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Generally, one of the best gaming headset doesn’t must be a “gaming headset” in any respect. Whereas many individuals view these units as their very own area of interest, they’re finally nonetheless headphones, simply with a increase mic and a few fancy branding connected. Whereas the overall high quality of devoted headsets has improved over time, they nonetheless are likely to price extra in comparison with an excellent pair of wired headphones (which, sure, nonetheless exist). If it’s good to chat with mates, you possibly can all the time purchase a microphone individually and get superior sound high quality there as effectively.
That mentioned, we perceive that many individuals simply need the comfort of a headset with a mic constructed proper in. So after testing dozens of contenders over the previous couple of years, we’ve rounded up just a few commendable gaming headsets and headphones that work effectively for gaming. As you’ll see, the 2 aren’t fairly the identical factor. Whichever manner you go, although, all of our picks ought to make your recreation time extra pleasurable, irrespective of which platform you utilize, and whether or not you play competitively or simply for enjoyable.
What to search for in good gaming headphones
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. (Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Evaluating headphones is a very subjective train, so calling one pair absolutely the “best” is one thing of a idiot’s errand. At a sure level, whether or not you are an audiophile or not, all the pieces turns into a matter of style. For many, a headphone with a large soundscape and powerful imaging efficiency — i.e., the power to place sounds appropriately, so you possibly can extra exactly inform the place footsteps and different recreation results are coming from — will present essentially the most immersive gaming expertise, the type that makes you are feeling like your head is inside a given scene.
For that, you desire a high-quality pair of open-back headphones. That’s to say, an over-ear pair whose ear cups don’t fully seal off the ear from air and outdoors noise. These are inherently horrible at isolating you from exterior sound and stopping others from listening to what you’re taking part in, so for those who typically play video games in a loud atmosphere, their advantages will probably be blunted. However in a quiet room, one of the best open-back pairs sound considerably wider and extra exact than extra frequent closed-back fashions.
Extra up for debate is how an excellent gaming headphone ought to sound. If you would like one thing that’ll make it easier to in aggressive multiplayer video games, chances are you’ll choose a headphone with a flatter sound signature, which’ll maintain a recreation’s combine from being overly boosted in a single course and is much less more likely to masks the smaller particulars of what’s occurring round you. A barely brighter sound, one which pushes the higher frequencies a tad, can also work. Open-back headphones nearly by no means have enormous sub-bass, so that you not often have to fret about low-end sounds muddying up the remainder of the signature. On this mild, the truth that an awesome quantity of gaming headsets are closed-back and bass-heavy appears counterintuitive.
A number of folks love bass, although. And for those who do not actually care about aggressive play, some further low-end can add a contact of pleasure to motion scenes or rousing soundtracks. You continue to don’t desire a pair that enhances the low-end too onerous — as many gaming headsets do — however the level is that what makes a pair “immersive” to at least one individual could sound uninteresting to a different.
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 5 – 40,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 345g (with out cable)
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Professional X ought to please most individuals prepared to pay for a capital-N good pair of headphones for gaming functions. It localizes sounds precisely and delivers the sort of spacious soundstage anticipated from an excellent open-back mannequin. Bass is a bit more current right here than on many open-back headphones as effectively. There nonetheless isn’t a lot in the best way of deep sub-bass, unsurprisingly, however there’s sufficient heat to present stuff like explosions a bit extra juice with out muddying up the mids. Particulars within the midrange get essentially the most emphasis total, however they’re clear, and their forwardness isn’t a nasty factor if you’re making an attempt to hear for enemy gamers in a aggressive FPS like Counter-Strike 2 or Apex Legends. The treble isn’t pushed fairly as onerous, but it surely’s neither overly recessed nor harsh.
All of this helps the DT 900 Professional X sound detailed however not boring. It is the sort of sound that performs good whether or not you’re making an attempt to win a multiplayer recreation or absorb a extra cinematic single-player story. And if you’re not gaming, you get an pleasurable profile for music.
The entire thing is constructed effectively, too. The DT 900 Professional X will clamp down barely more durable than common in case you have a big head, but it surely balances its weight effectively, and its splendidly comfortable velour earpads go a good distance towards protecting the pair snug over hours-long gaming classes. It comes with two removable cables, together with a three-meter choice that’s handy for those who sit far out of your PC. It may possibly’t fold up, although.
