Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headphones with Mic
Five headsets compared, from the Vliveaudax to the Stealth 700 PS, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gaming headphones with a microphone cover voice chat without a separate mic. Every pick offers a microphone, ordered by driver size.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: battery life, driver size and connection come from each maker's published specs; a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset
The longest battery life here (120 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround
The cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset
50mm drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Our take Check price for syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stealth 700 uses the largest drivers here, 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, and a CrossPlay dual transmitter for switching between systems.
Best for
- Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Vliveaudax cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.
You get a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its a wired connection. Like the Stealth 700 PS, it has a flip-to-mute microphone, while the CM7002 uses an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone. It was priced above the Cloud III S and below the Stealth 700 PS at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: CrossPlay dual transmitter
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 60mm drivers
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
- Memory foam cushions designed for glasses
- CrossPlay dual transmitter connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PlayStation Stealth 700 uses 60mm Eclipse drivers and offers up to 80 hours of battery life.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Vliveaudax was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. This PlayStation version runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at once and is rated for up to 80 hours per charge. Its flip-to-mute mic uses AI noise reduction.
A steel-reinforced headband and lay-flat ear cups add durability, and the wheel and mode button can be remapped. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Stealth 700; the Cloud III S goes with a detachable microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Stealth 700 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 60mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life3 of 5
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Cloud III S leads on battery at a 120 hours, with 53mm drivers, the largest here.
Best for
- Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Vliveaudax was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its aluminium frame resists knocks, and a lifetime Spatial Audio activation adds 3D positioning on PC. Magnetic ear-cup plates can be swapped. Its 53mm driver size ranks third of 5 here, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm) and ahead of the CM7002 (50mm).
You get a detachable microphone here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone. You also get memory foam cushions. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper CM7002 and the pricier Stealth 700, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 120 hours
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Detachable
Pros
- Up to 120 hours of battery life
- 53mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Memory foam cushions
Cons
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Vliveaudax USB Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Vliveaudax's headset connects through a USB sound card with 7.1 virtual surround.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Pass on it if driver size of 50mm, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced USB headset here. Its noise-cancelling mic and ear-cup volume control are plug-and-play over USB-A or USB-C. On driver size it ties with the CM7002 at 50mm.
You get a wired USB sound card connection here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its a wired connection. No other pick in this guide offers a boom mic microphone; compare the Cloud III S, which has a detachable microphone. It also comes with 50mm drivers.
It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the CM7002 the next step up. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired USB sound card
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB sound card
- 7.1 virtual surround
Cons
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm)
Strong Alternative5 of 5
syndesmos CM7002 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The CM7002 offers 50mm drivers and an ENC noise-cancelling mic at a budget price.
Best for
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Stealth 700 offers 60mm.
Why we like it
Noise cancelling on the mic helps in a loud room. Its 50mm drivers and soft over-ear cushions aim at long competitive sessions, and an ENC mic reduces background noise. The wired link avoids battery worries.
On driver size it ties with the Vliveaudax at 50mm. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the Vliveaudax and its a wired USB sound card connection. No other pick in this guide offers an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone; compare the Cloud III S, which has a detachable microphone.
It was priced above the Vliveaudax and below the Cloud III S at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired
- Microphone: ENC noise-cancelling boom
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- ENC noise-cancelling microphone
- Low price tier
Cons
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
- Costs more than the Vliveaudax at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Headphones with Mic
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
What to Look for in Gaming Headphones with Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Battery life claims vary with lighting
Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.
Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
How to Choose Gaming Headphones with Mic
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers | Stealth 700 | 60mm Eclipse dual drivers |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Stealth 700 PS | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 60mm Eclipse dual drivers |
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Cloud III S | The longest battery life here (120 hours) |
| Spending as little as possible | Vliveaudax | The cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002 |
| Buyers who want 50mm drivers | CM7002 | 50mm drivers |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth 700 | Not listed | 60mm | CrossPlay dual transmitter | Flip-to-mute |
| Stealth 700 PS | 80 hours | 60mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously | Flip-to-mute |
| Cloud III S | 120 hours | 53mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Detachable |
| Vliveaudax | Not listed | 50mm | Wired USB sound card | Boom mic |
| CM7002 | Not listed | 50mm | Wired | ENC noise-cancelling boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Vliveaudax, CM7002 |
| About $100 to $150 | Cloud III S |
| About $150 to $250 | Stealth 700, Stealth 700 PS |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these headsets compare on driver size?
The Stealth 700 leads at 60mm, ahead of the Stealth 700 PS at 60mm; the CM7002 sits at the other end with 50mm.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
That was the Vliveaudax at our last check; if you can stretch, the CM7002 is the next step up and the Stealth 700 PS the priciest.
Can I use one headset on PC and console?
Many can, but check the connection for each system. Xbox-specific wireless headsets often need a matching adapter or Bluetooth on PC.
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stealth 700, chosen for 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. Look at the Stealth 700 PS for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, the Vliveaudax for the cheapest way into this group, below the CM7002 and the CM7002 for 50mm drivers if those matter more to you.
A detachable mic lets the same pair double as everyday headphones.