Gaming headsets have become a must-have for gamers, offering that immersive audio experience and crystal-clear communication during those intense gameplay moments. Whether you're just playing for fun or diving into competitive esports, the right headset can really level up your gaming. So, let's dive into some of the top gaming headsets out there, each with its own set of cool features to suit different gaming styles.
From the freedom of wireless to top-notch sound quality, these headsets are all about enhancing your gaming sessions. We'll break down the details of each one, pointing out their pros and cons, and sharing expert insights to help you pick the best fit. Whether you need a headset with a stellar mic, long battery life, or advanced noise-canceling, we've got you covered.
Let's take a closer look at some of the best gaming headsets available, including the XA E900 BT PS5 Headset, PlayStation Pulse Elite, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and HyperX Cloud III. Each of these headsets has been carefully selected based on their performance, comfort, and overall value, ensuring that you find the perfect match for your gaming needs.
XA E900 BT PS5 Headset
What our experts say: The XA E900 BT PS5 headset is a versatile and reliable gaming headset with multiple connection options and advanced noise reduction features. It offers a stable Bluetooth 5.0 chip and low latency, making it suitable for immersive gaming and clear communication.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for gamers who need a reliable and versatile headset that can connect to various devices, including PC, smartphone, and PlayStation.
Highlight: Versatile gaming experience with multiple connection modes.
Pros:
- 2.4 GHz low latency connection
- Bluetooth 5.0 low energy connection
- 360° rotating flexible retractable unidirectional microphone
Cons:
- May require frequent switching between connection modes
- Potential compatibility issues with some devices
The XA E900 BT PS5 headset is designed to support multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox. It features 50mm speaker drivers and a 20Hz-20kHz frequency range for high-quality sound amplification. The headset has a detachable noise-canceling microphone with omnidirectional noise reduction technology, which minimizes background noise and ensures clear voice transmission during games or chats. The E900 BT is lightweight and comfortable, with thick memory foam cushion pads and an adjustable metal headband for a perfect fit. It also features a 3D game audio feature for an immersive gaming experience. The headset is compatible with Windows systems for 7.1 Surround Sound, but the drivers do not work on Win 8 systems. The E900 BT is available on Amazon for $79.99.
In terms of using the EKSA E900 BT with a capture card for PS5, it is important to note that the main problem with using a wireless headphone dongle connected directly to the PS5 is that the capture card won't be able to get audio from it. In order for the capture card to capture the audio as well, the audio output from the PS5 needs to be HDMI out. A possible setup to bypass this issue is to get the wireless headset audio from a desktop computer, by connecting the PS5 HDMI to the capture card, the capture card HDMI to the monitor/tv, and then connecting the 3.5mm aux cable from the headphone jack from the monitor/tv to the line in from your desktop computer. This setup allows for gameplay audio to come out from the HDMI and into the desktop, and the desktop audio to the wireless headset.
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PlayStation Pulse Elite
What our experts say: The PlayStation Pulse Elite is designed to elevate your PS5 gaming experience with its comfortable design, powerful planar magnetic drivers, reliable PlayStation Link Wireless technology, and long-lasting battery life.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for gamers who want a powerful PS5 headset with a reasonable price, especially those who engage in marathon gaming sessions.
Highlight: Comfortable design for long gaming sessions.
Pros:
- Comfortable design for long gaming sessions
- Powerful planar magnetic drivers
- Reliable PlayStation Link Wireless technology
Cons:
- May not be the best fit for everyone
The PlayStation Pulse Elite wireless headset is a high-end gaming audio accessory designed for both home and on-the-go use. It features planar magnetic drivers that provide lifelike sound with near-perfect accuracy across the entire audible spectrum, ensuring that gamers hear every detail as intended by the developers. The headset uses PlayStation Link technology for a lossless and lightning-fast wireless connection, making it suitable for gaming on PS5, PC, Mac, and other compatible devices. The headset offers up to 30 hours of battery life and can be charged for up to 2 hours of use from a 10-minute charge.
The retractable microphone features noise-rejection technology powered by artificial intelligence to reduce unwanted background noise. The headset is designed for comfort with a flexible boom mic and easy-access volume and mic mute buttons. It also includes a companion charging hanger for convenient display and charging. The headset can connect to multiple devices simultaneously, allowing users to switch between gaming, music, and calls without interruption. Users have mixed opinions about the sound quality, with some appreciating the detailed and accurate sound, while others find it lacking in bass and tinny.
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7
What our experts say: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 shines as a great headset for PS5 with its Comfort Max system, High Fidelity drivers, 360° spatial audio technology, and long battery life.
Who Should Buy this Product: Perfect for gamers looking for a durable and comfortable headset with immersive audio quality and long battery life.
Highlight: Comfortable and durable design with immersive audio quality.
