Audio

For most PC and PS5 players the Razer BlackShark V3 is the best gaming headset right now: light, low-latency wireless, a strong mic and around 70 hours of battery for about $150. If you play on Xbox or move between consoles, get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (the Nova 5X for Xbox). On a tight budget, the LucidSound LS500 is wireless for about $70. For the best sound, the Audeze Maxwell 2; for one headset that connects to everything at once, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni.

Check the Razer BlackShark V3 on Amazon →

Check the BlackShark V3 at Razer.com →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ official specifications plus published reviews and measurements from independent outlets (linked in each pick). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list prices at the time of writing and change often. See how we choose products.

Best gaming headsets compared

Specs from each manufacturer’s product page. Battery figures are the maker’s ratings and drop with RGB, noise cancelling or low-latency modes switched on.

The best gaming headsets in 2026

1. Razer BlackShark V3: best overall

The BlackShark V3 gets the basics right at a fair price. It weighs 270 g, connects over Razer’s 2.4GHz HyperSpeed dongle, Bluetooth or USB, and can play both wireless sources at once, so you can hear your game and a phone call together. A low-latency mode cuts wireless delay to as little as 10 ms, according to Razer. The battery is rated at up to 70 hours, and 15 minutes of charging gives about 6 hours. The 50 mm drivers and a detachable super-wideband mic round it out.

PC Gamer rates it the best gaming headset overall, praising its clear mids for picking out in-game detail and an improved bass over the last generation. Good to know: the 10 ms mode drains the battery faster, and the standard V3 doesn’t work wirelessly with Xbox. The V3 Pro adds noise cancelling and an Xbox version, but costs much more.

Check the BlackShark V3 on Amazon →

Check the BlackShark V3 at Razer.com →

2. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 / Nova 5X: best for consoles

The Arctis Nova 5 is the easy pick if you play on more than one system. Its small USB-C dongle works with PC, PlayStation, Switch and Switch 2, Steam Deck-style handhelds and USB-C phones, and Bluetooth covers everything else. The Nova 5X version adds Xbox support with the same specs and price. It weighs 265 g, the mic retracts fully into the earcup, and SteelSeries rates the battery at up to 60 hours. The companion phone app has audio presets for more than 100 games, which is handy on consoles where you can’t run PC software.

Good to know: there’s no active noise cancelling, and ChatMix (the game/chat balance dial) doesn’t work on PlayStation. Tom’s Hardware’s review calls it a cheaper Nova 7, which is a fair summary.

Check the Arctis Nova 5 on Amazon →

Check the Nova 5X (Xbox) on Amazon →

3. LucidSound LS500: best budget wireless

At about $70, the LS500 from PowerA’s LucidSound brand is wireless, light and long-lasting for the money. It connects to PlayStation and PC through a USB dongle or to other devices over Bluetooth, weighs 265 g, has a glasses-friendly fit, and PowerA rates the battery at up to 50 hours on the dongle or 70 hours over Bluetooth. The 50 mm drivers have three EQ modes (Signature, Bass Boost and FPS), and the boom mic flips up to mute. Xbox players need the LS500X version.

Good to know: PC Gamer, which picks it as the best budget headset, notes a plasticky feel and that its reviewer could only get the mic working over the dongle, not Bluetooth. There’s no noise cancelling at this price.

Check the LucidSound LS500 on Amazon →

4. HyperX Cloud Alpha: best wired headset (and great bass)

If you don’t need wireless, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is still the one to beat years after launch. Its 50 mm dual-chamber drivers separate the bass from the mids and highs, which gives it a hearty low end without muddying footsteps and voices. It plugs into anything with a 3.5 mm jack, including PS5 and Xbox controllers, the Switch and phones with a headphone port, so there’s no battery or wireless lag to think about. The mic detaches when you don’t need it.

Good to know: the mic doesn’t flip up to mute, so you mute with the in-line control. It’s often discounted well below list price. PC Gamer names it the best wired gaming headset.

Check the Cloud Alpha on Amazon →

5. HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: best battery life

The wireless Cloud Alpha keeps the same dual-chamber drivers and adds a battery that HyperX rates at up to 300 hours, so most people charge it every few weeks rather than every few days. It connects to PC and PS5 over a 2.4GHz USB dongle and weighs about 320 g. The detachable mic has an LED that shows when you’re muted.

Good to know: there’s no Bluetooth and no Xbox support, and it costs more than the BlackShark V3. GamesRadar+ picks it as the best headset for battery life.

Check the Cloud Alpha Wireless on Amazon →

6. Audeze Maxwell 2: best sound quality

If sound quality matters most, the Maxwell 2 is the headset reviewers keep pointing to. It uses 90 mm planar magnetic drivers, the kind found in high-end hi-fi headphones, and adds Audeze’s SLAM design for deeper bass that doesn’t cover up detail. It connects over a 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, USB-C or 3.5 mm, the battery is rated at up to 80 hours, and the detachable boom mic uses AI noise reduction. RTINGS and PC Gamer both rank it their top wireless pick for audio.

Good to know: at 560 g it’s very heavy, and some reviewers found it uncomfortable over long sessions. It can’t mix the dongle and Bluetooth audio at the same time. The PlayStation version (about $329) works with PC, PS5 and Switch; the Xbox version (about $349) also works with PC.

Check the Maxwell 2 on Amazon →

7. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: best premium, multi-platform headset

The Nova Pro Omni, launched in May 2026, is for people who play on several systems and want one headset for all of them. Its GameHub base station has two USB inputs plus Bluetooth and line-in, and can mix up to four sources at once, for example Discord on your PC with game audio from a PS5 or Xbox. It adds active noise cancelling with a transparency mode, Hi-Res certified drivers, a retractable mic, and two hot-swappable batteries: one charges in the base while you use the other, so you never wait on a charge (SteelSeries specs).

Good to know: at about $400 it’s the most expensive pick here, and you only get the most out of it if you really do switch between systems. GamesRadar+ currently ranks it the best gaming headset overall.

Check the Arctis Nova Pro Omni on Amazon →

Best gaming headsets for bass and sound quality

More bass makes explosions and engines feel bigger, but too much of it can mask footsteps in competitive shooters. The best headsets for bass keep the low end separate from the mids:

• Most bass without losing detail: Audeze Maxwell 2, whose SLAM design was built to deepen the bass of its planar drivers.
• Best bass for the money: HyperX Cloud Alpha (wired) or Cloud Alpha Wireless, thanks to the dual-chamber drivers.
• Bass on a budget: LucidSound LS500, using its Bass Boost EQ mode.
• Clearest footsteps: Razer BlackShark V3, which is tuned for clear mids and positional audio.

Every wireless pick here has an EQ in its app, so you can add or remove bass yourself. For competitive games, an FPS or footsteps preset usually helps more than a bass boost.

Which gaming headset for your platform?

• PC: Razer BlackShark V3 for most people; Audeze Maxwell 2 for the best sound; Cloud Alpha Wireless if you hate charging.
• PS5: BlackShark V3, Arctis Nova 5 or LucidSound LS500. The PS5 doesn’t send game audio over Bluetooth, so use the dongle or a cable. See our best PS5 headsets for more, including the new PlayStation Pulse. Sony’s own INZONE and Pulse headsets are covered in our best Sony headphones for gaming guide.
• Xbox: wireless headsets need an Xbox-specific version (Arctis Nova 5X, LucidSound LS500X, the Maxwell 2 Xbox edition), or the Arctis Nova Pro Omni. Any headset works wired through the controller’s 3.5 mm jack, which makes the HyperX Cloud Alpha a safe choice.
• Switch, Switch 2 and handhelds: the Arctis Nova 5’s USB-C dongle is the neatest option; any wired headset works too. See our best headphones for Switch 2.
• Mixing PC and console: the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is built for exactly this.

Thinking of using regular Bluetooth headphones instead? Read can you use Bluetooth headphones for gaming first: Bluetooth adds noticeable lag, which is why gaming headsets use a 2.4GHz dongle.

Gaming headset deals: Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday 2026

Gaming headsets are some of the most heavily discounted products in Amazon’s October sale and over Black Friday. Use last year’s sale prices below as a yardstick: at or below them, it’s a good deal. If a headset is only a few dollars under its list price, it’s usually worth waiting for the next sale.

Past prices don’t guarantee this year’s deals, but they show how far these headsets tend to drop. The Arctis Nova 5 has also dipped just under $100 in an earlier sale (TechRadar). The LucidSound LS500 (already about $70), Audeze Maxwell 2 ($329 / $349) and Arctis Nova Pro Omni (about $400, launched May 2026) have no Black Friday history yet, so treat any real cut below list as a bonus.

How to tell a real headset deal

• Check the exact model. Sales often land on a different version: the BlackShark V3 X instead of the V3, the Nova 5P or 5X instead of the Nova 5, the LS500X instead of the LS500. On Xbox, only the Xbox versions work wirelessly.
• Compare with the list price, not the “was” price. Some listings show an inflated “was” price to make the discount look bigger.
• Look at the price history. A tracker such as camelcamelcamel or Keepa shows whether today’s price is really a low.
• Check who sells it. Buy from Amazon itself or the brand’s official store; third-party listings can be older stock or a different region’s version.

Shopping for a gaming laptop too? See our October Prime Day gaming laptop deals and the best laptops to buy on Black Friday.

Also worth a look

• Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed: graphene drivers with precise directional audio that competitive players like, though GamesRadar+ notes a weaker mic and a USB-A receiver.
• Turtle Beach Atlas Air: a rare open-back wireless gaming headset, with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, for a more spacious sound if you play in a quiet room.
• Sony INZONE H9 II and H5: strong options for PC and PS5; see our Sony gaming headphones guide.
• Earbuds instead of a headset: the EarFun Air Pro 4 has a low-latency game mode over Bluetooth; PC Gamer picks the Air Pro 4+ as its best gaming earbuds.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Best Sony headphones for gaming
• Can you use Bluetooth headphones for gaming?
• Sony XM5 and XM6 for gaming
• Best noise-cancelling headphones
• Best Xbox headsets
• Best headphones for hearing footsteps

Yes, Sony headphones are good for gaming, but only the right ones. Sony’s INZONE line (H9 II, H5, H3, INZONE Buds) and the PlayStation Pulse Elite are built for it, with low-latency wireless and proper microphones. The famous WH-1000X headphones (XM6, XM5, XM4) sound great and work well for casual gaming when plugged in, but they lag over Bluetooth, and their mic doesn’t work over the cable. For most gamers the INZONE H9 II is the best Sony pick; on PS5 on a budget, the INZONE H5.

Check the Sony INZONE H9 II on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on Sony’s and PlayStation’s official specifications and help guides, plus published measurements and reviews from independent outlets (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.

Sony gaming headphones compared

Specs from Sony and PlayStation product pages and listings. Weights are approximate and exclude detachable mics.

Are Sony headphones good for gaming?

It depends on which family you mean. Sony makes two very different kinds of headphones:

• Gaming headsets (INZONE and PlayStation): they connect through a dedicated low-latency wireless dongle or PlayStation Link, have a boom or built-in mic designed for voice chat, and work with a PS5 out of the box. These are the ones to buy if gaming is the main job.
• Everyday headphones (WH-1000X, ULT, WH-CH series): they connect over Bluetooth, which adds noticeable delay, and consoles like the PS5 and Xbox don’t send game audio over Bluetooth at all. Plugged in with a 3.5 mm cable they have no lag, but on the 1000X models the headset mic stops working when wired.

If you already own a pair of XM4s, XM5s or XM6s, you can game with them: see our guides to the Sony XM4 for gaming and the XM5 and XM6 for gaming. For the numbers behind Bluetooth lag, see can you use Bluetooth headphones for gaming.

The best Sony headphones for gaming

1. Sony INZONE H9 II: best overall

The INZONE H9 II is the Sony headset that does everything. It uses the same drivers as the WH-1000XM6, adds active noise cancelling, and connects three ways: a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle for low-latency play on PC and PS5, Bluetooth (including LE Audio) for your phone, and a 3.5 mm cable. The detachable cardioid boom mic is a real gaming mic, which the 1000X line doesn’t have. At about 260 g without the mic and with a suspension headband, it’s light for a wireless headset, and Sony rates the battery at up to 30 hours with ANC on.

Good to know: it’s the priciest Sony gaming headset, and RTINGS’ review is a useful read on its sound and mic before you buy. If you mostly play on PS5 and don’t need ANC, the H5 or Pulse Elite costs less.

Check the INZONE H9 II on Amazon →

2. Sony INZONE H5: best value for PC and PS5

The INZONE H5 keeps what matters for gaming and drops the extras. You get the 2.4GHz dongle (plus a 3.5 mm option), a bidirectional boom mic with AI-based noise reduction, 40 mm drivers, up to 28 hours of battery and the same light 260 g build. On PS5 it shows on-screen settings and game/chat balance automatically.

Good to know: there’s no active noise cancelling and no Bluetooth, so it can’t double as your phone headphones. SoundGuys’ review covers its sound and mic in detail.

