‘ZDNet Recommends’: What exactly does that mean?
ZDNet’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNet’s editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
What is the best PC gaming headset? The Razer Kraken is ZDNet’s top choice. But here are the best five PC gaming headsets overall. We compared the specs and features to help come up with a list of the must-have PC gaming headsets available to buy right now.
Charlie Osborne is a cybersecurity journalist and photographer who writes for ZDNet and CNET from London.
Nintendo Gameboys and SEGA Master Systems were among the early consoles that brought video games outside of arcades and into the living room. Now, 8-bit machines have been transformed into powerful PC gaming rigs and consoles, including Microsoft’s Xbox and the Sony PlayStation 5.
As consoles and PCs have become more capable and internet connectivity is standard (and sometimes required), gaming has become far more immersive. Headsets, which allow you to communicate with other players in real-time, are a key component of the modern gaming experience.
However, just as internet lags can ruin the moment, a low-grade headset can mean you have to deal with poor audio, crackling, drops in conversation, and discomfort. Luckily for us, there are plenty of options on the market that combine performance and comfort to push your gaming experience to new heights.
ZDNet has compiled our top picks in 2022 to get you gaming with a new, quality headset that will suit different needs and budgets.
Features: surround sound
The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition headset is our top pick for balancing price and quality. This wired headset offers THX 7.1 surround sound via 50mm drivers and over-the-ear earphones with gel cushions. The Razer Kraken is compatible with PC setups as well as various gaming consoles. You connect the headset via USB/a 3.5mm jack.
The Razer Kraken also includes a retractable noise-canceling microphone, a volume control wheel, and a mic mute switch.
Pros:
Cons:
Features: extra-large, enclosing ear cups
The Sennheiser Game Zero headset is the best option to consider if you want a suitable headset for noisy environments. This model sports large leather earcups designed to block noise through what the vendor calls an «acoustic seal,» a noise-canceling microphone, and is compatible with devices including PCs and gaming consoles.
The microphone, while a dated design, has a useful ‘flip to mute’ feature and the headset also includes side buttons for managing volume. Furthermore, the Game Zero is foldable for easy transport.
Pros:
Cons:
Features: noise cancelation technologies
The Steelseries Arctis 9 is a wireless headset, designed for PC and console gamers, which sports high-quality audio and noise cancelation technologies. Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless is included, alongside Bluetooth connectivity, and the inbuilt microphone is Discord-certified.
If you buy this headset, you also receive a free game code for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6: Extraction.
Pros:
Cons:
Features: good value for money
The Razer BlackShark V2 X gaming headset is an excellent entry point into headsets. The wired headset, available in six colors, offers 7:1 surround sound via 50mm drivers and is compatible via the .5mm jack with Windows PCs, andmacOS machines, as well as consoles. (You may need to purchase an adapter if there is an incompatible jack/audio connector).
The ear cups are made from memory foam. If you prefer, you can also purchase the BlackShark V2 X as a wireless model (Pro), but this is far more expensive.
Pros:
Cons:
Features: Compatibility across different consoles
The LucidSound LS35X is worth the praise because it features a slew of on-device functions like mute and chat toggling, volume control, and microphone monitoring, all requiring a simple swipe, dial, or tap on either side of the headset.
Instead of the neon and dashing aesthetics of traditional gaming peripherals, the LS35X can pass as a regular pair of headphones with its metal and faux leather blend.
Still, the LS35X provides exceptional comfort and the over-ear, memory foam cushions do a reliable job at passive noise cancellation, enhancing what is already a high-performing sound stage. The LS35X can pair wirelessly to PCs and some consoles without needing a dedicated dongle, USB receiver, or cable.
Pros:
Cons:
While the Razer Kraken may be our No. 1 choice, but it needs an adapter or two to be fully compatible with every gaming device you own. For PC gamers, we can’t ignore its quality sound and its affordable price point.
PC gaming headset
Multi-device compatible?
Noise cancellation?
Price
Razer Krake
Yes
Yes
$59.99
Sennheiser Game Zero
Yes
Yes
$99
Steelseries Arctis 9
Yes (limited)
Yes
$199
Razer BlackShark V2 X
Yes
No
$39
LucidSound LS35X
Yes
Yes (passive)
$129
When you decide on your new PC gaming headset, comfort and quality are key — however, you should also consider whether or not blocking environmental noise and noise-cancelation on your microphone are essential to you while you’re gaming.
Choose this PC gaming headset…
If you need…
Razer Kraken
An all-rounder headset
Sennheiser Game Zero
To block out unwanted sound
Steelseries Arctis 9
A wireless headset
Razer BlackShark V2 X
An entry-level produc
LucidSound LS35X
Multi-console compatibility
There tends to be a baseline in quality for entry, mid, and high-level headset tiers — and as you can imagine, the more you spend, the more likely you’ll enjoy an audio and comfort upgrade.
While some gamers might insist on a premium brand like Sennheiser or Razer, the price point isn’t the only factor: plenty of headsets in the entry and mid-tiers are comfortable and will last you a long time without spending a fortune.
We have attempted to accommodate different budgets while keeping in mind some headsets are specifically designed to cater to particular gaming consoles and setups.
A pair of headphones is a set of speakers connected together by a band or other structure and is designed to be worn around the head. A headset will, in essence, be a pair of headphones with a microphone attached, in a boom design or otherwise.
Earphones tend to either have a very small band to be worn around the head or will connect through wires only, whereas earbuds are separate and wireless, and are meant to fit snugly in your ears.
If you want to regularly game with your friends, a headset is necessary for communication. Another benefit of investing in a headset is the potentially improved audio quality of your game, blocking out external distractions, and a more immersive experience.
There are a few main features you should consider when you pick a headset — and these qualities will show you whether or not a headset is decent and is suitable for you. The first element is its audio quality: Is it crystal clear? Do you want extra bass? Is there an amplification boost, or is it just stereo-only? (There should also be a lack of crackling and feedback when you are using both the speakers and mic.)
You should also consider the build quality of a headset: basic plastic ones tend to be the cheapest, whereas vendors who use a combination of other materials including metals, wood, and leather tend to be more durable and will last longer.
Finally, comfort is key. If you’re going to be wearing a headset for several hours at a time, it can’t put pressure on your ears or skull.
While deciding on the best products on the market, we based our recommendations on quality, build, versatility, and affordability. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a headset that will boost your gaming experience, but the pros out there might want to treat their choice as an investment.
There are also other options worth considering:
The 5 best gaming desks: Level-up your tabletop
The 5 best budget gaming laptops: Level-up for less
The 5 best gaming mechanical keyboards: Fast and accurate
The 5 best toasters: Even toasters have touchscreens now
The 5 best toaster ovens: Ditch the microwave
The 5 best OLED TVs: The crown jewel of home theaters
The 5 best lawn mowers: Top gas and electric-powered mowers
The 5 best cheap phones: Flagship features for under $450
The 5 best riding mowers: Top gas, electric, and zero-turn lawn mowers
Please review our terms of service to complete your newsletter subscription.
You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. By joining ZDNet, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You agree to receive updates, promotions, and alerts from ZDNet.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to receive the selected newsletter(s) which you may unsubscribe from at any time. You also agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge the data collection and usage practices outlined in our Privacy Policy.
© 2022 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use
