The best gaming headsets and headphones for gamers

Which is the best gaming headset for gaming? Whether expensive or cheap, wireless or wired, opinions on gaming headsets differ widely. In general, however, it can be said: once you invest money in a good headset, you will benefit from it for a long time. That is why it is important to make a careful selection, and if in doubt, only trying it out will help.

Does the price matter? Clearly: no. Again and again, headsets from very cheap manufacturers surprise good quality and vice versa some expensive products disappoint immensely. Our purchase advice helps gamers decide so that there is a suitable recommendation for every requirement.

What’s new: We’ve adjusted the prices of all gaming headsets and updated the links. The Plantronics RIG 700 HD, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless and the Sennheiser GSP 670 are currently reduced in price, and some are only available in small numbers.

Price-performance tip: Logitech G733 Lightspeed

The Logitech G733 Lightspeed is available in several colours and from 139 euros at Alternate. *

Lightness and Lightspeed: The Logitech G733 might not be the best wireless gaming headset ever. However, it shines with a balanced price-performance ratio, making it the best choice for the average gamer. The gaming headset is wireless via Lightspeed and offers a good transmission range. In addition, it is comfortable, light and created in a closed design. However, the microphone has minor weaknesses. But if you just play Cyberpunk 2077 in single-player mode and want to keep your headset on when you go to the kitchen, you will be well served here. You can find an explanation of the technical terms here.

Per

Wireless via Lightspeed with a good range
Good sound in any game genre
The price-performance ratio is right
Detachable headband (washable)
DTS: X 7.1 surround sound on the PC …
… but “only” stereo on the PS4

Contra

… but “only” stereo on the PS4
Size adjustment fiddly
Microphone less powerful
Lighting and microphone settings can only be changed via G-Hub software

Price-performance alternative: Plantronics RIG 700 HD

The Plantronics RIG 700 HD is a perfect all-rounder for various genres and currently costs 100 euros at MediaMarkt. *

A lot of sound for the money: The Plantronics RIG 700 HD surprises with its clear sound and the well-implemented wireless sound transmission. In addition to the detachable microphone, there are controls for volume, mute and chat game balance on the earphones. The 40-millimetre driver covers the range from 20 – 20,000 Hertz and offers a cleanly tuned sound. This means that every opponent in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare can be precisely located.

Per

Very easy
Good sound in any game genre
Interference-free transmission
High wearing comfort
Great value for money

Contra

Fixed auricles
No stepless size adjustment

Buy once and have no regrets: Astro A50 Wireless

With the Astro A50 Wireless, gamers can easily play on PS4 and PC. Available for around 256 euros from Otto. *

The price is worth it here: Those willing to spend a little more money will be happy with the Astro A50 Wireless. The Logitech sub-brand impresses with its high quality and excellent surround sound. In addition, it is very comfortable to wear and the option to control the base station via a 3.5 mm jack. With a frequency response of 20-20,000 Hertz and a 40 mm neodymium driver, Doom Eternal and The Division 2 are all set.

Per

Interference-free signal transmission
Perfect surround sound
High wearing comfort
Available as PC and PS4 or PC and Xbox version

Contra

Relative expensive
A microphone cannot be removed

Setting new standards: Asus ROG Theta 7.1

Our wired alternative to the Astro A50 Wireless.

Perfect sound has its price here. The Asus ROG Theta 7.1 can be bought on Amazon for around 245 euros.

The best choice not only for people who wear glasses: With the ROG Theta 7.1 from Asus, you get the most comfortable gaming headset ever. In particular, gamers who rely on visual aids benefit from the wired 7.1 surround sound headset. One 40-millimeter neodymium and three 30-millimeter neodymium drivers were installed in each earbud. The sound is indescribably good even without an expensive sound card. Give the ROG Theta 7.1 in CoD: Warzone figuratively, or in 2021 appearing Metal Light Singer literally set the tone!

Per

Excellent sound (even without an expensive sound card)
Absolutely convenient
With USB-C to USB-A cable adapter
7.1 surround sound
Eight independent drivers

Contra

Expensive
Hefty (650 grams)

Powerful bass: Teufel Cage (2020)

The Teufel Cage 2020 offer an excellent sound in games. Available directly from Teufel for just under 170 euros. *

Good new edition: The Teufel Cage 2020 focuses on finely tuned sound. Voices, ambient noises and explosions are reproduced excellently. For gamers who also like to listen to music from time to time, the bass could be a bit too strong. In contrast to its predecessor, the microphone can only be attached to one side, and the simultaneous connection to the smartphone is history. In almost all game genres, the sound ensures an excellent atmosphere.

