Here are some of the absolute best PC gaming headsets available, based on a full decade of testing. We've got wired and wireless options, cheap headsets that won't break the bank and premium options that justify their higher prices. As well as the big names like Turtle Beach, Razer and Logitech, we've also highlighted headsets from smaller firms like Epos and Audeze that are absolutely worth knowing about.
The idea here is to give you a few options to choose from without being overwhelming, so that you can pick up a new headset at the right time - whether that's when you want to start seriously trying to improve at Counter-Strike 2 or when your Warzone buddies tell you off for missing those crucial footsteps. We're focusing on headsets for PC here, but many of these options will work on Xbox Series X/S, PS5 or both - and you can see our full gaming headset recommendations for a deeper list if you prefer.
Click the links below to jump to a headset you're interested in, or scroll on for the full list!
Best PC gaming headsets 2024
We've also created some bonus features for you to peruse at the end of the article. You can check out our (small but growing) section called Best of the Rest for more of our PC gaming headset recommendations, see our picks for the best PC gaming audio accessories or see the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Now, on with the recommendations!
DF Direct Weekly #181: Major Switch 2 Leak, Intel vs AMD for PS6, FSR 4 Using AI, Days Gone Remaster Looking to get the ultimate PC gaming setup? We've rounded up the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mice on the market including trendy ultra-light options. We've also got recommendations for our favourite high refresh rate monitors, including some great 4K TVs for gaming that go great with the best controllers for PC. If you're making YouTube videos or streaming on Twitch, you should take a look at our gaming mic recommendations too!
Our top wired headset for the money, comfy and accurate with fancier wireless variants
The £47/$49 BlackShark V2 X is the best wired headset for the money we've tested. First, these headphones are a treat to use for gaming or music, with a wide sound stage, accurate sound and good imaging provided by large 50mm drivers.
This is a stereo headset by default, which we recommend for competitive play, though you can use Razer's 7.1 surround sound app or the surround profiles built into Windows like Windows Sonic for surround sound on PC. The mic is also great for in-game comms, although we'd recommend a more professional-grade alternative for streaming. In terms of connectivity, dual and single 3.5mm are provided - though of course you could plug this into a USB DAC/AMP if you prefer it to your onboard sound card.
The BlackShark V2 X's design is also worthy of some praise. For starters, the ears are well sealed to block out distracting background sounds - useful whether you're clutching in CS2 or working from home. The athletic-knit-covered memory foam ear pads remained comfortable for hours, no doubt aided by the light weight of the headset - just 240g. There's a convenient volume knob on the left earcup, and the microphone is removable. The BlackShark V2 also lacks any kind of RGB lighting, with only a few green-coloured cables to identify it as a gaming headset.
If you'd prefer a wireless headset that retains the same great comfort and sound quality, the £119/$179 BlackShark V2 Pro released in 2020 is well worth considering at its reduced price. A later BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 revision also exists which we've tested and recommend, although at £174/$199 its qualities - three times longer battery life, USB-C charging, incredible microphone and Bluetooth support - aren't yet worth the extra money. Once the premium drops to £40/$50 or less, I'd say that it starts becoming worth it!
A sterling headset with 50mm graphene drivers, low-latency wireless and multiple ear pads
Logitech have made some legendary gaming headsets in their day, and their best yet is the Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed. This £199/$208 ultra-premium option sports a low latency 2.4GHz Lightspeed connection that feels just as immediate as a wired headset. It's also supremely comfortable, even for the glasses-wearers, with both velour and leatherette ear pads in the box, and boasts impressive build quality with plenty of metal evident. This new model even contains a new hinge that allows the headphones to lie flat and better accommodate the positioning of your ears.
The 50mm graphene drivers inside provide detailed and neutral sound, with a slight emphasis to mids that can help highlight footstep sounds. Surround sound is effectively provided by 3D Audio on PS5 or DTS Headphone:X on PC.
