The best PC gaming machines often overlap with the best gaming systems. Major companies like SteelSeries, Razer, and Corsair know how to get the best out of audio tech with a keen eye for what gamers need, and what both PC and console players need. However, this roundup focuses on the needs of PC players. Such players tend to be able to run multiple settings through their PC and benefit from accessories such as USB soundcards and complex equalizers that console players cannot or do not want to accommodate.
As always, we’ve got electronic heads that cover a wide range of budgets along with wireless and wired options. So there is something here for everyone. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy how all of this instantly boosts how drawn you feel to each game. They can also help you move a little faster in online games so you can hear your enemy coming.
What are the best PC gaming headsets?
- Best overall game developers: Razer BlackShark V2
Well priced yet still offering sound quality, decent comfort and the choice of either wired or wireless, the Razer BlackShark V2 is ideal for PC gamers. This is further aided by its USB sound card which expands your options for tweaking and getting things just the way you like them. If you need the latest technology, these are not but sometimes, it is worth a little more to enjoy THX Spatial Audio and other less features. - Who is the most important player? Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT
The battery life could be a little better but the sound of the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is truly stunning. While we usually recommend keeping gaming and music listening separate, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT are just as effective for music and movies as they are for gaming. It is thanks in part to Dolby Atmos along with a great frequency that worked for any scenario. They are also comfy and also offer connectivity options including 3.5mm, dongle or Bluetooth. - Best for battery life: HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
We all want to charge our thoughts more often and we all inevitably forget from time to time. That’s why the 300 hour battery life of these wireless cans is so appealing. None of this matters if the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless sounds good and is consistently crisp and powerful. DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio support further enhances why all PC gamers could do with it, while noise canceling microscopes work brilliantly for those noisy sessions.
Razer BlackShark V2
Available in either a standard or a Pro model that adds wireless support, the Razer BlackShark V2 is ideal if you want to be scared by every bump in-game at night, every shot fired in space or – of course – wanting to. sneak up on some pesky enemies.
It uses Razer TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers to do all the work with the audio in three separate parts so there’s never any risk of muddying. PC gamers will appreciate the THX Spatial Audio effect which spreads sounds well, so you can hear what’s going on around you.
While it’s not guaranteed to complete your Fortnite purchase, at least you’ll hear where they’re being released clearly. The choice of either immersive or competitive mode makes a difference with dedicated profiles available depending on the game you’re playing. A USB sound card bundled with a variety of filaments also adds to the value.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT
In an ideal world, you want to have headphones to listen to music and listen to songs for gaming. In fact, maybe they need a nice all-in-one solution. This is where the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT excels without making you feel like you’re making too many compromises.
Complete in large. Their 50mm neodymium speaker drivers provide a wide sound frequency that can handle any of your design needs. In addition to providing you with excellent sounds of enemies sneaking up on you, cannons chasing you far away, or an evil monster to get you, these also offer some of the most powerful music ideals. Install Corsair’s iCue app and you have plenty of control with the Dolby Atmos option too.
Battery life is a little average at about 15 hours at most, but it’s likely you’ll actually need the full length. It’s a small concession to other powerful headphones.
Astro A50
The Astro A50 is an awkward purchase because you need to buy the right one for the right setup. For PC though, that’s the right consideration.
The headphones sound crisp with no sign of bass distortion. Crucially, Dolby 7.1 surround sound support with local space for PC so you feel immersed in what you’re playing. In addition to the ideal loud crank, it also has an efficient flip-to-mute mic that also sounds good for your teammates. There is unusual support for the customization module even if you like to make these headphones more personal.
Downside? The device life alone is about 15 hours which is not surprising, but the headphones come with a base station which means that it is a bit more sophisticated to charge than the usual easier cable method. It’s a handy accessory to add to your next monitor.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P+
For the most part, you can’t go wrong with any headphones made by SteelSeries. Arctis 7P+ is a special pleasure because it is wireless with a stable battery life of over 30 hours.
Complete and large. The 40mm drivers may sound weaker than some of the others here, but SteelSeries knows how to get the most out of them. A USB-C charging port is a nice surprise in a world that hasn’t necessarily passed yet, meaning you get three hours of power from a quick 15-minute charge.
