The Best Headphones for Gaming of 2024

The best gaming headphones offer you terrific sound and a variety of other features you'll need for an enhanced auditory experience. Just what characteristics? It depends. While marathon players will put comfort first, competitive gamers need an excellent microphone for communication. Hell, perhaps you require a wireless headset that sounds nice and is reasonably priced. Whatever the necessity, we've put together a list of some of the top headsets available for 2024 with the rest of the PC Gamer hardware crew. Besides, to have the best gaming experience you should equip the best 4k gaming monitors, wireless mouse, wireless routers and motherboards.

Find out the best gaming headphones based on the information below.

• Best overall: Razer BlackShark V2

• Best value: HyperX Cloud Alpha

• Best purchased product: Razer Kraken X

• Best value product: Epos H6PRO

• Best affordable product: Corsair HS80 RGB

1. Razer BlackShark V2

Product’s Highlights

The new Razer BlackShark V2 is marketed as "the definitive esports gaming headset." Still, for those of us who are not connected to any 1337-named esports organization, there is another way to see these new Razer cans: the gaming headset to dethrone the HyperX Cloud Alpha (opens in new tab).

It truly is that wonderful, though. The BlackShark V2 is undoubtedly one of the greatest gaming headsets(opens in a new tab) available right now, if not the best, in terms of acoustic response, comfort, design, and software. It competes head-to-head with the iconic HyperX headset because Razer maintained the pricing at a reasonably affordable $100, and in my opinion, it wins.

In 2012, the first BlackShark model was released. It featured a wireframe microphone in addition to a more industrial look than usual. For its audio quality, comfort, and mic clarity, it was incredibly well-liked by the esports community. On these three pillars, Razer has constructed the BlackShark V2 this year.

However, this headset is brand-new, not simply an iterative update. There is a new design, and these are also the first cans to include Razer's TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers. The Cloud Alpha analogy is also valid in this case because the new TriForce drivers' tuned ports function similarly to the HyperX system. Similar to the dual-chamber design of the rival, the distinct ports keep the bass, mid, and treble apart to prevent the various tones from competing with one another.

Pros

• Style Restraint

• Comfortable

• Amazing Audio

• Good Value

Cons

• Eagerly anticipating the wifi version

2. HyperX Cloud Alpha

Product’s Highlights

The newest member of this royal bloodline, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, appears to be doing an excellent job of fitting those enormous shoes. The new, enormous battery is this headset's main selling point. As a result, the headset can operate wirelessly for up to 300 hours while still remaining lightweight and comfy. It's a rather significant feat, and in our opinion, HyperX has succeeded.

This unit reported having roughly 80% charge when it was first opened, so we chose to leave it at that level to see how well that held. We listened to music throughout the day at work, and when we checked the battery again, we swear it still stated 80%. We aren't even at 50% battery yet, despite the fact that we have been using this device for gaming and music listening relatively constantly for the past week.

Of course, perfect battery life is impossible to achieve. The headset's loudness is largely responsible for that, and we think the only real issue is with the volume. It is definitely loud enough, but you can listen to it loudly and still feel reasonably at ease.

Pros

• Only witchcraft could possibly define the battery life

• Excellent for music listening

• For gaming, precise, potent audio is ideal

• Excellent comfort

Cons

• The headset's microphone isn't up to pace with the rest of it

• Not the loudest headphones

3. Razer Kraken X

Product’s Highlights

The Kraken X is a reasonably priced solution that outperforms the deluxe Razer Kraken on PC for one straightforward reason: simulated 7.1 surround sound. This enhances the headset's audio, which is already superb, thanks to better depth, clarity, and definition. It is accessible via an app. It also makes switching back to the X's default audio setting challenging.

In our testing, it became evident that the Kraken X cannot compete with the finest HyperX Cloud models or even with other Razer stablemates, but for the price, it is a good product.

This version of the Kraken provides excellent value for the money when you consider its exceptional comfort and light, sleek, and discreet design. Although there are some little drawbacks (the non-detachable microphone being the main one), you can't really gripe when you can obtain good 7.1 sound at such a low price.

We don't believe you can find a gaming headset for $50 that is much better than these Razer cans.

