Best Gaming Headsets for PC - IGN (2024)

When it comes to PC gaming, having the the best gaming headset can make all the difference to your gaming experience. Not only can the right headset help you pick up on sounds that can keep you alive longer in competitive PC games, but it can also make a world of difference to your comfort during long gaming sessions.

TL;DR – These are the best Gaming Headsets for PC:

• Audeze Maxwell Wireless
• Turtle Beach Recon 70
• Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
• Razer BlackShark V2
• HyperX Cloud Orbit S

For more casual gamers, a good headset can simply offer a much more immersive gaming experience. Trust us, hearing the explosions and ambient noise of a game through a competent pair of headphones does more for immersion than any gaming monitor.

1. Audeze Maxwell Wireless

The best PC gaming headset

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Multiple connection options

Cons:

• Durability concerns

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless is a versatile gaming headset for PC gaming, as well as your consoles. You can squeeze around 80 hours of battery life in a single charge from this bad boy, all the while enjoying incredible audio quality. Thanks to 90mm planar magnetic drivers, you can expect well-balanced sound, once you’ve configured the sound through the app.

Out of the box, this gaming headset might get you questioning why you bought it in the first place. But as soon as you let the app work its magic, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There are plenty of EQ presets too, depending on what you’re using the headset for. And as new features are released, the headset receives regular updates, so be sure to check what’s new.

This is one of the best-performing gaming headsets around, but it isn’t cheap. If you purchase this headset, you can expect excellent sound quality, plenty of features, and something that will serve you well for years to come.

2. Turtle Beach Recon 70

Best budget PC gaming headset

Pros:

• Good value for money
• Decent microphone output

Cons:

• Poor noise isolation

At under $40, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a great budget headset that'll work on all of your devices, not just your PC. Thanks to wired connectivity, the Recon 70 is versatile, as long as you don’t mind being tethered to a cable. The good news is, however, you won’t need to charge the headset, so it’s ready to go at all times, but the cable is a little short.

Despite its plastic design, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 doesn’t feel too flimsy, and could probably take a bit of a beating, especially considering its price. If you play games regularly with others, you (and your friends) should be sufficiently satisfied with the microphone output. It’s actually very good!

If you’re looking for a cheap gaming headset that offers solid audio, is comfortable to wear, and works across most platforms, then you won’t have a hard time parting with your $40 here.

3. Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Best wireless PC gaming headset

Pros:

• Detailed audio
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Not the best ANC

Stepping in with a stylish look, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova is extremely comfortable; a great choice for those long gaming sessions. The leatherette earcups are soft, while the headband is padded, allowing them to fit easily, no matter how your head is shaped.

With two lithium-ion batteries, the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless allows you to swap the batteries out – so you can charge one set while you enjoy using the other. With 22 hours per battery, you can get 44 hours of total usage across two fully charged batteries. That’s very good!

This gaming headset boasts a frequency range of 10Hz to 40KHz, delivering detailed, excellent sound quality. The bass offers enough rumble for those action-packed moments, while the wide soundstage means you can use this headset for more than just gaming audio.

4. Razer BlackShark V2

Best wired PC gaming headset

Pros:

• Good sound isolation
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Microphone is average

Moving away from Razer’s usual jam-packed RGB rainbow vomit, the Razer BlackShark V2 is far more subtle. This comfortable headset can be used across all platforms thanks to its analog wired connectivity. And if you’re looking for a simple gaming set that doesn’t come flush with onboard controls, there’s just a volume dial and mute button to deal with.

Because this headset is so lightweight, it’s no tall order to game for hours on end. The mesh ear pads help to keep things cool, too, so you can happily move between your PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch without breaking a sweat. Using Razer Synapse, you can tweak the sound settings and enjoy THX Spatial Audio on PC.

While you don’t get ANC, the sound isolation on the Razer BlackShark V2 is actually pretty decent. And the overall audio quality is good too, as long as you aren’t looking for something that’s bass-heavy. Where this headset unfortunately falls flat is the microphone, which doesn’t stand up to the solid audio output and sound isolation.

5. HyperX Cloud Orbit S

Best surround sound PC gaming headset

Pros:

• Brilliant audio (including 3D)
• Compatible with console and PC

Cons:

• No Bluetooth

Get ready to be blown away with the HyperX Cloud Orbit S, and its 100mm planar magnetic drivers. If you want something similar to the Audeze Maxwell Wireless but want to stick to a brand you’re familiar with, you can’t go wrong with this headset, provided you don’t mind the wired connection.

With memory foam earpads and a memory foam headband, this gaming headset becomes more comfortable the longer you use it. On the side, you’ll find plenty of controls including a mute switch, power, volume dial, and the option to switch between Stereo and 7.1 audio. You can also cycle through the headset’s preset EQs.

Since this headset comes with 100mm drivers, you can expect audio quality, with the HyperX gaming headset easily reproducing any sound you throw at it. Like the Razer BlackShark V2 headset, there’s no ANC here, but sound isolation is good – the memory foam definitely offers a decent seal. If immersive gaming is your thing, you won’t be disappointed.

How to Choose the Best Gaming Headset for PC

If you’re wondering how to choose the best gaming headset for your PC, there are some key features to look out for that will help you on your way. While it might sound obvious, the first thing to establish is your budget. This can make it much easier to look for the right type of gaming headset that’s within your remit.

Now, if you’re gaming on your PC, audio quality is crucial. An immersive experience is going to allow you to get the most out of your games, so with this in mind, look for high-quality drivers and surround sound capabilities to ensure you hear every detail in-game.

Want to get comfortable and hide in your basem*nt for an all-day gaming sesh? Comfort is another key factor to consider. Choosing a gaming headset with an adjustable headband, plush ear cushions, and a lightweight design can ensure you won’t feel like your head has been through a few rounds in a wrestling match.

Once you’ve got high-quality audio and comfort nailed down, you can start to consider additional features like noise cancellation, customizable EQ settings, and different connectivity options.

FAQ

Are wired or wireless headsets better?

Wired headphones often provide better sound quality and have less chance of audio delays. Wired headphones are much more convenient and can easily be used with portable devices such as the Steam Deck.

Do wired headsets have better mic quality?

Any audio device that uses a physical wired connection will offer better quality. However, as wired technology improves, it’s bridging the gap between wired and wireless, with wireless mics almost on par with wired now.

Should I use a Bluetooth or wireless headset?

Choosing between Bluetooth and wireless headsets depends on preferences. Bluetooth offers multi-device connectivity but can have a limited range, while wireless headsets provide better range and audio quality but may lack wider compatibility.

Do I Need a Bluetooth Adapter for my PC?
The short answer is no. All of the wireless PC gaming headsets on this list use a 2.4GHz wireless connection, which is facilitated through a little dongle that'll come in the box. The only time you'll need one of the best Bluetooth adapters for PC is if you want to use regular Bluetooth earbuds for gaming. And trust us, you don't want to do that.

Kegan is an avid gamer who has been playing games since his Atari days. From a young age Kegan was tinkering with PCs and now has a passion for building custom gaming computers.