Check the INZONE H5 on Amazon →

3. PlayStation Pulse Elite: best for PS5 owners

Made by Sony Interactive for PlayStation, the Pulse Elite uses planar magnetic drivers and PlayStation Link, a lossless low-latency wireless connection that works with the PS5, PC, Mac and the PlayStation Portal. It can stay connected to your game over PlayStation Link and to your phone over Bluetooth at the same time. The mic retracts into the earcup, the battery is rated at up to 30 hours, and a 10-minute charge gives about 2 hours (PlayStation specs).

Good to know: at around 340 g it’s the heaviest pick here, there’s no ANC, and PlayStation Link on PC needs the included USB adapter.

Check the Pulse Elite on Amazon →

4. Sony INZONE Buds: best gaming earbuds

If you want gaming audio without a headset, the INZONE Buds connect through a small USB-C dongle with latency Sony rates at under 30 ms, which also makes them a good fit for a Switch, a Steam Deck or an Android phone with USB-C. They add active noise cancelling, Bluetooth LE Audio, and an AI noise-reducing mic. Sony’s specs list up to 12 hours of play on the dongle (11 hours with ANC on) and about 6.5 g per bud.

Good to know: a mic in an earbud can’t match a boom mic for voice clarity, so squad-chat regulars may prefer the H9 II or H5.

Check the INZONE Buds on Amazon →

5. Sony INZONE H3: best budget (wired)

The INZONE H3 is Sony’s entry-level wired gaming headset. It has no battery to charge and no wireless lag to worry about, a flip-up boom mic that mutes when raised, and support for Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming on PC through the INZONE Hub app. It works with PC and PS5. At about 299 g it’s heavier than the wireless H5 and H9 II, but it’s usually the cheapest way into Sony gaming audio.

Check the INZONE H3 on Amazon →

6. Sony WH-1000XM6 or XM5: best if music comes first

If you want one pair of headphones for commuting, flights and some gaming, the 1000X line has the better noise cancelling and a more refined everyday design. For gaming, plug in the 3.5 mm cable for zero lag and use your controller or a separate mic for chat, because Sony’s help guide confirms the headset mic doesn’t work over the cable. Over Bluetooth they’re fine for single-player games on a phone or PC but lag in fast shooters. Our XM5 and XM6 gaming guide covers the details.

See the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Sony WH-1000XM5. Already own the older XM4? Here’s how the XM4 does for gaming.

Which Sony headset for your platform?

• PS5: INZONE H9 II, INZONE H5 or Pulse Elite (all wireless without Bluetooth). Other brands are in our best PS5 headsets guide. The 1000X headphones only work on PS5 wired through the controller.
• PC: any INZONE model; the H9 II and H5 dongles give the lowest lag, and the INZONE Hub app adds EQ and spatial sound.
• Xbox: Xbox doesn’t support these 2.4GHz dongles or Bluetooth audio, so use a 3.5 mm cable through the controller (the H9 II and H5 have a 3.5 mm option).
• Switch, Steam Deck, phones: the INZONE Buds’ USB-C dongle is the neatest option; any model also works wired. More options in our best headphones for Switch 2 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones for Gaming? Latency Explained
• Sony XM5 and XM6 for gaming
• Sony WH-1000XM4 for gaming
• Best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones

Short answer: you can use Bluetooth headphones for gaming, but standard Bluetooth adds roughly 150–200 ms of delay, which is enough to hear footsteps and gunshots after they happen on screen. That’s fine for story games and videos, not for competitive play. For lag-free gaming, use a wired connection or a headset with a 2.4 GHz USB dongle. The newer Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) standard closes most of the gap, but few consoles support it yet.

How we put this together: latency figures come from published codec specifications and independent measurements (linked at the end), not from hands-on testing by iTech Level. Real-world delay also depends on your phone, PC or console, so treat the numbers as typical ranges.

How much delay is too much?

Broadcast standards give a useful benchmark. The ATSC recommends keeping audio within about 45 ms behind the picture, and research on lip sync puts the point where most people notice a mismatch at around 40–45 ms. Standard Bluetooth is three to four times over that, which is why it feels “off” in fast games even when it’s fine for YouTube, where apps and TVs can delay the video to match.

Games can’t do that trick. Your inputs have to happen in real time, so the audio simply arrives late.

Latency by connection type

Tip: if your headphones support several codecs, choose AAC or LC3 over LDAC for gaming. LDAC is great for music quality but has the most delay.

Can you use Bluetooth headphones on each platform?

