Buying Guide
The Best ANC Gaming Headsets
We weighed three headsets on driver size and connection, and the BlackShark V3 Pro costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Active noise cancelling blocks steady noise such as fans and traffic. Every pick lists ANC, ordered by battery life.
The order reflects driver size, connection and microphone from maker specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset
The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset
Active noise cancellation.
Best for: Buyers who want active noise cancellation.
Our take Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC
The top of this price range, adding active noise cancelling.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| Active noise cancellation. | Buyers who want active noise cancellation. | Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding active noise cancelling. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BlackShark V3 Pro adds active noise cancellation and a 3.5mm wired option to the BlackShark design.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
HyperSpeed Gen-2 wireless keeps latency around 10ms, and the detachable 12mm HyperClear mic captures voice in full band. Active noise cancellation helps in loud rooms. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz 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 also brings 50mm drivers. It makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. It undercut the Virtuoso MAX and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm
- Microphone: Detachable
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX
Also Consider2 of 3
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Virtuoso MAX is Corsair's premium wireless headset with ANC and Dolby Atmos support, at the highest price here.
Best for
- Buyers who want active noise cancellation.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the BlackShark V3 Pro was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its 50mm graphene drivers and Dolby Atmos spatial audio on PC suit story games, and ANC blocks room noise. It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. Its battery and wireless range suit moving away from the desk mid-session.
It connects over low-latency 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, and the mic handles voice chat. Its battery covers several days of play between charges. It also offers active noise cancellation.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the BlackShark V3 Pro and the INZONE H9, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- Costs more than the BlackShark V3 Pro at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sony's INZONE H9 adds active noise cancelling and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It suits noisy homes more than any other PlayStation headset here. Sony's dual-sensor noise cancelling and 360 Spatial Sound target PS5 and PC. It connects wirelessly and has a boom mic.
The boom mic flips up to mute, and 360 Spatial Sound helps place effects around you. 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 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Virtuoso MAX and the rest. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the BlackShark V3 Pro comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute boom
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancelling
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- 360 Spatial Sound
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the BlackShark V3 Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These ANC Gaming Headsets
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three headsets on driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the BlackShark V3 Pro to the INZONE H9, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The INZONE H9 gives no driver size; the Virtuoso MAX gives no microphone.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the BlackShark V3 Pro ($150 to $250) to the INZONE H9 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an ANC Gaming Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Fit and compatibility
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
Extras that separate them
The BlackShark V3 Pro: active noise cancellation. The Virtuoso MAX: Dolby Atmos support. The INZONE H9: simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the BlackShark V3 Pro and the Virtuoso MAX; $250 to $500 buys the INZONE H9 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the BlackShark V3 Pro. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the INZONE H9.
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.
How to Choose an ANC Gaming Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | BlackShark V3 Pro | The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX |
| Buyers who want active noise cancellation | Virtuoso MAX | Active noise cancellation |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | INZONE H9 | The top of this price range, adding active noise cancelling |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BlackShark V3 Pro, the Virtuoso MAX and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackShark V3 Pro | 50mm | HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Detachable |
| Virtuoso MAX | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Not listed |
| INZONE H9 | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Flip-to-mute boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The BlackShark V3 Pro was the lowest-priced pick and the INZONE H9 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | BlackShark V3 Pro, Virtuoso MAX |
| About $250 to $500 | INZONE H9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the BlackShark V3 Pro our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the BlackShark V3 Pro and the INZONE H9 differ on microphone?
The BlackShark V3 Pro uses detachable; the INZONE H9 uses flip-to-mute boom. The maker of the Virtuoso MAX doesn't say.
Will the Virtuoso MAX work with my setup?
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. In this guide it ranks second of 3.
What extras do the BlackShark V3 Pro and the Virtuoso MAX include?
The BlackShark V3 Pro: active noise cancellation. The Virtuoso MAX: active noise cancellation. The INZONE H9: active noise cancelling.
Are gaming headsets comfortable with glasses?
Softer memory foam pads and lighter clamp help. Look for listings that mention glasses support if it matters to you.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the BlackShark V3 Pro, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. Look at the Virtuoso MAX for active noise cancellation and the INZONE H9 for the top of this price range, adding active noise cancelling if those matter more to you.
ANC uses battery; turn it off at a quiet desk.