Best gaming headset: Tested for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC
A gaming headset is ideal: you hear your game better, the sound doesn't bother anyone around you, and you can talk to your teammates. In short, gaming headphones benefit everyone. But which gaming headset is best? That depends on your console and preferences. Do you have a PS5 or XBOX series X? Or do you play on a PC? We've tested the best gaming headphones. Find out how they compare in this review.
In this article
- 1. Best gaming headsets of 2026
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2. Test results
- Best gaming headset tested (premium)
- 2.1 Best gaming headset tested (budget)
- 2.2 Best headset for PS5
- 2.3 Best gaming headphones for XBOX Series X (or S)
- 2.4 Best gaming headset for PC
- 2.5 Best budget gaming headset under €50
- 2.6 Best gaming headset under €100
- 2.7 Best gaming headset without a microphone
- 2.8 Best gaming headset for PS4
- 2.9 Best wireless gaming headset
- 2.10 Best wired gaming headset
- 3. All about gaming headphones
Best gaming headsets 2026
These are the best headphones we've tested for gaming:
- DunRock GG gaming headset
(Best gaming headsets tested) - Sony Pulse
(Best headset for PS5) - SteelSeries Arctis 3
(Best gaming headphones for XBOX Series X or S) - Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
(Best gaming headset for PC) - Trust GXT 450 Blizz
(Best budget gaming headset under €50) - MPOW headphones
(Best gaming headset under €100) - SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
(Best gaming headset without a microphone) - Sony Pulse
(Best gaming headset for PS4) - SteelSeries Arctis 7
(Best wireless gaming headset) -
HyperX Cloud II
(Best wired gaming headset)
Gaming headset test results
When testing gaming headphones, we noticed big differences in quality. Even between headsets at similar prices.
That gave us even more reason to put together a clear list of gaming headsets. So we've given the 10 best gaming headphones a place in our rankings.
Best gaming headset tested 2026
Right now, we think this is the best gaming headset you can buy for value for money. It's remarkably good for the price. First place is a tie, so we'll start with the budget option. Below that, you'll find our top pick for a bigger budget. We keep this list up to date. If the price changes or a new version becomes available, we update it.
1. (value for money) DunRock GG gaming headset
Best value for money | Strong, solid build | Beautiful sound
- Price: 79
Compatible with: Xbox | Playstation | PC | Switch | Mobile
Wireless: Yes (+optional audio cable)
GG is a familiar term in the gaming community. It means Good Game. And in this case, we can say: "GG, DunRock." This DunRock GG gaming headset is by far the best you can buy for up to €100. These wireless headphones are designed specifically for gaming.
The microphone is good, and the sound is very good. The look and feel are more than up to scratch too. This is the only headset you can buy for up to €100 that feels like a €200+ model in your hands.
You can connect this headset wirelessly to your PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile phone. Or plug a cable into your controller to use it with your latest XBOX. These headphones are a no-brainer if you're looking for the best headset for around €100 or less.
Best premium gaming headset
Right now, we think this is the best gaming headset you can buy. We keep this list up to date. If the price changes or a new version becomes available, we update it.
1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Best quality | Pricey, but very good | 3D | Retractable mic
- Price: ~330
Compatible with: Xbox | Playstation | PC
Wireless: Yes (+optional audio cable)
This SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is seriously good. It's that simple. These are truly premium headphones. Right now, this is the best version on the market.
You can use it wirelessly or with a cable. The microphone slides out. The sound is phenomenal. The design is excellent too, with a strong build. This version connects easily to XBOX, and there's a PS5 version too. Make sure you buy the right one.
Best headset for PS5
Not every headset works with a Playstation 5 (PS5). Many people only find out after buying one that it doesn't work with their console. That's why we tested the best headphones that connect to a PS5.
2. Sony Pulse
3D audio | Good sound | Wireless | Made for PS5
- Price: ~99
This headset is made for and by Playstation (Sony). Made for the PS5, so you know it's compatible with your console. Have a PS4? Check which headset we recommend for the PS4.
The sound is good, but not as good as our number 1 in this test, which is also compatible with the PS5.
3D audio is a nice addition. In a shooter, you can hear exactly where a shot came from. And when racing in Gran Turismo, you know that Ferrari is behind you on the right. You can hear it. It genuinely gives you an advantage over your opponents.
You can mute the microphone with 1 press of a button. Handy.
Best gaming headphones for XBOX Series X (or S)
The latest XBOX Series X plays hard to get when it comes to headsets. Many headsets simply won't connect. Some connect wirelessly, while others only work with a cable plugged into your controller.
So check carefully whether your headset can connect to your XBOX at all. The older XBOX One has the same issue, by the way. Not many headsets work with that console.
3. SteelSeries Arctis 3
Great sound | Connects to your XBOX controller | Also great for music and working from home
- Price: 80
Compatible with: Xbox | Playstation | PC
Wireless: Yes (+optional audio cable)
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is a comfortable, versatile gaming headset with very good sound quality. It's well suited to longer gaming sessions: it's nice and light, and the ear cushions are breathable.
