all three units concurrently. From there, you’ll be able to swap to your energetic machine simply by urgent a button on the suitable earcup.
This can be a ache to arrange: As proven in Logitech’s 12-minute (!) video tutorial, connecting each consoles and a PC requires seven totally 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 pieces’s up and operating, both: We needed to manually change video alerts when switching from a PC to a console (although not when doing the inverse) and manually change our PC’s audio output once we needed to pay attention via desktop audio system. All of this requires you to maintain your gaming {hardware} in the identical space, too.
However for essentially the most half, the A50 X is essentially the most sensible wi-fi headset we’ve examined for multi-console setups. As a substitute 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 need to use. A small LED show on the dock will present the energetic connection, and the headset will routinely play the proper audio supply. With a PS5 and Xbox, it’ll routinely swap video. As long as you employ 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 even join the A50 X to a Change or cellular system through Bluetooth — although it is advisable 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,” but it surely’s dynamic, with wealthy, comparatively nuanced bass and a clear midrange. Explosions and gunshots have a very good crunch with out sounding overly thick, and it’s typically correct at finding footsteps and close by results. The Audeze Maxwell continues to be a stage above, nevertheless; 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 can be proud of it, and you’ll customise its EQ curve to an extent via Logitech’s G Hub software program.
The A50 X’s design is sort of a nicer model of the A40. It’s largely plastic, but it surely feels sturdy. The fuzzy, fabric-covered foam on its earpads and headband is mushy and breathable, and whereas the headset isn’t tremendous mild at 0.8 kilos, it distributes its weight in a manner that feels snug but safe. You can even alter your game-to-chat audio combine proper from an earcup. It doesn’t isolate outdoors noise very effectively, although, and its growth mic is completely hooked up. Its battery life is mediocre as effectively — Astro charges it at as much as 24 hours at reasonable volumes — however because the headset is designed to sit down on its dock when it’s not in use, that is not a severe problem. The mic, in the meantime, is among the easiest 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 saved 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 completely arrange
- No analog audio assist
$380 at Amazon
Different gaming headsets we examined
Observe: This can be a number of noteworthy gaming headsets and headphones we’ve put via their paces, not a complete checklist of all the pieces we’ve ever tried.
PlayStation Pulse Elite (and Pulse Discover)
The PlayStation Pulse Elite is an affordable various to the Turtle Seaside Atlas Air for PS5 homeowners, because it lets you change quantity, swap between totally different EQ presets, alter the game-to-chat combine and mute the mic proper from the console’s native UI. It’s much like the way in which AirPods combine with iPhones. This pair additionally permits you to hook up with a second system over Bluetooth on the similar time, and the planar magnetic drivers — a rarity for $150 headphones — do an honest job of reproducing smaller particulars. The sound profile as an entire is narrower and extra uneven within the bass and treble than the Atlas Air, nevertheless, whereas the all-plastic design is snug however flimsy-feeling. It additionally doesn’t do a lot to dam outdoors noise, regardless of being closed-back, and the management buttons are awkward to achieve.
We additionally examined the in-ear model of those headphones, the PlayStation Pulse Discover, however discovered it too uncomfortable to put on over prolonged classes. That one is restricted to roughly 5 hours of battery life, too.
Astro A50 (Gen 5)
The Astro A50 (Gen 5) is successfully the identical headset because the A50X, simply with none HDMI ports on its base station. It prices $80 much less, so it’s a worthy various to the Audeze Maxwell in case you primarily play on one platform and desire a superior microphone. However the skill to routinely change between consoles is the factor that makes the A50X value shopping for within the first place, in order that comfort continues to be value paying for in case you sport on a number of units.
Corsair Virtuoso Professional
The 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 principally 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 well-liked 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 solely. Its spherical, breathable ear cups and manageable weight do make it simple to put on, although, and it comes with a sturdy journey case for defense. Finally, it’s an honest purchase, but it surely’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 reasonable volumes, which is exceptional and by far one of the best of any wi-fi mannequin we’ve examined. It’s mild and never too cosy on the top, and its highly effective bass lends an actual sense of pleasure to in-game motion. Nevertheless it 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 value 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 reasonable volumes. Nevertheless, much 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 probably join over a USB dongle, Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, it might probably’t pair to 2 units without delay like Audeze’s and Astro’s pairs. Our greatest problem is the worth: Worth-wise, it’s in one thing of a no man’s land at its MSRP of $250. It’s a advantageous selection if it dips beneath $200, although.
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional
The wi-fi Razer BlackShark V2 Professional is tremendously snug and has a very good 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 mild (0.52 kilos) and comfortable wi-fi headset that’s usually obtainable for $100 or much less. It has a comparatively impartial sound signature: not flat, however not beholden to massive, thumping bass. It may well make particulars within the mids sound skinny, and if something it may use somewhat extra sub-bass, but it surely’s an agreeable pay attention general. Nevertheless, its mic is not particularly full, and its 35-or-so-hour battery life is a major 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 achieve a listenable stage. However in case you don’t need to spend a ton on a wi-fi headset, it’s a advantageous worth.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
Xbox homeowners who desire a extra inexpensive 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 gives a number of connectivity choices, together with Bluetooth and a 3.5mm cable. Whereas it is marketed for Xbox, it might probably additionally hook up with PCs and PS5s. Its 30-ish-hour battery life is effectively in need of the Maxwell and Cloud Alpha Wi-fi, nevertheless, 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 worth it’s an honest center floor between the Cloud Stinger 2 and Astro A40 in case you actually desire a closed-back gaming headset. It’s outdated, however its plush earpads and headband are cozy, and its removable mic, whereas not very good, continues to be higher than the one on the A40. Its treble is underemphasized, nevertheless, 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 simple 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. It’s additionally a bit too expensive, usually hovering within the $200 to $220 vary.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi is essentially much like its wired counterpart however provides a satisfactory stage of energetic noise cancellation. Having the ability to hot-swap battery packs and hook up with a number of units without delay can be good. It’s not as handy for multi-console play because the Astro A50 X, although, and it is not often cheaper 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 a terrific growth mic, but it surely sounds much less articulate than the Audeze Maxwell, with closely exaggerated bass and recessed lower-mids. There is no game-to-chat combine or customized EQ instruments, which is hard for a $200 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 sweet and the tight match does a very good job of isolating outdoors noise.
Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional
There’s nothing significantly unhealthy in regards to the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional: It makes use of the identical drivers because the DT 900 Professional X, its velour earpads are cozy and its mic works effectively. It’s simply arduous to suggest spending $300 on a wired-only headset when the Audeze Maxwell gives wi-fi performance and equally glorious sound — with barely much less spiky treble and extra even bass — for a similar worth. The MMX 300 Professional’s mic isn’t removable both, and the closed-back design retains it from sounding as vast because the DT 900 Professional X.
HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi
The HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi is cozy and might 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 almost 3 times the battery life, too, so it stays a greater purchase if you need 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 manner 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 stated, they’re often priced round $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
January 2025: We’ve seemed over this information to make sure our picks are nonetheless correct and added notes on just a few extra headsets we’ve not too long ago examined, together with the PlayStation Pulse Elite, Astro A50 (Gen 5) and Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional.
November 2024: We have up to date this information with a brand new advice 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 might be not obtainable.
