Directional gaming headphones

Using your phone you take a couple of photos of your ears bear with us here , and a few clever algorithms then tune the sound coming out of the headphones to specifically match the shape of your head and ears. The surround sound mixing works really well too, so you can hear enemies creeping up from behind you or enjoy immersive audio from your movies, as long as the source format supports 5. For a comfortable pair of headphones that are excellent across the audio spectrum — including volume levels — the SXFI Gamer is well worth considering.

With custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers and a frequency range of 20Khz- 40Khz, this headset delivers truly three-dimensional sound. You can hear every noise as well as where they're coming from, sounds like explosions are impactful while others like footsteps are true-to-life, making this perfect for shooter games in particular. Granted the omnidirectional microphone could be louder but your voice will still come through clearly enough.

This is the headset that blew T3's Deputy Editor and gaming headset expert Robert Jones away, with him concluding in his review that:. This headset takes gaming headsets to a new level and, providing you can afford its very expensive price point, then it is a no-brainer purchase.

That is seriously high praise considering the competition that the Portal is up against, and makes it a set of gaming cans that demands attention. The audio quality is absolutely top-tier, with 40mm electro-dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets, Dolby Atmos for Headphones, active noise-cancellation tech and the aptXTM Adaptive codec combining to deliver incredibly precise and immersive in-game audio.

The killer thing with the Portal, though, is that they are not just limited to use with Xbox or PC systems, with Bluetooth 5. You can go from gaming on Xbox to listening to music streamed from your phone to watching an epic movie on your tablet in a blink of an eye with the Portal, and that makes it very high price a little more understandable.

The price will obviously mean that the Portal aren't for all gamers, but if you can afford them that you're going to be in for a treat. The Razer Barracuda X may look simple but this is actually a gaming headset with loads going for it. Razer has stripped back the design of this headset and has focused in on what really matters - performance - and it shows.

The audio not only gives you an immersive, degree experience for gaming but you can use the Barracuda X for listening to music too. Overall this is a solid gaming headset that offers fantastic value for money. In terms of sound quality and comfort, as we note in our Roccat Syn Pro Air review , this headset absolutely nails it.

For PC gamers, because this is a gaming headset designed specifically for them, if you prize those two things most and we think most people do , then this is absolutely a headset to check out. It's a wireless headset, too, meaning that on top of that comfort and sound quality you get to banish wires entirely thanks to a 2.

The comfort comes from the fact that the Syn Pro Air features ProSpecs-grade memory foam earpads and headband, while the defined and balanced audio reproduction comes courtesy of 50mm Nanoclear drivers, with the headset's delivery of Superhuman Hearing tech boosting key in-game sounds. There's also no 3. If you need a headset that can act as you main pair of headphones then this isn't a feasible option. Overall, though, an exciting and stylish new gaming headset from Roccat, and one that PC gamers should absolutely scope out before making an upgrade decision.

One of the brand's very first attempts at a gaming headset, the AOC GH delivers solid audio quality and ease of use. Despite that, for this price, this gaming headset is fantastic value for money. What stands out first about the Audeze Penrose headset is its versatility: it can be used with a wired connection, over Bluetooth, or via the bundled 2.

Despite the very reasonable price — these are expensive, but not really for what you get in return — the headphones feature top-tier m planar magnetic drivers, which results in an excellent, rich sound whether you're watching movies on your laptop or gaming on your console.

Throw in a quality fit and finish as well, and you can see why we think this is one of the very best gaming headsets of the moment. Some more advanced features like surround sound would be welcome, but overall we can't fault the Audeze Penrose, especially in terms of audio quality. The Pro is very slightly heavier than the V2 but not uncomfortably so, and the reward is the lack of a cable.

The wireless connection is solid and stable, delivering the same impressive audio as the wired version, and you can realistically expect around 24 hours of use between charges.

It's a very comfortable, capable headset with genuinely thrilling audio. A very impressive feet range, well-built wireless transmitter, lightweight aluminium construction, and swappable dual-battery power system complete a superb all-round package.

Simply put, if you are shopping for a pair of PS5 gaming headphones right now with a high-end budget, then you need look no further. The lightweight black headset is well-tuned for gaming and has an omnidirectional microphone on the left earcup. Plus, the microphone did a great job at isolating noise.