The headset works with your Xbox. The retractable ClearCast microphone lets you talk to your teammates while gaming. All in all, these are a good pair of headphones to use with your Xbox.
Best gaming headset for PC
Most gaming headsets work with your PC or laptop. When buying a headset, look at sound quality, microphone performance, comfort, and compatibility with your PC.
Make sure you invest in a headset that suits your play style and lets you play for long stretches without needing to recharge or becoming uncomfortable.
4. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Wireless | Optional 3.5 mm audio cable | Good sound | Excellent fit
- Price: ~100
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a top choice for PC gamers. Good sound. We tested the first version 2 years ago and threw it in the trash. But this V2 has completely redeemed itself. It's a real standout.
Where these headphones may shine most is build and comfort. They're fairly light, and the ear cushions are wonderfully soft and breathable. No hot, red ears after 1 hour of gaming. At least, not because of the headset. A heated battle might be another story.
The microphone has a form of ENC. That stands for environmental noise canceling. Sound like jargon? Sorry: ENC means your online teammate hears only your voice, not, for example, someone else talking in your room. Handy: no getting kicked out of the lobby for that.
Best budget gaming headset under €50
You can still find decent headsets for under €50. Are they as good as a €150 headset? No.
Where do these budget headsets tend to fall short? Often the sound, for starters. The microphone never has ENC. So your online teammates will also hear your roommate on the phone, for example.
These headsets are also always made of plastic. They feel fairly light, which can actually make them comfortable. They often don't have surround sound either.
But here's the thing: the quality varies enormously between headsets under €50. That stood out most to us. Some are terrible, while others are genuinely decent.
The best versions stick to the basics instead of cramming in fancy features. As you can imagine, that inevitably means sacrificing quality elsewhere. A €50 headset with ANC and surround sound has to be a poor headset. There's no way around it. Manufacturers can't make good products with those features at that price. In short, the best headset under €50 has no fancy features.
By the way, for a little more, you can get our number 1 from this list. We really recommend it. You won't regret it.
5. Trust GXT 450 Blizz
Budget-friendly | Acceptable sound | 7.1
- Price: 49
Trust me: this is one of the better headsets under €50. Let's put it this way: it's one of the decent options at this price.
Don't expect deep bass. Don't expect a wow factor. But do expect a solid working headset with decent sound and a decent microphone. Too much "decent"? Fair enough. On to the next paragraph.
We're contradicting ourselves here. This headset has 7.1 surround sound. Is that something you'd expect at this price? No. Does it work well? Yes! Surprisingly well, in fact. It's impressive that Trust managed to include surround sound at this price.
Best gaming headset under €100
For under €100, we expect no-nonsense gaming headphones. No frills. No odd features. In fact, I'd rather not see ANC or surround sound.
What I do want at that price:
- Good sound
- A good mic (perhaps with ENC)
- A wired connection option
- Good comfort
So, as you'd expect, these are the things we focused on when testing headphones up to this price.
7. MPOW gaming headset
Best value for money | Strong, solid build | Beautiful sound
- Price: 59
Compatible with: Xbox | Playstation | PC | Switch
Wireless: Yes (+optional audio cable)
This MPOW gaming headset is by far the best you can buy for up to €100. These wireless headphones are made purely for gaming. The microphone is good, and the sound is very good.
You can connect this headset wirelessly to your PC, PS4, or PS5. Or plug a cable into your controller to use it with your latest XBOX.
These headphones are a no-brainer if you're looking for the best headset for around €100 or less.
Best gaming headset without a microphone
Prefer a gaming headset without a microphone? Understandable. That boom mic just gets in the way. Plus, wearing a gaming headset with a boom mic outside isn't exactly a great look. You can feel a little silly with it sticking out.
But some headsets have a microphone that's built in or folds out. That's useful, because you can adapt them to what you're doing. Use the microphone while gaming and put it away when listening to music. Ideal.
7. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Best quality | Pricey, but very good | Retractable microphone
- Price: ~330
Compatible with: Xbox | Playstation | PC
Wireless: Yes (+optional audio cable)
This SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is seriously good. It's that simple. These are truly premium headphones. Right now, this is the best version on the market.
You can use it wirelessly or with a cable. The microphone slides out. The sound is phenomenal. The design is excellent too, with a strong build. This version connects easily to XBOX, and there's a PS5 version too. Make sure you buy the right one.
Best gaming headset for PS4
The PS4 is still a good console, so you'll want to connect your headset to it too. Fortunately, many headsets work with both your PS4 and PS5. That means you can buy a headset now and keep using it if you upgrade later. You never know: you might buy a PS5 someday.
8. Sony Pulse
3D audio | Good sound | Wireless | Perfect for PS4
- Price: ~99
This headset is made for and by Playstation (Sony). Made for the PS4, so you know it's compatible with your console. Have a PS5? It works with that too.
