The best gaming headset to get in 2022

Finding the best gaming headset is essential. Gaming speakers don’t offer the same level of immersion and let distractions hinder your game. Regular headphones can be sufficient, but serious players will prefer the added comfort, integrated microphone, wider soundstage, and extravagant gaming aesthetics.

However, not all gaming headphones are created equal. To separate the wheat from the chaff, we looked at price, value, audio quality, 3D space reproduction, comfort, compatibility, and design. Our list of the best gaming headsets will include a variety of products for different needs. Let’s get started!

The best gaming headsets

1. Epos H3Pro Hybrid

If you have a bigger than average budget and want one of the best gaming headsets for the money, the Epos H3Pro Hybrid is definitely worth looking at. This wireless headset offers ANC for maximum immersion in your games and the sound curve that the headphones put out is very close to the ideal curve that our friends at Soundguys test for. See their review for a more in-depth analysis of the headset. 

Don’t miss: Epos H3Pro Hybrid review

The H3Pro Hybrid also brings a solid microphone to the table, which you can hear below. It’s detachable too so that the headphones don’t stick out while using them for non-gaming use, such as with a phone. The Epos H3Pro Hybrid isn’t the cheapest, but it’s worth every penny if you value quality gaming audio.

Epos H3Pro Hybrid microphone demo:

2. Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE

Corsair manufactures some of the most popular gaming headsets around, and its Virtuoso Wireless SE headset is among our favorites for its microphone quality. Though it’s not quite up to snuff for podcasting, it’s one of the better boom mics you’ll find on a pair of gaming headphones. Alternatively, the microphone works just as well for things like conference calls, but you need to plug it into your laptop for that.

Corsair Virtuoso SE microphone demo:

Corsair includes a USB-C to USB-A cable, a 3.5mm aux cable, and a USB wireless dongle. It has a 20-hour battery life, which should be more than enough playtime to get you through any all-nighters. The sound quality is excellent and fairly accurate for a gaming headset. Upper-bass notes are amplified slightly, as are upper midrange notes, so explosions and speech remain clear.

3. SteelSeries Arctis 7P

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P is a comfortable and compact gaming headset that produces pleasing audio, albeit bass-boosted. The suspension headband is sure to fit various noggins, and the plush ear pads are comfortable, even for those with glasses. You can connect this headset to nearly anything with the 2.4GHz USB RF dongle and can even use the USB-C dongle for wireless Nintendo Switch playback (docked or undocked). The headset also includes a 3.5mm cable, for wired playback through an Xbox One controller.

SteelSeries Arctis 7P microphone demo:

The intuitive controls are easy to operate with little thought, and SteelSeries includes a sidetone/monitor volume dial. You can also mute the boom microphone from the headset’s controls; each button is of a different shape and size from the next, so you won’t confuse one for the other. SoundGuys‘ testing yielded over 27 hours of playtime on a single charge, exceeding the company’s claimed 24-hour battery life.

4. HyperX Cloud Alpha

Chris Thomas / Android Authority

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Pro is one of the best gaming headsets for gamers who want something simple that gets the job done without breaking the bank. It lacks fancy features, and the microphone is a bit of an underperformer, but the headset sounds great and features a comfortable, solid construction.

It uses a 3.5mm audio cable, so it is compatible with anything that has a headphone jack. For the price, you can’t really go wrong with these gaming headphones. Plus, the red accents and HyperX logo give this a distinctly “gamer” aesthetic that should fit right in with your other peripherals.

5. JBL Quantum 50

Sam Moore / Android Authority

If you don’t want a big over-the-head gaming headset, the JBL Quantum 50 is the way to go. It’s the best in-ear gaming headset you can get. You get the standard 3.5mm jack, and there are also in-line controls for volume, mic muting, and playback. The microphone quality isn’t top-notch, but the overall package is worth the asking price of $30.

Read also: Best headphones under $100

This is the perfect gaming headset for folks on the move or people that want a lightweight option. You can pair it up with your Nintendo Switch when you’re out and about, or hook it up to the 3.5mm jack on your gaming controller. All in all, a no-nonsense pair that will be well worth the money spent.

Audio is an important part of gaming, and any of these should help you challenge your opponents with great auditory performance. We hope you found the best gaming headset for you on this list, whether you are looking for performance, thumpy bass, or sheer value.

The best gaming headsets: Honorable mentions

Sam Moore / Android Authority

• Razer Kraken X: It has a lightweight design, with a headband made of durable thermoplastic. The memory foam pads feature slight gaps to alleviate pressure if you wear glasses. The attached microphone is flexible and offers clear audio.
• Fnatic React Headset: It’s a lot like the HyperX Cloud Alpha, only it doesn’t sound quite as good. The headset happens to have one of the most accurate microphones you can find in a gaming headset. It’s a great option for people who really lean on voice chat.
• HyperX Cloud Orbit S: Based on the Audeze Mobius, this headset offers almost all the same features, minus Bluetooth, for $70 less. Really, that’s the only difference.
• Logitech G Pro X: This gaming headset has one of the best microphones you can find, save for the Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE. To get the most out of this headset, you’ll need the Blue Vo!ce desktop app.
• Razer Blackshark V2: This is a fantastic gaming headset with a middling microphone. It’s extremely comfortable and boasts a premium build, sure to withstand all of your virtual adventures.

You can check out the full list of the best gaming headsets at SoundGuys for a full list of honorable mentions.

What you should know about gaming headsets

Most gaming headsets with a lot of features are geared toward use with a Windows PC. Headsets like the Audeze Mobius, Razer Kraken X, and SteelSeries Arctis Pro offer lots of different features, but a lot that relies on the use of apps you can only get on a computer.

Multi-platform headsets are hard to find

Finding a truly multi-platform headset is hard — especially if you game on an Xbox. Microsoft restricts the compatibility of accessories made for its console. You won’t find a wireless or USB headset that works fully on both Playstation and Xbox devices. Often, there are separate versions for people with different console needs, so remember to keep an eye on compatibility.

Wireless headsets don’t usually support Bluetooth

Wireless gaming headsets don’t use Bluetooth for gaming (though, some include Bluetooth as a premium feature for media playback). Bluetooth’s occasional audio lag issues may have become less of a problem over time, but no console supports Bluetooth audio, and RF transmission is totally lag-free. If you’re looking for a wireless gaming headset, expect to reserve a USB port for it.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

Working at SoundGuys is a full-time job for each team member, and every writer has multiple years of experience reviewing audio products. SoundGuys is constantly checking the pulse of the rapidly evolving audio world, allowing the team to understand what consumers what and what they deserve.

We want our readers to be happy with their purchases. None of our writers may benefit from recommending product X over product Y. To better understand how the site operates, visit the SoundGuys ethics policy page.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7orrDq6ainJGqwam70aKrsmaTpLpwrsSsq2afkaK2r7OMoZyanKOawbR5kGlua3BnaXw%3D