Like all open-back headphones, the DT 900 Professional X leak recreation audio and let in a lot of noise, so it’s not nice on the go. Clearly, for those who can afford to improve to an ultra-premium pair like Sennheiser’s HD 800 S, you’ll get more room and true-to-life element. However for a comparatively attainable $250 to $300, the DT 900 Professional X ought to fulfill.
ProsImmersive, detailed sound with pleasing bassWell-built with comfortable ear cushionsConsLeaks and permits outdoors noise, by designLacking in deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphones$250 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 6 – 38,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 280g
If you happen to’d relatively not spend as a lot, the Sennheiser HD 560S is one other wonderful open-back headphone that’s typically out there for lower than $200. Just like the DT 900 Professional X, it has a large soundstage that makes it simpler to really feel immersed in a given recreation. Its signature is barely extra impartial on the entire, so that you gained’t really feel such as you’re lacking any a part of what’s occurring, and it retrieves a beautiful quantity of treble and midrange element. There’s much less bass energy for explosions, although. And the treble, whereas extra current right here than on Beyerdynamic’s pair, can sound piercing at instances. Imaging isn’t fairly as nuanced both, although it’s removed from poor.
The HD560S’ design is loads snug to put on for prolonged intervals. It doesn’t clamp down too onerous on these with huge heads (like yours really), and its velour earpads hug the ears softly. The included cable is detachable, too. The plastic body doesn’t really feel as sturdy or premium because the DT 900 Professional X, nonetheless, so that you gained’t need to chuck it round haphazardly. It will not isolate a lot noise both, nor will it stop others from listening to what you are taking part in. Nonetheless, the HD 560S is a pleasure, and an awesome worth.
ProsImpressively balanced soundComfortableGreat worth for individuals who prioritize audio qualityConsSlightly scorching in treble rangeLeaks and permits outdoors noise, by designDoesn’t have the sturdiest construct high quality$229 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back (on-ear) | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 15 – 25,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 43g
If you happen to can’t spend greater than $50, it’s nonetheless onerous to prime the Koss KSC75. It prices $20, however judging purely on audio high quality, it’s higher than some headphones priced nearer to $100. This pair may be very clearly devoid of deep bass, so that you gained’t get that full-bodied oomph from in-game results. You additionally will not hear all of the intricate particulars you’d decide up with the pricier headphones above. But it surely locates sounds precisely, and its open design delivers an actual sense of width. It’s an excellent worth for aggressive play.
The catch is that it’s constructed like a set of free airline headphones. The KSC75 has an odd clip-on design that’s light-weight however gained’t be a cushty match for everybody. It actually seems to be prefer it prices $20, although Koss backs it with a lifetime guarantee that primarily helps you to get infinite replacements for $9 every. Even when the KSC75 are pushing 20 years previous, its comparatively balanced sound stays significantly well-suited for gaming.
ProsThe best-sounding headphones $20 can buyLightweightConsClip-on design positively not for everyoneFeels low cost, as a result of it’s$20 at Adorama
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 40,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz (PS5, PC, Swap), Bluetooth 5.2 (AAC, SBC), 3.5mm | Weight: 301g
If you happen to do desire a devoted gaming headset with a built-in mic, we love the Turtle Seaside Atlas Air. It’s a little bit of a rarity: a wi-fi mannequin with an open-back design. It sounds a lot wider, airier and extra pure than the overwhelming majority of its friends consequently, creating the feeling that your recreation is going on round you rather than feeling confined in your head. It’s additionally higher than most at positioning in-game results in the fitting locations.
The Atlas Air has a principally flat audio profile by default, with a leap within the treble that lends further crispness to issues like cymbals. Like most open-back pairs, it’s pretty weak within the low-bass area, so gunfire and EDM lack the sort of muscle you’d get with good closed-backs. The DT 900 Professional X nonetheless sounds extra dynamic, with extra element within the mids and stronger bass that makes footsteps and explosions extra intimate. That mentioned, the Atlas Air holds its personal surprisingly effectively. It’s about as spacious, and what bass is right here doesn’t come off as blobby. It’s an easygoing hear, and the better sense of spatial consciousness supplied by its design makes an actual distinction whether or not you’re listening for enemies in Counter-Strike 2 or basking in an enormous boss battle in Ultimate Fantasy XVI. Going from a pair like this to a conventional headset typically makes it sound like a piece of the world has been lopped off.
