A PC gaming headset isn't only an essential buy if you want to play competitively – it's also a great investment if you want to indulge in a little late-night gaming without waking up the whole neighbourhood. You don't need to spend a fortune, either: regardless of whether your budget is £30 or £300, there are plenty of great-quality headsets to choose from. We know this because we've hunted high and low for the very best PC gaming headsets, tested them to destruction and taken our pick of the very finest.
Read on and our buying guide will answer all the key questions. Further down the page, you'll find our pick of the best PC gaming headsets.
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How to choose the best PC gaming headset for you
How important is sound quality for a gaming headset?
A headset's frequency response and overall clarity will impact your ability to hear enemies coming – and that's why we pay close attention to a headset's sub-bass, mid-bass, mids, highs and soundstage (which is how far sounds spread left and right) when we're testing. Headsets that provide the clearest, most spacious soundstage will aid you in locating the enemies you can't see, and those with the best microphones will ensure your teammates hear you loud and clear in the heat of battle.
As headsets have to pack in a bundled microphone and gaming-friendly features, you can end up paying a premium over a bog-standard pair of headphones. But while headsets might not provide the audio refinement of a comparably priced pair of dedicated headphones, you can expect the best ones to perform well for both games and music.
How do I connect my headset and do I need a soundcard?
PC headsets have three ways of communicating with your PC: digitally via USB, a 3.5mm audio jack (and sometimes two) or a wireless connection.
If you're looking at a headset that connects via a 3.5mm jack (some also use two 3.5mm connections, one for the headphones and one for the microphone), you might want to look into purchasing a dedicated soundcard. Onboard soundcards found on either desktops or laptops can potentially pick up static noise due to poor shielding or dodgy power supplies, which will negatively affect the sound quality.
To bypass your onboard soundcard, you can purchase a £6 USB soundcard from Amazon . This will completely eliminate static noise from your 3.5mm-connected headset. If you want the best performance from a headset used via an analogue connection, however, it may be worth investing in a pricier external or internal soundcard.
Do I need a wireless headset?
Wireless technology works well in headsets as there's no perceived audio delay. But it's worth remembering that you may lose a little audio fidelity via a wireless connection – it all depends on the headset and its specifications. Of course, if you want to go wireless, there are other issues to consider: you'll pay a premium for the privilege and will have to remember to charge your headset. Read our guide to the best wireless gaming headsets for more information.
Should I worry about build quality or weight?
A well-built headset should last you several years. It all depends on how often you use it, how you treat it and, of course, how well it was manufactured. Pricier headsets often add sturdier-feeling hinges and materials in addition to improved sound quality and fancy features.
Weight is another key consideration as the heavier the headset, the less comfortable it will be for epic gaming sessions. Another comfort factor is the size of the earpieces. As not everyone's ears are the same, the earpieces on certain models may potentially press on the earlobe or around the ear and cause pain. What might be comfortable for a few minutes may be extremely uncomfortable after an hour.
Is software important for gaming headsets?
When it comes to headsets, there isn't much in the way of essential software. Unlike gaming mice and keyboards, a headset doesn't need to be configured. However, some manufacturers bundle software to allow you to change microphone characteristics, EQs, lighting and even the programmable buttons on wireless headsets.
What about LED lights?
Lighting is a feature that's a little more recent, with even cheaper headsets now offering basic lighting capabilities. Since the headset will be on your head most of the time, though, you won't get the same benefit as you do from LED lighting on gaming mice and keyboards – you won't be able to utilise its lighting capabilities to provide you with visual prompts, for instance.
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The best PC gaming headsets to buy
1. Venom Sabre: The best budget PC gaming headset
Price: £29 | Buy now from Amazon
"Budget" doesn’t have to mean poor quality and the Venom Sabre headset is a case in point. Its impressive build quality belies its price tag and the design looks sleek with discreet Venom logos adorning the outside of the large, round earcups. The earcups themselves are lined with soft leatherette and contribute to a comfortable fit, which is further enhanced by the self-adjusting, suspension-style headband.
