JBL has yet again chosen Gamescom to unleash the latest additions to its Quantum headset line-up, starting with the Quantum 850.

The £249.99 multi-platform headset is expected to launch on October 1 later this year, powered by Hi-Res-certified 50mm Carbon Dynamic audio drivers. The high-end wireless pair is just the first of four that JBL has chosen to unleash onto the world amid the hype of new game announcements. There are also the Quantum 520, Quantum 520X, and Quantum 120 to consider adding to your setup, but unlike the Quantum 850, they're all already available right this very moment straight from the JBL website, or at least should be.

Whether any of these newly unveiled JBL Quantum headsets will be the right pick for you over the best gaming headsets already on the market will depend entirely on what you're looking for. According to the JBL Quantum 850 press release, the new Quantum 850 has those 50mm-sized drivers I mentioned above, but it's also equipped with the brand's signature spatial sound and head tracking tech.

Both technologies are powered through the JBL QuantumENGINE software, which was updated alongside last year's Gamecom event. According to the brand, when combined, the tech helps create an "expansion" three-dimensional sound that should help pinpoint sounds, something that'd be an asset if you love your online first-person shooters.

The Quantum 850 also supports the brand's replaceable system, which allows you to replace the headset's microphone, USB-C cable, ear cushions, earcaps, hammock, and battery pack when you need to. It also sports Adaptive Noise Cancelling and brings dual wireless connectivity through Bluetooth 5.2 and low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless to the table. Additionally, you've got the option between USB-C and 3.5mm wired connectivity too.

Meanwhile, the JBL Quantum 520, Quantum 520X, and Quantum 120 differ slightly when it comes to connectivity options. According to the second JBL press release today, the mid-range pairs provide the same dual-wireless support, but the Quantum 120 sticks to hooking up to platforms via a 3.5mm wired cable.

All pairs all utilize the same 50 mm carbon dynamic audio drivers and a detachable 6mm cardioid boom microphone to ensure your voice sounds crystal clear when gaming online with friends. Meanwhile, only the 520 and the 520X have up to 37 hours of battery life, as the 120 is a wired-only release, so how much juice it can muster just isn't a factor.

All of this can get pretty confusing, and personally, I'm not sure why any brand would release a smorgasbord of headsets at once rather than focusing on one at a time. On the plus side, it gives you more options, and you'll have your choice of the JBL Quantum 520, Quantum 520X, and Quantum 120 when they go live on the official JBL store.

The pairs are meant to be available now, but I haven't been able to find their product listings quite yet. Once they are live, I'll be sure to let you know. But in the meantime, you can grab the JBL Quantum 650, which is part of the same lineup for £99.99 at JBL, and it includes a lot of the same features, from the 50mm drivers to the dual-wireless support.

• View all JBL Quantum gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for you to check out while you're here.

The Epomaker GX1 didn't instinctively remind me of the early 2000s and the turn of the millennium until I caught a glimpse of the white version of the headset. Rather than dunking the entire pair in a basic shade of white, Epomaker included metallic baby blue yokes that instantly reminded me of the Y2K-era.

In the early 2000s, tech was either transparent or coated in silver and metallic colors to give it that 'space age' look of the future. This $49.99 pair went the metallic route and, when combined with its unique oval earcups, feels like it's stepped straight out of my 2000s childhood. Fortunately for us, it sounds far better than any gaming headset I tried way back then.

I really dig the look of the white model. Equipping the pair with metallic baby blue yokes (the sections that attach the headband to the earcups) was a simple design choice, but one that has ultimately made me pretty fond of Epomaker's first foray into the world of gaming audio.

When I first caught a glimpse, I instantly imagined it being donned by one of the Y2K gaming era's most fashionable icons, Ulala from Sega's Space Channel 5. While the headsets she wears in the original Dreamcast games are blue and silver, there was an official Space Channel 5 Part 2 headset that launched in Japan that was drenched in a metallic silver colorway, with oval cups and dabs of blue for the game's logo.

The GX1 is a little bit different, but I could easily see Epomaker's pair upon Ulala's pink pigtails or sporting the game's logo, were this headset to be around in the Dreamcast console era. While RGB lighting wasn't a huge thing back then, I'm sure Ulala would also appreciate the pastel rainbow lighting of this modern-day accessory, which peeks through the open-back grills on the exterior of each earcup too. At least I definitely do.

Besides its retro aesthetics, this budget-friendly headset is also incredibly comfortable to wear. At just 320g, it doesn't quite out-rival the white Corsair HS35 V3 as one of the lightest headsets I've tested to date, but it's up there. While I've been using it over the weekend to play Marvel Rivals on the PS5 and get back into Final Fantasy 14 on the Switch 2, it's felt like a cloud has been sitting on my head, which feels fitting for the gleaming white headphones.

While you'll have to wait for my full review over the next few weeks for a more in-depth look at its audio, its out-of-the-box sound is pretty great too. It's the most low-cost open-back headset I've had on my testing bench, and while the bass is lacking, the GX1's natural audio opens up the soundscapes to games, especially when it comes to the fantastical music of the world of Eorzea on the Switch 2.

But you'll have to wait to hear more about that. In the meantime, if you're as taken with the white and shiny blue aesthetics of the pair as I am, you can grab it for 20% off at Amazon right now, as there's a coupon in play. There's also a pink and black model for those of you who aren't a fan of anything that screams the Y2K era but still want an open-back headset that's less than $100.

• View all Epomaker gaming accessories at Amazon

If the Epomaker GX1 doesn't tick your headset boxes, check out our guides to the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets.

German brand Beyerdynamic is known amongst audiophiles for its high-quality headsets, and the MMX line in particular, and it's now expanding with the introduction of the MMX 100 and the MMX 130 wireless headsets.

Why release two separate models simultaneously? Well, it appears as though Beyerdynamic wants to please both closed-back and open-back gaming headset fans, as the MMX 100 is closed-back while the MMX 130 is open-back. The brand states that the MMX 100 is designed for those who "want to minimize distracting ambient noise," whereas the MMX 130 is for those who "prefer a more open and spacious sound" and you can have your choice of either when they drop later this year.

The Beyerdynamic MMX 100 is the first of the two headsets to drop, as it launches on September 1 next month in a Black and Arctic White colorway for £89, according to the official Beyerdynamic website. The pair is powered by 40 mm audio drivers, and that closed-back form factor that Beyerdynamic emphasises can reduce external noise and enhance your focus when playing everything from single-player to online games.

That's pretty much the case for all high-quality closed-back pairs with good isolation, and I definitely experienced that when I tested the MMX 150 Wireless earlier this year. Talking of which, much like its 150 brethren, the MMX 100 is equipped with a detachable META Voice microphone and is compatible with everything from gaming PCs, consoles like the PS5, smartphones, and other handhelds via Bluetooth 6.0 or via the pair's low-latency USB dongle and cable.

The MMX 130 Wireless changes things up a notch with its open-back form factor. For those unaware, open-back gaming headsets feature vents behind the audio drivers to allow air (and therefore sound) to move and vibrate more freely. That creates a more natural sound for your games, especially when it's found in the 130 Wireless, which also adds titanium-coated 40 mm drivers into the mix.

If you prefer a more natural soundscape for your games, you'll have to be a bit more patient with the MMX 130 Wireless. It doesn't launch until October 2026, and the brand has yet to give a specific date during the spooky season when you can make it yours.

Furthermore, as a European brand, there's no indication of pricing or availability in the US, if you were wondering. That doesn't mean it won't appear at US retailers, as there are plenty of Beyerdynamic headsets across online shopping spaces like Amazon. However, it might take a little longer for either the MMX 130 Wireless or the MMX 100 Wireless to be listed amongst the rest. When it does, alongside the MSRP for both pairs, I'll be sure to let you know. Though at £89 and £109 respectively in the UK, they shouldn't be pricey.

• View all Beyerdynamic gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets that you should check out.

The Geeknet Marvel's Wolverine Wired Headset is exactly what it says on the tin: a wired pair of cups that's officially licensed to tie in with the upcoming Insomniac Games release.

The $39.99 accessory is set to launch on September 1, just 14 days before the game and the hoard of official Marvel's Wolverine PS5 accessories that are now available to pre-order. While Sony made sure to slap Logan's ferocious face on a PS5 console, console covers, and pair the design with two DualSense controllers, the best gaming headsets were forgotten. That left Geeknet to fill in the blanks, but at least you know that if you want your entire Sony setup to show off your Wolverine fandom, audio included, you can. As a GameStop exclusive, however, you'll just need to make sure that you're based in the US to make it yours.

I was a bit disappointed to see no headset included amongst the rest of the official Marvel's Wolverine PlayStation goodies whose pre-orders landed yesterday, but not surprised. When the Ghost of Yotei PS5 accessories dropped in September last year, there was no headset either. It was just wishful thinking on my part, as I play my Sony console for games like Marvel Rivals too, and so a themed headset with one of the most iconic X-Men characters pasted on the cups would have been put to good use.

Thanks to this GameStop exclusive, I don't have to imagine, as the Geeknet pair is exactly that: an officially licensed Marvel's Wolverine headset. The wired pair utilizes a 3.5 AUX connection and can plug directly into your DualSense controller to unleash the sounds of its 50mm audio drivers. According to the marketing imagery, the bright yellow cups are "lightweight" by design too, although the specs list at GameStop doesn't actually state how light this headset will be once it launches next month.

Specs aside, as an officially licensed accessory, it's all about that design. The exterior of this headset feels pretty on par with Sony's accessory offerings, as it shares the same vivid shade of yellow with an image of Wolverine's face plastered on the earcups. Fortunately, the entirety of the headphones isn't yellow, as that could have easily looked a bit cheap and tacky. Both the headband and the microphone are black to add a bit of contrast, and there's even some stylish yellow stitching on the edges of the band.

Those of you based in the US with access to GameStop can pre-order this headset right now for $39.99, but as a "GameStop exclusive" it's unlikely to make it across the pond. While that's a bit of a bummer, the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5 is a similarly priced option that sounds utterly fantastic and one I'd recommend for those on the hunt for a wired alternative. It doesn't come in a model that's drenched in Wolverine imagery, but if you're more interested in audio quality than aesthetics, I highly recommend picking up the $43.28 (Amazon) on the lead-up to the game's incoming September 15 release.

• View all Marvel's Wolverine PS5 accessories at PS Direct

New to the PS5? Our guides to the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best PS5 headsets can help you prepare for Marvel's Wolverine.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is nearing ever closer, but brands have yet to unveil any officially licensed controllers, headsets, or anything with Rockstar's official art slapped all over it. After PlayStation announced that some Marvel's Wolverine console and accessories were incoming, I fully expected Leonida-themed goodies to follow, but alas, we've had zilch.

While the official GTA 6 accessories have yet to come, PowerA's upcoming $69.99 LucidSound LS500 wireless headset feels very much inspired by the fictional streets of Vice City. The 'Sunset Paradise' headset is expected to drop this week on August 21 and swaps the plain all-black look for pink and yellow palm trees, but only PS5 players will be able to snap up this GTA-feeling pair.

PowerA's LucidSound LS500 wireless gaming headset is usually draped in one full color from its earcups to its headband. However, this upcoming model feels very much in keeping with its 'Sunset Paradise' name, as it features a print of pink and yellow palm trees across the underside of its headband and the interior of its earcushions.

Where these interiors would normally be black or white, they now stand out and feel very reminiscent of the Vice City streets we'll all be strutting our stuff down once November 19 rolls around. There's no official mention of its GTA inspirations on its product listing on Amazon or the official PowerA website, as this is not an officially licensed product. Still, it feels very telling that the brand would launch a headset with motifs very similar to those found throughout Rockstar's marketing just months ahead of the game's release.

I'm not knocking it, as I'm always a fan when brands mix up the designs of their best gaming headsets. Not to mention, it's a really nice design for the headset, which is impressive in its own right thanks to its sub-$100 MSRP, custom-tuned 50 mm audio drivers, and massive 70-hour battery life.

While I have yet to test the LucidSound LS500 for myself, it is compatible with the PS5, so you shouldn't have any issues if you've secured your GTA 6 pre-order for the Sony console.

The headset is packaged with a low-latency wireless dongle that you pop straight into the console, but there's also Bluetooth should you want to hook it up to your PC to play through your older GTA games before a PC port comes along.

If you don't quite have a spare $69.99 to spend on a new accessory, the brand has wired alternatives like the PowerA LucidSound LS10. This headset swaps wireless support for a 3.5 mm connection, but shares the same custom-tuned drivers and has a 'Midnight Surf' version available for $29.99 at Amazon, which is also compatible with the PS5. With it you'll be losing out on your wireless freedom, but it shares practically the same design and even does one better with matching pink earcushions.

• View all LucidSound gaming headsets at Amazon

Want to prepare your setup for GTA 6? Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best Xbox Series X controllers.

Razer has been dropping new headsets inspired by plenty of Sanrio's cutest characters, but what about Hello Kitty herself? Well, there's been a couple of pairs inspired by the iconic cat herself, from a Bluetooth release to the Hello Kitty Kraken Kitty V2 USB wired headset.

The latter of which is usually found at Amazon for its full $109.99 price, which is far more than I'd be comfortable dropping for a wired-only headset, no matter how cute it looks. Fortunately, Woot has just shared its Summer of Gaming sale, and the Hello Kitty headset is down to $31.99, among the rest of its tech savings, which includes an additional 20% off with Woot's 'GAMER20' coupon code. Not only is that a far more reasonable price for the cute cups that are limited by their USB connectivity, but it's the lowest I've ever spotted for the Hello Kitty pair.

Unlike the best gaming headsets, this is a wired-only bit of tech, so do keep in mind that it's going to have its limitations. Unlike Razer's other Sanrio releases, like the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Kuromi Edition, these cups have a USB-A form factor, which means they're really aimed towards PC players rather than anything else.

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For the PS5, you'd be better off sticking with any Razer headset with 2.4GHz wireless instead. That's why its current $31.99 price feels far more reasonable than its usual $109.99 MSRP; as for anything over $100, I'd be expecting to see Bluetooth and 2.4GHz options in tow. While its connectivity is limited its sound won't be, as this pretty pair features Razer's 40mm Triforce audio drivers, which are present in plenty of my favorite accessories in the brand's past catalog, including the Razer Barracuda X Chroma.

The Kraken Kitty V2 USB also features a Hyperclear Cardioid microphone, 7.1 surround sound, stream reactive RGB lighting, and the best part of them all - white cat ears and a little pink bow-tie that are purr-fectly reminiscent of Hello Kitty. This release is so cute that I'd almost recommend it for cosplay if it weren't for the fact that the headband features art of the Sanrio cat on the side - and Hello Kitty doesn't typically wear images of herself on her head all that much.

If you aren't a fan of its USB-A wired limitations, Razer also released a wireless Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT headset, which is currently $121.99 at Amazon today. It's bright pink, so you'll have to be okay with that, but it swaps the wired-only form factor for Bluetooth support and up to 40-hour battery life.

There's also the upcoming Pompompurin Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT that has just appeared online at Target, but it's not out yet, so you won't be able to order it straight away like this Hello Kitty deal.

• View the rest of the Summer of Gaming Sale at Woot

Looking for a more feature-full pair? I've rounded up the best wireless headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best PS5 headsets on the market today.

No Sanrio character is free from being transformed into cute and practical Razer tech, and that includes Pompompurin, who will soon be available as a wireless Bluetooth headset.

A listing for the headset has appeared at Target for $139.99 as discovered by my old stomping ground at Dexerto, and is set to be available in-store and online on October 4. Much like the Cinnamoroll pair before it, this is not technically a new model, but a re-skin of Razer's Kraken Kitty V2 Bluetooth pair, a wireless headset that sports the brand's 40mm Triforce audio drivers, Bluetooth 5.2, and, most importantly for Sanrio fans, Pompompurin's yellow ears and his little brown beret.

Razer has yet to officially reveal this adorable pair on its socials, but the listing reveals everything you can expect when the pair eventually drops. As I mentioned above, it's powered by Razer's 40mm Triforce audio drivers, which are found in an abundance of the brand's headsets, including some of my favorite budget releases, from the Razer Barracuda X Chroma to its predecessor, the Razer Barracuda X. That means you don't have to fork out the extra expense for the upcoming Pompompurin Edition to get the same sound, but you will if you want to want your tech to pay homage to one of Sanrio's cutest mascots.

Talking of which, I love that the design of this new release doesn't play it safe. Razer already has a slew of Pompompurin accessories available, which you can create through the Razer Customs section of its online store. There, you can give the Orochi V2 mouse, Gigantus V2 mousepad, and even your phone case an official makeover of the cute pudding doggo, but it's just printed art rather than anything unique or flashy.

Actually modeling the headband over Pompompurin's ears and hat is far more interesting and helps it stand out from other licensed tech. Utilizing a design that looks that cosplay-worthy is what drew me to the Kuromi Collection and the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Kuromi Edition, and I'm happy to see my friend's favorite Sanrio character get the same adorable treatment. There's also a bit of Pompompurin artwork on the underside of the headband, an extra detail that you're rarely going to see when it's on your head, but one I know fans will appreciate nonetheless.

If you happen to care more about its specs than its looks, it's also equipped with a Hyperclear Cardioid microphone, 7.1 surround sound, and stream-reactive RGB lighting. However, just as is the case with the best gaming headsets, be wary that having them on at all times can seriously drain the up to 40-hour battery of the wireless cups. If that doesn't quite cut it (this is a pair that's more about style than substance), then I recommend checking out the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, as it's cute but also piles on tri-mode connectivity and an impressive 70 hours of juice.

