The Top Gaming Headset

Whether you want to play Madden all night and not disturb your roommates, or you just want a more immersive Call of Duty experience, a gaming headset is must-have accessory for a serious gamer. You can get a headset for as little as $50, with wireless headsets starting at about $100, and high-quality headsets of both types found at $150 and above. While wireless headsets are generally more expensive than wired headsets, our Editors' Choice for wired gaming headsets, the Razer Tiamat 7.1 , retails for $20 more than our Editors' Choice for wireless gaming headsets, the Logitech G930 . Whether you're tethered to your PC or not, expect to pay a premium for comfort and sound quality.


Inexpensive headsets can be very simple stereo headphones with an additional microphone and connector. More expensive pairs can add features like built-in USB audio so you only need to use one cable, and multiple connection options so you can use it with both PCs and game consoles. Another high-end feature, surround sound, which is found in the Razer Tiamat 7.1 and the Logitech G35, will enhance your overall listening experience, but isn’t as accurate as an actual multi-channel surround-sound speaker system which delivers audio from various locations, including behind you. Headsets like the Tiamat use multiple drivers, while the G35 uses stereo drivers and audio processing, but either way you’re getting a surround sound effect that doesn’t come close to what a speaker system can be.

Some headsets, like those from Razer and Logitech, are purely designed for PC gaming, while others, like the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Omega , can also work with game consoles. It’s important to know the difference between a PC-only headset and a console headset because it can be difficult (or in some cases nearly impossible) to get a PC headset to work with a game console.

If you prefer single-player games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you don’t need a headset at all. You can use speakers and enjoy the room-filling atmosphere. If you need to work with or against anyone online, however, a headset’s vital. The next time you deathmatch, raid, or capture objectives, make sure you’re shouting into the boom mic of a good headset. To find the right one, check out our latest reviews below.

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