How to shop best gaming headsets for every console
We reveal our top picks, along with expert insight, on gaming headsets that offer the best sound, comfort and connectivity.
Wireless gaming headsets tend to be a lot more expensive than wired ones. Not only that, but wireless gaming headsets are usually not compatible with a wide variety of devices.
The Arctis 1 is an exception to the norm. This is because the Arctis 1 comes with a wired 3.5mm cable as well as a USB-C wireless dongle. From my own experience, I’ve found that the Arctis 1 is slightly less comfortable than the HyperX Cloud II, but the connectivity options and fair price make it a great wireless option.
The Arctis 1 is compatible with PC, Mac, PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch via wireless dongle or 3.5mm cable, and Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One exclusively via wired 3.5mm cable.
The Razer Kraken is an affordable bestseller among wired gaming headsets. For the price, the headset strikes a good balance between quality, sound and comfort, according to critics and consumers.
Like the HyperX Cloud IIs, the Razer Kraken is compatible with PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (in handheld mode), PC and Mac. The headset comes in a variety of fun colors, including white, black, green and pink. The pink version has light-up kitty ears but is compatible only with PCs.
Our experts did note that Bluetooth and wireless connectivity can lead to lesser audio quality and increased lag. That is true of the Logitech G435 — they don’t sound as good as some of our other picks. However, they offer wireless convenience at an excellent price, and are a top-rated favorite among critics and consumers. Critics at the SoundGuys noted that its low cost, fun colors and very light weight make it well-suited to kids.
The Logitech G435 is compatible with PC, Mac, PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch via the included USB-A wireless dongle or Bluetooth. We recommend using the wireless dongle, as it offers a more stable connection and better sound.
Picking out the perfect gaming headset has more to do with your own needs than finding the most expensive option available. Our experts said to consider the following before buying a new gaming headset:
Compatibility. Not all gaming headsets are compatible with every gaming system. Before deciding on any pair of headphones, it’s important to make sure they are compatible with your favorite devices. Double check the listing and reviews for compatibility notes.
Wired versus wireless. Wireless headsets offer comfort and freedom of movement, while wired ones offer convenience, simplicity and, often, better sound quality. Wired headsets are also usually cheaper than wireless ones.
Our experts favored wired gaming headsets. “I don't want to have to deal with low battery issues, Bluetooth or weird latency stuff, so I keep pretty much all of my peripherals wired, even when they can be wireless,” said Rabinowitz.
“With a wireless setup, you do introduce slightly lower audio quality depending on how you pair your headset,” said Thompson. If you do go wireless, Thompson recommended sticking to Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth, as Bluetooth introduces more lag and latency when compared to Wi-Fi.
Separate microphone and headphones. More serious gamers sometimes use a separate microphone and headphones instead of the combination offered by gaming headsets. This can lead to even better audio and communication quality and is where top-selling products from audio brands like Blue, Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic earn top reviews. A separate microphone and headphones is going to be more expensive, involve more wires and isn’t as convenient, however.
Typically, you can only choose this option when gaming on a PC — gaming consoles lack this type of connectivity.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Jaime Thompson is a product marketing manager at Beyerdynamic US.
Jake Rabinowitz is a software engineer and developer of PogoChamp.
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