The best gaming headsets for every head
2.12.2019
Translation: machine translated
Whether for the price-conscious, audiophiles or gamers who like RGB bells and whistles, you'll find the best gaming headsets for every need here.
Gaming headsets exist like screaming 13-year-olds in "Fortnite". It's hard to know what's what. I have selected a wired and a wireless headset for the most important requirements. Just bear in mind that sound quality and wearing comfort are largely subjective. When making my selection, I tried to find the best mix of price, sound quality and functions.
For the price-conscious
With cable: HyperX Cloud Alpha Pro
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a good all-rounder. The headset is sturdily built and the 50 mm drivers produce a rich sound. The microphone is detachable and features noise cancelling so that your teammates only hear you and not your entire surroundings. There is a remote control on the cable. Thanks to the 3.5 mm connection, the HyperX Cloud Alpha can be used not only on the PC but also on the console.
Wireless: Steelseries Arctis 7
Breathable ear pads ensure that even long gaming sessions are not a torture. The headband is also very soft, but can wear out a little over time. The battery lasts for over 20 hours, the microphone can be stowed away and the volume, chat mix etc. can be adjusted directly on the headphones. The microphone is not one of the best, but it's good enough for chatting. The headphones are compatible with PC, PS4 and the Switch.
For medium-sized budgets
With cable: Beyerdynamic Custom Game
Beyerdynamic is better known for its hi-fi headphones. However, the German company has also been producing gaming headsets for some time. Read more about the headphones in my comparison test. The Custom Game have a closed design and therefore insulate relatively well from the outside. As a result, they also have powerful bass. A small lever on the headphones allows you to switch between four different sound profiles - depending on whether you want to hear your opponents better or watch a film. The microphone delivers decent voice quality and the 3.5 mm cable allows you to connect the headset to your PC or console. Surround sound software must be purchased separately.
Wireless: Steelseries Arctis 9X
The Arctis 9X is also compatible with all platforms, even with smartphones thanks to Bluetooth. Something that cannot be taken for granted with gaming headsets. Otherwise, it is practically identical in construction to the Arctis 7, although the frequency range goes up to 22,000 Hz and therefore delivers a little more umpf. The microphone also sounds slightly better, but the battery life is slightly shorter. The Arctis 9X does not have its own surround sound software. However, you can either use Windows Sonic or buy the Dolby Atmos licence.
Shut up and take my money
With cable: Beyerdynamics MMX 300
The Beyerdynamics headset delivers a slightly richer sound than the Astro A50, which follows immediately below. In return, you lose the wireless functionality. Go to my test here. The design is simple but timeless. Thanks to the condenser microphone and pop protection, your swearing can be heard clearly in voice chat. A wired remote control is on board, as is an adapter cable for PC or consoles. The MMX 300 benefits from a dedicated sound card or audio amplifier to realise its full potential. They can also supply the software for virtual surround sound on request. Thanks to the 3.5 mm connection, it is compatible with all platforms.
Wireless: Astro A50
The latest generation of the Astro A50 delivers the best mix of wearing comfort, sound quality and operation, as I also wrote in my test. Pleasantly airy cushions, low weight and the fact that you can still hear your surroundings make them the ideal headset in a quiet environment. You can deactivate the microphone by turning it upwards. The ratio of voice chat and game sound can be adjusted on the right ear cup. Thanks to the included dock, you can charge the headphones. This is practical, as the battery is not one of the best. There are two models, one for PC and PS4 and one for PC and Xbox One.
Best microphone
Wired: Logitech G Pro X
If voice quality is particularly important to you, then the Logitech G Pro X is a good choice. Logitech has teamed up with Blue, who have one of the most popular USB microphones for podcasters or streamers on sale with the Blue Yeti. So the Pro X should be enough to start your Twitch career. The sound quality is also nothing to sneeze at thanks to the 50 mm drivers and surround sound is available thanks to DTS Headphones:X 2.0. The Pro X only works on a PC or smartphone via USB cable.
Wireless: Corsair Virtuoso
The Corsair Virtuoso is a wireless headset, but if you want to get the full performance out of the microphone, it's better to connect the headphones via USB. The microphone sounds even better than the more expensive Virtuoso SE, which our colleague Kevin tested. It can also be removed if you want to take it out of the house. Then simply use the 3.5 mm cable that is also included. The sound quality is impressive, but only if you adjust it a little. Thanks to the integrated motion sensor, the headphones recognise when you put them down and automatically go into sleep mode, which saves the battery. The Corsair iCUE software also provides 7.1 surround sound. The Virtuoso works with all platforms.
With colourful lighting
With cable: Steelseries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Not only is it one of the best-sounding gaming headsets, the Arctis Pro also delivers gamer bling bling in the form of illuminated ear cups. The whole thing is of course available with RGB colour spectrum, which you can adjust to your wishes via the Steelseries Engine software. You connect the wired headphones to the supplied audio amplifier, which also serves as a practical remote control. Compatible with PC and PS4.
Wireless: Logitech G G933 Artemis Spectrum
The G933 is also one of the more eye-catching headsets. You can also adjust the colour here, as well as the light frequency. Despite 7.1 surround sound, they only deliver mediocre sound quality, but they sit very comfortably. On the left ear cup, you also have various switches and dials for volume, profiles, etc. However, it is not easy to feel the right buttons. The headset is compatible with PC, Xbox One and the Switch.
With good insulation
With cable: Sennheiser Game Zero
To my knowledge, there are no gaming headsets with active noise cancellation. What does exist are those with good insulation thanks to their closed design. These include the following two devices from Sennheiser. The Game Zero ensure that you can concentrate on gaming even in a noisy environment. The German hi-fi company also delivers solid sound quality and a reliable microphone. You can connect the Game Zero to your PC and console using the 3.5 mm plug. It also works with your smartphone, if yours still has the corresponding socket, connect it there too.
Wireless: Sennheiser GSP 670
The GSP 670 is expensive, but also offers a lot of performance. It delivers the best sound quality and a good, albeit not very good, microphone as well as a high level of wearing comfort. You will find controls for the microphone and volume on the right and left ear cups. They have Bluetooth 5.0, but are preferably connected via the USB wifi dongle. The battery will then only last around 15 hours instead of 20. The design is certainly a matter of taste, but the construction is robust. You can use the GSP 670 with a PC, PS4 and smartphone.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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