Pros

• 7.1 virtual surround sound is excellent

• A cozy leatherette headrest cushion

• Lightweight

Cons

• Unattachable microphone

• The base audio is a bit clumsy.

4. Epos H6PRO

Product’s Highlights

With time, Epos is severing its ties to Sennheiser and beginning to compile its lineup of exceptional gaming headsets. The H6PRO plays a significant role as the company's first attempt as an actual flagship product without Sennheiser's fingerprint all over it.

The H6PRO offers a headset experience that is incredibly outstanding. They include stylish new 42mm drivers modified to give a more balanced and easy-on-the-bass profile than your average gaming headset to keep them sounding fantastic. A great-sounding microphone with flip-to-mute and removable design features is also provided.

The H6PRO is available with either an open back or a closed back. The fit of the headset on your head, the audio response, and the noise isolation will all be impacted by the difference. This selection represents a considerable choice in terms of gaming headset characteristics.

We've used both open-back and closed-back designs, and in general, the closed-back H6PRO headset is what you want if you want noise isolation (preventing outside noise from entering your ear canals). The open-back H6PRO headset will be a better option for a better gaming sound stage if that is unimportant.

Pros

• Fantastic Sound Quality

• Removable, Flip-To-Mute Microphone

• Designs With Closed And Open Backs

• Comfortable

Cons

• A little noise may come from braided cable

• For some, earcup coverage can be insufficient

• Flagship price range

5. Corsair HS80 RGB

Product’s Highlights

One of the best headsets Corsair has ever produced, and one of the best wireless headsets available is the new HS80 RGB Wireless Gaming Headset. It makes excellent use of some of the best headset features currently on the market. With lag-free Slipstream Wireless technology, high-fidelity audio, and Dolby Atmos, it is priced at $150. The redesigned shape makes them comfortable to use for extended periods while maintaining an excellent microphone.

The new HS80 imitates some of Steelseries' best headsets, according to the adage that flattery is highest in imitation. The floating headband idea, which employs an adjustable strap to spread the weight across your head, has finally been adopted by Corsair. Additionally, although weighing only 370g, the HS80 seems bigger on my head than any other Steelseries headset.

A well-balanced bass and rich, full-bodied audio make the HS80s sound terrific. At times, the sub-bass can sound underwhelming, and even at low settings, we could hear some distortion. This prevents the HS80 from reaching its full potential, however iCUE has an EQ that you may experiment with to adjust the sounds to your preferences.

The HS80 really impresses with its spatial audio, though, thanks to its outstanding 3D audio and precise positioning. This is ideal for games with expansive open worlds or first-person shooters, as you might guess. Support for Dolby Atmos makes this even better, and Corsair includes a headset with an automatic license. The Dolby Atmos-compatible Halo Infinite game that we've been playing a lot has sounded fantastic on these headphones.

Pros

• Floating-band headgear style

• Dolby Atmos and excellent Hi-Res audio

• Fantastic microphone

Cons

• Feels heavy

• Mic cannot be removed

• No 3.5mm or Bluetooth

1. Are wireless or corded headsets more effective for gaming?

Really it comes down to preference, but if you decide to use wireless technology, you should look for a device with a strong battery life (20 hours or higher). The last thing you need is a headset that requires constant recharging due to its short battery life. Make sure the cord on a wired headset is long enough to reach your PC without pulling on your head before using it.

2. What is required of a gaming headset?

The most crucial elements are a reasonable price and good quality, but comfort is also crucial. Additionally, most of the headsets we've featured here have noise-canceling microphones because they're necessary for conversation. You require a microphone with passable voice quality that won't capture each keystroke made on your mechanical keyboard.

The best headphones we've listed above are what we believe are currently the best options for gamers in each price bracket. We take into account availability, visitor comments, and price (cheaper headphones prevail over more expensive ones if the price difference isn't significant) (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

Here is a list of all of our headphone reviews, ordered by how well they work for wireless gaming, in case you want to make your own decision. Avoid getting sucked into the details. There are no headphones that are ideal. If you don't care about having a microphone or wireless functions, your pick will be more influenced by personal taste, preference, and listening habits.