Despite lacking the noise-cancelling properties of some of the microphone’s on this list, voice clarity is more than adequate when communicating using the Venom Sabre’s mic. But what’s really great about it is that it’s retractable, so you can simply stow it away inside the plastic housing of the left earcup when not in use. Detachable mics are all well and good but can be easily misplaced; there’s no danger of that with the Sabre. In terms of its audio, the Venom Sabre again exceeds expectations given its cost. Detailed mids make dialogue easily intelligible and action games thrive on the Sabre’s powerful bass reproduction, which packs plenty of punch.
It would have been nice to see a travelling pouch included with the headset but the lack of one doesn’t detract from what is an excellent headset for those on a tight budget.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm; Cable length: 1.2m + 1m splitter cable; Weight: 285g
2. Razer Blackshark V2: The best PC gaming headset
Price: £100 l Buy now from Razer
If you’re the type that likes to tinker with audio levels through granular control, then the Razer Blackshark V2 could be just the ticket. This wired headset allows you to fully customise various audio frequencies, with the ability to adjust the overall tone of your audio output in up to five different modes.
The sound output is truly astonishing, too. The large 50mm drivers deliver a wide soundstage, and THX Spatial audio (enabled via the tiny 7.1 channel USB sound card) helps maximise your spatial awareness, allowing you to better identify where your foe might be lurking. The detachable mic also sounds great, blocking out unwanted background noise while boosting vocal clarity and it also works with PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and smartphones with a 3.5mm headphone socket.
Likewise, the Blackshark V2 is among one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve ever tested. The ultra-soft memory foam ear cushions and padded headband makes for a lightweight, breathable headset that feels just as comfortable at the end of your four-hour gaming binge as it did at the beginning. The only downside is that this isn’t a wireless headset, although the included 1.8m cable should be long enough for most gaming setups.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm, USB sound card; Cable length: 1.8m; Weight: 262g
Buy now from Razer
3. EKSA E900 Pro: The most comfortable PC gaming headset under £50
Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon
Like its predecessor the E900 Stereo, the E900 Pro excels in the comfort stakes. The lightweight frame and super-soft cushioning allow you to game for hours on end without any issues. New to the Pro model is a choice of connections: you can now connect using a 3.5mm jack (plus 2-in-1 aux-in splitter) or USB-A cable, both of which come included in the box. The way the headset is controlled has also changed, too. Adjusting volume and mic-muting are now done via easily accessible controls on the left earcup rather than an in-line remote.
When it comes to audio, the EKSA E900 Pro is capable of delivering 7.1 virtual surround sound, though you’ll need to download a driver from the EKSA website to enable it. Sound quality is decent considering the headset's price and gamers that like intense audio will love how loud and bassy the E900 Pro is at maximum volume. That bass comes at the cost of detail though, so you may be better off dialling the volume back a touch if you want to hear everything that’s going on on-screen. The detachable mic worked perfectly well in testing and for those that like a bit of illumination on their headset, the EKSA logo glows red when you’re connected via USB.
The EKSA E900 Pro offers impressive value for money (it even includes a neat carrying pouch) and is undoubtedly the most comfortable headset we’ve tested in its price range.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: Yes; Connection: 3.5mm/USB-A; Cable length: 3.5mm cable - 1.8m + 0.25m splitter cable USB-A cable - 1.8m; Weight: 260g
4. Creative SXFI Theater: The best PC gaming headset for audiophiles
Price: £170 | Buy now from Creative
Using Creative's audio holography Super X-Fi technology, the Creative SXFI Theater team 50mm drivers aim to deliver an audio experience that truly has to be heard to be believed. You have to create a personal profile by getting a friend to snap a picture of your ears via the SXFI app first but once that's done and uploaded to the SXFI Theater headset, you'll experience deep, gut-rumbling bass, crisp mids and detailed high-frequencies that put you right in the heart of the action.
The headset employs Creative's audio holography SXFI technology to make it sound as if you're listening to a pair of speakers, or a surround-sound system instead of a pair of humdrum headphones. This works surprisingly well, adding a sense of space that isn't there with regular headphones; however, it's the dynamic range of the drivers, the low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection, and the ease with which you can create your own custom EQ profiles that really makes these headphones special.
