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Best Wireless Gaming Headset 2021

A wireless gaming headset is one of the most freeing accessories you can get for your gaming PC. Right next to a wireless gaming mouse, a wireless gaming headset will let you stay in the action of your favorite games while moving freely. You can lean in to get a closer look, recline in your seat to relax between games, or even walk into the other room to grab a drink – all through that, a good wireless gaming headset will keep you connected to the audio coming from your game – no cables getting snagged and yanking your headphones off.


You don't need to worry about audio quality or performance here either. The best wireless gaming headsets rely primarily on high-bandwidth, 2.4GHz connections that can deliver full-quality audio with next to no latency. In other words, your game audio will come through just as the makers intended and it'll be perfectly in sync with the action.

Wireless gaming headsets have been proliferating in recent years, so you can actually find some fairly affordable options that get the job done. There are plenty of premium models as well that may offer more sturdy designs or extra connection options and features like surround sound. We've picked out an assortment so you can find a pair of wireless gaming headphones that fit your budgetary constraints and the features on your wish-list – and click here to find our picks in the UK.

TL;DR – These are the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets

1. SteelSeries Arctis 7X​

Best Wireless Gaming Headset​




Compatibility: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4/PS5, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS | Interface: wireless, wired | Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle, USB-C wired, 3.5mm audio cable | Drivers: 40mm Neodymium | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: 7.1 | Battery Life: 24 hours


What could make the best wireless headset even better? Well, support for even more systems, of course. That's just what SteelSeries did when it upgraded the already excellent SteelSeries Arctis 7 to make the new SteelSeries Arctis 7X. The new headset takes everything that was beloved about its predecessor and stretches it to support the Xbox Series X, Series X, Playstation 5 while still supporting computers and mobile devices.

For the most support, make sure you're not confused by the Arctis 7P. While they're nearly the same headset, they have some small variances in support and features. The Arctis 7P misses out on support for Xbox consoles, but the Arctis 7X actually supports both Sony's and Microsoft's consoles. The headset offers latency-free connections with a USB-C dongle as well as support for wired connections over USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables. Simply put, these headphones are packed with features, and they can still muster 24-hour battery life.


IGN Deals' Picks: The Best Gaming Headset Deals


2. Razer Barracuda X​

Best Budget Wireless Gaming Headset​


Compatibility: (Wireless) PS5/PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android wireless; (Wired) Xbox Series X/S, Mac | Interface: Wireless, Wired | Connections: 2.4 GHz Wireless USB-C dongle, 3.5mm wired | Drivers: 40mm TriForce | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: 7.1 | Battery life: 20 hours | Weight: 250g


$70 can take you far when you go for the Razer Barracuda X. This wireless gaming headset is showing just how much wireless gaming audio has improved in recent years since it can deliver a quality experience at such an affordable price and top it off with surprising flexibility.

The Razer Barracuda X doesn’t lock you into wireless on only one platform. It supports a wireless connection with its 2.4GHz USB-C dongle on the PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and even Android devices. So, whether you’re gaming at home or on the go, you can make use of this headset. If you want to support other platforms, it even includes a 3.5mm connection. Packing in all that potential, the Razer Barracuda X still maintains a lightweight design and uses a breathable material called BlowKnit. You might think battery life had to take a hit for that low weight, but the headset can run for 20 hours on a charge.

3. Audeze Penrose X​

Best Wireless Gaming Headset for PC​


Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | Interface: Wireless, wired | Connections: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz USB dongle, 3.5mm audio cable, USB-C (charging) | Drivers: 100mm Planar | Frequency response: 10Hz - 50,000Hz | Battery Life: 15 hours | Weight: 320g


Gaming just got a premium-audio boost with the Audeze Penrose X. These headphones provide a latency-free wireless audio experience to enjoy your games free from the leash that so often ties us to our desks. But Audeze tops that off with the major perk of 100mm planar magnetic speaker drivers. This technology is known for its incredible sound with high precision across a wide frequency response range, and the Audeze Penrose X delivers.

This headset also goes the distance with platform support. You can connect it to your PC or Xbox with its USB dongle, but it also supports Bluetooth and 3.5mm audio connections, giving you a ton more flexibility with which platforms you can use it with. There’s one drawback of the headset’s impressive speaker drivers, though: they take some power to drive, and that sees them limited to a 15-hour run time, which applies whether you’re using a wireless or wired connection. Regrettably, though it charges via USB-C, the headset doesn’t let you use that same USB connection for audio.

4. Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset​

Best PS5 Wireless Gaming Headset​


Compatibility: (Wireless) PS5, PS4, PC, Mac (Wired) Mobile | Interface: wireless, wired | Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, USB-C, 3.5mm audio cable | Drivers: 40mm Neodymium | Surround sound modes: Tempest 3D | Battery life: 12 hours | Weight: 295g


To make the most of your experience gaming on the PlayStation 5, you'll want to be sure you can take advantage of the new Tempest 3D audio system. To that end, Sony has designed the very headset you'll want in the Pulse 3D. This headset has a smooth, curvy aesthetic with black and white tones that match the PS5 hardware itself. Inside the headset, you'll find a pair of 40mm drivers that pump out clear and precise sound. Paired with the Tempest 3D audio, they can create an immersive sound environment that gives the perception of sounds coming from all around you.

The headset uses a USB dongle to connect wirelessly to the PS5, but it also supports PS4, PC, and Mac over this connection. A 3.5mm jack will let you use the Sony Pulse 3D headset with virtually any device, and it can save you in a pinch if you run out of battery. Another thing this headset can save is the eardrums of your teammates in intense online games, as there is a mic monitoring feature that will let you hear yourself more clearly – a feature we find makes it easier to avoid shouting into our mics.

5. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2​

Best Xbox Series X/S Gaming Headset​


Compatibility: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Mobile | Interface: Wireless | Connections: Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth | Drivers: 50mm | Surround sound modes: Windows Sonic | Battery Life: 20 hours


If you want a great wireless headset for the Xbox Series X or S, you can't settle for one that requires a cumbersome solution for connecting. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 gets around all that by using Xbox Wireless to pair directly with the console – no dongle needed. That'll save space in your media center and leave all your USB ports free.

The headset features large earcups with plenty of space for your ears and loads of cushion to keep the fit comfy. That cushion is also a cooling memory foam to help you stay cozy in the midst of intense gameplay sessions. Of course, any headset should have big, powerful drivers and a comfy fit. The Stealth 700 Gen 2 goes beyond that, offering a secondary connection over Bluetooth that can be used concurrently with the Xbox Wireless connection. So, you can feed Xbox game audio into your headset while you're in a voice chat on your phone.

6. SteelSeries Arctis 9​

Wireless and Bluetooth at the Same Time​


Compatibility: PC, Mac, Playstation, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, VR | Interface: Wireless, Wired | Connections: 2.4GHz Wireless USB Dongle, Bluetooth 4.1, 3.5mm wired | Drivers: 40mm Neodymium | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: DTS Headphones:X v2.0 | Battery life: 20 hours


The SteelSeries Arctis 9 is a headset that's built for incredible flexibility. It supports both wired and latency-free wireless connections, and then it takes that a step further with Bluetooth support. That'd be plenty on offer from any headset, but SteelSeries has also built the headphones to support more than one connection at the same time. So, you can connect the headphones to your platform of choice over the 3.5mm cable or USB receiver and then connect to your phone to listen to music, podcasts, or even chat on discord.

If you're on PC, you'll also get support for DTS Headphones:X for a boost from surround sound. All the sound comes through capable 40mm drivers. And, SteelSeries will help you tune into the right sounds, as you can use the ChatMix dial on PC and Mac to shift the balance between voice chat and game audio, making it much easier to hear your teammates or your enemies as the situation requires. If you're on Xbox, the SteelSeries Arctis 9 will work for you with a wire, but you can get a better experience from the Arctis 9X

7. HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless 7.1​

Best Lightweight Wireless Gaming Headset​


Compatibility: PC | Interface: Wireless | Connections: 2.4GHz Wireless USB Dongle | Drivers: 40mm Neodymium drivers | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: Virtual 7.1 | Weight: 244g


The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless 7.1 takes much of what we liked from the HyperX Cloud Stinger Wireless and boils it down into an extra-light, extra-affordable headset. At 244 grams, its weight is almost imperceptible while you're wearing it, and it manages a mild enough clamping force to stay fairly comfortable over long play sessions.