Much has been touted about how they are designed with the PS5 in mind, but these can sound just as strong on PC. Even big fans of the Discord-certified The ClearCast microphone eliminates ambient noise and ensures your friends can hear you clearly. There is no excuse if your command or suggestion is ignored.
Logitech G Pro X
The Logitech G Pro X is available either wired or wireless, but you’ll be spoiled for choice here at a relatively inexpensive price. For the price, you get 50mm drivers that provide fairly accurate sound and heavy bass.
There are matching profiles you can choose from or create your own. A USB sound card is also included, which is why this device is PC compatible. Other heads may offer superior sound or a little more convenience, but you’ll be paying for the privilege. Here, you have a solid mix of everything you need including 7.1 surround sound to immerse you in the game and memory foam earcups to keep you content.
It also has a durable aluminum and steel frame, so this keyboard is made to be cheaper than you might expect.
Razer Kraken V3X
It’s easy to assume you’d spend £100 for a decent PC headset, but the Razer Kraken V3 X reminds us of all the bargains out there. The headphones offer 40mm drivers that pump out seriously heavy sound for the price.
There is no distortion or disturbance with the atmospheric Dead Space while you can still hear the guns clearly when playing some Call of Duty: Warzone. 7.1 surround sound certainly helps here but these can simply be good. Backing them up is a clear microphone that is physically flexible while also helping your voice sound clear as you speak.
The Razer Synapse software allows you to configure RGB lighting effects, which is a nice novelty, but the aim is to make the surround sound app all rich in sounds. The only drawback is the plastic design but it feels light weight and quite sturdy.
Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Pricey to say the least, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are worth the investment if you can afford them. Everything around them remains classy.
You are as comfortable as possible, with super soft ear cushions and a floating headband, which always feels better than nothing with your lazy head. On a practical level, they come with two batteries so I can swap them out and always have one on charge. Up to 22 hours of battery life means you’re always ready to go, but if you somehow mess up – a 15-minute charge gives you three hours. Most importantly, I hear really hi-res here with perfectly balanced treble, mids, and bass. The audio space helps immerse you in the magic of what you’re playing while your players benefit from a crisp mic.
The only weak point is the ANC which could be a little better but it is not very necessary in the game and if you wear these headphones on a walk or on the way to the gym.
Asus ROG Delta S
Cool, Asus ROG Delta S understands that we all have different levels of comfort, giving you two different pairs of ear cups in the box. It’s a nice start to a pair of headphones with great attention to detail.
They are quite light, yet very robust, with the option of electronic or wireless models. The sound quality is pretty good with virtual surround sound enabled through Asus’s self-boosting software. Software Crate’s arsenal also means you can either add an equalizer or opt for audio reverb.
The side of the mic goes down a bit so that it sits inside the mic, it makes sure the focus is not stolen but it doesn’t work like the others, but it does the job. The Asus ROG Delta S adds that unique look that stands out from what can be a dull looking crowd, all without going too far.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The killer feature behind the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is the frankly ridiculous battery life. While some headlines sound appealing that they offer 30-40 hours, HyperX releases and offers 300 hours. I don’t know in what way, because these things can last a long time, it’s not really a yarn. We expect to lose our commanding cable at the time when the standard one is lucky.
DTS Headphone there: X Spatial Audio too sound through HyperX’s Ngenuity software plus you can tweak equalizer presets or create your own. There is a dedicated USB dongle rather than Bluetooth support which is a little annoying but we live with it when we need to charge it infrequently.
And of course the quality of the sound is incredible, let’s not say otherwise here. The frequency of the response is incredibly wide so you simply can’t go wrong here. It’s pretty comfortable to use too so you could guess you’d challenge yourself to wear them for 300 hours.
Corsair HS65
The Corsair HS65 sounds fantastic straight out of the box. Corsair has made it possible to deliver 7.1 surround sound that truly brings to life whatever you’re playing.
You will need the Corsair iCue software to do this, but it hardly takes any time to set up. From there, you can also choose presets from the equalizer or create your own customized experience. This is rarely needed as there are presets for most things you want to do such as competitive FPS gaming or even Clear Chat for meetings. This is a fine looking keyboard and very comfortable as it works well for extended non-gaming situations.
In addition to sounding great, you’ll also experience crisp flashes as well. If you’re worried about non-7.1 surround sound based games, don’t be as games still sound pretty good here whether you tweak the settings or just stick with what it is.
