A good quality headset can do wonders. You’ll hear everything far more precisely, and the added intensity provides a greater sense of atmosphere in your PC gaming world. Plus, they offer a great way for hanging out with friends virtually! However, picking up a headset that suits your games, your station and also any other consoles like your PlayStation or Xbox can be tough.
Our guide looks at the most vital aspects, such as sound, compatibility, and microphone functions. Whether you’re looking for a wireless headset that'll allow you to jump for joy when you’ve won or a budget wired option under £50, our top 10 from Amazon and Argos has a perfect match for everyone. Moreover, we have partnered with video game blogger Benjamin Titmus for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top PC Gaming Headsets
Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy.
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Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy. Learn more about him and his blogs from here.
Although almost all headsets work with Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems, it's wise to check the specifics. You wouldn't want to be caught out for having not read the description.
On top of this, if you use consoles other than your PC for gaming, say, you like a cheeky session on the PS4 or Xbox from time to time, then it could be worth considering a headset that is compatible with other platforms.
You won't need to fork out multiple headsets to use on different platforms, so this could save you a bit of money, which means more cash for games – score!
If you're an avid PC gamer, consider upgrading to a mechanical keyboard for a more consistent and durable experience.
First up is stereo sound. The speakers within these headsets work by utilising two single channels, left and right. Though they aren't completely immersive, if you like playing simpler PC games that don’t require a cinematic, dynamic experience, such as Minecraft, racing games, or children's games, they'll do the job perfectly well.
Headsets that use stereo sound also tend to be a wee bit cheaper, so if you’re on a tight budget then this is a good way of keeping costs down. Stereo headsets are ready to plug straight into the k audio jack and don't require any additional setup, meaning you can crack on with gaming straight out of the box.
For a more immersive experience, surround sound is the way to go. This style of headset has numerous speakers in each ear that provide a full 360-degree soundscape, but this extra tech does make them slightly more expensive, although there are more affordable options nowadays than in previous years.
You'll want to make sure that the games you play can make use of the surround sound technology. While many AAA games and competitive multiplayer titles will have fully dynamic surround sound, many indie titles will only have a stereo output.
Get that competitive edge with a gaming mouse!
Wired PC headsets are often a little cheaper than wireless options and they'll never run out of juice, so you can rest assured you’ll always be able to communicate with your teammates in-game. You will have limited movement and the extra wires can clutter up a desk.
On the other hand, wireless headsets give you the freedom to play from wherever you can see the screen. Even if you were talking to friends and wanted to nip downstairs for a drink, you’d be able to keep on chatting! The only downside is that they'll need regular charging so we’d recommend a headset that has around 15-hour battery life.
While there are many microphone features, we’ve picked the 3 we find most useful. Noise cancellation is ideal if you live on a busy street or your PC is in a shared space, as it'll reduce any background interference and focus the mic to pick up only what is spoken into it, therefore giving your voice more clarity.
If you do share your house with others, you can sometimes be drawn into a conversation that's irrelevant to your game, and that you don't want others listening in to. This is where a mute feature can come in handy, which turns on either by moving the mic to an upright position or via a button on one ear cup.
We also think a detachable or retractable microphone is a good idea if you plan on using your headset to listen to music or podcasts outside the comfort of your own home. Trust us, it’ll save you some awkward glances.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Corsair Virtuoso | ![]() | Good Looking, Great Functionality, With All the Extras | |
2 | HyperX Cloud Revolver S | ![]() | Built for FPS Titles That Require Complete Situational Awareness | |
3 | SteelSeries Arctis 7 | ![]() | A Multi-Award Winning Wireless Headset | |
4 | Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (2nd Generation) | ![]() | Make Yourself a Hero With Superhuman Hearing | |
5 | Corsair HS35 | ![]() | The Best Budget PC Headset | |
6 | Razer Nari Ultimate | ![]() | Add a New Layer to Your Gaming With Haptic Feedback | |
7 | Logitech G Pro X (2nd Generation) | ![]() | A Brilliant Mid-Range Product With an Extra Crisp Microphone | |
8 | HyperX Cloud II | ![]() | An Ideal Option for Those Wanting a Bass-Heavy Headset | |
9 | Bengoo G9000 | ![]() | A Beginner Headset With Cool LED Lights | |
10 | Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R | ![]() | Sturdy, Durable and Comfortable |
Slick, stylish and full of substance as well, these Virtuoso's are probably our favourite looking product, but they're more than just a good body. They have an uncompromising sound quality, which is pumped out through large, very respectable speakers, as well as hyper-fast wireless technology that should see no latency issues whatsoever.
