Best wired gaming headset 2024

What’s the best wired gaming headset? With so many different brands and models to choose from, finding the best wired gaming headset can be a tough task. we’ll help you make the right purchase for your PS5, PS4, Xbox or PC.

A gaming headset is an essential piece of equipment for any avid gamer: even the best gaming console can be improved with quality headphones, which bring the best games to life and let you chat with friends through their microphones.

When rating these wired gaming headsets, we’ve taken into account the sound quality you can expect from the audio drivers, and the microphone quality so your friends and other players can feel the same joy you will rocking your new headset.

Wired options like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro at the top of our list can offer top-quality sound at a lower price than wireless headsets, as long as you don’t mind being somewhat tethered. All of the headsets are compatible with all major platforms, though we’re sure to mention any caveats in the entries below.

The best wired gaming headsets are:

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro – Best overall
• Razer BlackShark V2 – Best mid-range headset
• HyperX Cloud III – Good mid-range headset
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 – Alternative mid-range headset
• Corsair HS55 – Best budget headset
• EPOS H6Pro – Best premium headset
• Turtle Beach Recon 70 – Cheapest headset

1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

The best wired gaming headset overall.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro specs:

Pros

• Excellent sound and build quality
• Great sound customization with GameDAC

Cons

• Compatibility issues
• Expensive

SteelSeries is well-known for its high-quality audio devices, and the Arctis Nova Pro does not disappoint. We’d argue that it’s the best wired gaming headset on the market right now and put the wireless version on our list of the best PS4 headsets.

The SteelSeries Nova Pro’s biggest flex is the incredible sound quality, both in terms of the speakers and mic. Despite a relatively standard set of 40mm Neodymium drivers, the high and low-end are well-balanced, and the audio imaging is superb. What does this mean for you? Well, you’ll be able to accurately place enemy footsteps and other invaluable audio in the best FPS games, and hear every roar of the engine and tire screeching in great detail in the best racing games.

The microphone is strong for a headset, and we found the noise-canceling good at blocking out background noise. The included GameDAC takes this up another notch, letting you easily mix your audio on the fly. You can alter the EQ settings using the 10-band equalizer, boosting the bass, treble, and everything in between based on your taste.

Unlike most other headsets, you can even mix your chat audio. This means PlayStation and Xbox party chat, and software like Discord, can be balanced with game audio all from the GameDAC.

There’s a PC and PS5/PS4 version, and a PC and Xbox version. These let you connect both a PC and a specific console at the same time using the two USB ports on the GameDAC, so be sure to pick the right one for the console you own. If you have both a PlayStation and Xbox console, however, we recommend choosing the Xbox version, as this is actually compatible with both platforms.

If you want to have this headset ready to go at a moment’s notice for both an Xbox and PlayStation, simply connect your Xbox to the primary USB port on GameDAC, and the PS5/PS4 to the second USB on the GameDAC. Now, the headset will automatically switch to whichever device is currently active. As a result, you could be juggling cables depending on your gaming setup, especially if you have a PC as well.

2. Razer BlackShark V2

The best mid-range wired gaming headset.

Razer BlackShark V2 specs:

Pros

• Excellent sound and build quality
• Comfortable even with glasses
• Removable microphone

Cons

• Awkward size adjustment
• Microphone quality

The Razer BlackShark V2 isn’t the cheapest wired gaming headset on the market, but it’s great value for money. It’s also incredibly comfortable thanks to the breathable memory foam cushions on the earcups.

The Razer BlackShark V2 provides stellar clarity and depth that punches well above its weight. Like the more expensive SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the audio imaging is great, allowing you to easily place the location of certain sounds in the environment. If you’re in the market for a budget headset for the best FPS games like Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, or Call of Duty Warzone, it’s perfect. However, its performance is greatly dependent on the USB sound card. This significantly improves the audio quality, whether you’re on PC or console.

What makes this a little awkward, however, is that it’s possible you’ll be using the USB slot on your console for another device, like a charging cable, or are simply too far away from your console for it to be convenient. The 3.4mm connection, which can be plugged directly into your controller is undeniably more convenient, though the audio does lack the extra punch offered by the included sound card. While it’s still more than serviceable, we recommend using the USB sound card if you can.

