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Best noise canceling gaming headsets
August 7, 2025
Gaming sessions can stretch for hours, but outside noise shouldn’t force you to crank your volume to dangerous levels. Noise canceling gaming headsets offer the perfect solution, blocking distracting environmental sounds while delivering immersive game audio and crystal-clear voice chat. Whether you’re battling the drone of traffic, noisy roommates, or household appliances, active noise canceling (ANC) technology can transform your gaming experience and protect your hearing in the process.
The gaming headset market has been surprisingly slow to embrace ANC technology. While consumer headphones from the likes of Sony and Apple dominate the consumer noise canceling space, dedicated gaming headsets with ANC remain relatively rare. However, the landscape is changing, with manufacturers like Turtle Beach, Razer, and SteelSeries finally bringing noise canceling capabilities to gaming-focused designs.
Our team has tested hundreds of gaming headsets, evaluating everything from ANC performance and gaming audio quality to microphone clarity and platform compatibility. We’ve rigorously tested these headsets to find the models that truly excel at blocking unwanted noise and delivering the low-latency, high-quality audio that serious gamers demand.
This article was last updated on August 7, 2025, to include the latest ANC gaming headset releases and ensure our recommendations reflect current market availability and pricing.
The Quick Answer
For a quick guide to the best noise canceling gaming headsets that suit your needs and budget, check out our top picks below. Each has a link to our full review.
The best overall:
The best for competitive play:
The best for multi-platform gaming:
The best for marathon gaming sessions:
The best budget noise canceling gaming headset:
Best noise canceling gaming headsets overall: Alienware Pro
The Alienware Pro Wireless earns our top spot by delivering excellent active noise canceling alongside exceptional gaming performance and versatility. With an impressive 81% reduction in perceived loudness when ANC is enabled and up to 25dB of low-frequency attenuation, this headset effectively transforms noisy environments into manageable background hum. The combination of strong passive isolation from its excellent seal and effective ANC makes it ideal for gamers dealing with household noise, roommates, or street traffic.
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You can switch between 2.4GHz wireless for gaming (PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch), Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile devices, but not both at the same time. The headset also supports USB Audio for lossless listening. The battery performance is exceptional, delivering up to 71 hours with ANC off or around 35 hours with ANC on. The 50mm graphene-coated drivers provide clean, detailed sound with good bass depth and precise localization for competitive gaming, while the detachable boom microphone offers clear voice communication with good noise rejection.
The headset’s understated design makes it suitable for gaming sessions and professional video calls, though the inability to fold or rotate the earcups limits portability. Xbox users should look elsewhere, as the headset lacks Xbox compatibility. However, if you need a single headset that excels at gaming, music listening, and work calls while effectively blocking distracting noise, the Alienware Pro Wireless is hard to beat.
Read our full Alienware Pro Wireless review
Best for competitive play: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is our choice for competitive gamers who demand every millisecond advantage. It’s HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 technology delivers an industry-leading 10ms latency, significantly faster than most gaming headsets that hover between 15-30ms. The headset achieves 77% total noise attenuation with its hybrid ANC system, effectively blocking low-frequency distractions like AC units and footsteps from upstairs neighbors between 50-300Hz. This lets you focus entirely on crucial audio cues like enemy footsteps and reload sounds in competitive FPS games.
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You can also use 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously, allowing you to game with ultra-low latency while handling Discord chat or music streaming through Bluetooth. The headset works across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, with console-specific models featuring unique stitching colors and optimized spatial audio (THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 on PC, Windows Sonic on Xbox, 3D Tempest on PlayStation). The upgraded 12mm microphone with 48kHz sampling rate captures exceptionally natural voice quality, though it struggles somewhat with background noise rejection.
The default tuning suffers from treble distortion that can be fatiguing and requires custom EQ adjustments to fix. The yoke design, while durable, can also create fit issues that can compromise the ANC seal, and the fabric earpads trap heat during long sessions. If you prioritize competitive performance and don’t mind tweaking settings, the BlackShark V3 Pro excels, but those wanting plug-and-play versatility should consider the Alienware Pro Wireless instead.
