The arrival of 2.4GHz wireless technology has made wireless gaming headsets more reliable than ever before, the best of which can now rival their wired counterparts when it comes to connection latency and sound quality. But no two wireless gaming headsets are made the same. Manufacturers cater to all tastes and budgets, so there are myriad different styles, designs, and hardware inclusions that can vary how they look, feel, and sound.
To hardcore gamers, gaming headsets have become another tool that helps them get an edge over competitors, hence personalization is a big consideration. Here players look for headsets with the best spatial audio, and software support to fine tune audio settings like EQ and to tailor-make presets for specific games.
Suffice to say, considering all the ins and outs of a particular headset can be a little daunting. To simplify things, our PCWorld reviewers have done the legwork by getting hands-on with each device. While we review everything that comes our way—the good, the bad, and the ugly—only those that have excelled in our testing make it into our list below. The best gaming headsets strike a balance between performance and usability, placing them in a league above the rest.
For a rundown on how we test wireless gaming headsets and for buying advice, read on below our recommendations.
1. Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless – Best gaming headset / Best premium option
Pros
- The styling is very appealing
- The 40mm drivers produce a very natural sound
- The cans are very soft and comfortable
Cons
- Some of the moving parts feel a bit tight
- Leatherette in the cups can get sweaty on hot days
- Battery life is decent but not excellent
Right out of the box, this headset looks fantastic, with fashionable Astro logos on both left and right earcups and very plush leatherette coverings over cushy memory foam, which feels very soft against your ears. As if that wasn’t already enough, you can also swap out the magnetic speaker tags on the outside for pre-made designs of your own choosing, to further personalize your look.
The Astro A30 also has a refined and natural sound profile, thanks to very finely-tuned 40mm audio drivers. But where this headset truly shines is in the connectivity department; it features low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as well as wired connectivity, so it can connect to just about anything, including a PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and Mac. You can also mix and balance your different audio sources so you never have to miss a thing while playing.
2. Astro A50 – Best wireless gaming headset runner-up
Pros
- Charging cradle is smaller and still very unique
- Switches to the more reliable 2.4GHz band (finally)
- Comfortable and durable
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Poor noise isolation
- Expensive
Although it doesn’t come cheap, the Astro A50 packs in more gamer convenience than most similarly priced gaming headsets. In our PCWorld hands-on review we considered the A50’s onboard controls, which include an easy-to-locate volume wheel and a chat/game channel mixer, to be best in class. The mixer allows you to easily switch between your game audio and chat programs in an instant.
As well as a refined audio profile, the A50 features a sleek and convenient charging cradle that displays your chosen EQ profile and your selected audio mode—Dolby or stereo. The headset uses the current best-standard 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi signal for the most reliable wireless connectivity. It’s also comfortable and durable.
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<h3 data-p_name="3. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless" class="product-chart-item__title-wrapper--title product-chart-title " id="3-steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-wireless-best-audio-quality">
3. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – Best audio quality </h3>
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Great quality audio </li>
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Dual wireless functionality </li>
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Lots of software options for personalization </li>
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Quite expensive </li>
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Active Noise Cancellation won't block out all external sound </li>
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<div class="product-content">The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro features just about everything you could possibly want in a wireless gaming headset, including excellent sound quality, style, comfort and a durable metal headband. With support for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, as well as wired connectivity, the Arctis Nova Pro is easily compatible with your PC, laptop, or Xbox device. It also comes with a GameDAC base controller that lets you switch between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S at the press of a button.
The headset incorporates technologies that elevate your listening experience, including Active Noise Cancellation, 360 Degree Spatial Audio, and Pro Grade Parametric EQ. All this functionality will set you back $349.99, which admittedly isn’t cheap. But for a h
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