Whether you are a competitive gamer, casual gamer or just a lover of gaming in general, a good pair of headphones is essential to any gaming experience. Whether you’re gaming on a console, a computer, your mobile device or even a television, headphones help immerse you into the game and block out external noise that can hinder your gaming experience. The headphones you game with also need to be comfortable for long gaming sessions and strong enough to withstand frequent use.
Our technology professionals test gaming headphones in the lab for sound quality, comfort, ease of set-up, and ease of use. We test headphones for a variety of gaming platforms, including PCs, consoles, smartphones, tablets, and virtual reality headsets. Our lab experts also test headphones for 24 hours straight with no breaks to see how they hold up, and test them for durability by dropping them 50 times from 12 inches. Test results fall into three categories: performance, quality, and durability.
Our team has tested and reviewed hundreds of gaming headphones, and based on popularity, reviews, tech specs, and lab testing results, we’ve rounded up our picks for the 5 best gaming headphones of 2023:
BENGOO G9000 Stereo Gaming Headset for PS4 PC Xbox One PS5 Controller, Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones with Mic, LED Light, Bass Surround, Soft Memory Earmuffs for Laptop Mac Nintendo NES Games
The BENGOO G9000’s 40mm drivers deliver very good sound quality for its price range. Its sound quality is well-suited for gaming, although the bass is a bit lacking, and it tends to get a bit muddy in high-range notes. The headset is pretty much as comfortable as a pair of over-ear headphones. The headset’s mic, though, has a somewhat tinny quality to it, so we didn’t use it much. If you’re primarily gaming, the headset offers everything you need, including the Xbox/PS4 adaptor, the detachable mic, the LED lights, and the requisite USB plug. For general use, up to $400.
Razer Kraken Gaming Headset: Lightweight Aluminum Frame, Retractable Noise Isolating Microphone, For PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S, Mobile, 3.5 mm Audio Jack – Green
The Razer Kraken is an outstanding headset. Its dual-mic setup is its best feature, but the padded ear cups’ removable gel cushioning system is absolutely excellent. The Kraken is also comfortable for long gaming sessions, has easy digital controls, and sounds terrific. My only complaint: It’s too heavy for me to wear for more than a couple of hours. But I can easily transport the Kraken in my laptop bag, so it’s a great travel companion.
HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset, 7.1 Surround Sound, Memory Foam Ear Pads, Durable Aluminum Frame, Detachable Microphone, Works with PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One – Gun Metal
The HyperX Cloud II is an outstanding upgrade to the Cloud. While the Cloud was great looking and sounded great, it had some flaws, including poor microphone clarity, a poor cable design, and plastic ear cups. The Cloud II addresses all these weaknesses, making it the best HyperX headset on the market. The sound quality is greatly improved by the increased overall dynamic range and wider frequency response. The Cloud II’s earcups-which can be folded in for easier storage-are made of faux leather, metal, and memory foam, and the ear cups can be rotated 180° and folded in for cable routing and a better fit. The removable microphone now comes with a swiveling boom arm and works with TeamSpeak, Discord, Skype, and most VoIP clients. The included cable is braided, which improves durability and prolongs the cable’s lifespan. The cable can also be mounted to a wall or nearby object using the included Velcro strap. The headset’s 1.8-meter cable is long enough for most setups, and the included accessory kit contains a detachable mic boom, a USB cable, and a carrying pouch. While we didn’t test them, the Cloud II’s leatherette earpads seem like a nice addition. The headset is priced at $150, and we think it’s the best value in its class.
SENZER SG500 Surround Sound Pro Gaming Headset with Noise Cancelling Microphone – Detachable Memory Foam Ear Pads – Portable Foldable Headphones for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch
The Senzer SG500 headset is an excellent value for its versatility, comfort, and sound quality. Its 40mm drivers produce deep, rich bass, and the headphones have a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, making them great for listening to music and movies. The noise cancellation feature worked well in our tests, offering a good balance of noise reduction and clarity. The Senzer SG500 has an adjustable microphone and headband to accommodate a wide range of head sizes. The microphone clips to the headband, making it convenient to stow when not in use. The detachable ear pads are large and fluffy, and the boom mic is flexible, making it easy to point where you need it.
Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset: 7.1 Surround Sound – 50mm Drivers – Memory Foam Cushion – for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mobile – 3.5mm Audio Jack – Classic Black
The Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset, $200, isn’t just the wireless version of the Razer BlackShark V2, it’s the true successor to that model. Some of the enhancements include the same 7.1 surround-sound capability, but newly enclosed in the high-driver BlackShark V2X unit. The Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are still the best-sounding we have tested, but the BlackShark V2X’s improved 50mm drivers more than beat the HD 650s, and it’s about 40 percent lighter than the HD 650s. At the same price as the Razer BlackShark V2, the BlackShark V2X is a tougher choice. If you just want a great pair of headphones, the Sennheiser HD 650s are still our Editors’ Choice. But, if you want a truly exceptional wireless gaming headset, that can sometimes be hard to find, the BlackShark V2X is definitely worth the $50 extra.
What are the different types of gaming headsets?
There are many types of gaming headsets. Some are wireless, some wired, some come with a microphone, and some do not. The type that is best for you depends on your gaming needs.
Most gaming headsets are wireless. Wireless headsets allow you to be mobile while playing your games, and they offer better sound quality than a wired headset. They typically come with a wireless transmitter that plugs into your gaming console or PC.
Some wireless headsets are designed for PC gaming. These headsets typically connect to your computer via a USB cable. They also have a transmitter that plugs into your PC. These headsets offer better sound quality than wired headsets, but they are often more expensive than a wired headset.
Some wireless headsets have a wireless transmitter and a USB transmitter. These headsets are primarily designed for PC gaming. They offer the best sound quality and are typically the most expensive type of gaming headset.
Which brands make the best gaming headsets?
Headphones are an essential part of any gaming setup. They allow you to immerse yourself in the game and block out distractions. Choosing the right headset can be difficult, but we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best gaming headsets on the market, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
For starters, we recommend checking out the Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum Wireless Gaming Headset. This headset comes equipped with Dolby Atmos technology, which provides an immersive surround sound experience. Additionally, it has built-in 7.1 surround sound that delivers crystal clear audio.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out the HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset. This headset features 7.1 surround sound and a wireless range of up to 30 feet. Additionally, it can be used with PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Lastly, we recommend the Turtle Beach Recon 50X Gaming Headset. This headset is perfect for online gaming, as it features noise-canceling technology and a built-in microphone. Additionally, it is compatible with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.