There are a lot of reasons why the Speedlink Orios makes our best gaming headset list: the 7. Then you've got the price: you'll struggle to find a better value gaming headset in your shopping travels.

If you want the best audio possible — whether talking to teammates or listening out for approaching enemies from all arounds — and yet want to ease the strain on your wallet, the Speedlink Orios headset is worth a look.

Other headsets offer a more stylish fit and a more subtle design, but we like the pricing and the performance of the Orios, and that's what counts most in the end. Of course it also makes sense if you already own other Orios products, as they'll all work seamlessly together. There are a huge number of headsets and headphones out there for the keen gamer, with most manufacturers offering multiple products with only small variations. While it might be easy to just go with a certain model because of a recognizable brand, before you spend any of your hard-earned cash, it's worth weighing up exactly what you need from your next headset.

Do you want a great-sounding headset for gaming that can also do double duty as a regular pair of headphones, for example? If so, you need to go for a pair of on-ears and, for style and portability issues, one with a built-in or detachable mic.

Equally, if you are looking for a dedicated, heavy-duty headset for streaming and super-long gaming sessions, you'll need a set with excellent battery life, a good boom mic, and an over-ear comfortable fit. Everyone's needs vary to some extent, and the best gaming headset of is going to be different for everyone. There are lots of gaming headset makers in business today in Some of these firms are specialist gaming headphone producers, who do nothing but that, and others are arms of much bigger companies, who produce a wide-range of gaming accessories and peripherals.

Equally, there are gaming headset makers who have decades of experience under their belt, as well as others who are more young, disruptive new challengers. Here at T3 we've found that while heritage does tend to indicated quality, that is not always the case, though, and often headsets from relatively new makers, such as LucidSound, can outperform similar products from more established producers. Rating or not rating gaming headset makers is of course subjective, but here at T3 after decades of reviewing gaming headphones, we consider the best gaming headset makers to be:.

This doesn't mean that headsets in this guide that are not from these makers are poor — far from it. These are just the top 10 companies that, based on empirical evidence, have consistently delivered great gaming headsets. If you're new to the gaming headset market, or wearable audio products in general, then there's a fair bit of jargon that needs to be processed and understood.

Right here T3 provides a small guide to some of the most important terms and phrases, in the aim to make it easier for each gamer to determine which headset will work for them, and which will not. Type — There are multiple types of gaming headphone styles, but the two most common are over-ear and on-ear. On-ear headphones on the other hand have cups that sit on top of the ears and tend to be more compact and direct in terms of their audio delivery. Drivers — The most important part of each gaming headset, drivers turn electrical signals into hearable sound pressure.

In the simplest terms, the better and bigger the driver the better the sound quality will be. Drivers come in magnet, coil and diaphragm types, which determine how they work. Here at T3 we think, as a general rule, a good gaming headset should feature 40mm or larger drivers.

Frequency response — This is important as it determines the entire range of audible sounds the gaming headset can produce. A wider range on paper indicates that the headset is probably more capable than one that has a smaller one, but it is not an indication of sound quality, just the potential of the headphones. Noise cancellation — Noise-canceling technology has developed rapidly over the past five years and is now offered on a fair few gaming headsets. There is both active and passive noise canceling tech, with active the more desirable.

In basic terms, active noise canceling works by recording environmental sounds around the gamer and then creating an inverse sound wave to cancel them out within the headset. The result is exterior environmental noise is cut out making in-game audio clearer. Passive systems, on the other hand, just look to block out noise and don't actively try to cancel it out.

Sound pressure level — Finally, sound pressure level SPL is, in simple terms, a way of determining just how quiet or loud a set of gaming headphones can go. Most gaming headphones will offer between 90 and max dB SPL. T3's testing procedure for gaming headsets is detailed and authoritative. Firstly, we examine the package contents and build quality of the headset itself from a fit and finish point of view. We look at this stage for deficiencies in the product and overall package, or things of particular note.

Next up we test out the headset purely from an ergonomic point of view. So we wear the headset and examine its ability to be adjusted for different head shapes and sizes. We wear the headset for a prolonged period to ensure we know how it feels during long gaming sessions. Thirdly, we then move onto testing the headset's audio reproduction and mic quality. Lastly, we consider the gaming headset in terms of everyday useability from an experiential point of view.