PS5

No, not directly. The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio. Your options are to plug your headphones into the DualSense controller’s 3.5 mm jack, use a USB-dongle headset, or use a headset built on Sony’s PlayStation Link wireless tech, such as the PlayStation Pulse Elite, which Sony describes as lossless and ultra-low latency.

Xbox Series X|S

No. Xbox consoles don’t support Bluetooth audio either. Plug into the controller’s headset jack, or use a headset made for Xbox Wireless or with an Xbox-compatible dongle, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X.

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

Yes. The Switch gained Bluetooth audio in a 2021 update, and the Switch 2 supports it too, but expect standard Bluetooth delay. Wired is better for rhythm and action games. The Switch 2 doesn’t support Bluetooth microphones, so for GameChat use a USB-C dongle or wired headset: see our best headphones for Switch 2.

PC

Yes, but with a catch: when you use the headset mic over Bluetooth, Windows usually switches to a low-quality “headset” profile, and game audio sounds noticeably worse. A USB dongle headset or a separate desk mic avoids this.

Phones

Yes, and phones are where Bluetooth gaming works best. Many earbuds have a “game mode” that trims delay, and newer Android phones with LE Audio can get close to wired latency with compatible earbuds and headphones.

What about Sony’s WH-1000X headphones?

They’re some of the most popular headphones people try to game with. The short version: excellent wired, laggy over standard Bluetooth, and the headset mic doesn’t work over the cable. We cover each model in detail:

• Sony WH-1000XM4 for gaming: honest review
• Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM6 for gaming, including the XM6’s LE Audio gaming mode

Wireless headsets that are actually built for gaming

If you want wireless without the lag, these use a 2.4 GHz dongle or a console-specific wireless link instead of relying on Bluetooth for game audio:

The INZONE H9 II uses the same drivers as the Sony WH-1000XM6, so it’s the closest thing to “XM6 sound without the lag,” with a proper boom mic. The Arctis Nova 7’s ability to mix dongle audio with Bluetooth is handy if you take calls or use Discord on your phone while gaming.

How to reduce Bluetooth lag

• Use the lowest-latency codec your devices share: LC3, then aptX Adaptive, then AAC. Avoid LDAC for gaming.
• Turn on game mode in your earbuds’ app if it has one.
• Keep the source close with nothing blocking the signal; dropouts and re-buffering add delay.
• Turn off multipoint while gaming on headphones that lower codec quality or add buffering when two devices are connected.
• Go wired for competitive play. Most headphones include a 3.5 mm cable; it’s the only zero-latency option on consoles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluetooth good for gaming?

For casual and story games, yes. For fast competitive games, standard Bluetooth’s 150–200 ms delay is noticeable. Use wired, a 2.4 GHz dongle headset, or Bluetooth LE Audio where your device supports it.

Do Bluetooth headphones have lag in games?

Yes. Standard Bluetooth (SBC or AAC) typically adds about 150–200 ms, while LE Audio’s LC3 codec cuts that to roughly 20–50 ms depending on the device.

Why doesn’t the PS5 support Bluetooth headphones?

Sony and Microsoft left Bluetooth audio out of the PS5 and Xbox mainly because of latency and bandwidth. Standard Bluetooth is too slow for game audio, so they use their own low-latency wireless systems instead.

Can I use AirPods or other earbuds for gaming?

On a phone, tablet or Switch, yes, with standard Bluetooth delay. On PS5 and Xbox, not directly, because those consoles don’t support Bluetooth audio.

What is the lowest-latency wireless option for gaming?

A headset with a 2.4 GHz USB dongle or a console-specific link like PlayStation Link. These are designed for gaming and avoid Bluetooth’s delay.

Related reading

• Best Sony headphones for gaming (2026)
• Are the Sony XM5 and XM6 good for gaming?
• Sony WH-1000XM4 for gaming
• How to choose wireless earbuds and headphones
• Best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones 2026
• Best Xbox headsets
• Are AirPods good for gaming?
• Are Bose headphones good for gaming?
• Are Galaxy Buds good for gaming?
• Are Beats good for gaming?

Sources: SoundGuys: understanding Bluetooth codecs; Ceva: LE Audio and LC3 latency; SoundGuys WH-1000XM6 review (measured latency); Latency (audio), incl. ATSC IS-191 lip-sync guidance; What Hi-Fi: why Bluetooth headphones don’t work on PS5 or Xbox.

As an Amazon Associate, iTech Level earns from qualifying purchases. Prices change often, so check current prices on Amazon.