Best Gaming Headset 2025: The best headsets for consoles and PCs

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a stylish gaming headset that offers immersive audio along with a host of useful extras that make it our best overall gaming headset.

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless comes in black or a new all-white colourway, with the design a blend of smooth and weighty plastics, plush earcups and metal accents. At 337g, the headphones aren’t too heavy, while the deep earcups and suspension headband are comfortable for extended periods, offering fantastic passive noise isolation as a bonus.

The headphones benefit from Clearcast AI noise cancellation, Sonar, a built-in mixer, and a range of EQ presets for different games, music, movies and podcasts in the GG suite. Connectivity is fantastic too, with both 2.4Ghz wireless and Bluetooth available and support for a variety of platforms, including PC, PlayStation, smartphones, Mac and Nintendo Switch. There’s also multipoint support for connecting to two devices simultaneously.

The headset features swappable batteries, allowing for up to 44 hours of battery overall. Replacing the batteries is quick and easy, and you can slide them back into the accompanying base station to recharge in three hours.

Sound-wise, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is excellent. The mid-range is rich and detailed, while the robust low-end offers plenty of bass without sounding muddy or overbearing. It also provides fantastic immersion in FPS titles, allowing you to feel the boom of grenades and gunfire.

The mic performance isn’t as strong as the audio, sounding a bit thin and lacking the body and richness we’ve heard from other, cheaper headsets. Despite this, the ClearCast AI noise cancellation does a brilliant job of cancelling out distractions, such as a loud mechanical keyboard.

As great as over-ear gaming headsets can be, oftentimes they can feel a bit cumbersome compared to the minimalist nature of earbuds, and the latter are usually the better option during the hotter months of the year. If you’re ready to see what a pair of great gaming earbuds can bring to the table, then your search should start and end with the phenomenal SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds.

First off, if you’re a gamer who jumps between multiple consoles fairly regularly, then you won’t have to worry about any compatibility issues here. The GameBuds work with all major consoles including the Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series consoles and the Meta Quest 3. Just bear in mind that there are two versions of the device, one meant for Xbox and the other for PS5, although strangely we were able to get the former to also work with a PS5 console.

Of course, the most important aspect of all is sound quality, and the GameBuds absolutely nail it on this front. When playing the latest games, you’ll be able to pick up on a lot of background detail that can usually get lost if you’re playing with lesser powered speakers. They’re also pretty solid for music playback too, which is great for bringing your favourite Spotify/Apple Music playlists into the mix.

An extra feature that still isn’t a given on gaming headsets but has been added here is active noise cancelling. With ANC in tow, you won’t have to worry about any background noise impeding on your gaming sessions, which is great if you live in a fairly busy household. Someone else can easily be watching TV as you play with the GameBuds.

There’s always the concern that earbuds lag behind headphones when it comes to battery life, which can get in the way of longer play sessions, but we think that most people will be perfectly content with what’s available here. You can get up to 10-hours of use from just a single charge, and the charging case allows them to be topped up quickly whilst also providing a total of 40-hours of playback.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a great headset for anyone that wants to game on the PC and PS5, coming with a 2.4GHz USB-A receiver, which we found remarkably simple to set up.

We thought that the headset felt properly premium, from the metal earcups to the red-accented headband. It also struck us as very stylish, lacking some flashier features like RGB lighting but having a more mature and sleek aesthetic.

In terms of audio, our reviewer noted that the headset has a big, meaty sound profile that comes with lots of volume to boot, which is ideal for gaming. Our review also mentioned how the Cloud Alpha Wireless packs a lot of nuance and detail, which also makes it an ideal choice for anyone hoping to listen to music or podcasts.

The shining feature of this headset has to be the battery life, which clocks in at over 300 hours. We noted that the battery didn’t appear to drain, with our reviewer not needing to charge the headset for the two weeks it was used. So, for anyone who’s looking for a headset that can last through the night without issue, there is no better choice than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless.

The AceZone A-Spire, while perhaps lacking the good looks of its counterparts, offers performance that leaves a lasting impression.

At 270g, the headset emerges as a featherweight contender, delivering an unparalleled level of comfort even during multiple 8-hour workdays. Featuring a flexible leather-clad headband and velvety ear cushions, it stands as an ideal companion for those immersive gaming sessions, aligning seamlessly with the standards upheld by eSports aficionados.

The attached microphone is versatile, effortlessly conforming to various positions while maintaining stability. Noteworthy is the thoughtfully incorporated green mark, ensuring optimal alignment for crystal-clear communication – a crucial feature for the eSports-focused among us.

Connectivity options further elevate the A-Spire’s appeal, spanning USB, Bluetooth, and Aux interfaces, accommodating multiple devices for a low-latency experience.