The microphone is also a little lacking, though that’s more in line with expectations given the budget pricing. While the audio drivers are well beyond what you’d expect for this price range, the microphone isn’t so stellar, often lacking clarity and depth. It’s certainly serviceable and can even be removed when you’re not using it, which is a great bonus.

You will likely find yourself readjusting the Blackshark V2 often due to its odd design. Each side of the headset has independent adjustors on their own sliding frame, meaning you’re frequently left with a lopsided headset. This is a minor nuisance, though, compared to how strong its other features are.

3. HyperX Cloud III

A great alternate mid-range wired gaming headset.

HyperX Cloud III specs:

Pros

• Excellent sound and build quality
• Great compatibility with USB-C, USB-A, and 3.5mm
• Removable microphone

Cons

• Microphone quality
• Non-removable cable

The HyperX Cloud III is a follow-up to what was already one of the best gaming headsets on the market. With great build and audio quality, and a decent microphone, the Cloud III justifies its mid-range price.

Boasting large 53mm drivers for powerful and detailed audio, it’s perfect for competitive gamers. This neutral sound is what affords the Cloud III such great audio clarity that comes in handy when playing multiplayer shooters, for example. The low-end bass is still punchy, so gunshots and other explosions are still strong, but it’s not enough to take away from the middle of the spectrum. In action, you’ll hear all the audio cues you need in-game while still getting suitable bass and treble performance.

The microphone is the largest drawback of the HyperX Cloud III. It’s definitely an upgrade over its predecessor and offers more clarity than many other headsets at a similar price, but it suffers from cable noise that results in a consistent hum and the mute switch produces a quick pop every time you mute and unmute the microphone. It’s not deal-breaking, especially if you’re playing with your friends rather than content creation.

4. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3

Another strong mid-range gaming headset alternative.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 specs:

Pros

• Great sound and build quality
• Compatible with all major platforms through USB-C, USB-A, and 3.5mm connections
• Concealable microphone

Cons

• Microphone quality

The first thing you’ll notice about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 is just how comfortable and premium it feels, despite the plastic construction. With reinforced brackets and a soft fabric headband, the Nova 3 is ideal for long gaming sessions.

The 40mm drivers feel similarly high quality, with deep bass tones and full treble. While the USB connection is superior, the 3.5mm connection (which is most common for console gamers as it plugs directly into your controller) is remarkably good, showcasing just how well SteelSeries has tuned the audio drivers on the Nova 3. No matter how you game or what games you play, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 offers great audio quality.

Likewise, the microphone is also strong compared to the competition. It’s still rather tinny and washed-out, but it offers more clarity than competing wired headsets, such as the Razer Blackshark V2.

It’s also worth noting that the Nova 3 features an RGB ring around each earcup. The minimal design really makes these shine and look great, though if you’re not a fan of RGB, then it could feel like you’re paying extra for a rather meaningless addition. However, the Nova 3 is priced competitively, with added RGB not resulting in weaker performance to maintain its price point.

5. Corsair HS55

The best budget wired gaming headset.

Corsair HS55 specs:

Pros

• Affordable
• Good audio quality
• Microphone quality

Cons

• Microphone volume
• Pleather cushions

The Corsair HS55 is a surprisingly strong headset for its low price. As you can expect with Corsair products, the HS55 feels like a relatively high-quality product despite the budget-friendly construction thanks to the sleek finish.

It is almost entirely plastic with a standard rubber cable, but the cups feel more sturdy than you’d expect for the price: you won’t feel like you’re going to snap them just by rotating the cups or altering the size. Likewise, the cushions are soft and well-padded, but they are more budget-friendly pleather rather than cloth. In long gaming sessions, these can get rather warm.

As for the audio quality, the large 50mm drivers do a lot of heavy lifting. These are larger drivers than most headsets at this price, and the tuning by Corsair brings out even more of this power. The sound is well-balanced, not trading bass for treble as many budget gaming headsets do. After all, it’s often the detailed treble drawing out sound cues like footsteps that gamers are looking for. Thankfully, these offer the best of both worlds in this budget range.

The microphone quality is remarkably good for the price, even beating out higher-priced headsets thanks to its clarity. As is common for budget headsets, the microphone isn’t removable and is prone to background buzzing. However, it’s surprisingly clear and detailed, albeit a little quiet. This microphone punches well above its weight and will be just fine for chatting with friends and other players.