Per

It can be used in analogue and digital form
Clear and distinct voice transmission
A sound that is well matched to games

Contra

Maximum volume could be higher
Parallel smartphone connection has been deleted
Hardly any controls on the headphones

Inexpensive gaming headset for 60 euros: Razer Kraken X USB

For PC and switch gamers: The Razer Kraken X USB headset is available for 59 euros from Alternate. *

The main thing is that the sound is right: With the Kraken X USB, Razer has produced a great cable gaming headset with 7.1 surround sound. PC gamers and Nintendo Switch fans benefit from the convenient and inexpensive headset. Thanks to its space-saving and lightweight design, the latter can also be wonderfully taken with you when you’re on the go. Despite the comparatively low price, the Kraken X is of high quality and can withstand the odd fall on the sidewalk. This allows the Crysis Remaster to be played at home on the PC and Go on the Switch with solid sound.

Per

Quite cheap
7.1 surround sound
Good wearing comfort
Light and space-saving

Contra

No multi-platform compatibility
The microphone cannot be removed

Budget gaming headset for 55 euros: Trust GXT 414

For less than 100 euros, gamers don’t have to do without rich sound. The Trust GXT 414 Zamak Premium is available from Saturn for just under 58 euros. *

The main thing is that the sound is right: frugal gamers get a full and rich sound with the Trust GXT 414 Zamak Premium. The large 53-millimetre driver makes surprisingly good use of the frequency response between 20 – 20,000 Hz. The manufacturer dispenses with controls on the earphones, and the 3.5 mm jack cable is also a bit short. But even without these features, role-playing games such as Horizon Zero Dawn or Baldur’s Gate 3 can be enjoyed to the full.

Per

Attractively priced
It sits well on the head
Full and powerful sound

Contra

No controls
Short cable

You should pay attention to this when buying a headset.

The best sound is subjective: even if the quality of the sound output of a headset can be measured, everyone perceives something different as good or bad. The broadest possible coverage of the area that can be heard by humans is, of course, an advantage, but coordination also plays a major role. Shooter game endorsement wants a different sound here than in an atmospheric role-playing game. The software from the manufacturer can sometimes also help.

Stereo vs Surround: There are two different channels in stereo sound. That means one only differentiates whether the sound comes from the left or the right. For many games, such as strategy games or adventure games, this is completely sufficient. For a little more immersion or games from the first-person or third-person perspective, especially in the competitive field, you also have to locate opponents in your back. Surround headsets are ideal for this – often also marked with “5.1” or “7.1”. Nowadays, surround sound is mostly simulated virtually and transmitted via USB instead of a jack, leading to better sound results.

In Metal: Hellinger, the best sound is clearly important.

With cable or wireless: Opinions differ widely. Many manufacturers have developed wireless transmission standards that transmit audio signals without interference and delay. The advantage is a plus in freedom of movement with the head, but a higher weight must be carried with the battery. Audio enthusiasts, on the other hand, swear by high-quality cables and a good sound card, which ultimately come at a price.

Driver size and frequency response: Put somewhat simply, the driver is the component in headphones that converts electrical signals into sound waves. The larger the driver and the higher the quality of the membrane, the lower the tones (bass) that can be produced. But that alone is only half the story, as the material and the thickness of the membranes also play a role. With larger drivers, the so-called frequency response can be in a range of 10 – 20,000 Hz. For example, with smaller models, the bass only begins at 20 Hz.

In Valheim, immersion benefits from an extensive soundscape.

Impedance and volume: For the maximum volume, the impedance plays a role. This value is usually given on the packaging as a standardized nominal impedance in ohms. A high value means that the headphones have high electrical resistance and require more power from the audio source to generate higher volumes. Headsets with a low impedance are therefore more suitable for portable devices because the power supply comes only from the battery. Wireless headsets with a high impedance often have a shorter battery life than models with a lower value.

Analog or Digital: The most obvious difference between analogue and digital gaming headsets is the connector. An analogue model comes with a classic 3.5 mm jack plug that is plugged into the sound card. This is particularly advantageous for users of high-quality hardware, as digital headsets have their own sound processing. These are connected via USB plugs and are usually equipped with extensive software from the manufacturer.

Wired headsets – no battery, no worries

If you want to bring the sound of your expensive sound card to the headphones without compromise, a headset with a cable is recommended. But even if you just don’t want to worry about the battery, a cabled headset is recommended for long sessions with Fallout 76 or Path of Exile 2.

