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Best wireless gaming headsets 2024: Top picks for audio quality, comfort, and more
jeudi 29 février 2024, 20:30 , par PC World
The arrival of 2.4GHz wireless technology has revolutionized wireless gaming headsets. Now they are more reliable than ever before and some can even rival their wired counterparts when it comes to connection latency and sound quality.
There are myriad different styles, designs, and hardware inclusions — it’s enough to make your head spin. So, to simplify things, I’ve done the hard part for you by getting hands-on and putting each device through its paces. The list below only includes those that have excelled in my extensive testing. The best gaming headsets strike a balance between performance, usability, and extras, placing them in a league above the rest. Why you should trust me: I’m not just a tech expert, I’m also a gaming enthusiast. I’m always on the hunt for better gear to make my own experience better. I know what gamers want. Yes, I’m looking for technologies like spatial audio and Active Noise Cancellation in my gaming headsets, too. If a product makes the cut, I want to spread the word. If it doesn’t, I think it’s my obligation to let you know. I love to play, and I want you to have the best gaming experience as well. For a rundown on how I test wireless gaming headsets and for buying advice, you can read my article “How we test gaming headsets at PCWorld.“ Updated 4/30/2024: I’ve added the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro recommendation to this list: This headset has a punchy audio signature with well-tuned bass and treble that makes it ideal for FPS games. I’ve also added the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed whose ultralight weight helps prevent soreness in marathon gaming sessions. Learn more in the summaries below. Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless – Best wireless gaming headset Pros The styling is very appealing The 40mm drivers produce a very natural sound The cans are very soft and comfortable Cons Some of the moving parts feel a bit tight Leatherette in the cups can get sweaty on hot days Battery life is decent but not excellent Best Prices Today: $229.99 at Logitech G Why I like the Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless Right out of the box, this headset looks fantastic, with fashionable Astro logos on both left and right earcups and very plush leatherette coverings over cushy memory foam, which feels very soft against your ears. As if that wasn’t enough, you can also swap out the magnetic speaker tags on the outside for pre-made designs of your own choosing, to further personalize your look. The Astro A30 also has a refined and natural sound profile, thanks to very finely tuned 40mm audio drivers. But where this headset truly shines is in the connectivity department; it features low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, as well as wired connectivity, so it can connect to just about anything, including a PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and Mac. You can also mix and balance your different audio sources so you never have to miss a thing while playing. Who should buy the Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless Gamers who want to personalize their headset’s look, but also want decent audio, great connectivity, and excellent cross-compatibility. It’s also a great option if you like the convenience of listening to multiple audio sources as you play. Read our full Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless review Logitech Astro A50 – Best wireless gaming headset runner-up Pros Charging cradle is smaller and still very unique Switches to the more reliable 2.4GHz band (finally) Comfortable and durable Cons Middling battery life Poor noise isolation Expensive Best Prices Today: 299.99 at Astro Why I like the Astro A50 Although it doesn’t come cheap, the Logitech Astro A50 packs in more gamer convenience than most similarly priced gaming headsets. In our PCWorld hands-on review we considered the A50’s onboard controls, which include an easy-to-locate volume wheel and a chat/game channel mixer, to be best in class. The mixer allows you to easily switch between your game audio and chat programs in an instant. As well as a refined audio profile, the A50 features a sleek and convenient charging cradle that displays your chosen EQ profile and your selected audio mode — Dolby or stereo. The headset uses the current best-standard 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi signal for the most reliable wireless connectivity. It’s also comfortable and durable. Who should buy the Astro A50 Serious gamers who like to tinker with EQ settings, mix audio sources, and like the convenience of being able to know what profile they’re using at the drop of a hat. It’s also a fine option for gamers who want charging to be as effortless as possible between games. Read our full Logitech G Astro A50 (2019) review HyperX Cloud Core Wireless – Best wireless gaming headset under $100 Pros Decent audio quality, with deep bass and clear mids and highs Durable, strong, and portable design Highly comfortable earcups with memory foam cushioning and leatherette coverings Cons No Active Noise Cancellation