They're also super comfortable, thanks to deeply cushioned pleather earcups, battery life is up to 30 hours and the microphone quality is pretty decent, too. As with many headsets, this can be removed if you don't like having it in your eye line. The only negative is a slightly high price and the fact that the headset isn't compatible with the Xbox One S or X. It'll work perfectly with your Playstation, Nintendo Switch, PC or Mac, however.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: Yes; Illumination: Yes; Connection: 2.4GHz wireless (1.5m 3.5mm cable also supplied); Weight: 347g (with microphone attached)
5. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox: Best wireless PC gaming headset
Price: £100 | Buy now from Amazon
Although its name implies that it's an Xbox-only peripheral, this wireless SteelSeries headset is capable of so much more. The Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox comes boxed with a USB-C transmitter that links up to the headset with a wireless 2.4GHz lossless connection and, in addition to the Xbox, it can be plugged into a PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch or Android device. Don't have a USB-C port to spare? The bundled USB-A adapter has you covered.
This is one of the most comfortable wireless headsets we've tested and can be happily worn for hours on end. Its steel-reinforced, cushioned headband ensures a snug fit, and the foam-padded earcups and pleather interior make it feel plush around the ears. The low-latency audio quality delivered by its 40mm speaker drivers is excellent, and the same can be said of the recording and noise-cancelling capabilities of the 'Discord-certified' detachable boom mic.
SteelSeries promises a battery life of up to 20hrs on each charge and, if you do run out, you can always switch to a wired connection using the provided 3.5mm cable. To cap it off, SteelSeries also throws in a one-month code for Xbox Games Pass Ultimate worth £11.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox review for more details
Key specs – Drivers: 40mm; Wireless: Yes; Illumination: No; Connection: USB-C 2.4GHz (wireless), 3.5mm (wired); Cable length : 1m; Weight: 254g
6. Corsair HS70 Bluetooth: The best Bluetooth PC gaming headset
Price: £100 | Buy now from Scan
This unassuming gaming headset from Corsair shot to the top of our wireless gaming headset roundup simply by representing excellent value for money. Aside from pairing with your PC via Bluetooth, it also supports simultaneous inputs, meaning you can wire it to your games console and pair it to your phone or PC to enjoy a chat app like Discord AND in-game audio at the same time.
To our ears, Corsair's decision to side-step 2.4GHz connectivity hasn't had a detrimental effect; the HS70 Bluetooth sounds remarkably good for a wireless headset of this price. The soundstage is wide, the bass registers, deep but not overpowering and the higher frequencies, warm and – crucially – well-represented. Of course, you can simply wire the headset to your device if you're concerned about connectivity affecting audio quality.
Cup-mounted controls include the basics: a mic mute, power button and volume wheel adorn the ear cups with little company other than a 3.5mm jack and USB-C port. The bendy mic is removable and a small port cover is included for use when the mic is unplugged.
Best of all, the HS70 is comfortable to wear and remarkably well built, a tasteful mixture of matte metal and soft foam. Oh, and let's not forget the battery life, which certainly lives up to the advertised 30 hours.
In short, if you need a versatile Bluetooth gaming headset for everyday use, this is it.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: Yes; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm, Bluetooth, USB-C; Cable length: 1.2m; Weight: 352g
7. Fnatic React: The best PC gaming headset for eSports fans
Price: £70 | Buy now from Amazon
You’d be forgiven for thinking that a gaming headset produced by one of the world’s most famous eSports organisations might rely on gimmicks and branding to sell units. But the React from Fnatic, one of the leading League of Legends and CS:GO teams, doesn’t do either. Instead, it delivers excellent sound and a high-quality detachable microphone at a very reasonable price.
In addition to nailing audio and communication, the headset impresses in the comfort stakes too, with large ear cups lined with extremely soft memory foam and faux-leather. They don’t create the best seal over your ears and the Fnatic logo is an out of date iteration, but those are small flaws in an otherwise fantastic gaming headset. Regardless of whether you’re a Fnatic fan, Major League Gamer or a filthy casual, the React is a great headset at a very reasonable price.
Read our full Fnatic React review for details
Key specs – Drivers: 53mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm; Cable length: 1.2m + 2.0m extension; Weight: 350g
8. PuroGamer Gaming Headset: The best volume-limited headset
Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon
Gaming headsets often focus on reproducing sound loudly and intensely in an effort to boost the wearer’s immersion. The PuroGamer wired headset is a little different. It limits volume to a maximum of 85 decibels - the level where audio can become harmful if listened to for long periods of time - while providing a crystal clear sonic experience.
