The Best Gaming Headsets: 7 Top Options For When You Just Want to Plug In

With highly anticipated new games releasing soon, including Resident Evil Village, these choices, offering optimal sound and comfort, are sure to enhance the gaming experience.

By Thomas Hindle

Plus Icon

Thomas Hindle

More Stories by Thomas

View All

March 17, 2021 11:45am

Add us as a Google Preferred Source

Best Gaming Headsets - Video Games

Steelseries

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.

There are times when you want to just keep the world out and plug in. And sometimes that means firing up a video game and letting the imaginary world absorb you. As any gamer knows, sessions can be long and invigorating — with round upon round, level upon level, making the hours pass by. But no true gamer feels complete without the right tech, the perfect gadgets to optimize the gaming experience.

Chief among those crucial components are headsets. There are a lot of headsets on the market, and finding the perfect pair isn’t easy. Some manufacturers seem to sacrifice optimal sound for comfort. Others offer the convenience of going wireless, but with painfully short battery life.

Related Stories

Tony Driscoll and Mortal Kombat Video Game

Business

Tony Driscoll Named Head of Games and Experiences at Skydance

Christopher McQuarrie and Michael B Jordan

Movies

Sony Pictures in Talks to Acquire Michael B. Jordan 'Battlefield' Video Game Movie

With new releases either on the market or soon to come, it’s an ideal time to invest in a fresh new pair. Whether you play Cyberpunk, FIFA 21, or are anticipating the newest edition in the Halo or Resident Evil series — Resident Evil Village is due out in early May while Halo Infinite drops later this year — these headsets are sure to help you squeeze every last ounce of quality out of your experience.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.

So, which headsets are the best?

Here are seven options that don’t make any sacrifices, offering both performance and comfort. Ranging from affordable to flashy, each pair offers unique perks, and are worth considering for either novice or experienced gamers.

1. Logitech G635

Logitech has a great reputation in the gaming community, known as an excellent all-round brand for keyboards, mice, and headsets. It’s no surprise, then, that its sound systems rank as some of the best around. The G635 headphones are among the comfier and best quality options on the market. Featuring coveted 7.1 surround sound with optimized quality, and a detachable microphone that delivers near-impeccable sound, the headphones offer a well-rounded experience to make long gaming sessions comfortable and practical. With padded memory foam earmuffs and an adjustable head strap, they’re a good fit for all ages, and ideal for rookies and veterans alike.

Logitech G635, $81, on Amazon

—

2. Razer BlackShark

Razer is a pure gamer’s brand. Each component of their headsets is specifically tailored to make the gaming experience as precise and responsive as possible. The Blackshark is the reasonably priced model in which all of Razer’s best traits are available. The diaphragms are coated in titanium for added clarity at different sound levels. The set comes with a removable USB sound card that allows for the exact tinkering and customization of volume and bass. And the memory foam around the massive speakers is specifically designed to be heat and sweat resistant. Though they’re bulky, it’s hard to find a better system for a pure gaming fanatic.

Razer BlackShark, $90, on Amazon

—

3. Steelseries Arctis 9

Wireless gaming headsets are admittedly a bit of a risk. Even the slightest glitch in Bluetooth speed can drastically affect the experience. Fortunately, Steelseries seems to have mastered the art of a seamless Bluetooth headset. The Arctis line runs the gamut, offering products for as low as $100, and as high as $200. The 7 series, though, is a happy medium. Made for XBOX but compatible with a plethora of consoles, the eye-catching product is among the best wireless options out there. It offers 24 hour battery life, made to outlast even the longest gaming sessions. And the microphone features advanced noise cancelling — the same used by aircraft carriers — to shut out everything but the human voice. For those who want a wireless setup, it doesn’t get much better.

Steelseries Arctis, $200, on Steelseries.com

—

4. Astro A50

There are a lot of excellent, affordable headphones on the market. But there’s also room for something a bit more upscale. And if you’re willing to part with upwards of $300 for nearly unparalleled quality, the Astro A50 is one of the better options. The headset is wireless, and comes with a wireless charging station that promises up to 20 months of battery life. Everything about the set is customizable, with the company’s “astro command center software” allowing the user to change frequency, bass, timbre, and sound quality on a detailed interface. Light, durable, and comfortable, they have all the components to deliver on the hefty price tag.