6. EPOS H6Pro

The best premium wired gaming headset.

EPOS H6Pro specs:

Pros

• Superb build and audio quality
• Open and close-back options
• Removable microphone

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

From the moment you set eyes on the EPOS H6Pro, you can see just how high quality these headphones are. With a sleek design and several great colorways, the H6Pro is backed up by a solid construction that adds a comfortable weight to the headset.

This is reinforced by the fact that you can purchase either an open-back or closed-back option. Open-back headphones offer the best audio quality thanks to a wider soundstage, but they also let in more room noise. If you game in a busy environment, we recommend choosing the closed-back option instead.

The premium feel continues when you put these hefty 322g headphones on. The 42mm drivers offer incredible detail with a wide soundstage that will certainly bring your favorite games to life. Audio imaging is superb, with directional audio easy to pinpoint in competitive shooters like the best battle royale games. The soundscape is a well-balanced tool, with a hearty bass to add weight to every impact and explosion. This bass doesn’t wash out any of the details either, which is a common issue with gaming headsets.

The microphone is a well-positioned boom arm that can be completely detached. It won’t outmatch a separate microphone, but it’s easily one of the best microphones on a gaming headset, coming with great range and detail. It’s more than enough for gaming with friends and playing online, and could even work if you were looking to do some light content creation.

While it is undoubtedly an expensive, premium device, the EPOS H6Pro is one of the best wired gaming headsets you can get for console and PC, justifying its high price with equally high quality to boot.

7. Turtle Beach Recon 70

The cheapest wired gaming headset (that’s still very good).

Turtle Beach Recon 70 specs:

Pros

• Incredible value for money
• Good sound and mic quality
• Broad compatibility

Cons

• Uncomfortable after a while
• Requires an audio jack

If you’re looking for the cheapest possible wired gaming headset that won’t sound like you’re playing Call of Duty MW3 underwater, then Turtle Beach’s Recon 70 is a natural choice as far as we’re concerned. For the best part of $40, you’re getting a headset that not only looks great thanks to the wide array of colors you can pick it up in but also performs very well for the price.

While many of the options on this list make use of 50mm drivers, the more modest 40mm ones in the Recon 70 are described as “crisp, clear, and with a decent level of bass” in our Turtle Beach Recon 70 review. You might not get all the bells and whistles found in more premium offerings, but the Recon 70 will at least support Windows Sonic spatial audio on the Xbox family of consoles.

Of course, for sub-$50 it’s correct to expect that trade-offs have been made to crowbar as much sound quality as possible. While the Recon 70 doesn’t feel cheap, its all-plastic construction isn’t going to last long if it takes one too many knocks. Additionally, we found that it can become uncomfortable during long sessions, requiring regular adjustment and even breaks from use altogether. As such, if you’re full-sending it on some of the new PS5 games or new Xbox games, mind your head.

What brand of wired gaming headset is best?

The best brands of wired gaming headsets are often SteelSeries, HyperX, and Corsair, with several Razer offerings also being great options.

These brands offer high-quality headsets at a variety of prices, so chances are you’ll be able to find something that fits your budget. As respected brands in gaming tech, headsets by these brands typically come with well-balanced audio and a great overall build quality, although there are obviously differences between models that are worth digging deeper into.

How do we test wired gaming headsets?

We test our wired gaming headsets on several factors to evaluate the overall value of the product, including:

• Price: Gaming headsets can be incredibly expensive products, though there’s also an overwhelming selection of budget options as well that can muddy the waters. We look for products that strike a fine balance between quality and price to offer the best value gaming headset, no matter the price range.
• Comfort: If you’re like us, it’s easy to game for hours on end, and the last thing you want is your headset hurting your head. There’s no point in forking out for an expensive headset if its core design is weak and uncomfortable. The materials used and the overall design are crucial.
• Compatibility: Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to own several different gaming devices, from Xbox to PS5, Switch to PC, you need a device that can serve you well across many devices. Where relevant, we’ll mention if you need to purchase a specific version of a headset or any accessories to aid with compatibility.

Read our how we test page to find out more about how we put this list of the best wired gaming headsets together.

Now you know all the best wired gaming headsets for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Why not dive into the best open world games or best RPG games to immerse yourself in them like never before? And for more ways to improve your gaming experience, take a look at the best gaming desks on the market as well. A good desk can be a real game-changer.