Regrettably, there's no word on when you can expect to pre-order the newest addition to Razer's Kraken Kitty lineup. However, I recommend bookmarking the Target link and checking back in regularly if you're eager to make it yours. If you're desperate for some other Sanrio accessories in the meantime, the Sanrio Keycap Blind Bags are available at physical and online Target shops for $19.99. The keycaps are randomized, but if you get one, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you manage to get Pompompurin above the rest.

View all Razer wireless gaming headsets at Amazon

If you aren't a Sanrio fan, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets to check out.

While I usually don't like to date reviews too much, I'd be hard-pressed not to mention that we're experiencing a time when just about every aspect of gaming is getting more expensive. Consoles continue to get price hikes, and finding SSDs and storage for a reasonable amount of cash is almost unheard of, so it makes sense that anyone after one of the best gaming headsets may not want to spend a fortune. If that sounds like a familiar scenario, then the Corsair HS35 V3 might be up your street.

The wireless version I've reviewed today is just $79.99 / £69.99, and provides more than enough to warrant its MSRP. You've got wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless support, compatibility with a range of platforms including the PC and PS5, and it's an absolute joy to have on the head. The pair doesn't do quite enough to knock my favorite sub-$100 pick out of my gaming accessory rotation, but it's easily become one of my new go-to budget recommendations to date.

Key specs

Design

This is the third iteration of the HS35 (if you didn't already surmise from the 'V3' tacked on to its name), and Corsair chose to model it more after the second release. I'm pretty glad they did, as I much prefer the pill-shaped earcups over what came before.

For this over-ear, closed pair, the exterior of each cup features the Corsair logo printed on a recessed and textured circular pad. It's a purely aesthetic choice, as the design isn't textured enough to form a good grip, but it looks pretty swell all things considered. But then again, I'm always pretty privy to the look of the brand's headsets - the Corsair Virtuoso Max wireless and its space-age metal look is still up there amongst my favorites in the brand's repertoire.

For this review, I was provided with the White version, but the pair is also available in Carbon black, and there's a cheaper £39.99 / $49.99 wired version available in the same two-color combos. The white version contrasts nicely with the grey soft fabric ear pads and matching floating headband. When it comes to color, that's pretty much all she wrote, as there's no RGB lighting to be found on this new Corsair release.

Features

As far as features go, the HS35 V3 keeps things pretty simple. There are 50mm neodymium audio drivers powering these cups, with a sound that can be personalized with Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio (via the PC Dolby Atmos app). There's no iCue connectivity here, which is ideal for those who aren't big fans of Corsair's proprietary software and want to keep software bloat to a minimum.

Besides the sound, Corsair has included a detachable omnidirectional microphone, up to 30 hours of battery life, and Tri-mode connectivity. The cups come packaged with a USB-C cable for charging and wired connectivity, along with a two-part wireless dongle. The dongle is a USB-A adapter and USB-C port in one, and the USB-C part neatly attaches to the side to form one of the handiest and most compact wireless transmitters I've ever used. And trust me, I've used a lot.

Performance

Before I started testing, I made sure to toggle off any 'Audio Enhancements' via Windows 11's sound settings. By default, these can render the Dolby Atmos app entirely useless. If you just bought the HS35 V3, or have any other headsets that rely on Dolby Atmos, I highly recommend you check that you haven't got any silly Windows settings interfering with your personalization. Ah, the joys of Windows.

The existence of the Dolby Atmos app is why I chose to start with PC testing; that and the fact that it was incredibly handy for GamesRadar+ purposes. Its plug-and-play attitude made it my go-to choice when chatting to the rest of the hardware team about what we were getting up to, and it's likely going to make appearances in many more Google Team meetings to come. For gaming, it doesn't provide a sound mighty enough to knock the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni off my desk, but it was still pretty marvelous.

By default, there's a lot of power going on. The HS35 V3 can get plenty loud, and it was a relief after testing the unfathomably quiet Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay. From the get-go, there's a pretty evenly levelled sound to low, mid, and high frequencies too. The Counter-Strike 2 title screen jingle sounded pretty fantastic for one, though it did feel like it was missing that oomph I always strive for when it comes to headsets or headphones of any calibre. Equipping the 'Warm' Game setting in Dolby Atmos helped rectify that pretty fast, and it even made bullets feel just that much more impactful.

Luckily for me, a lot of those were being fired into the enemy and not at me, as the spatial audio tech helped me flank down folk pretty fast. Additionally, I made sure to load up Marvel Rivals on Steam to see how it meshed with the Corsair cups. Ensuring the 'Warm' setting was on to boost the bass and lower frequencies equally helped even out the soundscape with NetEase Games' hero shooter. When it came to playing the PS5 version of the game, I did noticeably miss its more rounded-off sound, particularly as it helped the backing music and sound effects of my pulsating Invisible Woman attacks mesh together in a more cohesive way.

That's not to say the HS35 V3 sounded bad with its default audio on the Sony console. It was just audibly missing that extra creamy sound, which, when you factor in that Dolby Atmos is only available on PC platforms, leads me to recommend it for PC players above all else. I ended up using the cups for music the most out of everything, as its super lightweight 250g form factor and easy setup made it easy to pop on and off. Any time I wanted to have a little alt-rock disco to myself at my desk while listening to Garbage's self-titled 1995 album, or head-bop to the pop, bassy stylings of Troye Sivan's 'One Of Your Girls', the HS35 V3 got the job done. Of course, having Dolby Atmos's app in my corner helped just as much as it did for gaming.

I made sure to toggle on the 'Warm' setting under the 'Music' subheading to crank up the bass, and that made them a dream for pretty much all of my most liked tracks on Spotify. Regrettably, I didn't have the app at my disposal for listening to music on the go, so I left these at home. But I've been seriously considering swapping out my SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for this headset for my weekend music-filled train journeys regardless.

Of course, if I were, I'd have to make sure to leave the microphone at home. Thankfully, that's an easy feat as it's detachable, which is how I personally like my microphones to be. I also like them to be easily adjustable, and Corsair has that down pat, as the boom arm is made from a bendy metal arm, which actually stays in place. There's nothing more infuriating than a headset microphone that flails around in your peripheral vision.

As you can hear from the sample above, the microphone in question sounds pretty great. It was louder than I had hoped, so you may want to tweak your audio settings before joining in on a game of Big Walk, or, in my case, Marvel Rivals, with your mates. However, just like the Corsair Void Wireless V2 review, I was yet again impressed by the brand's mic quality.

Should you buy the Corsair HS35 V3 wireless gaming headset?

The Corsair HS25 V3 is not the most revolutionary new headset, but it's a less-than-$100 pair that's super comfortable, looks great, sounds pretty fabulous, and just does the job. If you're specifically looking at options below that price mark, it's definitely one I'd recommend picking up, particularly if you're a PC die-hard and aren't too fussed about its minimal EQ options.

Is it my favorite sub-$100 option out there? Technically no, if you can find the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless on sale. The 3 Wireless retails for $109.99, but is prone to discounts that mark its price down to below that sweet $100 spot. Much like the HS35 V3, it's a no-fuss pair that's compatible with the PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and more, but it has the benefit of having SteelSeries' app to back it up.

With no iCue support and the Dolby Atmos app on Windows being your only source of audio customization, console players are not going to be able to take full advantage of the HS35 V3. Meanwhile, you can use the SteelSeries phone app to tailor the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless's sound to your liking and select from hundreds of game audio presets. That's why it remains my top value headset pick, but should you not dig SteelSeries' vibes, Corsair's HS35 V3 is a valid alternative.

Plus, the built-in "headset connected" voice is one of the nicest I've heard on a piece of tech, if you should care about those things.

How I tested the Corsair HS35 V3 wireless gaming headset

To get the full lay of the land of what the Corsair HS35 V3 had to offer, I used the headset for a little over two weeks. Whether I was chatting to co-workers in meetings, catching up with friends on Discord, or playing on my PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2, the headset was with me. On PC, this meant using it get good at Counter-Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, and Dispatch. Meanwhile, on the PS5, I used the pair to see how it compared with the console version of Marvel Rivals, Doom Eternal, and Lego Batman Legacy of The Dark Knight.

When it came to the Switch 2, I tested it alongside the usual testing games of choice, from Mario Kart World to Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as Splatoon Raiders and Final Fantasy 14. When not gaming, I turned up the volume and blasted out bands like Garage, Biffy Clyro, and Boards of Canada on Spotify. I also used the headset to catch up on new additions to Netflix, including the documentary A Toxic Love Story. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the Corsair HS35 V3 against the best cups on the market today.

2026 seems to be the year that more tech brands try their hand at headsets, as Epomaker just launched its first-ever pair. The Epomaker GX1 Headset is a wireless headset for PC, PS5, and the Switch 2 that looks pretty swanky with its black-and-red contrasting colorway. But it's not its Shadow the Hedgehog-like design that has caught my attention, but the fact that it's an open-back pair of cups.

With a price of just $49.99 at Amazon, the GX1 is now one of the cheapest ways to get an open-back sound for gaming. The best gaming headsets that utilize this form factor often come with price ranges starting from $150, but the keyboard brand has managed to cram the audiophile-friendly sound into a budget pair that also sports tri-mode connectivity and has multiple colors available from the get-go. Sign me up!

The last few open-back headsets I've tested, from the Sony Inzone H6 Air to the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720, were not cheap. Though they had their own set of features that contributed to their lofty prices, forking out $199.99 or $279.99 (their respective prices) and anything in between is what I'd normally expect. Cue my surprise and delight to see the GX1's more-than-reasonable $49.99 price, especially when you factor in all else it has to offer.

Besides the promise of a "wide, airy soundscape" that Epomaker boasts can make your "games feel more alive", the headset is also rocking 50mm dynamic audio drivers, wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and a detachable ENC noise-cancelling microphone. It's even got an up to a 70-hour battery on board, which is actually far grander than the 48 hours managed by the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720.

Like with other new headset lines, I fully expected the black and red version I spotted within Epomaker's marketing imagery to be the only pair available. Brands like Glorious launched their first wireless headset with the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay, and it had a black-and-white version, and that was it. Meanwhile, Epomaker has those, but the GX1 is also available in a 'Pink' model to add a bit more variety, particularly for those with a cute and cozy gaming setup like myself. Each model also has some RGB lighting in case you're a fan of that gamer-fied aesthetic, though it does limit the battery to only 30 hours.

Whether the Epomaker GX1's open-back natural sound and feature-full package will measure up to other pairs I've tested remains to be seen. Luckily, I won't have to wait long to find out for myself, as a sample is on its way, and I should have a review up within the next few weeks.

If you want to wait for my thoughts, feel free, but you might miss out on the current coupon discount that's currently sitting on Amazon. Sadly, the white model isn't included, but $42.49 for an open-back headset is a deal not worth missing, even if you're limited to just two color options.

• View all open-back gaming headsets at Amazon

If you'd rather a closed-back pair instead, check out our best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets guides for our top traditional picks.

If you've got a SteelSeries headset and a Windows-powered gaming rig, it's likely you take your pair's compatibility for granted - I know I do. Yet anyone who's made the Linux leap over the years doesn't always have the same smooth sailing, as compatibility with the best gaming headsets isn't as straightforward.

Functionality can differ when using SteelSeries headsets on Linux-powered operating systems, from battery status reporting to wireless issues, but open-source developers like Sriman Achanta are on top of it. As brought to my attention by Phoronix, Achanta has developed a patch set to drop alongside the upcoming Linux 7.3 kernel merge window that provides improved driver support for a long list of 14 SteelSeries-branded headsets, including the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X and SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2.

This isn't the first time Achanta has provided support for SteelSeries headsets. The developer dropped a patch for the then-mainline Linux kernel in December 2025 (the core program that powers different Linux-based operating systems, including SteamOS as found on the Steam Deck) that helped improve the existing HID-Steelseries driver.

At the time, the HID-Steelseries driver only supported battery monitoring for the Arctis Nova 1 and Arctis Nova 9 headsets, but Achanta's patch introduced support for over 25 different SteelSeries pairs. It didn't just help with battery monitoring but, according to Achanta, the patch brought "full feature control including sidetone, auto-sleep, microphone controls, volume limiting, and Bluetooth settings."

Some of SteelSeries headsets can be pretty pricey, with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite costing $599.99 / £599.99. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, which is included as part of this new driver patch, is $199.99 at Amazon, so it's nice to know that owners of the pair can get their full money's worth and better compatibility when the latest patch drops.

If you are thinking of leaping to Linux, I recommend checking out the Hardware for Linux website. It's a collective put together by Linux users to help determine how equipped your tech is to make the change and help you get to the bottom of any errors your hardware might be dealing with.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon

If you're hunting for a new pair, I've rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets worth checking out.

CMF, the budget brand owned by Nothing, has just unveiled the Clip Pro, its first-ever pair of open-back earbuds. Unlike the best gaming earbuds I've tested over the years, the Clip Pro isn't designed specifically for gaming in mind, but its ear-clip design looks so comfortable that I'm eager to test it alongside my Nintendo Switch 2 anyway.

Available for £79 / $99 (CMF) from the CMF online store starting August 15, these earbuds don't fit snugly above your ear canal, but instead are designed to hook onto the side of your ear like a pretty helix ear piercing. While millimetres away from your eardrum, the open-back form factor still allows the sound from its 10.8mm dual-magnet audio drivers to travel where it needs to.

The buds are equipped with a 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz frequency range, static Spatial audio tech, and are Hi-Res audio certified. CMF also states that their LDAC (an audio codec developed by Sony that allows you to stream high-quality audio) inclusion " transmits up to three times more audio data than standard Bluetooth" which has me more intrigued than ever to see what they'd do for my recent Switch 2 game obsessions. I take Pokemon Pokopia with me wherever I go, and having the best audio in my corner would definitely be a positive as I'm about to get more heavily invested now that its first batch of DLC has arrived.

The Clip Pros are equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 support so hooking up to the Switch 2 should be a breeze. More excitingly, they also have a low-latency gaming audio mode in tow, which I didn't expect for buds aimed primarily towards music listeners, including ones that are expected to retail for just $99. That should theoretically mean connecting to the PS5 should also be on the table.

Besides its funky clip-on form factor and connectivity options, I'm most intrigued by its sound quality. I recently tested the Asus ROG Cetra Open wireless gaming earbuds but was a bit disappointed by their middling bass quality. I described the gaming earphones as having a "permanent airy underlining," but the CMF Clip Pro boasts a stronger sound and deeper bass thanks to its Ultra Bass Technology. This gives me high hopes that they should be able to bring the power that felt missing from Asus's buds, but only time (and plenty of testing) will tell.

The CMF Clip Pro earbuds are expected to launch on August 15 in a variety of colorways, including Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Coral. Each pair comes with a matching charging case that can provide an extra 22.5 hours of battery life on top of the pair's 10 hours' worth of playback. All in all, there's plenty packed within these less than $100 buds, which I'm happy to see when alternatives like Asus's open-back equivalent are more than double the price.

I'm hoping I can take them for a test drive so I can see how they sound and stack up to the Cetra open-back alternatives, and whether they become my new favorite Switch 2 accessory for gaming on the go.

• View all open-back earbuds at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best gaming headsets, which include the best PS5 headsets and the best PC headsets for gaming if you aren't much of an earbuds fan.

The Corsair HS35 V3 Wireless gaming headset is currently on my testing bench, and its 250g weight is the saving grace of my summer. For whatever reason, the hot weather likes to be a major migraine trigger, and I've been struggling the last couple of months as here in Scotland we've already seen temperatures up to 29 degrees (that's 84.2 Fahrenheit for those of you outside the UK).

That might not seem that hot to some, but here, where we're used to gray skies, rain, and have buildings designed to store heat, it's not a pleasant experience, and it can be made all the worse when one of the best gaming headsets is putting extra pressure on your head. Yet, testing the HS35 V3 right now seems like fate as it doesn't just sound great, but it's so lightweight that my head has never felt better.

The HS35 V3 feels so light; had it not been for the fact that there's no ANC on board, I'd easily forget it was on my head altogether. It helps too that the suspended headband doesn't dig into my skull, which is unfortunately a pretty common experience with plenty of other pairs.

Nothing is worse then experience the sweltering heat of a hot day while testing a new headset (like that of the recent Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II) only to have it putting needless pressure on the top of my skull. Hot weather likes to plague me with migraines regardless, making my head extremely sensitive to any changes in the temperature, so adding an uncomfortable bit of tech into the mix is a good recipe to truly ruin my day. Fortunately, the HS35 V3 has done quite the opposite, and I feel far more chipper that I don't have to deal with any comfort issues.

The suspended headband, which is made up of a stretchy piece of fabric that's pulled tight to sit on top of my head, is also aided by the ultra-plush ear cushions. With these two features working in tandem, I've had an extremely pleasant week testing the headset so far that I'm considering taking it in place of my everyday headphones - something I don't typically do. Gaming headsets have a specific 'gamer' look to them that I don't like sporting in public, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice of looking a bit silly if it means I get to be comfortable.

This isn't technically the lightest headset I've ever tested. That award would go to the Logitech G325 Lightspeed, which was only 212g compared to the Corsair HS35 V3's 250g. However, I not only prefer how the HS35 V3 feels on the head, but how it looks in comparison to Logitech's lightweight pair.

Logitech chose not to include a physical microphone with its G325 Lightspeed headset, which I get, as that choice likely contributed to its light form factor. However, beamforming microphones personally give me a bit of an ick, as I prefer a physical boom arm that I can adjust as needs be. If I'm getting comments from my friends that I'm too loud while playing Marvel Rivals, it's far easier to just move the mic away from my mouth than it is to pull up any mic settings on my PS5, so a physical mic is always the better choice in my eyes.

I'm still in the early stages of testing for now, and I still have plenty of time to see how the HS35 V3 Wireless truly compares to the rest of the headsets I've looked at in 2026. Yet judging from its comfortable fit, physical microphone, and the fact that it has 50mm neodymium audio drivers and Dolby Atmos in its corner, it's looking pretty promising.

