A good gaming headset does more than play sound. It helps you stay immersed, react faster, and communicate clearly with your team. Comfort matters for long sessions. So does tuning, battery life, and mic quality.
RTINGS has tested more than 845 headphones, and these six stand out as the best gaming headsets you can buy heading into Q4 2025. They cover a wide range of budgets and use cases, from competitive shooters to laid-back single-player marathons.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iE7XD13NL._AC_SL1080_.jpg
• Audeze Maxwell Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YR4JI4)
If you want the best all-around gaming headset right now, this is it.
The Maxwell Wireless is unusual in the gaming space because it uses planar magnetic drivers, which are more commonly found in audiophile headphones. The result is clean, detailed sound with excellent separation. Footsteps, dialogue, and environmental effects are all easy to place without sounding thin or harsh.
Out of the box, the sound is slightly warm, which works well for both games and movies. You can fine-tune it using the companion app, including shareable EQ presets. It also supports Dolby Atmos and LDAC over Bluetooth for high-quality wireless audio.
The detachable boom mic is one of the best you’ll find on a wireless headset, staying clear even in noisy environments. Battery life is exceptional at over 70 hours, though the headset is heavier than most. If weight is your top concern, there are lighter options below.
**Best for:** Players who want top-tier sound, strong wireless performance, and excellent mic quality in one package.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ji6d-Z88L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
• Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YBJkCV)
The BlackShark V3 Pro is built for competitive gaming.
It delivers extremely low wireless latency, strong active noise cancellation, and a lightweight design that works well for long sessions. The sound signature is V-shaped, with punchy bass and energetic highs that make explosions exciting without fully burying dialogue. If that tuning isn’t your style, the app offers a solid EQ and plenty of mic controls.
Mic quality is excellent, prioritising your voice even in noisy environments. Battery life is also impressive at nearly 70 hours with ANC enabled.
The biggest drawback is fit. If you wear glasses, the ear seal may break more easily, affecting both bass and noise cancellation. There’s also no wired mode or Bluetooth multipoint.
**Best for:** Competitive players who want low latency, ANC, and strong mic performance without paying flagship prices.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JdLu3ZgpL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YQ8OMI)
The Arctis Nova 7 Wireless hits a sweet spot for features, comfort, and price.
It uses a low-latency wireless dongle for gaming. Also, it supports Bluetooth, letting you mix game audio with music or chat from your phone. The sound is warm and lively, with boosted bass for impact and enough treble sparkle to keep effects crisp. You can adjust everything using the SteelSeries app.
Battery life sits around 30 hours, which is solid, and you can fall back to wired use if needed. The mic sounds natural, though sidetone monitoring introduces some noise.
Platform compatibility depends on the version you buy, so that’s worth double-checking before purchasing.
**Best for:** Gamers who want a versatile wireless headset that works well across PC and console without overspending.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Lc-z4H6tL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4b9BpUv)
For the price, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 packs a lot in.
It offers low-latency wireless audio, a flip-to-mute mic, and one of the longest battery lives in this category at nearly 86 hours. The microphone is especially impressive, doing a great job of isolating your voice from background noise.
Sound tuning is bass-heavy, which helps with footsteps and effects but can make dialogue a bit muddy. Thankfully, the companion app includes EQ options to rein things in.
Build quality isn’t as strong as pricier models, and there’s no wired mode, but the feature set is hard to beat at this level.
**Best for:** Budget-conscious gamers who still want strong battery life and an excellent mic.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81bQEkMevBL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
• Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4q0wmKY)
If you want something affordable that works, the G435 is a solid pick.
It’s lightweight, comfortable, and offers low latency over both its USB dongle and Bluetooth. The sound leans warm, giving explosions and footsteps a bit more presence. There’s no EQ, but the tuning is generally pleasant.
Noise isolation is poor, and the plastic build feels basic. Battery life is around 20 hours, which is enough for a few long sessions but nothing special. It also doesn’t support Xbox.
**Best for:** Casual PC and PlayStation gamers who want the lowest possible price without going wired.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61nvHO1oxKL._AC_.jpg
• Drop + Sennheiser / EPOS PC38X | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4qA3Mjq)
If you value immersion over isolation, open-back is still hard to beat.
The PC38X delivers a wide, spacious soundstage that makes games feel more natural and less boxed-in. It’s perfect for single-player titles and dialogue-heavy games. The tuning is balanced, with clear mids and controlled treble, though the bass is lighter due to the open design.
Comfort is excellent, and the boom mic sounds full and natural. The trade-off is obvious: it leaks sound and lets in everything around you, so it’s best used in a quiet room.
**Best for:** Players who want the most open, speaker-like presentation and don’t need isolation.
There’s no single “perfect” gaming headset. The right choice depends on how you play, where you play, and what you value most.
• **Want the best sound and features overall?** Go with the [Audeze Maxwell](https://amzn.to/3YR4JI4).
• **Focused on competitive play and ANC?** The [Razer BlackShark V3 Pro](https://amzn.to/3YBJkCV) is hard to beat.
• **Need balance and flexibility?** The [SteelSeries Nova 7 Wireless](https://amzn.to/3YQ8OMI) fits most setups.
• **Shopping on a tighter budget?** [Turtle Beach](https://amzn.to/4b9BpUv) and [Logitech](https://amzn.to/4q0wmKY) both offer substantial value.
• **Crave immersion above all else?** The [PC38X](https://amzn.to/4qA3Mjq) remains a classic open-back option.
No matter which you choose, all six are proven performers backed by extensive testing, and each one excels in its own lane.
