The best gaming headsets for 2024

Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 5 – 40,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 345g (with out cable)

The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X ought to please most individuals keen to pay for a capital-N good pair of headphones for gaming functions. It localizes sounds precisely and delivers the type of spacious soundstage anticipated from a very good open-back mannequin. Bass is a bit more current right here than on many open-back headphones as effectively. There nonetheless isn’t a lot in the best way of deep sub-bass, unsurprisingly, however there’s sufficient heat to provide stuff like explosions a bit extra juice with out muddying up the mids. Particulars within the midrange get probably the most emphasis total, however they’re clear, and their forwardness isn’t a foul factor while you’re attempting to pay attention for enemy gamers in a aggressive FPS like Counter-Strike 2 or Apex Legends. The treble isn’t pushed fairly as exhausting, but it surely’s neither overly recessed nor harsh.

All of this helps the DT 900 Professional X sound detailed however not boring. It is the type of sound that performs good whether or not you’re attempting to win a multiplayer recreation or soak up a extra cinematic single-player story. And while you’re not gaming, you get an fulfilling profile for music.

The entire thing is constructed effectively, too. The DT 900 Professional X will clamp down barely more durable than common in case you have a big head, but it surely balances its weight effectively, and its splendidly tender velour earpads go a good distance towards conserving the pair comfy over hours-long gaming periods. It comes with two removable cables, together with a three-meter choice that’s handy for those who sit far out of your PC. It may possibly’t fold up, although.

Like all open-back headphones, the DT 900 Professional X leak recreation audio and let in a number of noise, so it’s not nice on the go. Clearly, for those who can afford to improve to an ultra-premium pair like Sennheiser’s HD 800 S, you’ll get extra space and true-to-life element. However for a comparatively attainable $250 to $300, the DT 900 Professional X ought to fulfill.

Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 6 – 38,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 280g

In the event you’d reasonably not spend as a lot, the Sennheiser HD 560S is one other wonderful open-back headphone that’s typically obtainable for lower than $200. Just like the DT 900 Professional X, it has a large soundstage that makes it simpler to really feel immersed in a given recreation. Its signature is barely extra impartial on the entire, so that you received’t really feel such as you’re lacking any a part of what’s taking place, and it retrieves a stunning quantity of treble and midrange element. There’s much less bass energy for explosions, although. And the treble, whereas extra current right here than on Beyerdynamic’s pair, can sound piercing at instances. Imaging isn’t fairly as nuanced both, although it’s removed from poor.

The HD560S’ design is lots comfy to put on for prolonged durations. It doesn’t clamp down too exhausting on these with huge heads (like yours actually), and its velour earpads hug the ears softly. The included cable is detachable, too. The plastic body doesn’t really feel as sturdy or premium because the DT 900 Professional X, nonetheless, so that you received’t wish to chuck it round haphazardly. It will not isolate a lot noise both, nor will it stop others from listening to what you are taking part in. However, the HD 560S is a pleasure, and an incredible worth.

Enclosure: Open-back (on-ear) | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 15 – 25,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 43g

In the event you can’t spend greater than $50, it’s still hard to high the Koss KSC75. It prices $20, however judging purely on audio high quality, it’s higher than some headphones priced nearer to $100. This pair may be very clearly devoid of deep bass, so that you received’t get that full-bodied oomph from in-game results. You additionally will not hear all of the intricate particulars you’d decide up with the pricier headphones above. Nevertheless it locates sounds precisely, and its open design delivers an actual sense of width. It’s an excellent worth for aggressive play.

The catch is that it’s constructed like a set of free airline headphones. The KSC75 has an odd clip-on design that’s light-weight however received’t be a snug match for everybody. It definitely appears prefer it prices $20, although Koss backs it with a lifetime warranty that basically enables you to get infinite replacements for $9 every. Even when the KSC75 are pushing 20 years previous, its comparatively balanced sound stays significantly well-suited for gaming.

Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Planar magnetic | Frequency response: 10 – 50,000Hz | Mic: Sure, removable | Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, AAC, SBC), 3.5mm, USB-C digital audio (non-obligatory), Xbox Wi-fi (non-obligatory) | Weight: 490g

In the event you’re keen to pay further for a premium gaming headset with a extra isolating closed-back design, get the . At $299 for a PS5 mannequin or $329 for an Xbox mannequin, it’s not low cost, but it surely’s one of many few devoted gaming headsets we have used whose audio high quality holds up subsequent to the higher “regular” wi-fi headphones available on the market.

The Maxwell’s default signature is sort of a extra refined model of the frequent “gaming headset” sound. Bass is impactful however well-controlled, whereas highs are crisp however not sharp. There is a bit of additional vitality within the upper-mids, but it surely’s not overwhelming, and the headset’s planar-magnetic drivers do effectively to breed smaller intricacies all through. It nonetheless cannot present the immersive width and exact imaging of our open-back picks, the Atlas Air included, however the Maxwell sounds unusually textured, balanced and intimate in comparison with different wi-fi gaming headsets. Whereas it lacks the airiness of the Turtle Seashore headset, the punchier low-end makes issues like footsteps extra simply identifiable in video games. In the event you don’t just like the out-of-the-box profile, Audeze’s app additionally consists of plenty of tasteful EQ presets.

Alongside these traces, the Maxwell’s removable growth mic is a standout. It does an exceptional job of muting background noise, and whereas your voice will lose some air, it will sound clearer and fuller right here than on most wi-fi headsets we’ve examined.

The Maxwell may be very a lot on the cumbersome facet, it leaks sound at increased volumes, and its metal headband makes use of an odd suspension mechanism that is successfully unimaginable to regulate with out taking the headset off. Usually, although, its design feels substantial. The squishy, closely padded ear cups could make your ears really feel heat, however they hold the headset comfy and isolate a good quantity of out of doors noise. The important controls are constructed into the left earcup, and the machine can join over Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable along with a USB-C wi-fi dongle. You possibly can even join to 2 units without delay, one over the dongle and one other over Bluetooth, although you possibly can’t stream audio from each sources concurrently. The headset additionally must be powered on with a purpose to play music over a cable.

Audeze charges the Maxwell’s battery life at roughly 80 hours, which is nice and has typically held true in our testing. You may get a bit much less for those who play at excessive volumes or use options like Bluetooth or sidetone closely, although.

Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 369g (with out cable)

In the event you’d choose to avoid wasting money and purchase a good wired gaming headset, contemplate the . It’s one other open-back pair that sounds extra spacious than most conventional gaming headsets and customarily locates in-game results precisely. Its sound signature emphasizes the bass, which supplies explosions a clean and satisfying thump, but it surely doesn’t overdo the low-end the best way a lot of its friends do.

The A40’s audio high quality remains to be a step behind the DT 900 Professional X, HD 560S and Atlas Air, particularly for on-line shooters. Subsequent to these headphones, its veiled treble and pushed upper-bass/low-mids can blunt footsteps and different tremendous particulars. Its soundstage is narrower by comparability as effectively. Nevertheless it’s higher balanced than most gaming headsets, particularly these in its value vary. It does effectively to envelop you in no matter’s taking place onscreen.

Consolation shouldn’t be a difficulty, both. The A40 is on the bulkier facet, however its weight is evenly distributed, and it doesn’t clamp down overly exhausting. The fuzzy earpads are tender and breathable, whereas the ear cups are roomy sufficient to suit bigger ears. The headset has the same old open-back shortcomings, although, because it leaks a bunch of sound and blocks virtually zero exterior noise. The mostly-plastic design appears “gamer-y” and lacks built-in quantity controls, too. No one would name it “premium.” Nonetheless, it isn’t flimsy.

The A40’s mic, in the meantime, is simply OK. It picks up background noises whilst you chat and makes voices sound considerably muffled. It’s serviceable, however you’d purchase the A40 for its sound high quality (and relative worth) first. The mic isn’t removable both, however you possibly can simply flip it up and out of the best way.

The A40 has been round for a number of years now, however its value has come down from $150 to a extra affordable $130 in that point. Astro sells an non-obligatory with further controls for $130, however at that value we’d strongly advise shopping for one among our different picks as an alternative.

Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 10 – 28,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 275g

You received’t discover a good open-back gaming headset for lower than $50, so for those who’re on a good funds and wish a built-in mic, you’ll should compromise on sound high quality. With that in thoughts, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a good purchase for $40 or so. It will get the consolation half proper, as its pleather ear cups don’t clamp down exhausting and have sufficient tender padding the place it counts. Its mic makes voices sound comparatively clear and correct as effectively. The truth is, the mic is a transparent step up over the Astro A40’s, although it isn’t removable.

