Gaming headsets are like any other PC accessory in that you can get by with a $50 option, but when you fork over a bit more cash you are really treated to a luxury experience. Though the sound quality might not be perceptibly better between a $50 headset and a $150 headset, we can guarantee the more expensive model will be in an entirely different league of comfort, will offer more features, and generally be easier to use and more robust as well. When you get into the $150+ range headsets go from cheap plastic stereo units to velvety-soft, sophisticated equipment with the latest features, full cross-platform compatibility, surround sound functionality, wireless operation, and more.We’ve tested all the wired as well as wireless gaming headsets from all the major and minor brands in the industry in our quest to find the best high-end gaming headsets. Throwing caution and our bank account balances to the wind, locked ourselves away to determine which is truly the most feature-packed and best sounding gaming headsets (a lot of) money can buy. Therefore, in addition to naming a winner, we’ll also show you some of the runner ups, as they offer a little something for everyone, from diehard PC gamer to console gamer, to both.TL;DR These are the Best High-End Gaming Headsets:
1. Audeze Mobius
Best High-End Gaming Headset
Compatibility: (Wireless) PC/Mac, Mobile; (Wired) PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Interface: wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth, USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 100mm Planar magnetic Frequency response: 10Hz – 50,000Hz Surround sound modes: 7.1/5.1, Waves Nx Battery life: 10 hours Weight: 350g
The Mobius from high-end audio company Audeze are gaming headphones for audiophiles, plain and simple (read our review). Their $400 price tag also ensures that only the most hardcore audio purists will make the leap, and they will certainly not be disappointed. Every bit of the Mobius is premium and top-notch, from its design to its features, and it has technology that no other headset on this list has. The most standout feature is its planar magnetic drivers, which are new in the gaming headphone world as they were previously only found in super-expensive headphones. It also features Waves NX head-tracking, making them perfect for VR. Connection options are also abundant, so you can use them with any gaming platform, including mobile. This is as good as it gets in the gaming headset world, period.2. SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC
Best High-End Wired Gaming Headset
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Interface: wired Connections: USB, 3.5mm audio cable, Optical Drivers: 40mm Neodymium Frequency response: 10Hz – 40,000Hz Surround sound modes: DTS Headphone:X v2.0 Weight: 348g
SteelSeries’ newest flagship headset is pretty unique in that it includes a small USB “GameDAC” that sits on your desk, and offloads the sound processing from your host system to a chip inside it (Read our review). The small control center features an OLED display, which lets you tweak everything about the headset with simple, intuitive controls. It’s a slick way to handle making adjustments, and the audio output is stellar as well. On top of that you have a super premium design that’s exceedingly comfortable, customizable, and just feels perfect. The fit and finish are top-notch, and it even has RGB lighting.3. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Best High-End Wireless Gaming Headset
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Interface: wired Connections: USB, 3.5mm audio cable, Optical Drivers: 40mm Neodymium Frequency response: 10Hz – 40,000Hz Surround sound modes: DTS Headphone:X v2.0 Weight: 348g
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless (read our review) is the complete package; a well-made, super comfy wireless headset with 7.1 surround sound with the ability to connect up to three devices. If you plan things right, you could have this gaming headset connected to both a PC and console at the same time. And on top of all that, this gaming headset also sports Bluetooth, allowing you to pair it with a smartphone to listen to something else while you’re playing a game.It also happens fits on your head with a super comfy “ski goggle” band and breathable cloth earpads. You can even buy replacements with different colors and patterns to customize things a bit. The microphone is also excellent and slides into the earcup when not in use. the icing on the cake is the wireless hub, which not only lets you wire up your devices out of sight, but it also charges a spare battery so you can play wirelessly almost non-stop.
All in all the Arctis Pro Wireless has practically every feature we could wish for in a gaming headset, and they all come wrapped in an understated package that’s both sophisticated and all-day comfortable. When it comes to gaming headsets, it really doesn’t get any better than this.