The Atlas Air can also be exceptionally snug. Its ear cups are generously padded with mild reminiscence foam and lined in a comfortable material materials; they provide loads of room for bigger ears to breathe, with out trapping an excessive amount of warmth. The suspension-style headband doesn’t enable a lot in the best way of guide changes, but it surely’s extraordinarily versatile, so these with particularly massive heads can nonetheless pop the headphones on with little wrestle. The design as an entire is light-weight at 0.66 kilos, and it’s light about clamping down on the edges of your head. Put all of it collectively and also you get a headset that’s a breeze to put on for hours at a time.
All of its controls — together with a giant quantity dial that circles the left ear cup — are simply accessible past that. Our chief criticism is that the design is nearly totally plastic, so it doesn’t fairly really feel like a $180 machine to the contact. It’s additionally sort of… ugly, to be trustworthy. None of that may be a huge deal upon getting it on, nonetheless, and we haven’t seen any creaking or looseness to the body after a number of months of testing.
The Atlas Air’s removable increase mic is completely nice. You wouldn’t need to use it for podcasting, because it robs an excellent chunk of bass out of your voice, however you’ll nonetheless come via clearly in a loud room, with no harsh sibilance to “ess” sounds. The mic itself is sufficiently versatile, and also you merely flip it as much as mute it, which is all the time handy.
The headset works with PC, PS5 or a docked Nintendo Swap via its USB dongle, plus it helps Bluetooth for cell units and the Swap’s handheld mode. You’ll be able to’t pipe via audio from two connections on the identical time, however you possibly can not less than swap between the 2 pretty rapidly utilizing a button on the left ear cup. Whereas there’s no help for Xbox’s wi-fi protocol, you can even use the headset passively (i.e., with out counting on battery energy) with an included 3.5mm cable with its personal inline quantity dial. If you happen to’re an Xbox participant and don’t thoughts utilizing a cable, we’d nonetheless take into account the Atlas Air our prime suggestion. With out the wire, Turtle Seaside says the machine can last as long as 50 hours, although we’ve been capable of squeeze one other 5 to 10 hours out at average volumes. It’s removed from the longest-lasting pair we’ve examined, however this implies it may possibly probably go for per week or two earlier than it wants a cost.
The principle trade-offs with the Atlas Air are the identical ones famous above: As a result of they’re open-back, they let in and leak tons of noise. If you happen to don’t play in a fairly quiet atmosphere, take into account our subsequent decide. We additionally had a driver concern that prevented us from connecting to PC upon first receiving the headset, however a software program replace rapidly fastened that and we haven’t had any hiccups or stutters since. On the whole, Turtle Seaside’s Swarm II app is pretty simple, providing a customized EQ software, recreation/chat combine, mic settings and the like.
ProsMore open, pure and immersive sound than most gaming headsetsSupremely comfortableMultiple connection modesDecent flip-up micConsLeaks and permits outdoors noise, by designLacks deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphonesNot essentially the most premium or good-looking design$139 at Amazon
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Planar magnetic | Frequency response: 10 – 50,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, AAC, SBC), 3.5mm, USB-C digital audio (non-obligatory), Xbox Wi-fi (non-obligatory) | Weight: 490g
If you happen to’re prepared to pay further for a premium gaming headset with a extra isolating closed-back design, get the Audeze Maxwell. At $299 for a PS5 mannequin or $329 for an Xbox mannequin, it’s not low cost, but it surely’s one of many few devoted gaming headsets we have used whose audio high quality holds up subsequent to the higher “normal” wi-fi headphones available on the market.
The Maxwell’s default signature is sort of a extra refined model of the frequent “gaming headset” sound. Bass is impactful however well-controlled, whereas highs are crisp however not sharp. There is a bit of additional power within the upper-mids, but it surely’s not overwhelming, and the headset’s planar-magnetic drivers do effectively to breed smaller intricacies all through. It nonetheless cannot present the immersive width and exact imaging of our open-back picks, the Atlas Air included, however the Maxwell sounds unusually textured, balanced and intimate in comparison with different wi-fi gaming headsets. Whereas it lacks the airiness of the Turtle Seaside headset, the punchier low-end makes issues like footsteps extra simply identifiable in video games. If you happen to don’t just like the out-of-the-box profile, Audeze’s app additionally contains quite a few tasteful EQ presets.
