If you live in an apartment, picking up a pair of the best gaming headsets is simply a considerate thing to do, especially if you play a lot of games at night. If you're a night owl who regularly plays their PS5 or Xbox Series X into the small hours, doing so on a cranked up soundbar isn't going to make you popular with the neighbors.
The best gaming headset I recommend to most players is the peerless SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5. Currently, it's the only gaming headset we've ever given a perfect 5/5 score. Not only does it sound incredible, it's sleekly designed and boasts strong companion software. If funds are tighter, go for the SteelSeries Arctis 1, which I currently consider the best value gaming headset (a set of cans that produce strong audio for less than $100.
When we test the best gaming headsets, we check to see how easy they are to pair and sync up (if they're wireless cans). We also wear every model we review for a number of hours to see whether they prove to be comfortable for long gaming sessions. Multiple genres of titles are also put through their paces so we can determine how good a headset is at picking up on quieter dialogue scenes in narrative-driven games or how convincing the explosions sound in your favorite first-person shooter.
The collection of gaming headsets below covers the best options for PS5, Xbox Series/S, Nintendo Switch and gaming PCs. So whatever platform you prefer, my list of the best gaming headsets won't steer you wrong.
The quick list
The new undisputed ruler of gaming headsets. The Arctis Nova 5 is the only ever set of console cans we've ever awarded a perfect score to. Sound quality is incredible, it looks super sleek and its easy-to use companion software is a joy to use.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a great choice if funds are tight and you want a headset that doesn't overly compromise on quality. Audio performance isn't class-leading, but HyperX's peripheral is a good headset.
The PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset is a top performer, but at the same $130 price tag, the Insone H5 is simply the better option. Naturally loud out of the box, boasting fantastically deep bass, it also excels when it comes to handling 3D spatial audio.
A gaming headset that's not only supreme when it comes to tackling the best Xbox Series X/S titles, but also one that proves to be great for listening to music and media. The AI noise filter and fantastic mic also make it worth the steep $340 outlay.
With comfy earcups and a suspension strap, this Turtle Beach headset is great for long sessions, with its 2.4Hz dongle allowing you to connect to your Switch wirelessly.
Sony's flagship gaming headset works remarkably well across both PS5 and PC. The all-white design looks great and it's incredibly comfortable to wear over lengthy sessions.
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Easily one of the best value gaming headsets you can pick up. Priced just under $100, it's easy to recommend thanks to its useful 2.4Hz USB dongle that frees you from wires, while it also works on every modern platform.
Streamlined, comfortable over prolonged sessions and with cool features for gamers that take their pastime seriously, this is the best wired gaming headset you can currently buy, in spite of its subpar mic.
The best gaming headsets you can buy today
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The best overall gaming headest
The Arctis Nova 5P is SteelSeries’ latest offering. Compatible with PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS and Meta Quest, its quick-switch 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3 enable you to effortlessly swap between devices. The sound quality is incredible, and the 360° spatial audio makes your gaming experience even more immersive. The new user-friendly companion app also gives you the option to choose from over 100 presets tailored to a variety of games.
With intuitive controls, an elastic headband and adjustable memory foam earcups, the Arctis Nova 5P is extremely comfortable. It also boasts an outstanding battery life of up to 60 hours, and charging them for 15 minutes gives you about 5 hours of playing time, thanks to the USB-C fast charging. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need the Arctis Nova 5X to use with your Xbox.
There is no active noise cancelation, but you probably won’t miss that much. Costing $129, the Arctis Nova 5P is a premium headset that is “affordable luxury” at its best.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review.
The best budget gaming headest
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a strong contender for the best cheap gaming headset you can buy. This sub-$50 peripheral provides perfectly decent sound quality, along with a comfortable fit, a no-nonsense design, and strong connectivity with PCs and consoles alike. Truthfully, there's not much to say about the Cloud Stinger 2, other than "it just works."
To be fair, we can't vouch for how the Cloud Stinger 2 might hold up over time, as its plastic chassis doesn't seem as durable as some of the headsets we've reviewed with steel headbands. The mic is also a bit on the quiet side, which might prove troublesome for players who thrive on online multiplayer.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review.
The best PS5 headest
The Sony Inzone H5 is a brilliant mid-range gaming headset, and it's one that is incredibly easy to recommend to any PS5 player. Supremely comfortable to wear, naturally loud and punchy, the H5 also handles 3D spatial audio extremely well.
Sold at a competitive $149/£129, the H5 is great value for money. Though it’s mainly marketed as a PS5 headset, its wireless dongle has a PC setting, meaning this is a great option for both PS5 and gaming PC owners.
The Inzone H5 is a great all-round performer, proving surprisingly compelling when listening to 4K Blu-rays movies on PS5. It's also great when it comes to handling TV shows and music, too. Noise-canceling would have been welcome, but even without it the Sony Inzone H5 has no big weaknesses. An amazing headset.
Read our full Sony Inzone H5 review.
The best Xbox headest
The Audeze Maxwell headset is the best wireless gaming headset for audiophiles, featuring 90mm planar magnetic drivers that produce a clean, high fidelity sound. We love listening to music through this headset, although the lack of ANC does hamper the audio experience somewhat when using it in noisy environments.
The Maxwell also features an AI noise filtration system for its microphone to clean up your voice in chat. Despite its size, it’s also a super comfy headset thanks to its lightweight construction materials, plenty of padding and a suspension strap for a weightless feel on your head.
