The Best Gaming Headphones
The best games immerse us not only visually, but also aurally. A great pair of headphones, for instance, can make all the difference in the gaming experience. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which ones are best. That's why we're bringing you this list of the best gaming headphones on the market. Read on and we'll discuss why these are the top options available.
What to Look For
To find the best gaming headphones on the market, we looked at the following three aspects: comfort, sound quality, and price. Want a high-end wireless headset with advanced digital surround sound? The Logitech G733 is your best bet. Of course, it’s a bit on the pricey side. For a more budget-friendly option, HyperX’s CloudX is a great choice. It’s super comfortable, sounds great, and has a crystal-clear microphone. If you’d like to learn more, keep reading below.
Bengoo G9000 Stereo Gaming Headset
Play better
Now, these are gaming headphones we can get behind. They look cool and sound amazing, especially for their price. The bass is booming, the mids are clear, and the highs are crisp without sounding overbearing. The soft leather ear cushions make this headset feel like a premium model, even though it’s so affordable. No matter what kind of gamer you are, you’ll find this to be a great pair of headphones for many a happy session.
Pros:
- The cable is about seven feet long, so it works well even if your system is far away.
- The inline volume works smoothly. It has a well-calibrated scale for adjusting audio input.
Cons:
- The microphone isn’t anything to write home about, only being the standard gaming headset quality.
HyperX CloudX Xbox Licensed Gaming Headset
Late night marathons
HyperX is a reputable gaming company for good reason: they make great products targeted at gamers’ needs. The CloudX offers a luxury gaming headphones experience at a fraction of the cost. It comes in both wired and wireless options, and they’re both at a great price for such great build quality. The base wired model has a great microphone, too. When the game is on the line, you can always trust this headset for communicating with teammates.
Pros:
- These headphones have a powerful bass response, perfect for in-game music and action.
- The cushioning and headband strike the perfect balance between a secure fit and comfort. The fit is tight enough that it won’t fall off, but not loose enough to use for many hours.
Cons:
- It’d be nice if the cable was a bit longer, but you can always use an extension cable.
Senzer SG500 Gaming Headphones with Noise-Cancelling Microphone
All systems go
It’s easy to get lost in a long gaming session. That’s why comfortable gaming headphones like this one are crucial. They have wonderfully plush padding to allow for all-day gaming. The microphone might lack some bass pickup, but overall it has crystal clear audio that actively cancels out noise, picking up only your voice. These headphones are perfect for PC gaming, especially when paired with a high-quality audio card. Of course, they work just as well with gaming consoles.
Pros:
- The thick ear cushions provide passive noise canceling.
- This uses a standard 3.5mm cable so it can be used by any PC or laptop with a headphone jack.
Cons:
- The sound quality isn’t great for music, although it’s more than adequate for gaming.
Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset
As light as a feather
These are one of the top gaming headphones on the market for a reason. We’ve used them enough to get a great sense of their sound and can say that they are truly full and rich. The digital surround sound puts you in the game’s environment as if you were really there. Plus, they’re very comfortable to wear for long hours. The suspension band keeps the heft of the headband from pressing on your head, so you can game for longer without fatigue. For in-game communication, they work excellently with PC, especially through Discord. The microphone is solid, and the dedicated mute button is great for privacy.
Pros:
- The digital surround sound feature is one of the best on the market. It gives off strong a 3D effect.
- This headset is remarkably lightweight.
- The microphone sounds great through games or voice chat apps such as Discord.
Cons:
- The mic can be detached, but unfortunately, it doesn’t flip up.
Astro Flip-to-Mute Microphone A10 Gaming Headset
The streamlined option
When you’re gaming with teammates and want some privacy, it can be hard to remember if you’re on mute. Not with these headphones — when the mic is up it’s muted and turns on when flipped down. They’re also one of the more ergonomic headphones on the market. And did we mention they’re super durable too? The rubber headband and clever rounded design make this highly resistant to accidental damage.
Pros:
- Pressure is evenly distributed across the band and ear pads, so the fit is exceptionally comfortable.
- These headphones sound fantastic, with a crystal clear signal that doesn’t get muffled or distorted even at max volume.
Cons:
- The cord connection can be finicky, you just have to make sure it’s inserted all the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between active and passive noise-canceling?
Active noise canceling uses a tiny circuit board and microphone to play back outside noises with reverse phase. This cancels out the incoming sound or at least lowers it significantly. Passive noise canceling is through physical means only, such as earbuds with tight seals or ear cushions that completely envelop your ears.
Do wireless headphones have noticeable latency?
For the most part, wireless audio these days has negligible latency. Unless you’re trying to connect from 30 feet away or farther, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice a delay in gaming. As for quality, Bluetooth headsets are generally a bit worse than wired ones. The difference only really starts to matter with high-end audio equipment, higher bit-rate audio, and larger sample rates, so you’re unlikely to tell the difference in most gaming situations.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.