Alongside these strains, the Maxwell’s removable increase mic is a standout. It does an outstanding job of muting background noise, and whereas your voice will lose some air, it will sound clearer and fuller right here than on most wi-fi headsets we’ve examined.
The Maxwell may be very a lot on the cumbersome facet, it leaks sound at greater volumes, and its metal headband makes use of an odd suspension mechanism that is successfully unimaginable to regulate with out taking the headset off. On the whole, although, its design feels substantial. The squishy, closely padded ear cups could make your ears really feel heat, however they maintain the headset snug and isolate a good quantity of outdoor noise. The important controls are constructed into the left earcup, and the machine can join over Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable along with a USB-C wi-fi dongle. You’ll be able to even join to 2 units directly, one over the dongle and one other over Bluetooth, although you possibly can’t stream audio from each sources concurrently. The headset additionally must be powered on with a view to play music over a cable.
Audeze charges the Maxwell’s battery life at roughly 80 hours, which is nice and has usually held true in our testing. You may get a bit much less for those who play at excessive volumes or use options like Bluetooth or sidetone closely, although.
ProsWonderfully textured audio qualityGood mic performance80-hour battery life$299 at B&H Picture
Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 369g (with out cable)
If you happen to’d choose to avoid wasting money and purchase an honest wired gaming headset, take into account the Astro A40 TR. It’s one other open-back pair that sounds extra spacious than most conventional gaming headsets and usually locates in-game results precisely. Its sound signature emphasizes the bass, which supplies explosions a clean and satisfying thump, but it surely doesn’t overdo the low-end the best way a lot of its friends do.
The A40’s audio high quality remains to be a step behind the DT 900 Professional X, HD 560S and Atlas Air, particularly for on-line shooters. Subsequent to these headphones, its veiled treble and pushed upper-bass/low-mids can blunt footsteps and different nice particulars. Its soundstage is narrower by comparability as effectively. But it surely’s higher balanced than most gaming headsets, particularly these in its value vary. It does effectively to envelop you in no matter’s occurring onscreen.
Consolation shouldn’t be a problem, both. The A40 is on the bulkier facet, however its weight is evenly distributed, and it doesn’t clamp down overly onerous. The fuzzy earpads are comfortable and breathable, whereas the ear cups are roomy sufficient to suit bigger ears. The headset has the standard open-back shortcomings, although, because it leaks a bunch of sound and blocks nearly zero outdoors noise. The mostly-plastic design seems to be “gamer-y” and lacks built-in volume controls, too. Nobody would call it “premium.” Still, it’s not flimsy.
The A40’s mic, meanwhile, is just OK. It picks up background noises while you chat and makes voices sound somewhat muffled. It’s serviceable, but you’d buy the A40 for its sound quality (and relative value) first. The mic isn’t detachable either, but you can easily flip it up and out of the way.
The A40 has been around for several years now, but its price has come down from $150 to a more reasonable $130 in that time. Astro sells an optional DAC with extra controls for $130, but at that price we’d strongly advise buying one of our other picks instead.
ProsMore spacious sound than most dedicated gaming headsetsComfortableSolid valueConsMic performance is just OKDesign is far from premiumTreble is underemphasized$100 at Amazon
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 10 – 28,000Hz | Mic: Yes, not detachable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 275g
You won’t find a good open-back gaming headset for less than $50, so if you’re on a tight budget and need a built-in mic, you’ll have to compromise on sound quality. With that in mind, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a decent buy for $40 or so. It gets the comfort part right, as its pleather ear cups don’t clamp down hard and have enough soft padding where it counts. Its mic makes voices sound relatively clear and accurate as well. In fact, the mic is a clear step up over the Astro A40’s, though it’s not detachable.
The Cloud Stinger 2 has a V-shaped sound signature, which is to say it exaggerates the bass and treble while recessing the mids. It’s not bad for what it is, and it’ll definitely give action scenes a heavy dose of boom. But the upper-bass is bumped to the point where it may get tiring over time, and you lose some of the fine details you’d hear on our other picks. Since this is a cheap closed-back headset, the Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t sound nearly as wide as the pairs above, nor is it as nuanced about positioning sounds accurately. All of that makes it less than ideal for competitive games, though it can still sound “fun” with many different titles.
