The Best Gaming Headphones: Our Research Picks

HyperX offers support for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its aluminium frame is flexible and resists knocks. The wired connection needs no charging and works with PC, consoles and phones through a 3.5mm or USB cable.

Its comfort-first design targets long matches, with memory-foam cushions and a padded headband. Nothing else here matches its 53mm driver size; the SHP9500 comes closest at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; the Cloud Alpha Wireless has a 2.4GHz wireless connection instead.

You get a upgraded microphone here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V3 and its a detachable microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It undercut the SHP9500 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

Its noise-rejecting mic suits noisy rooms. Its ClearCast Gen 2 mic cuts background noise by up to 25dB, and battery lasts over 50 hours with USB-C fast charge. A steel frame and memory foam balance weight and comfort.

Its 50 hours battery life is the shortest in this group; the Cloud Alpha Wireless leads at 300 hours. It is the only pick here with a noise-rejecting microphone; the BlackShark V3 has a detachable microphone instead. It also offers 360-degree spatial audio support.

On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. At our last price check it topped the group, with the BlackShark V3 the nearest cheaper option.

There is no microphone, so pair it with a desk or clip-on mic. On driver size it ties with the BlackShark V3 at 50mm. You also get a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.

A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was priced above the Cloud III and below the Cloud Alpha Wireless at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud Alpha Wireless runs for 300 hours.

It pairs that with DTS Headphone:X spatial audio and dual-chamber drivers in an aluminum frame. Nothing else here matches its 300 hours battery life; the BlackShark V3 comes closest at 70 hours. You get a 2.4GHz wireless connection here, which sets it apart from the Cloud III and its a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection.

No other pick in this guide offers an included microphone; compare the BlackShark V3, which has a detachable microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. It was priced above the SHP9500 and below the BlackShark V3 at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Cloud III comes in at 53mm.

Esports-tuned EQ profiles and THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 add positional cues, and the detachable HyperClear mic captures super-wideband voice. Its 70 hours battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours) and ahead of the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 (50 hours). On driver size it ties with the SHP9500 at 50mm.

It is the only pick here with a detachable microphone; the Cloud III has a upgraded microphone instead. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Driver size is its weakest area, and the Cloud III covers it better at 53mm.