The Best Gaming Headsets of 2023

• Connection type: USB, 3.5mm jack
• Noise canceling: Microphone only
• Supported systems: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

One of the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro uses a flexible suspension band to customize size, with super soft ear cups that let you game for hours—even while wearing glasses. Comfort alone isn't enough reason to buy a wired gaming headset that keeps you tethered to your station. But the Arctis Pro is often on sale and it offers plenty of reasons to pick it up.

Both music and games sound fantastic using the Arctis Pro. We played both quiet indie games and loud, booming matches of Overwatch 2 with this headset and were pleased with both. The headset balances soft music with in-game sound effects, like the crunching of grass beneath your character's feet, with excellent subtlety.

In first-person shooters, we were able to clearly distinguish allies' voices from in-game noise, which can sometimes be a struggle. That's largely thanks to the mixer that comes with the SteelSeries, which makes for a perfectly customizable balance between game and chat.

Customization includes an equalizer that lets you change frequencies without any extra software. Just note that although this one will work with Xbox consoles if you connect the 3.5mm headphone jack through a controller, you may not get the full functionality—for that, you'll need to check out the Turtle Beach Recon 500 (our Best for Xbox pick), or our upgrade pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.

• Connection type: USB, Bluetooth
• Noise canceling: Microphone and headset
• Supported systems: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile; PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox One and Series S|X versions exist

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro isn’t just an incredible gaming headset, it’s an amazing headset for anything you play. SteelSeries developed new custom drivers that deliver detailed and engaging sound, fully immersing you in the sonic environment. Whether it be NPC dialogue, the crunch of enemies lurking in surrounding foliage, or an epic soundtrack, sound is spacious and clear. That clarity extends to the microphone—which is fully retractable into the left earcup—allowing for easily understood conversation between teammates.

As with other SteelSeries headsets, the Arctis Nova Pro is very comfortable for long gaming sessions. The thick leatherette pads feel luxurious and soft against the head, and the clamping force is just enough to keep the headset secure without causing headaches. An adjustable headband allows it to fit head sizes small and large.

The Arctis Nova Pro is loaded with features, too. The two included batteries are hot-swappable so when one runs low you won’t miss out on any of the action (the second charges while you play in the headset’s base station). When connected to a PC, the Sonar app allows for a huge range of adjustments including noise canceling to both incoming and outgoing signals, a 10-band equalizer, included sound profiles customized to 20 specific games, and a mixer for game and chat volumes.

There are both PlayStation and Xbox wireless versions available. And if you don’t mind being tethered to your controller or PC, there’s a wired one, too.

Read our full review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.

• Connection type: 3.5mm aux, wired USB-C, USB-A (detachable)
• Noise canceling: Microphone only
• Supported systems: PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and 4, Nintendo Switch

HyperX focused its efforts on (almost) all the important areas for the Cloud III: sound quality, microphone performance, and comfort. The result is a product that lands on the bulky side of the spectrum, but nevertheless delivers superb sound, sports a solid microphone and feels comfortable to cover your ears for long periods of time. It’s not perfect, but it is a perfectly good deal for a moderately priced gaming headset.

The HyperX Cloud III’s audio prowess starts with its 53mm dynamic drivers, which add sufficient bass to music and gaming alike. They don’t shine as bright with midrange or high frequencies, but they do a solid enough job in each of those departments to maintain exceptional overall sound. And that’s before you factor in the that the Cloud III come with DTS Headphone: X, a feature that provides simulated 3D audio specialization.

The Cloud III’s microphone is a solid selling point even if it doesn’t necessarily blow the competition out of the water. HyperX must have made note of the previous iteration’s poor reception in the microphone department, because the Cloud III have a 10mm detachable boom arm microphone equipped with both noise cancelation and an internal mesh pop filter. The features helped to efficiently dampen outside noise while on a Microsoft Teams call or during multiplayer gameplay.

The Cloud III are heavy to wear but quite comfy thanks to a memory foam headband and leatherette ear cushions. Pair that with good sound and a much-improved microphone, and it’s easy to see why the HyperX Cloud III are an excellent choice for anyone hoping to snag a pair of competent gaming headphones for just $100.

Read our review of the HyperX Cloud III.

Other Top Gaming Headsets We Tested

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How We Test Gaming Headsets

What better way to test gaming headsets than by gaming? Our team of testers spent hours playing all types of games—first-person shooters like Overwatch 2, open-world games like Red Dead Redemption 2, and party racing games like Mario Kart 8. Headsets were tested on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and any other platforms we could get our hands on.

While playing, our testers paid particular attention to the audio quality—both how good they sounded and their soundfield's accuracy (like if we could hear an enemy sneaking around). Since group communication is an important part of team play, we also tested the clarity of the mics and how easy it is to balance chat volume with a game’s soundtrack and effects.

Things to Consider When Buying Gaming Headsets

Gaming headsets typically have different priorities than headsets made for audiophiles. Even when gaming, you may want different features depending on the type of game you’re playing. Once you've decided that regular headphones are no longer adequate for an hours-long session of Elden Ring, here are a few features that can help you make your decision.

Sound Quality

Are you playing games that mainly feature music? Or will hearing audio cues make or break your ability to level up? If you're playing online with friends, can you hear their instructions and comments?

If you're constantly listening for gunshots or footsteps, you may want to invest in a pair of headphones that emphasize bass tones. If you need to hear a wider variety of sounds, it's best to get headphones with a more expansive sound profile.

Microphone

A high-quality mic is key, especially if you're playing with teammates. The best microphones should cut out any electric humming or ambient noise, with vocal clarity similar to a cell phone call with great reception. Ideally, the microphone is also adjustable, so you can position it close enough to your mouth to carry your voice, but not your breathing.

Comfort

You can't really enjoy a good gaming binge if your headset starts squishing your head after only a couple of hours. The headphones should be adjustable enough to fit just right. Thick ear pads, a padded headband, and a relatively lightweight are necessities if you're going to be spending a lot of quality time in front of your TV or computer.

Noise isolation

Gaming can be a form of escapism. To ensure that you're really escaping, your headphones should block out ambient noise. This both helps you hear what's going on in the game, and keeps the outside world from distracting you.

Granted, in an emergency, you want to hear some of the outside world. But gaming headphones should be able to block out humming from air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances.

Cable/Wireless Connection

If your gaming headsets have a cable, it should be a long cable. (Ideally, longer than 10 feet). It may not matter as much on a computer, but when gaming on a TV, you want to be able to sit further back.

If you prefer to be cable-free, you may prefer wireless gaming headphones. Wireless headsets usually have either a USB-A or USB-C dongle that you plug in, or connect over Bluetooth. Keep in mind that wireless headphones have a battery life, and you may want to keep an eye on said battery, lest they cut out at a key point in your gaming experience.

Platform

Before you lay down cash for a pair of gaming headphones, make sure they're compatible with your game system. Some brands have different products for different platforms, while others just have a regular headphone jack that can be plugged into any system. Remember too that some features may not work equally well across all platforms.

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