Past that, the plastic design feels cheapish. Its cable isn’t detachable, and it doesn’t block a lot outdoors noise regardless of having a closed-back design. Nonetheless, it’s a must to decide your battles on this value vary. The Cloud Stinger 2 is flawed, but it surely does sufficient effectively to be an excellent headset for sure budget-conscious patrons.
ProsStrong valueComfortableSolid mic performanceConsBoomy sound is not idealFeels cheapishPoor noise isolation for a closed-back headset$40 at Amazon
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Astro A50 X costs an eye-watering $380, so we can’t reasonably recommend it to most people. However, if you can stomach the price, this is a uniquely convenient wireless headset for hardcore gamers who own a PS5, Xbox Series X/S and gaming PC. That’s mainly due to its included charging dock, which serves as a unified A/V station for those three platforms. By chaining HDMI and USB cables from a PS5, Xbox and/or PC to the A50 X’s base station, you can connect the headset to all three devices simultaneously. From there, you can swap to your active machine just by pressing a button on the right earcup.
This is a pain to set up: As shown in Logitech’s 12-minute (!) video tutorial, connecting both consoles and a PC requires seven different cables, a few of which aren’t in the box, plus some futzing around in each system’s menus. It’s not totally seamless once everything’s up and running, either: We had to manually change video signals when switching from a PC to a console (though not when doing the inverse) and manually change our PC’s audio output when we wanted to listen through desktop speakers. All of this requires you to keep your gaming hardware in the same area, too.
But for the most part, the A50 X is the most practical wireless headset we’ve tested for multi-console setups. Instead of needing two headsets for Xbox and PS5/PC, or having to reconnect one headset each time you change consoles, all you have to do is take the A50 X off its dock, turn it on and select the platform you want to use. A small LED display on the dock will show the active connection, and the headset will automatically play the correct audio source. With a PS5 and Xbox, it’ll automatically swap video. So long as you use HDMI 2.1 cables, the base station can pass-through 4K 120Hz HDR video to the two consoles, with support for VRR and ALLM. You can also connect the A50 X to a Switch or mobile device via Bluetooth — though you need to be within range of the base station for that to work, and you don’t get the same fast-switching functionality.
All these connectivity tricks wouldn’t mean much if the A50 X was a shoddy headset, but thankfully, it’s not. It’s among the better-sounding wireless headsets we’ve used; it’s not “$380 good,” but it’s dynamic, with rich, relatively nuanced bass and a clean midrange. Explosions and gunshots have a good crunch without sounding overly thick, and it’s generally accurate at locating footsteps and nearby effects. The Audeze Maxwell is still a level above, however; the A50 X has a darker tilt by comparison, so it captures less detail in the treble range and feels more boxed-in. It also can’t match the wider, more enveloping soundstage of our open-back picks. Still, most people will be happy with it, and you can customize its EQ curve to an extent through Logitech’s G Hub software.
The A50 X’s design is like a nicer version of the A40. It’s largely plastic, but it feels sturdy. The fuzzy, fabric-covered foam on its earpads and headband is soft and breathable, and while the headset isn’t super light at 0.8 pounds, it distributes its weight in a way that feels comfortable yet secure. You can also adjust your game-to-chat audio mix right from an earcup. It doesn’t isolate outside noise very well, though, and its boom mic is permanently attached. Its battery life is mediocre as well — Astro rates it at up to 24 hours at moderate volumes — but since the headset is designed to sit on its dock when it’s not in use, that’s not a serious issue. The mic, meanwhile, is one of the very best we’ve used any gaming headset, wired or wireless. Voices sound cleaner and more natural than they do with the Maxwell, and background noise is largely kept in check.
Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 60 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Yes, not detachable | Connectivity: HDMI audio, USB audio, Bluetooth | Weight: 363g
ProsClosest thing to a truly universal wireless gaming headsetExcellent mic performanceGood audio qualityConsWildly expensiveRequires a ton of cables to fully set upNo analog audio support$380 at LogitechOther gaming headsets we tested
The PlayStation Pulse Elite. (Jeff Dunn for Engadget)
Note: This is a selection of noteworthy gaming headsets and headphones we’ve put through their paces, not a comprehensive list of everything we’ve ever tried.
