The arrival of two.4GHz wireless expertise has revolutionized wireless gaming headsets. Now they’re more dependable than ever earlier than and some may even rival their wired counterparts in terms of connection latency and sound high quality. But totally different headset options cater to totally different use circumstances. For hardcore avid gamers specifically, gaming headsets are a vital instrument that helps them get an edge over rivals, therefore personalization is an enormous consideration. Here gamers look for headsets with the most effective spatial audio, in addition to supporting software program to nice tune audio settings like EQ and to tailor-make presets for particular video games.
Manufacturers cater to all tastes and budgets, that means there are myriad totally different kinds, designs, and {hardware} inclusions—it’s sufficient to make your head spin. So, to simplify issues, our PCWorld employees have carried out the onerous half for you by getting hands-on and placing every machine by way of its paces. While we assessment every part that comes our manner—the great, the unhealthy, and the ugly—the record under solely contains people who have excelled in our testing. The finest gaming headsets strike a stability between efficiency, usability, and extras, inserting them in a league above the remainder.
For a rundown on how we check wireless gaming headsets and for shopping for recommendation, learn on under our suggestions.
Updated 06/07/2023: Check out our newest assessment of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless gaming headset. It’s the brand new technology of wireless gaming headset with nice sound, consolation, and glorious cross compatibility.
Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless – Best gaming headset / Best premium choice
Pros
- The styling may be very interesting
- The 40mm drivers produce a really pure sound
- The cans are very smooth and comfy
Cons
- Some of the shifting components really feel a bit tight
- Leatherette within the cups can get sweaty on scorching days
- Battery life is first rate however not glorious
Right out of the field, this headset appears to be like improbable, with trendy Astro logos on each left and proper earcups and very plush leatherette coverings over comfortable reminiscence foam, which feels very smooth in opposition to your ears. As if that wasn’t already sufficient, you may as well swap out the magnetic speaker tags on the skin for pre-made designs of your personal selecting, to additional personalize your look.
The Astro A30 additionally has a refined and pure sound profile, because of very finely-tuned 40mm audio drivers. But the place this headset really shines is within the connectivity division; it options low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, in addition to wired connectivity, so it could possibly hook up with absolutely anything, together with a PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and Mac. You also can combine and stability your totally different audio sources so that you by no means should miss a factor whereas taking part in.
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Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless assessment
Astro A50 – Best wireless gaming headset runner-up
Pros
- Charging cradle is smaller and nonetheless very distinctive
- Switches to the more dependable 2.4GHz band (lastly)
- Comfortable and sturdy
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Poor noise isolation
- Expensive
Although it doesn’t come low cost, the Astro A50 packs in more gamer comfort than most equally priced gaming headsets. In our PCWorld hands-on assessment we thought of the A50’s onboard controls, which embody an easy-to-locate quantity wheel and a chat/sport channel mixer, to be finest at school. The mixer lets you simply swap between your sport audio and chat applications instantly.
As effectively as a refined audio profile, the A50 includes a modern and handy charging cradle that shows your chosen EQ profile and your chosen audio mode—Dolby or stereo. The headset makes use of the present best-standard 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi sign for probably the most dependable wireless connectivity. It’s additionally comfy and sturdy.
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Astro A50 (2019) assessment
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – Best audio high quality
Pros
- Great high quality audio
- Dual wireless performance
- Lots of software program choices for personalization
Cons
- Quite costly
- Active Noise Cancellation will not block out all exterior sound
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro options nearly every part you could possibly presumably need in a wireless gaming headset, together with glorious sound high quality, type, consolation and a sturdy steel headband. With help for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, in addition to wired connectivity, the Arctis Nova Pro is well appropriate together with your PC, laptop computer, or Xbox machine. It additionally comes with a GameDAC base controller that allows you to swap between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S on the press of a button.
