Our pick of the best gaming headsets for PS4 and Xbox One

When it comes to gaming, anyone will tell you that you won’t get very far with a bog-standard pair of headphones. A dedicated gaming headset is a must, but it can be hard to decide what to go for when there’s so much choice out there. We’re here, then, to help you sift through the options and find the right headset for you.

The most important things to consider when choosing your gaming headset are the comfort and sound quality, as well as the microphone (which can be noise-cancelling should you regularly find yourself playing in a less than ideal environment). There are also officially licensed headsets, which should be considered if you only play on particular consoles.

Another key question you’ll need to answer is whether you want a wired or wireless headset, with the latter costing quite a bit more but providing you with the convenience of not having to be plugged in all the time. That said, wireless headsets need to be charged regularly, which obviously isn’t a problem for their wired counterparts. Which one you choose will depend entirely on how and where you like to play.

We’ve collected some of the best headsets on the market, covering a variety of price points and features, to help the decision process.

1. Audio-Technica ATH-G1

Price: £159 | Buy now from Amazon

A wonderful all-rounder, the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 offers great audio, a capable microphone and comfort good enough to support longer gaming sessions. It’s on the expensive side but, for the money, you can enjoy excellent sound quality from the large 45mm-diameter drivers, a breathable headband, and a detachable microphone should you want to use the headset as headphones alone. It’s nothing particularly fancy, but it provides pretty much everything a keen gamer needs.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One; Driver: 45mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

2. Logitech G332

Price: £35 | Buy now from Amazon

The holy grail of gaming headsets – a budget option that’s still incredibly comfortable and able to produce high-quality sound. It is compatible with a wide range of systems, and aspects like the flip-to-mute microphone and volume wheel on the left ear are intuitive and easy to use. Comfort is boosted by the wide pads as well as the ability to rotate them up to 90 degrees, and the 50mm drivers contribute to excellent sound reproduction and overall immersive gaming experience.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile; Driver: 50mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

3. Turtle Beach Recon 70

Price: £25 | Buy now from Amazon

A great budget option if you’re not able to spend a bunch on a new gaming headset, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is one of the best you can get for under £25. While it’s comfort might not last a marathon gaming session, it’s certainly great for the price, and you can adjust the headband for the best fit. The sound quality is decent, with sufficient bass and instrument separation that will keep you immersed in whatever you’re playing, and the microphone can be quickly silenced or activated by moving it up or down.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile; Driver: 40mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

4. Astro Gaming A40TR

Price: £250 | Buy now from Amazon

Putting sound and premium immersion before everything, the Astro Gaming A40TR Wired Headset with MixAmp Pro TR Gen 4 is designed for those who take their gaming very, very seriously. The open-back means you’ll hear every footstep and ambient noise in your game, and the lightweight, comfortable frame is perfect for long sessions. Of course, the MixAmp Pro and ASTRO Command Center Software also make it easy to customise your experience, whether you’re playing at home or competing at a tournament.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One; Driver: 50mm; Connection: 3.5mm, optical, USB; Surround sound: Dolby 7.1 Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

5. LucidSound LS35X

Price: £139 | Buy now from Amazon

Officially licensed for Xbox One, the LucidSound LS35X is most notable for its exceptional sound. The wireless headset has 50mm drivers for optimal bass and treble extension, making your gaming experience feel that much more real and engrossing. There are built-in volume control and mute buttons, and the comfortable earpieces offer good sound isolation. The only downside to the headset is the lack of Bluetooth connectivity and cross-compatibility but, if you’re a staunch Xbox gamer, it comes recommended.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, Xbox One, mobile; Driver: 50mm; Connection: 3.5mm, wireless; Surround sound: Dolby Atmos for Headphones; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

6. HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset PS4

Price: £70 | Buy now from Argos

Designed specifically for the PlayStation 4, the HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset for PS4 should be the first port of call for avid console gamers. The brand has become well known over the years for its sound quality, and that’s true again here, with a specialised design for a relatively bargain price tag. The Sony license means that the headset now has a mic mute function, volume wheel and design touches not found on the non-branded version but is otherwise exactly the same.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PS4; Driver: 53mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

7. Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

Price: £180 | Buy now from Amazon

As one of the most expensive headsets on this list, you’d be right to think the Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 is offering something pretty special. Obviously comfort and appearance are both top-notch, and sound reproduction is also excellent. More than anything, though, it’s the ability to use both a wired connection and Bluetooth simultaneously that’s the key selling point, allowing you to multitask with ease. There’s also customisable RGB lighting and a microphone that just needs flipping up to mute.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, mobile; Driver: 50mm; Connection: USB, Bluetooth; Surround sound: Bongiovi Acoustics; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

8. Turtle Beach Atlas Three

Price: £70 | Buy now from Currys

If you’ve ever missed the clear sound of your own voice while in the midst of a gaming session, then we have some headphones for you. The Turtle Beach Atlas Three headset gives you the option of hearing yourself (though it can be disabled) and has great sound quality to boot. The 40-hour battery life is a godsend to marathon gamers, as well as the memory foam cushioning on the earpieces, and the flip-to-mute microphone is extra-sensitive so nothing will get lost in translation.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile; Driver: 50mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Surround sound: Yes; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes

9. Plantronics RIG 300

Price: £35 | Buy now from Plantronics

We’d recommend the Plantronics RIG 300 for younger players as, although the headset doesn’t specify an age-range specifically, it lets players stay aware of what’s around them with vented headphones and a 118dB volume limit to prevent unwanted spikes. The mesh material used also means that it’s really comfortable to wear over long periods and, while the microphone and sound quality don’t quite match up to some of the others on this list, it’s good for the budget price.

Handy stuff to know – Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile; Driver: 40mm; Connection: 3.5mm; Noise-cancelling microphone: Yes