PlayStation Pulse Elite (and Pulse Explore)
The PlayStation Pulse Elite is a reasonable alternative to the Turtle Beach Atlas Air for PS5 owners, as it allows you to change volume, swap between different EQ presets, adjust the game-to-chat mix and mute the mic right from the console’s native UI. It’s similar to the way AirPods integrate with iPhones. This pair also lets you connect to a second device over Bluetooth at the same time, and the planar magnetic drivers — a rarity for $150 headphones — do a decent job of reproducing smaller details. The sound profile as a whole is narrower and more uneven in the bass and treble than the Atlas Air, however, while the all-plastic design is comfortable but flimsy-feeling. It also doesn’t do much to block outside noise, despite being closed-back, and the control buttons are awkward to reach.
We also tested the in-ear version of these headphones, the PlayStation Pulse Explore, but found it too uncomfortable to wear over extended sessions. That one is limited to roughly five hours of battery life, too.
Astro A50 (Gen 5)
The Astro A50 (Gen 5) is effectively the same headset as the A50X, just without any HDMI ports on its base station. It costs $80 less, so it’s a worthy alternative to the Audeze Maxwell if you mainly play on one platform and want a superior microphone. But the ability to automatically switch between consoles is the thing that makes the A50X worth buying in the first place, so that convenience is still worth paying for if you game on multiple devices.
The Corsair Virtuoso Pro. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Corsair Virtuoso Pro
The $200 Corsair Virtuoso Pro is another one of the few dedicated gaming headsets with an open-back design. It has a relatively dark sound with mostly underemphasized treble and elevated upper-bass, though the highs are clearer here than they are on the Astro A40, and it still delivers a wider soundstage than most gaming headsets. We preferred this signature over Astro’s pair with some games, though in others it felt less balanced. The Virtuoso Pro’s mic is decidedly less muffled than the A40’s but still sounds fairly thin, so it’s merely decent compared to the wider headset market. Its headband adjustment mechanism feels cheap, too, and you can’t detach the mic without swapping cables out entirely. Its round, breathable ear cups and manageable weight do make it easy to wear, though, and it comes with a sturdy travel case for protection. Ultimately, it’s a decent buy, but it’s hard to justify over the more featured and easier-sounding Atlas Air.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless can last well over 300 hours at moderate volumes, which is remarkable and by far the best of any wireless model we’ve tested. It’s light and not too snug on the head, and its powerful bass lends a real sense of excitement to in-game action. But it blunts more detail than the Atlas Air, Maxwell and A50 X, and its mic isn’t as good. Several users have also reported latency issues when using the headset with HyperX’s Ngenuity software, and there’s no Xbox, Bluetooth or wired audio support. Still, if battery life is paramount, you may be able to look past all of that.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed
If the Audeze Maxwell is out of stock, the Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed is another quality wireless headset worth considering. It sounds better than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, with satisfying but more controlled bass and more accurate mids, and it’s lighter on the head than the Maxwell. Logitech rates its battery life at 50 hours, but we found it to last much longer at moderate volumes. However, similar to the Astro A50 X, a dip in the treble makes it sound darker and more veiled than the Maxwell, and it doesn’t have any HDMI-switching tricks to fall back on. Its mic also sounds less natural than those of the Maxwell, A50 X and Cloud Alpha Wireless. Plus, while it can connect over a USB dongle, Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, it can’t pair to two devices at once like Audeze’s and Astro’s pairs. Our biggest issue is the price: Value-wise, it’s in something of a no man’s land at its MSRP of $250. It’s a fine choice if it dips below $200, though.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
The wireless Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is tremendously comfortable and has a good mic, but its boomy sound is less refined and detailed than the Audeze Maxwell. As a closed-back headset, it also lacks the width of the Atlas Air. There’s no support for wired audio either.
Logitech G535 Lightspeed
The Logitech G535 is an impressively light (0.52 pounds) and comfy wireless headset that’s often available for $100 or less. It has a relatively neutral sound signature: not flat, but not beholden to big, thumping bass. It can make details in the mids sound thin, and if anything it could use a little more sub-bass, but it’s an agreeable listen overall. However, its mic isn’t especially full, and its 35-or-so-hour battery life is a significant drop from our top recommendations. It doesn’t work with Xbox’s wireless protocol or Bluetooth either, and it forces you to crank the volume to reach a listenable level. But if you don’t want to spend a ton on a wireless headset, it’s a fine value.