• View all Corsair gaming headsets at Amazon

If you can handle a little extra weight, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for your setup.

Audeze recently announced the launch of the brand-new Maxwell 2 ANC headset. The pair finally brings active and adaptive noise cancellation and "enhanced smart-audio capabilities" to the fan-favorite audiophile cups so you can play your favorite games and entirely shut out the world around you - just the way plenty of us nerds like it.

This upgraded Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is available now for $429 (Audeze) / £429 (HiFiheadphones) for PC and PS5, and there's an Xbox model arriving shortly if you don't mind parting with an additional $20 / £20. Both models are a bit pricier than previous Maxwell pairs, but Audeze states that this new bundled ANC is the "most advanced quieting system ever"

If you're sitting there thinking "wait, didn't the Audeze Maxwell 2 already release?" then you'd be entirely correct.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 headset launched earlier this year and ended up in our best gaming headset guide after our team's Tabitha Baker took it for a test run and was a fan of its "balanced, clear, high quality audio" and its comfort upgrades over the original. It's the long-awaited follow-up to the Audeze Maxwell, and includes a newly fangled headband that helped offset the previous pair's comfort issues.

It launched without any noise cancelling, which is where the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC comes in. This is the same headset as before but with ANC in tow, powered by a system that combines feedforward (outside microphones) and feedback noise (interior microphones) to combat unwanted sounds.

According to Audeze, this quieting audio system reduces that outside noise while still "preserving positional audio accuracy", which basically means that it doesn't negatively impact the sound conjured up by the headset's 90mm Planar Magnetic audio drivers. The new Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC also includes AI-controlled ANC parameters, alongside some voice-activated commands, and simultaneous wired and Bluetooth audio.

Unfortunately, there's still no sign of any simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio, which was sorely missing from the previous Maxwell 2 despite it being a common feature of most premium and high-end headsets. Remind me to break that news to our team's Tabtha Baker later, and she was "shocked to find out the Maxwell 2s won't play ball" with such a common high-end feature during her original Audeze Maxwell 2 review.

However, at least this pair keeps its compatibility with the interchangeable ReSkin earcup covers intact, alongside the older Maxwell 2's long list of features, which is ideally what you'd hope for from a headset that has a $400+ MSRP and is $100 more than its predecessor.

• View all wireless gaming headsets at Amazon

Looking for a new headset? I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets worth checking out.

Before today, Glorious was known for its gaming keyboards and had only tested the best gaming headset waters with its wired GHS Eternal and GHS Eternal RGB headsets. For its second release, the brand has gone with a more high-end approach with the new Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay, which includes its InfinitePlay battery tech - a pair of two swappable batteries that can be charged on the pair's 'Base Station' accessory.

The $229.99 / £229.99 headset feels inspired by the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless with its battery tech, and yet it's far cheaper than its muse. Not to mention, it's one of the rare pairs that bundles dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio into the mix, which is typically reserved for headsets closer to the $300 price mark. Yet, while it provides a wealth of high-end features in a cheaper package, the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay doesn't quite hit the mark as the best alternative to its swappable-battery friends.

Key specs

Design

For the brand's first wireless headset, I was expecting something that looked and felt more premium. That's not to say that I find the GHS InfinitePlay entirely repugnant, as I'm pretty privy to the curvature of its oval-shaped earcups and the sprinkling of orange popping out from the headband and the interior of the earcup cushions, but this headset feels pretty cheap once you have it in your hands.

The all-black plastic chassis doesn't feel sturdy and instead gives 'my first headset' vibes. At 360g, it's not too lightweight or anything, but there's an essence of cheapness that oozes from the pair. I should mention that during the almost a month I've had it in my possession, no part of it has broken or so much as chipped off, and I'm pretty clumsy. It's held up really well, and yet holding the pair by the plastic headband doesn't instill a lot of confidence that that will remain the case in the years to come.

One of my biggest icks for the headset is down to that right earcup. You have to put up with seeing the butt of the orange and gray battery pack sticking from it at all times. While other headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the Stealth Pro II have their batteries entirely hidden from view, Glorious chose to have it on display 24/7, and I'm not personally a fan.

I think it doesn't help that the battery packs have an odd look to them. They're long, gray, and remind me of the battery of my old 3310 Nokia phone. On the positive side of things, its bottom half being permanently out in the open means you can swap it out without having to take the headset off, something that's a pretty difficult feat on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni despite it being one of the best pairs I've tested to date.

Features

While I have grievances with the look of the headset and its swappable batteries, I'm a fan of its up to 85-hour playback. The entirety of the headset's name is built around its impressive lifespan and the compact InfinitePlay Base Station included with the pair.

Basically, this small square-shaped device is both a wireless 2.4GHz receiver and a charging station. While you have one battery within the headset itself, you can keep the other juiced up in the device. Glorious also included some little details in the Base Station that made me really appreciative on the accessibility side of things.

The 2.4GHz wireless dongle includes a small orange loop at the end, to make pulling it from the Base Station an easy feat. There's also a small rubber orange stopper on the underside which can be removed for what I assume to be cable management. As you've likely guessed, the butt of the additional battery also hangs out the bottom of the Base Station so you can easily push and pull it away when you need it.

While other charging docks are large and obtrusive to your desk space, this thing is really small and an ideal addition for those with little to no desk real estate. It can connect to your PC, PS5, or Switch 2 via an included USB-C cable, and a USB-A to USB-C adapter has been included in the box. Talking of connectivity options, you've also got wired and dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless at your fingertips with this pair.

You can toggle between them by pressing the source and Bluetooth selection button found on the right ear cup. It also plays host to a rotary knob that controls the volume and media controls, meanwhile, the rotary knob on the left cup powers the headset on and off and allows you to switch between profiles. There's also a mic mute button, which sits underneath it on the left side.

Performance

Testing the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset was a weird experience, in that it was so quiet that I had difficulty entirely making out what its angled 40 mm custom-tuned drivers were truly capable of.

At first, I thought it was a PS5 problem. Some headsets can be quiet on the console, as the 3D Audio settings can dampen the volume, but no matter how much tinkering I did, things remained on the quiet side. At least I can confirm this wasn't just a me problem, as during testing Glorious sent out an email noting they were aware of the issue and that it was "due to EU regulations," so hopefully a firmware update is on its way to help.

In the meantime, that still left me with a quiet pair and not much I could do about it. Though I could at least make out that the headset offers up a pretty evenly-leveled sound for its low, mid, and high range frequencies. I first tested the pair while playing Jaws Retro Rewind, an updated re-release of the 8-bit game based on the classic (and my personal favorite) '70s blockbuster. There's only around 3-4 tracks in the entire game, but the soundwaves for each track sounded nice and clear. With the pair set as high as it was capable of, there was no compression or warbling to the sound, even within the deepest bassy chiptune tones, and this carried over to titles like Doom Eternal and Marvel Rivals.

The only distortion that was audible in Mick Gordon's fantastic metal Doom Eternal score was found exactly where you'd want it to be, in the score itself. The riveting soundtrack that continues to unlock the inner metal fan within me at every listen sounded fantastic as I was crawling up broken elevator walls and blasting fire into zombie soldiers' faces, though I did yearn for it to be louder throughout the entirety of testing. It was a similar case with Marvel Rivals too, where while things were still too much on the quiet side for my liking, I still enjoyed what I could hear - and there were no audio disturbances or issues. Y'know, besides having to focus extra hard to make out the nearing Ultimate calls by enemy team members.

On PC, I naturally had a better time with things, as this headset seems more equipped for desktop. It was sadly still quiet, and even my quick tips and tricks for boosting the volume on Windows didn't do the trick. But it was at least a little louder than on PS5, which is what I was hoping for.

On its default out-of-the-box settings, I rolled up our usual testing games of choice, starting first with Counter-Strike 2. Just like on PS5, everything sounded evenly leveled, even including the typically very loud bullet sound effects. The sounds normally make me jump out of my seat as they always seem to be given more emphasis than any other sounds in the game, but the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay naturally mixed them nicely together.

Running Glorious Core, the brand's proprietary software, opened up more options to bring the audio to life. It didn't make things louder, as the 'volume booster' toggle was unfortunately disabled and strangely marked as "coming soon". Yet it did allow me to select from a list of pre-made audio presets, including one specifically designed for my favorite team-based hero shooter, Marvel Rivals.

During matches, I didn't notice a huge difference whether it was on or off, unfortunately. Not enough that I'd want to ensure it's selected every time I boot up the game. Though it did help moderately boost the sound of footsteps of characters that often like to flank me down (looking at you Spider-Man players), which was helpful. However, it would likely be even more helpful had the volume been better - the real crutch of why I'm not hugely on board with this headset. Season 9's infectious bassy beat on start-up at least sounded far nicer on PC through the cups.

During the entirety of my testing time, there was no moment when either battery pack started to drain, even when I got too caught up in the latest Marvel Rivals update. However, I wish it did naturally, as the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay has a neat feature in that the headset holds up to 3 hours of battery should you need it. I put this in practice with Marvel Rivals and removed the battery pack (which you can do without removing the headset), and just as advertised, the headset still remained on as normal. I can't really foresee this being needed, given that up to 85 hours per battery pack should be plenty for most players, but it's a neat inclusion nonetheless.

I was also impressed by the pair's microphone quality, despite despising the design of it. Its boom arm is a rigid piece of unadjustable plastic. That meant that whenever I was playing Marvel Rivals or Counter-Strike 2, the mic was also hanging in my peripheral vision, and I could do nothing about it. At least it sounded pretty great, which is the most important part.

As you can hear from the voice sample above, it adds a natural warmth to your voice that I didn't quite expect. This was on its complete default settings too, and with Glorious Core you can up the volume, add side-tone, and toggle unwanted noise pickup via its 'environment noise cancellation' on and off.

Should you buy the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset?

The Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay is focused on its swappable battery tech experience at a cheaper price point than its pricier rivals, and there's no arguing against the fact that it achieves just that.

Like our current best headset pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, you're getting two swappable batteries that provide up to 85 hours of playback. Not only that, but you only have to spend $229.99 / £229.99 for the privilege of no longer having to fuss around finding charging cables, instead of the $399.99 / £349.99 of the SteelSeries alternative. If that was all anyone was concerned about, I'd be fine recommending this headset instead. However, an impressive battery is only a plus if it comes in a pair that's actually worth having on your head for multiple hours at a time, and I don't feel that with Glorious's first wireless pair.

It's a comfortable headset, but its quiet sound, cheap-feeling form factor, and unattractive design make me feel far more comfortable recommending alternatives like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II or even the older SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Especially as the latter, as of writing, is far more regularly on sale and even dropped as low as $249.99 during July 2026, only a $20 difference, and yet it still provides one of the best (and perfectly loud) sounds on a headset to this day, and an accompanying Base Station that allows you to connect to multiple devices at once.

Should the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay ever get around its quiet volume woes and get some discounts in the future, it could be a handy alternative to those who can't quite afford SteelSeries' prized pairs. If and when that happens, I'll be sure to give it another look.

How I tested the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset

I had the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset in my possession for a little under a month, where it became my headset of choice while playing not just my PS5 and gaming PC, but my Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck too. During that time, I threw a ton of titles its way, from Jaws Retro Rewind, Doom Eternal, and Marvel Rivals on the Sony console, to Counter-Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, Peak, and Dispatch on the PC.

Additionally, I used the pair while gaming on the go to check its comfort levels while adding to my eye-watering playtime for Pokemon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2, alongside Rhythm Paradise Groove and Donkey Kong Bananza. When not gaming, I also used the pair while watching TV shows The Pitt and Rooster on Now TV, while using it intermittently while listening to bands like Boards of Canada, Placebo and the Deltatune OST on Spotify. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset against the best cups on the market today.

Razer is known for its cat-ear headsets, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the set I'd recommend the most for those after the purrr-fect pair.

While the majority of the Kraken Kitty line is full of limiting wired or Bluetooth-only headsets, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the first to bring 2.4GHz into the mix. Its extra wireless options don't make it an entirely no-brainer recommendation as its $179.99 MSRP is a bit much for its boasted features. However, today's discounted $104.99 rate at Amazon feels far more reasonable, especially as it's never been this cheap before.

There's always a bit of an assumption that headsets that cater to players with a love of everything cute and cozy must be pretty rubbish, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is proof that's not the case. While it's definitely priced a bit higher than I'd like on a normal discount-free day, this is still a fantastic wireless option.

Finding a pair with a trio of connectivity options around the $100 mark isn't a difficult feat, but it's important when you consider that so many of Razer's other pairs aimed at 'cute and cozy' players are usually wired or Bluetooth only. Even the most recently announced Cinnamoroll Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT pair drops 2.4GHz.

Those after a cute pair with customizable Chroma-powered RGB ears deserve to take advantage of a low-latency wireless connection as much as anyone.

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The headset also features the brand's 40 mm Razer TriForce Titanium audio drivers, the very ones found in the Razer Barracuda X Chroma -one of my favorite Razer releases.

Amazon states that today's Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headset is a "limited time" deal, and as of typing, 53% of people have already claimed one for their own setups. That's not too surprising given this is the lowest I've ever seen for this headset, which I'm more used to seeing marked down to $129.99, as it was during March earlier this year. But with that in mind, you need to be quick if you want to pick this up for a price that seems more than reasonable for its specs on offer.

• View all Razer Kraken Kitty gaming headsets at Amazon

If you're not a cat person, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for your setup.

Razer announced its brand new Cinnamoroll Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT wireless headset on July 9, and it's one of the most adorable pairs of cups the brand has unveiled so far.

The Kraken Kitty V2 BT, which is set to launch on July 20, 2026, has swapped its usual pointy, RGB Chroma-powered cat-ears for Cinnamoroll's adorable puppy dog ones instead. While other Razer collabs result in headsets that are simply covered in officially licensed art, this partnership with Sanrio has resulted in a pair that looks so recognisable for the iconic Sanrio mascot that you could use it for cosplay. As someone who hasn't officially made an outfit in several years, I am seriously considering doing just that with this upcoming $139.99 (Razer) pair.

I cover plenty of the cutest and best gaming headsets released by brands like Razer, but so often these collabs result in designs that are a little more understated. Take the recently announced upcoming Razer Espeon & Umbreon Collection for an example. It includes an Espeon and Umbreon Edition Razer Kraken V4 X headset, but it's essentially just a purple version of the existing pair, with some images of the two Pokemon on the headband.

As officially licensed tech typically comes at a higher price (this Cinnamoroll Edition is $40 more than the typical Kraken Kitty V2 BT at $99.99 at Amazon), I much prefer when the designs are more in your face about their inspirations. Fortunately, that's exactly what's happened for this new Cinnamoroll Edition model. Cinnamoroll is known for his down-turned floppy ears, and they're right there on the headband, as is the iconic white and pastel blue color palette that I associate with the Sanrio puppy.

If you were to create a gijinka cosplay (which means to create a human design inspired by an animal/creature), this pair would be perfect. I can already imagine the little ears peeking through a matching white wig. The only problem that would arise would be disguising the Chroma-powered RGB Razer logos on each cup, but the rest of the Cinnamoroll iconography is fortunately reserved for the interior of the headset, which is ideal for cosplay. The real Cinnamoroll doesn't wear images of himself, so why would you in cosplay form?

Of course, I'm not going to recommend that you grab this upcoming $139.99 pair if you purely if you want to dress up as your favorite Sanrio character. It should really be on your radar if you want to look cute and if you're after a new gaming headset. It's rocking the brand's TriForce 40 mm audio drivers, which are found throughout the best Razer headsets available today and still sound fantastic.

Begrudgingly, this is a Bluetooth model, and so there's no 2.4GHz wireless to take advantage of. With that in mind, I'd mainly recommend it to PC players, rather than anyone rocking a PS5. While that might be disappointing to some, this headset is part of a wider PC Cinnamoroll Edition lineup, which also includes a Razer Iskur V2 X NewGen gaming chair available for $449.99 at Amazon, so there's plenty of opportunity to give your desktop a freshly baked Cinnamoroll look.

• View all Razer wireless gaming headsets at Amazon

If you aren't a Sanrio fan, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets to check out.

So long as the current gaming climate hasn't made you throw out your consoles in a fit of rage, you can soon grab a pair of Razer's Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed earphones for both your Xbox Series X/S and the PS5.

Razer unveiled on July 9, 2026, that both an Xbox and a PS5 model of the best gaming earbud contenders were incoming, sporting bespoke Xbox and Sony branding. Of course, these new earphones aren't just about showcasing the brand's synonymous logos and black and white color palettes, as they now allow full Bluetooth support to work natively on both consoles, which was not previously possible.

Xbox and PS5 consoles don't natively support Bluetooth audio, which is why you often see the best gaming headsets released in Xbox models too. However, with these upcoming buds, that won't be an issue, though you'll have to wait a bit to find out pricing and availability if you want these buds for yourself.

Razer has remained hush-hush on the pricing and availability for these upcoming earphones for now. However, both incoming Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed earbuds for Xbox and PS5 appear identical to the existing model, besides the fact that each one will allow Bluetooth audio to work without a hitch.

They'll not only provide you with Bluetooth 5.3 support, but you'll also be able to take advantage of the brand's speedy ultra-low-latency 2.4 GHz audio, which you can enable by plugging the charging case into the console of your choice. That's right, the included HyperSpeed Case doesn't just look the part with its RGB lighting, but it doubles up as a wireless transmitter, so you don't have to keep track of any tiny additional dongles.

Talking of the buds HyperSpeed Case, it can provide an additional 25 hours of charge for the buds, adding to the 10 hours of existing playback. Up to 35 hours isn't to scoff at, especially if these upcoming buds are priced at a similar $100 price point to the non-Xbox and PS5 model.

