Buying Guide
The Best Headsets for PC
Five PC headsets across USB, 3.5mm and wireless connections.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For a PC, USB and 3.5mm headsets are simple and never need charging, while wireless frees the desk. These five cover both.
We compared connection, drivers and mic from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Drivers
HyperX Cloud III Wired (Red)
The largest driver size here (53mm).
Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud III Wired (Red) (opens in a new tab)
Best Wireless Pick
Corsair Void v2 Wireless
70 hours with Dolby Atmos support.
Best for: Cable-free desks.
Our take Check price for Corsair Void v2 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Best Sound Card
Logitech G PRO X Wired
A USB sound card with Blue VO!CE.
Best for: Streaming.
Our take Check price for Logitech G PRO X Wired (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Surround
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset
A USB DAC with 7.1.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Best Razer Pick
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset
A USB headset.
Best for: Plug-in setups.
Our take Check price for Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest driver size here (53mm). | Players who favour a fuller low end. | Check price for HyperX Cloud III Wired (Red) (opens in a new tab) |
| 70 hours with Dolby Atmos support. | Cable-free desks. | Check price for Corsair Void v2 Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
| A USB sound card with Blue VO!CE. | Streaming. | Check price for Logitech G PRO X Wired (opens in a new tab) |
| A USB DAC with 7.1. | Tight budgets. | Check price for Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| A USB headset. | Plug-in setups. | Check price for Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 5
HyperX Cloud III Wired (Red) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This red Cloud III has angled 53mm drivers and a mic with a mute LED.
Best for
- Players who favour a fuller low end.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the G432 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It connects over USB-C, USB-A or 3.5mm. Its aluminium frame is flexible, and the noise-cancelling mic has a built-in mesh filter for clear voice chat. Nothing else here matches its 53mm driver size; the G PRO X comes closest at 50mm.
You get a wired USB and 3.5mm connection here, which sets it apart from the Kraken V3 X and its a wired USB connection. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. It was priced above the Kraken V3 X and below the Void v2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: Wired USB and 3.5mm
- Microphone: Noise-cancelling with mute LED
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Angled 53mm drivers
- Mic mute LED
Cons
- Costs more than the G432 at the time of writing
Best Wireless Pick2 of 5
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
- Cable-free desks.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
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. No other pick in this guide offers an omnidirectional boom microphone; compare the G PRO X, which has a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone.
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 Cloud III Red and below the G PRO X at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Cloud III Red comes in at 53mm.
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 G432 at the time of writing
Best Sound Card3 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
- Streaming.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the G432 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 G432 on driver size (50mm).
A detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the G432 uses a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Void v2.
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 G432 at the time of writing
Best Budget Surround4 of 5
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G432 is a wired headset with a USB DAC for 7.1 surround and a 3.5mm plug for consoles.
Best for
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud III Red (53mm).
Why we like it
Its 6mm mic flips up to mute. It matches the G PRO X on driver size (50mm). It is the only pick here with a wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection; the Cloud III Red has a wired USB and 3.5mm connection instead.
You get a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the G PRO X and its a detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It undercut the Kraken V3 X and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud III Red (53mm). If that matters, the Cloud III Red comes in at 53mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm
- Microphone: 6mm flip-to-mute boom
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB DAC with 7.1 surround
- 6mm flip-to-mute mic
Cons
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the Cloud III Red (53mm)
Best Razer Pick5 of 5
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Kraken V3 X plugs in over USB, which avoids a noisy front-panel jack and enables 7.1 surround in Windows.
Best for
- Plug-in setups.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud III Red offers 53mm.
Why we like it
Its bendable HyperClear cardioid mic picks up voice over room noise, and Chroma RGB lights the ear cups. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Cloud III Red leads at 53mm. No other pick in this guide offers a wired USB connection; compare the Cloud III Red, which has a wired USB and 3.5mm connection.
You also get memory foam cushions. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. Its price falls between the G432 and the Cloud III Red, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 285g
- Connection: Wired USB
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 surround in Windows
- Memory foam cushions
- A USB headset
Cons
- Driver size trails the Cloud III Red (53mm)
- Costs more than the G432 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets for PC
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
What to Look for in a Headset for PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
Battery life claims vary with lighting
Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.
Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.
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 PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players who favour a fuller low end | Cloud III Red | The largest driver size here (53mm) |
| Cable-free desks | Void v2 | 70 hours with Dolby Atmos support |
| Streaming | G PRO X | A USB sound card with Blue VO!CE |
| Tight budgets | G432 | A USB DAC with 7.1 |
| Plug-in setups | Kraken V3 X | A USB headset |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud III Red | 53mm | Wired USB and 3.5mm | Noise-cancelling with mute LED |
| Void v2 | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Omnidirectional boom |
| G PRO X | 50mm | Wired (USB sound card and 3.5mm) | Detachable with Blue VO!CE |
| G432 | 50mm | Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm | 6mm flip-to-mute boom |
| Kraken V3 X | 40mm | Wired USB | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | G432, Kraken V3 X |
| About $50 to $100 | Cloud III Red, Void v2, G PRO X |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Is Bluetooth good enough for gaming?
For casual games it is fine, but 2.4GHz dongles have noticeably lower latency. Use the dongle for competitive play.
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
Bottom Line
HyperX's Cloud III Red is the wired pick. Corsair's Void v2 is the wireless choice, and Logitech's G PRO X adds a USB sound card.