This stage is particularly important for headsets that advertise themselves as general-purpose headphones as well as a gaming headset, so we wear them while commuting or on trips out. When these four stages are complete, we then judge the headset compared to its contemporaries on the market, both in terms of its quality and its price point.

It is then here that we finally bestow a star score on a gaming headset, with 5 stars being the best score a product can achieve. If you need a quick top pick for the best gaming headset right off the bat, then the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is T3. For PS4 and PC users, it is a dream gaming headset that's going to serve you well for years.

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is one of the most stylish and best-sounding headsets we've ever tested, with its Hi-Res capable speaker drivers, lightweight aluminum alloy and steel construction, and swappable dual-battery system delivering a super all-round gaming package.

To play top PC games and PS5 games with the audio quality they deserve, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless is simply the best gaming headset going out of all the models we've put through their paces. The best gaming headset is going to be different for everyone though, so we'd encourage you to spend plenty of time on your research, and to check out all the other options that we've listed in our guide above. While in the past wired headsets have been the preferred method, modern wireless sets are stepping it up quite a bit.

Wireless headsets always come with the possibility of connectivity issues, especially in homes with plenty of wireless electronics running. That said, brands have taken big strides in combatting this issue with improved wireless tech, Bluetooth capabilities and more. From a sound quality perspective, there isn't much of a difference between wired and wireless gaming headsets.

Both can offer surround sound, noise cancellation, built-in mics, and more. So if you're concerned about sound quality, there's no need to worry. As Deals Editor for T3. Holding a background in analytics and eCommerce for over 10 years, understanding just how retailers think and perform when it comes to sales is what he understands best. When he isn't scouring the net for deals, Troy is an avid art fan and enjoys painting, music, fitness and of course the great outdoors.

The Logitech Mevo Start connects to your phone so you can film videos or start a live stream from any location. Walmart Plus users will have access to both big next-gen consoles this week. Could the Harry Potter spinoff game turn up at the next State of Play event?

Microsoft's next-gen console can only be purchased via Xbox All Access. The first PlayStation 5 restock of from BT is now live. T3 is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number Select your region. Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter. SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless. Drivers: 40 mm. Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz. Wireless: Yes. Battery life: 24 hours. Mic: Bi-directional ClearCast.

Weight: g Reasons to avoid - Not dual-wireless, so no Bluetooth - Retractable mic isn't for everyone. LucidSound LS50X. Specifications Speaker size: 50mm. Frequency response: 20 - 20, Hz. Weight: Wireless range: 30ft. Mic type: Boom. Battery life: 20 hours. Excellent audio performance make the Logitech G gaming headset a winner. Logitech G 7. Weight: g. Frequency response: 20 Hz KHz. Wireless: No. Lighting: Lightsync RGB. Razer Kraken Tournament Edition.

Specifications Drivers: 50mm. Frequency response: ,Hz. Sensitivity: db. Weight: 0. Microphone type: Retractable unidirectional.

Noise cancelling: No. Connection: 3. Cable length: 4. SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless. Reasons to avoid - Not dual-wireless no Bluetooth - Adjustable strap headband design. Drivers: 50 mm. Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz.

Mic: Detachable unidirectional boom mic. Weight: grams. Connectivity: USB-C. Reasons to avoid - No wireless option - Limited on-board controls. Razer Blackshark V2. Specifications Weight: 0. Type: On-ear. Audio output: 7. Frequency response: 12 — 28, Hz. Driver size: 50 mm. Astro A50 Gen 4. Specifications Driver: 40mm Neodymium Magnet. Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,Hz. Battery life: 15 hours. Mic type: 6. A no frills gaming headset that's ideal for casual gamers and audiophiles.

Specifications Drivers: 45mm. Wire length: 6. Mic: Detachable boom. It has great sound quality, making it a good choice for gamers who also love music. Its durability and closed design make it the perfect companion for gamers who are always on the go.

When we started the review, our team of 6 members had conflicting reviews regarding the sound where the first few reviewers reviewed it lower than the later reviewers. Over a space of 3 days, our reviewers on the third day scored the sound quality much higher than those who tested it out on the first day. Design — The DT pro has a closed back design that is durable and well built.

Designed for comfort, it has a robust spring steel headband and soft adjustable earcups. Sound — It has an innovative bass reflex system and produces a frequency range with precision. Specially designed for sound and music monitoring, it provides a neutral listening environment and top-notch impulse response. An option for those looking for a pair of cheap audiophile closed-back gaming headphones, the Cooler Master MH offers comfort and high-quality sound for long gaming sessions.