The sound is good, but not as good as our number 1 in this test, which is also compatible with the PS4 and PS5.
3D audio is a nice addition. In a shooter, you can hear exactly where a shot came from. And when racing in Gran Turismo, you know that Ferrari is behind you on the right. You can hear it. It genuinely gives you an advantage over your opponents.
You can mute the microphone with 1 press of a button. Handy.
Best wireless gaming headset
Wireless gaming is a pleasure. No tangled cables. And no cable to lose track of, because there isn't one.
Some headsets work both wirelessly and with a cable. You can often plug your headset into your controller, which connects wirelessly to your console. Does that count as a wireless headset? Not really, right? But sort of.
9. SteelSeries Arctis 7+
Beautiful sound | Good battery life | Very good microphone | Attractive design
- Price: ~130
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a great gaming headset with good battery life. That means hours of gaming without worrying about the battery. The sound is very good. It's designed for comfort, even if you wear glasses.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ sounds clear. The controls are good too. A chat mute button means you don't have to dig through menus to mute yourself. The microphone is also good quality: you come through clearly, without noise.
In short, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is an impressive gaming headset with an excellent fit and sound quality. Comfortable, flexible, and good, even during long gaming sessions.
Best wired gaming headset
You might prefer a wired headset. The benefits? No lag, and your headset never runs out of battery. That's one less headache, especially with a headset on your head.
Wired headsets are often cheaper too. A welcome bonus.
Many headphones can also be used both wirelessly and with a cable. Our number 1 on this list can do that too. It's ideal: you get both options. Either way, we've tested the best wired headset for you.
10. HyperX Cloud II
Wired | Good sound | No lag | 3.5mm audio jack
- Price: 80
This headset has a great price for the quality you get. A good fit with quality materials. Soft and breathable.
The microphone is detachable too, making it suitable for everyday music listening. You can use the headset with any console.
- Those were the 10 best headsets in our test. You'll find more information below, or head back up to the top 10 list.
All about gaming headsets
Few choices are as personal and specific as choosing gaming headphones. Your decision depends on at least 3 factors. Are you a serious gamer, or do you play for fun now and then? Do you use a console or PC? Do you want wireless or wired?
Ask yourself these questions before buying. Ignore them, and you could easily end up with the wrong headset.
What should you look for?
There are 3 questions to ask yourself before buying gaming headphones. Your answers will help you choose the right headset.
- Are you a competitive or casual gamer?
- Which console do you have (or PC)?
- Wireless or wired?
If you're serious about gaming, choose headphones that give you an edge. That small advantage over your opponents.
Play for fun? Choose a headset that gives you a good experience at a reasonable price. The lowest latency isn't essential. You can also choose a wired headset, which is a little cheaper.
Match your headset to your console. Use an XBOX? Some headsets won't work with it. Certain headsets are made specifically for Playstation. Others are made for XBOX.
Another important point: can you mute the headset's mic? Some headsets don't let you, which is annoying for your teammates. "Were you talking to me?" your teammate asks. "No, I was talking to someone here, but I can't mute my headset." Annoying. Also keep in mind that some headsets are only partly compatible with your console. That can mean the mute button doesn't work.
Wireless or wired?
Your first instinct is often to choose a wireless headset. But I'd give it a second thought, perhaps with a scratch behind the ear if your headset isn't in the way. A cable has plenty of benefits.
Benefits of a wired connection:
- Cheaper
- No lag
- Better sound (for the same price)
- Lighter weight
Plus, the cable only goes into your controller. From there, the connection to your console is often already wireless. How much does a cable from your ear to your controller really matter? You're usually sitting down while gaming, right?
Wireless is much more expensive. Part of the budget goes into wireless Bluetooth technology. The battery also makes your headphones a little heavier. Cheap wireless headphones have a bit more latency, or lag, too. In short, my advice is: if you go wireless, be prepared to spend. You only get real quality at €200+.
Which headset do you need for Fortnite?
Bang, bang, pew, pew. Sometimes the sound of Fortnite drives me up the wall. For goodness' sake, go play outside! That's what we used to do. But if they're going to play Fortnite, they might as well use a good, safe headset. Plus, I don't have to listen to it.
But which headset is good for Fortnite? That mostly depends on the console you play on.
Play on a Playstation? Choose a headset for Playstation. Prefer Xbox? Get a headset for Xbox. In short, the game itself isn't that important.
Gaming with earbuds or headphones?
More and more often, you can game with your earbuds in. Have wired earbuds? You can almost always use them with your console. A 3mm audio jack plugs easily into your controller or, for example, your laptop if that's what you game on.
Wireless earbuds increasingly have a mode with no latency. That's ideal for gaming. Turn it on, and you won't notice a delay between the picture and sound. You don't want to see your gun fire before you hear it.
Others also viewed:
- Browse all our blogs about wireless earbuds
- These are the best earbuds under €50
- These are the earbuds with the best microphone
- Also check out the 3 best earbuds for running
