Buying Guide

The Best Headsets for a Gaming PC

Five PC headsets from a wired USB surround model to high-end wireless ones.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

A PC can use USB audio, a 2.4GHz dongle or a 3.5mm jack. These five cover each route.

We compared connection, battery and mic from each listing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. 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.

    Check price for HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Mic1 of 5

Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless

The G522 is built around voice: Logitech offers a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone alongside 48kHz/24-bit audio.

Best for

Streaming and chat.

Skip if

Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Cloud III S offers 120 hours.
Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless

Why we like it

It weighs 280g and offers up to 60 hours with lighting off. On battery life it trails the group at 60 hours, while the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours. It matches the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed on weight (280g).

No other pick in this guide offers a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection; compare the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, which has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection. A 48kHz/16-bit microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud III S uses a detachable microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. Its price falls between the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and the Cloud III S, based on our last check.

Key specs

Battery life
60 hours
Weight
280g
Connection
Lightspeed 2.4GHz
Microphone
48kHz/16-bit

Pros

  • Up to 60 hours of battery life
  • Light 280g build
  • 48kHz/24-bit audio
  • Full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone

Cons

  • Battery life trails the Cloud III S (120 hours)
  • No published driver size
  • Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing

The catch

If battery life is your priority, the Cloud III S (120 hours) is the stronger choice.

Longest Battery Life2 of 5

HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset

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

Its weight is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset

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. The 10mm boom mic has an LED mute indicator and a built-in mesh filter.

Both USB-A and USB-C connectors are included for the dongle. Nothing else here matches its 120 hours battery life; the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed comes closest at 70 hours. On driver size it leads this guide at 53mm, ahead of the Virtuoso MAX (50mm).

You get a detachable microphone here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and its an included 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.

Key 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

  • No published weight
  • Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the G522 weighs 280g.

Best Premium Pick3 of 5

Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset

The Virtuoso MAX is Corsair's premium wireless headset with ANC and Dolby Atmos support, at the highest price here.

Best for

High budgets.

Skip if

Pass if a published battery life matters; this one has none.
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset

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. On driver size it ties with the HS65 Surround and the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed at 50mm.

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. Only the Cloud III S came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.

Key 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
  • No published weight
  • Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing

The catch

There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud III S runs for 120 hours.

Best Wired Surround4 of 5

Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset

The HS65 Surround is the wired value pick, with 50mm drivers, 3.5mm and USB connections and flip-to-mute.

Best for

Wired setups.

Skip if

Skip it if weight matters most to you; the G522 offers 280g.
Corsair HS65 Surround Wired Gaming Headset

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. On driver size it ties with the Virtuoso MAX and the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed at 50mm.

On weight it trails the group at 282g, while the G522 weighs 280g. It is the only pick here with a flip-to-mute microphone; the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed has an included microphone instead. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller.

No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed was closest. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Cloud III S instead: it runs for 120 hours, while this one gives no figure.

Key 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

Cons

  • Weight trails the G522 (280g)

Best Wireless Value5 of 5

Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed brings Razer's TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers and a 70-hour battery to a mid-range price.

Best for

Mid budgets.

Skip if

Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud III S offers 53mm.
Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed

Why we like it

At 280g it is one of the two lightest headsets here. Its 70 hours battery life ranks second of 3 here, behind the Cloud III S (120 hours) and ahead of the G522 (60 hours). On driver size it ties with the Virtuoso MAX and the HS65 Surround at 50mm.

On weight it ties with the G522 at 280g. You get a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection here, which sets it apart from the G522 and its a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. No other pick in this guide offers an included microphone; compare the HS65 Surround, which has a flip-to-mute microphone.

You also get an ultra-light 280g frame. 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 HS65 Surround and below the G522 at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
70 hours
Driver size
50mm
Weight
280g
Connection
HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless
Microphone
Included

Pros

  • Up to 70 hours of battery life
  • 50mm drivers
  • Light 280g build
  • TriForce Titanium drivers

Cons

  • Driver size trails the Cloud III S (53mm)
  • Costs more than the HS65 Surround at the time of writing

The catch

It gives ground on driver size, where the Cloud III S comes in at 53mm.