In terms of connectivity, you're looking at wireless 2.4GHz via a USB dongle for PC/PS5, Bluetooth for mobile devices and a 3.5mm wired connection for Xbox or other devices without USB audio or Bluetooth support. Wireless headphones tend to suffer in mic quality, and unfortunately this one relies quite heavily on Blue Voice software on PC to become serviceable - it's notably behind other wireless options like the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (detailed in our number one pick above).
Battery life is excellent, at around 50 hours, with quick and easy USB-C recharging. One area I'd like to particularly highlight is usability; Logitech has done well to incorporate a large number of controls (power switch, volume wheel, mic mute) onto a single earcup while ensuring each has a distinct feel. This is backed with the G Hub software, which is attractively designed and logically laid out.
Overall, the G Pro X 2 Lightspeed is an outstanding pick for any competitively-minded PC gamer - though at full price it's undoubtedly one of the most expensive gaming headsets on the market.
Thankfully, if you need a cheaper option the original £124/$130 G Pro X Wireless headset costs less and sounds nearly as good, despite lacking the graphene drivers of the newer model. The similar-era wired £85/$99 G Pro X is getting harder to find but costs significantly less, while retaining most of the comfort and usability of the higher-tier design.
Comfy and colourful mid-range headsets, available wired or wireless
Logitech's lightweight gaming headsets were a pleasant surprise when they launched a couple years back and they remain great options at their new lower prices. The wired Logitech G335 (£60/$45) and the wireless G435 Lightspeed (£45/$41).
The sound quality of these headsets are nothing special - I'd rate the Razer BlackShark V2 X as the better-sounding headsets for music and single-player games - but it's clear enough with a neutral signature that works well for multiplayer gaming. Instead, the G335 and G435 distinguish themselves from an aesthetic, comfort and usability standpoint, with a supremely comfortable fit for those with small to medium-size heads thanks to a lightweight design and ski-goggle-style fabric headband. And when I say lightweight, I'm talking 240g for the wired G335 and an ridiculous 160g for the wireless G435.
The headsets comes in three colours each, with the reversible headband offering a choice of two accent colours (there are also two mounting positions for the headband to accommodate smaller noggins). The flip-to-mute microphone on the wired G335 is easy to position and provides clear comms, while the G435 makes do with an integrated mic that doesn't sound quite as good. The G335's volume wheel on the left earcup is conveniently placed for mid-game adjustments, without being so prominent as to be adjusted accidentally while you're putting the headset on or taking it off. The G335 uses 3.5mm, so it works on a wide range of consoles and mobile devices as well as on PC, and I dig that it's coloured to match the headset. Meanwhile the G435 can be connected via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless (via a USB dongle), but can't maintain both connections simultaneously and the USB port is for charging only.
If you want a convenient, comfortable and colourful headset there's nothing quite like these new Logitech headsets. The G335 is the more flexible option at a lower price, so that's our default recommendation. If you need or prefer wireless functionality, the G435 Lightspeed delivers the same design spec - super lightweight and comfy with great usability and good sound - with 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth at an even more competitive price for its category.
A refined planar magnetic wireless headset
The £319/$263 Audeze Maxwell is the best planar magnetic wireless headset we've tested so far. These drivers allow for excellent sound quality at the expense of bulk, and the headset is available in both PS5 and Xbox configurations - both of which work with PC too.
The Maxwell is defined by excellent clarity and separation, making it easy to pick out details even in chaotic soundscapes, with a slightly v-shaped sound overall and a surprisingly wide sound stage for a closed-back design. Combined with a good low latency audio connection via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and a good microphone, and you get a terrific PC headset. The headset also offers Bluetooth and 3.5mm connectivity, allowing use with a wide range of other devices.
The Maxwell is also robustly constructed with plenty of metal, as you'd hope from a headset at this price range. It's quite heavy, as planar magnetic headsets often are, but it's relatively well balanced with less clamping force than the earlier Audeze Penrose design.
The default ear cushions are fine, but you can pick up Dekoni Elite replacement ear pads that offer slightly richer bass and an otherwise similar sound signature to the default leatherette pads. They're also significantly more comfortable, thanks to their combination of heat-activated memory foam and sheepskin. Velour options are also available, which are a little cheaper and offer a similar increase in comfort for spectacle wearers.