Pros:
- Comfort Max system with air weave memory foam cushions
- High Fidelity drivers
- Long battery life (up to 38 hours)
Cons:
- Wireless connectivity through a USB-C dongle
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a wireless gaming headset designed for PCs, with two other console-specific variants available: the 7P for PlayStation and the 7X for Xbox. These headphones are known for their bass-rich sound profile, which helps emphasize sound effects like footsteps in gameplay. They come with a 1/8" TRRRS to 1/8" TRRS cable for full audio and mic compatibility with consoles that have an AUX port. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless headphones are compatible with multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and they offer a parametric EQ and presets for fine-tuning the sound.
They have a comfortable fit, are well-built, and have over 33 hours of continuous playback time, making them suitable for long gaming sessions. The retractable boom mic offers a very good overall performance for clear communication with teammates and enemies. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless headphones are also decent for phone calls, although they struggle to block background noise. Users appreciate the lightweight design and the ability to use wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously, allowing them to listen to music or take calls while gaming.
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
What our experts say: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is highly acclaimed and frequently tops lists of the best gaming headsets due to its comfort, sound quality, and advanced features like active noise cancelling and hot-swappable batteries.
Who Should Buy this Product: Ideal for gamers looking for a high-quality, feature-rich headset that offers comfort, good sound quality, and convenience features like Bluetooth connectivity and hot-swappable batteries.
Highlight: Top-tier gaming headset with advanced features.
Pros:
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Active noise cancelling
- Hot-swappable batteries
Cons:
- Higher price point ($312)
- Sound quality out of the box may be underwhelming
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a high-fidelity gaming headset that offers active noise cancellation (ANC) with a hear-through option, premium Hi-Res capable neodymium magnetic drivers, and an AI-powered noise cancelling mic with a stealth retractable design. The headset features unlimited playing time with two hot-swap batteries and fast charging, as well as simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity for mixing game and mobile audio. The Nova Pro Acoustic System includes premium Hi-Res capable drivers and Sonar Software, while the hot-swap battery system allows for unlimited playing time.
The ANC system automatically detects and deletes distracting noises around the user, while the 4-mic hybrid system actively listens to what the user hears and tunes the audio on-the-fly for crisp, clear sound. The neodymium magnetic drivers provide an ultra-detailed soundscape of crystal clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass. The headset comes with a 2x USB-C to USB-A cable, a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, 2x removable magnetic ear plates, a microphone pop filter, and a product information guide. The headset is TCO certified, indicating that it meets high environmental and social responsibility standards.
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HyperX Cloud III
What our experts say: The HyperX Cloud III is the successor to the highly acclaimed HyperX Cloud II, aiming to improve on its predecessor's legendary status with enhanced comfort, better microphone quality, and updated features.
Who Should Buy this Product: Gamers looking for a comfortable headset with good microphone quality and on-headset controls, but who may not prioritize audio spatial awareness or bass-heavy sound.
Highlight: Improved comfort and microphone quality.
Pros:
- Improved comfort with lightweight design and memory foam cushions
- Better microphone quality with more bass and clarity
- On-headset controls for volume and mic mute with LED indicator
Cons:
- No additional ear pads included (only pleather, no velor)
- Noticeable cable noise
The HyperX Cloud III is a wired gaming headset designed for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and mobile devices. It features plush HyperX signature memory foam in the headband and ear cushions, providing a comfortable fit for long gaming sessions. The headset includes 53mm angled drivers, tuned for high-quality audio with a focus on clarity and detail. The sound profile is more neutral, with a de-emphasized bass and a balanced mid-range. The headset includes a 10mm microphone with an LED mute indicator, offering clear communication with noise-cancellation capabilities.
The headset has a solid build quality with an aluminum frame, ensuring durability and a premium feel. It is compatible with various platforms and supports DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience. Users appreciate the comfortable fit and solid build quality, although some note that the cable can be noisy and wish it were detachable. The microphone is highly regarded for its quality and noise-cancellation capabilities, making it suitable for clear voice chat and calls.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right gaming headset can significantly enhance your gaming experience, providing immersive audio and clear communication. The XA E900 BT PS5 Headset offers versatility with multiple connection modes and advanced noise reduction features, making it a reliable choice for gamers who need to connect to various devices. The PlayStation Pulse Elite stands out with its comfortable design and powerful planar magnetic drivers, ideal for marathon gaming sessions on the PS5.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 shines with its Comfort Max system and long battery life, making it a durable and comfortable option for gamers looking for immersive audio quality. For those seeking a top-tier gaming headset with advanced features, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless offers active noise cancelling, hot-swappable batteries, and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. Lastly, the HyperX Cloud III provides improved comfort and microphone quality, making it a great choice for gamers who prioritize clear communication and comfort during long gaming sessions.
Each of these headsets has its unique strengths and caters to different gaming needs. Whether you prioritize comfort, sound quality, or advanced features, there's a gaming headset on this list that will meet your requirements. Happy gaming!