Crucially, the audio performance is noteworthy, even if the 40mm cans are smaller than those of some competitors in our chart. They deliver impressive clarity with a dedicated app that adds an additional layer of customisation, allowing users to fine-tune the audio output to their tastes. There are also specific game profiles for popular FPS games like Apex Legends to help pick up on footsteps and improve game performance.

For those venturing into the eSports realm, the AceZone A-Spire is a reliable entry point, seamlessly blending comfort, adaptability, and superior audio performance.

The Corsair Virtuoso Pro may seem like a rather stripped-back option compared to some similarly priced alternatives given the £169.99/$199.99 price tag, but it does so in order to prioritise audio performance over all else. An aim that’s largely achieved.

Clad in a premium combination of aluminium and plastic, the Virtuoso Pro certainly feel premium, though at 338g, they’re certainly not the most lightweight cans around. That said, our reviewer found that they were comfortable enough in general use, with nice fabric padding in all the right areas to help alleviate the build-up of pressure on the head.

What you won’t find, however, is much in the way of built-in controls. You won’t find any buttons or switches on the cans or even an in-line control on the cable. These features have largely been sacrificed to deliver an open-back design, which is great for audio performance, but no so much when it comes to convenience.

Speaking of, the open-back design of the cans deliver a much wider soundstage than regular over-ear alternatives that delivered exceptional directional audio in testing, whether you’re playing the latest Call of Duty or the new Forza Motorsport. These deliver a seriously immersive sound experience with a powerful low-end, a clear and detailed mid-range and a sharp top-end, though the latter could sometimes be a little too sharp.

The attached microphone isn’t quite as impressive, however, with some notable compression and thin-sounding vocals in testing. It’s more than serviceable for quick chats with friends during gaming sessions, but streamers will likely want to look elsewhere.

Our extensive tests show that the Xbox Wireless Headset is the best gaming headset choice for anyone who owns Microsoft’s consoles. We were able to easily connect it to our Xbox Series X wirelessly, while also using our smartphone simultaneously for Discord chats.

We also really liked the Xbox-themed design, and found the rotating control dial allowed us to easily alter the volume without blindingly searching for small buttons. We were also impressed with the headset’s wide range of features, which includes Dolby Atmos that creates an immersive 3D audio effect.

We found the audio quality to be superb during testing, although we do recommend fiddling with the equaliser to find a soundscape to your liking, as the audio sounds a little muddy to us out of the box.

You can admittedly find plenty of other gaming headsets that have been designed with the Xbox in mind, such as the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core Wireless and Corsair HS75 XB Wireless, but Microsoft’s own headset is our favourite, mainly due to its incredible value.

While it might be tempting to opt for the pricier Sony Inzone H9 (although it’s certainly worth picking up if you jump between games on PS5 and PC), the Pulse Elite headset offers such good value for money that it easily jumps in at the top spot for our favourite PS5 headset.

As a successor to the PlayStation Pulse 3D that launched alongside the PS5, the Pulse Elite is still compatible with Sony’s 3D Audio to create an immersive experience that makes it feel as if you’re hearing everything from the perspective of the character you’re playing, but there’s more to it than that.

Despite its £129.99/$149.99 price point, the Pulse Elite packs high-end planar magnetic drivers which bring out even more detail than before, making conversations feel crisp and adding tons of weight to action scenes. To see them at their best, you only need to wear the Pulse Elite during the chaotic opening segment of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

There isn’t any active noise cancelling on the Pulse Elite which may be worth bearing in mind if you game in a busy household, but it’s a small issue when you consider how good the sound quality is. Plus, the comfortable padded ear cushions do a decent job of expelling a degree of external noise.

Just like the Pulse Explore earbuds, the Pulse Elite packs Sony’s new PlayStation Link technology, which allows the headset to connect to your PS5 almost instantly. Even though it requires a USB-C dongle to operate (it’s included in the box), it still works brilliantly and allows you to get straight into your desired game quickly.

As a final cherry on top, the Pulse Elite can last for up to 30-hours at a time, but if you’re ever running low then a simple 10-minute top-up can net you another two-hours of playtime. There’s even a charging hook thrown in that allows you to replenish the headset’s battery when it’s stored away.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is one of the best gaming headsets for eSports players or streamers. It features an incredible microphone that has been massively improved compared to the previous model. It has a 9.9mm condenser microphone running a 32kHz sampling rate, which we found provided a deep and warm response, free of background noise. The arm attaching the mic is stiffer, which stopped it from gradually drifting away during gameplay so you won’t need to keep readjusting it as you play.

The headset itself uses the same Razer Triforce as many other Razer headsets. We thought that they sounded glorious; mid-ranges sang beautifully, and the audio came through surprisingly wide for closed-back ear cups. Playing around with the Synapse EQ brought about even better changes, with games like Resident Evil Village and Doom Eternal sounding more immersive and eerie.