Metal headband attachments can sometimes trap your fingers Why I like the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless ticks off must-haves, like great audio quality, but also backs those up with a few nice-to-haves like durability and excellent spatial audio, which for just $99 is exceptional value. The spatial audio comes courtesy of DTS Headphone: X which is managed in the third-party DTS Sound Unbound app. This app leverages Microsoft Spatial Sound technology so it gets decent Windows support and it’s easily downloadable in the Microsoft App Store. The headset’s Wi-Fi signal is delivered over the 2.4GHz band and in our hands-on it proved very reliable, never dropping out or suffering interference. If your ears like a touch of luxury, the headset’s plush memory foam cushioning and leatherette earcup coverings will keep them feeling snug and comfy. Who should buy the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Dedicated PC gamers who want a headset that punches well above its asking price for functionality, comfort, and durability. Read our full HyperX Cloud Core Wireless review Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed – Best midrange wireless gaming headset Pros Ultra-light and comfortable Excellent microphone quality Long-lasting battery life and fast charging option Versatile connectivity options Cons Sound tuning favors esports Material quality could be better Non-detachable microphone Best Prices Today: $129.99 at Razer Why I like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed The Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed is an esports worthy headset that costs a lot less than the premium headsets that esports players usually go for. The standout is the headset’s microphone, which is near broadcast quality. The V2 Hyperspeed is also very lightweight — it weighs less than 10 ounces, so you can wear it for marathon gaming sessions and not feel like you need to take it off. In regard to sound, the V2 Hyperspeed sports large 50mm audio drivers that produce audio across a frequency range of 12Hz to 28KHz. It has a low bass so sounds like explosions are particularly noteworthy in games. Who should buy the Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed If you’re aspiring to start competing in esports competitions and don’t have a huge budget to drop on a $300 headset, then the Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed is just the ticket. Its excellent microphone quality also makes it a great option for players wanting to record in-game videos. Read our full Razer Blackshark V2 Hyperspeed review SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X – Best midrange wireless gaming headset runner-up Pros Great sound quality, especially in the mids A lot of metal makes it very solid and robust A very comfortable design Cons Passive noise cancellation isn't great It's more expensive than some rivals The mushroom shaped dongle can be finnicky Best Prices Today: $179.99 at SteelSeries Why I like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X may not be as flashy as it’s pricier sibling the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, but it easily caters to all your gaming needs, offering great sound quality, a robust metal frame, and simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity that lets you stream music from your smartphone while missing absolutely none of your game’s audio. What’s more, when it comes to comfort the 7X actually outdoes the Nova Pro — its soft mesh ear coverings just don’t get sweaty like the Nova Pro’s leatherette ones do in hot weather. On top of that, the Arctis Nova 7X has excellent cross-platform compatibility. In fact, in our playtesting we had no trouble connecting it up to just about anything with a USB-C port. Another worthy contender in the midrange wireless category is the Logitech G935. This headset gets a lot right, featuring quality audio with a rich bass presence, a clear-sounding microphone, and an onboard dongle storage compartment. Who should buy the Arctis Nova 7X Gamers who want a jack-of-all-trades headset with easy-on-the-ears clamp pressure and comfortable earcups that also won’t cost the kitchen sink. Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X review HyperX Cloud III Wireless – Best battery life Pros High-quality design and good workmanship Multi-platform compatibility Detachable microphone Above-average battery life Cons Occasional sound fluctuations in DTS Surround Sound Microphone adjustment required in noisy environments No Bluetooth Best Prices Today: $169.99 at HyperX Why I like the HyperX Cloud III Wireless In our testing of the Cloud III Wireless, we found it produced a deep bass and clear treble signature that allows you to pick up even the slightest audio nuances in games. The sound is delivered via a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal that enables a delay-free transmission. Although it doesn’t feature Bluetooth connectivity, it does have other convenient features. For example, the Cloud III Wireless’s microphone is detachable, so you can wear it like a pair of headphones when on the go. The Cloud III Wireless’s design resembles most other HyperX Cloud core headsets, in that it features black and red styling and plush faux-leather earcup coverings