Buying Guide
The Best Dolby Atmos Gaming Headsets
From the HS65 Surround to the Virtuoso MAX: four headsets ranked on battery life and driver size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Dolby Atmos for Headphones places sounds above and around you, which helps locate footsteps. Every pick supports Dolby Atmos, ordered by driver size.
We sorted these picks by battery life, driver size and connection, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips battery life, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset
A lower price than the Void v2 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset
Active noise cancellation at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Corsair Void v2 Wireless
The longest battery life here (70 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Our take Check price for Corsair Void v2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Included Microphone
Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset
An included microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want an included microphone.
Our take Check price for Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Void v2 and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| Active noise cancellation at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest battery life here (70 hours). | Long sessions away from a charging cable. | Check price for Corsair Void v2 Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| An included microphone. | Buyers who want an included microphone. | Check price for Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The HS65 Surround is the wired value pick, with 50mm drivers, 3.5mm and USB connections and flip-to-mute.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Leatherette memory foam cups with a soft fabric layer sit on an adjustable headband reinforced with aluminum. Its custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers support Dolby Atmos spatial audio on PC. No other pick in this guide offers a flip-to-mute microphone; compare the Void v2, which has an omnidirectional boom microphone.
USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Void v2 the next step up. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Void v2 runs for 70 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Weight: 282g
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm, USB
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Dolby Atmos support
- Flip-to-mute microphone, the only one here
Premium Pick2 of 4
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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. You also get active noise cancellation.
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 Xbox Wireless Headset the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Void v2 instead: it runs for 70 hours, while this one gives no figure.
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
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life3 of 4
Corsair Void v2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Corsair's Void v2 offers up to 70 hours of battery life, Dolby Atmos support and NVIDIA Broadcast mic support.
Best for
- Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. It runs 2.4GHz for gaming and Bluetooth for phones, with up to 70 hours per charge and 6 hours from a 15-minute top-up. An omnidirectional boom microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Xbox Wireless Headset uses an included microphone.
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 HS65 Surround and the Xbox Wireless Headset, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the HS65 Surround, which comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 70 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Omnidirectional boom
Pros
- Up to 70 hours of battery life
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Dolby Atmos support
- NVIDIA Broadcast mic support
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing
Included Microphone4 of 4
Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset connects straight to the console and adds Bluetooth LE for a phone, with Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Best for
- Buyers who want an included microphone.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: shorter 20-hour battery.
Why we like it
Its 20-hour battery is the shortest here, so it suits shorter sessions or a nearby charger. It is the only pick here with an included microphone; the HS65 Surround has a flip-to-mute microphone instead. It also offers dual wireless connectivity.
It connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless; on a PC, check the product page for the connection it supports, since Xbox Wireless on Windows usually needs Microsoft's adapter or a built-in radio. When we checked, only the Void v2 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Virtuoso MAX cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the HS65 Surround instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Connection: Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth LE
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio support
- Dual wireless connectivity
- Included microphone, the only one here
Cons
- Shorter 20-hour battery
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing
How We Chose These Dolby Atmos Gaming Headsets
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the HS65 Surround to the Xbox Wireless Headset, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The HS65 Surround and the Virtuoso MAX give no battery life; the Void v2 and the Xbox Wireless Headset give no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the HS65 Surround ($50 to $100) to the Virtuoso MAX ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Dolby Atmos Gaming Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much battery life you need
Here battery life runs from 20 hours on the Xbox Wireless Headset to 70 hours on the Void v2. The Void v2 is the pick for battery life. No figure for the HS65 Surround and the Virtuoso MAX.
What to check at home
USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless; on a PC, check the product page for the connection it supports, since Xbox Wireless on Windows usually needs Microsoft's adapter or a built-in radio.
Features beyond the spec table
The HS65 Surround: Dolby Atmos support. The Void v2: NVIDIA Broadcast mic support. The Xbox Wireless Headset: dual wireless connectivity.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the HS65 Surround and the Void v2; $100 to $150 buys the Xbox Wireless Headset; $150 to $250 buys the Virtuoso MAX at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the HS65 Surround. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the Virtuoso MAX. Long sessions away from a charging cable: the Void v2.
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.
How to Choose a Dolby Atmos Gaming Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | HS65 Surround | A lower price than the Void v2 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Virtuoso MAX | Active noise cancellation at the highest price in the group |
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Void v2 | The longest battery life here (70 hours) |
| Buyers who want an included microphone | Xbox Wireless Headset | An included microphone |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Void v2 leads on battery life at 70 hours, ahead of the Xbox Wireless Headset at 20 hours. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS65 Surround | Not listed | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm, USB | Flip-to-mute |
| Virtuoso MAX | Not listed | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Not listed |
| Void v2 | 70 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Omnidirectional boom |
| Xbox Wireless Headset | 20 hours | Not listed | Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth LE | Included |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The HS65 Surround was the lowest-priced pick and the Virtuoso MAX the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | HS65 Surround, Void v2 |
| About $100 to $150 | Xbox Wireless Headset |
| About $150 to $250 | Virtuoso MAX |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Xbox Wireless Headset compare with the Void v2 on battery life?
The Void v2 leads at 70 hours, with the Xbox Wireless Headset at 20 hours. The HS65 Surround and the Virtuoso MAX don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the Void v2 the Longest Battery Life?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (70 hours). It suits long sessions away from a charging cable.
Do the HS65 Surround and the Void v2 differ on microphone?
The HS65 Surround uses flip-to-mute; the Void v2 uses Omnidirectional boom; the Xbox Wireless Headset uses Included. The maker of the Virtuoso MAX doesn't say.
What should I check before buying the Xbox Wireless Headset?
It connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless; on a PC, check the product page for the connection it supports, since Xbox Wireless on Windows usually needs Microsoft's adapter or a built-in radio. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Included Microphone pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the HS65 Surround and the Virtuoso MAX apart?
The HS65 Surround: Dolby Atmos support. The Virtuoso MAX: active noise cancellation. The Void v2: Dolby Atmos support.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the HS65 Surround, chosen for a lower price than the Void v2 and the rest when we checked. Look at the Virtuoso MAX for active noise cancellation at the highest price in the group and the Xbox Wireless Headset for an included microphone if those matter more to you.
Check whether the Atmos license is included or a separate purchase.