Additionally, the earbuds feature an IPX4-rated water-resistant design, so they'll double up as a great way to listen to music on the go, something I do with my SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds regularly. However, gamers will be able to specifically take advantage of the pair's spatial audio capabilities, which include support with Windows Sonic for Xbox platforms, 3D Audio on PlayStation, and THX Spatial Audio on PC, so even those who play their favorite Xbox titles on their gaming PCs haven't been excluded.

Razer did not include any pricing or availability details in its Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed for Xbox and PlayStation announcement, so you'll have to be patient if you want these for yourself. However, PS5 players can simply grab the existing pair if you don't mind giving Bluetooth a miss. In fact, that could even be the cheaper option if these proprietary Xbox and PS5 versions drive up the MSRP - which is worth looking out for.

• View all Razer gaming earbuds at Amazon

If you prefer traditional cups to earbuds, I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PC headsets for gaming available today.

FiiO is a name I typically associate with MP3 and cassette players that my retro-tech-loving heart can't get enough of, but the brand is known far and wide amongst audiophiles and tech nerds for its headphone amplifiers, DACs, and more. Now the brand is taking its audio know-how to the world of headsets, with the launch of the FiiO FG3.

Unlike the best gaming headset brands that have plenty of cups in their arsenal, the FG3 is a first for FiiO, and the brand chose to power it using a coaxial driver arrangement consisting of 50mm and 16mm dynamic drivers. Basically, this means that the drivers radiate sound from the same point, which helps ensure a consistent sound and a wider soundstage for your favorite games. What's more, this fancy driver arrangement is packaged in a $69.99 / £69.99 wired headset form factor, so it's not going to cost you a fortune either.

I'm so used to having to talk about the exorbitant costs of new tech these days that the sight of the FG3's $69.99 / £69.99 MSRP instantly grabbed me. Budget-friendly headsets aren't unique by any means, but I typically find that unique and larger driver arrangements on cups are usually reserved for the more premium pairs, not one that costs far below the $100 price mark.

Of course, the pair has a lot more going for it besides its coaxial drivers. The FG3 also features a 10 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response and is powered by a dual-core DSP chip, which the brand states can support 192kHz/24bit sampling rates, and is, according to the official FiiO website, designed to handle "more complex and intricate audio tasks" which in turn should help lower any latency issues and support a faster response for gaming sound effects. Basically, it sounds like the brand is bringing audiophile know-how to players, and I'm definitely intrigued.

If you're wondering if it'll work with your setup, the FG3 is a wired headset that supports a plug-and-play design alongside PCs running Windows 7/8/10 and 11, smartphones, laptops, the PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Nintendo Switch 2. Yeah, sadly FiiO's first foray into the world of headsets isn't with a wireless pair, but who knows what could be on the cards in the future.

Regardless, I'm pretty eager to put these cups to the test myself, especially as they don't come with their own proprietary software. Instead of adding more software bloat to your PC, FiiO has utilized a web-based FiiO Control WEB platform for personalisation instead. It can allow you to save up to 10 custom band EQ settings directly on the headset, and switch through them as you see fit.

As a heads up, while FiiO states the headset is available now, I've been struggling to find it in stock at both US and UK retailers. The "buy now" button on the official FiiO store leads to a dead end, and I can only find the pair listed for £75.39 at AliExpress, but I'll be sure to update this news with the latest and best shopping links as soon as they become available.

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if you want to check out more budget-friendly pairs for your setup.

Turtle Beach has a weird reputation amongst my peers.

Whenever the brand is brought up in conversation, it's often followed up with stories reminiscing about how "Turtle Beach headsets are cheap", but I don't think those people have touched a Turtle Beach headset since they were teenagers. For the sake of not troubling the waters of friendship, I usually just smile and nod whenever I hear those remarks, rather than spew the usual neurodivergent-fueled rhetoric that I've tested plenty of Turtle Beach-branded cups and had a pretty great time with them.

Now I have the Stealth Pro II to bring up as a straightforward example that the brand's quality is almost on par with some of the best gaming headsets on the market today.

Key specs

Design

The Stealth Pro II is one of those headsets that doesn't stand out too much against a sea of similarly looking black pairs, but it doesn't look horrendous either. On close inspection, there are some sleek design choices, like the recessed curves and metal earcups, that give it a more "premium" aesthetic. Ideally, for a pair that's $349.99 / £299.99, those premium vibes are exactly what you want.

The Pro II has the same headband as the brand's Atlas 200, which includes two plastic pieces connected via a swatch of stretched mesh fabric. The fabric underhangs below the headband, and it's this that sits across your noggin' while you're playing your favorite games. The pair's yokes are pretty unique and connect to the earcups via a simple S-shape design, which can then be adjusted by just pulling down and away from the headband.

Talking of the earcups, this pair went the oval route for its earcushions instead of opting for circular ones that you can spot on the older Stealth Pro. These oval-shaped earcushions are made from plush memory foam, which is coated in a breathable black fabric, and are attached to rounded cups, which are cluttered with on-board controls.

The best design element of this pair comes down to that Charging Dock. Rather than including a large Game Hub like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, Turtle Beach included a small cylindrical pad that looks like someone sliced the bottom off a Pringles tube.

It doesn't include all the bells and whistles that come with SteelSeries' charging gadget (more on that in a bit), but it requires far less desk real estate - a plus if you're like me and have plenty of figures and merch that have a home amongst your PC setup.

Features

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset is decked out with Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, a 9mm flip-to-mute microphone, ANC, and 60mm Eclipse Dual audio drivers, but the real meat of the pair for me comes down to that Charging Dock. It doesn't just charge spare batteries, but it doubles up as a wireless receiver. While the headset includes a 2.4 wireless dongle within its accompanying hard case, you can simply plug the Charging Dock into your PC to have a low-latency wireless experience.

The accessory also includes a button that pops batteries out for easy access. This was a major draw for me, as I have joint issues in my hands as a result of a chronic illness. Having fiddly controls in tech can be a literally painful experience, but this simple button makes swapping the batteries a breeze. Each battery has an up to 80-hour battery life, so I never needed to do that too often, if I'm honest. Alas, the accessibility remains a huge bonus.

The battery can be swapped for the one sitting by default in the left earcup. If that battery tech sounds awfully familiar to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, that's not just where the similarities end. While SteelSeries provides the ability to hook up to multiple platforms at once via its GameHub device, the Stealth Pro II is equipped with Crossplay 2.0 and can achieve console switching whether or not the consoles in question are in the same room.

It doesn't have an integrated screen that allows you to adjust volume and EQ settings, so it's not as bursting at the seams with integration as the Game Hub. However, with Crossplay 2.0, one device (like your gaming PC) can be hooked up to the Charging Dock receiver, and your PS5 in another room can be attached to the 2.4GHz wireless dongle. From then on, all you need to do is press the Crossplay button on the headset to switch between platforms. Turtle Beach actually boasts that you can wirelessly connect to "up to 4 Audio Sources" at a time, but there's a little bit of a catch.

If you want to be able to switch between up to 4 gaming platforms at a time, you'll need to purchase additional wireless dongles, which cost $34.99 ( Turtle Beach) / £29.99 (Turtle Beach) each. As of writing this review, the Xbox model USB Wireless Transmitter (which would be the one I'd need as I was given the Xbox model to review) is currently out of stock, so you'll have to take availability into account too.

Performance

Testing the Stealth Pro II was a more streamlined experience with the brand's Crossplay 2.0 tech, at least, as I was able to leave the Charging Dock transmitter on my PC desk while having the 2.4GHz dongle plugged into my chonky ol' PS5. So often when I'm testing headsets that are built around multi-platform support, I have to pick up and move around gadgets from room to room, but Turtle Beach made facilitating my detached PC and console setup more straightforward.

To begin with, I donned the pair when playing my PS5 as I was still taking my time with Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight. The brick-built version of Gotham is surprisingly atmospheric, and on its default settings, I was able to hear the stud-laden streets come to life. Dialogue had a slight echo, which was not to my preference, but I was still able to hear Robin's incredible (and not at all cringeworthy) quips crystal clear.

There's not a whole lot of music in the game, which is why I'm glad that Deltarune Chapter 5 happened to drop during my time with the headset. I'm a huge fan of Deltarune, especially when it comes to the game's music. Toby Fox's works are hugely inspirational to me, so I put a lot of onus onto the headset that I use to hear the latest tracks for the first time, and the Stealth Pro II didn't disappoint. Mastering the new platforming mechanics as Fox's 'Sunset of the Seven Suns' played in the background was a memorable experience. The moment the full percussion kicked in, it felt almost euphoric as the Stealth Pro II had the power to level out the game's soundstage and help bring Chapter 5's new Dark World to life.

It sounded even better once I had the Turtle Beach Swarm II app at my disposal. The headset supports dual audio, so I was able to have it connected to both the PS5 and my phone at the same time. On the app, I selected the 'Bass and Treble Boost' audio preset to give it more of a kick, and it added even more vibrancy to the underlying bass of the track. I kept this preset toggled on when switching to PC, and it helped boost the score to everything I threw its way, from Marvel Rivals, Mina the Hollower, and even the dramatic sounds of Peak. The app's audio settings are one of the reasons I know I'm going to resort back to this headset time and time again, as you can actually update the firmware wirelessly through it - no wires required.

So often there have been moments where I've had to update the firmware on a headset or a piece of tech, and it's required me to have multiple cables attached to my PC, despite how limited my desktop is when it comes to ports. Turtle Beach must've known of my frustrations, as so long as it was hooked up to my phone, the app did the job on its own.

In fact, the app was even better in my experience than the official Swarm II software. When trying to do a firmware update on the PC, it kept refusing to show any progress on updating the Charging Dock transmitter. I tried multiple times and reset my PC, only to resort to updating both through my phone, where it did it the first time. This is one of the rare occasions where I don't mind having a headset app taking up the valuable storage space on my Samsung S26.

On this very app, you can also adjust your microphone settings, selecting between audio presets and toggling the AI Noise Reduction setting on and off. This was pretty useful when it came to testing the mic out while playing games like Peak and Meccha Chameleon with my partner. I didn't have to switch between windows when my phone had all the same settings, which resulted in a less intrusive experience.

I've provided a little sample of the microphone above, so you can hear for yourself. There are some plosives, but I did not have the 'Noise Gate' setting turned on when recording this sample. Through my own experience of many hours playing Peak, Marvel Rivals and just chatting to my partner through Discord, this was far less noticable with the setting on. Additionally, you can actually turn down the sensitivity of the microphone through the Swarm II app, which can also lessen the harshness of certain sounds.

Yet overall, this microphone is pretty impressive. My only issue is, is that it adds an extra bit of weight to the wireless headset. The pair is 393g with the microphone attached, and 382g without, and even that small difference is noticeable as I found the Stealth Pro II got a little sore pretty fast. I believe it's not just the weight that's at fault but a combination of it and the design of the headband, as the fabric mesh didn't do enough to suspend the plastic band above my head.

Should you buy the Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset?

As much as I herald the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni as the best headset on the market right now, its reliance on assuming you have a combined gaming setup doesn't mesh well with my personal gaming layout. I have my gaming PC in my home office, and my PS5 and Switch 2 in another room entirely, and so I can never truly take advantage of one of the pair's biggest draws.

The Stealth Pro II changes things with its Crossplay 2.0 system. I left the Charging Dock on my desk and had the 2.4GHz wireless dongle attached to my PS5, and it only took the literal press of a button to switch to my platform of choice on any given day. Ideally, I would have preferred that Turtle Beach provided an additional dongle for its $349.99 / £299.99 price tag so I could have incorporated my Nintendo Switch 2 into the Crossplay ecosystem, which is why I'd recommend waiting for a discount before grabbing the Stealth Pro II for yourself.

I'd definitely recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II for those with a split-room gaming setup looking for an alternative to SteelSeries' flagship headset, but I'd recommend ensuring you've got space on your phone for the app to bring out the pair's best sound possible. By default, it sounds fine, but it wasn't until I was able to give the bass and treble a little boost that it felt truly on par with the sound conjured up by other premium pairs on the market.

How I tested the Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset

I've been testing the Stealth Pro II for a little under a month, switching it between my PC and main-room split PS5 and Nintendo Switch setup. During the testing process, I played through titles like Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Marvel Rivals, Doom Eternal, and Deltarune on the PS5. On the Nintendo Switch 2, the brand-new Star Fox remake was my game of choice, but I also made sure to see how the Pro II handled Mario Kart World, Pokemon Pokopia, and Donkey Kong Bananza compared to other high-end headsets I've tested so far.

Meanwhile, on PC I was playing Counter-Strike 2, Mina the Hollower, Marvel Rivals, Peak, and Meccha Chameleon, the latter of which was played with friends over Discord to put the microphone through its paces. When not gaming, I was also listening to a huge variety of music, from Ariana Grande's new single, Ninajirachi, Placebo, and the Deltarune Chapter 5 soundtrack, as playing through the chapter was not enough to satiate my Deltarune fandom. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II against the best cups on the market today.

I've cultivated a huge vinyl collection over the years, and a pair of simple Edifier speakers is partly to thank for it. Day in and day out, my compact bookcase speakers manage to produce a sound that's unparalleled by any soundbar or audio tech I have at my disposal, so I'm more than eager to see what the new Edifier GX Max Wireless Gaming headset is capable of.

The $149.99 (Amazon) G5 Max, launched on July 1, 2026, is fitted with 53mm titanium-coated drivers, according to the PR Newswire press release. While bigger isn't always better, titanium-coated drivers can offer more clarity than your standard mylar drivers, especially when it comes to the treble audio range. That, combined with the pair's Hi-res certified audio and ridiculous 305-hour battery life, has my PC and PS5 clamouring to hook up with this new pair.

No, you didn't read that wrong. These new Edifier cups have 305 hours of playback, which is even more than the 300 hours managed by the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, which I suspect is down to their 2000mAh high-capacity battery. The pair does include RGB lighting, so as is always the case with the best gaming headsets, that will impede that limit ever so slightly. So do take that into account if you must have the Edifier logos on the earcups glowing with the rest of your gamerfied setup.

The official Amazon product page states you'll get those 305 hours over Bluetooth, and 227 hours in 2.4G mode if you have the RGBs turned off. That's still pretty impressive, especially when you consider that other similarly priced headsets, like the $149.99 (Amazon) Razer BlackShark V3, can only muster up to 70 hours.

Talking of connectivity, the pair is compatible with gaming PCs, consoles like the PS5, and smartphones via Bluetooth 6.0 or wirelessly thanks to that 2.4G wireless dongle and Edifier's branded Flash Speed wireless technology. Wired connectivity is also on the table via USB-C if you want to take advantage of it, and the brand states that the pair also includes "dual-device pairing" so you can switch between gaming and phone calls on the fly.

For PC players, you'll also have THX Spatial Audio+ at your fingertips while playing Windows 11-supported games. The spatial audio tech is designed to "deliver a more immersive and competitive gaming experience through your G5 Max headset". The tech also offers some personalisation for the more audiophile-leaning players, and users can create sound profiles and play around with EQ settings to get a more tailored sound.

Honestly, as a brand I typically associate with listening to my favorite albums, I would expect there to be some level of personalisation, so that feels on brand for Edifier. If you want this pair for yourself, it's available now from the Edifier online store and at retailers like Amazon in both a 'Space Grey' and 'White' design. Hopefully I can get my hands on a pair to review, as I'm eager to put that sound (and its ridiculous 305-hour battery life) to good use.

• View all Edifier gaming headset deals at Amazon

Check out our guides for the best PS5 headsets, best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if you're on the hunt for a new pair of cups.

GTA 6 pre-orders are now live, and amongst the latest details of the new contents and flashy vehicles we can drive around the streets of Leonida, the official PlayStation Store page states that you'll be able to "immerse yourself in Leonida's distinct soundscape" once the game launches on November 19 later this year, as it's equipped with Tempest 3D Audio.

What's Tempest 3D Audio, you ask? Well, it's essentially the name given to Sony's proprietary spatial audio technology, which allows you to don one of the best gaming headsets and hear your game's audio in a more realistic way. Instead of being able to pinpoint a character's location as they send a barrage of bullets your way from left to right, you can more accurately and realistically hear exactly where they're coming from in a 3D environment, which is going to be very handy when it comes to the crime-laden streets of the latest Grand Theft Auto.

The neat thing about it is that you don't need a specific headset to enable Sony's spatial audio tech. The console provides it out of the gate, so any of the best PS5 headsets will do the trick. Equipping your setup with cups specifically catered to the Tempest 3D Audio tech will have the best results, but I've gathered an arsenal of both, so you have plenty to suit your budget and PS5 needs - especially if your budget is a little low after securing your GTA 6 pre-order this week.

Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers and the best SSDs for PS5 if you want to stay prepared for GTA 6 this November.

Wired gaming headsets come in all shapes and sizes, but I rarely get to test one that's as fancy-pants and rich-sounding as the Sony Inzone H6 Air.

More often than not, the best gaming headsets of the wired variety that pass my testing bench are designed to be a low-cost alternative to gamers on a smaller budget first and foremost. However, at $199.99 / £179.99, the InZone H6 Air is definitely not that.

This headset may be wired, but it shares the same driver components as Sony's MDR-MV1 studio-grade headphones, and flaunts an open-back form factor that prioritizes a rich and natural creamy sound. Instead of being designed for the budget-conscious, the pair is more concerned about providing an immersive and realistic sound for RPG and single-player game fans, and it definitely gets the job done and then some.

Key specs

Design

If you've got experience with the Sony Inzone H9 II headset, you'll have already come face-to-face with the design used for the Inzone H6 Air.