Although a cheaper option, our team is impressed with the superior comfort and sound for its price range. Extremely lightweight, it has goof build and quality. It comes with a standard jack that makes it compatible with most mobile setups and consoles. We recommend this headset for audiophile gamers who want an all-rounder as it is good for games, music, movies, and even comes with a microphone.

Design — An over-ear closed back design with plush cushions, leatherette padding, and swiveling cups, this headset offers superior comfort. It comes with a cable and mic that are detachable. Combined with the foldable design, this headset is perfect for gaming marathons on the go. Sound — It has 40mm neodymium drivers that produces a full and balanced sound, great for gamers who are seeking a headset that is good for all purposes.

One of the best high-end headphones for gaming, the Sennheiser HD is an open back professional headphone is a genuine masterpiece that will satisfy even the most demanding listener. Although pricey, it is a must have especially for those who already have an amp or dedicated listening set up. Our team is genuinely impressed with the sound quality it offers.

It sounds rich, musical, clean, natural, and effortless. Despite having options with more bells and whistles, this model is regarded as the gold standard. The high-quality materials used to make it definitely reflects its comfortability and sturdiness. Lined with silk, the internal ear cups are well padded and extremely comfortable.

We also have no doubts regarding the durability of the model as it is built to last. Design — It has an open dynamic design with high-quality titanium or silver finish. It uses specially designed acoustic silk to ensure precision and uniform dampening. The elliptical design makes it exceptionally comfortable as it fits the ears perfectly. It also features hand selected matched driver elements, lightweight aluminum voice coils, and high-power neodymium magnets. The audio-Technica ATH-M50X is a critically acclaimed model that has been praised by many top engineers and audio reviewers.

If you are a music lover who have been looking at headphones such as Beats by Dre, this model has better sound quality than the best Beats headphone for half the price. With a sturdy build that is durable, the earpads can be replaced to guarantee a longer life. It is a good pair of audiophile headphones for music and gaming.

We love how it is great for critical listening as it has an exceptional range of bass, treble, and mid-range. Although great for neutral listening, the team is not impressed with the comfort of this headset. About half of us on the team feel that the clamping force is a little bit too much only after 30 to 45 minutes of wearing.

This may be fixed by stretching it to reduce the clamping force. The ear pads and lining also are not the best. Design — It has a closed-back design and 90 degrees swiveling earcups that make it foldable for portability and easy one-ear monitoring. The circumaural design provides sound isolation even in loud environments. Sound — It features proprietary 45mm large-aperture dynamic drivers for high-quality sound reproduction.

Praised by pro audio reviewers and top audio engineers, this model offers exceptional clarity with deep bass response. Made by a premium manufacturer of headsets, the only drawback we could find with these cans is the non-detachable microphone.

They may not be as cheap as their competitors, but they deliver fantastic in-game audio. Your ears will be comfortably squeezed between 53mm drivers, which deliver highly accurate sound reproduction for gaming. Open-air design — Although we prefer closed-back headphones, this open-back model from Audio-Technica is more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. High-fidelity sound — This is one gaming headset that does not compromise on audio quality, with great bass frequencies to boot.

High-quality microphone — No matter how loud or soft you talk, your teammates will hear you every time. Disclaimer: marketing had nothing to do with our pick. The only reason it takes the second spot on our list is its peppered price, which was a big con for us. This is a handy, small module with an embedded chip that processes and boosts your audio signal.

If you want the best audiophile headphones, this is as good as it gets. Surround sound — The surround sound option recreates a 3D environment on your ears with the push of a button.

Premium comfort — Comfortable ear cushions and a durable, ski-goggle headband made from steel. Handy volume controls — The back of the left earcup has a discreet volume control. These gaming headphones combine the best audiophile qualities with the most important features in gaming audio. The open-back, acoustic design is ideal for high-volume setups where you have to hear every drop of a pin in-game, as well as every small input from your teammates.

Classic design — Simple, stylish design, a modern take on the vintage gaming headsets of the early s. Easy volume control — Discreet volume control integrated on the right headphone. High-quality mic — Exceptional voice quality that blocks out a significant amount of external noise. If Razer Kraken are the headphones you use on the road to professional gaming, Audeze Mobius are the ones you buy once you get there.

