January 13, 2025

Sapiensdigital

Sapiens Digital

The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for 2020

How to Choose the Right Headphone

Gaming headsets are essentially just headphones with built-in boom microphones to let you speak as well as listen, and they’re vital for online gaming. There are countless gaming headsets available, most of which require a wire connected to your computer or to the controller of your game console. Wireless gaming headsets let you cut the cord and enjoy two-way audio unfettered by wires. They tend to cost more than their wired equivalents, but the convenience is worth it. We’ve gathered the top models we’ve tested here, and have advice on what to look for when shopping.

Wireless Headset Compatibility

Compatibility is the most important aspect of buying a gaming headset, especially if you’re a console gamer. Headsets with 3.5mm connectors can work with pretty much anything, but wireless headsets generally use USB transmitters that require compatibility with your system of choice.

Most wireless headsets will work with PCs out of the box, but PlayStation 4/Xbox One compatiblity 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. Check the product page and packaging for whether your wireless headset is compatible with the PS4 or Xbox One.

In addition, check to see exactly how the headset connects to your PC or game system. This is especially important for PS4 Slim users, because some PS4-compatible headsets use both USB and optical audio to work, and the PS4 Slim doesn’t have an optical audio port. If this is the case, you might need to get an HDMI adapter that adds an optical output.

Bluetooth Gaming Headsets

Bluetooth can be a nice backup for gaming headsets, 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.

See How We Test Headphones

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.

Wireless Headset Microphones

All gaming headsets have microphones, but not all microphones perform the same. 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 some wireless artifacts, sibilance, or simply lack clarity.

If you’re really serious about streaming or recording, you should consider a dedicated USB microphone in addition to your headset. Good mics can be found for $50 to $150, and offer far superior audio quality than nearly any boom mic. You need to be more careful with the positioning and configuration of a separate microphone, but if you want to work professionally, it’s worthwhile. See our story on how to make your podcast sound better for some general tips that apply to all recording and broadcasting scenarios.

And for the best wireless gaming headset, you can’t go wrong with any of the options we’ve tested here. So choose the one that meets your budgets and needs, and start playing.

Where To Buy

  • Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station (2019)

    Astro Gaming A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station (2019)

    Pros: Terrific sound quality.
    Very comfortable.
    Thin, convenient charging cradle.

    Cons: Expensive.
    Bundle/cradle only works with PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
    No wired option for mobile devices.
    Microphone isn’t the clearest for the price.

    Bottom Line: The latest Astro Gaming A50 wireless gaming headset feels and sounds excellent, but it’s a pricey option in an increasingly competitive field.

    Read Review

  • PDP LVL50 Wireless

    PDP LVL50 Wireless

    Pros: Affordable.
    Comfortable.
    Two audio modes offer satisfying bass and balance for gaming and music.

    Cons: Slightly fuzzy microphone.
    No wired connection option.

    Bottom Line: The wireless PDP LVL50 is one of the best budget wireless gaming headsets we’ve tested, not to mention one of the few available for under $100.

  • Razer Nari Essential

    Razer Nari Essential

    Pros: Powerful sound.
    Sturdy, comfortable design.
    7.1-channel surround sound.
    User-adjustable EQ.
    Excellent mic.

    Cons: Heavy on bass by default.
    7.1-channel surround and EQ tweaks are only available on PC.

    Bottom Line: The Razer Nari Essential is a budget-friendly wireless gaming headset that will please PC gamers with its powerful audio performance.

    Read Review

  • Sennheiser GSP 670

    Sennheiser GSP 670

    Pros: Excellent audio quality.
    Solid, comfortable build.
    Bluetooth.

    Cons: Expensive.
    Light on accessories.
    Awkward volume dial.

    Bottom Line: Sennheiser’s GSP 670 wireless gaming headset feels comfortable, sounds terrific, and features Bluetooth so you can use it with your phone.

    Read Review

  • SteelSeries Arctis 9X

    SteelSeries Arctis 9X

    Pros: Balanced, clear audio.
    Excellent microphone.
    Bluetooth connectivity that works alongside Xbox connection for dual audio.
    Comfortable design.

    Cons: Weak bass.
    Requires an Xbox Wireless Adapter to get the best performance on a PC.

    Bottom Line: The SteelSeries Arctis 9X is one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can get for the Xbox One.

    Read Review

  • Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless

    Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless

    Pros: Excellent audio quality.
    Comfortable.
    Lots of connection options.
    Two batteries with charging compartment in transmitter.

    Cons: Expensive.
    Doesn’t feel quite as premium as similarly priced headsets.

    Bottom Line: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is a remarkably full-featured wireless gaming headset, with a handy transmitter with its own controls and display, and both Bluetooth and wired connectivity as backups.

    Read Review

  • Sennheiser GSP 370

    Sennheiser GSP 370

    Pros: Excellent sound.
    EQ controls with PC app.
    Handy volume wheel.

    Cons: No wired or Bluetooth connection options.
    Unimpressive microphone.
    Sennheiser app only works on Windows 10.

    Bottom Line: The Sennheiser GSP 370 wireless gaming headset delivers strong audio quality but a dearth of connection options and extra features.


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