The Best Gaming Headsets for Any Budget

No matter which console or device you play on, these are the best wired gaming headsets you can buy.
A good headset can make all the difference in online play. You need to be able to hear your environment and your teammates with clarity, without one being drowned out by the other. Plus, they need to be comfy. Nobody likes sweaty ears. Luckily, there are quite a few headsets out there that fit the bill—no matter what console, computer, or device you game on. We’ve already picked the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets, and if you want to go wirefree check those picks out because we don’t repeat them here. This guide covers the best gaming headsets around, but they all have a wire of some kind. We’ve tested many sets in the past year and these are our absolute favorites.
Updated Summer 2019 to include the Logitech G Pro X and adjust pricing and make sure these were still the best of the best.

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01

The Best Overall

SteelSeries

Arctis Pro + GameDAC

No headset, wired or wireless, has impressed me as thoroughly as the Arctis Pro + GameDAC (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has the same leading comfort and quality of most SteelSeries Arctis headsets—with a retractable mic and comfortable cushioning—and the included GameDAC makes it the best-sounding headset I’ve used, adding a lot of depth and drama to your play. The only downside is that it plugs into your console or PC via USB, so cord length can be a problem, depending on your setup.
(Works with PS4, PC)

Steelseries

02

Best Value

HyperX

Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset

About 95 percent of you reading this should just buy a Cloud Stinger. It’s comfortable, has a respectable mic that mutes when you flip it up, and its 50mm drivers sound excellent. You can also rest it on your shoulders between gaming sessions by rotating the earcups and it plugs in via a standard headphone jack. Honestly, I’d recommend it if it cost twice as much. Kingston also has a Cloud Stinger Core headset that’s cheaper.
(Works with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile)

Kingston

03

Best for Switch

SteelSeries

Arctis 3 (with Bluetooth)

If you only play Fortnite, a regular wired headset will connect to your Switch. Sadly, that’s not the standard for most games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 2, and other Nintendo games rely on Nintendo’s Switch Online app for Android and iOS. If you want to hear your friends and your game, the Arctis 3 with Bluetooth is your best option. Regardless what system you use, this is a fantastic headset that lets you pipe in Bluetooth audio to give games your own soundtrack.
(Works everywhere, best for Switch)

SteelSeries

04

For the Hardcore

Victrix

Pro AF (Noise Canceling)

Victrix is a new name to gaming, and its first gaming headset is comes with a laundry list of unneeded-but-nice luxury features. The replaceable leather-like earcups have vents that open to let air in and twist to sit comfortably on your shoulders. It also has active noise canceling (4 mics listen to your environment) and an especially clear microphone with adjustable features like mic monitoring and mic gain. The downside is the cord. It’s rubbery, thick, and has a AA battery-powered controller on it that’s helpful, but takes some getting used to.
(Works with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile)

Victrix

05

For Audiophiles

Logitech

G Pro X

The Logitech G Pro X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) eschews the design language many gaming headsets share. It’s simple and elegant, more like high-quality headphones than a gaming headset. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Not only does it produce resonant sound on an expansive soundstage with 7.1 surround, but Logitech’s included software gives you granular control over the quality of your voice. The included mic and software were engineered with help from Blue (of Blue Yeti fame), and together they produce crystal clear, broadcast-quality comms.
(Works with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and Mobile)

Logitech

06

Great for PC

Roccat

Khan Aimo

The Khan Aimo is an excellent choice for PC gamers (no Mac support, sadly). Sound is crystal clear, with a hi-res audio certification and built-in 24-bit DAC. If you like 7.1 virtual surround, it’s here along with a good mic that auto mutes when you flip it. The RGB lighting is also customizable via the installable dashboard. It connects via USB with a quality fabric cord, too, which prevents some tangles. If you don’t go for a wireless SteelSeries Arctis 7, you should give this a listen.
(Works with PC)

Roccat

07

Mic Monitoring for Cheap

Turtle Beach

Ear Force Stealth 300

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of our top-recommended wireless headsets, and the Stealth 300 is almost identical. It even has EQ presets, flip-to-mute mic, and valuable mic monitoring that lets you hear your own voice. The key difference is that it’s wired. It still requires a USB top up every 40 hours of use so the mic monitoring works, but it works on any system that can handle a 3.5mm connection. For comparison, the Stealth 600 get 15 hours on a charge.
(Works with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile)

Turtle Beach

08

Budget Luxury

SteelSeries

Arctis 3 (2019)

The Arctis 3 has the quality design, comfort, retractable mic, and clear sound that make the Arctis line some of the best gaming headsets you can buy. This model also comes with an extra dual 3.5mm cord for PCs that have separate audio and mic ports. The only real downside is a lack of mic monitoring. It’s an excellent, and quite affordable, pick that feels and sounds more expensive than it is.
(Works wired with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile)

SteelSeries

09

Music Mixer

Turtle Beach

Elite Pro 2 + Superamp

If you like Turtle Beach’s sound, but want to level up on comfort and design, try the Elite Pro 2. It comes with plush “Aerofit” ear cushions with gel-infused memory foam that helps keep your ears cool, and the overall fit is better than many sets. It’s easily one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever worn. The mic is quite bendable, with built in monitoring so you can hear your voice properly. The star of the show is the optional amp, which ups sound quality and offers some extra app-enabled features and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can listen to audio from your phone while playing.
(Works with PS4, Xbox, PC)

Turtle Beach

10

Also Wireless Headphones

Kingston

HyperX Cloud Mix

This headset looks like the HyperX Cloud 2, which has been a top seller for a while now. It feels comfy and sounds excellent. Its secret power is that you don’t have to take it off when you leave the house. Just pull out the boom mic, turn on Bluetooth, and it’s a pair of wireless headphones. I wish the silly HyperX logo wasn’t on the sides, but the 20-hour battery life is nice, and I’ve had no trouble wearing these in public. They sound great and have a second built-in mic for calls.
(Works with PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mobile)

Kingston

11

Another Great Option

Astro

A10

The A10 is not luxurious, but it’s still one of the best gaming headsets. It has the fundamentals down and sounds pleasant. Astro’s cloth ear cushioning takes a minute to get used to, but it is soft, and the Nintendo Switch version comes with an extra chat cable so you can connect it to the console and your phone via a 3.5mm connector. Astro’s A40 ($150) ups the quality all around and has some bonus features like removable padding.
(Works everywhere, includes chat cable for Switch)

Astro

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