In terms of connectivity, the BlackShark V2 Pro charges via a USB-C. It can be linked to devices through a USB receiver or Bluetooth, giving it much more versatility than standard headsets. We were able to connect it to mobile phones and the Nintendo Switch, with audio sounding consistent over these devices. However, the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack was a little limiting and means that any Xbox Series X/S gamers won’t be able to utilise this headset.

Battery life was very impressive. Razer claims that it can last for around 70 hours when connected through the 2.4Ghz receiver, and 90 hours over Bluetooth. While we did not reach these heights during testing, we felt that these quoted numbers were eminently reasonable, with the battery life drained by half after a week of use.

If you’re looking for a headset with more premium features – such as haptic feedback or ANC – the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense may be a better pick, and the Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed is a cheaper, pared back option. But if you’re after a quality microphone to chat with friends or build up a streaming community over platforms like Twitch, then the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is definitely the headset for you.

The Logitech G522 is simply one of those great options that does a bit of everything at a very reasonable price, considering how expensive some gaming headsets can be. At just £139.99/$159.99, it might not be the cheapest option out there, but it’s a great value bargain when you factor in all that you get here.

You might have already noticed that the G522 is easily one of the most stylish gaming headsets we’ve tested. The sleek aesthetic and black/purple colourway pair well with the subtle RGB lighting that can be seen where the earcups and headband connect, creating an eye-catching look that few headsets can match.

Of course, as great as the G522 looks, they also carry over that attention to detail when it comes to how comfortable they are to wear. Weighing in at just 290g, the G522 never overstays their welcome during longer gaming sessions, so you can kick back and immerse yourself in whichever title you’re playing. Speaking of which, Logitech has made sure to deliver an impressive audio experience here too.

The new 40mm drivers pave the way for significantly improved audio quality compared to Logitech’s previous headsets in this price range. The thing you’ll notice the moment you put these headphones on is just how strong the bass is, which makes low-end sounds like grenades exploding in Counter Strike 2, rumble with a certain ferocity that draws you further into the action.

The microphone quality is also excellent, often picking up voices with the level of clarity that you’d expect from far more expensive headsets. This pairs brilliantly with the long battery life that can net you up to 70 hours of use from a single charge. To keep you in step with your squad during every moment of gameplay, the Logitech G522 are an excellent option for any gamer.

f you’re looking for a gaming headset with a premium build that doesn’t compromise on audio quality, the Audeze Maxwell is for you.

This high-end gaming headset delivers some of the best audio we’ve experienced from a gaming headset, including rich and detailed sound with strong bass thanks to its 90mm planar magnetic drivers.

The design is understated but durable with its subtle all-black design and metal and high-quality plastic build. The earcups are large and plush, while the suspension-style headband ensures these headphones are comfortable to wear during longer gaming sessions.

Along with physical buttons, the Audeze HQ app gives you access to a range of settings on Windows, macOS and smartphones, including EQ presets, mic sidetone levels and the game and chat audio mix.

When it comes to connectivity, you can go wireless with Bluetooth 5.3 or use the bundled USB-C receiver. There’s also the option to use a USB-C connection or the classic 3.5mm cable, though the exact options you get depend on which of the countless compatible devices you pair the headset with, with the list including the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

For audiophiles, the Audeze Maxwell supports a wide range of codecs, including SBC, AAC and LDAC, along with the ability to play hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192KHz. There’s also support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio with the Xbox version of the headset.

Finally, the 80-hour claimed battery life makes the Maxwell one of the best gaming headsets in its price category, with fast charging applying 30 hours of listening from a 20-minute charge.

If you regularly move between different consoles and platforms, the Logitech G Astro A50 X is our number one recommendation.

This headset might be on the pricier side, but for platform switching its a dream with Logitech’s PlaySync technology letting you do so at the press of a button. The feature works via the included base station, which can be connected to two consoles, a PC and a Bluetooth device all simultaneously. These you can easily cycle through using the aforementioned button on the headphones.

The Astro A50 X looks almost identical to the Astro A50 that launched in 2019 with the same large ear cups, thick padding and flip-down microphone. The construction is fully plastic aside from the metal stems, but its plenty tough and durable. We found it to be remarkably comfortable on top of this, with two breathable cushions covering the ear cups and a snug, but pinch-free fit.

The audio quality is superb and matches the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro in terms of detail. The 40mm drivers offer tremendous bass and there’s a lot of clarity to the mix. Spatial audio is also precise, with the feature being ideal when paired with FPS titles.

The Logitech G app allows you to set EQ parameters – of which the microphone has its own. This means you can ensure your voice sounds rich and clear to those on the other end. We found the mic to be robust, holding its own against the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, though the mic arm can slip away from your face during longer sessions.

There’s also no noise cancellation, which is something you might want to consider for the most immersive listening experience. However, if you find yourself regularly switching between different platforms, we’d highly recommend the Logitech G Astro A50 X.