Picking up the best gaming headset will transform your gaming PC audio, adding an extra layer of immersion to your Steam library. Using a great pair of cans with surround sound capabilities can give you a competitive edge in first-person shooters, but it’ll also bring your favourite videogame soundtracks to life, enhancing each adventure you embark on at your desk.
To help you acquire the best gaming headset for your needs, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks, including options by Corsair, EPOS, Logitech, and Razer. Not every headset we’ve tested costs a fortune, and we’ve made sure to include great budget solutions that won’t compromise on quality or comfort. Sure, those tinny speakers on your display technically work, but if your eyes deserve the best gaming monitor, why not give your ears the same treatment?
Here are the best gaming headsets in 2023:
1. Best gaming headset
The best gaming headset is the Razer BlackShark V2.
Expect to pay around $99.99 USD / £99.99 GBP.
| Razer BlackShark V2 specs | |
| Drivers | TriForce Titanium 50mm |
| Frequency range | 12Hz – 28,000Hz |
| Weight | 262g |
- Titanium 50mm drivers
- Great value
- Stunning design
Cons
- Mic quality could be better
The Razer BlackShark V2 is an alpha predator within the gaming headset space, and it takes down its premium prey at a competitive price. It strikes a perfect balance when it comes to aesthetics, build quality, and fidelity, with killer levels of comfort serving as a delicious cherry on top.
Armed with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, the Razer BlackShark V2 produces hearty bass, marvellous mids, and sharp treble. If you looking to enhance your skills in the best FPS games, using this particular pair of cans will provide your ears with all the competitive information you need, as every footstep and shot fired by your opponent will sound crystal clear. Of course, it’s also going to make your favourite video game soundtracks shine, and all those bumps and screams in the new Dead Space Remake will sound wonderfully wretched.
In terms of design, the BlackShark V2 is surprisingly subtle compared to other Razer options, resembling something that looks more like professional studio headphones. We’re a huge fan of the distinct volume knob located on the left cup, and the bright green cord adds a bit of spice to the headset’s low-key flavours.
For under $100 USD, you’ll struggle to find a headset that can take on the BlackShark VR, and it’ll come out swinging against expensive alternatives. It won’t put on an RGB light show at your desk, and the fact you can’t detach its microphone is a bit of a bummer, but those tiny cons are far outweighed by its abilities and price.
2. Best budget gaming headset
The best budget gaming headset is the Asus TUF Gaming H3.
Expect to pay around $49.99 USD / £49.99 GBP.
| Asus TUF Gaming H3 specs | |
| Drivers | 50mm |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| Weight | 298g |
Pros
- Comfortable
- Solid audio
- Tough
Cons
- Can’t remove microphone
The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is a budget gaming headset gladiator that doesn’t compromise on quality, and it gets a hell of a lot right for under $50. Solid build, subtle good looks, and great audio quality help this particular pair of cans steal the budget crown, serving as proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to upgrade your gaming PC setup.
Off the bat, the Asus TUF Gaming H3 looks a lot more expensive than it actually is, and its build quality will fool you into believing it does. Its flexible headband and solid construction provide the durability needed to withstand intense daily use, and our tests confirm it’s as hardy as the brand name implies.
Many budget options struggle to strike a balance in terms of audio fidelity, but the TUF Gaming H3 provides excellent clarity using Asus’ 50mm Essence drivers. You won’t have to deal with muddy bass spoiling your mids, and treble rings true while avoiding sounding tinny. In addition, it wields a superb microphone that surprised us while testing, providing levels of capture clarity we’d usually expect from a more expensive headset.
There aren’t many cheap headsets out there that hit as hard as the Asus TUF Gaming H3, and it deserves its spot at the gaming audio table. Sure, we’ve used various other headsets that boast fancy features, but even premium options should feel threatened by the H3’s $49.99 USD price tag.
Read the PCGamesN Asus TUF Gaming H3 review for our full verdict and score.
3. Best wireless gaming headset
The best wireless gaming headset is the Corsair HS65 Wireless.
Expect to pay around $119 USD / £119 GBP.
The Corsair HS65 Wireless is currently unavailable in the US, but stock should emerge soon.
| Corsair HS65 Wireless specs | |
| Drivers | 50mm neodymium |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| Weight | 275g |
Pros
- Heaps of style
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- Decent mic quality
Cons
- Mic isn’t detachable
- No 3.5mm
The Corsair HS65 Wireless feels like a familiar friend, as its wired sibling is also one of our favourite headsets. The latest edition to the company’s headset family embodies style, quality, and functionality, and manages to cut the cord without much compromise.
Both the wireless version and HS65 Surround have good looks on their side, with mesh detailing on the cups adding a fashionable flair. Pivoting cups mean you’ll also be able to comfortably wear the headset around your neck in between gaming sessions, and if the mic was detachable, we’d probably take it with us outside as an on-the-go audio solution.
Aesthetics aside, the HS65 Wireless boasts great fidelity and balanced audio that delivers on multiple fronts. Its 7.1 surround sound and spacial audio capabilities are present to enhance the best new PC games, but it’s going to bring an immersive level of audible delight to your entire Steam library using Corsair’s impressive 50mm drivers.
The HS65 Wireless is armed with both 2.4GHz low latency connectivity and Bluetooth, and the latter means it’ll get on great with portable pals like the Steam Deck. Whether you’re gaming on the go or cooried up on the best gaming chair, you’ll be able to stream sweet PC sounds to your ears for up to 24 hours on a full charge, while a quick 15-minute zap will provide you with six hours of playtime. Great battery life is just one of the reasons why Corsair’s cordless headset is our current favourite, and deserves a spot at the best wireless gaming headset table.
