The Best Headsets Under $300

It builds on the Edition X with Stealth Magnets and a larger driver. Open-back planar sound gives a wide soundstage for single-player games and music. It is open-back, so it suits quiet rooms rather than shared spaces.

Its 3.5mm cable is user-replaceable, and the memory-foam headband is light for long sessions. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the HD 599 and its a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.

It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Cloud Alpha 2 the next step up. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Cloud Alpha 2 runs for 250 hours.

It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. Battery life reaches up to 250 hours over 2.4GHz, or 125 hours with a simultaneous connection. The included RGB base station works as an audio control hub with programmable buttons and macros.

Its 53mm driver size is the largest here; the G PRO X 2 comes next at 50mm. A detachable microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the G PRO X 2 uses a detachable 6mm cardioid 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 Edition XS and the G PRO X 2, based on our last check.

Its detachable 6mm cardioid mic lets it double as everyday headphones. It matches the Virtuoso MAX on driver size (50mm). A detachable 6mm cardioid microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Cloud Alpha 2 uses a detachable microphone.

It also offers a USB-A dongle with a 3.5mm pass-through port. On a PC, use the Lightspeed 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. Its price falls between the Cloud Alpha 2 and the Virtuoso MAX, based on our last check.

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 G PRO X 2 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. It was priced above the G PRO X 2 and below the HD 599 at the time of writing.

It has no mic, so pair it with a separate one. A wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Edition XS uses a wired connection. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Virtuoso MAX the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Cloud Alpha 2 instead: it runs for 250 hours, while this one gives no figure.