The Best Wired Gaming Headset

The headband has eight adjustment levels with a metal frame and hinges, extra ear pads come in the box, and the mic covers 20Hz to 20kHz. Plugs include 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm and 6.3mm, plus a USB-C adapter. On driver size it leads this guide at 100mm, ahead of the Fosi i5 (97mm).

Like the Fosi i5, it has a wired connection, while the Vliveaudax uses a wired USB sound card connection. You get an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone here, which sets it apart from the IMYB A36 and its a boom mic microphone. You also get an open-back design.

Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Cloud III and the pricier Fosi i5, at the time of writing.

It also offers a 97mm driver size. Its 97mm planar diaphragm is 2 microns thin with a sputtered silver alloy coating. A memory-steel headband, multi-axis pivoting cups and silicone sliders handle the fit.

On driver size it sits mid-pack at 97mm: the ROG Kithara comes in at 100mm, and the IMYB A36 comes in at 50mm. It shares a wired connection with the ROG Kithara; the IMYB A36 goes with a wired 3.5mm connection. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. Only the ROG Kithara came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.

HyperX offers support for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its aluminium frame is flexible and resists knocks. The wired connection needs no charging and works with PC, consoles and phones through a 3.5mm or USB cable.

Its comfort-first design targets long matches, with memory-foam cushions and a padded headband. Its 53mm driver size ranks third of 5 here, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm) and ahead of the IMYB A36 (50mm). No other pick in this guide offers a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; compare the Vliveaudax, which has a wired USB sound card connection.

A upgraded microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Vliveaudax uses a boom mic microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Its price falls between the IMYB A36 and the ROG Kithara, based on our last check.

It is the lowest-priced USB headset here. Its noise-cancelling mic and ear-cup volume control are plug-and-play over USB-A or USB-C. On driver size it ties with the IMYB A36 at 50mm.

You get a wired USB sound card connection here, which sets it apart from the IMYB A36 and its a wired 3.5mm connection. Like the IMYB A36, it has a boom mic microphone, while the ROG Kithara uses an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC.

It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the IMYB A36 the next step up. What it gives up: driver size of 50mm, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm); by contrast, the ROG Kithara comes in at 100mm.

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.

It matches the Vliveaudax on driver size (50mm). No other pick in this guide offers a wired 3.5mm connection; compare the Cloud III, which has a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection. It shares a boom mic microphone with the Vliveaudax; the Cloud III goes with a upgraded 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. Its price falls between the Vliveaudax and the Cloud III, based on our last check.