A good gaming headset delivers rich sound and an integrated microphone for trash talking opponents. These are the best gaming headphones we’ve tested.
Our Favorite Gaming Headsets You need a good headset (or gaming headphones, if you prefer) for online gaming. Without one, you don’t have a reliable way to talk trash to your enemies, and your lexicon of expletives will stagnate. Oh, and you won’t be able to coordinate strategies with your friendly team or guild. Surprisingly, they’re even pretty good tools for your home office. Your choices range from basic wired earpieces and boom mics you can pick up for $20 at a drug store (or are included with your game console), to expensive, simulated surround sound, e-sports-oriented, wireless over-ear headphones available at enthusiast sites. You should get the one that fits your budget and needs. You don’t need a ton of cash for a solid headset; about $50 can get you started if you don’t want to jump into high-end features and connection options. Wired vs. Wireless Gaming Headsets can be either wired or wireless, with wireless models generally costing more. More important is that each gaming headset supports different system, handheld, and computer connections. For the PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, most mobile devices, and some computers, you can use Bluetooth for a wireless headset (the original Xbox One lacks Bluetooth support). Other systems require a different wireless connection, often with a separate base plugged into your console or computer. Bluetooth has made great strides in the last few years, but proprietary wireless connections generally offer better audio quality and a stronger signal. Proprietary wireless connections are typically designed for only one console, or one console and a PC; you’ll have to choose between Xbox One and PS4 for most wireless gaming headsets. See How We Test HeadphonesSee How We Test Headphones If you game on the PlayStation 4, the Nintendo Switch, newer Xbox One models, or most handheld gaming devices, you can just plug a single 3.5mm headphone jack into the controller or system and start playing. The Xbox One works in a similar way, but if you have an older Xbox One gamepad you might need Microsoft’s Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter to use a wired headset with it. Most headsets on this list can connect to your preferred system one way or another. If you want to use your headset with last-gen systems like the PS3 and the Xbox 360, you’ll need to see if the headset supports their own unique connections, or if adapters are available.