Sony has essentially re-used the same form factor, right down to that unique headband. It's comprised of a leather band suspended under a rope-like strap, which contributes to the pair's light 199g weight. It's in fact lighter than the 260g of the H9 II, and it's one of the most comfortable headsets I've tested to date.

Where it differs from its H9 II brethren is that there's no longer that glossy texture to the exterior of the earcups. Instead, you're met with a series of perforated holes, which help give the sound more freedom to reverberate and create that immersive soundscape open headsets are known for.

Features

The standout feature of the Inzone H6 Air lies in its open-back acoustic design. It allows the sound generated from the 40mm-sized audio drivers to freely resonate around the cans.

Besides this, the H6 Air isn't as feature-full as other cups in the Inzone line. It's a wired only headset, so there's no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless options available. Instead, you can connect the PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and other devices with the USB-C port of the USB-C Audio Box, or you can detach this and use the 3.5mm cable instead - the latter of which is best suited for the PS5 players in particular.

Even the onboard controls are minimalistic, as all you have is a mic mute button and a volume wheel, and that's it. At least the mic mute button is a great one, as it copies the H9 II by including a large, rounded button that's textured and perfectly sized for the tip of a human thumb.

The left earcup, where these controls are located, also plays host to the headset's microphone. It's detachable, which is a massive preference of mine, and it carries a unidirectional cardioid pattern. The H6 Air also includes audio monitoring, support for Sony's 360 Spatial Sound technology, and support with the Inzone Hub, where you can take advantage of the "RPG/Adventure” equaliser profile for single-player RPGs developed alongside PlayStation Studios.

Performance

Sony sent me out this loaned headset around the same time my PS5 Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight pre-order arrived at my door, which felt like a sign that I needed to hook it up to the Sony pixel-pusher before all else, and I'm glad I did. You wouldn't expect there to be a lot of depth in the soundscape of the latest Lego game, but the brick-built version of Gotham can get very atmospheric, and the H6 AIr managed to bring that to life.

Whether it was being able to hear every pitter-patter of the rain as it filled the Gotham streets, or the waves of wind that blew as I glided across the different villain-littered districts, the H6 sounded sublime. I did assume as much, as past experience with open-back headsets like the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 also emphasised the sound design to any game, but this came in handy particularly with Lego Batman, as it makes the satisfying clicks of collecting studs sound all the more satisfying.

Traveller's Tales' Lego game wasn't ideal for testing the game's score, as the Batman theme is used pretty sparingly, so I made sure to dig out the usual testing titles like Marvel Rivals and Doom Eternal. Just as I thought, the 40 mm-sized drivers are well-equipped to take on busy soundstages. I could hear every nuance of the Scarlet Witch's "Pure Chaos" voice line as I took out half a team of enemy players, almost like I was right in the vocal box alongside the actress, and the mids and highs of the ending match jingle had just as much clarity.

The only personal gripe I had with the sound was visible when I loaded up titles like Doom Eternal. With an emphasis on dialogue and high-pitched sounds, audio on the lower end of the scale felt a bit lacking. And with no way to use both the wired headset and the Inzone Hub EQ settings simultaneously on PS5 (if there was, I didn't discover it), I was left wanting more on Sony's own current-gen console.

PC was a different story. I had the Inzone Hub software at my fingertips, which let me toggle on spatial audio, adjust the sidetone, and select from a few pre-made EQ settings, including ones tailored for FPS games. It's a good thing Counter Strike happens to be one of my go-to PC headset testing games of choice, that's for sure, as I adored what it could do. For the first time, I was able to rake in the kill shots. Sure, it was the practice range as I still don't dare join online matches with actual hardened players, but even being able to stand my own amongst a sea of bots is usually unheard of for me.

The main reasoning behind my new skills was the FPS 1 preset, as it brought down the emphasis on sound effects despite stating it does quite the opposite. Out of the box, gunshots in CS2 were loud and startling. But with FPS1 toggled on, I could feel satisfied with the crunch and bang of each shot without having to worry about my ear health. Talking of presets, I also made sure to try out the RPG setting that Sony states it "developed with sound designers from PlayStation Studios at Sony Interactive Entertainment."

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt was my RPG of choice, given I wanted to start a new file anyway with the new DLC on its way, but I didn't notice much of a huge difference. The preset is meant to set a sound "which is sensitive to the spatial information of games,” but it sounded pretty similar with or without it. Which is fine, as that sounds great, but I'm wondering if Sony has a certain type of RPG in mind that I just didn't get around to playing.

Before I round things up, let's talk about that microphone. I really like the design of the mic, as it has a large circular diameter at the end rather than the typical tear-drop shaped bulb you find on other headsets.

But as you can hear from the sample above, the cardioid boom mic is pretty prone to picking up white noise. When you're in the middle of a Marvel Rivals match, or chatting to a large group of friends on Discord who are all talking over each other, you won't notice it much. Yet it's not one I'd recommend you use for streaming, podcast audio, or any other situation where you want crystal clear vocals.

Should you buy the Sony H6 Air gaming headset?

The Sony Inzone H6 Air seems like it's designed for a very niche individual. Someone who cares deeply about how their games sound, but who wouldn't benefit from any wireless support via Bluetooth or a wireless 2.4GHz dongle that's crammed into the boxes of most of the best wireless headsets on the market.

Personally, that isn't me. If I'm spending $199.99 / £179.99, I like to ensure I'm getting plenty more bang for my buck, but that doesn't mean I don't see value in this open-back headset.

A modern pair of Sony MDR-MV1 open-back headphones, that the H6 Air shares a lot in common with, will set you back $419.99 at Amazon. Meanwhile, these are $220 less and add a microphone into the mix, and a USB-C cable over a 6.3mm stereo plug. It definitely feels like Sony has re-wrangled the MDR-MV1s into a package more suited towards single-player gamers who love their FPS and RPG games, and if that sounds like you, then the H6 Air would likely be right up your ally.

How I tested the Sony H6 Air gaming headset

The Sony Inzone H6 Air was on my testing bench for a little over two weeks, where I used the pair to play the PS5, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2. With the PS5, I had the headset hooked up to my DualSense controller while I explored the brick-built world of Gotham in Lego Batman, played multiple matches of Marvel Rivals, and re-explored the hellish depths of Doom Eternal.

On PC, I dug out Marvel Rivals again to compare the two versions, alongside Counter-Strike 2, and Mina the Hollower. Meanwhile, Mario Kart World, Pokemon Pokopia, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Donkey Kong 64 were my testing games of choice on the Switch 2, and I also used the pair while re-watching HBO's Girls and Hacks on Now TV. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If the Sony Inzone H6 Air isn't for you, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Steam Deck headsets for a look at other premium pairs.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II headset includes a charging dock that's designed to charge a battery pack while you use the other. Much like the best gaming headsets, it's a feature to eliminate the annoyance of hunting down a charging cable, but I love it more for its large RGB-lit button. Pressing this down releases a mechanism that pops out the battery in a matter of seconds. It's a simple inclusion that many might gloss over, but as someone who finds charging the batteries of SteelSeries' similar headsets a pain (sometimes in the literal sense), I'm a little bit obsessed with it.

At $349.99 (Amazon), this is not a key feature that I'd want people driving to pick up the Stealth Pro II for, of course. With Prime Day gaming deals, I'm hoping we'll actually see a few dollars shaved off its lofty price tag, but we'll have to wait and see. But my achy wrists and impatience with unnecessarily awkward gaming tech are forever thankful for this little button.

I've always found swapping out the batteries of headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, and the Pro Wireless before it pretty awkward. The pair comes with an extra device (known as the Game Hub) that requires you to push and click in a spare pack for charging. SteelSeries has been using its hot-swappable battery tech for years now, and pretty much revolutionized the way modern headsets can be charged, but it's not the most efficient of processes.

You have to push it in and tuck it behind a little ridge for it to stay put. Whenever I go to take it out, I have to shove my finger inside a small slit, and it's just a bit meddlesome. Not enough that I like the headset any less, but enough for me to moan about it to you right now.

I'm not sure if the designers at Turtle Beach felt similarly, as I much prefer their take on a similar system. Pressing that lovely button I mentioned earlier pops the battery right out, and it's already sitting out in the open and easy to grab. There's no fear of breaking a nail or causing aches in my old-age gaming pensioner finger joints, just an easy-breezy experience.

It may feel a bit silly to compare the two, as the Game Hub is capable of much more than just charging. There's every chance SteelSeries may have been limited in how they could incorporate the battery system into a device that also allows you to adjust EQ settings, and in the case of the Omni, hook up to multiple consoles and mix the audio of all of them simultaneously.

Yet, this tiny battery design choice has already got me pretty intrigued and excited to see what the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is truly capable of, the more I test it. Expect a full review (which will most definitely include more about the button) very soon.

• View all Turtle Beach headsets at Amazon

If the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II doesn't push your buttons, I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets that you should check out.

I'm lazy. I feel safe sharing that with you, as we're all friends here. Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of you who also like your tech to be as low-effort as possible.

That includes when it comes to the best gaming earbuds, as sometimes I just can't be bothered putting them on charge, even when their cases keep them juiced up for me most of the time.

The SIVGA M260 Wired Earbuds have been really handy in that respect. They include a USB-C cable, so there's no charging required. All I need to do is pop them into the bottom of my phone or the top of my Switch 2 to get going. Even better, they're only $45 (Amazon), which is marginally less pricey than the $199.99 wireless buds I usually rock. They might even get cheaper once the Prime Day gaming deals roll out later this month, but $45 is still a fair price for the wired and lazy-no-charging experience - just like my childhood self remembers.

I've been a bit more stressed and anxious than usual lately, as I have a lot on my plate. When that happens, I hate having to keep track of a million things at once, and even just the annoyance of remembering to charge my modern tech becomes a massive hindrance.

In that regard, switching to these in-ear phones has taken a little bit of stress off my shoulders. While sitting on a long train journey, I only have to worry about my phone's battery lasting, as there's no charging involved with these whatsoever, just like the cheap earphones I used as a teenager. They also came with a little fabric case that makes them easier to put away, like the plastic case of my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Game Buds, my usual wireless buds of choice, though it's much less fancy.

It helps too that these buds are extremely comfortable to wear, and their mighty 14.2mm Dynamic audio drivers sound pretty damn excellent. But you know me, if these made the wonderfully jazzy Mario Kart World OST sound like a distorted mess, I definitely wouldn't be recommending them to fellow lazy gamers.

Using these over my normal wireless buds isn't a complete revelation. When I want to switch things up from gaming to listening to music on the go, the included MMCX detachable cable often gets caught at the ends of my jacket. It doesn't happen a lot, but it can get a little annoying whenever this results in the buds being yanked out of my earlobe. Ouchies.

I also haven't completely abandoned wireless earbuds. I don't think I'd ever be okay calling it quits on the Arctis Nova Game Buds' tap controls and ANC. Yet, sometimes I just like to switch things up to something less overwhelmingly featureful, and that's much like the limited tech of my youth.

• View all gaming earbud deals at Amazon

Not an earbuds fan? I've also rounded up the best gaming headsets, which include some of the best PS5 headsets and the best PC headsets for gaming you can grab today.

Whenever I'm after the best sound possible for my latest PS5 game obsession, I'm picking up a wireless headset. Right now, I'm obsessed with Lego Batman, and I've been cruising over the Gotham building tops with the best PS5 headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, pressed up on my head like the Dark Knight's cowl and loving it.

Yet even with the pair's hot-swappable battery tech in my utility belt, there have been a few occasions where I've just been too lazy to ensure the pair is all juiced up - enter, the Atlas 200 for PS5.

This headset is wired, so it takes the pressure off remembering to charge it. The best part? It sounds better than other wired headsets I've popped into my DualSense, so I haven't missed any of the Lego game's hilarious quips of that iconic Batman score.

During the many, many hours that I've been playing Lego Batman, I've had the Atlas 200 at arm's length. It sits in a hamper next to the sofa, originally intended for blankets, which has instead been relegated to storing all the best PS5 accessories I want to have easy access to at all times.

I'm glad I decided to add the Atlas 200 to the accessory pile, as it's made my lazy Lego Batman and gaming days a treat. The headset takes seconds to hook up, and afterwards, I can stay on the sofa for hours without having to ever get up for a charging cable because it doesn't need one. It relies purely on its 3.5mm cord, and that's that. At just 280g, it's also super lightweight and doesn't get grating on my head after I've noticed I've been running around collecting Lego studs for 5+ hours.

Most importantly, it sounds pretty darn impressive despite being a budget-friendly wired headset, so I can be lazy without having to forgo any sound quality. Batman games, even in their Lego form, are known for their great music, and I've been able to fully appreciate every moment of it.

It's usually $59.99 / £49.99 when there are no deals kicking around, and that price alone feels like you're getting plenty of value for what its 50mm Nanoclear Drivers can muster. Gotham gets pretty loud in Lego's latest game, as you're constantly bombarded with police alerts and nearby citizens barking at you, but the Atlas 200 makes every bit of audio sound levelled and balanced.

Right now it's down to $44 (Amazon) / £39.99 (Amazon), which is a record low for both the US and the UK, and a deal worth grabbing if you want to be lazy and comfortable too. Of course, you could always wait a bit for the best Prime Day PS5 deals to drop on June 23, where there's likely more headset savings to come. But if you have your eyes on a no-fuss all-must PS5 pair, I doubt you'll find much better than this.

• View all PS5 headset deals at Amazon

If you've already got a perfect pair for your PS5, check out the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best monitor for PS5 instead.

Tech brand Anker, known for its portable chargers designed for everything from your smartphone to your gaming laptop, announced a new range of Pokémon-themed products, including a set of adorable Pikachu and Eevee earbuds.

These best gaming earbud contenders were unveiled as part of the Anker Power Conference 2026 on May 27, and are inspired by Pikachu and Eevee, going as far as to include subtle silhouettes of the classic Gen 1 Pokemon on their charging cases. Their Pokemon inspirations don't stop there, as the Pikachu earphones sport a contrasting yellow and black color palette and the Eevee version a metallic brown, which matches that of the Pokemon themselves. Yet as cute as they are, I'm disappointed that these new Pokemon 30th Anniversary items remain exclusive to Japan.

We're not starved of Pokemon audio tech in the US and UK. It wasn't that long ago that I tested the official Razer Pokemon Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 headset, which goes all out with its Pocket Monster inspirations. However, I'd love to be able to dig into some Pokemon Pokopia with these compact in-ear phones instead, especially as their 6.2 x 3.1 x 4.1 cm size would make them more likely to fit inside my Switch 2 case.

The Soundcore C50i buds aren't just compact, but share an open-back acoustic design, similar to the Asus ROG Cetra Open wireless gaming earbuds I reviewed earlier this year. Alongside their large 12mm-sized dyanmic audio drivers, that means the soundstages to games, Pokemon and otherwise, should sound pretty grand, which only makes me want them more.

They also feature a cuff design, which means that these hook onto the side of your ear, rather than traditionally sitting inside. That makes these far easier to show off than traditional earphones, which is exactly what I'd do if these were to be released here in the UK. The light and dark brown two-tone colorway of the Eevee Soundcore C50i buds is particularly striking, and includes a slight shimmer to its paint job if the official Anker Japan product page is to be believed. As a lover of a good bit of licenced tech, I also can't help but gawk over the inclusion of the tiny Poke Ball icon above the USB-C port of the charging case, or the tiny Eevee on the opposite side.

The Soundcore C50i buds weren't the only pieces of Anker Pokemon tech announced during the same Anker Power Conference. Anker also unveiled an official Pokemon Anker 70W USB Fast Charger and an Anker Travel Adapter, both set to release in Japan in early July, with no signs of a US and UK availability. (Sorry, fellow Pokemon fans.)

The ¥7,990 (roughly $49.98) Fast Charger includes a yellow Pikachu design this time around and includes two USB-C and one USB-A port to keep your tech powered up and ready to go. It also comes with a wrapped charging cable and a Pikachi-themed cable tidy.

Meanwhile, the ¥5,990 (roughly $37.48) Anker Travel Adapter plays host to an AC outlet, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports, and features a Pokeball design that lights up when in use. Both have Pikachu silhouette designs of their own, and can be stored in the Pikachu Anker Travel Pouch, which is available to purchase separately from the Anker Japan online store.

If you have access to import shopping services, both the Pikachu and Eevee are available for ¥13,990 at Anker Japan alongside the chargers, which is approximately $89 each, and a pretty reasonable price for open-ear buds. For now, I just have to hope my pleas for a US and UK release spark Anker into releasing these worldwide.

We've also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you're on the hunt for the best ultimate Ninty setup for playing your favorite Pokemon games.

Sony's Days of Play sale is back and is running until June 11. Plenty of the best PS5 accessories are included in this year's savings, including Sony's own Pulse Explore Wireless buds, which I spotted are down to a record low right now.

The wireless earbuds have been marked down to just $149 (Amazon), which is $50 off their full MSRP. Yet while these official earbuds and their PlayStation Link capabilities must be an alluring purchase, I'd much sooner recommend you grab the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds while they're down to a much cheaper $114.99 at Amazon for a refurbished pair instead. They aren't officially licensed for the Sony pixel-pusher, but these earphones pack in not just an easy-to-pair PS5 setup thanks to the slimline USB-C dongle, but a longer 10-hour battery life that can power plenty more Sony-fueled gaming sessions to come.

I must admit, I haven't had time with Sony's Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, so I can't comment on those directly through personal experience. However, I've been using the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for almost a year with my PS5, and there's not only plenty more impressive features on display, but these are the best gaming earbuds for the PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and any modern games console I've used to date.

The slimline USB-C dongle makes setup a breeze. You just have to pop the thing into the front-facing port, and you're golden. It allows you to use this with more than just the PS5, and that's exactly what I do every day, listening to music on the go with these sat inside my ear canals.

