The Best Gaming Headsets

The Best Gaming Headsets

by William Lobley |
Updated on

A gaming headset is the perfect combination of essential purchase and indulgent gamer-gadget treat. A headset is a tool for unlocking a video game's true potential and a stunning audio-tech masterpiece that’ll conjure a smile every time they are worn.

The best gaming headsets will transport players to the epicentre of open-worlds, increase their claustrophobic terror in horror thrillers and provide them with that all-important tactical advantage in FPS shooters. Meanwhile, the microphones they carry will allow for coordinated squad movements and enemy callouts, or even just catch-up chats with friends.

The gaming headset market is a colossal beast, with countless companies vying for customer attention with bold claims and fancy ads. Whether you game on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch or even smartphone, there’s a headset in this list for you.

What we look for in the best gaming headsets:

Drivers

Drivers are the headset’s speakers, delivering the sound to the wearer. They come in various sizes and are constructed of varying materials, each with different benefits and sacrifices. However, all that really matters when looking for a gaming headset is that a driver is of the highest quality.

In addition to plenty of volume, the driver's sound must be clear and balanced. Too much bass will overpower other frequencies and inhibit a player's ability to pick up on audio cues - this could be the difference between life and death in certain games. Weak mids will make voices harder to hear, while an emphasis on the high frequencies will reduce previously cinematic audio into a tinny, unpleasant mess without presence or atmosphere.

Frequency Response

Frequency response is a measure of the audible frequencies a driver can produce. 20Hz - 20KHz is ideal, as it matches the average human audio spectrum. A 20Hz to 20KHz frequency response will let a player hear all that’s going on in a game, from the lowest of rumbles to the highest of screeches.

Connectivity

Just how connected a gaming headset needs to be is subjective - that’s why our selection below has a large cross-section of headset connectivity options. Wireless connections offer a great sense of freedom, while USB options allow external audio cards to improve spatial audio immersion. Though limited in information transfer, 3.5mm audio jacks allow for almost universal connectivity.

Software

Software suites allow PC users to interact with the settings and tunings of a headset. This adds great value to a headset, allowing users to refine their experience with ease and even change audio settings between media types and video game titles.

Comfort

It doesn’t matter how good a headset sounds if it’s uncomfortable. The headband needs to be adjustable and padded. It needs to clamp into the head for stability, but it can't be too tight. Likewise, earpads need to isolate the ears for the sake of improved audio, but they need to be breathable and cooling to keep temperature and sweat under control.

Style

All is vanity. Sound, functionality and comfort are all driving forces when picking the best headset, but style shouldn’t go neglected. Understated and refined designs are more flexible - they can be worn out of the house or on business video calls. Other options are all about that flashy, OTT gamer aesthetic. Both have a place in the market place, and luckily the best headsets are available across the two styles.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.

Empire's Best Gaming Headsets

SteelSeries Arctis 7/7P/7XEMPIRE
Price: $169.99

SteelSeries has distilled its knowledge and audio wizardry into a headset that tops its field, with a competitive price tag to boot. The S1 speaker drivers kick out a clean and defined audio profile. PlayStation and Xbox players will find that the S1 can deliver incredibly immersive performances with the 7P and 7X respectively, and PC gamers will be able to take advantage of DTS Headphone: X v2.0. Thanks to the USB-C dongle, the wireless 2.4GHz connection guarantees a stable quality connection with no audio loss or interference. On the 7P and 7X, the dongle can also connect to other devices, including smartphones and Nintendo Switch. The air-weave fabric keeps temperatures cool during long gaming sessions, which are more than possible thanks to the 24-hour battery life. The mic is retractable, and the on-board volume controls allow audio to be balanced on the fly.