The Logitech G535 Lightspeed. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
Xbox owners who want a more affordable wireless headset than the Audeze Maxwell could do worse than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X. It’s another bass-forward pair, and its mic is comparable to that of the Cloud Alpha Wireless. It offers multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth and a 3.5mm cable. While it’s marketed for Xbox, it can also connect to PCs and PS5s. Its 30-ish-hour battery life is well short of the Maxwell and Cloud Alpha Wireless, however, and its uneven treble can cause things like in-game dialogue to sound masked in certain titles.
HyperX Cloud Alpha
The wired HyperX Cloud Alpha often goes for $80 or less, and at that price it’s a decent middle ground between the Cloud Stinger 2 and Astro A40 if you really want a closed-back gaming headset. It’s old, but its plush earpads and headband are comfy, and its detachable mic, while not superb, is still better than the one on the A40. Its treble is underemphasized, however, and again it sounds more “in your head” than Astro’s pair.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is comfortable and has a noticeably clearer mic than the Astro A40. It also comes with a useful DAC that makes it easy to adjust the headset’s EQ and game-to-chat mix on the fly. However, its closed-back design can’t provide the same enveloping sense of width, and its default sound can sound piercing in the treble. Like the Virtuoso Pro, it’s also a bit too pricey, typically hovering in the $200 to $220 range.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is largely similar to its wired counterpart but adds a passable level of active noise cancellation. Being able to hot-swap battery packs and connect to multiple devices at once is also nice. It’s not as convenient for multi-console play as the Astro A50 X, though, and it usually costs more than the Audeze Maxwell, which sounds better, has a superior mic and lasts longer on a charge.
The Beyerdynamic MMX 200 (left) and HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi (proper). (Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Beyerdynamic MMX 200
The wi-fi Beyerdynamic MMX 200 locates in-game results precisely, feels sturdy and has an awesome increase mic, but it surely sounds much less articulate than the Audeze Maxwell, with closely exaggerated bass and recessed lower-mids. There isn’t any game-to-chat combine or customized EQ instruments, which is hard for a $250 headset, and its 35-hour battery life is unremarkable. We additionally discovered its sweat-inducing ear cushions and headband to clamp down too tight for consolation. Nevertheless, the built-in transparency mode is good and the tight match does an excellent job of isolating outdoors noise.
Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional
There’s nothing significantly unhealthy in regards to the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional: It makes use of the identical drivers because the DT 900 Professional X, its velour earpads are comfortable and its mic works effectively. It’s simply onerous to suggest spending $300 on a wired-only headset when the Audeze Maxwell provides wi-fi performance and equally wonderful sound — with barely much less spiky treble and extra even bass — for a similar value. The MMX 300 Professional’s mic isn’t removable both, and the closed-back design retains it from sounding as vast because the DT 900 Professional X.
HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi
The HyperX Cloud III Wi-fi is comfortable and might last as long as 120 hours per cost however sounds much less dynamic than the older Cloud Alpha Wi-fi, with weaker bass response. Like that pair, it additionally lacks a 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth audio help and Xbox compatibility. The Cloud Alpha Wi-fi nonetheless will get almost 3 times the battery life, too, so it stays a greater purchase if you would like a wi-fi headset for PC or PS5 within the $150 vary.
Sennheiser HD 490 Professional
The Sennheiser HD 490 Professional are studio-focused open-back headphones that additionally work effectively for gaming. They arrive with two units of ear pads, one which barely elevates the bass and one other that bumps the midrange, although they ship spectacular width and element both manner with out pushing too onerous in a single course. They’re a pleasure to put on over lengthy stretches, each lighter than the DT 900 Professional X and fewer stiff than the HD 560S. That mentioned, they price $400 and their sound profile is extra of a pleasant various to our prime picks than one thing clearly extra pure or resolving. Most individuals don’t have to pay the premium.
Current updates
January 2025: We’ve regarded over this information to make sure our picks are nonetheless correct and added notes on just a few extra headsets we’ve lately examined, together with the PlayStation Pulse Elite, Astro A50 (Gen 5) and Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Professional.
November 2024: We have up to date this information with a brand new suggestion for one of the best devoted gaming headset, the Turtle Seaside Atlas Air, and reorganized our picks accordingly. We have additionally added notes on different gaming-friendly headphones we have examined, together with the Sennheiser HD 490 Professional and Razer BlackShark V2 Professional, and eliminated a few write-ups on headsets which can be not out there.
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Author : tech365
Publish date : 2025-01-20 10:24:27
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