4. HyperX Cloud Revolver S
High-End Gaming Audio at a Discount
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Interface: wired Connections: USB, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 50mm Neodymium Frequency response: 12Hz – 28,000Hz Surround sound modes: 7.1 Dolby Surround Weight: 376g
HyperX’s latest Cloud Revolver S model (read our review), brought Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound to the table and cross-platform compatibility. The main knock against this headset is that it’s not wireless, but in exchange for that drawback, you can plug it into pretty much anything including your console or phone. A handy inline control pod lets you easily toggle surround sound on and off, and its steel frame is built to last. There’s no confusing software to deal with and the massive earcups are all-day comfy as well.5. Astro A40 TR + Mixamp Pro TR
The Industry Classic High-End Gaming Headset
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Interface: wired Connections: 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 40mm Neodymium Frequency response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz Surround sound modes: Dolby Audio 7.1 Weight: 369g
The Astro A40 TR is the company’s top-shelf wired gaming headset, and at $250 it’s the third most expensive headset in this group. It’s a very straightforward package with super comfy earcups that are as soft and fuzzy as a puppy, a crystal clear audio and a voice-isolating microphone.However, this gaming headset truly sings when it’s plugged into its accompanying Mixamp Pro TR, which unlocks Dolby Audio 7.1 and the ability to change your equalizer settings. You won’t find many more gaming headsets that are this comfy or offer the superb directional audio quality that Astro is known for.
6. Sennheiser GSP 670
Pro Gaming Audio From a Pro Audio Maker
Compatibility: PS4, PC, Mobile Interface: Wireless Connections: USB dongle, Bluetooth Frequency response: 10Hz – 23,000Hz Surround sound modes: 7.1 Battery life: 20 hours Weight: 398g
Sennheiser has brought its legendary expertise to gaming headsets and its latest creation is the wireless GSP 670. This wireless gaming headset comes ready to deliver up to 7.1 surround sound over a low-latency connection with near-zero delay. From our time with the Sennheiser GSP 670, the headset sounded perfectly balanced without highs overpowering the mids or lows being completely lost. It also comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity, so you can also connect this headset to a smartphone or tablet to play music or podcasts, or watch videos as you play.It’s might look a little bit on the chunky side, but this headset essentially rests on your head with four plushy cloth pads, so it’ll never dig into your dome or make your head feel hot. It also features a fairly long battery life that’ll last up to 20 hours, and plugging it in for just seven minutes will give you two hours of playtime back.
7. Logitech G935
Serious Wireless Surround Sound for Gaming
Compatibility: (Wireless) PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch; (Wired) Xbox One, Mac, Mobile Interface: wireless, wired Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, USB, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 50mm Neodymium Frequency response: 20Hz – 20,000Hz Surround sound modes: DTS Headphone:X 2.0, Dolby Atmos Battery life: 12 hours Weight: 379g
Logitech’s updated G935 headset (read our review) isn’t as expensive as some of the headsets on this list at just $169.99, but still offers outstanding audio quality, accurate surround sound, and a lot of advanced features. It’s an upgrade from the G933 Artemis Spectrum, with bigger drivers, better surround sound, and a more even audio mix that that lets you crank up the volume without anything getting distorted. On top of all that, they can be used with any gaming platform, and they even have RGB!8. HyperX Cloud Orbit S
Best Audiophile Quality Gaming Headset
Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile Interface: wired Connections: USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 100mm Planar Frequency response: 10Hz – 50,000Hz Surround sound modes: 7.1 Battery life: 10 hours Weight: 368g
Remember how we chose to put the Audeze Mobius at the top of our list due to its high-end planar drivers and head tracking technology, well the HyperX Cloud Orbit S (read our review) offers all of that at a slightly lower $329 price. These two headsets are so similar you might have thought HyperX made a knock off, but the two audio makers actually teamed up to develop this more gaming-focused headset for audiophiles.The HyperX Cloud Orbit S delivers the amazingly broad and balanced sound signature of the Audeze Mobius. You also game the same head-tracking Waves NX technology, so you can turn your head to better hear sound effects by turning towards their direction. The only thing you don’t get on this version of the headset is Bluetooth and a slightly worse microphone.
Why You Need a High-End Headset
You probably think that $8 pair of earbuds you bought at the gas station are fine, but I’m here to tell you, you’re wrong. Even midrange gaming headsets fall way behind the quality of a high-end set. It’s more than just quality of build, it’s quality of sound.Most higher-end headsets are made of some kind of metal or at least a rugged plastic. That means they can stand up to a lot more abuse than a $75 pair of plastic headphones. They also tend to be much more comfortable, and for much longer, too. A high-end gaming headset is just built better, with better materials that last longer.
That higher quality obviously manifests itself in sound, as well. Again, a mid-range headset will sound good, but a high-end will sound great. It’s one of those things you don’t really appreciate until you try one out. Then it’s hard to go back.
Once you’ve settled on a new high-end gaming headset, be sure to check out our guide to the best 4K gaming monitors, the top graphics cards of 2020, or for absolutely blazing frame rates, our guide to the best 240hz monitors.
