The 5 Best USB Gaming Headsets

So, you’ve probably heard some things about USB headsets; some good, some bad. You’ve probably heard that Analog headsets were the only way to go because of the cost of USB headsets and their sound overall. Yet, you’ve come to see if the rumors are true and if USB headsets can be good, if not better, than Analog.

We’re here to tell you that not everything you hear is true.🤔🎧

Some of the best wired gaming headsets are great for PC and PS4 platforms. If you have a bad onboard soundcard then these are perfect for you since they bypass it. Even if you don’t have a bad soundcard, these headsets produce a great, crisp sound that many people swear by.

This guide lists the most comfortable and best sounding USB headsets of gaming today – including both budget and premium headsets.

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Pros & Cons

• Extremely comfortable
• Amazing sound quality
• Decent mic
• Good quality build

• Wire chatter and metal reverb
• Huge
• Dongle doesn’t work with PS4 or XBOX One

Key Features:

• Studio-grade sound stage
• HyperX signature memory foam
• TeamSpeak™ and Discord certified Noise-cancelling mic
• Multi-platform compatible
• Durable, reliable solid-steel frame

Specifications:

• Next-gen 50mm directional drivers
• Detachable noise-cancellation mic
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• 12 Hz-28 kHz

HyperX Cloud Revolver S Review

A great sounding and feeling headset with next-gen 50mm directional drivers, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S is a strong USB headset that many gamers love. Having a USB audio control box with a DSP Sound Card, the Cloud Revolver S is a multi-compatible headset with great surround sound.

The Cloud Revolver S has the signature HyperX memory foam pads making it extremely comfortable to wear. It is also very durable and reliable with a solid-steel frame, but huge and sweat-inducing. The Revolver S is also sensitive. You easily can hear wire chatter, and touching it will set off a slight metal reverb.

Its audio control box is well-loved for the Dolby surround sound and great audio that it produces. The Cloud Revolver S even has studio-grade surround stages which help you hear further. But, this control box doesn’t work for Xbox One or PS4. And while its mic is detachable, noise-canceling, and TeamSpeak™ and Discord certified, many find it to just be “decent.”.

In conclusion: the Cloud Revolver S is a great headset that brings amazing comfort and sound to the table, but it is sensitive, heavy, sweaty, and platform-specific. Regardless if you’re a PC gamer, you’re going to enjoy this headset. If you aren’t impressed, feel free to sift through other awesome gaming headsets we have prepared for you.

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Pros & Cons

• Handy GameDac Controls
• High-end Sound Quality
• Amazing design and comfort
• Very comfortable
• A multitude of customization options

• Non-adjustable headset bad for bigger heads
• Small ear cups
• Bass quality varies

Key Features:

• GameDAC
• Retractable boom, bidirectional noise-canceling mic
• DTS Headphone:X v 2.0
• RGB Lighting
• Polished steel and aluminum alloy construction

Specifications:

• Premium Hi-Res speakers with 10-40k Hz
• USB, optical, and 3.5mm connectivity
• 40mm neodymium drivers
• PC and PS4 compatible

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Review:

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC is a high-quality headset that comes at a high price. With Hi-Res speakers giving high-end sound quality and a great sound overall, combined with its amazing surround sound from its GameDAC first-in-gaming DTS Headphone X: v2.0, the Arctis Pro delivers very accurate directional sound that gamers will love.

The well-loved GameDAC addition has many handy controls giving PC and PS4 gamers audiophile levels of audio and an OLED-based menu system.  But, while many enjoy its bass quality, there are also several who go against it. This is the same with its noise-canceling abilities.

The Arctis Pro also isn’t adjustable or great for people with bigger heads or bigger ears. Yet, the Arctis Pro is very comfortable for most people.

The Arctis Pro even has a great retractable boom, bidirectional noise-cancelling mic. It’s also very visually attractive from its amazing design of customizable speaker plates, polished steel, RGB lighting, and aluminum alloy construction.

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a pricey headset that is worth it for the quality it gives. Though not great for those with bigger heads, this is a premium headset with better features than many others.

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Pros & Cons

• Directional sound
• Very comfortable
• THX Spatial Audio
• Durable
• Great noise canceling

• USB module only good for PC
• Only good for gaming
• Clunky
• Conflicting mic opinions

Key Features:

• THX Spatial Audio
• Full audio control
• Cooling gel-infused ear cushions
• Sound isolation
• Ergonomic build
• 2-year warranty

Specifications:

• Custom tuned 50mm drivers
• Cross-platform compatibility
• 12 Hz-28 kHz
• Mic quick-mute toggle

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition Review

The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition (TE) is a comfortable, well-sounding value headset under $100. With a 2-year warranty, you have plenty of time to play with the Kraken and see if it is great for you. If you’re interested in even more value headsets, check out the best budget headsets on the market.

The Kraken TE is very comfortable with cooling gel-infused ear cushions. It is very durable and has an ergonomic build, but this comes at the cost of being clunky. There are also many people who enjoy its mic, especially its quick-mute toggle, but just about the same amount dislike it.

The Kraken TE has great noise-cancellation and sound isolation. Its sound is also well admired – having THX Spatial Audio, great directional sound, and full audio control. But its USB module is only compatible with PC, and its sounds are only good for gaming.

Regardless, the Kraken TE is a great value headset that is very comfortable and ergonomic, dishing out great sounds and canceling out any others around you.