The headset incorporates applied sciences that elevate your listening expertise, together with Active Noise Cancellation, 360 Degree Spatial Audio, and Pro Grade Parametric EQ. All this performance will set you again $349.99, which admittedly isn’t low cost. But for a headset that sounds this spectacular and can truly make you a greater gamer, that may very well be a worth price paying.
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless assessment
EPOS H3PRO Hybrid – Best microphone
Pros
- Produces clear and distortion-free sound
- The 7.1 encompass sound works effectively and elevates your gaming expertise
- It feels comfy even on scorching days
Cons
- The earcups are all plastic not like some rival gaming headsets
- The bass can appear refined at instances
The “Hybrid” within the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid’s identify hints at its twin connectivity—it options each wired and wireless choices, which implies it could possibly hook as much as nearly all of your units, be they your PC, Mac, console, or smartphone. For wireless connectivity, the H3PRO Hybrid helps low-latency Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 5.2, or you should use each of those choices on the similar time to voice-chat or take heed to music whereas concurrently listening to your sport’s audio.
The H3PRO Hybrid’s audio may be very refined. In our play check it delivered crisp and clear-sounding excessive and mid tones and balanced bass tones. We have been equally impressed by the headset’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that does a decent job blocking out ambient noise. Additionally, our testing discovered the H3PRO Hybrid’s microphones have been a number of the finest we’ve heard in a wireless gaming headset, faithfully reproducing voices as they sounded. The removable increase mic can be very straightforward to take away and substitute through its easy magnetic attachment level.
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EPOS H3PRO Hybrid assessment
Razer Barracuda Pro – Best encompass sound
Pros
- Excellent audio by way of the bass, mid, and excessive tones
- THX Spatial Audio is a deal with in video games
- Lightweight and comfy design
Cons
- No increase mic means the mic audio suffers considerably
- ANC works however may very well be higher
Gamers wanting a full encompass sound expertise—both for the strategic benefit that brings, or simply for thrills, ought to dig this headset that options arguably the most effective spatial audio we’ve heard. The pro-grade Razer Barracuda Pro helps THX Spatial Audio that delivers glorious sound directionality in video games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Battlefield I. Razer’s Synapse app additionally permits you to personalize the spatial audio by tweaking the audio’s directionality and creating profiles for particular video games and media.
The Barracuda Pro is just a little totally different from different gaming headsets in that it doesn’t have a devoted increase microphone, relying as an alternative on innocuous slots to choose up the sound of your voice for chats. The benefit of that’s that it could possibly move off as a convincing headphone at anytime, making it a extremely versatile machine.
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Razer Barracuda Pro assessment
Logitech G935 – Best mid-range wireless gaming headset
Pros
- Leatherette is a cultured change from the G933’s sports activities mesh
- Hidden microphone and dongle storage are nice options to have
- One of the best-sounding headsets at this worth
Cons
- Bulky and boxy in comparison with the competitors
- Mediocre battery life
- Very little noise isolation
It could also be a mid-range machine however the G935’s flowing S-curve design and fashionable leatherette earcup coverings class up the headset’s total look. The G935 additionally sounds spectacular because of 50mm audio drivers that ship a wealthy bass-presence and heat by way of the mid tones.
The G935’s microphone reproduces voice chats with a readability you’d scarcely count on to listen to from a mid-range machine. In what quantities to a nifty piece of engineering, the mic additionally folds up into the headset’s physique once you don’t want it, retaining it out of sight. There’s additionally a useful onboard compartment to retailer your Wi-Fi dongle in order that it doesn’t get misplaced.
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Logitech G935 assessment
HyperX Cloud Core Wireless – Best finances wireless gaming headset
Pros
- Decent audio high quality, with deep bass and clear mids and highs
- Durable, sturdy, and moveable design
- Highly comfy earcups with reminiscence foam cushioning and leatherette coverings
Cons
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- Metal headband attachments can generally entice your fingers
The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless ticks off must-haves, like nice audio high quality, but additionally backs these up with a number of nice-to-haves like sturdiness and glorious spatial audio, which for simply $99 is outstanding worth. The spatial audio comes courtesy of DTS Headphone: X which is managed within the third-party DTS Sound Unbound app. This app leverages Microsoft Spatial Sound expertise so it will get first rate Windows help and it’s simply downloadable within the Microsoft App Store.
