While audiophile headphones are a staple recommendation for gaming audio, especially on PC (where you have the flexibility to EQ them), purpose-built gaming headsets provide improvements to convenience and usability that passive audiophile headphones don't. Most notably, many gaming headsets provide access to low-latency wireless connections and a dedicated boom microphone: the former gives you the flexibility to move around, while the latter means you won't need to buy a separate microphone for voice comms. Competitive options also typically have a twist of some kind, giving you access to features like high-quality audio (wired and wireless) or ANC (which is rare on gaming headsets). That said, some users may prefer simpler, wired-only options, and we have one such entry further down.
We've tested over 895 headphones, and below are our recommendations for PC gaming headsets. If you also game on other platforms, check out our recommendations for the best PS5/PS5 Pro headsets and the best Xbox Series X/S headsets. If you're looking for a more portable fit, check out the best earbuds for gaming or head to the best gaming headsets for a more general overview.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise Isolation - Full RangeBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualityPeaks/DipsSee all our test resultsMicrophone (In Development)The best PC gaming headset we've tested is the Audeze Maxwell 2. Out of the box, this headset has a balanced sound profile that reproduces everything from pounding kick drums to high-pitched clashing sword effects with detail. Voices are also rendered accurately, so you can understand teammates even during busy fights. Unlike most other wireless headsets, the Audeze features planar magnetic drivers and has a distinct audiophile focus, supporting high-bitrate audio via its wireless dongle. For casual use, it also supports higher-quality audio codecs via Bluetooth, like LDAC and LC3.
The Audeze isn't perfect, though; of the picks on this list, it's the heaviest, so you may find the top of your head gets sore over long periods of play. Fortunately, their 77-hour battery means you won't be stuck needing to recharge between breaks (even over multiple days). Its boom mic is one of the best we've tested, with natural-sounding voice pickup and AI noise reduction features that keep background noise out of your crucial comms. Still, if you're looking for something more lightweight and comfortable, check out our next pick, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.
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Best Upper Mid-Range PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise Isolation - Full RangeBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualityPeaks/DipsSee all our test resultsMicrophone (In Development)While the Audeze Maxwell 2 are known for their relatively balanced sound, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro have a more excited tuning with low-end and high-end emphasis highlighting bombastic explosions and the shimmer of clashing swords. There's also leeway to tune the headphones to taste with the EQ tools in the companion software (or with third-party applications on PC). While they're more comfortable than the Audeze, the Razer's main advantage over our top pick is the inclusion of active noise cancelling (ANC); it's not the greatest among noise cancelling headphones we've tested, but definitely more than an empty attempt. Its ANC mitigates mid- and high-bass noise like construction rumble a good deal more than headphones on this list without the feature.
The battery lasts an impressive 42 hours using the wireless USB-C dongle while connected to a second device via Bluetooth, or just shy of 70 hours with a single connection. They also offer flexible connectivity, featuring wired USB-C and analog support. However, they don't have a backup integrated mic like the Audeze, so you'll have to contend with looking a bit strange if you want to take phone calls in public with these cans.
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Best Mid-Range PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise Isolation - Full RangeBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualityPeaks/DipsSee all our test resultsMicrophone (In Development)If you're happy to recharge your headset every couple of days, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 are the best wireless gaming headsets for PC in the mid-range. These headphones have a warm sound profile that emphasizes sound effects like footsteps and the rumble of explosions. While their mid-range is relatively flat, reproducing accurate dialogue, they have a somewhat inconsistent treble response out of the box, with sibilants rendered dull or piercing depending on their pitch. Fortunately, you can customize their sound to your tastes via their companion app's parametric EQ. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can connect them to your phone via Bluetooth at the same time as your PC via their wireless dongle.
Compared to the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro, these headphones have a shorter battery life of roughly 30 hours of juice, and they don't have ANC. If you only plan to game wirelessly, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 are worth checking out, as they last almost 50 hours and have a slightly better mic than the Nova 7. However, the Nova 5 can't be used via a wired connection, so they're a little less versatile than our pick. You'll still sound natural when using the Nova 7's mic, though its higher noise floor might distract others if you aren't using any software noise attenuation like NVIDIA Broadcast or Discord's built-in Krisp.
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Best Lower Mid-Range PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise Isolation - Full RangeBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualityPeaks/DipsSee all our test resultsMicrophone (In Development)For gamers looking to get the most essential features without paying a lot, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) is the best lower mid-range wireless gaming headset for PC. Don't let their price fool you, though; these headphones have many gamer-centric features, including a great companion app and a flip-up-to-mute microphone. Their mic punches above their price point, performing just as well as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7's. It's great at separating your voice from any noise around you, so whoever you're talking to won't be distracted when your noisy roommates start playing tunes in the next room.