But I'm not here to blether on about why the Game Buds are excellent for music listening on the go (though they very much are), but how great they are for the PS5. And they are, most notably for their impressive battery life. The best PS5 headsets are always going to have earbuds beat where battery is concerned, but these little earphones can still muster up 10 hours of playtime, with up to 40 hours in total thanks to the handy Qi Charging Case. 10 hours might not seem like a big deal, but I've rarely had to worry about these dying on me during heated Marvel Rival matches, or during my recent Lego Batman sessions, and these buds never leave my sight.

Not only do these buds have the Pulse Explore's 5 hours of battery life beat, but they're also super comfortable to wear. I used to stay clear of earbuds as my awkwardly large ears made using them get uncomfortable fast. But I've had no aches and pains, no matter how many hours I've had these popped in my ears with a DualSense controller in hand.

Getting lost in your PS5 games and wasting away the hours is pretty easily done with these buds, thanks to the impressive ANC too. I play my PS5 in the same room as my partner's gaming PC, and he's spent many frustrated moments trying to talk to me for 30+ minutes while I've been none the wiser. Whether it's the ANC, comfort, great battery, fantastic sound, or the handy case, these buds are still just as great to use with my Sony console as they were on day one, and this $114.99 opportunity is not worth missing out on.

If you prefer officially licenced tech, I wouldn't blame you if you still picked up the Pulse Explore Wireless buds instead. I'm also highly aware that not everyone is comfortable picking up a refurbished pair of buds, no matter if they're backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee. Yet, I highly recommend you grab the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for your PS5, or for any console you have at your disposal.

Remember, if their new $199.99 price is too much, you can always wait to check out the best Amazon Prime Day PS5 deals, which are expected to drop in June later this year, in hopes of a better bargain.

• View all PS5 Days of Play discounts at PS Direct

Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best PS5 monitors if you're on the hunt to create the ultimate Sony gaming setup.

Sennheiser unveiled its brand new Momentum 5 headphones on May 26, 2026, the next evolution up from the Momentum 4 that's been available since 2022. The new pair is very similar to its predecessor, as both share the same 42mm transducer speakers and look practically identical.

Where the new $399.99 (Sennheiser) headphones differ is through the inclusion of Hi-res certified audio, a user-replaceable 700 mAh battery, and a new active noise cancelling system. If you're still reeling over the loss of the EPOS Sennheiser partnership and were hoping to replace your old cups with that audiphile-level sound the brands' pair was known for, these are set to launch on June 16. However, with no boom microphone or 2.4GHz wireless, you won't get all you need for gaming.

As a pair of headphones rather than a headset, the launch details don't actually reference gaming in any way. Regardless, I know for a fact that many fans of the audiophile-level quality Sennheiser headsets are known for may want to pick these up specifically for PC and consoles. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're comfortable losing out on some key features.

Before the EPOS and Sennheiser team-up came to an end in 2023, headsets like the EPOS Sennheiser GSP 670 were known for their high-quality microphones. If you were eager to grab a new Sennheiser pair for that reason alone, you'll be disappointed, as there is no flip-to-mute boom mic on this upcoming pair.

Additionally, the Momentum 5 ships with Bluetooth 5.4 wireless support in the box, and a future firmware update is on its way to make it compatible with Bluetooth 6.0, but there are no 2.4GHz options to be found. That makes compatibility more limited when consoles like the PS5 don't natively support Bluetooth, but you should be fine when it comes to your gaming PC and handhelds like the Nintendo Switch 2. The pair also comes packaged with a 3.5mm analog audio cable, which will give you wired access where Bluetooth is unavailable.

Otherwise, the Momentum 5 sounds pretty impressive, and I'd be curious how its " full-bodied sound with dynamic bass" and Hi-Res Audio lends itself to my favorite PS5 titles.

There are four microphones per side onboard to power up its ANC tech, and those who grab the pair early can get access to Dolby Atmos with headtracking to increase immersion.

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 will be $399.99 at launch in the US, which is a lot to fork out on a pair not designed for gaming, and one that only provides no wireless dongle or boom arm microphone for chatting to friends online. If you're on the hunt for a premium headset with Hi-res audio, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni is available for the same price, while music-heads can stick to the Momentum 5, which will be available at sennheiser-hearing.com and "select" US retailers.

• View all Sennheiser headsets for gaming at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for pairs designed for your platform of choice in mind.

As a sap for nostalgia, the SIVGA M260 wired earbuds caught my eye pretty fast, and I'm glad they did.

There turned out to be far more to these best gaming earbuds contenders than their Y2K-inspired translucent detachable MMCX cable. They sound fantastic, and fortunately, nothing like the fuzzy and distorted mess that were wired earbuds from my actual early 2000s teenage years. Not only that, but they're one of the most comfortable buds I've ever used, even if they can tend to move around if the wire gets caught on anything.

As a result, these buds have earned a permanent place in my backpack for gaming and listening to tunes on the go. However, their tendency to prioritize high-frequency sounds and make them sound overpowered means I won't be hanging up the best gaming headsets any time soon.

Key specs

Design

The look of the SIVGA M260 earbuds is why I've labelled them as "Y2K-fueled," and it all has to do with their translucent wiring. Tech which you could see through was a big thing in the late 90s and early 00s, and I was utterly obsessed with it at the time. I still dream of one day owning an original 'Bondi Blue' Mac, which has that transparent plastic blue butt. But these earphones help fill that void in a more compact (and cost-friendly) way.

The MMCX detachable cable is the only part of these buds that is translucent, but they still look pretty great in spite of that. The heads of the buds have a metallic finish, with gold accents that contrast against the white-silver look of the wiring. The branding is used pretty understatedly too, just appearing across the tip of the USB-C cable and across the accompanying fabric carrying case, which helps contribute to the M260's classy and retro appeal.

Features

As wired buds, the M260's aren't fully clad with features like the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds. Instead, they keep things simple by including 14.2mm dynamic audio drivers in each bud, which are powered by a copper ring-enhanced diaphragm to help combat audio distortion, and include that 4N silver-plated OFC MMX detachable USB-C cable in the box that I mentioned above.

The cable is fully removable at the buds, making it easily replaceable should any harm come its way. The pair is actually available to purchase in two plug configurations, so while I was provided with the USB-C version to review, you can instead pick up the 3.5mm L-shaped plug version for just $35 / £35 instead - which I'd recommend if you're a PS5 player. Or, if you have one spare, just attach it to these existing buds to save some extra cash.

The USB-C version is the most high-powered of the two, boasting a built-in Realtek ALC5686 DAC (digital audio converter) that supports up to 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio. If you're on the hunt for a pair for gaming and music listening on the go, this is the version I'd recommend. Not to mention it's the only model with a highly sensitive microphone that you can use for Discord, GameChat on the Switch 2, or answering phone calls. There are also volume and call answer buttons on the USB-C cable to help with the latter.

Performance

I tested the SIVGA M260's in the opposite way that I would normally approach earbuds. Instead of seeing how my favorite games sounded, I was desperate to see how these handled music first and foremost. This was spurred on after seeing the wave of articles about how younger generations prefer old tech, and I'm glad I did it this way.

The M260's sound pretty snazzy. With large 14.2mm dynamic audio drivers, I did expect a loud and booming quality, but it still took me by surprise when I first popped the buds in my ears. Some of my favorite tracks in recent years, like Opr by Gesaffelstein sounded especially crunchy, which is exactly what you want when it comes to industrial EDM.

These earphones were also able to get plenty loud. While there's no ANC at play, I could still comfortably turn these up and zone out the world around me as I strolled down the sunny streets of Glasgow, feeling like a teenager again. Tracks like Masayoshi Takanaka's "Oh! Tengo Suerte" felt especially bouncy and invigorating during these days out. And just as SIVGA boasted, the copper ring diaphragm of the drivers managed to keep any distortion at bay. There was no warbling or audio issues, no matter what I listened to, which is how these low-cost buds have now ended up as my new go-to music accessory.

The only real issue with the quality that I noticed is that higher frequency sounds can tend to sound a bit grating to the ears. This was more prevalent when gaming, as the soundtracks to titles like Mario Kart World are a lot busier than a relaxing Masayoshi Takanaka guitar track.

When it came to replaying my favorite courses, the roaring of my kart's engine and the sound effects of Koopa shells that were hurling in my direction were startling. They didn't distort, but they sounded far louder than they should be, almost like the drivers were singling them out on purpose. This carried on to Donkey Kong Bananza, which I would much sooner recommend playing with one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets instead.

Using the Elephant Bananza's special move to suck up terrain sounded horrendous, as it was so loud and imposing. Even in Pokemon Pokopia, where the sounds are a lot more chill in comparison, still hurt my ears whenever a high-pitched cry of one of my Pokemon pals would sound off in the distance.

It's annoying, as these are still great-sounding earbuds, and ones I would recommend to Switch 2 players. Especially as they can easily pop into the extra USB-C port at the top of the handheld. The same goes for the PC. They don't sound bad, but games like Counter-Strike 2, where a lot is going on, are going to startle your eardrums. To give your ears a rest, I'd much prefer you use these for the odd Marvel Rivals match or two and music, than full-blown 10+ gaming marathons.

If you want to know what these are like for the PS5, I sadly wasn't able to test them with Sony's pixel-pusher. The USB-C model I reviewed wasn't compatible with the DualSense controller, and I wasn't provided with a 3.5 cable to use in its stead. If you do pick up that version, you shouldn't have any issue connecting to the console, other than the overpowering sound design permeating your eardrums.

If you are at all concerned about general comfort, you don't need to be. I have pretty sensitive lugs, and I found these to be pleasantly comfortable after hours of use. As you have that cable dangling, they will have the tendency to move around or even fall out if you're listening to music out and about. Yet, even the tiny amount of foam padding on the buds was enough for a pretty comfortable wear.

Should you buy the SIVGA M260 wired earbuds?

If your budget is tight and Gen Z's obsession with older tech has emboldened you to re-enter the realm of wires, the SIVGA M260 earbuds are a fantastic choice. For music, these have earned a forever spot in my backpack as they sound great, are comfortable to wear, and their wired nature means I don't have to spare a thought for battery woes while on the go.

For gaming, they sound just as impressive, though I'd only recommend them for small sessions. The audio that can be conjured up in these compact earphones is mighty impressive, and they contain some of the best bass I've heard in a wired form factor. However, the drivers seem to prioritize high-range sounds, which can make sound effects in games, from a barrage of bullets to the cries of Pokémon, sound a bit grating and unpleasant on the ears.

Making sure the buds aren't too loud can help, but you'll still get a surprise shock whenever you get blasted with a blue shell, or if a match of Marvel Rivals gets particularly loud, as they tend to do.

How I tested the SIVGA M260 wired earbuds

The SIVGA M260 wired earbuds became my only audio source for two weeks of testing, whether I was listening to music or playing my Samsung S24 smartphone, Nintendo Switch 2, or my gaming PC. As the USB-C sample I was provided with to review was not compatible with the PS5 via the DualSense controller, I spent many hours using the buds alongside my Ninty handheld while playing Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokemon Pokopia.

Afterwards, I tested the M260's while playing Counter-Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, Paranormasight The Mermaid's Curse, and Dead as Disco on Steam. When not gaming, the wired earphones were attached to my Samsung phone and used to listen to a huge range of music, from The Beatles to the EDM and industrial music stylings of Ninajirachi and Gesaffelstein. Plenty of TV was watched too, as I used the buds to play catch-up with the last episodes of The Boys on Amazon Prime and episodes of the anime series Witch Hat Atelier via Crunchyroll. For more information on how we test gaming headsets and earbuds, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you prefer some over-ear action, check out our guides to the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PC headsets for gaming.

The best gaming earbuds and in-ear headphones are often packed with cases. Most of them are for charging duties and aren't much to look at, but Chinese audio tech brand Moondrop has taken things to a new level by launching a pair of Hatsune Miku buds with a leek case.

You read that right, as discovered by Dexerto, the case is shaped like the leek vegetable that Hatsune Miku is famous for holding in her version of the classic 'leek spin' meme from the internet of yore. The buds are also draped in lots of fan-friendly nods to virtual diva, but much to my (and my gaming setups') dismay, they remain a China exclusive for now.

Die-hard Miku fans will be well aware that the leek in question, as seen in the above images by AniHobby, is actually the Japanese negi vegetable, but that's besides the point. I'm just surprised to see the leek meme be referenced after all these years, especially when other audio brands' collabs don't go as hard in the branding.

Earlier this year, Sony released a pair of Hatsune Miku Limited Edition LinkBuds, which were just the same as past versions but featuring a green colorway. They did come with a set of Miku-themed goodies, including a fancy acrylic stand, but if I had the choice to pick Moondrop's version.

According to Google Translated press release shared by Finance Sina on May 20, the buds are available for 239 yuan (approximately $35) at JD.com, and are equipped with 10mm-sized dynamic audio drivers, ANC, and can connect wirelessly to devices over Bluetooth 6.0. They can also "support a low-latency gaming mode" which I assume is a reference to 2.4GHz wireless, so if you can manage to get a pair, they might just be good for gaming too.

The buds also provide up to 12.5 hours of playback, and that iconic leek (or should I say, negi) case can extend that further to 41 hours. Judging from the marketing images, the leek case also features a USB-C port, so passthrough charging as found on the Asus ROG Cetra Open wireless gaming earbuds could also be a feature. However, it's hard to decipher, given there's no English text on any of the imagery, and I can't get a hold of these myself to put them to the test.

With or without passthrough charging, the Vocaloid fan-girl within me can't help but fawn over these adorable earbuds. It's not just the case that I'm obsessed with, but the clever use of Miku's 01 tattoo iconography on the sides of the buds, and the turquoise and pink color palette that screams 'Hatsune Miku' in my eyes.

I can only hope that one day, Moondrop makes these easily accessible in the US and UK, as playing Hatsune Miku Project Diva Mega Mix + with these at two would be a dream come true. In the meantime, I at least have the Asus TUF x Hatsune Miku collection at my disposal to keep my Vocaloid fandom satiated.

• View all gaming earbud deals at Amazon

If you care more about quality than aesthetics, check out the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets we've tested so far.

Memorial Day sales are more handy for grabbing deals on shiny new furniture for your house and less so for getting cash off the best gaming headsets for your setup. But it doesn't mean this Monday, May 25, 2026, will be entirely devoid of gaming bargains.

Last year, our roundup of the best Memorial Day sales included the mighty SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which had dropped from its $379.99 MSRP to just $243.46, and I suspect that it's going to be a fixture of this year's big day too. This time last year, the Pro Wireless was the most premium pair in the Arctis Nova lineup, and discounts weren't a rarity exactly. But the existence of not one, but the existence of the brand new Arctis Nova Pro Omni could make it more prone to big discounts next week, and during every big sales event ahead.

Since last Memorial Day, two new SteelSeries headsets have entered the scene: the Arctis Nova Elite and the Arctis Nova Pro Omni. When I was first briefed on the Omni and its new wealth of features, SteelSeries informed me that the availability of the Pro was going to change. It wasn't going to be hard to find in stock, but its presence would shrink a little bit, likely to shift focus onto the new big thing.

That's entirely understandable, especially as the Omni and the Pro Wireless are very similar headsets. Both look practically identical, include the hot-swappable battery tech, and the Game Hub device that allows both headsets to be a multi-platform gamer's dream. However, the new Omni takes things a step further by decking out the device with the ability to hook up to more sources, mix the audio of those sources, and it supports Hi-res audio while wireless.

With that in mind, I have a sense that Pro Wireless discounts are going to be even more of a fixture at Memorial Day, Amazon Prime Day 2026, and all big sales events going forward. Think about it, if SteelSeries wants all eyes on the new Omni, it'd make sense to use big flashy sales events to get rid of old stock and make way for the new big thing.

Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless still worth it?

Even in a post-Omni world, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is most definitely still worth picking up.

If you want the best of the best around the $300 price point, I am, of course, going to recommend the Omni instead right now. It's not the new king of our best headset guides for no reason. However, sticking with the Pro Wireless is a great way to get an almost-as-premium pair, without the premium cost.

If you have a split PC and console setup, the Pro Wireless is a dream. You can hook it up to your desktop and your PS5 at the same time and use the Game Hub to navigate through their volume controls and settings. As I said earlier, it also has that hot-swappable battery tech, which practically makes charging obsolete, and you've got your pick of a wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz connection types and one of the best microphones I've tested in my years of writing about headsets.

There's a reason why the new Omni takes so much from the Pro Wireless, because even years later it's still an impressive piece of tech. Its out of the box sound isn't up to par with the brand's newest releases. However, you do still have the SteelSeries GG PC software at your fingertips and a huge range of EQ settings and game audio pre-sets at your behest, which can help bring out the best of its older Neodymium magnetic audio drivers.

The greatest part of it all is that it's considerably less expensive than the Omni if there are discounts around. Even today, you can grab the headset for just $279.99, saving you $100 off its full price, days before Memorial Day even kicked off. That's not a record low saving, as it dropped as low as $234.35 during last year's Prime Day sales. That being said, it's still big enough that I'd recommend grabbing it even before next week. Anything more this Memorial Day would be a no-brainer. So long as you're okay missing out on the Hi-res wireless stylings of the Omni.

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Take a look at our guides to the best PS5 headsets, best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you want to learn more about the pairs you should be checking out this Memorial Day.

The PowerA-owned audio tech brand LucidSound unveiled its new LS500 wireless gaming headset on May 19, 2026, which despite its cheap price, manages to pack in an impressive 70-hour battery life.

The newly announced pair is available in models for both the Xbox Series X/S and the PS5 and can achieve those 70 hours of playback on a single charge over Bluetooth, or it can reach up to 50 hours when hooked up to its included wireless USB dongle. While some of the best gaming headsets I've tested at the $100 mark struggle to provide more than 40 hours, this new budget-friendly pair can achieve that at just $69.99 (Amazon), regardless of which model you choose.

