Buying Guide
The Best Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
We weighed four headsets on driver size and connection, and the BlackShark V3 Pro costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 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 driver size, connection and microphone using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset
The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset
Active noise cancellation.
Best for: Buyers who want active noise cancellation.
Our take Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC
Active noise cancelling.
Best for: Buyers who want active noise cancelling.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with the driver unit from the WH-1000XM6.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| Active noise cancellation. | Buyers who want active noise cancellation. | Check price for Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| Active noise cancelling. | Buyers who want active noise cancelling. | Check price for Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC (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 most complete package. | Check price for Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BlackShark V3 Pro adds active noise cancellation and a 3.5mm wired option to the BlackShark design.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
HyperSpeed Gen-2 wireless keeps latency around 10ms, and the detachable 12mm HyperClear mic captures voice in full band. Active noise cancellation helps in loud rooms. A detachable microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the INZONE H9 II uses a detachable cardioid 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Virtuoso MAX was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm
- Microphone: Detachable
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- Detachable microphone, the only one here
Also Consider2 of 4
Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Virtuoso MAX is Corsair's premium wireless headset with ANC and Dolby Atmos support, at the highest price here.
Best for
- Buyers who want active noise cancellation.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the BlackShark V3 Pro cost less when we checked.
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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper BlackShark V3 Pro and the pricier INZONE H9, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- Dolby Atmos support
Cons
- Costs more than the BlackShark V3 Pro at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Sony INZONE H9 Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sony's INZONE H9 adds active noise cancelling and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
Best for
- Buyers who want active noise cancelling.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
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.
A flip-to-mute boom microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the INZONE H9 II uses a detachable 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 Virtuoso MAX and the INZONE H9 II, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the BlackShark V3 Pro, which comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the BlackShark V3 Pro at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless ANC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It keeps active noise cancelling and a 3.5mm option. No other pick in this guide offers a detachable cardioid microphone; compare the BlackShark V3 Pro, which has 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. Only the INZONE H9 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the BlackShark V3 Pro comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the BlackShark V3 Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
- 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 Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headphones
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | BlackShark V3 Pro | The cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX |
| Buyers who want active noise cancellation | Virtuoso MAX | Active noise cancellation |
| Buyers who want active noise cancelling | INZONE H9 | Active noise cancelling |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 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
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackShark V3 Pro | 50mm | HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Detachable |
| Virtuoso MAX | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Not listed |
| INZONE H9 | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Flip-to-mute boom |
| INZONE H9 II | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, 3.5mm | Detachable cardioid |
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 |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | BlackShark V3 Pro, Virtuoso MAX |
| About $250 to $500 | INZONE H9, INZONE H9 II |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least I can spend on one of these headsets?
That was the BlackShark V3 Pro at our last check; if you can stretch, the Virtuoso MAX is the next step up and the INZONE H9 II the priciest.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
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.
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 BlackShark V3 Pro, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Virtuoso MAX. Look at the Virtuoso MAX for active noise cancellation, 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.