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Pros & Cons

• Very comfortable
• Amazing sound
• Great noise canceling
• Sturdy cables

• Short cables
• Bad USB connection
• Control box keeps getting caught on things
• Spotty Mic for some

Key Features:

• Dual Sound Signature
• USB Mode Software
• Ergonomic, lightweight design
• Scout Mode
• Tilt Driver Design

Specifications:

• 50mm FullSpectrum drivers
• 20Hz-20kHz
• Unidirectional Noise-reduction Condenser Mic
• Additional analog connection

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition Review

The Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is a nice headset with many great features that many gamers love.

The H7 TE is very comfortable due to its ergonomic, lightweight design. It also has amazingly sturdy cables that are highly enjoyed. Yet, these cables are very short, and the control box attached to them easily gets caught on gaming chairs, tables, etc.

The H7 TE’s Dual Sound Signature gives you control of your hearing environment around you. Through this, you can choose between Analog and USB mode. While the Analog mode replaces the original signature of your audio, the USB mode delivers a lot more whether for immersive audio or competitive gaming.

Its USB mode allows you to select between its BlasterX Acoustic Engine and X-Plus Mode. The Acoustic Engine delivers improved overall immersion, while the X-Plus Mode has specially-tuned audio profiles made for competitive gamers that can be saved and brought anywhere.

The H7 TE has a Scout Mode to let you hear further than you can see and a Tilt Driver Design delivers extra clarity and crispness to the amazing sounds you hear.

The last takeaway is its mic, which some people find spotty. Yet, the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is a great sounding headset with astounding features, though it has small cables and an easily caught-on control box. This is a headset you’re sure to like.

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Pros & Cons

• Very comfortable, cooling earcups
• Great, clear sound
• Good noise canceling
• Good for long uses

• Not very durable
• Bad TAC
• Pricy for its quality
• Bad microphone

Key Features:

• 2 year warranty
• Glasses friendly
• Multi-platform compatible
• Aerofit ear cushions
• ComforTec™ Fit System

Specifications:

• 12Hz-22kHz
• 50mm Nanoclear Speakers
• Unidirectional gaming mic
• Detachable mic

Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament Review

A headset great for people with glasses that works off of its immense comfort, the Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament is a great headset that many people love to use. Though it is quite pricey, the Elite Pro Tournament comes with a 2-year warranty and multiplatform compatibility.

The Elite Pro Tournament has good noise-canceling abilities that block out others around you. Its mic is unidirectional and detachable, but many people find it bad. The Elite Pro also isn’t very durable and many people have found it easy to break.

The Elite Pro Tournament’s main feat is its comfort. Great for long uses, the Elite Pro has very comfortable, cooling earcups, Aerofit ear cushions, and the ComforTec™ Fit System. This headset’s comfort is very loved. It also has a great, clear sound that many enjoy – though many believe its price is too much for the quality it gives.

If you’re a fan of Turtle Beach gaming gear and own a PS4, we recommend you check out the best PS4 headset under $50, where we feature a (cheaper) alternative; the Ear Force Recon 60P.

In conclusion, while the Elite Pro has a bad mic and is pricey and not very durable, it is amazingly comfortable and clear with good noise-canceling abilities that many gamers swear by.

Best USB Headset – Buying Guide

There are many things that you need to know when buying any headset. We give you a few pointers here.

Comfort

Comfort is the number one thing to worry about with any headset. You need to be looking for a headset that is comfortable to wear even if you’re playing for most of the day. You want something that fits snugly and doesn’t pinch – something perfect for your head and ears.

The best way to do this is to go and find a store selling the headset so that you can try it out yourself and see if it’s perfect for you before buying.

Durability

A headset that isn’t durable may easily break if dropped or worn too long. You need to make sure to look for a durable and reliable headset that you can have for a long time without worrying that it’s going to break.

Tip: To ensure your headset isn’t dropped and damaged, check out the best gaming headset stands.

Microphone

If you plan to game with others, then you’re going to need a good mic. A crisp mic that is at least decent is a must so that others can understand you when you’re talking.

You’re most likely going to want a noise-canceling mic that you can toggle on and off for, and a mic that will only pick up your voice and not others in the room. Many like detachable mics as well. Which mic works great for you will depend on the headset itself and your own preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions: USB Headsets

There are many common questions associated with USB headsets. We answer a few of them here.

Are USB headsets better than Analog?

This is a highly contested question. Many say the USB sound is bad and not worth the price and others say the Analog doesn’t produce as crisp sound as the USB. Analog is favored by some for its multi-device compatibility, and USB is favored for its better abilities with surround sound.

USB headsets are good if you don’t have a good onboard soundcard, even though they cost more. Analog headsets are good if you have a good onboard sound card, are simpler, less expensive, and connect to multiple devices.

In the end, this is up to you.

Are wired headsets better than wireless?

Neither is better. Wireless and wired headsets are barely different in sound quality. Which one you prefer depends on how you plan to use it.

If you plan to game at your desk, get wired. If you want to play on your TV or use a gaming console, get wireless.

We all know that wireless headsets have their problems, such as battery life, sound quality, and so on. However, high-quality wireless headsets give better freedom of movement and you won’t be able to notice any difference compared to what you hear using wired models. In the end, this depends on what you plan to use it for and if you want the freedom of movement at the cost of having to charge it.

What headsets do pro gamers wear?

Pro Gamers wear several types of headsets including the HyperX Cloud II, SteelSeries Arctis Pro, HyperX Cloud Revolver S, Logitech G Pro, and the Sennheiser GAME ZERO.

Conclusion

Compared to all of the ridicule they get, when you look at headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro and the Logitech G Pro, it’s obvious that USB gaming headsets can be great and that the rumors aren’t true.

If you’re looking for a good USB headset, then this list will help you. And even if you’re not up for getting a USB headset, our FAQ and Buying Guide will definitely help you get the perfect headset for you.