I've tested a lot of budget-friendly wireless headsets in my time, and up to 70 hours at a $70 price point is pretty impressive. Even my current go-to headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, that I recommend for those looking for something around and below the $100 mark, can only achieve up to 40 hours of playback. Although the pair is equipped with fast charging, which helps make up for it.

The LucidSound LS500 doesn't have fast charging itself, but PowerA boasts that there is plenty more to like about this new pair of cups that "delivers the sound, comfort, and flexibility players expect", according to Sr Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, Matt Hiler. Talking of comfort, this headset only weighs in at just 265g, which definitely makes it one of the lightest options out there. For comparison, the Logitech G325 Lightspeed comes in at a close 212g, and that's been the lightest pair I've tested and reviewed to date.

The LS500 also features custom-tuned 50mm audio drivers to provide "clear, balanced stero sound" according to the press release, and there's three EQ modes at your fingertips to achieve a more personalised sound. As the pair is available for both the Xbox Series X/S and the PS5 they can come supporting either Windows Sonic or Sony's Tempest 3D AudioTech - it just depends on whether you stick with the LucidSound LS500X or the LucidSound LS500P.

Both versions are available right now at Amazon and the official PowerA website in the US in Black and White colorways. For those of you on a budget-friendly headset hunt in the UK, you'll have to wait or look elsewhere, as no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't quite find these across the pond. If and when that changes, I'll be sure to let you know, but you can check out the best wireless headsets guide to find low-cost alternatives worth your attention.

• View all LucidSound gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for you to check out.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has sat in the best gaming headset top spot for as long as I can remember - and for good reason. The multi-platform powerhouse is compatible with everything from the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, and the PC, and sounds even better than it looks.

Yet now, SteelSeries has finally been pushed off its headset pedestal for the first time in over a year, but it just so happens it's by its own new headset. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni has now overtaken its own Arctis Nova brethren as the best pair of cups that myself, and the rest of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, have tested. It wasn't an easy defeat as the Pro Wireless is still a formidable piece of audio tech, but the new Omni takes all its best features and makes them just that little bit better with just a $20 / £20 price difference too - what's not to like?

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni is very similar to the Pro Wireless, but its small differences are what make it worthy of GamesRadar+'s best headset moniker. It's available in a new 'Midnight Blue' colorway, and it's a little bit more comfortable to wear thanks to its thicker earcushions. At first glance, I thought these may make the Omni less glasses-friendly than the Pro Wireless, but I was happily mistaken.

I wear glasses every single day, and yet I experience no discomfort whatsoever. There is a bit of a tighter clamping force with this pair, which was a bit unnerving to feel when I first plopped the pair on my head. Yet it only took a matter of days for the Omni to loosen up and feel attuned to my noggin', just like the Pro Wireless before it. Outside of these changes, the design is pretty much the same with this new pair as the brand has followed the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule to a T.

It's not in its design that makes the Omni worthy of knocking the Pro Wireless down a peg, but in its features. Everything that made the Pro Wireless great is back, but with additions that make the $20 / £20 price difference feel more than justified. The first major upgrade is that SteelSeries has imbued the pair with certified Hi-res audio.

Not all gamers will be able to fully appreciate its 96kHz/24-bit Hi-res ways as consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S max out at 48k/16bit. However, this makes the Omni far more futureproof than previous Arctis Nova headsets, as it's very likely the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix consoles will support the higher standard of sound when they launch in the near future. Meanwhile, PC players can take advantage of this regardless, as can any audiophile music fans looking for a multi-purpose gaming and music pair of cups.

Even without its Hi-res ways, the out-of-the-box sound of the Omni far outstretches the Pro Wireless. One of the few cons of the older pair was that its sound relied on its EQ settings and the game-audio presets available through SteelSeries GG to truly make it sound as leveled as it could be. I have a pair of my own, and I usually have to at least push up the bass to give the lower sounds of my games more warmth. This time around, I had to do none of that, as the Custom 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers did all the hard work for me.

So it looks and feels better to use and sounds better to boot, but what else makes it even more worthy of that best headset title? It's unmistakably its new and improved Game Hub. This little device came with the Pro Wireless and was at the center of what made it truly special. With it, you could connect to multiple consoles at once, and it could charge a spare battery pack at the same time.

The hot-swappable battery tech is still a key feature with the Omni, and the design of the Game Hub is essentially identical (albeit with a new textured dial). However, this time around, you can connect to up to four consoles at once and mix the audio of those platforms simultaneously. My gaming setup is not unified, so I've not been able to take full advantage of this, but being able to keep my Spotify playlist on while chatting to co-workers while I'm hooked up to both my work laptop and my gaming PC never gets old.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is essentially the Pro Wireless but better, so it makes all the sense that it's over-taken the Pro Wireless. I'll be writing up a more in-depth comparison between the two high-end headsets shortly, but if you're looking for the best headsets out there (and don't want to part with $699.99 (Amazon) for the SteelSeries Actis Nova Elite), the Omni is a must-have.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for a full range of SteelSeries pairs to suit budgets of any size.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni felt like it came out of nowhere. SteelSeries has already launched its most luxurious headset yet with the Arctis Nova Elite, one of the first of its kind to carry a hi-res audio certification in a wireless form factor, so I thought it'd at least be a while longer before anything remotely as premium came along.

Yet in a matter of months after the Elite came on the scene, SteelSeries managed to release a new headset that plopped Hi-Res audio support in a cheaper form factor while simultaneously pushing the best gaming headset out from its top spot.

The $399.99 / £349.99 headset boasts all the same high-end features that mesmerized me with the Pro Wireless, from its comfortable fit, hot-swappable battery tech, and accompanying Base Station (now dubbed the Game Hub) that allows you to hook up to multiple gaming platforms at once. The Omni has all that in spades, but it's even better as you can hook up to more platforms, it's got cushier earcups, and most importantly, the audio and microphone quality feels leagues ahead of what came before. This is the new best of the best.

Key specs

Design

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni looks almost identical to the Nova Pro Wireless or the Nova Elite, but there are some minute changes afoot. The first should be pretty obvious from the photos included in this review, as this newest addition to the Arctis lineup comes in a cool 'Midnight Blue' colorway. It's basically just navy, which isn't too exciting, but it's still refreshing to see colors besides the more traditional black look.

The Omni does happen to also be available in Black and White if that's what you like, but I was very happy to sample the new color, especially as it's not just relegated to the headset itself. Even the little Game Hub has been given a splash of Midnight Blue color across its dial, which has also been upgraded with a textured grip around the edges.

Color aside, the Omni also separates itself by having slightly thicker ear cushions than its predecessors. SteelSeries told me in a video call that this was to improve overall comfort, but it does mean that it's not compatible with the replacement cushions the brand sells on its online store. Besides what I just mentioned, the Omni is pretty much identical in design to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in looks alone. As always, the brand is going for the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset with design, but I'm here for it.

Features

When it comes to features, the Omni is yet again flaunting its Pro similarities, but with one big difference: this bad boy is Hi-res audio compatible. Instead of just providing 96kHz/24Bit audio support via a wired connection like the Pro, you can achieve that audiophile-friendly sound on the go - well, so long as you're hooked up to a gaming PC or listening to some lossless audio tracks.

As I mentioned in my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review, consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S max out at 48k/16bit, so console players won't notice a huge difference. That being said, this will likely become a handy headset down the line, where futureproofing is concerned, as it's very likely that the next-gen Xbox Project Helix console and the PS6 will be able to support the higher quality sound.

The Omni has other features that separate it from Arctis Nova headsets, past and present. The Game Hub has been given an upgrade, and now lets you connect to four platforms at once (2xUSB+Bluetooth+Line-in) and mix the audio of those simultaneously. For example, I've had the Omni hooked up to my gaming PC and playing Spotify faintly while in a catch-up video call with the rest of the team, and was able to mix and alter the levels of their speaking with my anime tunes still audible in my ears.

The Omni's other new features are small, like the fact the microphone now automatically mutes when fully retracted, or pair's tighter clamping force. Talking of the microphone, this headset marks the debut for the ClearCast Pro, a higher-bandwidth and omnidirectional microphone with a 50-16,000 Hz frequency response and built-in noise rejection.

Otherwise, this is a very similar package to the Pro Wireless, as you've still got that hot-swappable battery tech, multi-platform support, and similar over-ear and closed-back form factor as before.

Performance

As current-gen consoles aren't Hi-res audio compatible, it felt best to hook up the Omni to my PC first for testing. The first game on the platter was Counter-Strike 2, where the gunshots felt extra crunchy and satisfying. Right off the bat, I noticed that any dialogue and sound effects are really amplified with this headset, as even when I knew enemy bot players (I'm still practicing) were just around the corner due to the spatial audio capabilities, the clarity of their gunfire made me constantly jump out of my seat.

Picking up Marvel Rivals sounded just as juicy. The pulsating sound effects of Invisible Woman's attacks brought me right into action that I was even doing her hand movements between matches. This punchy clarity continued no matter what game I threw the pairs way on Steam, but even more so once I checked out the Dead As Disco demo. The music-rhythm beatem up felt like the perfect testing choice, as it gave me the opportunity to see how the pair dealt with music and a sound-effect-heavy soundstage. Naturally, as I expected, the Omni has no issue, and in fact, there were moments where I was getting too into the catchy rendition of 'Maniac' that I missed some counter opportunities. Not a headset issue, but definitely a skill issue.

Before I tap into how it sounded on the PS5, I do need to elaborate that this headset, while extraordinary, is not built for my setup. What I mean by that is, my consoles and my gaming PC are in two separate rooms, and so I never have the means to use the Game Hub to its fullest potential. If you're in the same boat, that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to get out of adding the Omni to your setup, it just means you might be a better target for the brand's SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless until you have one unified gaming space.

Despite that, I was still able to put the hub's audio mixing to the test. I connected it to my PC and work laptop simultaneously, and I was able to easily customize the volume levels of my co-workers' voices and my music that I sneakily had on Spotify in the background. Now, I wouldn't recommend you recreate my test to avoid getting in trouble with your boss, but having this ability to mix the audio of multiple platforms at once is something that'd be a great tool for streamers and content creators, which is worth keeping in mind.

While I wasn't able to hook the Omni up to my PC and PS5 in the same way, I did test it with my Sony pixel-pusher and had just as great a time. The first thing I noticed with this new headset is that it gets loud, something that very few PS5 headsets manage. I'm not sure why the PS5 has volume issues, but I've tested so many pairs that are just too quiet, no matter what settings I tinker with, but the Omni was just right. I almost shed a tear when I discovered I could hear composer Tsutomu Narita's Granblue Fantasy Relink score pounding into my eardrum, especially as the ANC meant I could totally switch off the outside world and completely immerse myself in the RPG's world.

It was the microphone that was next on the testing chopping block. My friends are used to hearing the ClearCast Gen 2 from the Pro Wireless, which is one of those mics that they'll always make positive comments about during our regular Repo sessions and Discord calls. If and when I switch to a budget headset instead, they're all well aware, so I was really intrigued to see how the ClearCast Pro would go down. From my own audacity tests, I was pretty impressed.

I've provided a sample audio clip above, so you can hear it for yourself, but it's one of those rare instances where the microphone actually manages to capture the deep timbre of my voice. I'm always an advocate for grabbing the best streaming gear and a high-end microphone if you want professional-level audio, but if you just want one of the best mics for chatting to friends for many hours of Repo, Fortnite, and in my friends' case, many hours worth of Talisman on Steam, this is a fantastic, if not one of the best mic choices you can make.

My only recommendation is to get that sidetone turned down via the SteelSeries GG software as soon as possible. By default, it's a bit too loud, and hearing your own loud voice right in your ear can be a bit of a distraction. Talking of which, the Omni is compatible with GG, and you still have all the EQ settings and game audio pre-sets to play around with, if that's what you want. Although I've had just as incredible an out-of-the-box sound that I never felt inclined to have any pre-set on. The low, mid, and high sound frequencies sound perfectly leveled and juicy right on their own.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset should be your first choice if you're after the best in the business but want to steer clear of the $599.99 / £599 price tag of the Elite (and still want to take advantage of its Hi-res ways).

With this release, the brand has taken my and the rest of the team's favorite headset, the Pro Wireless, and made it even better, so there's very little here not to like. It doesn't just have practical upgrades like the retractable mic muting and thicker earcup cushions, but its out-of-the-box sound and the new ClearCast Pro microphone are also better this time around. Through Hi-res audio support and the ability to connect up to more sources (and mix them), it's basically the Pro Wireless Plus, where I'm concerned.

Of course, with its $399.99 / £349.99 MSRP, there is a small matter of its $20 / £20 price difference compared to our much beloved Pro. To me, everything you get in this package feels like it more than justifies the extra funds. But I entirely understand anyone who still wants to opt for the next best thing in order to save some cash, especially as the Pro Wireless is regularly discounted when big events like Black Friday come around.

Availability of the Pro Wireless is going to simmer down a bit now that the Omni is here, which is worth considering. SteelSeries informed me that it will still be available at big-name retailers, but the Omni is set to be the new star of the Arctis line. Hopefully, it will eventually see just as many discounts in the future as what came before, as any and all multiplatform gamers deserve to have this echelon of headset and audio quality in their setup.

How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset

I had the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni Pro headset on my testing bench for a little over two weeks, using it to hook it up to everything from my gaming PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and my Samsung S24 smartphone. During that two-week process, I first used the pair to play Marvel Rivals, Counter-Strike 2, Vampire Crawlers, and the Dead As Disco demo. PC testing was a priority due to the pair's Hi-res audio support, but I later took up games like Granblue Fantasy Relink, Mixtape, and Marvel Rivals on the PS5. Additionally, I played a range of Switch 2 games via the headset, including Mario Kart World and Pokemon Pokopia.

Outside of gaming, I used the headset to listen to music, including Hi-res audio files like the album 'Death Club' by Slime City and 'I Love My Computer' by Ninjajirachi. The Omni was also my go-to headset when catching up with the latest Witch Hat Atelier episodes on Crunchyroll and The Boys on Amazon Prime. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the rest of SteelSeries' Arctis Nova gaming audio catalog.

In a world where the cost-of-living crisis and console price hikes are omnipresent, the best gaming earbuds can be a cheaper alternative to headsets, particularly if they're wired. Yet I've never quite been a fan, no matter how cheap they are.

However, my interest was piqued when the SIVGA M260 HiFi Wired Earbuds launched on May 8, 2026 as they're not just affordable, but look great too. They include transparent cabling and are only $45 at Amazon, and that's for the most pricey pair of the two. The buds are available in two models, one that connects via USB-C with an integrated DAC and microphone, and one that's only $39.90 at Amazon and relies on a 3.5mm connection instead. If you want the cheaper version, you'll have to be okay with losing out on 32-bit/384kHz audio support, but I'm just happy both pairs are well under $50 when gaming tech is getting pricier by the day.

No matter which version of the earbuds you pick, they both share that late 90s and early 00s nostalgic look thanks to the translucent cabling. I typically don't like being at the mercy of a wire when it comes to my earbuds, which is one of the reasons why I recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds above all else. But even I'm pretty privy to the M260's retro-inspired design.

According to SIVGA's tech specs, these earphones should also sound as good as they look. They're equipped with 14.2mm dynamic audio drivers, which are "engineered to provide an expansive soundstage and impressive clarity." These drivers have also been equipped with a copper-ring composite bio-diaphragm to reduce audio distortion and offer a more balanced sound.

According to SIVGA, the Hi-Res earphones also include a lightweight Copper-Clad Auliminum Wire (CCAW) voice coil and a N50 neodymium magnet to improve clarity, and "precise control" across ITS frequency range. The frequency response itself doesn't stand out too much as the buds just include a 20Hz-20kHz as seen in a lot of the best gaming headsets I've tested, but I'm still intrigued by the sound and overall quality of these new earbuds nonetheless.

Besides its boasted sound specs, the brand also states that the M260 features a MMCX detachable cable system. They come packaged with a 4N silver-plated OFC cable, which you can swap out if your wiring needs a repair, or if you're an audiophile who wants to swap in something else for size. Talking of cables, if you're after the 32-bit/384kHz audio support, it's the USB-C version you'll want to stick to, but at least you'll only have to pay $5 for the difference.

The SIVGA M260 HiFi Wired earbuds are available now for $45 / £45 and $39.90 / £39.90 at Amazon and select retailers. While SIVGA provided me with the UK prices, I haven't quite found them at a UK retailer quite yet, but I'll be sure to update this page when I do. If you'd rather wait to see how we feel about them before adding them to your online shopping cart, a review is incoming.

• View all wired gaming earbuds at Amazon

If earbuds aren't your thing, our guides to the best gaming headsets are full of the best PS5 headsets and the best PC headsets for gaming that look and sound the part.

The best gaming headsets can sometimes look a bit too similar, and that is especially true of the Audeze Maxwell 2. It bears a striking resemblance to the older Audeze Maxwell, and without my years of testing and reviewing the latest cups, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference at a first glance. But the audiophile brand has found a way to set the two apart with the release of the Audeze Reskin earcup covers.

Starting from $19.99 (Audeze), these official Audeze ReSkin earcup covers are "easily interchangable" and allow you to swap out the plain all-black covers for unique designs created by artists instead. From lucky cat designs to a flurry of Day of the Dead-inspired creations by artist Jesse Zamora, there's a wide range to pick from. But if you're eager to give your Maxwell 2 a bit of pizazz, I recommend picking up a pair sooner rather than later, as some are already starting to sell out.

