The Best Gaming Headsets for Every System [Updated August 2020]

[Karlston]

The Best Gaming Headsets for Every System

No matter which console or device you play on, these corded cans with built-in mics will help lend depth and drama to your gameplay.

 

 

A good gaming headset can make all the difference when you're teaming up online. You need to be able to hear your environment and your allies with clarity, without one being drowned out by the other. Nobody likes sweaty ears, either. Luckily, there are quite a few headsets out there that fit the bill—no matter what console, computer, or device you game on.

 

We've already picked the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets elsewhere; if you want to go completely wirefree, check out those picks because we don't repeat them here. This guide covers the best gaming headsets around, but they all have a wire of some kind. We've tested many sets in the past year, and these are our absolute favorites.

 

Updated August 2020: We've added the JBL Quantum One, and adjusted prices throughout this guide.

 

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  Photograph: Steelseries

  Best Overall

  SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC

   

  No headset, wired or wireless, has impressed me as thoroughly as the Arctis Pro + GameDAC (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has the same leading comfort and quality of most SteelSeries Arctis headsets—with a retractable mic and comfortable cushioning—and the included GameDAC makes it the best-sounding headset I've used, adding a lot of depth and drama to your play. The only downside is that it plugs into your console or PC via USB, so cord length can be a problem, depending on your setup. —Jeffrey Van Camp

   

  Works with PS4, PC

   

  $250 at Amazon

  $250 at Best Buy

   

   

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  Photograph: Steelseries 

  Best Under $50

  SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wired

   

  The Arctis 1 has the quality design, comfort, removable mic, and clear sound that make the Arctis line some of the best gaming headsets you can buy. This headset's wireless version is one of our faves, with a solid, understated design and rich, robust sound. The corded Arctis 1 is an excellent, and more affordable, pick that feels and sounds more expensive than it is. —Jess Grey

   

  Works with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile

   

  $50 at Best Buy

  $50 at Target

   

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  Photograph: Razer

  Stealth Mode

  Razer Opus Headset

   

  The Opus is Razer's first pair of high-end luxury headphones. They're a little different from Razer's usual fare. They're sleek, luxurious, and you won't get any second glances wearing them in public. There aren't even any glowing snakes, the logo that Razer usually slaps onto all its products—just a slick midnight blue finish and plush leatherette ear cups. They work wired or wireless (Bluetooth), plus there's powerful active noise cancellation, THX-Certified audio quality, and 20 hours of battery life.

   

  The mic gets the job done and features reliable noise isolation, but it’s a little quiet since it doesn’t have a boom that sticks out in front of your face. Most importantly, they produce rich, resonant sound, whether you're listening to music or exploring a haunted skyscraper in Control. —Jess Grey

   

  Works everywhere (wired), PC, Mobile (wireless)

   

  $200 at Amazon

  $200 at Walmart

 

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  Photograph: SteelSeries

  For Switch

  SteelSeries Arctis 3 (with Bluetooth)

   

  If you only play Fortnite, you can connect a regular corded headset to your Switch and use the mic. Sadly, that's not the standard for most Switch games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 2, and other Nintendo titles rely on Nintendo's Switch Online app on Android and iOS for microphone input. If you want to hear your friends and your game, the Arctis 3 with Bluetooth is your best option. It lets you listen to both audio sources at once. You don't need to own a Switch to appreciate it, though. This is a fantastic headset that lets you pipe in Bluetooth audio to give games your own soundtrack. —Jeffrey Van Camp

   

  Works everywhere, best for Switch

   

  $100 at Best Buy

  $70 at Gamestop

   

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  Photograph: Logitech

  For Audiophiles

  Logitech G Pro X

   

  The Logitech G Pro X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) eschews the design language many gaming headsets share. It's simple and elegant—more like high-quality headphones than a gaming headset. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Not only does it produce resonant sound on an expansive soundstage with 7.1 surround, but Logitech's included software gives you granular control over the quality of your voice. The included mic and software were engineered with help from Blue (of Blue Yeti fame), and together they produce crystal-clear, broadcast-quality comms. —Jess Grey

   

  Works with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and Mobile

   

  $130 at Best Buy

   

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  Photograph: Razer

  For Cat Lovers

  Razer Kitty Kraken

   

  This headset is adorable. It has little kitty ears with Razer's Chroma RGB lighting and a millennial pink finish with a pink braided USB cable to match (though they also come in black and white). It was designed with streamers and cosplayers in mind and even has a built-in cosplay mode—if it's plugged into a power bank, the headphone lighting will stay on. But even if you're not an internet personality, it's a fun headset with great sound and a microphone with active noise canceling. Did I mention the kitty ears? Because it has kitty ears. —Jess Grey

   

  Works with PC

   

  $150 at Best Buy

  $150 at Razer

   

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  Photograph: JBL 

  For a Home Theater Experience

  JBL Quantum One

   

  I complain about "gamer" aesthetics pretty often, but in the case of the JBL Quantum One, the ostentatious design and lighting are well worth it. This headset is very expensive, but it's for people who have full-on gaming desktop setups and want the best, most immersive sound while gaming (or listening to music while you work, like me). First and foremost, the sound is just incredible. The broad, expansive soundstage and deep rumbly bass make it perfect for videogames or consuming any kind of media.

   

  At this price, you get a few more bells and whistles on top of great audio. These headphones feature spatial audio, so when you set them up with the JBL software, they track the position of your head. If you turn away from your computer, the volume goes way down. The spatial audio also makes for a killer, if sometimes overstimulating, gaming experience. They also feature active noise cancellation and a super-clear boom mic. The only thing I don't like? The exterior design. If they were a bit more understated, these would be my take-everywhere, wear-every-day headphones.

   

  Works with PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Switch

   

  $300 at Best Buy

  $300 at Amazon

 

 

The Best Gaming Headsets for Every System