Buying Guide
The Best Headsets for Large Heads
We weighed five headsets on driver size and connection, and the IMYB A36 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Larger heads need a headband with plenty of adjustment and ear cups that don't press. Every pick is an over-ear set with an adjustable or suspension headband, ordered by driver size.
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 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset
The cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1.
Best for: Getting 50mm drivers at a low price for the least money.
Our take Check price for IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech G PRO X Wired
A USB external sound card with EQ profile storage.
Best for: Buyers who want USB external sound card with EQ profile storage.
Our take Check price for Logitech G PRO X Wired (opens in a new tab)
Open-back Design
Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones
An open-back design.
Best for: Buyers who want an open-back design.
Our take Check price for Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless
Blue VO!CE mic filters at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Noise-cancelling Microphone
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset
A noise-cancelling microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
IMYB A36 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
IMYB's A36 fits 50mm drivers into a 3.5mm headset at an entry price.
Best for
- Getting 50mm drivers at a low price for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The headband adjusts for fit. Its 50mm drivers and 3.5mm connection work with PCs, PlayStation, Xbox (older pads need an adapter) and Switch. The mic handles basic voice chat.
On driver size it ties with the G PRO X and the SHP9500 at 50mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the Arctis Nova 1; the G733 goes with a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. It is the only pick here with a boom mic microphone; the G PRO X has a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone instead.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Arctis Nova 1 was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- 50mm drivers at a low price
- 3.5mm connection
Also Consider2 of 5
Logitech G PRO X Wired on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The G PRO X wired is for players who tune their sound: its USB external sound card stores EQ profiles, and the detachable mic supports Blue VO!CE processing.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB external sound card with EQ profile storage.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the IMYB A36, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
An aluminum fork and steel headband make it one of the sturdier builds here. Its USB sound card stores pro-tuned EQ profiles on board, and you can choose leatherette or velour ear pads. It matches the IMYB A36 and the SHP9500 on driver size (50mm).
It shares a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone with the G733; the Arctis Nova 1 goes with a noise-cancelling microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. Its price falls between the Arctis Nova 1 and the SHP9500, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired (USB sound card and 3.5mm)
- Microphone: Detachable with Blue VO!CE
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB external sound card with EQ profile storage
- Aluminum fork and steel headband
Cons
- Costs more than the IMYB A36 at the time of writing
Open-back Design3 of 5
Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SHP9500 is a hi-fi headphone rather than a headset: open-back 50mm drivers and a breathable headband give a wide, natural sound.
Best for
- Buyers who want an open-back design.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
There is no microphone, so pair it with a desk or clip-on mic. It matches the IMYB A36 and the G PRO X on driver size (50mm). It also offers a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
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. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. Its price falls between the G PRO X and the G733, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm, 1.5m cable
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: None
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Double-layered, breathable headband cushion
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the IMYB A36 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G733 is a Lightspeed wireless headset with a suspension headband and Blue VO!CE mic filters.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Pass on it if shorter 29-hour batter rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has 29 hours of battery life. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the IMYB A36 comes in at 50mm. You get a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the Arctis Nova 1 and its a wired 3.5mm connection.
Like the G PRO X, it has a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone, while the IMYB A36 uses a boom mic microphone. It also comes with Lightsync RGB. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. Only the SHP9500 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 29 hours
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: Lightspeed 2.4GHz
- Microphone: Detachable with Blue VO!CE
Pros
- Blue VO!CE mic filters
- Suspension headband
- Lightsync RGB
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz connection, the only one here
Cons
- Shorter 29-hour battery
- Driver size trails the IMYB A36 (50mm)
- Costs more than the IMYB A36 at the time of writing
Noise-cancelling Microphone5 of 5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arctis Nova 1 is a multi-system 3.5mm headset with a noise-cancelling mic and Tempest 3D support on PS5.
Best for
- Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Skip if
- Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its ComfortMAX system adjusts in height with rotating ear cups and AirWeave cushions, and on-board controls handle volume and mute. Like the IMYB A36, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the G733 uses a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. You get a noise-cancelling microphone here, which sets it apart from the G733 and its a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper IMYB A36 and the pricier G PRO X, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the IMYB A36 comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Noise-cancelling
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Tempest 3D audio support on PS5
- Multi-system 3.5mm connection
- Noise-cancelling microphone, the only one here
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the IMYB A36 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets for Large Heads
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five headsets on driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the IMYB A36 to the Arctis Nova 1, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arctis Nova 1 gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the IMYB A36 (under $50) to the G733 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Headset for Large Heads
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much driver size you need
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the G733 to 50mm on the IMYB A36. Start with the IMYB A36 if driver size decides it. No figure for the Arctis Nova 1.
Setup checks
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. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range.
Extras that separate them
The SHP9500: a double-layered, breathable headband cushion. The G733: a suspension headband. The Arctis Nova 1: a multi-system 3.5mm connection.
Budget
Under $50 buys the IMYB A36 and the Arctis Nova 1; $50 to $100 buys the G PRO X and the SHP9500; $100 to $150 buys the G733 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Getting 50mm drivers at a low price for the least money: the IMYB A36. Buyers who want an open-back design: the SHP9500. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the G733.
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 Headset for Large Heads
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 50mm drivers at a low price for the least money | IMYB A36 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1 |
| Buyers who want USB external sound card with EQ profile storage | G PRO X | A USB external sound card with EQ profile storage |
| Buyers who want an open-back design | SHP9500 | An open-back design |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | G733 | Blue VO!CE mic filters at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone | Arctis Nova 1 | A noise-cancelling microphone |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The IMYB A36 leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the G PRO X at 50mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMYB A36 | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm | Boom mic |
| G PRO X | 50mm | Wired (USB sound card and 3.5mm) | Detachable with Blue VO!CE |
| SHP9500 | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm, 1.5m cable | None |
| G733 | 40mm | Lightspeed 2.4GHz | Detachable with Blue VO!CE |
| Arctis Nova 1 | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Noise-cancelling |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The IMYB A36 was the lowest-priced pick and the G733 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | IMYB A36, Arctis Nova 1 |
| About $50 to $100 | G PRO X, SHP9500 |
| About $100 to $150 | G733 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the G733 add over the IMYB A36?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the IMYB A36 still leads on driver size (50mm). The IMYB A36 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
Why is the SHP9500 our Open-back Design pick?
It earns the label for an open-back design. It suits anyone who wants an open-back design.
Will the G733 work with my setup?
It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
What extras do the IMYB A36 and the G PRO X include?
The IMYB A36: 50mm drivers at a low price. The G PRO X: a USB external sound card with EQ profile storage. The SHP9500: a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the IMYB A36, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Arctis Nova 1. Look at the G PRO X for a USB external sound card with EQ profile storage, the SHP9500 for an open-back design and the G733 for Blue VO!CE mic filters at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Check the clamping force in reviews you trust; a firm clamp gets uncomfortable within an hour.