Best Over-ear Headphones for Gaming 2026
Gaming headsets with positional audio for competitive advantage.
Our Top Picks
Full Rankings
Audeze Maxwell
Best Overall90mm planar magnetic drivers—the largest in any gaming headset—provide positional audio accuracy that dynamic drivers cannot match. Consistently ranked #1 by RTINGS, Tom's Hardware, and SoundGuys.
Pros
- ✓90mm planar magnetic drivers (largest in gaming)
- ✓Pinpoint positional audio accuracy
- ✓80+ hour battery life
Cons
- ✗Heavy at 490g
- ✗Expensive
- ✗AI noise reduction can be aggressive
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Best PremiumThe feature king with unlimited battery via hot-swap system and the only premium gaming headset with true hybrid ANC. Used by pro esports players including Faker.
Pros
- ✓Unlimited battery (hot-swap system)
- ✓True hybrid ANC (blocks 81% of noise)
- ✓GameDAC Gen 2 with OLED display
Cons
- ✗Very expensive
- ✗Complex setup
- ✗Bulky base station required
Astro A50 X
PLAYSYNC multi-platform switching is industry-first. Connect Xbox, PlayStation, and PC simultaneously via HDMI 2.1. Microphone rated 'S tier' for team communication.
Pros
- ✓PLAYSYNC multi-platform switching
- ✓40mm graphene drivers
- ✓S-tier microphone quality
Cons
- ✗No ANC
- ✗Complex setup
- ✗Expensive
Logitech G Pro X 2 LIGHTSPEED
Best ValueLIGHTSPEED delivers <1ms latency—virtually indistinguishable from wired. Best value for serious competitive players at roughly half the price of top-tier alternatives.
Pros
- ✓<1ms latency (LIGHTSPEED)
- ✓50mm graphene drivers (industry first)
- ✓50hr battery life
Cons
- ✗No ANC
- ✗Plastic build
- ✗No simultaneous Bluetooth
Razer BlackShark V3
Best BudgetPC Gamer's best overall for audio quality-to-price ratio. Best-in-class mid-range clarity crucial for footsteps and environmental cues at just $100.
Pros
- ✓Exceptional value at $100
- ✓Best-in-class mid-range clarity
- ✓70+ hour battery life
Cons
- ✗No Bluetooth on standard model
- ✗No ANC
- ✗V3 Pro needed for Bluetooth ($199)
Comparison Table
| Product | Positional Audio | Microphone Quality | Latency | Comfort | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1Audeze Maxwell | 10 | 9 | 8.5 | 7.5 | $279 |
#2SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8.5 | $349 |
#3Astro A50 X | 8.5 | 10 | 8.5 | 8.5 | $379 |
#4Logitech G Pro X 2 LIGHTSPEED | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 8 | $229 |
#5Razer BlackShark V3 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | $139 |
Buying Guide
Gaming headphones prioritize positional audio accuracy for hearing footsteps and environmental cues. Look for low latency wireless, quality microphones, and comfortable designs for long sessions. Planar magnetic drivers offer superior spatial precision.
What We Evaluate
Positional Audio
Spatial accuracy for gaming
Microphone Quality
Voice clarity for team chat
Latency
Wireless response time
Comfort
Extended gaming session comfort
Features
Software, connectivity options
Our Testing Methodology
We test gaming headsets in competitive FPS titles (Valorant, CS2, Apex Legends) for positional audio accuracy, measure latency, and evaluate microphone quality in Discord and in-game voice chat.
Learn more about how we test →Frequently Asked Questions
Do planar magnetic drivers matter for gaming?▼
How much latency is acceptable?▼
Do I need ANC for gaming?▼
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