Weight353g
Driver40mm S1
Frequency response20Hz - 20kHz
ConnectionsUSB, 3.5mm
MicRetractable
Battery24 hours
ChargingUSB-C

The Logitech G Pro X would be impressive at twice the price. The Pro-G 50mm drivers offer a powerful, clear and organic audio while, thanks to the DAC, DTS HEADPHONE provides an immersive 7.1 object-based surround sound experience that captures near and far audio with precision. The mic performance is crystal clear thanks to BLUE VO!CE. There's an abundance of control provided by the Logitech G Hub software suite that allows the Pro X to be quickly tuned to suit the user. The build is robust and comfortable, and there's plenty of accessories provided, including leatherette and cloth memory-foam earpads, cables with in-line control and the USB DAC sound card.Specifications:Weight: 320gDriver: Hybrid mesh PRO-G 50 mmFrequency response: 20Hz – 20kHzConnections: USB, 3.5mmMic: Detachable

Weight320g
DriverHybrid mesh PRO-G 50mm
Frequency response20Hz - 20kHz
ConnectionsUSB, 3.5mm
MicDetachable

Playstation 5 Pulse HDEMPIRE
Price: $116.88

The Pulse 3D headset is a big, bold and affordable headset for PS4 and PS5 gamers. The design matches that of the PS5, and though this won't be to everyone's taste, the headset is comfortable during long hours of gameplay. The inner-headband ensures that the headset rests snuggly on the head, while the leatherette earpads come with ample padding. There are two hidden noise-cancelling mics for clear and easy team chats, and the unimposing, and on-board controls are easy to use - once you can remember what button is where. The 40mm drivers offer a booming cinematic tone that's ideal for immersing players in the action, horror or chaos of what's on the screen. While the headset will provide everyone with great stereo audio, PS5 owners will be able to hear the console's Tempest 3D AudioTech in action. Just be aware that the current roster of games running this audio engine is limited - for now.

Weight295g
Drivers40mm
ConnectionsWireless via USB dongle, 3.5mm
MicIn-built, hidden
Battery12 hours
ChargingUSB-C

Astro A50 Gen 4EMPIRE
Price: $199.53

There's something sublime about the wireless ASTRO A50 headset. First, the look is impeccable. Toning things down from previous iterations, the Gen 4's bring a strong stealth-fighter vibe, with hidden on-board game/chat volume controls and mod-ready pads - plus, the docking base has had its desk footprint reduced. Second, and more importantly, they carry a beautiful sound profile. Thanks to ASTRO Audio V2 and Dolby Audio, the surround sound is industry-leading with every frequency comes through with clarity – the bass is beastly, the mids are well-balanced, and the highs sing.For PC users looking to get into the finer points of their audio experience, the ASTRO Command Centre software lets users get under the A50's hood and customise profiles at will.

Weight380g
Drivers40mm
Frequency response20Hz - 20kHz
ConnectionsWireless via BaseStation
MicFlip-to-mute
Battery15 hours
ChargingBaseStation recharge

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2EMPIRE
Price: $163.61
Alternative retailers
Newegg$130.99View offer

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is brimming with useful tech for both console and PC gamers. The headset is heavy on user-friendly and game-enhancing features. Bluetooth sits alongside the traditional wireless connection, allowing the 700 Gen 2 to connect to a console and smartphone at the same time, allowing access to phone calls or music during gameplay. The Turtle Beach Audio Hub further gets smartphones involved, allowing users to customise and tune their audio settings with ease. Turtle Beach's Superhuman Hearing can be used to boost some specific elements of in-game audio to give the player a (totally legitimate) advantage. All of the audio features are pushed through a pair of great 50mm Nanoclear drivers. Despite the weight, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 is comfortable, with generous cool-gel padding and subtle earpad gullies for glasses wearers. The flip-to-mute mic tucks nicely against the body, and the battery life hits a very respectable 20-hours.

Weight453g
Drivers50mm Nanoclear
Frequency response20Hz - 20kHz
ConnectionsWireless via USB dongle
MicFlip-to-mute
Battery20 hours
ChargingUSB recharge

Corsair HS35EMPIRE
Price: $49.99

Corsair's affordable HS35 is a really nice gaming headset. Unlike many of its budget rivals, the HS35 headset boasts tuned 50mm drivers, providing respectable stereo audio depth and separation and a clear distinction between frequencies. The detachable mic will get the wearer involved in squad callouts, and the easy-access control makes in-game audio adjustment a quick affair. The headset is comfortable thanks to the memory-foam earpads, too.

Weight200g
Drivers50mm
Frequency response20Hz - 20kHz
Connections3.5mm
MicDetachable

Upcoming video games

If you're looking to stay up-to-date with all that the gaming world has to offer, make sure to check in on Empire's video game release schedule, which will guide you through the next two months of unmissable content.

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