The Maxwell's usability is also excellent, with convenient volume and game/chat mix dials and a prominent mic mute button. Battery life is strong at up to 80 hours too, so at least that bulky design is being used sensibly.
Overall, a fantastic headset for both gaming and critical listening - if you're willing to accept the relatively high weight (490g) and high asking price.
Professional-grade wireless headset with ANC and lifestyle looks
Our top all-platforms gaming headset recommendation, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, is something of a hybrid: a bona fide gaming headset, with all of the features that implies, that you can also use outside without fear of social retribution and with convenient active noise cancelling (ANC). Dell explores a similar zone with their £222/$230 Alienware Pro Wireless headset, offering pro gaming credentials with a streamlined lifestyle kind of look.
The final product isn't quite as perfect as SteelSeries' halo headset, but it's certainly the best Alienware peripheral I've tested in years: extremely comfortable and well built with good active and passive isolation, 75 hours of battery life, tri-mode connectivity and of course high-quality sound both in and out from the trendy 50mm graphene drivers and detachable mic. It's fairly neutral with a slight emphasis to the high-end, not too bombastic, and with plenty of detail and directionality which I appreciate for competitive fare.
My major gripe here concerns the number of buttons and dials, which borders on overwhelming, with insufficient tactile differentiation between the many options. There's also no case, which is a bit of a shame for a premium headset you might reasonably want to take outside - though admittedly the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless also doesn't include this and costs even more. There's also no option for Xbox connectivity, though PC, PS4/PS5, Switch and Steam Deck are all covered with a USB-C wireless dongle and USB-A adapter. The PC software is also somewhat underbaked compared to rivals from SteelSeries, Corsair and Razer.
Overall, this is one of the comfiest headsets I've used all year, and a credit to the design team behind it.
The Acezone A-Spire is a unique thing: a premium-grade esports headset with active noise cancellation that works both wired (via USB-C or 3.5mm) and via Bluetooth. That puts in a weird category, especially at its not insubstantial £99/$319 price point. And yet... this headset is utterly compelling in its competitive niche, offering a range of features and a level of quality that is almost unmatched.
The focus here is on making it as easy as possible for you to locate your enemies in FPS video games in three ways: by slightly raising mids while preserving detail and directionality; by reducing distractions using passive and active noise cancellation; and by being comfortable enough to not distract you. This three-part plan is executed with surprising success for a company building its first headsets, with excellent directionality evident in Counter-Strike 2 and Warzone in our testing, backed by reasonable comfort and effective ANC that made it very easy to focus on the match at hand.
Communication is also key for team-based games like CS2, so a good microphone is also required. Being a wired headset helps the A-Spire here, with a modestly-sized flip-down directional mic that produces perfectly acceptable results. I also like the ability to clip the mic to the headband when it's not in use, which isn't quite as sleek as a retractable option a la SteelSeries but no doubt allows for a significantly simpler design.
*Weirdly, Acezone has separate Android apps for firmware updates and settings changes, with only the main settings app mentioned on their site. I wasn't able to pair the headset via Bluetooth until I was told by their support about the second app; after updating the firmware my issue was solved.There are some oddities here too. Being able to change your settings in a mobile app makes sense in a competitive context where you're not allowed to run software on tournament PCs, but this may be a bit unusual for players used to PC software like iCUE or Synapse. At least it means that there's nothing running in the background of your PC to temper its performance, even if it does mean you have to deal with the unreliability of Bluetooth pairing.*
Other slight negative points include a design that is functional rather than aesthetic, with plastic parts throughout and relatively slim earcups that offer as much passive noise isolation as larger designs from the likes of Razer or Corsair - though the ANC of course makes this less of a big deal. Regardless, the A-Spire is laser-focused on delivering peak performance for esports, and that's nothing but commendable.
