No matter what system I'm playing on, I'll always have one of the best wireless gaming headsets at hand. Yes, it keeps noise levels to a minimum, but mainly, it's simply the best way to experience audio and immerse yourself in the soundscapes of the games I play. Oh, and you're free from being tethered to your console or PC.
There are a vast variety of wireless headsets out there, with some being more fitted (or even able to unlock unique features like spatial audio) to specific consoles like PC, PS5, Xbox or Nintendo Switch. To narrow that list down, my team of experts and I test dozens of gaming headsets, all to give you a better idea of the right wireless gaming headset for you.
So, cut the cord and find the pair of gaming cans that suit your fancy.
My top picks
A combination of versatile connectivity options and strong audio quality means the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is an excellent headset. Its 360-degree spatial audio is incredible, it looks super sleek and its easy-to-use companion software is a joy to use.
A decent wireless headset that offers a comfortable fit, good sound and a removable mic makes the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless worth consideration. Solid positional audio is also great for a budget price.
The Sony Inzone H5 is the current king when it comes to wireless PS5 gaming headsets. With a winning price tag, brilliant 3D audio and deep bass levels, it's simply a sensational headset that every PS5 owner should consider buying.
There are two main factors to consider when choosing the best wireless gaming headset for your setup: systems and price.
What system do you use?
Knowing which systems you own (or plan to buy in the near future) is obviously the most important part of the equation. Xbox consoles have a proprietary wireless protocol, which doesn’t play nicely with PCs or PlayStation systems. On the other hand, any headset that offers a PC dongle should work on the PS5 as well — and, usually, a docked Switch.
What's you budget?
While gaming headsets can reach $300, most on this list cost between $100 and $200. If you’re looking at the $100 price range, expect some compromises in build or sound quality; at the $200 point, expect a degree of specialization. The sweet spot for all-purpose gadgets seems to be around $150. While it’s possible to spend less than $100, most wireless headsets in this price range aren’t worth it (except for a rare few).
There are plenty of headphones up for grabs. So, let's dive into finding the right wireless gaming headset for you.
The best overall wireless gaming headset
The Arctis Nova 5 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 5 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.
There is no active noise cancelation, but you probably won’t miss that much. Costing $129, the Arctis Nova 5 is a premium headset that is “affordable luxury” at its best.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review.
The best value wireless gaming headset
Unless you have an Xbox, the Cherry XTRFY H3 is an easy recommendation for console and PC owners. It does just about everything right, including offering incredible sound, spatial audio and superb comfort for long gaming sessions — all for $99 (unfortunately, it's higher in the U.K. at £129).
Its 53mm dynamic drivers are so powerful that they'll let you discover new sounds in games, while spatial audio makes gaming feel more immersive. Fitted with faux leather earcups and a mesh headband, the XTRFY H3 is a mighty comfortable headset, designed for long sessions. It was so impressive, our reviewer said: "I can’t imagine going back to using just my TV’s speakers now."
It's a shame that they don't work for Xbox players, and the lack of a companion app means what you hear is what you get. All that said, there's no real need to customize sound when it already offers the audio details for most.
For all types of gamers, the Cherry XTRFY H3 are a fantastic option.
Read our full Cherry XTRFY H3 review.
The best budget wireless gaming headset
Another SteelSeries headset worth getting on your ears. That's because the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless offers solid sound quality for both gaming and music, as well as being compatible with a whole range of gaming platforms (do bear in mind you'll need the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox if you plan on using the headset with a Microsoft games console, and for iOS users, the headset won't work). Its wireless connectivity is robust as well.
There's nothing flashy about the design of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, but many might like a utilitarian headset that has earcups that can be folded flat to help with storage and portability. A lack of an elastic headband may put off some gamers as well, but for less than $100, there's little to really dislike about the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless review.
The best wireless gaming headset for PS5
The Sony Inzone H5 is a wonderful headset that should be on the radar of all PS5 players. It's one of the best sets of over-ear gaming cans we've ever tested here at Tom's Guide, boasting exceptionally long battery life, thrilling bass and impeccably calibrated overall audio. When it comes to handling 3D spatial sounds, few headsets do a better job.
Sony's headset goes for around $149/£129, which is exceptional value for money for a headset of this caliber. Obviously the Japanese tech giant is mainly marketing the Inzone H5 as a PS5 peripheral, yet it also works fantastically well on PC; providing even stronger sounds on a gaming rig or laptop thanks to the Inzone Hub app, which lets you tweak equalizer settings to get a sound that's tailored to your specific tastes.