over a soft memory foam that molds to the contours of your head. The HyperX Cloud III Wireless has a very decent battery life — HyperX claims it can provide 150 hours at 50 percent volume, which means you don’t have to constantly recharge between games. Who should buy the HyperX Cloud III Wireless The HyperX Cloud III Wireless doesn’t have Bluetooth so it’s best suited to dedicated PC gamers. Its excellent battery life will especially suit gamers that don’t like having to frequently charge their headset. Read our full HyperX Cloud III Wireless review Audeze Maxwell Wireless – Best audio quality Pros Impressive audio that sounds warm and full-bodied Strong and robust design Excellent cross compatibility Cons It's quite heavy and large The headband isn't extendable The software app is too simple Why I like the Audeze Maxwell Wireless The Audeze Maxwell Wireless produces the kind of audiophile-grade sound you’d expect from a high-end studio headset, yet it’s expertly tailored for gamers. Its sound quality comes courtesy of 90mm planar magnetic drivers, which are a change from the 40mm or 50mm neodymium drivers we see in most gaming headsets. The Maxwell Wireless is a very versatile device, it sports all three connectivity types: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity via its USB cord. It also has solid cross-compatibility — our Xbox version worked with PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Android and iOS devices. Large, round-shaped cups, instead of oval or square cups, ensure the Maxwell Wireless fits even the largest of ears. Their distinctive shape also gives this headset a unique look. The cups are also very comfortable — they feature a luxurious leatherette material over soft memory-foam cushioning. The headband and yokes are both made from metal, and that does make the Maxwell Wireless quite heavy. Still, you can quite easily wear them for three hours straight and not feel any discomfort. Who should buy the Audeze Maxwell Wireless Anyone who wants the very best sound quality you can possibly get in a gaming headset. If your game has a rich and detailed soundscape, this headset will convey it better than any headset you can currently buy. Read our full Audeze Maxwell Wireless review SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – Best audio quality runner-up Pros Great quality audio Dual wireless functionality Lots of software options for personalization Cons Quite expensive Active Noise Cancellation won't block out all external sound Why I like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro features just about everything you could possibly want in a wireless gaming headset, including excellent sound quality, style, comfort, and a durable metal headband. With support for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, as well as wired connectivity, the Arctis Nova Pro is easily compatible with your PC, laptop, or Xbox device. It also comes with a GameDAC base controller that lets you switch between your PC and Xbox One or Xbox X/S at the press of a button. The headset incorporates technologies that elevate your listening experience, including Active Noise Cancellation, 360 Degree Spatial Audio, and Pro Grade Parametric EQ. All this functionality will set you back $349.99, which admittedly isn’t cheap. But for a headset that sounds this impressive and can actually make you a better gamer, that could be a price worth paying. Who should buy the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless This headset is in many ways superior to most gaming headsets on the market. I’d recommend it to serious gamers who want Hi-Res audio and spatial sound in their games. If you like experimenting with EQ settings to create audio profiles, this headset is also ideal for that. Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review Turtle Beach Stealth Pro – Best for FPS games Pros Punchy audio that's ideal for FPS games Solid attractive and versatile design Very good noise cancellation Cons Lacks support for spatial audio The batteries need frequent changing It's expensive Why I like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro These cans look like, and can just as easily pass as, a premium pair of headphones. The cross-platform compatibility is extremely, good too — the Xbox version connects to everything except PlayStation, while the PlayStation version connects to everything except Xbox. The Stealth Pro packs in a lot of premium functionality, from plush leatherette earpads to dual wireless connectivity (2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) and Active Noise Cancellation, you have lots of tools at your fingertips to elevate your gaming experience. The audio drivers are also especially tuned for FPS games. Who should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Anyone who owns a bunch of gaming devices and wants to use just one premium headset across all of them. Also, since the Stealth Pro’s audio drivers are particularly well-tuned for FPS games, if that’s your jam, then this headset is ideal. Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Pro review Asus ROG Delta S Wireless – Best for casual gaming
https://www.pcworld.com/article/820791/best-wireless-gaming-headsets.html
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