Finding the best gaming headset for you and your chosen platform(s) isn't all that easy, especially with the vast selection of cans at different budgets available. Whether you're after incredible sound quality to get fully immersed in games or simply need a headset to keep things quiet, though, you can bet there's a pair out there for you.
And we're here to point you in the right direction. We put every gaming headset we test through its paces, seeing how easy it is to connect them to platforms, wearing them for hours to see how comfortable they feel, hearing how they perform in games of different genres and more. If they come with special features, like 3D audio, even better.
For the best gaming headset that can do no wrong, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 should be at the top of your list. But there are plenty more out there, and we've picked the best options for PS5, Xbox Series/S, Nintendo Switch, Meta Quest and gaming PCs. Whatever platform you prefer, this list of the best gaming headsets won't steer you wrong.
Our top picks
The new undisputed ruler of gaming headsets. The Arctis Nova 5 is the only ever set of console cans we've ever awarded a perfect score to. Sound quality is incredible, it looks super sleek and its easy-to use companion software is a joy to use.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a great choice if funds are tight and you want a headset that doesn't overly compromise on quality. Audio performance isn't class-leading, but HyperX's peripheral is a good headset.
The PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset is a top performer, but at the same $130 price tag, the Insone H5 is simply the better option. Naturally loud out of the box, boasting fantastically deep bass, it also excels when it comes to handling 3D spatial audio.
A gaming headset that's not only supreme when it comes to tackling the best Xbox Series X/S titles, but also one that proves to be great for listening to music and media. The AI noise filter and fantastic mic also make it worth the steep $340 outlay.
Just $27 for a comfy, lightweight headset with 40mm drivers that deliver amazing sound quality? That's what you'll get with the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit. An easy recommendation as the best gaming headset for most Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 users.
Yet another win for SteelSeries, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless stand out for many reasons, but namely the over 200 game-tailored audio presets for plenty of popular PC games. Throw in their fantastic sound and multi-platform compatibility, and you've got a brilliant pair of cans worth checking out.
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The Cherry XTRFY H3 shot to the top with the amazing value the gaming headset presents. At under $100, you're getting 53mm dynamic drivers pumping out sublime sound, spatial audio support, a noise-canceling mic and, of course, a very comfy fit. Not a bad choice for most!
Don't mind a wired connection? You'll save quite a bit with the $49 Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II. We're not the biggest fans of its design, and it's USB-A only, but it boasts a wide soundstage thanks to powerful 40mm drivers, and features 7.1 virtual surround sound that makes games more immersive.
This one's more of a bonus, but the Final VR500 are easily the best wired earbuds for any system that offers a 3.5mm audio jack, including a Meta Quest 3. At just under $35, you're getting 3D binaural audio, a comfortable fit for excellent noise isolation and a sleek, minimalist design. Now that's value at its finest.
You've seen the best, but what gaming headset will suits your needs and budget? These are questions I ask myself before picking up a new pair of cans.
What's the best gaming headset for me?
Choosing the best gaming headset comes down to a few different criteria. No matter what, the headset has to be comfortable and provide good gaming sound. In fact, I would argue that the former is more important than the latter.
Even if your headset produces subpar sound, you’ll still be able to hear what’s going on in your game. But if it’s even a little bit uncomfortable, you’ll want to tear it off your head after about half an hour, and that’s not conducive to playing any kind of game.
The next thing to think about is whether you want a wired or wireless model. Wireless models are almost always more expensive, but the convenience of living without wires may well be worth the cost.
Generally speaking, wireless headsets that are compatible with PC and PS5 are not compatible with Xbox Series X/S, and vice versa, so a headset that also features 3.5 mm connectivity could be helpful in this case.
How much should I spend on a gaming headset?
It's worth considering a headset's price range. At $50 and under, you're likely to find wired models with just-good-enough sound quality and few extra features.
Between $100 and $150, you'll find high-end wired models and low-to-mid-range wireless models, so consider whether audio quality or convenience is more valuable to you.
