Gaming Headsets

How to choose a gaming headset

Choose in this order: platform, connection, microphone, comfort, then sound. The platform decides everything else, because a headset that cannot send game audio to your console is no use however good it sounds.

Wireless or wired comes next. A wired headset has no battery and no dongle, and it costs less for the same drivers. A wireless one removes the cable and, on the best models, adds Bluetooth so you can take a phone call. Our wired vs wireless comparison walks through the trade-off, and Bluetooth vs 2.4 GHz explains why the dongle matters for games.

Connection types

A 2.4 GHz USB dongle is the usual wireless choice for games, because it is built to keep delay low. Bluetooth is for phones and, on PC, for casual use. A 3.5 mm cable works almost everywhere with a single plug. USB cables work on PC and PS5.

Some headsets combine two links. SteelSeries lists game audio over its dongle and calls over Bluetooth at once on the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, and Sony lists PlayStation Link plus Bluetooth on the PULSE Elite. If you move between a PC and a phone, multipoint Bluetooth is worth understanding.

Microphone quality

The mic is the weak point on many wireless headsets. A detachable or flip-to-mute boom is a good sign, and a mute you can find by feel is more useful than it sounds. If chat matters more than anything, weigh the mic above driver size.

Check your mic after setup with our free Mic Test, which shows your level in the browser and keeps the audio on your device. For a PC headset with a removable boom, see headsets with a detachable mic.

Comfort, fit and sound type

Comfort depends on clamp force, ear-cup padding and weight, and only you can judge it. Glasses wearers should read our guide on headsets for glasses. Keep ear pads clean; cleaning ear cushions shows how.

Closed-back headsets block outside sound; open-back ones sound airier but leak noise. Our open-back vs closed-back guide explains which suits a shared room. If you game on PS5, Tempest 3D AudioTech works over standard stereo headphones, so you do not need a special model for it.

Earbuds and stands

Gaming earbuds are lighter and portable, but they have shorter battery life and mics that sit near the ear. Console earbuds need a dongle; Bluetooth-only earbuds will not carry PS5 game audio. See gaming earbuds.

A headset stand keeps the cushions off the desk. Our headset stand guide covers what to check on a stand with a USB hub.

Fixing common problems

If your wireless headset drops out, work through range, interference and firmware; why a wireless headset keeps cutting out lists the steps. If you want to use a gaming headset for work calls, our phone calls guide explains what to look for. Using one on Switch? See headsets on Nintendo Switch.

Headset terms you will see on listings

Driver

The speaker element in each ear cup. Size is listed in millimetres, but size alone does not tell you how a headset sounds.

Closed-back / open-back

Closed cups block outside noise and keep sound in. Open cups let air through for a wider sound and leak noise both ways.

2.4 GHz dongle

A small USB transmitter that links the headset wirelessly. It is the usual way to get game audio on a console or PC.

Bluetooth

A phone-friendly wireless link. Many headsets add it as a second connection, but PS5 does not send game audio over it.

Multipoint

Connecting to two devices at once, such as a PC and a phone. Support varies, so read the maker's page.

Sidetone / mic monitoring

Hearing your own voice in the headset so you do not shout.

Spatial audio

Software that places sound around you. PS5's Tempest 3D AudioTech and Windows options work over ordinary stereo output.

Planar magnetic

A driver type used in some premium headsets, including Sony's PULSE Elite. It is a design choice, not a guarantee of better sound.

Mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is assuming "wireless" means it will work on your console. Check the platform and the connection on the exact listing. The second is buying on driver size or a bass claim and forgetting the microphone, which you use every time you talk to friends.

A third is ignoring the return policy. Fit is personal, and a headset that looks perfect on paper can press on glasses or feel hot after an hour. Buy from a seller with a clear return window, and wear the headset for a full session during that window.

Finally, do not trust one battery number. Makers rate battery life under their own conditions. Volume, lighting and features all change real use, so use the figure to compare two headsets, not to plan your week.