My favorite covers of the set are hard to narrow down, but I do have a preference for the Planar Scan. This design includes an X-ray look at the headset's own Maxwell 2 90mm Planar audio drivers, which our team's own Tabitha Baker stated in her Audeze Maxwell 2 review created "space and power that goes beyond anything I've heard from a gaming headset."

There's also the Whiteboard earcups, which are dry-erase marker compatible. I have to admit I don't think I'd entirely feel comfortable scribbling over a high-end headset like the Maxwell 2, but I do love that you can basically grab a pen and design these to your liking. Time to put those years of perfecting that pointy 'S' doodle to the test.

It should be said that Audeze is not the only headset brand serving up ways to personalise your headsets. SteelSeries has had its Booster Packs available for quite some time now, which come in a range of colors and designs and are compatible with the majority of the Arctis Nova lineup. Even better, instead of just providing a set of earcup covers, these packs also include matching replacement headbands to make the difference a tad more eye-catching.

I currently have the Bright Pink pair that's available for $48.99 from SteelSeries on my Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and it's allowed the pair to match that of my pink gaming setup. If you don't have an Audeze or SteelSeries headset, brands like RIG also allow you to customize the earcups on a range of its headsets, including that for the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS that I reviewed late last year, thanks to their "Mod Plate" add-ons. The R5 Spear P HS actually came with a set that featured Sony logos, as they're designed with the PS5 in mind.

RIG even goes the extra mile by providing 3D-print-friendly STL files of these Mod Plates, so you can design and create your own. I honestly wish all headset brands, Audeze included, followed suit, as it'd be a great way to save cash after forking out the $329 (Amazon) needed for a pair of Maxwell 2's.

• View all Audeze Mazwell headsets at Amazon

Check out our guides for the best PS5 headsets, best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if you're after a pair that stands out from the rest.

SteelSeries has dominated the best gaming headset guide here at GamesRadar+ for over a year now. I was about to suspect that nothing would be able to shake up the top spot that it's held onto for over a year, until the gaming accessories brand unveiled the brand-new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Wireless.

This new $399.99 / £349.99 headset was ceremoniously announced and released today by SteelSeries and is available straight from the official SteelSeries storefront and select retailers. It boasts many similar features to its Pro Wireless brethren, from a similar MSRP, a similar over-ear form factor with a suspended headband, and hot swappable battery tech, and the accompanying GameHub device has also made a comeback. But the new Arctis Nova Pro Omni Wireless is Hi-Res Wireless Certified to boot.

Much like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite that launched late last year, this new SteelSeries pair is compatible with Hi-res 96kHz/24bit audio over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, just without that massive $599.99 / £599.99 price. It achieves this audiophile-grade sound as it's got new Hi-Res Neodymium 40mm audio drivers in each earcup, along with an extended 10Hz to 40kHz frequency range, both of which, according to SteelSeries, are "necessary to support full Hi-Res Wireless Certification."

This is ideal for PC players as you just need to ensure you have the 96kHz/24-bit setting toggled on via the GameHub device, and you're golden. You won't be able to take advantage of its hi-res audio on the PS5 or Xbox Series X, as those consoles max out 48k/16bit, unfortunately. Though I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the looming PlayStation 6 and Project Helix next-gen platforms could be Hi-res audio compatible, making this new headset a futureproof pickup.

The new pair isn't just boasting of Hi-Res audio support, but it's also equipped with a new and improved ClearCast Pro omnidirectional microphone with the brand claims can reduce "96% of background noise." Much like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, it's a retractable microphone this time around, but the brand has gone the extra mile to ensure it actually mutes once you push it back into the left earcup, a small yet very much appreciated inclusion.

Talking of which, there are a few more of these handy upgrades found in this new addition to the Arctis Nova line. The accompanying GameHub can connect up to five devices at a time, mix the audio sources of four of those, and it's been upgraded with a new tactile dial to make running through its various sound options easier if you've got a case of the sweaty gamer hands. That dial is also available in a range of three colorways, ranging from Midnight Blue, Omni Black, and Omni White, which match that of the headset itself.

The design changes aren't limited to colors, either, as the ear cushions are a bit thicker and meatier with this release. That does mean they aren't compatible with the existing Arctis AirWeave Ear Cushions replacements you can purchase separately online, but at least this new headset works fine with the existing Booster Packs if you want to personalise your pair. I've been testing these out for a few days now, and have had no issue popping in the pink discs that previously sat on my Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

If you want the Hi-res audio capabilities of the Arctis Nova Elite without the elite price, the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is available starting today from SteelSeries and other retailers. Alternatively, you could wait a while for my review, which is in the works, to see if it truly has the specs to knock the Pro Wireless from our best gaming headset pedestal.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you're after a brand new pair for your gaming platform of choice.

HP is expanding its long line-up of gaming tech with the influx of a new range of HyperX goodies. Announced on April 30, 2026, the brand unveiled the HyperX Clutch Talon Controller, but as the resident audio tech nerd who regularly tests and rounds up the best gaming headsets, I was far more intrigued by the announcement of two new HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 gaming headsets.

Starting from $49.99 (HyperX), there are two new pairs available in total: the new HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 and the HyperX CloudX Stinger 3. Both headsets are available in wired and wireless models, with the wireless versions sporting both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz support, along with a $99.99 MSRP. The main difference between the two is that the CloudX version is compatible with Xbox Series X/S consoles, yet both pairs share the best feature of the lot in my eyes, the up to 80-hour battery life.

Up to 80 hours of juice isn't the most impressive battery life I've seen in a headset. That award still goes to the brand's own HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, which can reach an unrivaled 300 hours on a single charge. However, it is pretty impressive given the $99.99 MSRP of both the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 and the CloudX Stinger 3. Some of my personal favorite pairs of cups around a similar price range, like that of the $109.99 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, can only muster up to 40 hours max, whereas this new Cloud Stinger 3 can achieve double that.

It's not the only thing these new headsets have going for them. Both pairs are also equipped with dual wireless 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless, noise-cancelling swivel to mute microphones, and 50 mm-sized audio drivers. The official HyperX product page, nor the HP Press Release, doesn't elaborate on the type of drivers used, other than that they're "big," but their large size, combined with the advanced spatial audio support on PC via the latest NGENUITY Audio Engine, is a surefire combo for high-quality sound.

While the HyperX Cloud Stinger lineup of headsets has got some new additions, so has the NGENUITY software that goes along with them. It's available to download straight from the HyperX official website and is powered by HEAR360 to introduce parametric and graphic equalizers, game and chat audio balance, along with the ability to customize the headset's spatial audio and spatial chat features.

The NGENUITY audio engine's new upgrade also includes real-time dynamic microphone processing, voice monitoring, EQ presets, and AI noise reduction for these new headsets, and a long range of existing HyperX products. Including that of the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless, which I reviewed late last year, and more of the brand's accessories you might currently have in your gaming setup.

Both the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 and HyperX CloudX Stinger 3 are available in black and white colorways for $99.99 at HyperX today. If that's out of your price range, you can grab the wired versions for $49.99 instead, which are available for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

• View all HyperX gaming headsets at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PS5 headsets, best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you need an even bigger battery life.

I've been excited to try out the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds ever since they were first unveiled at CES 2026 earlier this year. Combining the natural-sounding quality found in open-back headphones with an earbud felt like a no-brainer, but the end result didn't exactly match up to my expectations.

It's not all bad, as these are definitely up there with the best gaming earbuds as far as comfort goes. The hook design doesn't put too much pressure on your ears, and I was able to even fall asleep in these without so much as a tinge of discomfort - though I beg that you never do the same.

The earbuds themselves are also pretty flashy, and the glowing RGB logos (though you never see them once they're on your ears) are a nice touch, but the sound never reached similar heights. Dialogue in games was fine, but there's a permanent airy underlining to the bass and mid-range frequencies that didn't sound natural but simply deflated instead. Ensuring Gear Link is active definitely helped things, and I can see these being ideal for those after buds for gaming, music, and working out. But those after a gaming pair are best sticking to SteelSeries flagship buds.

Key specs

Design

The look of the ROG Cetra Open earbuds feels pretty nostalgic. They aren't draped in a retro, translucent colorway or anything, but that ear hook design reminds me of the similar earbuds I would 'borrow' from my mum back in the early '00s. Back then, I wasn't actually a fan of the design, as it never felt secure enough. But the cylindrical ends to each of these buds keep them weighted down, and feel (and look) far more substantial than the earbuds of yore.

The fishhook shape isn't the first thing you'll notice when digging out these buds from their black case. Instead, it's likely to be the Asus ROG logos as they're RGB-powered and are pretty striking. If you've got the accompanying USB-C cable charging in the back of the case, or you're just plainly using the buds, these will be pulsating through a rainbow spectrum of colors. It's a nice spectacle as most RGB features are, but you won't really notice them once you've got them wrapped around your ear lobes.

Features

Talking of which, once you've got them on your ears, there's plenty to take advantage of. First, you've got 14.2mm Diamond-Like Carbon audio drivers in each earbud, alongside four built-in microphones with AI noise cancellation to help solo in on your voice.

Secondly, the buds are equipped with physical buttons, one on each. Pressing down once on the left or right bud will play or pause music and end phone calls, twice can skip tracks, three times can turn the microphone on and off, four times can turn the volume down, and holding will enter Bluetooth pairing mode.

These open buds include Bluetooth 6.0 support, or you can use the wireless dongle that's housed in the middle of the charging case to use the ROG SpeedNova powered 2.4GHz wireless instead. This was my connection of choice, namely as it was pretty simple to pop it in the USB-C port of the PS5, my PC, or that of the Nintendo Switch 2, without having to fiddle about with any settings. This 2.4GHz wireless dongle is what makes the ROG Cetra Open buds special, as they include USB-C one-way passthrough charging. It allows you to pop these in your smartphone (iOS or Android) alongside a charging cable so you can still listen to tunes and give your phone some juice - which is pretty handy.

If you're wondering about any ANC, that's where things get a little interesting. As these are open ear buds, they can't have any traditional active noise cancelling. Instead Asus ROG have conjured up "Immersion Mode", a dynamic frequency filter that minimizes unwanted exterior noises. As your ear canal isn't plugged up by the nature of the open design, it doesn't allow for total immersion as the name suggests, which is worth taking onboard if you need to have complete and total isolation from the outside world while gaming, or listening to music on the go.

Performance

Even with its large 14.2mm Diamond-Like Carbon audio drivers in tow, these Asus ROG Cetra Buds never reached the audio quality heights I hoped for. At first, I thought I wasn't wearing them properly, as no matter the platform, every game sounded a bit lackluster.

I first played Granblue Fantasy Relink on the PS5. The Granblue series is known for its fantastic music, and a grandious RPG felt fitting to see if the open sound I was used to in headsets like that of the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 could translate to a pair of buds. It was promising at first, as the piano melody that plays at startup sounded heavenly. So lovely and natural in fact that I thought I was listening to the audio straight from my TV, but no, the buds were in fact working just as intended.

When I got into the action is where the promise started to waver. It's not a bad sound, but not one I'd want to come out of a pair of $229.99 / £ 184.99-priced audio tech. The clashes of swords and rumbling bass of the score by Tsutomu Narita didn't have that oomph and sounded a bit airy. I regularly checked I was wearing the buds correctly, as I was initially worried they were hanging wrong, but no, this was just how they sounded right out of the box. Dialogue and higher-pitched parts of the game's soundstage sounded lovely, but mid to low sounds just felt forever insubstantial.

This continued in Marvel Rivals on the PS5, and when I switched over to compare it on the PC. The only benefit there is that I wasn't limited by the Sony console's weird volume issues, so I could get things much louder. But even then, that just made the middling bass even more apparent. This is definitely where Asus's Gear Link came in handy, and if you're going to invest in these gaming earbuds, then I highly recommend you get familiar with the software. There's an app and browser version, and there you can select from a range of EQ presets designed for both gaming and music, and tap on the 'Phantom Bass' to power up its soundstage a little more.

Using Gear Link didn't entirely solve all of my issues with the sound, but it does make things better. The rapid fire of my artillery in Counter-Strike 2 sounded far crunchier, which is what I prefer when it comes to any FPS. The pre-match music as I started each new match in Marvel Rivals also felt significantly boosted, and actually got me amped up instead of feeling a bit limp as it did on the PS5.

Sound quality aside, I do like these gaming earbuds. Its USB-C dongle made it ideal for playing with the Nintendo Switch 2 in particular, as I just slotted it in the top port and away I went. Its case is a bit bulky, so it didn't fit in the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases that I have in my possession, but earbud cases very rarely do. It also sadly does not have wireless charging capabilities, so I did have to drag out a cable and pop it in the back of the case when I needed to give the buds more juice, which didn't suit my lazy gaming ways, but it's not a huge deal breaker.

The best thing about these buds is definitely the comfort. I even accidentally fell asleep in these on a couple of occasions (damn you ASMR videos) and woke up without issue. I don't recommend you ever actually do that, but it was nice to wake up and not feel like my ears had been through it. The hook design is also plenty secure, which I appreciated. This may be oversharing, but I can't tell you the many times I've gone to the bathroom and feared that past buds would fall off and end up where they're not supposed to be. However, Asus ROG's versions have stayed in place throughout the entirety of my testing. As a nice touch, there's actually a cable included in the box that attaches them together for those worried about losing the pricey buds. Or for those who want that extra security when going on a jog, which is a really nice touch.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds?

There are plenty of gaming earbuds that do what the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds can do, but better, and for cheaper than $229.99 / £184.99.

So long as you don't have your heart set on an open form factor, I'd much sooner recommend the $159.99 / £159.99 SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds, as they're much more intuitive, compact, and ultimately sound a lot better. However, I completely get the preference for buds that wrap around your lobes and don't project sound directly into your ear canal, especially from an ear health point of view.

Games get loud. Real loud, and having the buds sit in proximity to your ear canal instead means you're less likely to subject your eardrums to a barrage of gunfire, explosions, or the loud screams of your friends over voice chat. Just unfortunately, the sound that the 14.2mm Diamond-Like Carbon audio drivers manage to muster up from that distance just isn't as substantial as I've experienced with the SteelSeries flagship alternative.

It's not bad, but no matter the platform I was playing on, I kept wishing it had more volume and more punch to the low and mid frequencies. I wouldn't entirely write them off, as they're comfortable, look great, the passthrough charging is super helpful. You can also use Gear Link to give the audio a little boost. I just expected a higher quality sound for buds over the $200 price mark.

How I tested the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds

I used the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds for a little over two weeks to fully put the little guys through their paces. In that time, I used them to play a packed lineup of games on the PS5, including Granblue Fantasy Relink, Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly Remake, and Marvel Rivals and Invincible Vs. on PC, I played through multiple hours of Counter Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, and Talisman, and on the Nintendo Switch 2, I dug out Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokemon Pokopia, and Tomodachi Life Living the Dream with the buds wrapped around my earlobes.

When not gaming, I was listening to a wealth of music, but most notably TWRP and NSP, Ninajirachi, and Head Noise on Spotify, and plenty of game soundtracks via the Nintendo Music app. To test how they dealt with dialogue, I also used the buds to catch up with the latest episodes of The Boys and Invincible on Amazon Prime, and a rewatch of Malcom and the Middle on Disney+.

If earbuds aren't your thing, our team has also tested, reviewed, and rounded up all the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for you to check out.

Nacon has just unveiled its latest wireless gaming headset, and the RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS has a few tricks up its sleeve. With its signature charging hub at its side, and 40mm graphene-layered drivers up front, this is already an interesting proposition - but it's those extra 2.4GHz receivers that have piqued my interest today.

The headset itself is launching at $179.99 - not too shabby when you consider competitors with similar features range from $150 to $400. At its core, though, the RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS wants to run all your systems in one go, swapping between them at the touch of a button. For that, you'll also need to shell out an extra $24.99 per dongle - but it could well be worth it.

With these dongles plugged into your Xbox, PS5, PC, Switch, or Steam Deck, you've got an all-in-one multiplatform audio solution - and that's something some of the best gaming headsets can struggle to get right.

Plenty of other headsets have aimed at the same use-case. The Logitech Astro A50 X is the most expensive, coming in at a whopping $399.99 (Amazon). You're getting the same base station design and graphene drivers, with the additional benefit of KVM HDMI switching.

There are some caveats, though, that make the RIG R8 Spectre Pro HS all the more interesting. First up, Bluetooth is tied directly to Astro's base station. That means you can't connect to anything when you're out of the hub's range. Next, you'll need to hard-wire your systems to the hub itself, so you better have your Switch, Xbox, PC, and PlayStation all in the same setup.

The R8 Spectre Pro sidesteps Astro's issues with separate dongles, that can travel anywhere you need them to. You're losing that nifty image swapping, but trading it out for a far more versatile experience - for a fraction of the price.

That's this headset's biggest strength. Each dongle comes in at $24.99, pushing the final price up to $204.98 if you're picking up one additional receiver. You do, however, have to weigh up the benefits of this easy connection while moving into a slightly higher price bracket to get it.

Next on the hit list we have the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, a $199.99 option that keeps your 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections in a simpler dongle package. There are no additional connections available for this model, so that multi-platform experience is less streamlined, you're getting a shorter 50 hour battery, and there's no base station charging involved. However, the Nova 7s do offer simultaneous audio across both calls and music, whereas Nacon's offering only supports the former. SteelSeries' device also comes with a mobile app stocked with over 300 game sound-engineered game presets to choose from - a personal favorite of mine.

If easy, versatile multiplatform play is your primary goal, the RIG R8 Spectre Pro is well worth investigating further. That 60 hour battery life punches slightly above the $179.99 price tag, you're covered for all major platforms and connections, and you've got the luxury of base station charging and competitively tuned graphene drivers. That's a pretty compelling package for the cash.

• See all gaming headsets at Amazon

We're also hunting down the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets, or check out the best Nintendo Switch headsets for something more portable.