At $200 and above, manufacturers sell premium gaming headsets, which are usually wireless, with excellent sound quality and plenty of customization options. There is no "sweet spot" for gaming headset prices; it's purely about which features you want, and how much you're willing to spend.
Darragh here, Computing Editor at Tom's Guide. I believe a good gaming headset will take you far if you're looking to isolate the splendid sounds of games to your ears, but the best ones will offer superb audio performance, a comfortable fit for long sessions, amazing battery life and plenty of fancy audio tricks. Our team of experts and I have done the testing and found the best cans you can pick up for multiple platforms.
The best gaming headsets you can buy today
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The best overall gaming headest
The Arctis Nova 5P is SteelSeries’ latest offering. Compatible with PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS and Meta Quest, its quick-switch 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3 enable you to effortlessly swap between devices. The sound quality is incredible, and the 360° spatial audio makes your gaming experience even more immersive. The new user-friendly companion app also gives you the option to choose from over 100 presets tailored to a variety of games.
With intuitive controls, an elastic headband and adjustable memory foam earcups, the Arctis Nova 5P is extremely comfortable. It also boasts an outstanding battery life of up to 60 hours, and charging them for 15 minutes gives you about 5 hours of playing time, thanks to the USB-C fast charging. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need the Arctis Nova 5X to use with your Xbox.
There is no active noise cancelation, but you probably won’t miss that much. Costing $129, the Arctis Nova 5P is a premium headset that is “affordable luxury” at its best.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review.
The best budget gaming headest
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a strong contender for the best cheap gaming headset you can buy. This sub-$50 peripheral provides perfectly decent sound quality, along with a comfortable fit, a no-nonsense design, and strong connectivity with PCs and consoles alike. Truthfully, there's not much to say about the Cloud Stinger 2, other than "it just works."
To be fair, we can't vouch for how the Cloud Stinger 2 might hold up over time, as its plastic chassis doesn't seem as durable as some of the headsets we've reviewed with steel headbands. The mic is also a bit on the quiet side, which might prove troublesome for players who thrive on online multiplayer.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review.
The best PS5 headest
The Sony Inzone H5 is a brilliant mid-range gaming headset, and it's incredibly easy to recommend to any PS5 player. Supremely comfortable to wear, naturally loud and punchy, the H5 also handles 3D spatial audio extremely well.
Sold at a competitive $149/£129, the H5 is great value for money. Though it’s mainly marketed as a PS5 headset, its wireless dongle has a PC setting, meaning this is a great option for both PS5 and gaming PC owners.
The Inzone H5 is a great all-around performer, proving surprisingly compelling when listening to 4K Blu-ray movies on PS5. It's also great when it comes to handling TV shows and music, too. Noise-canceling would have been welcome, but even without it, the Sony Inzone H5 has no big weaknesses. An amazing headset.
Read our full Sony Inzone H5 review.
The best Xbox headest
The Audeze Maxwell headset is the best wireless gaming headset for audiophiles, featuring 90mm planar magnetic drivers that produce a clean, high fidelity sound. We love listening to music through this headset, although the lack of ANC does hamper the audio experience somewhat when using it in noisy environments.
The Maxwell also features an AI noise filtration system for its microphone to clean up your voice in chat. Despite its size, it’s also a super comfy headset thanks to its lightweight construction materials, plenty of padding and a suspension strap for a weightless feel on your head.
We didn’t get along too well with the Audeze HQ iOS app during testing, finding it a little glitchy. The Maxwell is also an expensive headset at $349 for the Xbox version, putting it in the same premium category as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. However, that higher price is largely justified by the excellent audio quality.
Read our full Audeze Maxwell review.
The best Nintendo Switch headest
Finding a suitable headset for your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 isn't as easy as on other platforms, as you'll want a mix of immersive audio and a bargain price. Well, look no further, as the $27 Turtle Beach Airlite Fit headset fits that mold.
