The Best Gaming Headsets Right Now

Its detachable 6mm cardioid mic lets it double as everyday headphones. On battery life it trails the group at 50 hours, while the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours. It matches the BlackShark V3 on driver size (50mm).

You get a detachable 6mm cardioid microphone here, which sets it apart from the Arctis Nova 5 and its a retractable microphone. It also offers a USB-A dongle with a 3.5mm pass-through port. On a PC, use the Lightspeed dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.

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. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the BlackShark V3 and the rest.

Its aluminium frame resists knocks, and a lifetime Spatial Audio activation adds 3D positioning on PC. Magnetic ear-cup plates can be swapped. Nothing else here matches its 120 hours battery life; the BlackShark V3 comes closest at 70 hours.

It shares a detachable microphone with the BlackShark V3; the Arctis Nova 5 goes with a retractable 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.

The nearest alternative on driver size is the G PRO X 2 at 50mm, against 53mm here. Its price falls between the Cloud III and the Arctis Nova 5, based on our last check.

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 5 here, behind the Cloud III S (120 hours) and ahead of the G PRO X 2 (50 hours). On driver size it ties with the G PRO X 2 at 50mm.

Like the Cloud III S, it has a detachable microphone, while the G PRO X 2 uses a detachable 6mm cardioid microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. When we checked, only the G522 and cheaper picks cost less, and the G PRO X 2 cost more. Driver size is its weakest area, and the Cloud III S covers it better at 53mm.

A compact USB-C dongle swaps between PC, PlayStation, Switch and Meta Quest, and Quick-Switch jumps to Bluetooth. All controls sit on the ear cups. Over 100 game presets tune the audio in the companion app.

On battery life it ties with the G522 at 60 hours. A retractable microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud III uses a upgraded microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the Cloud III S, which comes in at 53mm.

It weighs 280g and offers up to 60 hours with lighting off. On battery life it ties with the Arctis Nova 5 at 60 hours. It is the only pick here with a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection; the Cloud III has a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection instead.

You get a 48kHz/16-bit microphone here, which sets it apart from the Cloud III and its a upgraded microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the Cloud III S comes in at 53mm.

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. It is the only pick here with a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; the G522 has a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection instead. You get a upgraded microphone here, which sets it apart from the Arctis Nova 5 and its a retractable microphone.

USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It undercut the Cloud III S and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours.