All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
Best wireless gaming headsets
Take SoundGuys’ quiz to find your best fit
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 device 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.
Although going cordless adds convenience, choosing one isn’t as simple as it can be. The mass amount of products out there can seem as daunting as a tangled mess of wired cables, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here are the best wireless gaming headsets on offer.
Editor’s note: This article on the best wireless gaming headsets was updated on July 18, 2024, to add the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X to our top picks and update the information on what you need to know about gaming headsets.
The best wireless gaming headset we’ve tested is the Audeze Maxwell
The Audeze Maxwell gaming headset is great for gamers who frequently switch between consoles and PCs. This high-end headset has planar magnetic drivers, broad connection options—including USB-C, RF dongle, and Bluetooth 5.3—and a physical mute switch for the microphone. The comprehensive app allows for EQ adjustments and access to spatial audio.
The Maxwell has multiplatform-friendly features and design.
The only real downside is the overall mass of the headset, which may impact long-term comfort for some users. Still, the headset’s extensive battery life, exceeding 64 hours on a single charge, alongside its effective passive noise isolation, ensures an immersive gaming experience without frequent interruptions.
Loading chart ...
With large drivers and a deep ear cup, the audio quality is impressive. However, you might have the itch to tinker with the out-of-the-box sound profile, as it deviates a little from our preference curve.
There are two microphones on the Audeze Maxwell: an internal one and a boom mic. Take a listen below to hear our standardized samples.
The Logitech G Pro X 2 LightSpeed is the best all-arounder
The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED gaming headset delivers sound quality, comfort, and longevity, making it a solid choice for a wide range of gamers. While it may not revolutionize audio with its graphene drivers, it offers a very good listening experience, enhanced by a comfortable fit and robust software features. The headset connects via a 3.5mm jack, Bluetooth, and a 2.4GHz USB-A dongle, though it lacks aptX support and simultaneous audio connections. It also shines with its impressive battery life, lasting over 88 hours, outperforming many competitors in its bracket.
This headset sounds good, feels good, and lasts a long time.
Its microphone provides clear audio for communications, further supported by Logitech’s Blue Vo!ce software. However, its price and reduced features on Xbox may deter those users.
Loading chart ...
The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED has a frequency response that aligns closely to preferred headphone curves, ensuring neither overpowering bass nor diminished mids. It delivers an enjoyable music listening experience.
The microphone on the Logitech G Pro X 2 LIGHTSPEED is clear and loud, suitable for various uses. You can listen to some samples below:
Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED microphone demo (Office conditions):
Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED microphone demo (Reverberant conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X is the best headset for comfort and connectivity
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X stands out as an exceptional wireless gaming headset, offering unparalleled versatility and value. Its key strength lies in its wide compatibility across all major gaming platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC, thanks to its clever USB dongle design. With over 42 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit for extended gaming sessions, and a comprehensive companion app featuring over 100 game-specific EQ presets, it caters to diverse gaming needs.
The headset also boasts solid audio performance, a quality retractable microphone, and Bluetooth connectivity, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and everyday use. While it lacks active noise cancelation, its overall performance, feature set, and multi-platform support make the Arctis Nova 5X one of the best all-around wireless gaming headsets available.
Loading chart ...
There is no foam cover for the microphone, so the noise rejection suffers a little bit in the face of ambient noises and will pick up things such as clackety keyboards in an office setting. Still, it’s not enough to overshadow your voice; you will remain intelligible.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless microphone (Ideal conditions):
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless microphone wireless demo (Office conditions):
The Razer Barracuda Pro connects with Bluetooth and has ANC
The Razer Barracuda Pro (2022) is a gaming headset that you can use at home or on the go. It has a solid build quality, impressive sound quality, and effective active noise canceling (ANC). The headset lacks a boom microphone but comes with a USB-A and USB-C adapter to connect to a myriad of consoles.
Active noise cancelation is this headsets major selling point.
The Barracuda Pro features ample padding, a stainless steel inner headband, and memory foam ear pads. The integration of Razer Synapse software and the Razer Audio mobile app enhances the user experience by offering customizable EQ settings and enabling access to THX Spatial Audio for immersive gaming. Its impressive battery life, comfortable design, and satisfactory noise isolation make it suitable for extended gaming sessions and everyday use. As a top pick for an ANC gaming headset, the Razer Barracuda Pro offers a well-rounded experience.
