A proper audio setup can provide a whole new level of immersion when it comes to gaming. However, a good audio setup with surround sound and directional audio can cost thousands of dollars, so not a lot of people can afford it. The next best option is to go with gaming headsets that can provide a similar level of immersion without costing an arm and a leg. Below, we list our top picks for the best gaming headsets from top brands such as SteelSeries, ASTRO and more.
Navigation
Best Gaming Headset Comparison Chart
| Model | Price | Category | |
| SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless |  | Check price at Amazon | Best Overall Gaming Headset |
| ASTRO A50 Wireless Headset |  | Check price at Amazon | Best Wireless Gaming Headset |
| Sony PlayStation Platinum Headset |  | Check price at Amazon | Best PS4 Gaming Headset |
| SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless |  | Check price at Amazon | Best Xbox Series X and S Gaming Headset |
| HyperX Cloud Stinger Core |  | Check price at Amazon | Best Budget Gaming Headset |
Best Overall Gaming Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
In recent years, there have been a lot of good gaming headphones to choose from, but right now, the best that we can recommend are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. This pair is a great headset for gaming due to their versatility and excellent sound profile. They can be used either wirelessly using the wireless transmitter or via Bluetooth. You can also use them with a cable for wired gaming if that’s what you prefer.
The included GameDAC, which also doubles as the charging station, allows for on-the-fly sound customization to fit your preference. Out of the box, they have a fairly neutral sound profile, which is great if you also listen to music or watch movies with headphones. The battery system of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless gives you up to 30+ hours of playback by having two swappable batteries. You can use the SteelSeries Arctis Pro on the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch and mobile phones.
The only downsides to this gaming headset is that they are quite bulky, though still lightweight, and they cost a lot of money. If you have the money though, you can’t get a better pair of gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
Best Gaming Headset Wireless
ASTRO A50 Wireless Headset
If you are looking to get a strictly wireless gaming headset, the ASTRO A50 is our pick for you. These gaming headphones are well-built and they are comfortable and lightweight enough for long gaming sessions. These headphones have a low latency wireless connection to ensure that what you’re hearing is in sync with what you’re seeing.
These gaming headphones have an excellent battery life of up to 15+ hours. You can use them even when they are being charged, but do take note that the included cable is for charging only. You can’t use these gaming headphones wired. The sound profile of the ASTRO A50 is a bit neutral with some emphasis on the low end. You can clearly hear dialogue and ambient sound, with a bit of oomph in the low frequency in action heavy scenes.
Best Gaming Headset For PS4
Sony PlayStation Platinum Headset
Designed for use with Sony’s PlayStation consoles, the Sony PlayStation Platinum headphones are great if you play exclusively on your PlayStation. They are well built and very comfortable due to having a generous amount of padding on the earcups. These will also fit comfortably and neatly if you have a PSVR headset.
The Sony PlayStation Platinum headset are slightly lacking in the low end, but not enough to hamper your gaming experience. To make up for the lack of low end, these headphones offer excellent clarity and detail. Also, they have a virtual 7.1 surround sound mode that lets you hear directional audio cues for a more immersive experience.
For our picks for the best PS5 headsets, click here
Best Gaming Headset For Xbox Series X and S
SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless
For Xbox gamers, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X is our top pick. These headphones, just like with most SteelSeries gaming headsets, offer excellent comfort for extended gaming marathons. They are well built, lightweight and they have more than enough padding for comfort.
The sound profile of the SteelSeries Arctis 7X has an emphasis on the low end, meaning that explosions and other loud sound effects will be satisfying. They don’t sacrifice clarity and detail as well, but admittedly, they are not as good in this area as some of the headsets in this list.
The battery life of the SteelSeries Arctis 7X is just under 23 hours, which is very good, and the wireless dongle provides low latency audio to make sure that your audio is in sync with the visuals.
Best Gaming Headset on a Budget
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
For those on a budget, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core headset is a very good choice. This gaming headset offers excellent comfort and the earcups are big enough to fit most ears. Even though they are quite bulky, these headphones are still lightweight for those extended gaming nights.
The sound quality of the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is pretty good, considering its price. Of course, they won’t compete with some of the more expensive headsets on this list, but as long as you don’t have unrealistic expectations, these headphones will be more than satisfactory. The battery life is also good, at a little under 17 hours of continuous usage.
For even more savings, you can get the wired version of the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core instead.
Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are the best gaming headphones if you don’t mind spending a considerable amount of money.
All the gaming headsets in this list are viable options depending on your use case. That said, if you want the best, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are our recommendation. These headphones offer excellent sound and versatility when it comes to connectivity. You can use it on any gaming platform with ease. However, if you want a more affordable alternative, the ASTRO A50 are great as well. They are wireless only, so they may not work on every platform, but in terms of sound and performance, they are certainly up there.
For PlayStation and Xbox gamers, the Sony PlayStation Platinum and the SteelSeries Arctis 7X are our top picks, respectively. For those on a budget, you can get either the wired or the wireless version of the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core.
FAQs
There are a lot of great gaming headset brands, but SteelSeries stands out with their offerings.
Our pick for the best wireless gaming headset are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
It depends on your preference. Wired gaming headsets offer next to no audio latency and they are generally less expensive. On the other hand, wireless headsets offer the convenience of not having to deal with cables, but at a price premium.
If you only play single player games, you can opt to go with a pair of headphones instead of a gaming headset with mic. However, a gaming headset with a microphone will be more convenient to have if you also plan on playing a few multiplayer games in the future that require in-game communication.