Plus, they're super comfortable. They have a lightweight but strong aluminium build, and our favourite ear cup material, memory foam. On top of all of this, they're compatible with pretty much any platform any budding or pro gamer is likely to play on. All of this means this headset steals our top spot!
The Cloud series from HyperX is known for being, well, just a bit good, and this is quite possibly the best of the bunch. The rich, compelling sound will provide a total immersion and complete situational awareness when you're playing online, making them ideal for those FPS or MOBA titles we all know and love.
Additionally, this set is built with premium quality parts, such as a smooth but tough metal frame that can be easily adjusted even in-game, so you'll always have ultimate comfort. And the ear cups certainly make the headset live up to its 'cloud' name!
A match for any long-session gamers after a wireless model with solid battery life and none of the latency issues, the Arctis 7 has you covered. This multi-award winning headset has a rock-solid connection and can run for up to 24 hours off of one charge. Huge!
Furthermore, it's super comfy, with a particularly great ski headband that's great for keeping the weight off your noggin. Add to this its impressive surround sound capabilities and an effective, if not completely outstanding, microphone and you have yourself a mighty impressive gaming PC headset!
With a massive 4.4/5 stars on Amazon after 61,000+ reviews, you know this headset has a lot going for it. It offers a fully immersive surround sound experience and connects simply by via Bluetooth or a USB dongle (included). Plus, the excellent noise cancellation means no rustling crisp packets should get picked up mid-shootout.
Additionally, there's 'superhuman' hearing, which means enhanced critical in-game sounds, such as footsteps or reloads, which could give you a vital advantage during intense online matches. Plus, the ProSpecs technology means it's glasses-friendly, so you shouldn't have difficulties with awkward frames!
This is by far our favourite budget headset on the market, and our top recommendation if the purse strings are a bit tight. It has a terrific, if somewhat bass-heavy, soundscape, and the most-coveted microphone features like noise cancellation, a mute button, and detachability.
Even though it's such a bargain, Corsair hasn't shirked away from the top-drawer materials, with memory foam pads that'll provide a little bit of luxury to your PC sessions, and a metal adjustable headband that adds to the durability.
The USP of this headset from Razer is the fact that it offers haptic feedback vibrations taken from in-game cues – talk about taking things up a notch! While this could feel slightly 'gimmicky', we assure you it's done with style and will add an extra element to your experience in FPS or tension-heavy games.
Moreover, this headset has all the relevant microphone functions one could need, and you even get the option of playing either wired or wirelessly, where you can have up to 24 hours of game time on one charge.
A reliable mid-range headset, the G Pro X from Logitech has a fantastic soundscape, particularly the highs which it permits with true clarity, as well as a pro-gamer-quality microphone that's clear and detachable, and extra-comfy memory foam padding.
While the sound is good, the bass can be a bit weak, which shouldn't be a problem when gaming but if you wanted to use them as headphones it could be disappointing. There's also a stereo sound version for around £30 less, but we'd recommend paying the extra for the better sound here.
If you're in the market for a headset with a punchy low-end, then you're going to love this. This product line from HyperX is known for having a great sound and build quality, and the Cloud II duly delivers on both of these promises. While you could think the extra bass would muddy the waters, so to speak, that's not the case at all, as this headset retains great clarity.
Plus, the comfortable ear cups will ensure you enjoy long sessions without it ever becoming troublesome. The only dispute is that the microphone isn't too clear, which could lead to a lack of communication when playing online. If you're more of a listener than a talker though, it could be perfect for you.
The affordable G9000 headset is our top pick for first-time gamers. It has an adjustable headband to fit different size heads, a soft head beam pad made from memory foam for comfort and it has a 120°flexible mic.
This headset offers crisp and powerful sound allowing you to hear footsteps and even gunshots very clearly. Reviews particularly liked the LED lights on the side of the cups, however, some did mention that the adaption lead for consoles is rather short so you may need to purchase a longer one separately if needs be.
Getting us underway is the TYGR 300 from Beyerdynamic. They provide an exquisitely precise and clear sound, ideal for those PC games you're looking to get a bit of atmosphere from. The vacuum of space will have never sounded so good! There's also a luxurious quality feel, they're sturdy and durable, but most of all, comfortable.
The one negative is that fans have commented that the wire can be fragile, so you may want to take care when you're not using the headset and make sure it's packed away safely. It's also one of the more expensive options on our list, which renders it unattainable for some.
No. 1: Corsair|Virtuoso
No. 2: HyperX|Cloud Revolver S
No. 3: SteelSeries|Arctis 7
No. 4: Turtle Beach|Stealth 700 (2nd Generation)
No. 5: Corsair|HS35
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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