Read the PCGamesN Corsair HS65 Wireless review for our full verdict and score.
4. Best headset microphone
The best headset mic is the Corsair HS65 Surround.
Expect to pay around $79.99 USD / £79.99 GBP.
We already spilt the beans above about how much we like the Corsair HS65 Surround while highlighting its newer wireless counterpart. Yet, the original wired model has a few unique tricks up its sleeve, as it matches style and fidelity with exceptional mic quality.
Headsets understandably struggle to hold up against the best gaming microphone options, but the Corsair HS65 Surround offers incredible capture performance at a low price. This stylish pair of gaming cans boast levels of quality you’d expect from premium alternatives, and its sense of style proves you don’t need to clad all gaming gear in RGB and edgy aesthetics.
We’ve already covered the fact that the Corsair HS65 Surround is ridiculously stylish, and despite its $49.99 price tag, it looks almost exactly like the wireless version. It’s actually a bit of a trendsetter, as the latter model has its wired sibling to thank for its sense of fashion. It wears the same attractive metallic mesh design, and its pivoting cups provide the same level of wearable comfort.
We don’t find wires particularly offensive, and the HS65 Surround’s 3.5mm jack adds a pleasing element of versatility, facilitating compatibility with a variety of devices. You’ll have to use the included USB sound card to tap into the headset’s 7.1 surround sound capabilities, but if you’re looking for a pair of cans that’ll connect to the Steam Deck and the best PC controllers like the PS5 Dualsense, you’ll be able to do that without additional adapters.
Read the PCGamesN Corsair HS65 Surround review for our full verdict and score.
5. Best open back headset
The best open back headset is the EPOS H6Pro.
Expect to pay around $150 USD / £149 GBP.
| EPOS H6Pro specs | |
| Drivers | N/A |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 10Hz – 30,000Hz |
| Weight | 322g |
Pros
- Open and closed-back options
- Incredible microphone quality
- Comfortable construction
Cons
Open-back headset options are seemingly few and far between, but the EPOS H6Pro heroically brings the feature to the gaming fold. It’s a versatile heavy hitter that scratches a very specific fidelity itch, and the vented approach will appeal to budding high-end enthusiasts looking to introduce audiophile-grade peripherals to their gaming PC setup.
The H6Pro comes in both closed and open-back flavours, but we definitely prefer the latter model. Its ability to produce a natural soundstage sets it apart from ordinary headset options, while still ultimately catering to the gaming marker. Rich audio and a crystal clear mic accompany the H6Pro’s main party trick, and its fabric cups have things covered on the comfort front.
Thankfully, unlike other contenders on our list, the H6Pro mic is detachable, so you could actually use it like a pair of conventional headphones. It’s not quite as stylish as Corsair’s HS65 duo, but being able to remove its microphone is still a boon.
Read the PCGamesN EPOS H6Pro review for our full verdict and score.
6. Best budget wireless headset
The best budget wireless headset is the Logitech G435 Lightspeed.
Expect to pay around $110 USD / £99.99 GBP.
| Logitech G435 Lightspeed specs | |
| Drivers | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| Weight | 165g |
Pros
- Lightspeed wireless
- Fantastic value
- Pretty colours
Cons
- No wired backup connection
Most wireless gaming headsets cost more than wired alternatives, but the Logitech G435 Lightspeed cost under $100 USD and delivers fantastic cordless capabilities. Armed with both Lightspeed 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth, it’ll happily connect to your gaming PC, Steam Deck, or any other devices kicking around your house, and we think it trades blows with even the priciest options out there.
The Logitech G435 Lightspeed delivers high-fidelity gaming audio using 40mm drivers, and its lightweight construction will keep any comfort woes at bay. Despite the lower price tag, it also boasts brilliant mic abilities, eliminating background noise using built-in dual beamforming microphones. It doesn’t even skimp on batter life, as it’ll endure 16 hours of continuous gameplay on a single charge.
Not a fan of boring black headsets? The Logitech G435 comes in a variety of pleasing colours, including one that looks visual bubblegum. However, please don’t chew that particular flavour of headset, as it’s not as cheap as a packet of Bubblicious.
7. Most immersive gaming headset
The most immersive gaming headset is the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense.
Expect to pay $129.99 USD / £124 GBP.
| Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense specs | |
| Drivers | TriForce Titanium |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| Weight | 344g |
Pros
- Unique bass-driven haptic feedback
- Detailed audio
- Adjustable EQ levels with Razer Central
Cons
The idea of a vibrating headset might sound gimmicky, but hear us out, as the Kraken V3 Hypersense more than justifies haptic accessories. In a way, Razer’s rumbly tech feels almost like a subwoofer, as it adds a sense of audio physicality to the device’s 7.1 surround sound capabilities. If you’re a fan of FPS experiences like Halo Infinite, then you’ll love Kraken V3 Hypersense’s dedication to immersion, as its haptics transform every gunshot and explosion into directional, tactical information.
Haptics aside, the Kraken V3 also is an exceptional headset in its own right. A mix of durable plastics, metals, and leatherette gives the V3 Hypersense a premium feel, while its detachable mic boasts clarity and efficient noise reduction.
Of course, if you’re a fan of colourful accessories, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Kraken V3 Hypersense is clad in Chroma RGB, and the company’s lighting tech looks better than ever.
Read the PCGamesN Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense review for our full run-down and score.