Acezone also make the A-Rise, which massively ramps up passive noise isolation with an upgraded design that includes incredibly thick magnetically-attached genuine leather earcups, a metal frame and an even better microphone. I found this an unparalleled headset for Counter-Strike, making it easy to pinpoint enemy footsteps even with significant noise in my playing environment. This costs £399/$749, a price that will cause even PC enthusiasts to think twice, but if you genuinely are a high-level FPS player interested in an esports career, it could still be worth the upgrade.
The £180/$180 Razer Kraken V4 is a well-built and RGB-encrusted wireless gaming headset, best used on PC with Razer's Synapse software as part of a whole suite of RGB peripherals but also compatible with PlayStation, Switch and PC handhelds like the Steam Deck. The design is sleeker and less bulky than the previous headsets in the line-up, reportedly in response to user feedback, but there's still enough padding to make for a comfortable fit. The earcups can also rotate to lie flat, which is a bit more comfortable when keeping them on your neck and makes for more compact packing too.
Beyond its distinct aesthetic, the Kraken V4 features a retractable mic, "Razer Triforce" titanium 40mm drivers (versus 50mm on the Kraken V3), non-simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, and five controls on the earcups, including dedicated volume and game/chat mix dials. That makes for quite a convenient headset to use, but mic and audio quality is nothing special. You can at least opt for different EQ settings and swap between them easily, if you prefer a more exciting v-shaped sound, heavier bass or something more neutral.
In general, the Kraken line-up doesn't have quite as much going for it in our view as the lighter and more esports-focused Razer Blackshark series, but if you primarily play slightly more casual multiplayer or cinematic single-player games, then these are a solid choice that look good and tick all the necessary boxes. It's worth considering the £68/$80 Kraken V4 X if you don't need wireless, as it is significantly cheaper.
Simple but effective in-ears, ideal for PC handhelds
If you're looking for a set of simple wired in-ears that nail the essentials, there are plenty of affordable options - but I'm quite fond of the £40/$46 Soundmagic E80D. Of course, wired in-ears are all a great fit for PC handhelds like the Steam Deck, offering infinite battery life and good passive noise isolation in a pocketable size, but the E80D's USB-C connection allows for a high-quality DAC that tends to outperform the integrated sound in whatever you're plugging it into. The 10mm drivers produce reasonable detail and directionality, though you do get that characteristically narrow sound stage with this form factor and loudness isn't class-leading by any stretch.
These in-ears work well for listening to music too, so they're an easy choice to sling in your pocket (in their included case) to use with your phone or tablet. The E80D don't look like your usual gaming headphones either, with a more ornate and elegant design that includes an aluminium driver housing, slim-line controls and an almost champagne-coloured cable that terminates in a right-angle USB-C connector. Overall, well worth the slightly premium price point!
Another great value TB headset, now with wireless
The third-generation £80/$90 Stealth 600 is another good value Turtle Beach headset, like the Recon 500 above, but this time it's wireless. We recommend the Xbox branded version, which connects to over low-latency 2.4GHz wireless to Xbox, PS5, PS4, Switch and PC. There's also Bluetooth compatibility for mobile devices, though you can't use 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously as you can on some fancier headsets.
I quite like the design here, with thick ear cushions and fold-flat hinges that are comfortable to wear for hours on end. You can have some quite marathon sessions here too, with a rated 80 hours of battery life - I think I only charged it about twice in several weeks of use. One downside here is that the athletic fabric cushions don't block much noise, so this isn't the best headset for shared or otherwise noisy spaces. The Stealth 600 also doesn't feel like the most robustly constructed headset ever made, though its plastics have held up just fine thus far.
The flip-out microphone also deserves some praise, both for its quality (surprisingly good for a wireless headset at this price) and for its convenience (I much prefer this to a plug-in microphone that I'll inevitably lose). The 50mm drivers are also quite reasonable, delivering a pleasantly neutral sound profile that can be adjusted via the Swarm 2 software on PC or mobile but works well for a wide range of gaming genres out of the box.
