Overview
- Jump To Details
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Best Overall - Jump To Details
Razer Barracuda X (2022)
Best Affordable Headset - Jump To Details
Audeze Maxwell
Best for Audiophiles - Jump To Details
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)
Best Midrange Wireless Headset - Jump To Details
Xbox Wireless Headset
Best for Xbox Gamers - Jump To Details
Logitech G Astro A50 X
Best for PlayStation and Xbox - Jump To Details
Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT
Most Whimsical Design - Jump To Details
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
Best Midrange Gaming Headset - Jump To Details
Anker Soundcore VR P10
Best True Wireless Earphones
Wired gaming headsets are great, but their cords can get in the way during intense gaming sessions. There's a solution: wireless gaming headsets, which free you from those pesky cables. We've tested gaming headsets for more than 10 years, carefully listening to game and music audio quality, making test recordings using the built-in microphones, playing games to evaluate spatial audio, and digging into apps that enable extra features such as EQ settings. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is our top pick overall thanks to its excellent performance and build quality, active noise cancellation, flexible transmitter, and dual-swappable batteries. The Razer Barracuda X, meanwhile, offers powerful sound and a clear mic at a much lower price. Those are just two of our top picks for the best wireless gaming headsets category. Read on for more.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Best OverallWhy We Picked It
This is simply one of the most functional, best-performing wireless gaming headsets we've seen, with extensive connectivity options and a handy and unique feature. The base station connects to two different devices over USB, so you can use the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless with your PC and your console of choice without switching cables. The base also has a slot to charge the headset's spare battery, which is a massive boon; instead of plugging in the headset or taking a break, you can just swap batteries and stay charged and wirelessly connected no matter how long you play.
It sounds excellent, too, though you'll get the most benefit if you spend some time in the SteelSeries GG software to tweak the audio performance. It's one of the few gaming headsets (or headphones, for that matter) to offer a full parametric EQ instead of the standard five- or 10-band EQ. That means you can create precise audio curves for your favorite games (SteelSeries also offers a handful of presets). Oh, and it has Bluetooth, too. Although the parametric EQ isn't available over Bluetooth, you can still load the headset up with a 10-band EQ preset through the software for when you're out and about.
Who It's For
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is primarily for PC gamers because the software will help them get the most out of the headset. The base station offers a big knob for changing volume levels or adjusting the game/chat mix, and keeping it within arm's reach means you can switch batteries whenever you want—an extremely useful feature. It's still a console-friendly headset, though you must choose between the PlayStation or Xbox version versions (the PC version works with both systems).
Pros
- Full, clear audio
- Good microphone
- Strong noise cancellation
- Clever base station with hot-swappable batteries and two USB ports
- Powerful software with extensive audio adjustments and effective simulated surround
Cons
- Audio profile requires some tweaking with EQ to get the best experience
- No optical audio input for the base
Razer Barracuda X (2022)
Best Affordable HeadsetWhy We Picked It
When we first tested it, the Barracuda X used a USB-C transmitter exclusively for wireless use, with a 3.5mm wired option for any device with a headset jack. This lets the Barracuda X work with numerous systems (PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and any Android phone with a USB-C port), which made it one of the more flexible wireless gaming headsets available for under $100. Razer has since updated the Barracuda X with two, big features: Bluetooth and simulated surround (for PCs). Bluetooth enables it to work as a pair of wireless headphones without using the transmitter, which is very convenient (even if Bluetooth audio quality can be lower than a dedicated transmitter). The 7.1-channel simulated surround is only for use with PCs and isn't as accurate as the THX Spatial Audio found on Razer's higher-end headsets. Still, any surround sound on an inexpensive wireless headset is welcome.
On top of all of these features, the Barracuda X simply sounds good. Its audio is well-balanced and its mic is clear, which is why it's one of our top picks for wireless gaming headsets.
Who It's For
Budget-minded gamers who want wireless audio with their Nintendo Switch, PC, or PlayStation 4/5 should give the Barracuda X a look, especially if they'd like a simple pair of wireless headphones to enjoy music on the go with their phone. It's simply a strong package for a very reasonable price.
