The Best Headsets for Developers

Its mic detaches when you only need headphones. It matches the Barracuda X and the Stealth 500 PS on driver size (40mm). Nothing else here matches its 168g weight; the Barracuda X comes closest at 250g.

You get a detachable boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 500 PS and its a flip-to-mute microphone. You also get three connection modes and a detachable microphone. 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 undercut the Ozeino Wireless and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Barracuda X runs for 50 hours.

The maker claims 40 hours of battery life. Its 2.4GHz link has under 30ms delay, and it plugs in over USB-A or USB-C. The 50mm drivers suit budget console and PC gaming.

It also works over USB-C, which suits handhelds and some consoles. On battery life it ties with the Stealth 500 PS at 40 hours. It matches the BlackShark V3 X Xbox on driver size (50mm).

You get a boom mic microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 500 PS and its a flip-to-mute microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Redragon H888 and the pricier Barracuda X, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the Redragon H888 weighs 168g.

It adds Bluetooth, a detachable cardioid mic and a 250g frame. Its 50 hours battery life is the longest here; the Ozeino Wireless comes next at 40 hours. On driver size it ties with the Redragon H888 and the Stealth 500 PS at 40mm.

On weight it sits mid-pack at 250g: the Redragon H888 weighs 168g, and the BlackShark V3 X Xbox comes in at 270g. No other pick in this guide offers a detachable cardioid microphone; compare the BlackShark V3 X Xbox, which has a 9mm HyperClear microphone. You also get a USB-C dongle that suits phones and handhelds.

On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It was priced above the Ozeino Wireless and below the BlackShark V3 X Xbox at the time of writing.

It also offers a 50mm driver size and weighs 270g. On driver size it ties with the Ozeino Wireless at 50mm. On weight it trails the group at 270g, while the Redragon H888 weighs 168g.

No other pick in this guide offers a 9mm HyperClear microphone; compare the Barracuda X, which has a detachable cardioid microphone. You also get HyperSpeed and Bluetooth. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.

It was priced above the Barracuda X and below the Stealth 500 PS at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Barracuda X runs for 50 hours.

It has 40 hours of battery life. Four EQ presets and Turtle Beach's Superhuman Hearing mode help pick out footsteps in shooters. It matches the Ozeino Wireless on battery life (40 hours).

On driver size it ties with the Redragon H888 and the Barracuda X at 40mm. It is the only pick here with a flip-to-mute microphone; the Redragon H888 has a detachable boom microphone instead. It also offers a mid price tier.

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 BlackShark V3 X Xbox the nearest cheaper option. Battery life is its weakest area, and the Barracuda X covers it better at 50 hours.