An ultra-premium planar magnetic headset that absolutely delivers
The £879/$899 Audeze LCD-GX is the most expensive gaming headset I've ever tested - so it's a good thing it's also the best-sounding. The LCD-GX uses massive open-back planar magnetic drivers to provide unparalleled sound quality, while a simple in-line microphone transforms it into a capable headset for gaming with friends. That's a powerful combination, and also one that feels more comfortable and convenient than adding a ModMic to the side of your favourite pair of audiophile headphones.
However, beyond the headset you don't get much in terms of gaming features - this is a wired 3.5mm headset with stereo sound, and there's nothing in the way of gaming-specific features like surround sound, equalisers, genre-specific modes, footstep highlighting or RGB lighting. That suits me just fine, especially as there are ways to add these features via software. Surround sound modes are built into Windows 10 and 11, with free Windows Sonic and paid-for Dolby Atmos, and third-party options exist too - including the Immerse Gaming Hive from audio firm Embody, who arranged for the LCD-GX to be sent out to us for testing.
The Hive software has you take a picture of your ear and select your headset to provide individualised surround sound, and the effect is pretty extraordinary on the LCD-GX. When combined with the GX's already incredible detail and wide sound stage, you get a much more immersive experience - and better audio clues about enemy positions in games that lack built-in HRTF audio. I tested it out in Call of Duty Vanguard, CS:GO and Forza Horizon 5, and in all but CS:GO having the surround sound enabled was a noticeable improvement over the default audio mix. I was also surprised by just how comfortable this headset is, despite a relatively high weight (454g) - perhaps down to the advanced materials used throughout, the suspension headband design and the thick memory foam ear cushions.
So if you're in the market for a high-end gaming headset and want the best of the best, the Audeze LCD-GX and a Hive subscription are a pretty solid combo, letting you enjoy exceedingly pure analogue audio for critical listening or a more processed, gaming-focused mix with the press of a button.
We're trying to limit our top recommendations here to just 10 headsets, so all others that we test and recommend will live here, including products that have been supplanted by new recommendations. We'll share one paragraph about what this makes this headset worth considering based on our testing, and if it's available at a good price in your region then it should be worth considering alongside our top picks.
Corsair Virtuoso Pro: Corsair's first open-back headset is incredibly promising, with 50mm graphene drivers and a beautiful design, yet middling comfort with glasses and a high price for a wired headset (£140/$150) make them hard to recommend in our top 10. Still, the design has obvious strengths - including a wide sound stage and excellent mid-range accuracy - that make it worth considering for the minority considering an open-back design.
Sony Inzone H5: I feel conflicted about the Inzone H5. These are a nice-looking and carefully designed set of wireless headphones, available at a decent price (£140/$128) and well-suited to both PC and PS5 use thanks to their good sound, great spatial audio and reasonable 28 hours of battery life. Yet they creak constantly when flexed in the hand and their short ear cushions and tight clamping force provide little comfort to my particular head, though I've read countless reviews online praising their comfort. Worth considering then, but not a headset I'll be keen to return to.
Nacon Rig 600 Pro HS: This is quite a good £73/$65 wireless headset, offering a lightweight design and comfy fit with support for a wide range of head sizes, a convenient flip-out microphone and good audio with surprising amounts of bass. I don't like the fact that you get a 15 second status update whenever you turn the headset on, which means a voice is talking over whatever you're actually trying to listen to, but that's a relatively minor issue.
Urbanista Seoul: These £55/$85 Bluetooth in-ears have a relatively low 70ms latency figure, making them decent for mobile, PC handheld and laptop gaming, with a comfortable design, low-profile charging case that delivers up to 32 hours of battery life and attractive blue colour scheme. I wouldn't choose these for competitive gaming, but they worked well enough in my testing for more casual play sessions on the Steam Deck.
Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X: These £199/$269 open-back headphones lack a microphone, but if you have a USB or XLR mic they're a strong choice for anyone that prefers a neutral sound signature. These studio headphones are designed for professional use, with rugged and replaceable components including Mini XLR headphone cables, but also work well for gaming thanks to their wide sound stage, great imaging and bright nature. Of course, as with other open-back headphones, they leak sound in their environment and lack passive noise isolation, so they're not ideal for shared spaces.
Audio-Technica ATH-GL3: This £100/$90 headset is available in both closed back (earth) and open-back (air) varieties, offering neutral sound via 45mm drivers, a lightweight (230g) and plasticky design with a removable microphone and a simple wired 3.5mm connection. This is a simple headset with no gimmicks, just a focus on the fundamentals like sound quality and repairability, and it pays off in terms of performance - though perhaps material and design choices have reduced long-term comfort somewhat.
Rode NTH-100: Another pair of strong studio headphones we tested recently are the Rode NTH-100s. These £105/$139 headphones offers a closed-back design, with a warmer sound profile, lighter design and more comfortable fit than the (more expensive) DT 900 Pro X. As before, these headphones don't include a microphone, so you'll need a microphone elsewhere for communicating with your team-mates in multiplayer games.
Epos H3: Following the closing of Epos' gaming division, this headset is available for an extremely low price (£66/$65) and is well worth considering while it's still available. The sound quality is great, with a neutral profile and plenty of detail, and the microphone is one of the best we've heard at this price point. The industrial design here is impressive too, proving light and comfortable even while wearing glasses, and despite a more plasticky construction the H3 still feels robust in the hand. Compatibility is wide too, with two finely braided 3.5mm cables in the box. The only weirdness is the earcup volume dial, which requires time and effort to turn from its highest to lowest settings. Regardless of this minor annoyance, the Epos H3 is an excellent translation of the company's traditional strengths - audio quality, build quality and comfort - down to a more mainstream price point, and for that it deserves a mention here if not a top placing.
Turtle Beach Recon 70: a great budget (£19/$33) headset for PC gaming that also works with a wide range of consoles via 3.5mm. The short microphone has a flip to mute function, something we normally only see on more expensive models, and actually sounds pretty good although it's not great at rejecting outside noise. The sound is quite neutral, with slightly flabby bass and only decent imaging, and it works fine for most gaming and music that isn't bass-heavy. We also liked the physical design; the light weight of the headset and reasonably plush earcups make for a headset that is comfortable enough to not be noticeable for an hour or two of gaming. However, the headset does feel a little creaky in the hands, and may not hold up to continued use as well as mid-range options like the Recon 500. The Recon 70 is available in a wide range of colour schemes too. For the price, especially in the UK where it's often available near the £20 mark, this is a very decent headset.
Best 3.5mm amp: Helm DB12 AAAMP
If you want to give our 3.5mm headphones a little more punch, you can combine them with the £150 DB12 AAAMP. This tiny gadget boosts your headphones by up to 12dB, with an optional bass boost on top that provides a deeper sound ideal for cinematic games or electronic music. The amplifier adds no discernible distortion, even with the bass boost option enabled, and really impressed me when I paired it with Sennheiser HD 598 SE headphones. The unit's battery is charged via USB-C, and lasts for five or six hours of listening at an average volume. Once the battery is exhausted, you can simply switch the unit from 'bass boost' or 'on' to off, and the DB12 will pass on the audio sans amplification. The DB12 also includes large, easy-to-find buttons for adjusting the volume, summoning voice assistants and skipping tracks, which is great for headphones that don't have an in-line remote, especially when you're using them with a smartphone. The cost of entry here is substantial, but the results are pretty incredible too.
How did you make this list?
We had a lot of fun making this list, with some time testing in competitive games like Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends and Valorant and the remainder in more cinematic fare like Assassins Creed Valhalla, Starfield and Tetris Effect. We've been testing headphones for over a decade, but we've kept to relatively recent releases that are still easy to find in the shops. We hope you have fun checking out our recommendations, and remember that you can always get in touch via Twitter (@wsjudd) or in the comments below if you'd like a personalised pick or a question answered.
How can I improve the comfort of my existing headphones?