We didn’t get along too well with the Audeze HQ iOS app during testing, finding it a little glitchy. The Maxwell is also an expensive headset at $349 for the Xbox version, putting it in the same premium category as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. However, that higher price is largely justified by the excellent audio quality.
Read our full Audeze Maxwell review.
The best Nintendo Switch headest
If you’re looking for a great gaming headset but don’t want to pay over the odds, you’ll love the Turtle Beach Stealth 500. Even though it’s “entry-level” it still packs a punch. Weighing just 8.28 ounces, this is a very light headset and you can wear it for hours on end without feeling weighed down.
There are a couple of things to consider before you buy this headset, though. Its leatherette earcups, although mighty comfortable, are prone to getting hot and making your ears sweat. The Stealth 500’s control scheme is also confusing as all the buttons are pooled together on one earcup so you might end up hitting the wrong buttons.
In the grand scheme of things, these seem like minor complaints simply because you get a lot for $79. The Stealth 500 is great value for money, boasting a lightweight build, excellent comfort levels, superb and immersive sound quality, and a handy tuck-away mic. Connectivity and design issues aside, the Stealth 500 will act as the perfect companion for your next long gaming session on your Nintendo Switch.
The best PC headest
While Sony has a dedicated PS5 headset in the form of the PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, the Sony Inzone H9 is another excellent set of headphones and mic for the games console. And it works well with the PS5, thanks to the headset's black-and-white livery. Support for Sony's Temped 3D Audio is also a boon, adding more immersive directional audio. We'd even suggest that the Inzone H9 even beats the Plus headset for overall sound quality.
But the Inzone H9 can also be used with PCs, though an awkward desktop app does hamper it a bit. And the mic leaves us wanting more for the price. Yet all in all, the Sony Inzone H9 is a solid gaming headset for both PC and PS5, with just a few factors preventing it from being perfect.
Read our full Sony Inzone H9 review.
The best value gaming headest
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is simply one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can get for less than $100. It's also compatible with a wide variety of systems, from PCs and consoles to Android phones. You can even get the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox variant, which lets you transition seamlessly between wireless modes for PlayStation and Xbox consoles — a rarity, even among much fancier peripherals.
The flip side is that the audio quality is about what you'd expect from a cheaper headset, while the mic is nothing special. Similarly, the Arctis 1 Wireless uses a standard adjustable headband rather than the "ski goggles" design that makes most SteelSeries gear so comfortable. But if you want fancier features, you'll have to buy a more expensive gadget.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless review.
The best wired gaming headest
The Logitech G Pro X delivers tournament-grade performance for a reasonable $130 price. The headset's distinguished black design sets itself apart from the competition, in no small part thanks to its flexible headband and supremely comfortable foam and leatherette earcup options. Simply being comfortable isn’t enough to recommend a product as one of the best gaming headsets, but it’s arguably the most important quality we evaluate. If you can’t wear a headset for more than a few minutes at a time, it’s not very useful.
The Go Pro X delivers rich, direction-accurate sound out of the box whether you're playing on PC or console. It's also the first gaming headset to sport a built-in Blue microphone, allowing for extra-crisp voice chat whether you're practicing with your Apex Legends squad or streaming to your online fans. Also worth considering is the Logitech G Pro X Wireless variant.
Read our full Logitech G Pro X review.
How to choose the best gaming headsets
Choosing the best gaming headset comes down to a few different criteria. No matter what, the headset has to be comfortable and provide good gaming sound. In fact, I would argue that the former is more important than the latter. Even if your headset produces subpar sound, you’ll still be able to hear what’s going on in your game. But if it’s even a little bit uncomfortable, you’ll want to tear it off of your head after about half an hour, and that’s not conducive to playing any kind of game.
The next thing to think about is whether you want a wired or wireless model. Wireless models are almost always more expensive, but the convenience of living without wires may well be worth the cost. Generally speaking, wireless headsets that are compatible with PC and PS5 are not compatible with Xbox Series X/S, and vice versa, so a headset that also features 3.5 mm connectivity could be helpful in this case.
Finally, it's worth considering a headset's price range. At $50 and under, you're likely to find wired models with just-good-enough sound quality and few extra features. Between $100 and $150, you'll find high-end wired models and low-to-mid-range wireless models, so consider whether audio quality or convenience is more valuable to you. At $200 and above, manufacturers sell premium gaming headsets, which are usually wireless, with excellent sound quality and plenty of customization options. There is no "sweet spot" for gaming headset prices; it's purely about which features you want, and how much you're willing to spend.
How we test the best gaming headsets
Tom's Guide tests gaming headsets extensively before we write about them. To start, we take stock of the device's setup process, connectivity method and general comfort level. From there, we use it as our go-to headset for both productivity and gaming for anywhere between a day and a week. We test a selection of different games on PCs, consoles and mobile devices across a variety of different genres. We also see how the headset handles different styles of music, as well as movies and TV shows.
If the headset has a software suite, we evaluate how easy it is to set up profiles, change equalization levels, adjust mic sidetone and customize any extra features. During this part of the process, we also test the mic, either in video chats or with recording software, and see how easy it is to move the headset from one system to another. Wherever possible, we will test a headset's wired and wireless modes, and see if there is any loss of quality between the two.