The reason why is simple — you can purchase a solid GPU with the money you pay for the Mobius. That said, this product is deserving of the title best headphones for gaming for those who can afford these audiophile head pieces.

Once more, the cost is the main reason why a fantastic headset gets a lower spot on our list. What Audeze did with the Mobius is truly awe-inspiring and it changed the market for gaming headphones for ever. The technology inside this audiophile headset is well worth the price, as it delivers an ultra-realistic rendering of in-game sounds.

Planar magnetic drivers — This is NASA-grade technology known to offer alien-like clarity to your in-game sound. Fully-integrated surround — The headphones come with a built-in audio chip that renders audio in 5. Wireless capability — Bluetooth technology ensures you can use these gaming headphones for casual listening. This is basically a high-fidelity stereo headset that can easily dub as a piece of gaming equipment. Aside from pricing, the only real downside is the lack of a microphone.

Extremely comfortable — The headphones are anatomically designed to fit neatly and be as comfortable as possible for any wearer. Audiophile gaming — Audio performance comes off as natural and accurate on a truly impressive soundstage. High-quality build — The headband and swiveling earcups are sturdy enough to withstand a couple of falls. Service commitment — Both the ear cushions and the headband can be replaced by Sennheiser servicing when they wear out.

The Beyerdynamic design might take a little getting used to, but it definitely helps if you try them on before making an opinion — the earcups are made of memory foam wrapped in soft velour. Even the most pretentious of wearers will give in to the plushy softness of this audiophile headset.

Studio quality sound — Use them to bring studio-quality sound accuracy to gaming. Even the slightest change in sound source will be noticeable. The H6PRO is a big part of that, as the company's first go at a true flagship product without Sennheiser's stamp all over it. The H6PRO offers a really high-grade headset experience. There are fancy new 42mm drivers to keep them sounding great, which have been tune to offer a more balanced and easy on the bass profile than your usual gaming headset.

It also offers a great sounding microphone that delivers the benefits of both flip-to-mute and removeable designs. Overall, we're pretty impressed by the Epos H6PRO, so if you're in the market for something a little more fine-tuned by way of audio, these are our recommendation. The added Bluetooth compatibility means that you can use this headset on your mobile devices, too, perfect is you plan on gaming on your phone or tablet.

The great battery life clocks in at over 20 hours out of the box; you can keep playing while you charge, too, simply by connecting the headset to your PC with a USB cable. Best wireless gaming mouse : ideal cable-free rodents Best wireless gaming keyboard : no wires, no worries Best wireless gaming headset : top untethered audio.

That being said, it shouldn't deter anyone looking for a great overall listening experience. The 50mm neodymium drivers provide some good bass between both stereo and with surround sound modes. The microphone works well for competitive gaming though that red light at the tip is infuriating if you want to be heard loud and clear.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a gaming headset. A good price and sound quality are foremost, but comfort is up there, too. Also, noise-cancelling mics are crucial for coms, so most of the headsets we've listed here include this feature.

You want decent voice quality and a microphone that won't pick up every single keypress on your mechanical keyboard. Each headset that we test we use daily for at least a week. We record a sample of our voice in Audacity and compare it to previous recordings from other models, then head to Discord to get some feedback from our friends on how we're sounding.

During that week, we aim to test each headset in a number of different game genres—shooters, battle royales, and racing games make for particularly good testing scenarios since the former tends to test the low-end and reveal muddiness and distortion, while PUBG et al are great for positional audio tracking.

Finally, good racing sims feature a very particular mix designed to help you hear brake lock-up and tires losing traction. Oh, and we listen to a lot of music, obviously. This really comes to down to preference, but if you're going the wireless route what you want to look for is for decent battery life 20 hours or higher.

The last thing you want to have a headset that's constantly needing to be plugged in because the battery life is bad. It kind of defeats the purpose of being wireless. For wired headsets you want to make sure you the cable is long enough to reach your PC without feeling like it's tugging on your head.

Jorge is a hardware writer from the enchanted lands of New Jersey. When he's not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, he's reviewing all sorts of gaming hardware from headsets to game pads. Included in this guide: 1.

View Deal. Image 1 of 5. Image 2 of 5. Image 3 of 5. Image 4 of 5. Image 5 of 5. Razer Blackshark V2.