RTINGS has tested more than 845 headphones, and these six stand out as the best gaming headsets you can buy heading into Q4 2025. They cover a wide range of budgets and use cases, from competitive shooters to laid-back single-player marathons.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iE7XD13NL._AC_SL1080_.jpg
Best Overall Gaming Headset
• Audeze Maxwell Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YR4JI4)
If you want the best all-around gaming headset right now, this is it.
The Maxwell Wireless is unusual in the gaming space because it uses planar magnetic drivers, which are more commonly found in audiophile headphones. The result is clean, detailed sound with excellent separation. Footsteps, dialogue, and environmental effects are all easy to place without sounding thin or harsh.
Out of the box, the sound is slightly warm, which works well for both games and movies. You can fine-tune it using the companion app, including shareable EQ presets. It also supports Dolby Atmos and LDAC over Bluetooth for high-quality wireless audio.
The detachable boom mic is one of the best you’ll find on a wireless headset, staying clear even in noisy environments. Battery life is exceptional at over 70 hours, though the headset is heavier than most. If weight is your top concern, there are lighter options below.
**Best for:** Players who want top-tier sound, strong wireless performance, and excellent mic quality in one package.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ji6d-Z88L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Best Upper Mid-Range Gaming Headset
• Razer BlackShark V3 Pro | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YBJkCV)
The BlackShark V3 Pro is built for competitive gaming.
It delivers extremely low wireless latency, strong active noise cancellation, and a lightweight design that works well for long sessions. The sound signature is V-shaped, with punchy bass and energetic highs that make explosions exciting without fully burying dialogue. If that tuning isn’t your style, the app offers a solid EQ and plenty of mic controls.
Mic quality is excellent, prioritising your voice even in noisy environments. Battery life is also impressive at nearly 70 hours with ANC enabled.
The biggest drawback is fit. If you wear glasses, the ear seal may break more easily, affecting both bass and noise cancellation. There’s also no wired mode or Bluetooth multipoint.
**Best for:** Competitive players who want low latency, ANC, and strong mic performance without paying flagship prices.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JdLu3ZgpL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Best Mid-Range Gaming Headset
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/3YQ8OMI)
The Arctis Nova 7 Wireless hits a sweet spot for features, comfort, and price.
It uses a low-latency wireless dongle for gaming. Also, it supports Bluetooth, letting you mix game audio with music or chat from your phone. The sound is warm and lively, with boosted bass for impact and enough treble sparkle to keep effects crisp. You can adjust everything using the SteelSeries app.
Battery life sits around 30 hours, which is solid, and you can fall back to wired use if needed. The mic sounds natural, though sidetone monitoring introduces some noise.
Platform compatibility depends on the version you buy, so that’s worth double-checking before purchasing.
**Best for:** Gamers who want a versatile wireless headset that works well across PC and console without overspending.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Lc-z4H6tL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Best Lower Mid-Range Gaming Headset
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4b9BpUv)
For the price, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 packs a lot in.
It offers low-latency wireless audio, a flip-to-mute mic, and one of the longest battery lives in this category at nearly 86 hours. The microphone is especially impressive, doing a great job of isolating your voice from background noise.
Sound tuning is bass-heavy, which helps with footsteps and effects but can make dialogue a bit muddy. Thankfully, the companion app includes EQ options to rein things in.
Build quality isn’t as strong as pricier models, and there’s no wired mode, but the feature set is hard to beat at this level.
**Best for:** Budget-conscious gamers who still want strong battery life and an excellent mic.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81bQEkMevBL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
Best Budget Gaming Headset
• Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4q0wmKY)
If you want something affordable that works, the G435 is a solid pick.
It’s lightweight, comfortable, and offers low latency over both its USB dongle and Bluetooth. The sound leans warm, giving explosions and footsteps a bit more presence. There’s no EQ, but the tuning is generally pleasant.
Noise isolation is poor, and the plastic build feels basic. Battery life is around 20 hours, which is enough for a few long sessions but nothing special. It also doesn’t support Xbox.
**Best for:** Casual PC and PlayStation gamers who want the lowest possible price without going wired.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61nvHO1oxKL._AC_.jpg
Best Open-Back Gaming Headset
• Drop + Sennheiser / EPOS PC38X | [See Price at Amazon UK](https://amzn.to/4qA3Mjq)
If you value immersion over isolation, open-back is still hard to beat.
The PC38X delivers a wide, spacious soundstage that makes games feel more natural and less boxed-in. It’s perfect for single-player titles and dialogue-heavy games. The tuning is balanced, with clear mids and controlled treble, though the bass is lighter due to the open design.
Comfort is excellent, and the boom mic sounds full and natural. The trade-off is obvious: it leaks sound and lets in everything around you, so it’s best used in a quiet room.
**Best for:** Players who want the most open, speaker-like presentation and don’t need isolation.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “perfect” gaming headset. The right choice depends on how you play, where you play, and what you value most.
• **Want the best sound and features overall?** Go with the [Audeze Maxwell](https://amzn.to/3YR4JI4).
• **Focused on competitive play and ANC?** The [Razer BlackShark V3 Pro](https://amzn.to/3YBJkCV) is hard to beat.
• **Need balance and flexibility?** The [SteelSeries Nova 7 Wireless](https://amzn.to/3YQ8OMI) fits most setups.
• **Shopping on a tighter budget?** [Turtle Beach](https://amzn.to/4b9BpUv) and [Logitech](https://amzn.to/4q0wmKY) both offer substantial value.
• **Crave immersion above all else?** The [PC38X](https://amzn.to/4qA3Mjq) remains a classic open-back option.
No matter which you choose, all six are proven performers backed by extensive testing, and each one excels in its own lane.