The low price of the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless 7.1 makes it one of the most affordable wireless gaming headsets you can find while it maintains a decent level of quality and performance. And, with 17 hours of battery life, you can easily make it through long gaming sessions. When it's time to charge it back up, the USB-C port means you won't have to keep an outdated micro USB cable on hand.

8. Sennheiser GSP 370​

Battery Life that Keeps Going and Going and...​


Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4 | Interface: Wireless | Connections: USB | Drivers: 50mm Neodymium dynamic drivers | Frequency response: 20Hz -20,000Hz | Battery life: 100hrs | Weight: 285g


Sennheiser's GSP 370 wireless gaming headset is a special one, as it truly nails a couple of things. One of those is comfort, as the deep earcups, soft material, and plush cushion make this one of the most comfortable headsets around. The other thing it nails is battery life. The Sennheiser GSP 370 boasts a 100-hour battery life that puts the competition to shame.

That battery is all the more impressive when considering that there's no sacrifice to latency or audio performance. These headphones are perfect for gaming, with incredibly clean audio, including over the microphone. Your teammates or streaming audience will hear you loud and clear, and you'll get top-notch sound from games, movies, and music.

9. Victrix Gambit​

Best Surround Sound Wireless Gaming Headset​


Compatibility: (Wireless) Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC | Interface: wireless, wired | Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, 3.5mm audio cable | Drivers: 50mm HD | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: Dolby Atmos | Battery life: 16 hours | Weight: 301 g


The Victrix Gambit wireless gaming headset will have you fully immersed in your favorite games thanks to its impressive surround sound audio. With Dolby Atmos support, you will be able to easily hear your opponent’s approach as you tour different countries in your favorite racing games with directional audio or be taken aback by an explosion while on the battlefield with its impressive bass. Just be aware that this headset does seem to favor those deeper bass sounds, and it may sometimes make you miss other, more subtle audio cues. There are 55mm drivers and an over-ear cup design on these cans making the sound more isolated and removing some outside noise distractions–it's perfect for anyone looking to escape the outside world for a few hours.

The Victrix Gambit headset features a built-in microphone that will isolate audio to focus on your voice and a voice monitoring switch is located just below the microphone. Plus, when things get a little heated during gameplay, and you’re afraid you may say something you’ll regret later, just flip it up, and the mic will mute. This headset has plug and play support for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, so it’s pretty simple to get using. The battery life should be plenty to last even your longest sessions at 16 hours. Priced at only $129, there really is a lot to love about this headset.

10. Razer Nari Ultimate​

Haptic Sound Effects​


Compatibility: (Wireless) PC, PS4; (Wired) Xbox One, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | Interface: wireless, wired | Connections: 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, USB, 3.5mm audio cable | Drivers: 50mm Neodymium | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000Hz | Surround sound modes: THX Spatial Audio | Battery life: 20 hours | Weight: 432g


The Razer Nari Ultimate surprised us not only with its smart industrial design but also for just how well it implemented its headlining feature. The onboard haptics are the closest to simulating a subwoofer on our skull that we’ve ever encountered in our experience testing headphones. They’re great for games and movies, and if you need a killer way to wirelessly listen to Spotify around the house, they can handle that too.

Where to Get the Best Wireless Gaming Headset in the UK​


Lucky for you every single one of the headsets mentioned within this article is also available to buy in the UK at a decent price. Most headsets available can be found at Amazon as well, so you can take advantage of a quick no-faff delivery time.

What to Look for in a Wireless Gaming Headset​


There are a few key things you should look out for when buying a wireless gaming headset with the battery life being one of the most important. Your wireless gaming headset's battery life is of course intrinsically tied to how long your play sessions will be. Most options available today offer a decently long battery life between 10-20 hours. The only real exception to this is the Razer Nari, which only lasts around eight hours due to its integrated lighting and haptic feedback systems.

Secondly, since we're talking about wireless gaming headsets here and not Bluetooth headphones, most of the options here connect with a dedicated wireless dongle. With that in mind, most gaming headsets connect over a 2.4GHz band and rarely a 5.0GHz band. That said, some wireless gaming headsets also come with Bluetooth connectivity which allows you to pair it to a second device like your phone. The added Bluetooth connection is a nifty feature if you like to listen to music or podcasts and take calls while you game.


Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam

Mark Knapp is a contributor for IGN. He's constantly digging into tech products until he comes out the other side.

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