Buying Guide
The Best Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
We weighed three headsets on connection and microphone, and the Virtuoso MAX costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Active noise cancellation helps in a loud room or shared space, and it costs battery life. Every pick has ANC, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these headsets on connection and microphone using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and where a maker leaves out microphone, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming HeadsetA lower price than the INZONE H9 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up.
Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANCActive noise cancelling.
Best for: Buyers who want active noise cancelling.
Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANCThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6.
Best for: Buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs.
Check price for Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the INZONE H9 and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up. | Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Active noise cancelling. | Buyers who want active noise cancelling. | Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6. | Buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs. | Check price for Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. It also comes with active noise cancellation.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It undercut the INZONE H9 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- Dolby Atmos support
Also Consider2 of 3
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC
Sony's INZONE H9 adds active noise cancelling and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for
- Buyers who want active noise cancelling.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Virtuoso MAX, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits noisy homes more than any other PlayStation headset here. Sony's dual-sensor noise cancelling and 360 Spatial Sound target PS5 and PC. It connects wirelessly and has a boom mic.
The boom mic flips up to mute, and 360 Spatial Sound helps place effects around you. 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 Virtuoso MAX and the INZONE H9 II, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Connection
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone
- Flip-to-mute boom
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancelling
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- 360 Spatial Sound
Cons
- Costs more than the Virtuoso MAX at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC
Sony's INZONE H9 II borrows the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and adds a detachable cardioid mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Virtuoso MAX cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It keeps active noise cancelling and a 3.5mm option. It weighs about 260g without the mic and charges over USB-C, where 5 minutes gives up to 1 hour of playtime. A soft pouch for the headset, dongle and cables is included.
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. Only the INZONE H9 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key specs
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Detachable cardioid
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- The driver unit from the WH-1000XM6
- Detachable cardioid mic
- Active noise cancelling
Cons
- Costs more than the Virtuoso MAX at the time of writing
How We Chose These Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
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.
- What we compared
- We compared three headsets on connection and microphone as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out microphone.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Virtuoso MAX to the INZONE H9 II, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Virtuoso MAX gives no microphone.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Virtuoso MAX ($150 to $250) to the INZONE H9 II ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The Virtuoso MAX: Dolby Atmos support. The INZONE H9: simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The INZONE H9 II: a detachable cardioid mic.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the Virtuoso MAX; $250 to $500 buys the INZONE H9 and the INZONE H9 II at our last check.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up: the Virtuoso MAX. Buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs: the INZONE H9 II.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers 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.
How to Choose Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up | Virtuoso MAX | A lower price than the INZONE H9 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want active noise cancelling | INZONE H9 | Active noise cancelling |
| Buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs | INZONE H9 II | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Virtuoso MAX, the INZONE H9 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Headset | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|
| Virtuoso MAX | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Not listed |
| INZONE H9 | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Flip-to-mute boom |
| INZONE H9 II | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Detachable cardioid |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Virtuoso MAX was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the INZONE H9 II the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Virtuoso MAX |
| About $250 to $500 | INZONE H9, INZONE H9 II |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the INZONE H9 II our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6. The Virtuoso MAX, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who wants the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs.
Do the INZONE H9 and the INZONE H9 II differ on microphone?
The INZONE H9 uses flip-to-mute boom; the INZONE H9 II uses Detachable cardioid. The Virtuoso MAX has no microphone listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Virtuoso MAX and the INZONE H9 include?
The Virtuoso MAX: active noise cancellation. The INZONE H9: active noise cancelling. The INZONE H9 II: the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6.
Who should choose the Virtuoso MAX?
The Virtuoso MAX carries our Lowest Price Here label for a lower price than the INZONE H9 and the rest when we checked. It ranks first of 3 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up.
Should I pick the Virtuoso MAX or the INZONE H9 II?
The Virtuoso MAX suits spending as little as possible, with the INZONE H9 the next step up; the INZONE H9 II suits buyers who want the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 and can spend more than the INZONE H9 costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Virtuoso MAX, chosen for a lower price than the INZONE H9 and the rest when we checked. Look at the INZONE H9 for active noise cancelling and the INZONE H9 II for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6 if those matter more to you.
ANC uses battery; turn it off for longer sessions.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
- Related guideThe Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming Headphones Under $100
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Headphones Without a Boom Mic
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesHow to Choose a USB Microphone for Your PC
- Similar guideThe Best Headphones for Gaming
- Topic hubAll headsets and headphones guides
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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