Top 5 Best Gaming Headsets 2026 [All Tested]
Amazon links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve reviewed over 50 gaming headsets over the last 5 years. Here are my top 5 of early 2026. (Latest update: January 2026)
Frequency response testing was done with the miniDSP EARS (not industry standard). Each graph shows an average of L + R response.
Honorable Mention First…
HyperX Cloud III
While the HyperX Cloud III doesn’t quite make the top 5 (it’d be #6), I’m mentioning it first because it’s the least expensive and the most comfortable. There are three variants of this headset. I’ve compared them all here.
Why it’s Great
Comfort. This is the most comfortable headset I’ve ever used. It has incredibly soft pleather ear cushions with memory foam that has lots of give. It’s 300 grams in weight with the mic and 288 without.
Audio Tuning. The upper mids and treble are prominent and crisp. While there’s almost no sub-bass to speak of, this tonality makes footsteps stand out well in FPS games.
Microphone. This is one of the best mics on any gaming headset. It rivals the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 and Astro A50 X mics which are best in class.
Price. I originally bought the Cloud III for $99 at launch. I’ve seen it drop way lower, so check the link above for the current pricing.
What Holds it Back
Lack of bass. Not only do these have limited bass out the box, but even with aggressive EQ tuning, the low end just doesn’t exist in this thing at all.
Limited features. The wired version doesn’t have a detachable cable and the wireless version doesn’t have Bluetooth. The more recent Cloud III S has an inferior mic.
Microphone Demonstration
Top 5
#5 DROP + EPOS PC38X
Measured using the velour pads.
The DROP PC38X is my favorite wired gaming headset of all time. This was previously known as the DROP + EPOS PC38X and prior to that, the DROP + Sennheiser PC38X. After both Sennheiser and EPOS vacated the gaming headset space, DROP took over full ownership of this device.
Why it’s Great
Open-back design. This results in a wider soundstage than most closed-back headsets which can help with spatial awareness in games.
Full bodied bass. With the default ear pads and tuning, these have a very balanced sound. However, if you want more warmth, switch to the velour pads.
Even though the frequency response graph above doesn’t represent this, if you drop down the upper mids and highs while boosting the bass in EQ, these have excellent bass potential.
Light weight. 253 grams isn’t anything amazing, but gaming headsets have been trending upwards in weight - especially wireless models. Combined with the velour pads, these are very comfortable.
What Holds it Back
Shoddy build. This is made of thin plastic so it doesn’t scream durability. The cushion on the headband is susceptible to peeling off, and the volume wheel doesn’t go all the way down to 0% for some reason. They went all in on sound and comfort, so the overall build took a back seat.
Microphone Demonstration
#4 Audeze Maxwell 2
This is the successor to the original Maxwell. Some things have changed, but the Maxwell 2 is more of a sidegrade than a true upgrade.
Post patch (1/22/2026 update)
Why it’s Great
90 mm planar magnetic drivers. The Maxwell 2 uses incredibly detailed planar magnetic drivers. The bass doesn’t have much thump or rumble - these are for auditory information above all else. When you need to hear footsteps in the midst of explosions and chaos, these are an outstanding pick.
Build quality. The Maxwell 2 is made of sturdy and flexible metal. The pleather ear cushions are even larger and softer than the original Maxwell. The wider headband also helps with weight distribution.
Integrated microphones. If you want to take this on the go without keeping the boom mic in, you can use the integrated mics on the ear cups.
Versatility. The Xbox version of this headset works on Xbox, PS5, Switch 2 and PC. It can be used with the dongle, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm and even USB-C wired. No simultaneous Bluetooth + dongle, however.
What Holds it Back
Way too heavy. 575 grams with the boom mic and 562 without it. This is even heavier than the Maxwell 1.
Mic still sucks. Samples below.
Launch shortcomings. As of this writing, custom EQ presets in the desktop and PC app do not work. There is also a constant white noise in my unit which has also affected others’ units. I can see these getting patched in firmware.
Microphone Demonstration
#3 Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro
What Makes it Great
Open-back design. Not only does the open back design widen the soundstage of the MMX 330 Pro, but they pair perfectly with the 45 mm dynamic drivers inside. This is one of the best headsets I’ve ever used for pinpointing the exact location of footsteps. I find it even better than the Maxwell 2 in that regard, and while it’s still a treble heavy device, the mids are still very natural.
Build. This has thick metal adjustment forks just like the Logitech G Pro X 2. It has soft velour ear cushions like many of Beyerdynamic’s other headphones.
What Holds it Back
Wired only. This comes with a 3.5 mm cable with a splitter on the end. No 2.4 GHz wireless or Bluetooth. That also means no app support.
#2 Astro A50 X
What Makes it Great
Feature rich. The Astro A50 X Base Station can be plugged into to the Xbox Series S|X, PS5, and PC all at the same time, and it can even be used as an HDMI switcher so you can quickly swap to whichever platform you want to use.
This has simultaneous Bluetooth + 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. It also has full app support for mic and headphone EQ that even works on console. This has a fully functioning game/chat mixer on both PS5, Xbox, and PC.Best mic. The clarity and fullness of this microphone are S tier. Best on the market.
Bass. This headset has some of the most satisfying and powerful bass of any gaming headset on the market. Its only real competitors are Astro’s own A50 Gen 4 and the DROP PC38X (with heavy EQ) which do have more. The A50 X doesn’t lose detail however, as it’s using 40 mm graphene drivers.
What Holds it Back
Base Station required. This headset doesn’t work at all without the Base Station active. Additionally, the Bluetooth only works as far as the range of the Base Station itself.
Weight. If it wasn’t for the 363 grams of weight, I’d be using these even more than I already do. Unfortunately, I often have to take a break from them and pop my IEMs in.
Microphone Demonstration
You Should Know…
There is another version of the A50 X called the A50 Gen 5. These are almost exactly the same headset, but the A50 Gen 5 ditches the HDMI connectivity entirely and costs much less due to this. That also means the game/chat mixer does not work on PS5.
If you care about those features, get the A50 X. If not, just get the A50 Gen 5.
#1 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
This is the best overall gaming headset that I’ve used, even better than my previous #1, the Astro A50 X.
What Makes it Great
Feature packed. The Arctis Nova Elite does almost everything. Simultaneous Bluetooth + 2.4 GHz. Simultaneous multi-console/PC audio. ANC. Hot swappable battery. It does lack the HDMI versatility of the Astro A50 X, however.
Best overall headphone audio. The Nova Elite is equipped with carbon fiber drivers. These are incredibly balanced with rich, deep sub-bass, natural and articulate mids, and clean highs that aren’t too jarring. Nothing is too extreme, just perfect execution throughout the audio spectrum. These are top notch for positional awareness as well.
Best app support. SteelSeries Sonar integrates perfectly with the Nova Elite, and its parametric EQ and intuitive UI are very welcome in this space. It is constantly being updated and improved as well.
Nova Elite’s Game Hub.
What Holds it Back
Price. This launched for $600 at launch which is also what I bought mine for. Bruh…
Weight. I won’t stop saying this! Mine is 379 grams and this suspension headband isn’t helping. I will admit, I do love the pleather pads.