Astro A50, $300, on Astro.com

—

5. Beyerdynamic MMX 300

Some headsets shut out the world, sacrificing that little bit of sound quality in return for no sound being produced. Beyerdynamic, though, takes a different approach, letting noise escape in order to manufacture a more complete sound. It’s a no-nonsense, gamer-first auditory experience, similar to that of Razer. While the MMX 300 doesn’t come with a microphone attached, Beyerdynamic recommends that it be paired with its FOX mic, which promises studio quality sound. Although they’re not as pretty as others, the unique system creates a wall of sound, one that amplifies every tiny vibration in the gaming experience.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300, $299, on Amazon

—

6. Asus ROG Delta

The Asus ROG is striking. A triangular decal coupled with flashes of bright color — which can be changed according to the owner’s preferences — make the headset standout. But it’s more than a pretty face. Its decibel capacity is higher than most other headphones on the market, making the sound quality pristine even at incredibly high volumes. The speakers are designed to have the bass in the middle of the ear, with the higher frequencies around the outside, combining for a well-balanced sound that elevates the gaming experience. It also features a microphone with a lighting system to let users know when it’s muted.

Asus ROG Delta, $130.90, on Amazon

—

7. Turtle Beach Recon Spark

Gaming headsets don’t have to be expensive. Sure, a pretty penny guarantees a certain level of quality, but there are some cheaper options out there. Chief among them is the Turtle Beach Recon Spark. A fun, bright set, it does the basics incredibly well. The sound quality is good, and memory foam headphones make them a comfortable option. Furthermore, Turtle Beach has optimized its headsets specifically for people who wear glasses, making the foam softer around the area where a pair of specs lies. Though the microphone isn’t detachable, the Recon Spark is a fun brand for a beginner who doesn’t want to drop too much on a fancy headset.

Turtle Beach Recon Spark, $50, on Amazon

Read More About:

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

Subscribe Sign Up

More from The Hollywood Reporter

THR cover - Olivia Rodrigo - lo res

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

SEE MY OPTIONS Sign Up

Most Popular

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk  receives the National Medal of Science from U.S. president Donald Trump during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace on October 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. A documentary critical of Musk has just been banned from positing on TikTok.

TikTok “Permanently Suspends” the ‘Musk’ Film Ad Account, Raising Suppression Fears (Exclusive)

By Steven Zeitchik

Gene Schwam

Gene Schwam, Hollywood Publicist to Elvis Presley, Judy Garland and Julie Andrews, Dies at 96

By McKinley Franklin

A robot singer.

Universal Music and Sony Want to Know How Many AI-Generated Songs DistroKid Releases

By Ethan Millman

Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy on 'DWTS' Super Bowl Night.

Val Chmerkovskiy Ousted From Next ‘DWTS’ Episode Amid Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference, Jenna Dewan to Dance With Alan Bersten

By McKinley Franklin

The Plaza Hotel is seen in New York City, United States, on August 6, 2026. The historic luxury hotel is located on Fifth Avenue at the southern edge of Central Park in Manhattan. (Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

New York’s Plaza Hotel to Close in 2027 for at Least Four Years

By Lexi Carson

Cher stars in a new campaign for the Moncler Re/Icons collection, released in October 2026.

How Cher Honors Costume Designer Bob Mackie in New Campaign for Moncler’s Re/Icons Collection

By Chris Gardner

Noah Centineo stars in Street Fighter

‘Street Fighter’ Scoring $31M at Box Office as ‘You Can See Everything’ Rises and ‘Whalefall’ Sinks

By Ryan Gajewski

Must Reads

Olivia Rodrigo was photographed Aug. 21 at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

Olivia Rodrigo: The Queen of Sad Finds Her Happy Place

By Ethan Millman

Jason Sudeikis is a fixture of CeLIBrity row, the group of famous New York Liberty fans who go to see Breanna Stewart dominate the opposition. They were photographed Sept. 16 at Splashlight Studios in New York.

‘Ted Lasso’ Star Jason Sudeikis Goes One-on-One With WNBA Great Breanna Stewart (Watch)

By Julian Sancton

Bachelor Clayton Echard Love Trapped

‘Love Trapped,’ Fake Twins and the Paternity Scandal That Outcrazied ‘The Bachelor’

By Jackie Strause