Pros
- Strong audio performance
- Clear mic quality
- Comfortable fit
- Plenty of connectivity options with Bluetooth, USB-C transmitter, and 3.5mm
Cons
- 7.1-channel simulated surround sound isn't the most accurate
- Doesn't come with a carrying bag or case
Learn MoreRazer Barracuda X (2022) ReviewAudeze Maxwell
Best for AudiophilesWhy We Picked It
Most gaming headsets are focused on sculpted audio for the best surround sound effects and booming power. Most gaming headsets also use conventional cone drivers to produce that sound. The Audeze Maxwell foregoes both in favor of audiophile-pleasing performance thanks to its planar magnetic drivers. Not only does it sound incredibly clean and detailed, it can even stream high-res audio over Bluetooth with LDAC codec support.
Who It's For
This is the headset for anyone who wants all-around audio quality more than a gaming-specific sound signature. It simply sounds great, even if it's a bit bulky and has fewer features than similarly priced gaming headsets.
Pros
- Detailed, clear, and accurate sound
- A comfortable, premium-feeling build
- Includes Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec support
Cons
- Expensive
- PlayStation version lacks spatial audio feature for PC use
Learn MoreAudeze Maxwell ReviewRazer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)
Best Midrange Wireless HeadsetWhy We Picked It
The Razer Blackshark V2 is one of our top wired headsets for its excellent sound quality and strong simulated surround processing, and the Blackshark V2 Pro is basically just the wireless version of that. It sounds great, feels comfortable, and features THX Spatial Audio for effective directional imaging. Its 2023 update also adds Bluetooth connectivity and triple the battery life, which push it from simply being a solid pick to our Editors' Choice for midrange wireless gaming headsets.
Who It's For
Look at the Blackshark V2 Pro as a big step up from the Barracuda X. It's a bit more stylish, a bit more comfortable, and a bit better-sounding, with spatial audio on top of it. If you liked that model, you'll like this one. It's almost exclusively for PC gaming, though.
Pros
- Crisp, clean sound
- Excellent microphone
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity
- Long battery life
Cons
- Lacks wired connection options
- Could use more powerful bass
Learn MoreRazer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) ReviewXbox Wireless Headset
Best for Xbox GamersWhy We Picked It
Most wireless gaming headsets use a USB transmitter of some sort. They might leverage Bluetooth as a backup, but that usually doesn't offer nearly as good audio quality, and latency can be an issue. The Xbox Wireless Headset doesn't bother with that, because it directly connects to your Xbox One or Series S/X console through the same wireless connection that the Xbox Wireless Controller uses. The technology is built into Xbox systems, so all you have to do is press the pairing button on the headset and Xbox to get them to seamlessly work together, with better performance than Bluetooth offers.
Note that the Xbox Wireless Headset has Bluetooth, too, if you want to use it as a pair of headphones when you aren't playing games.
Who It's For
The name says it all: it's an Xbox wireless headset. If you can find an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows (seemingly discontinued, but the Microsoft Store is selling a bundle with both it and an Xbox Wireless Controller for $79.99) you can wirelessly use the headset with your PC. At that point, however, you might as well just use Bluetooth anyway.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Robust sound
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Remembers multiple wireless signals
Cons
- Bluetooth lacks high-end audio codecs
- Bass-heavy sound requires EQ adjustments
Learn MoreXbox Wireless Headset ReviewLogitech G Astro A50 X
Best for PlayStation and XboxWhy We Picked It
Astro's latest flagship wireless gaming headset looks a lot like the last few iterations of the A50, but it introduces a unique new trick: Its base station can connect to a PC, a PlayStation, and an Xbox One simultaneously, and switch between them with the touch of a button. It manages this trick with a bit of a cable tango that involves using the transmitter as an HDMI switch for the two consoles, but it works very well.
Who It's For
If you have both a PS5 and an Xbox Series X and want to use the same headset for both without juggling transmitters or plugging a wire into your controller, the A50 X is the only way to do it. It also sounds very good, has an excellent microphone, and even works over Bluetooth for using it on the go.
Pros
- Base station simultaneously connects to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
- Excellent sound quality and microphone
- Includes Dolby Atmos for Headphones on PC and Xbox
- Serves as an HDMI switch between PlayStation and Xbox
Cons
- Expensive
- Convoluted setup for the HDMI and USB combination connection
Learn MoreLogitech G Astro A50 X ReviewRazer Kraken Kitty V2 BT
Most Whimsical DesignWhy We Picked It
Sometimes you just want to game while wearing glowing pink cat ears. The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT lets you do precisely that, with pointy kitten ears and RGB lighting sticking out of a bubblegum pink headband. Since it's a Bluetooth headset, it's more suited for wireless use on the go, but it's still lots of fun and is easy to recommend.