The Sony Inzone H5 isn't just a magical performer when it comes to playing PS5 or PC games; it also proves a joy to listen to movies and shows on. A lack of noise-canceling support is the only real negative surrounding this headset. If you own a PS5, this should be at the very top of your shopping list.
Read our full Sony Inzone H5 review.
The best wireless gaming headset for Xbox
The Audeze Maxwell headset is the best wireless gaming headset for people who take their audio equipment seriously. This high-end set of cans features 90mm planar magnetic drivers that deliver pristine sound. In my opinion, there's no better way to listen and play the best Xbox Series games than through this premium, utterly outstanding headset. The Audeze Maxwell is great for listening to your favorite tunes on, too.
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.
During testing, the Audeze HQ iOS app was a tad little glitchy, yet that's a minor blemish on what's otherwise very close to being a 5/5 product. Look, I realize forking out $350 for the Xbox version of the Maxwell is a big ask, but if you want the absolute best audio experience possible while playing your favorite Series X/S games, the Audeze Maxwell will never disappoint you.
Again, paying a stash of cash for a headset that costs substantially more than the Xbox Series S is a decision you may have to ponder long and hard on. Yet for me, that asking price is largely justified by the excellent audio quality.
Read our full Audeze Maxwell review.
The best wireless gaming headset for PC
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is, far and away, the longest-lasting headset on this entire list. While most gaming headsets provide between 20 and 40 hours of battery life, the Cloud Alpha Wireless can go for 300 hours between charges. That's not a typo; its battery can really last for hundreds of hours. Not even the most dedicated gamer could wear this one out in a week.
Of course, battery life alone isn't enough to garner a recommendation. The Cloud Alpha Wireless also provides excellent sound, thanks to powerful drivers and a rich default soundscape. It's comfortable to wear for hours on end, and the removable mic works great for multiplayer, video chat or anything in between. Just be warned that the software suite isn't perfect, so adjusting equalization options is a little tougher than it should be.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review.
The best wireless gaming headset for less
As with other tech, when it comes to the best wireless gaming headsets, you have to pay a premium price if you want premium performance. That’s going to be true whether it's older models like the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE or this, the Logitech G Pro X Wireless: a PC-optimized headset that provides good enough performance for tournament play. While the earcups can feel a little tight, that’s about the only major criticism I can lobby against this headset, which provides robust, nuanced sound profiles and a crystal-clear mic.
The earcups are plush; the controls are intuitive; the chassis is durable. Using the Logitech G Hub software, you can customize your own sound profiles, or use a variety of helpful presets for games, movies and music. You can even run your mic settings through a Blue audio filter, giving you impeccable sound at a variety of different frequencies. This headset is also compatible with the PS5 and Switch (in docked mode), but not with mobile phones.
Read our full Logitech G Pro X Wireless review.
The best wireless gaming headset for charging
If you want to future-proof your audio gear, consider the HyperX Cloud Flight S. While HyperX has a handful of good wireless gaming headsets, such as the Cloud II Wireless, the Cloud Flight S is arguably the most ambitious of the pack.
That’s because it features Qi charging: something that we haven’t seen in many other gaming peripherals, particularly ones that you wear. After you run down the 30-hour battery, you can simply place the left earcup on a Qi charging pad, and the headset will charge back up without having to hunt down a cable for it. This is especially handy in a device that you pick up and put down as many times per day as a gaming headset.
Apart from that, the Cloud Flight S offers the comfort and sound quality you’d expect from a HyperX peripheral and costs less more than most of its competitors. The mic is admittedly not great, but if you prefer single-player games anyway, that’s not much of a drawback.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Flight S review.
Also tested
How we test the best wireless gaming headsets
We test wireless gaming headsets and wired gaming headsets the same way. First, we evaluate how easy it is to connect the headset to a target system, and note any irregularities in the pairing process. Then, we play a variety of different games, watch TV shows and movies, and listen to music from multiple genres. While game performance is the most important quality here, a headset that costs more than $100 should also be able to handle movies, music and TV, at least well enough for everyday use.
Comfort is the other big metric for success, although this is a highly subjective evaluation. As such, the Tom’s Guide staff usually tries to hand off a headset to at least one other coworker, and get their take on the gadget. More often than not, writers find headsets similarly comfortable or uncomfortable, but we make a note when that’s not the case.
Wireless gaming headsets are an essential when I'm looking for true immersion in any game I play, from narrative-driving single-player titles to tense multiplayer matches. Fortunately, they don't lose out on anything that wired headsets deliver, even if you have to charge them every once in a while. Either way, you can't go wrong with going wire-free.
