Best wireless gaming headsets

Gaming headsets are predicated on one thing above all else: convenience. When it comes down to it, these are all products meant to simplify your audio setup and get you down to one thing you can just plug in and use. However, one final barrier lies between the gaming headset and true convenience—cords are just kind of a pain. Especially when you’re playing in a living room, a wireless gaming headset can really make everything go a little smoother.

However, while going cordless adds convenience, it’s not as simple as it can be. There are a lot of different products out there but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on May 3, 2023 to include the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro in the top picks, as well as answer a reader-submitted FAQ about latency.

Why is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless the best wireless gaming headset?

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless brings comfort, performance, and that classic HyperX look for a reasonable price. This wireless gaming headset works with PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch (when it’s docked), and it’s one of the best gaming options you can get—wireless or otherwise.

This headset is built on a sturdy metal frame. Its memory foam earpads are covered in soft leatherette that feels great to wear and can accommodate most head shapes pretty easily. While this is one of the most comfortable gaming headsets around, what really makes it stand out is its battery life—in our testing it lasted over 327 hours, more than 13 days straight. Performance like this is so good, it’s almost not worth comparing other gaming headsets.

Additionally, this headset brings virtual surround sound to PC via NGenuity, the HyperX headset companion app. It doesn’t bring those features to consoles, but the PlayStation 5 sports its own built surround sound anyway, so you won’t miss it.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless works on most platforms and brings the features

If your only accessible port for a gaming headset is at the back of a tower under a desk, a wireless gaming headset is probably what you should get. Built on an updated version of SteelSeries‘ extremely comfortable Arctis frame, the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless sports a flexible suspension band and headphone pads made of Airweave fabric, which keeps things nice and cool. This model is a little more expensive than previous Arctis 7 headsets, but there’s a reason for that—this has Bluetooth.

The Arctis Nova 7 uses a 2.4GHz USB-C wireless RF dongle to transmit audio between the headset and whatever it’s connected to, so lag isn’t an issue. The move to USB-C means the headset can connect wirelessly to mobile devices and the Nintendo Switch when it’s not docked, on top of the typical PlayStation consoles, PC, and docked Switch. And you’ll be able to go for multiple lengthy sessions using the Arctis Nova 7—in our testing its battery lasted 41 hours, 15 minutes, which is nothing to sneeze at.

The Arctis Nova 7 features a retractable, Discord-certified microphone, so it’s guaranteed to play well with the program—a necessity for PC gaming. The mic now features a new design and can retract enough to be flush with the headset, rather than poke out a bit like the previous Arctis 7 design. The headset also supports hi-res audio, though most video games don’t. And top of all that hardware, the SteelSeries Sonar brings surround sound and EQ customization for game and chat audio channels, as well as the microphone.

The Razer Barracuda X (2022) is the best wireless gaming headset for Nintendo Switch

Wireless audio has been something of a bugbear for Switch owners. Recently, a software update to the Nintendo Switch opened up the USB ports on its dock to support wireless audio, allowing an additional level of convenience for gamers. However, the Razer Barracuda X (2022) is one of the few wireless gaming headsets that work with the Nintendo Switch when it’s docked or undocked. This headset is virtually identical to the Barracuda X, but it has a much better battery life that lasts just shy of 60 hours.

The Barracuda X (2022) connects to nearly any device, and you have your pick of 2.4GHz USB-C/USB-A, 3.5mm, or Bluetooth. If you have a Nintendo Switch, just plug the USB-C dongle into the USB port on the bottom of the Switch and you’re all set for wireless, undocked listening. You can even use the dongle with a compatible smartphone, giving you the option to take the Barracuda X (2022) out on the town. You can do this with relative ease after removing the boom mic.

The Barracuda X (2022), while versatile, has its shortcomings. Isolation performance is only okay under ideal conditions and the audio output has some noticeable dips and boosts, particularly in the treble range. Still, for under $100 USD, you’re getting a solid Razer headset that doesn’t rely on the dubious Razer Synapse software (though, you can use the Razer Audio app on iOS/Android). We like this and hope you do too.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro brings swappable batteries and good ANC

If you want to get a wireless gaming headset with a little bit of everything, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro makes a compelling case for itself. Packing in swappable batteries and the best ANC you’ll find in a gaming headset, this premium headset represents the company’s new top of the line.

The Stealth Pro connects to your gaming device of choice using a USB base station, which includes a battery charging slot so when the one in your headset runs out of juice, you’ll always have a fresh one ready to swap in (the headset comes with two batteries, and you can buy more from Turtle Beach). The base station is also the connection point for the headset’s 2.4GHz RF connection, and the headset also supports Bluetooth too (we don’t recommend that for gaming, though).

The sound profile could use a little help, but it’s easy to fix using the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, which is available on PC and mobile devices.

The Logitech G735 is excellent for comfort and microphone quality

The Logitech G735 is a headset aiming squarely for a more premium feel and build quality, and priced accordingly. The headset supports connections using a 2.4 GHz USB-A dongle, as well as by using Bluetooth or 3.5mm. It has a full array of controls for volume, microphone muting, and pairing. Logitech also provides the Logitech G Hub software to allow you extended control over the headset. Overall here the big focus here is on build quality and comfort. It also has a fairly impressive 35 hour long battery life, which is almost double what’s advertised.