It shines when you’re playing games featuring a lot of dialogue due to its accurate representation of mid and high-frequency sound, and its in-cable controls are simple and easy to use. The detachable mic is high quality, allowing for clear communication with those you’re playing with, while successfully minimising how much ambient noise is picked up.
Thanks to its volume-limiting capabilities, the PuroGamer headset is an excellent choice for children, though anyone can benefit from the impressive toning down of ear-shattering gunshots and explosions.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm, USB Type-A; Cable length: 1.4m; Weight: 355g
9. HyperX Cloud II: An X-ceptional all-rounder
Price: £79 | Buy now from Amazon
The HyperX Cloud II is highly respected amongst audiophiles and gamers – and with good reason. The sturdy build impresses from the off, while the metallic headband construction and attractive stitching make it easy on the eye. It's also comfortable to wear and the velour pads give you the option to choose which suit you best.
The headset comes bundled with a miniature 7.1-channel USB soundcard that also serves as a 2m extension cable. You'll get the best results using the headset via USB, but it can also be used while connected through a standard 3.5mm connection if you prefer.
The sound quality is very impressive with an expansive soundstage that easily trumps its cheaper sibling, the HyperX Stinger. Sub-bass goes fairly deep, mid-bass is controlled yet punchy, the mid-range is forceful and the highs only fall short at the extreme end of the frequency scale. Thanks to the noise-cancelling microphone, the Cloud II's microphone is very good, too, and picks up voices with a clear, natural sound.
Key specs – Drivers: 53mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm and USB; Cable length : 1m (+ 2m extension); Weight: 350g
10. Logitech G Pro Headset: The best PC gaming headset for work
Price: £85 | Buy now from Amazon
Logitech's G Pro range is aimed at those who don't want fancy lighting or wireless features. This is a headset built to blend in at work whilst still giving you that competitive edge when gaming.
The G Pro Headset follows this philosophy by offering a simplistic design. The all-black headset features drivers that pivot for easy storage, large ear pads and appropriate padding to create a comfortable headset. Both the microphone and the audio cable are detachable.
Its standout feature is audio quality: for under £100, its sound quality is seriously impressive – from its punchy bass to the sparkly highs, the headset has everything you'd want. Unlike many of its competitors, the headset has forward-sounding mids, which results in an engaging sound signature. Its soundstage is also impressive, with excellent instrument separation and dynamic width.
Its recording quality is also impressive. With clear mid and high tones, the microphone reproduces vocal tones accurately – although it lacks bass.
Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm; Cable length: 2m; Weight: 320g
11. HyperX Cloud Orbit S: The best premium PC gaming headset
Price: £300 | Buy now from Amazon
This feature-rich headset from HyperX simply oozes quality. The build quality is top-notch, with plush earcups providing a comfortable fit while blocking out a significant amount of external noise.
But what truly sets the Cloud Orbit S apart is its audio. HyperX teamed up with Audeze to create the headset and it incorporates the brand’s renowned 100mm planar magnetic drivers. These produce the crispest, most detailed audio we’ve heard from a gaming headset across each of its three modes: 7.1, Hi-res and stereo. There are eight EQ profiles to choose from, including Music, Racing and RPG and each is expertly crafted, with nuances that make them feel perfectly suited to their specific genre. There’s also 3D audio and head tracking courtesy of Waves Nx. While it’s engaged, what was already an exceptional audio experience becomes truly immersive, with gunshots, explosions and dialogue coming at you from all angles. The quality of the detachable boom mic quality isn’t quite as impressive, with some distortion occasionally creeping in, but it wasn’t frequent enough to be an issue.
Physical buttons on the left earcup give you control over every facet of the Cloud Orbit S experience and, though they take a little getting used to, soon become intuitive. There’s plenty of flexibility in terms of connections too, with USB-A, USB-C and 3.5mm all supported and the corresponding cables included in the box.
A lack of Bluetooth connectivity and average mic aside, the Cloud Orbit S is a truly exceptional gaming headset with audio, comfort and connectivity to justify its premium price tag.
Key specs – Drivers: 100mm; Wireless: No; Illumination: No; Connection: 3.5mm, USB-C, USB-A; Cable length: 3.5mm cable - 1.2m, USB-C - 1.5m, USB-A - 3m; Weight: 359g
