The Best Gaming Headsets in 2024

A good gaming headset can make a huge difference in not just your gaming experience but also your performance. Just as using one of the best PC speakers can enhance your audio experience, a gaming headset can do so several times better. Ever wondered how professional gamers are well aware of their surroundings in fast-paced games like CS or Valorant? This is all because of their headsets that provide them with little details of who’s walking behind them or from which direction the bullet came.

Finding the best gaming headset is essential for every gamer to not only enhance their responsiveness but also to get immersed in the vast gaming world. It’s how the game developers want you to experience their games, observing and listening to the small details spread throughout the in-game world. Good gaming headsets are far superior to any surround sound system and not having one means limiting yourself in enjoying the games to the fullest.

Luckily for you, there are plenty of great headsets available at different price points, offering plenty of modern features, fine-tuned drivers, thumpy bass, and the customization you need to make sure you can lead your team to win the match. Here are the best gaming headsets for everyone, including those who play on the PC or on consoles.

TCG’s Picks for the Best Gaming Headsets in 2024

When you need top-notch audio delivery along with an excellent microphone, the Arctis Nova 5 is where your search should end. The Arctis series has become quite popular in recent years due to offering different tiers of headsets for gamers with different budgets. Arctis Nova 5 is one of the most recent additions to the company’s Arctis Nova lineup, providing more versatility so you can manage all of its functions quickly on the go.

The Nova 5 is designed specially keeping the customizations in mind. It offers a dedicated Companion App that comes with 100+ Game Audio Presets, allowing you to choose any of your favorite presets while you are inside the game. Connectivity is also hassle-free and allows you to switch between the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection with a switch provided on the headset. Its battery life is drastically improved from the previous editions and offers quick charging that never keeps you out of the game for long. From ergonomics to compatibility with various platforms, the Arctis Nova 5 is a top-grade headset at an affordable price tag that makes the listening and communicating experience better.

If you think paying more always means better, you need to think twice. The Razer BlackShark V2 X proves this notion wrong in every way. Compared to a lot of budget headsets, the BlackShark V2 X wins by a mile. Not only does it offer 7.1 surround sound, but it also offers big Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers for a clear and crisp audio delivery, which doesn’t distort at high volume. The earcups are well-cushioned and feature advanced passive noise cancellation to ensure no noise enters for better immersion.

On the left earcup, you will find a flexible microphone that picks up less noise and makes communication clearer with your teammates. The headset, although wired, is compatible with several platforms including PC, the latest PlayStation consoles, and even Nintendo Switch. On top of that, the app support Razer provides doesn’t need any introduction but you don’t need to configure it. With plug-and-play functionality, it’s ready to work out of the box and provide you with the premium quality sound you are looking for under $50.

The soundstage and imaging of the Arctis Pro is unparalleled. The spatial audio it delivers will not only immerse you in your game but will also give you an unfair advantage over your opponents. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick up and identify the accurate location of your enemy just by listening? If you think it is crucial for competitive gaming, the Arctis Pro will be your best gaming companion. Unlike most headsets, the Arctis Pro is actually way ahead in frequency reproduction and supports a 10Hz – 40kHz frequency range to bring sharper and clearer sound quality.

The design is incredible too, helping you isolate from the surroundings to feel the real spatial sound delivery. However, one of the most notable features is its combination with the GameDAC, which is a dealbreaker on its own. It boasts plenty of connectivity ports, including Optical, USB, and 3.5mm jacks for various platforms, and has the option to tweak the EQ modes through a built-in OLED display where you can tweak the presets according to your needs. The Arctis Pro brings a bidirectional microphone and is impressive in noise cancellation for effective communication. While its wired connection is something that can put off some users, the cable can be detached from the headset for easy portability.

When it comes to gaming sessions that end up going on for several hours, it’s usual to have pain in the ears due to the constant pressure of earcups and the overall weight of the headset. Fortunately for you, Logitech has the right answer. This is the G535 Lightspeed and as the name suggests, it brings a lightweight construction that makes it weigh only 236 grams out of the box, which is lower than most good gaming headsets available on the market. The result of a lightweight headset is pretty observable if you are a veteran gamer.

