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The Insider Pick:
A great gaming headset is well-designed, very comfortable, and sounds great. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC gaming headset is our top pick because it checks all of the boxes with its hi-res audio, comfortable design, and smart features.
Gaming is often all about immersion. That’s why, in recent years, products like ultra-wide monitors and virtual reality headsets have become increasingly common and important in the gaming world. But immersion isn’t just about what you see — It’s also about what you hear, and as such, a great gaming headset can elevate the experience.
As you might expect, there are a ton of gaming headsets out there, and that number is growing all the time. However, not all gaming headsets are created equal. That's why we've put together a guide to the best gaming headsets at every price point from $350 to $50.
So what should you consider when buying a new gaming headset? Well, for starters you’ll need to decide whether you want a wired or wireless headset. Wired headsets generally produce a slightly higher fidelity sound, but obviously, you have to deal with a wire. Wireless headsets, on the other hand, free you up a little, but can introduce some latency — Luckily, these days it’s basically a non-issue. With wireless headsets, you’ll also want to think about battery life.
Gaming headsets often have a microphone built right into them, which can be important if you play multiplayer games that require communication with teammates. And, of course, comfort is an extremely important factor to consider. Some might argue that comfort is even the most important thing to consider when buying a gaming headset because gamers tend to wear headsets for hours on end while they play.
Last but not least, you’ll want to think about your budget, and how much you’re willing to spend on a headset. We've covered all price ranges in this guide, so no matter what your budget there should be something for you.
Here are our top picks for the best gaming headsets you can buy no matter your budget:
Read on in the slides below to check out all our favorite gaming headsets.
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The best gaming headset overall
Why you'll love it: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC offers top-level comfort and great design, plus hi-res audio that will make any game sound better.
SteelSeries has long been a leader in the gaming headset market, and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC is no exception to that rule. We think it’s the best gaming headset you can buy hands down.
There are a ton of things that make this wired gaming headset such a great option. First off, it has a really nice, sleek, black design. The headband is adjustable and the GameDAC, which is where you’ll control the headset’s audio, is very easy to use.
When you’re talking about gaming headsets, comfort is perhaps the most important thing to consider. Gamers tend to wear their headphones for longer periods of time than most people, and thankfully, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC headset is super comfortable. There’s ample padding in the ear cups, plus the elastic headband ensures the headset fits well around any head shape.
Of course, the most important thing to consider is how the headset sounds, and it sounds great. This is actually the first gaming headset to support hi-res audio, which helps deliver a much clearer sound than what you might be used to. Sure, there aren’t many games that offer hi-res audio just yet, but that should be coming.
When it comes to frequency response, there’s plenty of bass, while the mid-range is tuned very naturally. In the high-end, there’s a ton of clarity and sibilance, which will help things like gunshots sound much more realistic.
There are a few downsides to consider. For example, the headset is largely aimed at PC gamers because of its wired design, though we’ll talk about the wireless version in the next section. On top of that, it’s a little pricey. If you can afford it, however, most reviewers think it’s well worth it. Headphone Review gave the headset a nice 8.7/10, while PCMag settled for a still respectable 4/5.
Pros: Nicely designed, very comfortable, sounds excellent, hi-res audio support
Cons: Expensive, built for PC gaming
The best wireless gaming headset
Why you'll love it: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is super comfortable to wear while you game, and the lack of wires makes it even better.
Perhaps you’re not really interested in a wired gaming headset. If that’s you, then you need not worry: There’s also a wired version of the Arctis Pro, called the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
Like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC, the Arctis Pro Wireless boasts a great design and is very comfortable. It offers the same level of padding in the ear cups, plus the headband is adjustable, so you’ll be able to find a great fit depending on your head size.
Because the headset is wireless, it’s a little different from the Arctis Pro + GameDAC. For starters, it does not support hi-res audio, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound good. Thankfully, it does. It still boasts plenty of bass with a very well-tuned mid-range. The high-end isn’t quite as clear as the Arctis Pro + GameDAC, but it’s still very well-tuned with plenty of extension for those who want it.
The trade-off to the slightly different sound quality is, of course, that the headset is wireless, so it’s a great option for console gamers or those who don’t want to deal with pesky wires at their desk. It’s been well-reviewed, too. Tom’s Guide gave it 8/10, TechRadar gave it 4.5/5, and Headphone Review gave it 8.4/10.
Pros: Great design, very comfortable, sounds great, wireless
Cons: Expensive, not quite as great-sounding as wired version
The best surround sound gaming headset
Why you'll love it: The Astro A50 boasts a comfortable design and great battery life, but the best thing about it is the immersive sound you’ll get from its surround sound support.
Before SteelSeries launched the Arctis Pro headsets, Astro was considered the boss in town, with the Astro A50. In fact, it’s still among the best headsets out there, and in our opinion, it’s the best if you’re looking for surround sound features.
The Astro A50 features a nice design with sensibilities that should appeal to plenty of gamers. It’s also pretty lightweight, which is good news for those who don’t like heavy headsets. You also get plenty of padding to help make the headset super comfortable.
Of course, the most important thing to consider is how the headset sounds, and it sounds pretty good. As mentioned, the Astro A50 features surround sound, which, when used with compatible games, helps make gaming a whole lot more immersive than it otherwise would be. It also boasts 15 hours of battery life and it charges when you're not using it, thanks to the base station.
Not everything about the headset is perfect. The microphone on the headset isn’t the best, and the headset is a little pricey. Still, plenty of reviewers love the headset. Trusted Reviews gave it 8/10, while Headphone Review gave it an even better 8.4/10.
Pros: Comfortable, surround sound, long battery life
Cons: Microphone could be better, expensive
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