Read our full Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review
Best for multi-platform gaming: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless excels as a multi-platform solution, thanks to its wireless base station that can simultaneously connect to two devices via dual USB-C ports. This means you can seamlessly switch between your PC and PS5, or keep your console and mobile device connected at once, without any cable swapping or re-pairing. The base station’s OLED display and control wheel let you adjust settings on-the-fly, including a 10-band EQ, game/chat balance, and ANC levels, making it incredibly convenient for managing multiple gaming setups.
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The headset delivers solid active noise canceling that makes AC units and traffic sound about half as loud, while the passive isolation handles room-level conversations and incidental noise. Overall, it has an average attenuation of 74%. The retractable microphone disappears completely when not needed, making it look professional for work calls and daily use beyond gaming. With 22+ hours of battery life per charge and hot-swappable batteries via the base station’s charging bay, you can game indefinitely without interruption.
Sound quality is well-balanced for gaming and music, with slight bass emphasis that enhances game effects while remaining enjoyable for casual listening. The premium build quality, comfortable fit, and comprehensive connectivity options make this headset feel like a true all-in-one solution. However, the $349 price point is steep, and you’ll need to choose between PlayStation or Xbox variants when purchasing. If budget is a concern, consider the next pick, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, but for seamless multi-platform functionality and premium features, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is unmatched.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review
Best for marathon gaming sessions: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro solves one of gaming’s most frustrating problems: having to stop mid-session to charge your headset. Its hot-swappable battery system includes two batteries and a USB base station that doubles as a charging cradle. This battery management makes it perfect for extended gaming marathons, competitive tournaments, or all-night sessions where interruptions aren’t acceptable.
Beyond its innovative power solution, the Stealth Pro delivers exceptional active noise canceling that rivals dedicated consumer headphones. With 20-25dB of attenuation between 40Hz and 600Hz, it effectively blocks household distractions like air conditioning, street noise, and conversations from other rooms. The thick leatherette memory foam earpads and adjustable hinges provide excellent comfort even during 5+ hour sessions. At the same time, the strong passive isolation adds another layer of noise reduction for total focus on your game.
The headset’s broad platform compatibility makes it incredibly versatile, working seamlessly with PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and mobile devices via Bluetooth. However, the Bluetooth implementation only supports basic SBC codec (no AAC), and the overall sound signature leans toward gaming rather than audiophile listening, requiring some EQ tweaking for music. The headset is also notably heavy due to the battery system, which some users may find fatiguing over very long periods. If you prioritize pure audio quality or lightweight comfort, consider the Alienware Pro Wireless, but for uninterrupted gaming endurance, nothing beats the Stealth Pro’s swappable battery advantage.
Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review
Best budget noise canceling gaming headset: EPOS H3PRO Hybrid
The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid delivers premium features at a fraction of the cost of competing ANC gaming headsets. Originally priced at $279, it now retails for just $115 and frequently goes on sale for around $50, making it an incredible value proposition. The headset offers solid active noise canceling with nearly 20dB of reduction around 150Hz, effectively quieting low-frequency distractions like air conditioning and traffic by up to 75%. Combined with excellent passive isolation, it creates a focused gaming environment without the premium price tag.
You can connect via 2.4GHz wireless dongle, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C wired, or 3.5mm analog. This means compatibility with virtually every gaming platform and mobile device. The simultaneous connection feature lets you stay connected to Discord on your phone while gaming wirelessly on a console. The detachable magnetic microphone includes a cover plate for public use, and the three-material ear pad design (leatherette, suede, and mesh) provides surprising comfort for extended sessions.