Their low-latency wireless dongle provides a great connection for gaming. You can also connect them to your phone via Bluetooth, but you can't hear audio via both Bluetooth and dongle connections simultaneously, unlike with the SteelSeries. Still, a simple press of the QuickSwitch button means it's not too difficult to take a mid-game phone call.
With a fairly excited sound profile, they do a good job making rumbly explosions and clashing swords come alive, but this can come at the cost of making other audio, like dialogue, sound both too boomy and piercing. Luckily, their companion app includes a graphic EQ, so you can tailor these to your preferences. They're not as well-built as more expensive headphones on the list, but they have a comfortable fit and an amazing 85-hour battery life.
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Best Budget PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise IsolationBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualitySee all our test resultsPeaks/DipsIf you're a PC gamer happy to sacrifice a little versatility to keep your expenditure down, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless are a great budget pick. You can't use these headphones via a wired connection, but they offer a decent wireless gaming experience via their low-latency dongle connection. Plus, they're comfortable, especially if you have a smaller head.
They have a warm tuning out of the box, which makes effects like footsteps easy to hear and soundtracks exciting. A mid-range dip can cause dialogue to sound a touch distant, but there's enough brightness to ensure you won't miss anything your teammates say. Overall, they present a variety of game audio with sufficient detail to ensure an enjoyable experience while wearing them.
Like most headphones in this price range, they don't offer extra features like an EQ to adjust their sound, and their 20-hour battery life also doesn't come close to the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3)'s 85. Their mic is adequate, but doesn't perform as well as the Turtle Beach's. If you want to keep costs down but microphone quality is important, consider the Logitech G432. These are wired-only, but they present your voice more accurately to the person you're talking to.
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Best Open-Back PC Gaming Headset
ComfortControlsNoise Isolation - Full RangeBatteryBuild QualityRecording QualityPeaks/DipsSee all our test resultsMicrophone (In Development)The Sony INZONE H6 Air are the best open-back headphones for PC gaming we've tested. Unlike the other options on this list, these headphones have ear cups that aren't sealed. This enclosure type changes how audio produced by the drivers interacts with your environment and affects your listening experience, which can impart an enhanced sense of immersiveness to your audio. The downside is they're not the best choice for a noisy environment, as they don't block out much sound and leak a lot of audio.
These headphones have the same drivers as the well-known Sony MDR-MV1, and reproduce a surprising amount of bass given the enclosure type. They don't have the same low-bass rumble that you'd find on the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, but there's extra mid- and high-bass to compensate by amping up the punchiness of explosions. The Sony also have a solid mic that captures your voice naturally, so whoever you're gaming with will hear your comms clearly. However, they can only be used with a wired analog connection. If you like the idea of open-backs but want to game wirelessly, check out the Turtle Beach Atlas Air. They have a similar sound, a great microphone, and can connect to your other devices via Bluetooth. That said, they're less comfortable for marathon gaming sessions.
Notable Mentions
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni:
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is a premium-tier headset with ANC and flexible connectivity, but it's more costly than the Audeze Maxwell 2 with a shorter continuous battery life. Its default excited sound profile has some harsh treble peaks that won't be to everyone's liking, though the plush earpads will suit gamers who want a comfortable fit.
See our review -
Sony INZONE H9 II:
The Sony INZONE H9 II are premium gaming headphones with ANC. Their ANC performs slightly better than the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro's, but their higher price and muffled-sounding microphone hold them back.
See our review -
ASUS ROG Kithara:
The ASUS ROG Kithara are wired-only, open-back gaming headphones similar to the Sony INZONE H6 Air. The ASUS are typically pricier, but they come with more extras like a second set of earpads and extra screw-on connectors. That said, they weigh nearly double and aren't as comfortable as the Sony.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jul 13, 2026:
We've trimmed down some text and removed references to additional products that didn't provide clear benefits relative to our picks. We've also verified that the remaining picks are in stock and relevant for PC gaming.
Jun 08, 2026:
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni perform slightly better than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite at a more competitive price point, but still fall short of our top picks. As a result, they've been added to the Notable Mentions. Otherwise, we've checked all our picks and confirmed they still represent the best value for their price points.
Apr 22, 2026:
We've replaced the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X with the ASUS ROG Kithara as our open-back pick, and made minor improvements across the article.
Mar 10, 2026:
The Audeze Maxwell 2's amazing microphone performance makes them our new top pick. The original Audeze Maxwell are still a good purchase if you can find a deal.
Jan 19, 2026:
We added the Fractal Scape as an alternative to the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro for anyone prioritizing mic performance above all else.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best gaming headphones for PC to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our headphone reviews, sorted by their wireless gaming performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection, especially if you don't care about having a microphone or wireless features.