What’s the Best Gaming Headset in 2024?

Gaming headsets are an essential piece of equipment for all gaming setups. They not only enable you to listen to game audio and track the position of your enemies, but they also let you communicate with your teammates in real time. The market for gaming headsets has exploded in recent years thanks to the allure of positional audio and virtual surround sound, as well as improved wireless headset technology. Traditionally, there has been a large gap in sound quality between studio-grade headphones and gaming headsets. However, in recent years, pro streamers and gamers have gradually embraced gaming headsets with more balanced soundscapes. Some others have even transitioned to using open-back headphones as their primary gaming headset.

The best gaming headsets also offer features that headphones lack, such as built-in microphones, easy-access buttons, and RGB lighting. Brands like Razer, SteelSeries, Logitech, and Turtle Beach offer diverse wired and wireless headset options at various price points. While some of these have unique features that set them apart from the competition, most of them focus on delivering the best audio quality for the price. With quite a few options to choose from, finding the best gaming headset to meet a listener’s specific needs is often frustrating. Fortunately, Game Rant has put together this handy guide to help make the decision a bit easier.

Updated on November 5, 2024, By Megan Miranda Reyes: A newer Turtle Beach headset has taken the crown for best mid-range gaming headset. Read more below to find out what makes the Stealth 700 so special!

Looking for the best mouse to pair with your headset? Check out our guides for the best gaming mouse, best budget gaming mouse, and best wireless gaming mouse.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Gaming Headsets in 2024

Our pick for overall best gaming headset has to excel in many areas, including sound quality, while showcasing the latest technologies. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset is the perfect choice if you demand the highest quality wireless audio on many platforms. Depending on whether you want to use the gaming headset with an Xbox or PS5 console, two different versions are available, but either works on PCs as a PC headset. Regardless of platform, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless employs high-fidelity 40mm drivers for powerful sound and convincing spatial audio to provide a more immersive gaming experience.

The included Multi-System Connect DAC allows easy switching between multiple sources displaying vital information during use, which is a component that many gaming headsets lack. Also, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless offers Active Noise Cancellation to filter out background noise, a feature not found on other high-end competing models. Game Rant found in its review of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset that battery life was also exceptional, with swappable rechargeable batteries lasting up to 20 hours each. Furthermore, on top of the low latency 2.4GHz connection, this headset also comes with Bluetooth 5.0 allowing you to pair it with your phone or any mobile device.

With a soundscape rivaling the top-wired alternatives, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless should be every gamer’s first gaming headset option. Want a mouse to compliment your headset? Check out our guide for the best SteelSeries gaming mice.

SteelSeries has been in the business of making the best gaming headsets, peripherals, and accessories for over 20 years, and it shows with refined products that it releases. Their Arctis Nova Pro High Fidelity gaming headset is a prime example of that and one of the best wired gaming headsets available today, perfect for gamers who prefer to stay plugged in. The detachable microphone provides a near-studio quality experience and can be twisted in any direction. If paired with the SteelSeries GameDAC, the user can tweak an endless number of settings to fine-tune the audio to their liking. Along with its 40mm drivers, the Arctis Nova Pro boasts one of the largest frequency ranges of any gaming headset, with a spread between 10 Hz and 40kHz. This is super beneficial when hearing footsteps or other specific sound effects.

There are many reasons why some gamers prefer a wired gaming headset experience over a wireless one. A wired gaming headset offers the advantage of not worrying about lag, connection issues, or battery life. And when it comes to corded headsets, SteelSeries nailed it with their Arctis Nova Pro. The ergonomic headset is very comfortable, provides great sound, and has a cool, unique look. For these reasons and many more, the Arctis Pro would make a great addition to any gamer’s at-home setup. For more wired gaming headset options, check out our guide for the best wired gaming headsets of 2024.

As with all Razer products, the Razer Kraken V3 X has a sleek design and black and green aesthetic. This budget gaming headset with Razer Chroma RGB lighting stands out even more because of its illuminated earcups. The unidirectional and bendable microphone efficiently picks up the player’s voice rather than ambient sounds. The volume knob and mute button on the left earcup are easy to use, even in a stressful firefight. This gaming headset is excellent for beginners as it has everything they’ll need to start gaming online without spending too much hard-earned money.