The Cloud Stinger 2 has a V-shaped sound signature, which is to say it exaggerates the bass and treble whereas recessing the mids. It’s not unhealthy for what it’s, and it’ll undoubtedly give motion scenes a heavy dose of growth. However the upper-bass is bumped to the purpose the place it could get tiring over time, and also you lose a few of the tremendous particulars you’d hear on our different picks. Since this can be a low cost closed-back headset, the Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t sound practically as broad because the pairs above, neither is it as nuanced about positioning sounds precisely. All of that makes it lower than excellent for aggressive video games, although it could nonetheless sound “enjoyable” with many different titles.

Past that, the plastic design feels cheapish. Its cable isn’t detachable, and it doesn’t block a lot exterior noise regardless of having a closed-back design. However, you must decide your battles on this value vary. The Cloud Stinger 2 is flawed, but it surely does sufficient effectively to be a very good headset for sure budget-conscious consumers.

The Astro A50 X prices an eye-watering $380, so we will’t moderately advocate it to most individuals. Nonetheless, for those who can abdomen the worth, this can be a uniquely handy wi-fi headset for hardcore players who personal a PS5, Xbox Collection X/S and gaming PC. That’s primarily because of its included charging dock, which serves as a unified A/V station for these three platforms. By chaining HDMI and USB cables from a PS5, Xbox and/or PC to the A50 X’s base station, you possibly can join the headset to all three units concurrently. From there, you possibly can swap to your energetic machine simply by urgent a button on the best earcup.

It is a ache to arrange: As proven in Logitech’s 12-minute (!) video tutorial, connecting each consoles and a PC requires seven totally different cables, just a few of which aren’t within the field, plus some futzing round in every system’s menus. It’s not completely seamless as soon as the whole lot’s up and operating, both: We needed to manually change video alerts when switching from a PC to a console (although not when doing the inverse) and manually change our PC’s audio output after we needed to pay attention by way of desktop audio system. All of this requires you to maintain your gaming {hardware} in the identical space, too.

However for probably the most half, the A50 X is probably the most sensible wi-fi headset we’ve examined for multi-console setups. As an alternative of needing two headsets for Xbox and PS5/PC, or having to reconnect one headset every time you modify consoles, all you must do is take the A50 X off its dock, flip it on and choose the platform you wish to use. A small LED show on the dock will present the energetic connection, and the headset will routinely play the proper audio supply. With a PS5 and Xbox, it’ll routinely swap video. As long as you employ HDMI 2.1 cables, the bottom station can pass-through 4K 120Hz HDR video to the 2 consoles, with help for VRR and ALLM. You may also join the A50 X to a Change or cellular machine by way of Bluetooth — although it is advisable to be inside vary of the bottom station for that to work, and also you don’t get the identical fast-switching performance.

All these connectivity methods wouldn’t imply a lot if the A50 X was a shoddy headset, however fortunately, it’s not. It’s among the many better-sounding wi-fi headsets we’ve used; it’s not “$380 good,” but it surely’s dynamic, with wealthy, comparatively nuanced bass and a clear midrange. Explosions and gunshots have a very good crunch with out sounding overly thick, and it’s typically correct at finding footsteps and close by results. The Audeze Maxwell remains to be a stage above, nonetheless; the A50 X has a darker tilt by comparability, so it captures much less element within the treble vary and feels extra boxed-in. It can also’t match the broader, extra enveloping soundstage of our open-back picks. Nonetheless, most individuals will probably be proud of it, and you may customise its EQ curve to an extent by way of Logitech’s G Hub software program.

The A50 X’s design is sort of a nicer model of the A40. It’s largely plastic, but it surely feels sturdy. The fuzzy, fabric-covered foam on its earpads and headband is tender and breathable, and whereas the headset isn’t tremendous gentle at 0.8 kilos, it distributes its weight in a approach that feels comfy but safe. You may also alter your game-to-chat audio combine proper from an earcup. It doesn’t isolate exterior noise very effectively, although, and its growth mic is completely hooked up. Its battery life is mediocre as effectively — Astro charges it at as much as 24 hours at reasonable volumes — however because the headset is designed to take a seat on its dock when it’s not in use, that is not a severe situation. The mic, in the meantime, is without doubt one of the perfect we’ve used any gaming headset, wired or wi-fi. Voices sound cleaner and extra pure than they do with the Maxwell, and background noise is basically saved in test.

Enclosure: Closed-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 60 – 20,000Hz | Mic: Sure, not removable | Connectivity: HDMI audio, USB audio, Bluetooth | Weight: 363g