The best gaming headsets

There’s a lot to consider when buying your next gaming headset, and probably more than what goes into picking a gaming mouse or gaming keyboard. The first is price, with upfront fees ranging from under $50 to around $600. Paying more isn’t necessarily better but you will have to invest at least $100 to move from wired headsets to wireless headset freedom.

Most of the picks on this page are wireless headset because, outside of cost, there are few reasons to go with a wired headset these days. The more you’re willing to pay, the more you unlock features like multiplatform compatibility, practical everyday headphone replacement and all-day battery life. Scroll on for a list of the best gaming headsets you can buy in Australia.

It’s been more than a year since the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless first graced my noggin. Since then, it’s remained my go-to all-rounder gaming headset. While these cans have an expensive RRP, they’re a pricey investment in everything you could ever want from a gaming headset. Definitely buy the Xbox version, even if you don’t own that platform, just to have the option of across-the-board compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck and mobile. You get all-day comfort, optional hi-res sound via wired connection, a replaceable battery for dozens of hours of gaming, and an easy-to-use versatile DAC. Unlock a viable competitive edge online via Sonar tweaks and tuck away the retractable microphone for a great-sounding pair of active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones.

For alternatives, consider the Astro A30 Wireless, Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Xbox or the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.

If you’re after a cheap wired gaming headset, start comparisons with the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. The main disclaimer is you have to pick official platform compatibility—PlayStation, Xbox or PC—because there’s a headset for each. With that choice aside, expect to be impressed by the big sound from the generous 50mm audio drivers and all-day comfort. Admittedly, while official compatibility is restricted to what’s listed on the box, the reality is that any Cloud Stinger 2 should work with anything that has a 3.5mm audio jack. Audio will work a treat but the microphone quality isn’t always the best and may have issues across unofficial platforms. That said, the Cloud Stinger 2 is still a well-designed headset with a competitive price.

For a cheap alternative, consider the Turtle Beach Recon 70 or start your wireless journey with the Xbox Wireless Headset. If you want more of a premium wired headset, consider the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense.

It’s clear that the Stealth Pro headset is Turtle Beach’s response to the popularity of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. And that’s okay because the Stealth Pro competes on most of the features of SteelSeries’ pricey juggernaut albeit, thankfully, at a cheaper asking price. Slipping them on for the first time, you’ll notice big sound that’s well-balanced out of the box and also customisable via Turtle Beach software. As with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, opt for the Xbox version of the Stealth Pro for compatibility across all major platforms. There is a removable battery (with a spare in the box), which is charged in a device that could have been a DAC. Admittedly, the real-world battery life isn’t as great as what’s advertised. Still, for a multiplatform wireless headset that boasts ANC and great performance, the Stealth Pro is well worth considering.

Alternatively, consider the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, Razer BlackShark V2 Pro or the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4X Wireless isn’t just a great gaming headset for Xbox players, it’s also great for basically any other platform you throw it at. Typically, that kind of praise is relegated to Bluetooth headsets. But while the Nova 4X Wireless lacks Bluetooth, its 2.4GHz dongle is compatible with any platform that has a USB-C port, including PlayStation consoles, Nintendo Switch, mobile devices and the Steam Deck. You’ll quickly find all-day comfort after minimal adjustments, then multi-session longevity thanks to a 35-hour battery. Run out of juice? 15 minutes of recharging time nets six hours of playing time. The best thing is that the Nova 4X Wireless is a plug-and-play gaming headset, which just works with compatible devices after a few seconds. For extra straightforward tweaks, jump into the SteelSeries GG companion software on a computer.

For a cheaper alternative, go with the less-versatile Xbox Wireless Headset. Otherwise, there’s the Corsair HS65 (wired), Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Xbox or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (Xbox version).

Because of reported hardware restrictions in Xbox consoles, it’s more straightforward to make gaming headsets that are compatible with PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch. Case in point, the Razer Barracuda Pro. These high-end Razer headphones offer well-balanced sound out of the box and killer battery life, without relying on replaceable batteries. They’re also designed in such a way that they can be used as a gaming headset or everyday headphones, which includes a hard carry case. That said, while the Barracuda Pro headset is comfy around the ears, the headband is a bit finicky for a secure headbanging-proof fit. In fairness, that may only be an issue for people with larger heads (like me).

For PlayStation alternatives, consider the Corsair HS65 (wireless), Epos H3Pro Hybrid, Razer Barracuda X, Logitech G535 Lightspeed or the official Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset.

I’ve yet to encounter on-ear gaming headphones and every gaming headset I’ve reviewed is over-ear, which is a straightforward way for passive noise cancelling. But not every gamer wants headphones. If that’s you, gaming earbuds may be more up your alley, and the Soundcore VR P10 is among the best wireless earbuds I’ve used. For a comparatively affordable price, the VR P10 comes with a low-latency 2.4GHz dongle and responsive Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for multiplatform compatibility. I’m particularly fond of the charging case that has a spot for the dongle. Finer details aside, the VR P10s boast solid overall battery life and, if you don’t mind tweaking, some great all-round sound.

If your gaming earbuds budget allows for it, consider the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed gaming earbuds for the best overall audio or the cheaper Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed.