![]() Our previous top pick for battery life, the Cloud Flight Wireless, offered 30 hours of battery life. HyperX is best known for getting you the most bang for your buck, and the Cloud Alpha Wireless headset ( 10/10, WIRED Recommends) raised that bar by a country mile. Xbox model supports the above on one USB-C port, and Xbox consoles on the other. ![]() Wireless version: Connects wirelessly via two USB-C ports on GameDAC to PC, Mac, PS4/5, and Nintendo Switch. Wired version: Works best with PC, but also works well with Switch, Xbox Series S/X, and PS5. When one is in use, the other can charge inside the GameDAC, so there's always a fresh battery when you need it. ![]() On top of all the benefits of the wired version, it also comes with two batteries, each of which can provide around 25 hours on a full charge. There's also a wireless version ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends) that blew us away. The new adjustable head strap pays homage to the classic ski-goggle adjustment strap that made the original Arctis such a standout. The ear cups are plush and soft, and they shut out almost all exterior sounds. The headset itself is super comfy to wear for long periods. This DAC can be used to adjust volume, or the mix of voice, sidetone, and voice chat. This software should be optional, and a headset should produce excellent sound without extra drivers or downloads.The Arctis Nova Pro produces immersive, expansive sound, and it packs a desktop DAC with a slick little display. Software: Some companies offer software that can customize equalizer settings, change button behavior, display battery life, or deliver firmware updates.And any set of headphones can gain virtual surround sound on a PC with paid software like Razer Surround Sound or Dolby Atmos or the free Windows Sonic for Headphones (each of which instructs you to disable any headset-specific surround-sound settings). In our testing, in-game surround-sound settings have sounded much better and have been much more accurate than any headset’s artificial surround sound. Often listed as “virtual 7.1 surround sound,” virtual surround sound simulates positional audio by artificially adding reverb and distance between channels, an effect that we’ve found makes games and music sound terrible-like throwing a tin can down a concrete hallway. Surround sound: If an already good headset offers virtual surround sound, that’s fine, but it’s not worth paying more for the feature.Compatibility: Headsets with 3.5 mm connectors, like many headphones with microphones, are compatible with a wider range of gaming devices-PCs, consoles, and mobile devices-than USB headsets, which typically work only with PCs and either PlayStation consoles or Xbox consoles (almost never both).We pay attention to how easy these are to use, especially the mic-mute function. Volume controls: Gaming headsets should have volume and microphone mute controls on the earcups or on the cable.Most headsets come with a two-year warranty, but some companies (such as JBL) offer only a one-year warranty. We prefer headsets with detachable cables and microphones, which are easier to replace if they break, as well as replaceable earpads. Build quality: The headband shouldn’t creak when you put the headset on or move around, and the headset should survive being tossed in a bag.For a great-sounding wireless headset, expect to pay between $150 and $200. Solid budget options are available for around $50, but cheaper models lose sound clarity in the headphones and mic, and comfort and build quality drop considerably. Price: After researching hundreds of headsets, we’ve found that most people should be happy with a wired set that costs around $100.We like headsets with sidetone, also known as mic monitoring, which is a feature that allows you to hear your own voice through your headset, but very few models include this. Microphone: A good microphone should be able to reproduce your voice clearly and accurately, and cancel out as much background noise as possible.Sound quality: Gaming headsets rarely sound as detailed as comparably priced headphones, but they should still be clear and accurate, with no particular frequency range overpowering another.The headband shouldn’t dig into the top of your head, the cups shouldn’t make your ears too hot, and the headset shouldn’t pinch or let too much sound leak out if you wear glasses. Comfort: A gaming headset should be comfortable to wear for hours, and shouldn’t clamp too tight on your head or jaw (or slip off your head).
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