The headset’s Wi-Fi sign is delivered over the two.4GHz band and in our hands-on it proved very dependable, by no means dropping out or struggling interference. If your ears like a contact of luxurious, the headset’s plush reminiscence foam cushioning and leatherette earcup coverings will hold them feeling comfortable and cozy.
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HyperX Cloud Core Wireless assessment
How we check wireless gaming headsets
To discover the most effective of the most effective, we put each wireless gaming headset by way of a legion of exams. We study every part from design and styling to the integrity of their Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth indicators. Since these headsets are tailored for gaming, we spend many hours attempting them out in video games, listening carefully to their sound high quality, and testing additional options like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or spatial audio applied sciences. Our testing standards primarily falls underneath these classes:
Design and ergonomics
When it involves gaming headsets, design is essential for your total consolation. It’s additionally essential for maximizing your gaming expertise. To that finish we take into account elements like the general form and match of the headscarf and earcups, their clamping drive, and crucially what they’re product of—which impacts how they really feel. We additionally study issues like whether or not they have increase microphones, if the microphones are removable, and whether or not there’s onboard storage for the dongle.
Connectivity
Wireless gaming headsets transmit sound to and out of your PC through a wireless sign. However, the way in which they do that can differ. Key connectivity issues are whether or not the headset connects through a Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth sign or gives a alternative of each of those choices. We additionally take a look at the Wi-Fi band the headset makes use of, all of the whereas conscious that the two.4GHz band is the present best-in-class normal for a low-latency connection.
Audio high quality
This will make or break your gaming expertise, and whereas there are many elements that decide audio high quality, it could possibly fairly merely be decided by listening carefully to the constancy of the sound and the tonal vary accessible. We additionally pay attention keenly for any audio distortion, akin to rattling or hissing sounds that may be crimson flags for sound high quality.
How to decide on a wireless gaming headset
Connectivity: Wi-Fi versus Bluetooth
A low-latency connection could make a world of distinction, permitting you to listen to the very best quality sound whereas additionally minimizing the chance of sign dropout or interference. As a normal rule the bottom latency wireless connection you may get today comes courtesy of a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection. A Wi-Fi connection may even provide the finest wireless vary, permitting you to wander anyplace as much as 20 ft away out of your machine with out dropping your audio. However, to reap the benefits of Wi-Fi you’ll have to plug a dongle into your units.
Some headsets additionally supply Bluetooth connectivity, which nonetheless does a good job transmitting your audio sign however considerably lowers the constancy of the sound high quality. Another draw back is it could possibly additionally undergo latency points. And, whereas it’s granted that the majority avid gamers wouldn’t select Bluetooth over Wi-Fi for these causes, one good thing about Bluetooth is that in the event you plan on utilizing your gaming headset with a number of units, it lets you conveniently and rapidly swap between them while not having a dongle.
Compatibility: Why checking is necessary
It pays to analysis which of your units work with a brand new gaming headset since compatibility can differ extensively. By that we imply checking to see if it really works with any consoles you may need, akin to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 or 5, or XBox X/S, and your smartphone. Doing so can prevent the associated fee and inconvenience of getting to buy a number of headsets.
You’ll additionally need to test that the headset’s software-dependent options like 3D spatial audio are supported by not solely the units, but additionally the video games you need to use it with, since that’s not a given and you could be sorely upset in the event you can’t reap the benefits of the total breadth of your headset’s capabilities.
What design traits are probably the most comfy?