How We Chose These Headsets for a Gaming PC

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
What we compared
We set side by side five headsets on battery life, driver size, weight and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life and driver size have gaps.
The shared baseline
All 5, from the G522 to the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, state connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The Virtuoso MAX and the HS65 Surround give no battery life; the G522 gives 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 Headset for a Gaming PC

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Driver size across these picks

    Across these 4 picks driver size spans 50mm (the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed) to 53mm (the Cloud III S). If driver size is your first filter, the Cloud III S sets the ceiling at 53mm. The G522 gives no driver size figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.

  2. Battery life

    Here battery life runs from 60 hours on the G522 to 120 hours on the Cloud III S, a 100% spread. The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed comes second at 70 hours, in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 for the Cloud III S. The Virtuoso MAX and the HS65 Surround give no battery life figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.

    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
  3. Weight

    The G522 tops weight at 280g and the HS65 Surround sits lowest at 282g; 2 picks share the top figure. For less, the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed is the runner-up at 280g ($50 to $100 tier). The Cloud III S and the Virtuoso MAX give no weight figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.

  4. Features beyond the spec table

    The Cloud III S: memory foam cushions. The Virtuoso MAX: Dolby Atmos support. The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed: an ultra-light 280g frame.

    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
  5. How much to spend

    $50 to $100 buys the HS65 Surround and the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed; $100 to $150 buys the G522 and the Cloud III S; $150 to $250 buys the Virtuoso MAX at our last check.

How to Choose a Headset for a Gaming PC

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Streaming and chatG522A 48kHz/16-bit mic with 60 hours
Long sessions away from a charging cableCloud III SThe longest battery life here (120 hours)
High budgetsVirtuoso MAX50mm drivers with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
Wired setupsHS65 SurroundUSB and 3.5mm with a flip-to-mute mic
Mid budgetsBlackShark V2 HyperSpeed70 hours on HyperSpeed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers

Key specs side by side

The Cloud III S leads on driver size at 53mm, ahead of the Virtuoso MAX at 50mm. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Virtuoso MAX and the HS65 Surround leave the figure out.

HeadsetBattery lifeDriver sizeWeightConnection
G52260 hoursNot listed280gLightspeed 2.4GHz
Cloud III S120 hours53mmNot listed2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Virtuoso MAXNot listed50mmNot listed2.4GHz, Bluetooth
HS65 SurroundNot listed50mm282gWired 3.5mm, USB
BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed70 hours50mm280gHyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the HS65 Surround, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Virtuoso MAX at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierHeadsets
About $50 to $100HS65 Surround, BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed
About $100 to $150G522, Cloud III S
About $150 to $250Virtuoso MAX

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cloud III S ahead of the Virtuoso MAX on driver size?

The Cloud III S tops driver size at 53mm; the Virtuoso MAX follows at 50mm, 6% apart. No driver size figure is published for the G522, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.

Which has the longest battery life: the Cloud III S or the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed?

Between the top two, it is 120 hours on the Cloud III S against 70 hours on the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, a 71% difference. The G522 closes the ranking at 60 hours. The Virtuoso MAX and the HS65 Surround are left out of this ranking because their battery life isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.

What makes the Virtuoso MAX the Best Premium Pick?

It carries the badge for 50mm drivers with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The HS65 Surround, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at high budgets.

Do the G522 and the Cloud III S differ on microphone?

The G522 uses 48kHz/16-bit; the Cloud III S uses detachable; the HS65 Surround uses flip-to-mute; the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed uses Included. The maker of the Virtuoso MAX doesn't state microphone, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.

Beyond the specs, what sets the G522 and the Cloud III S apart?

The G522: 48kHz/24-bit audio. The Cloud III S: memory foam cushions. The Virtuoso MAX: active noise cancellation.

Bottom Line

Logitech's G522 is the pick for its 48kHz mic. HyperX's Cloud III S leads on battery, and Corsair's HS65 Surround is the wired option.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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