The sound signature closely follows our target curve with only minor bass emphasis, making it excellent for both gaming and music. With ANC enabled, battery life reaches 19+ hours, and the EPOS Gaming Suite software provides 9-band EQ customization and microphone tuning. However, the wireless range is limited to about 4-6 meters, and the battery is always in use even when wired. The microphone quality is decent but not exceptional compared to premium options. Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find better ANC performance and feature set in a gaming headset at this price point.
Read our full EPOS H3PRO Hybrid review
What you should know about noise canceling gaming headsets
Active noise canceling in gaming headsets is still relatively rare, but it’s becoming increasingly important as gamers recognize the benefits of blocking distracting environmental sounds. Understanding the key factors will help you choose the right ANC gaming headset for your needs.
Active noise canceling performance
Active noise canceling works by using microphones to detect ambient noise and generating “anti-noise” waves to cancel it out. Gaming headsets typically achieve 15-30dB of noise reduction in low frequencies, which can make background sounds like air conditioning, traffic, or household noise sound roughly one-quarter to one-eighth as loud. Look for headsets that specify their ANC performance in decibels (dB) rather than vague marketing terms. The best ANC gaming headsets we’ve tested achieve 20-25dB of attenuation between 40Hz and 600Hz, effectively blocking the most common household distractions.
Console compatibility and connectivity
Not all ANC gaming headsets work with every gaming platform. Some manufacturers create separate models for different consoles, while others offer universal compatibility. Most ANC gaming headsets connect via 2.4GHz wireless dongles for low-latency gaming, but Xbox compatibility can be limited since Microsoft uses proprietary Xbox Wireless technology. Always check that your chosen headset explicitly supports your gaming platform. Many modern ANC gaming headsets also offer Bluetooth connectivity for mobile gaming and simultaneous device connections, allowing you to game on a console while staying connected to Discord on your phone.
Battery life considerations
ANC gaming headsets consume more power than standard wireless gaming headsets due to the active noise canceling circuitry. Expect battery life to drop by roughly half when ANC is enabled—a headset that lasts 70 hours with ANC off might only last 35 hours with ANC on. Look for headsets with hot-swappable batteries or quick charging features if you plan long gaming sessions. Some headsets cleverly include dual battery systems with charging bases, ensuring you never have to stop gaming to charge.
Sound quality and tuning
Gaming headsets with ANC often have different sound signatures compared to their non-ANC counterparts. The ANC circuitry can affect frequency response, sometimes adding bass emphasis or altering the midrange. Many ANC gaming headsets include multiple EQ presets or custom equalizers to compensate for these changes. For competitive gaming, look for headsets that maintain clear midrange frequencies for voice chat and upper-midrange clarity for positional audio cues like footsteps.
How we test noise canceling gaming headsets
Our testing process evaluates ANC gaming headsets using calibrated measurement equipment and our artificial head in controlled acoustic environments. We measure isolation and active noise canceling by playing shaped noise over loudspeakers, recording with and without the headset, then subtracting the measurements to show precise noise reduction across frequencies.
Our isolation and ANC scores represent percentage reductions in perceived loudness—a score of 5/10 equals a 50% reduction (10dB), while 8.75/10 represents an 87.5% reduction (30dB). Gaming headsets with effective ANC typically achieve 20-30dB of low-frequency attenuation.
We also test gaming-specific features, including wireless latency, microphone quality, platform compatibility, battery life at 75dB with ANC on/off, comfort during extended sessions, and software functionality. Frequency response measurements are compared against our research-backed target curve for objective sound quality assessment.
How we choose the best noise canceling gaming headsets
Our selection prioritizes headsets that deliver meaningful ANC performance—typically 20dB or more of low-frequency attenuation—while maintaining excellent gaming audio quality. We evaluate objective ANC measurements alongside practical factors like fit and seal, since poor-fitting headsets won’t deliver their promised noise canceling performance.
Platform compatibility, wireless latency, battery life, and microphone quality are essential criteria. We favor headsets that work across multiple gaming platforms or clearly specify their intended use case. Price-to-performance ratio guides our recommendations at each price point, considering long-term value through replaceable components, firmware support, and durable construction.
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