Beyond simply being nice to put on, comfy headsets assist stop ache and damage to your ears and head. What constitutes a snug headset can come down to non-public desire, however as a normal rule, these factors will assist information you in selecting one which’ll hold you feeling comfortable:
- Lightweight design: Lighter headsets are typically more cozy over extended intervals, and can stop you feeling an excessive amount of strain on the highest of your head. Designs that incorporate plastic are typically lighter than people who have more steel in them.
- Soft supplies and padding: The padding and coverings in headsets will be created from a broad spectrum of supplies, together with PVC, rubber, reminiscence foam, synthetic leather-based and plastic. Ideally the padding within the earcups ought to gently soften into the edges of your head with minimal drive, whereas the earcup coverings ought to really feel clean relatively than coarse. Many producers choose for a mix of reminiscence foam padding with a leatherette coverings that we predict provides you probably the most luxurious and comfy feeling you may get today.
- Extendable and versatile headband: A scarf that extends vertically to cowl your ears will stop soreness within the components of your ears not cupped, whereas one that’s versatile and opens simply will cut back undesirable clamp drive hurting your ears and the edges of your head.
- Rotating earcups: These enable your head a level of horizontal motion (left and proper) with out the headset’s earcups pulling your ears within the different route.
What makes a headset sturdy?
As is the case with most different tech units, wireless gaming headsets that eschew plastic for steel of their designs are so much harder and are inclined to last more than people who don’t. That’s particularly necessary for the arc of the headscarf which is able to very often snap in two when made solely from plastic.
When it involves the sturdiness of earcups, real leather-based tends to reign supreme over different supplies, being just a little more proof against put on and tear than leatherette, plastic, or polyester fabric. On the flipside, leather-based tends to not flow into as a lot air to your ears and thus could make you sweat more, so any sturdiness issues you might have will have to be weighed up in opposition to your private consolation wants.
Spatial audio or no?
Most wireless gaming headsets will supply stereo sound from each earcups, however an growing quantity now supply 3D spatial audio. This characteristic mimics the type of sound expertise you’d count on to get from having a number of audio system, thereby delivering sound by way of a 360-degree sound-scape in your headset.
Headsets just like the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and HyperX Cloud Core Wireless, all supply their very own spatial audio applied sciences, so the possibilities are good {that a} new-to-market mid-range or premium headset will help this expertise.
While there are some variations between the spatial audio applied sciences utilized by totally different headsets, on the entire most work moderately effectively, permitting you to obviously hear the directionality of sounds in video games. Suffice to say, in the event you’re a aggressive gamer this characteristic may give you an enormous benefit over your rivals, permitting you to raised pinpoint appears like your opponents’ foot-falls, explosions, or enemy fireplace just a little simpler than you in any other case would.
Noise Isolation: What to look for
Noise isolation refers to how effectively your headset can isolate the sound coming from your personal gaming headset whereas concurrently blocking out any exterior sound from exterior. Apart from simply being plain annoying, sound leaking into your headset generally is a strategic drawback in tightly contested video games, particularly in shooters like Overwatch or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive that depend on directional audio prompts.
At the very least, you’ll want to guarantee your gaming headset has first rate passive noise isolation, which is a measure of how effectively its total bodily design is efficient at stopping exterior sound getting into your ears. However, if solely the strongest noise-blocking energy will do, look for a headset with Active Noise Cancellation. This expertise actively detects and analyzes the sound sample of incoming noise and then generates a mirror anti-noise to cancel it out.
The microphone: Key issues
From a design perspective a superb microphone needs to be both removable or fold again into the headset’s physique to be just about undetectable once you’re not utilizing it. This lets you more discreetly use your wireless gaming headset as a pair of headphones once you’re not gaming, making it just a little more versatile than a purely wired set.
Although you’ll primarily be utilizing your headset’s microphone for informal voice chats in gaming periods, you’ll additionally need to test that it has noise-cancelling expertise and that the sound it picks up is obvious and freed from distortion—in any case, your gaming associates received’t need to take heed to your voice for very lengthy if it’s muffled or stuffed with static.
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