However, it's the spatial audio where the HS80 surprises, with impressive 3D audio and accurate positioning. This, as you can imagine, is great for games like first-person shooters or large open-world environments. This is made even better with support for Dolby Atmos and Corsair provides an automatic license with the headset. I've been playing a lot of Halo Infinite which supports Dolby Atmos and it has sounded amazing on these cans. With so many headsets going wireless and cramming in extras like RGB lighting, it’s always nice to see an option that prioritises the cornerstones of audio quality, microphone clarity and comfort. The PG16 excels in each of those areas, with its 44mm drivers delivering some of the cleanest sound we’ve heard from a mid-range gaming headset. The level of detail is consistently impressive and the PG16 reproduces bass frequencies with ample impact. Audio is keenly balanced and sounds natural, while positional cues are accurate and enlightening when playing competitive multiplayer games. There’s mic monitoring, which is handy for tailoring how loudly your voice is coming through but does impact the microphone’s quality, which produces a reasonable amount of static. Aside from this, and some incompatibility issues with the PS5 (the H7 doesn’t respond to the DualSense controller’s mute button, for example), there’s a lot to like, especially considering that it’s more affordable than the H9 but delivers most of the same features (minus the noise cancelling and ambient modes). The only serious downside to the Nova Pro is the price. For a device that claims to be a gaming headset, headphones, and fit for consoles, you sure feel like you're paying for multiple devices. I suppose you have to weigh up whether you'd only go and spend more money on another pair of headphones to take outside the house, or if you'd rather a one-headset-fits-all approach.

Unless you connect via Bluetooth, however. That is the laggiest of current wireless connections, with a 2.4GHz wireless interface able to deliver the audio performance that won't get in the way of your game. Are wireless gaming headsets more expensive? Our favorite wireless gaming headset is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. Alongside fantastic audio quality it bares two of the most important features that wireless headsets need: a flawless connection and a great battery life. The best gaming headsets I've tested will last a few days on a single charge—30 hours of battery life is a decent starting point—but the Cloud Alpha Wireless goes for 300 hours. Woah. It’s quite simple: if you hate worrying about charging and connecting your gaming headset and your budget is on the tighter side, the HyperX Cloud Stinger II is an easy recommendation.The main issue, though, is they end up being rather heavy as a result of the larger magnets. And in a wireless headset, that has to also contend with an added battery. Together the weight can become an issue. At 490g, the Audeze Maxwell is heavy, and there's no getting away from that. But thankfully the design of the headband and ear cups is such that I've never felt fatigued from wearing them, even after long gaming sessions. It's the spatial audio where the HS80 surprises, with impressive 3D audio and accurate positioning. Wireless technology works well in headsets as there’s no perceived audio delay. But it’s worth remembering that you may lose a little audio fidelity via a wireless connection – it all depends on the headset and its specifications. Of course, if you want to go wireless, there are other issues to consider: you’ll pay a premium for the privilege and will have to remember to charge your headset. Read our guide to the best wireless gaming headsets for more information. Should I worry about build quality or weight?

If you were after proper audiophile wireless chops, Audeze has delivered here, and in a gaming headset. I've recorded our usual microphone test for both the wireless model and the wired model again, and the wired pair just sounds a whole lot better. The wireless connection seems to add a whole lot of noise to the output on the HS55 Wireless. The output is clear enough to be heard, and I've used this headset in meetings and a few group gaming sessions without any complaints, but I'm a little sad to see the HS55's strongest feature become one of its weakest as a trade-off for its wireless functionality. It isn’t let down by the design, either, with a lightweight build, comfortable memory foam ear cups (that also do a nice job at passive noise cancellation) and a satisfyingly simple volume knob located on the side. The removable boom mic and the absence of any garish RGB lighting mean you’ll also feel comfortable using them out and about with your phone, provided it allows for a 3.5mm wired connection. This is why planar magnetic drivers are able to create such a natural soundstage, and why I think they are the best technology for gaming headsets if you want to deeply immerse yourself in your chosen game world. Key specs – Drivers: 50mm; Wireless: Yes; Illumination: Yes; Connection: 3.5mm/USB-A dongle; Cable length: 1.3m; Weight: 372gSo what's my obsessive deal with planar magnetic drivers? Your standard gaming headset uses dynamic drivers, which operate on a principle largely similar to traditional speakers. They have a cone-shaped diaphragm that is vibrated using a single magnet, and a magnetised coil, to generate sound. It's relatively simple, but creates a distinct shape of wavefront as the sound hits your ears.