Its price already makes it a standout budget option for Switch gamers, but its value really comes to shine with the Airline Fit's excellent comfort, colorful style that makes it look like you’re wearing Joy-Cons on your head and surprisingly detailed audio with its 40mm drivers make this a winner.
While it’s a wired-only headset with a non-folding design, these are minor annoyances in the grand scheme of it all, especially with that bargain price tag.
Read the full Turtle Beach Airlite Fit.
The best PC headest
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is up there with the best gaming headsets I've ever used, and not just because their 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver superb audio, the memory foam earcups bring extreme comfort and they come with ample battery life.
The real win is the 200+ game-tailored presets specifically for PC games, along with multiple other platforms. They're hard to beat at their $109 price, even if their plasticky build makes them seem a tad less premium. Along with the detachable boom mic for crystal clear chats, this is a gaming headset for your PC (and other platforms) that can do no wrong.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review.
The best value gaming headest
It's quite simply stunning what the Cherry XTRFY H3 can do for your ears while playing the latest games, all for under $100, too. From its exemplary sound that comes with spatial audio support to the supreme comfort thanks to faux leather earcups, this headset nails it all for less.
Oh, and it boasts over 100 hours of battery life. There's clearly a lot of gaming to be done on these, and we've enjoyed every minute with them on. Plus, our reviewer even noted that its 53mm dynamic drivers are so powerful that they led me to discover new sounds in games. Along with its spatial audio support, games will sound fantastic.
No, there isn't a companion app here (unfortunately), but for all else, the Cherry XTRFY H3 will give your ears a treat for less than $100.
Read our full Cherry XTRFY H3 review.
The best wired gaming headest
A wired connection can go a long way, especially when it comes to bringing down the price. But that doesn't mean it should take away from clear, detailed audio while gaming, right? Thankfully, the Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II ticks those boxes.
Featuring a sub-$50 price tag, immersive soundscapes with 7.1 surround sound, a handy unidirectional mic and a hugely comfortable, lightweight feel, this headset excels. It only comes with a USB-A connection, though, and be aware of its annoying in-line controls that we found slightly annoying to get along with.
Otherwise, you've got yourself an affordable gaming headset that doesn't skimp on premium features, even if it's wired-only.
Read our full Asus TUF Gaming H1 Gen II review.
The best wired earbuds for Meta Quest
I know, seeing wired earbuds up against all of the gaming headsets is strange, but hear me out. For those with a Meta Quest 3 headset, a gaming laptop or any device with a 3.5mm audio jack, do yourself a favor and check out the Final VR500. We gave these buds 5 stars for good reason, as it's hard to beat their low price for what they offer.
They provide elite-tier gaming audio, with impressive 3D binaural sound, a comfortable fit and solid isolation to keep your focus on the game. In fact, they even outperform headphones that are way more expensive. They barely come with any flaws, bar needing a 3.5mm jack to use them. Otherwise, expect sublime sound in a pair of buds that are super affordable.
If you have the setup for a wired connection, especially for VR gaming on the Meta Quest 3, look no further. The VR500 buds are proof that great things can come from unexpected places.
See our full Final VR500 review.
How we test the best gaming headsets
Tom's Guide tests gaming headsets extensively before we write about them. To start, we take stock of the device's setup process, connectivity method and general comfort level. From there, we use it as our go-to headset for both productivity and gaming for anywhere between a day and a week. We test a selection of different games on PCs, consoles and mobile devices across a variety of different genres. We also see how the headset handles different styles of music, as well as movies and TV shows.
If the headset has a software suite, we evaluate how easy it is to set up profiles, change equalization levels, adjust mic sidetone and customize any extra features. During this part of the process, we also test the mic, either in video chats or with recording software, and see how easy it is to move the headset from one system to another. Wherever possible, we will test a headset's wired and wireless modes, and see if there is any loss of quality between the two.