Loading chart ...
The Razer Barracuda Pro’s frequency response generally follows the gist of our ideal consumer curve. Unfortunately, it does have a slight dip between 200Hz-1kHz and starts rolling off at the high end early, at around 8kHz. Generally, it’s a fairly enjoyable headset to listen to with good bass response but unfortunately, the high end doesn’t quite hold up to the price tag.
The Razer Barracuda Pro doesn’t have a boom microphone. Instead, it uses a microphone array that’s built into the ear cups. While this is convenient and makes the headset easier to take on the go, it unfortunately means that the microphone quality isn’t as high as some other gaming headsets.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has a crystal clear microphone
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) has excellent microphone quality, over 55 hours of battery life, and is comfortable. It is a wireless-only gaming headset that connects via Bluetooth or the wireless USB dongle. This headset is particularly suited for gamers who need a reliable, cord-free audio experience, as well as remote workers who participate in numerous conference calls and seek comfort and audio clarity.
The BlackShark V2 Pro is for remote workers or non-Xbox gamers looking for a wireless headset with an excellent microphone and long battery life.
Sound quality is good, and PC gamers can customizable audio settings through Razer Synapse with the ten-band EQ. Although it doesn’t feature active noise cancelation, the headset offers good noise isolation, making it effective in minimizing external distractions.
Loading chart ...
The frequency response curve for the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) has a few critical deviations compared with our headphone preference curve. Out of the box, it has overemphasized bass between 20Hz-200Hz. There’s also a dip in the midrange frequencies and a couple of peaks in the high frequencies, with a particularly notable rise leading up to around 7kHz, making sibilants and cymbals a bit piercing.
Overall, the detachable boom mic has excellent quality. You can still hear some background noises, like the clicks of a keyboard or outside traffic, which the headphones struggle to block out entirely, but they are not loud enough to overpower your voice completely.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is our premium pick
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 (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.
By default, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro sounds pretty similar to a lot of gaming headsets on the market and deviates from our in-house target curve in similar ways too. There’s some extra emphasis in low-range sound from 60-200Hz, and other notable aspects are the minor dip around 300Hz, a lack of presence around 3kHz, and a lot of extra emphasis in the 6-9kHz region. This can mean voice chat might be a little tough to hear, depending game/chat balance and how hectic the game you’re playing is.
The headset’s mic is pretty average for a wireless gaming headset. It’s plenty clear for calls, but don’t expect to record any podcasts with it.
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro microphone sample (Ideal conditions):
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro microphone sample (Office conditions):
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro microphone sample (Reverberant conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a wireless headset that will suit most people
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.
Loading chart ...
The Cloud Alpha Wireless has a good microphone for a gaming headset—it’s not going to light the world on fire, but it also won’t let you down.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless microphone demo (Office conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The best budget-friendly option is the Razer Barracuda X
The Razer Barracuda X (2022) is an upgraded version of its predecessor, offering improvements in battery life, sound quality, microphone performance, and the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, all for $99. It’s lightweight, provides good sound quality, and offers versatile connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.2, making it suitable for multi-platform gamers and those working from home. The headset is comfortable for extended use, though its ear cups swivel in an unusual way. It only supports the SBC codec, lacking AAC or aptX support for Bluetooth audio.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Barracuda X (2022) stands out for its extended battery life, surpassing the manufacturer’s claim by nearly 20%, and its clear, improved microphone quality. Its design is straightforward and available in three colors. However, the isolation performance is only average, and the sound profile boosts the bass range, with some variations in the highs and mids. The headset is recommended for those seeking a no-frills, reliable gaming headset at a moderate price, especially if multi-platform compatibility and a comfortable, lightweight build are priorities.
Loading chart ...
For the price, this is a very good gaming headset microphone that effectively rejects background noise. Some sounds still come through, which you can hear in the “office” demo below, but it’s better than a lot of embedded microphone systems that you’ll find in Razer’s other headsets.