Timeless classic: Logitech G433

The Logitech G433 is not the newest but one of the best-wired gaming headsets. To buy from Amazon for just under 108 euros. *

Multi-platform miracle: The G433 is not exactly Logitech’s newest workhorse in the stable, but certainly one of the best. It is not only light and convenient but also compatible with almost all common platforms. In addition, thanks to the washable mesh cover, there are no hot ears, and the microphone offers perfect voice quality. Games in which you want to let yourself go and concentrate, such as Crusader Kings 3, but also Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, can be optimally enjoyed here.

Per

Comfortable & breathable, even with glasses
Compatible with most platforms
Good microphone (detachable)
7.1 DTS virtual surround sound

Contra

Bass a little overrepresented

With bass regulation: Hyper X Cloud Alpha S

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is comfortable to carry and has openings for bass regulation. Available for 110 euros on Amazon. *

Short cable: Gamers connect the HyperX Cloud Alpha to their PC using a 3.5 mm jack cable. A cable remote control is only available via a USB adapter, which at the same time extends the cable and brings 7.1 surround sound. The real feature, however, is the bass reflex openings, with which the pressure on the ears can be adapted to your own taste. With a frequency response of 13-27,000 Hertz, the sound quality is good; only background noises seem a bit artificial.

Per

good sound
Adjustable bass
It sits well on the head

Contra

Background noise that sounds somewhat artificial
Fixed auricles

Freedom of movement with wireless headsets

The days of broken connections and distorted acoustics in wireless headsets are long gone. If you want to turn your head without the cable getting in the way, you can use a wireless headset. The heck of a Serious Sam 4 or a Resident Evil Village is no longer in the way.

34 5

Unobtrusive but good: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Full sound at a full price: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless can be purchased for around 315 euros on Amazon. *

Simple design: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless proves that gaming headsets don’t have to look ostentatious. The scope of delivery with various cables and exchangeable batteries can be seen, and the soundscape can be heard. Because of the closed design, among other things, the ears warm up relatively quickly. Fortunately, the ear pads can be washed. We are free to choose between Bluetooth, transmitter and cable operation. SteelSeries is rewarded like a king for the Arctis Pro Wireless. But if you can’t tear yourself away in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, you can continue to gamble non-stop thanks to the second battery.

Per

good sound
Bluetooth, transmitter and cable operation
With a second battery
High quality processed

Contra

Very expensive!
A microphone cannot be removed (only partially retractable)
A little weak in the heights
Ears get quite warm

Studio headphones are only conditionally suitable for gamers.

People interested read again and again that they should get good studio headphones and a cheap microphone. Well-known audio manufacturers are therefore trying to jump on the gaming bandwagon but do not always achieve the requirements of gamers. In particular, for gamers who do not want to experiment with extra sound cards for long and those who value a rich bass, studio headphones do not offer satisfactory sound results.

52 8th

Good for the atmosphere: Sennheiser GSP 670

The Sennheiser GSP 670 is more suitable for atmospheric games and costs 277 euros on Amazon. *

It also works via Bluetooth: the Sennheiser GSP 670 is not for rich sound and cracking bass. The fine-tuning does not miss any nuances in powerful sounding games and shows its strengths in quiet surroundings. Everything is also quiet for those who wear this headset because the isolation from the outside world is very high. The operation takes a bit of getting used to, and the large microphone is annoying depending on the setting in the field of vision. The GameStar test report provides a more precise impression of the Sennheiser GSP 670.

Per

Good mids and highs
Long battery life
Wireless and Bluetooth

Contra

High weight
Lows underrepresented
Short-range
Very expensive

Second generation: Beyerdynamic MMX 300

You can buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 (2nd generation) for 232 euros on Amazon.

Premium quality, made in Germany: As with most gaming headsets, whose manufacturers actually develop studio headphones, the full potential of the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd Gen only unfolds with an expensive, additional sound card. In addition, this wired gaming headset is also unbalanced from a price-performance perspective. If you are willing to pay the high price for a headset and sound card, you will get a high-quality multi-platformer comfortable to wear and offers excellent sound.

Per

Multi-platformer
Interchangeable ear pads
High wearing comfort
Lots of accessories included
High quality
Great sound with sound card …

Contra

… rather a mediocre sound without an extra sound card
Bad value for money
Relatively difficult
Now and then, microphone problems

We will constantly revise the recommendations and keep adding new models and different manufacturers to the list. For the sake of clarity, we are also removing headsets again if, for example, they are no longer up to date or no longer available. It is therefore not necessary to ask why this or that model is “missing”. We have everything in view. 😉

Red Team vs. Blue Team