Combine that with soft memory foam earcups and mesh material, you will have no sweating. Furthermore, the suspension headband distributes its weight to relieve pressure points. The G535 is all about competitive gaming sessions but doesn’t disappoint when it comes to actual sound delivery. It may be somewhat inconsistent compared to premium headsets but unless you are an audiophile who has tried dozens of premium headsets, you won’t be able to notice those. It could have been great if the G535 was equipped with ANC but if you are all alone in your room, it will be decent for most uses.

There is a reason why the HyperX Cloud II is still dominating the headset market even several years after its launch. Cloud II is one of the most popular gaming headsets of all time, offering competitive features for less than 100 bucks, and is available in both wired and wireless editions. While the wireless edition costs around $125, the wired edition is a bit under $90, making it a solid choice for enthusiasts who want solid audio delivery and exceptional comfort without breaking the bank. The Cloud II uses memory foam and premium leatherette to achieve maximum comfort and makes sure your listening experience is free from background noise.

While it doesn’t support active noise cancellation, its passive noise isolation is up to the mark. Its semi-modular design is also appreciable, letting you detach the microphone at will or whenever you want better portability. It is still a bit bulkier compared to most gaming headsets on the market but if that’s not an issue, the Cloud II will be perfect for multimedia and gaming. Unlike most headsets, the Cloud II also provides native support to the latest Xbox consoles and comes with a dedicated audio control box to boost the microphone or volume.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the choice of professional gamers and even if you aren’t a professional, this would be a badass in enhancing your listening experience. Nova Pro is a multi-system gaming headset, offering connectivity with two devices simultaneously. You can easily connect it to your PC and console or mobile at the same time and switch between them with a press of a button. The OLED Base Station makes using it highly convenient since it allows you to control various sound properties.

If you love full immersion, the Arctis Nova Pro will amaze you with its Neodymium magnetic drivers that carry an active noise cancellation feature to reproduce high-fidelity sound. So, whether you love watching movies with Dolby support or want an unfair advantage over your opponent in games like CS and Valorant, the Spatial audio support will help you immensely. Surely, it’s an expensive piece of audio equipment but it will be a terrific one-time investment that comes with multi-device compatibility and premium build quality.

What to Look for When Buying a Gaming Headset?

Comfort and Adjustability: A good headset should be comfortable for long sessions. Well-cushioned earcups, adjustable headbands, and pressure-relieving characteristics are some fundamentals of a good gaming headset. Comfort should not be compromised since poor design can lead to ear and even headaches. Adjustment of headsets and earcups, and being able to retract microphones are some good properties to look at when buying a good headset.

Audio Delivery: A clear and crisp audio delivery is pleasant to the ears. The audio quality depends on the drivers used inside a headset. Make sure you check the drivers for high-fidelity audio if you are an enthusiast. Generally, headsets that cost $100 or higher will deliver exceptional audio with better immersion. For gaming, we recommend looking for headsets that support at least 7.1 surround sound but spatial audio is always better.

ANC and PNI: ANC or active noise cancellation is an advanced technology that lets a headset determine the surrounding noise and cancel it to keep the listening experience pleasurable. On the other hand, PNI or passive noise isolation is also a method for keeping the surrounding noise out of the earcups. It’s not as good as ANC but it generally works ok for most users. ANC is a premium experience, so you will mostly find it on more expensive models.

Compatibility: Headsets that can be connected to multiple platforms are always better when it comes to convenience. For example, a headset that is only compatible with PC and not with consoles will force users to buy another headset for their console or mobile device. Wide compatibility allows users to switch platforms easily but moreover, a good headset comes with a dedicated app for easier customizations.

FAQ

Are wireless gaming headsets better than wired ones?

Wireless gaming headsets are generally hassle-free since they can operate from a distance without connecting a wire to the device. They aren’t essentially better than wired ones when it comes to audio quality and introduce input lag. They also need charging but most headsets can work for several days on a single charge.

How important is surround sound in a gaming headset?

Surround sound can be extremely crucial in competitive games where you need to identify the actual location of the sound source. This can be the footstep sound of an enemy walking behind you, gunfire at a near distance, or the sound of little elements all around.

What is the best gaming headset for under $100?

Currently, there are a couple of great gaming headsets under $100. Some of the best ones are HyperX Cloud II, Razer Barracuda X, and Logitech G535.