Razer Barracuda X (2022) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Razer Barracuda X (2022) microphone demo (Office conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
Notable mentions
- Logitech G735 ($208 at Amazon): This gaming headset sounds good, has a clear and loud cardioid microphone, and will keep you gaming comfortably for those long sessions.
- Corsair Virtuoso Wireless SE ($254 at Amazon): The headset is crafted for gamers of all platforms. The unboxing experience reveals a slew of connectivity options, which include 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 ($89 at Amazon): 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 ($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 ($89 at Amazon): 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 Nari Ultimate ($108 at Amazon): 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 ($64 at Amazon): 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 ($154 at Amazon): 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 ($129 at Amazon): This is another good wireless gaming headset for less than $150. It features a great microphone and an accurate frequency response and works on Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
- Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT ($219 at Amazon): 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 also work on PlayStation, so finding a wireless headset that works on both is very rare, but they do exist. Neither console supports Bluetooth connectivity for audio devices. Some consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch, support both Bluetooth and USB dongle wireless connectivity and even have a headphone jack.
If you’re gaming on a 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.
Wireless gaming headsets generally don't use Bluetooth for gaming, due to lag and inconsistent console support.
Many headsets are also available in different versions for different platforms. The Razer Thresher Ultimate, for example, comes in a separate model for PlayStation and Xbox. 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.
If you’re connected via a 2.4GHz connection (ie. with a USB dongle) you shouldn’t encounter any perceptible latency or audio-visual lag. The presence of perceptible lag could indicate a range issue—something that’s pretty rare within 30 feet of whatever your dongle is plugged into— or a power issue. If you’re near what your headset is connected to and the headset is fully charged, excessive latency could indicate a hardware defect.
The same can’t be said for the average Bluetooth connection, which routinely suffers from perceptible lag while gaming (especially if you’re stuck with audio codecs like SBC or AAC). That’s why it’s so uncommon among gaming headsets, and when it’s present, it’s always a secondary connection option.
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
Yes, wireless headsets provide mobility and less clutter. They usually connect via a 2.4GHz RF through USB dongles, ensuring minimal lag and more reliable connectivity than Bluetooth.
While almost no gaming headset could be considered audiophile hardware, pretty much anything we put on this list will sound great for listening to music, as well as playing games.
Yes, the detachable boom mic is both Discord and TeamSpeak certified. This means you can use the HyperX Cloud Flight S headset over either Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.
In short, no. As long as you’re not using a Bluetooth headset for gaming, it isn’t really an issue. Most wireless gaming headsets typically come with their own wireless RF USB dongle to minimize latency. However, all wireless devices will produce some lag, even if it isn’t immediately perceptible. If you don’t want to worry about latency at all, consider investing in a wired gaming headset instead.
Wireless gaming headsets can be more convenient to use because you don’t have to remove them when you leave your station. More often than not, wireless gaming headsets include software that lets you adjust the sound and update the firmware down the line.
Some pro gamers use wireless headphones for their comfort and freedom, but wired headphones are often preferred in competitive scenarios to avoid potential latency or battery issues.
All the headsets on this list have exceptional sound quality. Still, if we had to choose the best, it would be the Logitech G Pro X 2 LightSpeed because it has a frequency response much closer to our headphone preference curve than many gaming headsets on the market.
At SoundGuys, we try to keep all our lists up to date and regularly swap in new entries. If a recent gaming headset you’d like to know more about hasn’t made it on the list, it’s not always because it didn’t make the cut. We’re a small team, and putting products through their paces can take time.
With gaming headsets in particular, we’ve only been regularly reviewing them for about a year, so there’s also a pretty significant backlog of products to sort through. Give us time—the headsets on this list all deserve to be there, but if there’s something better out there, we’ll get to it eventually.
The cheapest headset on this list is the Razer Barracuda X (2022) for less than $100. However, you can browse more affordable options in our list of the best headphones for under $100.
Prices can range from $30 to $300 or more, but consider platform compatibility, sound quality, and connection method (e.g., 2.4GHz RF). A high-end range price point ($150-$250) usually offers a good balance of these features.
The “best” headset often depends on personal preference and platform requirements. However, in 2023, we consider the HyperX Cloud Alpha to be the most well-rounded wireless gaming headset, working with a variety of platforms such as PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.