Who It's For
If you want to up your streaming style and don't mind compromising on connectivity or mic quality, this is the headset for you. It's also just a fun set of Bluetooth headphones.
Pros
- Powerful, sculpted sound
- Comfortable fit
- Programmable RGB lighting
- 7.1-channel surround sound with PC USB connection
Cons
- Mediocre microphone
- PC software doesn't enable any sort of EQ
- Only available in pink
Learn MoreRazer Kraken Kitty V2 BT ReviewSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
Best Midrange Gaming HeadsetWhy We Picked It
It isn't nearly as fancy as the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but the Nova 5 Wireless is a much more economical gaming headset that still offers excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and loads of customization options, including a parametric EQ through SteelSeries' GG app on PC.
Who It's For
This is a good wireless gaming headset if you'd like to enjoy the basic design and software benefits of the Nova Pro Wireless, but don't want to splurge for features you potentially don't want or need.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Long-lasting battery
- Clear microphone
- Strong directional imaging
- Numerous tweaks via PC app
Cons
- Mobile app isn't particularly useful
- Very sculpted sound
- Lacks storage for the tiny USB adapter
Anker Soundcore VR P10
Best True Wireless EarphonesWhy We Picked It
True wireless earphones usually aren't compelling gaming headsets. They're usually Bluetooth-only, with middling microphones and boring designs. Anker doesn't do much about the mics on the Soundcore VR P10, but it solves the other problems. These earphones feature a separate USB-C transmitter that works with PCs, PlayStations, and Nintendo Switches, and store securely in the charging case. They also have pretty nice-looking RGB lights that look a bit gamer-extra, but not too gamer-extra.
Who It's For
This is for gamers who want true wireless earphones that they can also use with their gaming platform of choice, and who don't need the clearest voice communication or plan to record or stream (or will use a separate microphone). They aren't for bass fans, though.
Pros
- Crisp, clean sound
- Attractive RGB lighting
- Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity
- Charging case magnetically stores USB-C transmitter
Cons
- Weak lows and low-mids
- Mediocre microphone
Learn MoreAnker Soundcore VR P10 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for 2024
Which Wireless Headsets Are Compatible With PlayStation and Xbox?
Compatibility is the most important aspect of buying a gaming headset, especially if you're a console gamer. Headsets with 3.5mm connectors work with pretty much anything, but wireless headsets generally use USB transmitters that require compatibility with your system of choice.
Most wireless headsets work with PCs out of the box, but PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X (and PlayStation 4/Xbox One) compatibility tends to be an either/or matter. Due to how the two consoles use USB, support for the PS4 and Xbox One are generally mutually exclusive. You should check a wireless headset's product page or packaging to see if it's compatible with PlayStation or Xbox. Also, if you have the newest consoles, double-check to confirm that the headset is compatible with them; a PS4 headset might not work with a PS5 out of the box. Recent headsets that work with the PS4 tend to also work with the Nintendo Switch, which is a nice bonus (though without a USB-C transmitter you need either an adapter or to use your Switch docked).
Bluetooth is a nice backup for gaming headsets, and works with the Nintendo Switch, but it's rarely the main method of wireless connection. Bluetooth lets you connect to your phone as well as your PC, which means you can use headsets with Bluetooth as on-the-go headphones as a bonus. These headsets often let you swap between Bluetooth and the USB transmitter connected to your gaming device, but rarely send audio through from both sources at the same time.
However, Bluetooth doesn't offer the same audio quality and latency performance as a 2.4GHz connection, which is why most wireless gaming headsets have their own transmitters/receivers.
Which Wireless Gaming Headset Has the Best Mic?
All gaming headsets have microphones, but not all microphones offer the same performance. A good headset mic should provide clear voice communication at a minimum, but it probably won't be broadcast quality. Some headsets have excellent mics that you can use for streaming, commentary, and even podcasts. Others simply let you be heard in voice chat, but might have wireless artifacts, sibilance, or subpar clarity.
If you're serious about streaming or recording, you should consider a dedicated USB microphone. Good mics cost $50-$150, and offer far superior audio quality than nearly any boom mic. You need to be careful with a separate microphone's positioning and configuration, but it's worthwhile if you want to work professionally. See our story on how to make your podcast sound better for general tips that apply to all recording and broadcasting scenarios.
As for the best wireless gaming headset, you can't go wrong with any of the options we've tested here. Choose the one that meets your budgets and needs, and start playing.