There's a healthy cottage industry of after-market ear cushions for many of the most popular gaming headsets these days, offering alternative materials, extra thickness and/or a new look. The two best third-party ear pads we've tried are Dekoni (UK/US) and Wicked Cushions (UK/US). Dekoni centres their efforts on more music-focused brands like Audeze, Bose, Beyerdynamics, Focal, Grado and Sennheiser, while Wicked Cushions covers more of the gaming headset market with options for the likes of SteelSeries, Razer and Corsair.
Both are excellent options if you're not a big fan of the material or thickness of your existing ear cushions. For example, I find thick leather pads can be a bit uncomfortable with glasses, so I prefer to use velour or cloth alternatives for long-term comfort. It's worth keeping in mind that shape and material changes will also change the sound of the headset, so it's worth testing your favourite games and music with the new ear cushions attached to make sure you like the new sound as well as the new fit.
How can I improve the sound of my existing headphones?
A lot of this comes down to personal preference, but we prefer to turn off audio "enhancements" like surround sound and aggressive equaliser settings; you want things to be as "bare metal" as possible if you trust in the intent of sound engineers and headphone designers alike. From there you can use a DAC, which takes audio processing duties off your PC or console and entrusts it instead to dedicated hardware which tends to do a better job, removing jitter and changing the characteristics of the sound for the better.
Desktop or portable DACs like the Audioengine D1, Fiio E10K or Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS cost around £100/$100 or less and can improve audio quality substantially. There are also the Epos GSX 300 and Helm Audio DB12 AAAMP we mentioned above. Of course, you can spend way more if you want to go even further into the audiophile realm.
Is it worth using 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound?
It depends. If you want to immerse yourself in a game or movie, the virtual surround sound mode offered on many gaming headsets can be fun to play with. You can even add surround sound processing to headphones that don't come with it on PCs running Windows 10 using Windows Sonic, THX Spatial Audio or Dolby Atmos for Headphones. However, if you're looking at surround sound to gain a competitive advantage, my recommendation is to keep surround sound disabled - the processing that tries to fake surround sound often makes it harder to hear footsteps or other quiet audio cues, adds delay and tends to remove detail. Instead, look for headphones with a wider audio stage, eg many open-back headphones, as this will actually make it easier to place your enemies on the map based on the noises that they're making.
Should I get wireless headphones?
Wireless headphones give you a lot of freedom, so you can make yourself a sandwich in the kitchen or sit on the opposite side of the couch without worrying about taking off your headset or rerouting its cables. However, you will need to recharge your wireless headset every few days or weeks, and it's certainly annoying when your headphones go dead mid-cutscene. If you tend to sit in different positions while gaming or just hate being tethered to your desk, wireless is a sensible choice; otherwise, save the money and the hassle of recharging and get wired headphones instead.
What brands should I consider?
This is no by no means an exhaustive list, but we've tested and liked headphones from HyperX, SteelSeries and Logitech. Razer, Epos, Turtle Beach and Astro have also made some great headsets in their day, although they've also produced some less charitably described models as well. Ultimately, gaming headsets can vary massively from model to model, with companies capable of producing both good and terrible models, so it's best to look for reviews on the headset you're considering rather than shopping by brand alone.
If I have the choice of Xbox or PlayStation headphones for PC, which should I choose?
In general, PlayStation headsets tend to work on PC and vice versa, so these can be a good choice if you don't have a horse in the console race. However, picking up the Xbox Wireless Adapter allows you to connect a few headsets that use a dongle-free connection to the Xbox, so these can be worth a look if you have an Xbox console.
What other outlets are worth reading?
As well as testing headsets ourselves, we like to look at trusted outlets like RTings and /r/headphones (summarised here). Some aspects of headphones can be quite subjective, so it's sensible to read widely, cross-reference where you can and try to find a few sites or reviewers that you generally agree with.
What about speakers?
Speakers are great for anyone that lives, works or games in their own space, but it's still worth having a good set of headphones for those inevitable times when you're sharing the place with someone else! If you're adamant on getting speakers too though, be sure to check out our round-up of the best computer speakers.