Razer employed a hybrid fabric and memory foam material on the earcups to create comfortable and cost-efficient padding. Supplied with the 40mm Razer TriForce Driver and a frequency range of 12 Hz—28 kHz, the Kraken lives up to the company’s high standards. Buyers wondering if there are any major drawbacks to such an affordable headset should check out Game Rant’s review of the Razer Kraken V3 X. Along with having impressive sound output, this gaming headset is fairly lightweight at 285 grams and while it is not the lightest on the market, the combination of weight and memory foam earcups make it comfortable to wear over long gaming sessions.

Despite its somewhat expensive price tag, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 is a great mid-range gaming headset option thanks to its premium build and expansive features, which earn its asking price. Turtle Beach has long been known to supply gamers with quality headsets at the mid-range level, and the Stealth 700 continues that positive trend. This time, however, Turtle Beach is catering to more than just Microsoft fans, offering full compatibility with Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Steam Deck and mobile gaming devices.

That’s great news for audiophiles who want to feel truly immersed in their games, as the Stealth 700 doesn’t shy away from high-end tech. Each earcup is made with plush memory foam and breathable fabric, making it easy to enjoy the 60mm drivers throughout hours of gameplay. Not only that, but the headband is made of a durable steel, while other components are also made of metal, adding to the overall durability.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 also lets players remap the controls on the side and adjust audio settings through the Swarm II app. Plus, an exceptional flip-to-mute mic and an 80-hour battery means you’ll be gaming and chatting through every adventure with a quality headset. It should also be noted that when Game Rant got the chance to test the Stealth 700 Gen 3 hands-on, we noted its top of the line drivers and seriously effortless cross-platform connectivity.

The Logitech G Astro A50 X Lightspeed is a premium gaming headset that aims to be the only wireless headset you need for your PC and console needs. It also easily switches between paired sources and boasts 40 mm PRO-G graphene drivers, producing a balanced, distortion-free soundscape.

Since the release of the original A50, this wireless gaming headset’s base station has undergone major revisions and now includes only HDMI 2.1 and USB ports. Gamers can route HDMI cables from an Xbox or PlayStation to the device’s rear panel and send video back to displays through an output port. PC gamers can simply connect their rigs to the A50 X Lightspeed with a single USB cable. The other USB ports are specific to Microsoft and Sony consoles and enable control over chat volume. When considering that the A50 X is also Bluetooth-capable, the possibilities for mixing sources are almost endless. The cabling scenario is a bit complex, but it’s no more messy than using an HDMI switch or AV receiver.

The futuristic design of the A50 X is just as adjustable as always, with pipes above the earcups marked like rulers. While the headband is very flexible and the memory foam earcups are comfortable, the headset’s forgiving fit isn’t ideal for passive noise cancellation. Fortunately, the A50 X is easy to modify, and Logitech sells alternative leatherette ear and headband cushions, which block out a bit more background noise. All this performance comes at the cost of weight and price, as this headset is 363 grams, putting it among the heavier options. It also costs close to $400, which is a large amount to pay for a gaming headset.

Gamers can learn more about this headset’s outstanding sound and connectivity by reading Game Rant’s Logitech G Astro A50 X review.

While RGB lighting effects aren’t at the top of the list for all gaming headset shoppers, having a device compatible with the lighting of other peripherals is crucial for gamers. Corsair’s iCue RGB ecosystem is one of the most popular software solutions for syncing lighting effects on gaming keyboards, mice, headsets, and more. The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset seamlessly adds to the ecosystem and can sync with other Corsair devices. It boasts a premium construction complemented by Corsair iCue’s RGB styling. Since most listeners never actually see the headset they are wearing lit up, Corsair also sells a separate headset stand with snazzy RGB effects.

