Best PC gaming headsets 2023: the top gaming headphones for PC
Immerse yourself in high-quality audio with the best PC gaming headsets
The best PC gaming headsets can have a transformative impact on your favorite pastime. And unlike the best PS5 games – which are often enjoyed using soundbars and home cinema setups – the preferred way to experience the best PC games is to wear headphones at your desk.
Thankfully, though, there are countless gaming headsets to choose from. And the majority of PC gaming headsets tend to include additional features that can boost in-game immersion using dedicated software. Even though the best PS5 headsets and best Xbox Series X headsets have a caught up when it comes to spatial audio, you’ll still find more customization options on PC.
Speaking of, just like with the worlds best gaming PCs, plenty of gaming headsets offer dazzling RGB lighting, so you can add a personalized touch to your setup.
Picking out the best PC gaming headset isn’t exactly easy, though. You need to decide on a budget, choose between a wired or wireless gaming headset, and keep compatibilty in mind. You may also want a headset that focuses on competitve play as opposed to one that will fully immerse you in a virtual world. Here are some of the best PC gaming headsets available today.
Best PC gaming headsets 👇
Best wireless PC gaming headset 🎧
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Release date: May 24, 2022
MSRP: $349
➕ Exceptional audio quality
➕ Dedicated audio software
➖ Might be uncomfortable for some
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset comes with a high price tag, but it’s worth every penny. This is comfortably one of the best wireless PC gaming headset you can buy, and it has the added bonus of letting you hook up a PS5 or PS4 console and also works with Bluetooth devices.
With a powerful DAC included that supports Hi-Res Audio, PC players can also enjoy Sennheiser’s powerful Sonar software that lets you create incredibly convincing spatial audio. What’s more, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless also includes noise-cancelling, and while it isn’t best-in-class, it will still reduce the distracting hum that gaming PCs can often omit when in use.
Perhaps the best feature of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, however, is its hot-swap battery feature. The headset comes with two rechargeable batteries, one that sits and charges in the DAC while the other is in use. Whenever you start to run out of juice, simply swap the batteries around and you’re back in action. It’s so convienient.
One slight against the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the shallow earcups. While I’ve not encountered any issues with them personally, I’ve read multiple reports online of people’s ears pressing against the headset’s noise-canceling nubs which are raised underneath the earcup lining. This might not be a problem for you, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
Best PC gaming headset for sound quality 🤯
Audeze Mobius
MSRP: $399
Release date: November 27, 2018
➕ Impeccable sound
➕ Convincing 3D sound emulation
➖ Strong clamping force
When you’re looking for a new headset, there are two directions you can go. You can either buy a headset that’s specifically tuned to help you pinpoint the footsteps and audio queues of nearby enemies in competitive games, or pursue sumptuous sound quality above everything else. The Audeze Mobius is definitely accomplishes the latter.
This headset uses unique hardware to track every movement of your head, then works together with a software solution to make it sound like you are inside the game you’re playing. And because this headset uses Audeze’s incredible planar magnetic audio drivers, the audio quality is top-notch and super responsive.
What’s better is that Audeze’s 3D audio solution works regardless of the game you’re playing, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility getting in the way of your immersion.
The Audeze Mobius is a wireless gaming headset, but you can also used it wired and with Bluetooth devices so you can connect it to your phone. You’ll only be able to experience the 3D audio when using a wireless or wired connection, however.
While it might be a little cringe to wear a PC gaming headset outside, the Audeze Mobius doesn’t even really look like a gaming headset, so no one will even know you’re living your best gamer life when you’re wearing them on your commute.
Best PC gaming headset for esports 🔫
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wired Gaming Headset
MSRP: $79
Release date: September 25, 2017
➕ Affordable price tag
➕ Wired connection means it’s compatible with everything
➖ Lacking in features
If you’re looking a PC gaming headset and you don’t want to break the bank, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is a fantastic choice. It uses a simple 3.5mm headphone connection and has no fancy lighting or software, which means all the money you’re spending is going towards one thing: sound quality. Right out of the box, this gaming headset punches way above its weight class, with a great sound profile.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha has an incredibly rigid aluminum frame, too, so while it’s affordable, you don’t have to worry about it breaking the first time you drop it from your desk.
If you’re looking for something affordable without paying for the extra bells and whistles that manufacturer sometimes needlessly include, this is the headset for you. No matter what kind of PC games you play, the HyperX Cloud Alpha will get the job done.
Best Dolby Atmos PC gaming headset 🔈
Alienware 920H Tri-Mode gaming headset
Release date: February 2022
MSRP: $200
➕ Gorgeous Alienware aesthetic
➕ Dolby Atmos support
➖ You may be paying more for the Alienware brand
Alienware has been making the best gaming laptops and PCs ever since they were established, and the company has been expanding its focus to peripherals with each passing year. The Alienware 920H Tri-Mode gaming headset is the company’s latest attempt at a wireless gaming headset and it’s the best yet.
The headset has Dolby Atmos-certified virtual surround sound, making for a truly immersive gaming experience. And if Dolby Atmos wasn’t a big enough selling point, it also has active noise canceling, which will help you block out everything but the game you’re playing.
The Alienware 920H Tri-Mode gaming headset also packs some tasteful RGB lighting, limited to just the Alienware logo on each side of the headset. It also follows the same design philosophy as other recent Alienware computers and is the headset to get if you’re already rocking an Alienware rig. There’s nothing better than matching hardware, right?
Best PC gaming headset for streamers 📷
Razer Kraken Kitty Edition Gaming Headset
MSRP: $149
Release date: January 2021
➕ Fun and eye-catching design
➕ Pleasing sound
➖ Not the best build quality
You’ve probably seen the Razer Kraken Kitty Edition headset before, as it’s a popular choice with Twitch streamers. The headset comes in two different colors: pink (or Quartz) and black, but it’s the Quartz option that will appeal to most people.
The Razer Kraken Kitty Edition gaming headset includes Razer’s Chroma RGB, but what makes the lighting unique here is that it’s stream-reactive. This works by integrating the Razer Synapse software into your streaming software of choice, and it’ll react to whatever’s happening in your stream. You can make it have different lighting effects if people comment or subscribe, which will make your viewers feel more immersed in your stream.
Of course, the best PC gaming headsets need to actually sound good as well, and the Razer Kraken Kitty Gaming Headset delivers pleasing audio quality. The USB-only connection does limit this headset to PC users, though, so if you have a wide variety of devices you want to connect to, this will only connect to those with an open USB-A port.
Updated: March 21, 2023