The microphone here is fully removable, and it sounds pretty good. This is a great headset no matter if you need it for an online gaming session or a chill Discord hangout. The sound quality is also nice, although it does have a slight emphasis in the bass compared to our ideal curve, much like most other gaming headsets. There’s also some deviation in the high end, but overall it’s a great aural experience. All of this comes together to make the Logitech G735 a great choice for a wireless gaming headset.

The best wireless gaming headsets: Notable mentions

• Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE: The headset is crafted for gamers of all platforms. The unboxing experience reveals a slew of connectivity options, which includes a USB-C to USB-A cable, 3.5mm aux cable, or a 2.4GHz USB wireless dongle for a virtually lag-free, untethered gaming experience.
• Corsair Void RGB Elite Wireless: The Corsair Void RGB Elite Wireless is a great wireless gaming headset, with a comfortable fit, good sound, and great microphone. Its frame is a little loose, but it’s got solid battery life, and you can customize the color of the headset’s LED lights, if you’re into that sort of thing.
• HyperX Cloud II Wireless: For $113 at Amazon, this gaming headset ticks all the boxes when it comes to a no-frills gaming headset, sporting a comfortable design, very good sound quality, and an impressive 30+ hour battery life. The headset is compatible with PC, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch when docked.
• Razer Kaira Pro: This is Razer’s first headset designed for Xbox gamers. It features Xbox Wireless support for cable and dongle-free connections for a seamless, untethered gaming experience. It can also connect to mobile devices via Bluetooth for casual listening, or for mobile gaming.
• Razer Kaira Wireless: If you’re an Xbox gamer who wants to save a little cash, this pared-down version of the Razer Kaira Pro has everything you need for a dongle-free gaming experience: a comfortable design, good microphone, and decent battery life.
• Razer Nari Ultimate: If these headsets just don’t have all the bells and whistles you want, the Nari Ultimate is probably your best bet. This headset features everything the other headsets on this list feature, along with vibrating headphones that activate during bass sounds. It all feels a little gratuitous, but if that’s what you’re in for, this is a great option.
• SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless: This is one of the only wireless gaming headsets that work with the Nintendo Switch console, regardless of whether or not it’s docked.
• SteelSeries Arctis 9X: This headset features Xbox Wireless support for a cable-free and dongle-free connection—complete with Windows Sonic Surround Sound. It’s essentially one of the best headsets you can buy for the Xbox One.
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX: This is another good wireless gaming headset but it costs $130 USD. It features a great microphone, an accurate frequency response, and works on Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
• EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid: This is basically the only pair of true wireless gaming earbuds on the market. The mic doesn’t work when the USB-C Dongle is connected, but there’s no audio lag, good sound, and battery life long enough for decent play sessions.
• Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT: This upgraded Virtuoso headset brings Bluetooth and aptX HD support. It’s otherwise an identical headset to the Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE, and dishing out an extra $60 USD for a feature that isn’t terribly important for gaming feels a little steep, which is why this headset is in the notable mentions instead of the main list. If your budget’s expansive, this could the just the ticket.

What you should know before you purchase a wireless gaming headset

The most important thing to think about when you’re getting a wireless gaming headset is what platform you’re going to be gaming on. For the most part, there is no one-size-fits-all option on the market, mainly due to limitations placed by console manufacturers. Every platform has its foibles, some of which mean you won’t be able to get something that works everywhere.

For whatever reason, Microsoft in particular doesn’t like it when headsets that work on Xbox One also work on PlayStation 4, so finding a wireless headset that works on both is basically impossible. Up until fairly recently, the Nintendo Switch didn’t support USB audio, whether it was wireless or not, and it’s only added support on a by-device basis. The PlayStation 4 market leader that it is, doesn’t really place any strict restrictions on headphones, but some still work better on the platform than others.

If you’re gaming on PC, the only thing to really think about is managing your USB ports. Wireless gaming headsets generally don’t use Bluetooth, due to lag and inconsistent console support. Instead, you’ll usually find a wireless gaming headset that connects with a USB dongle using a 2.4GHz radio frequency connection, which is less battery intensive and far less prone to lag—plus everything has a USB port, after all.

Many headsets are also available in different versions for different platforms. The Razer Thresher Ultimate, for example, comes in a separate model for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. If you like something on this list, but it isn’t for your platform of choice, there may be a more compatible version floating around. With that said, there are enough differences between the highlights of what’s available on each platform, that we decided it was worth including an entry for each major console.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

The gaming headset space, much like many other parts of the audio industry, is rife with exaggerated language and gimmicky features that often don’t add much of anything to your experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the flashy lights and promises of immersive audio and bass so intense it’ll rupture your eardrums (in a good way, somehow), but most of that stuff flat out doesn’t matter. That’s why we review headsets, and why we have lists like this.

When it comes down to it, I don’t just review gaming headsets because I’m passionate about good audio. Pretty much everything I do here at SoundGuys focuses on gaming content, and that’s because I’ve been a gamer my whole life. You name it, I’ve probably played it. I know what kind of audio features are important for different kinds of games, and maybe more importantly: which ones aren’t.

Frequently asked questions about the best wireless gaming headsets