Best Gaming Headsets of 2023

It can be tricky to navigate the sheer number of headsets available. Along with having varying audio quality, headsets, and earbuds tend to be more personal preference-driven than most other peripherals, given that we all have different head shapes and ear sizes. After all, we might know someone who still uses the free pair of earpods from that iPhone they bought 6 years ago just because “they’re comfortable.” But now maybe you’re looking to treat yourself to a nice audio experience because you deserve it.

Whether you’re looking for a decent pair of budget cans with noise cancellation for long flights or studio-quality IEMs (in-ear monitors) for music production - we’ve got you covered with our headset roundup guide. We’ll break down some of the most commonly marketed features and we’ll let you know our personal favorites for all budgets in mind, each category will be broken down by price budget and key features.

Noise cancellation is an interesting feature. The way it works is that there’s a microphone on the headset that picks up the external noise, processes the noise, and plays that tone through the headset to cancel out all the outside noise. Sensitive listeners can pick up on the resulting white noise, but more feature-rich headsets automatically adjust the equalizer to make up for this. Though lots of headsets advertise this feature, they can have varying degrees of noise cancellation quality.

Wireless is another feature that tends to be divisive. Audio-centric people will tell you that wireless signals lose that certain touch of fidelity in audio quality, but wireless offers a convenient solution for someone who may tend to move around their space a lot and can’t be bothered to trip over a cable. Be mindful of whether or not the headset supports either Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz signal, or both.

Now on to the suggestions - because new products are constantly innovating and entering the market all the time, we may go back and edit this list but for now - these are some of our recommendations for our favorite headsets, IEMS, and anything in between. We’ll let you know a little bit about the features they’re packing and list the tech specs as well.

Best Budget Wireless Option < $100

Razer Opus X Wireless

The Razer Opus X Wireless primarily connects via Bluetooth, allowing functionality across many different devices that support Bluetooth including the Nintendo Switch. The headset also features ‘ANC’ or active noise cancellation. There are also built-in microphones to allow for both communication and the ANC feature mentioned earlier. Razer also features a low latency 60ms connection but it’s likely a bit more finicky when distancing yourself from the audio source. There are also built-in volume controls on a nice volume wheel that really comes in handy. Overall, it’s a solid budget option if you’re looking for a wireless headset.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: None
• Driver: 40mm dynamic driver
• Battery Life: 30 hours with ANC on / 40 hours with ANC off
• Connection Type: Wireless via Bluetooth 5.0
• Weight: 270g / 0.59 lbs

Hyte Eclipse HG10

Up next we have the Hyte eclipse HG10. Features include a 30-hr estimated battery life, 2.4ghz transmission via a wireless USB adapter, USB Type-C charging, and a nice design featuring a matte finish and a foam headband. The detachable microphone is a nice touch, allowing users to remove it out of the way if they decide to use a dedicated microphone (which you usually should). Play and charge compatibility ensures that you never miss a beat during marathon sessions (please take breaks).

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32Ω±15%
• Driver: 40mm Neodymium magnet
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Connection Type: USB 2.0 Type-A (2.4GHz) wireless dongle / USB Type-C charging

Best Premium Wireless Option > $100

Logitech G Pro X 2

The Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed is Logitech’s newest version of the G Pro headset line, offering numerous improvements to the prior model, which I was personally a fan of. The included 2.4ghz wireless adapter also features a 3.5mm audio port to allow for direct connection for audio monitoring. The headset is compatible with PlayStation 5 and 4 (but only for wireless stereo sound, the microphone functionality will not work). It’s also listed as compatible with the Nintendo Switch wirelessly, but only when the system is docked. The G Pro X 2 boasts a 50-hour battery life, a wireless range of nearly 30 meters, and a strong build quality featuring an aluminum fork and a steel headband. Starting at $249.99 it’s definitely on the pricier side, but the headset comes so feature-rich and has a certain build quality that should last and sound premium.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20KHz
• Impedance: 38Ω
• Driver: 50mm Graphene (1.97 in)
• Battery Life: 50 hours
• Connection Type: USB Type-A 2.4ghz wireless, USB Type-C charging

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headset might be the most expensive headset starting at $399.99 on this list, and for good reason. They are ultra-light, they feature intuitive touch controls, and Sony’s ‘Speak-to-Chat’ and ‘Quick Attention’ are convenient modes for when you really don’t want to take your headset off.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 4Hz - 40KHz
• Impedance: 48Ω, when connected via the headphone cable with the unit, turned on) 16Ω when connected via the headphone cable with the unit turned off.
• Driver: 30mm
• Battery Life: 24 hours (Noise-canceling on) 32 hours (Noise-canceling off)
• Connection Type: Bluetooth, 3.5mm

Best Wireless Earbud Option

Apple AirPods Pro 2

The tried and true, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are mega popular for a reason. They’re feature-rich and intuitive enough to use despite the small size of the device. On the stems of each AirPod, there’s a touch capacitive sensor, and through the settings on your phone, you can make holding or clicking the AirPods stem pause your music, change to the next track, etc. There are other options that also help tailor your listening experience making the Apple AirPods Pro 2 one of the most versatile wireless earbud options.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: N/A
• Impedance: N/A
• Driver: Custom high-excursion Apple driver
• Battery Life: 6 hours on a single charge, 30 hours total with a charging case.
• Connection Type: Bluetooth

Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 is a nice alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro 2, offering similar intuitive control and sound quality you would expect from Sony. Featuring IPX4 water resistance, similar head-tracking audio spatial functionality, and seamless connections to multiple devices - the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are perfect for anyone looking for a new pair of wireless buds without compromising on features if they were a prior AirPods Pro user.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40KHz
• Impedance: 48 Ω (1 kHz)
• Driver: 8.4mm
• Battery Life: 8 hours (Noise-canceling on) and 12 hours (Noise-canceling off) on a single charge, wireless charging case adds additional charge.
• Connection Type: Bluetooth

Best IEMs (In-Ear Monitors)

Moondrop Aria

The Moondrop Aria IEMs are by far the nicest in-ear monitors at an inexpensive entry of less than $100. The key feature of most IEMs is that they have a detachable cable from the units themselves, making the primary point of failure for most wired earbuds no longer a worry. It also makes IEMs very versatile, allowing for different cables and connections possible.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 5Hz - 36KHz
• Impedance: 32Ω士15% (@1kHz)
• Driver: LCP liquid crystal diaphragm, 10mm dual cavity internal magnetic dynamic driver
• Connection Type: Varies (0.78 dual-pin)

1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones

These are actually the primary pair that I use normally at my desk, and it was based on this RTINGS review for the 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ears. At less than $100 these are my usual travel backup earbuds. These are lacking in most features you would come to expect, but the 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ears have a nice balanced sound profile, and they just fit perfectly in my ears, making these my preferred buds for workouts.

Tech Specs:

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40KHz
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Driver: Two balanced armatures and a separate dynamic driver.
• Connection Type: 3.5mm