Who should buy what

PS5 players who want the simplest setup should start with Sony's PULSE Elite. Players who move between a console, a PC and a phone should look for a dongle plus Bluetooth, as on the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2. Players who forget to charge should favour the longest battery rating, like the Cloud III S at up to 120 hours on 2.4 GHz.

PC players who also want a cable fallback can look at the PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED. Switch and handheld players may prefer earbuds or a 3.5 mm headset; our Switch guide covers the options. Anyone on a tight budget should compare current prices on wired models, since a wired headset on a controller jack is the cheapest way into voice chat.

Care and setup

Keep the ear pads clean and replace them when they flake. Store the headset on a stand so the headband keeps its shape. Update the firmware from the maker's app when it asks, since updates can fix connection problems. After any change, run a quick mic check so you know your friends can hear you.

All Gaming Headsets guides

Every gaming headsets guide on the site, in one place:

• Best Gaming Earbuds: Our Picks for PS5, PC and Switch: The best gaming earbuds for PS5, PC and phones: five named picks, a comparison table, and why a dongle matters more than Bluetooth for console play.
• Best Gaming Headset for PS5: Our Picks: The best gaming headset for PS5: six named picks from maker specs, a comparison table, and what to check on connection, mic and 3D audio before you buy.
• Best PC Gaming Headsets with a Detachable Mic: Best PC gaming headsets with a detachable mic for clear voice chat, easier travel, and flexible use across gaming and daily audio.
• Best Wireless Gaming Headset: Our Picks by Platform: The best wireless gaming headset for PC, PS5 and Switch: six named picks from maker specs, a comparison table, and what to check before you buy.
• Bluetooth vs 2.4GHz Wireless Headsets for Gaming: Bluetooth vs 2.4GHz gaming headsets explained: compare latency, compatibility, chat, battery life, and which fits your setup.
• Can You Use a Gaming Headset on Nintendo Switch?: Yes, you can use many gaming headsets on Nintendo Switch. Here’s how compatibility works by connection type, mic support, and setup tips.
• Do Gaming Headsets Work with Phone Calls?: Yes—most gaming headsets can handle phone calls, but mic quality, compatibility, and Bluetooth or cable setup affect results.
• Gaming Headsets for Glasses Wearers: What Actually Helps: A practical guide to gaming headsets for glasses wearers, covering frame pressure, pads, clamp force, fit, and comfort-first buying tips.
• How to Clean Gaming Headset Ear Cushions: Learn how to clean gaming headset ear cushions safely with simple, practical steps for leatherette, fabric, and removable pads.
• Multipoint Bluetooth Headsets: Switching Between PC and Phone: A practical guide to multipoint Bluetooth gaming headsets for switching between PC and phone without missing calls or game audio.
• Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headsets: The Basic Difference: Learn the basic difference between open back vs closed back headset designs, plus the real-world trade-offs for gaming, comfort, and privacy.
• PS5 3D Audio Headsets: How Tempest 3D AudioTech Actually Works: How Sony's Tempest 3D AudioTech works with gaming headsets on PS5, what actually requires special hardware, and how to calibrate it for the best result.
• Why Does My Wireless Headset Keep Cutting Out?: Learn why your wireless gaming headset keeps cutting out, from interference and battery issues to software settings, dongle placement, and hardware wear.
• Wireless vs Wired Gaming Headsets: A Practical Comparison: A practical wireless vs wired gaming headset comparison covering sound, latency, comfort, battery life, setup, and value for gamers.
• Best Gaming Headset Under $100: Four Picks: The best gaming headset under $100: four named wired and wireless picks, a comparison table from maker specs, and what to check on mic, comfort, platform.
• Best Xbox Series X Headset: Four Picks: The best Xbox Series X headset: four named picks, wireless and wired, with a comparison table from maker specs and how to check your Xbox connection.