The Virtuoso RGB sounds as good as it looks, with 50 mm high-density neodymium drivers and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz, far exceeding most gaming headsets. Slipstream Wireless technology ensures minimal latency and a consistent signal, while its high-bandwidth omnidirectional microphone ranks highly among its competition. The Corsair Virtuoso RGB is the best gaming headset for anyone looking for excellent sound quality, exceptional battery life, and impressive RGB effects.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is our choice for the best noise-cancelling gaming headset. With four internal microphones to monitor disturbances, this headset provides a 25 dB reduction in ambient noise, which is incredible. Besides the impressive noise-cancelling, the Stealth Pro delivers excellent sound quality, thanks to 50 mm Nanoclear drivers and a frequency response range of 10 Hz – 22 kHz. These drivers are made from select materials and perfectly balance the left and right audio channels.

This wireless gaming headset has an interesting approach to battery life; the Stealth Pro comes with two batteries that both last 12 hours, so when one dies, gamers can easily swap out one for the other and keep on gaming. The batteries charge on a provided dock that can fit on pretty much any desk or TV console, making it easy to keep the battery charged and ready to go at all times. It would be preferable if each battery could get through 24 hours, but with how much ANC this headset drives, the 12 hours is very understandable. The noise-canceling is not limited to the earcups as the mic comes with the company’s S.M.A.R.T (Sonic Measurement Audio Reduction Tuning) noise cancelation. It can reduce background noise by up to 97%, according to the company.

In Game Rant’s review, readers can find out how outstanding build quality is also an advantage of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro.

For more noise-cancelling gaming headset options, make sure to check out our guide!

How to Choose the Best Gaming Headset

What makes the perfect gaming headset? To narrow down the possibilities, it’s wise to focus on these characteristics:

• Wired vs. Wireless: Some buyers prefer a wireless headset for convenience, while others enjoy the reliability of their wired counterparts. The debate between wireless and wired headsets has intensified since wireless headsets offer improved sound quality and features but usually cost more. The advantages of wireless gaming headsets are that there is no wire dangling around you and that you can walk away from your desk with the headset still on. However, the one big disadvantage is having to charge the headset from time to time. The more feature-rich the headsets get, the more the battery life takes a hit.
• Platform Compatibility: Certain headsets excel on a particular console, like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox. Others will work on consoles and PCs, but some features, like virtual surround sound, only function on a single platform. More often than not, you will find that the headsets that are compatible with PC and PlayStation consoles don’t work with Xbox and those that are compatible with Xbox and PC don’t work with PlayStation consoles. There are also gaming headsets that work with all platforms, with some being more seamless than others.
• Microphone Quality: Mic style and clarity are also crucial, especially for gamers who stream or play mostly MMOs or shooters. Is the mic an inline or boom mic, and what mic works best for that type of gamer’s needs? Most gaming headsets come with boom mics, which can be positioned appropriately and some even allow for the mic to be detached entirely. The more convenient feature is flip to mute, which is also present on a lot of gaming headsets.
• Noise Cancellation: The most expensive headsets often employ Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to neutralize background noise. Otherwise, most headsets rely on passive noise cancellation with earcups that form a tight seal around the ears. Ideally, a gaming headset will take both approaches to eliminate low, mid, and high tones that interfere with a gaming experience. ANC is not a necessary feature to have as, while gaming, there isn’t much ambient noise anyway.
• Comfort: Because gaming sessions can last for several hours, it is important that the headset does not feel bulky over time or irritate your ears or head. The type of material used for the earcups and headband dictates how comfortable the headset will be, along with its weight. The lighter the headset, the longer it can be worn before experiencing fatigue.

FAQ

Q: What is better, wired or wireless headsets?

Depending on the quality of the individual headset, one may be better than the other. However, most of the time, the difference between a wireless and wired headset is indistinguishable. While the answer may have been wired over wireless in the past, technology has improved in the last several years, making wireless and wired more comparable in the modern gaming scene.

Q: Can all PC headsets be used on consoles?

Unless otherwise specified, PC headsets are typically PC only. Because they connect to the computer using a USB port, they may not be able to connect to most consoles. Ensure that the headset has compatibility with your console before making a substantial purchase.

Q: What’s the average budget for a gaming headset?

The budget for a gaming headset can vary wildly depending on multiple factors. Make, build, brand, RGB, and compatibility all can change the price of a headset. The lower range can be anywhere from $20-$30, while high-end gaming gear headsets can cost anywhere up to $200.