The difference the best gaming headsets can make to your PC gaming life is astounding: in "Call of Duty: Warzone," you can hear enemy fire and direction in crystal clear audio. Or maybe you want to hear bone-crunching guitar riffs as you slice through demons in Doom Eternal; whether you want to gain an edge in FPS or just enjoy music, purchasing a high-quality gaming headset should be high on your to-do list.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a gaming headset. Price and sound quality are arguably the two most important factors, and we have taken these two into consideration when choosing our favorites for this list. Comfort is another thing to consider, as it is not desirable to constantly adjust or completely remove the headset during a long gaming session. Finally, the majority of the headsets listed here have built-in noise-canceling microphones, which are essential for chatting with teammates.

Adding the best gaming headset of 2020 to your setup shouldn't cost you a penny. You can get our pick, the Razer Blackshark V2, for $100 and get a sturdy headset with excellent sound quality. And if you have the money to spend and want a wireless option, we recommend the HyperX Cloud Orbit S.

The list of the best gaming headsets has something for everyone, regardless of budget. And if you're looking to reduce cord clutter, our purely best wireless gaming headsets guide may be more to your liking.

Ousting the HyperX Cloud Alpha from the top spot was no easy task, and Razer's Blackshark V2 gaming headset does it by offering killer audio quality, a great price, and easy-to-use software The Blackshark V2 gaming headset from Razer has succeeded in doing just that.

The 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers are designed with separate ports so that bass, mids, and tremors do not interfere with each other. The result is a richer sound and remains comparable to HyperX's 50mm dual chamber neodymium driver headsets.

The $100 price point is not a significant financial burden for those seeking a high-quality gaming headset. The recently released Blackshark V2 Pro offers players a wireless option, but $180 seems a bit steep.

Continuing the HyperX Cloud's long legacy of excellence, the Cloud Alpha offers excellent sound and build quality, with just enough essential features. The stereo soundscape of this sealed design is punchier than usual in the lower frequencies, but the extra bass doesn't interfere with overall clarity and, frankly, sounds great in gaming and music environments. The dual-chamber design of each 50mm driver is intended to give the low, mid, and high frequencies space to resonate without interfering with each other, and you get that feeling while listening.

Elsewhere, Cloud's design has always provided impressive build quality, generous pads, clear microphones, and high comfort for extended play. With the exception of the in-line controls, which feel flimsy compared to the rest of the package, there is little to separate the two models, but we recommend the Alpha over the Cloud II (only slightly) due to its superior frequency response range and overall sound quality.

Read our review of the HyperX Cloud Alpha

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[22 The recent Nari Ultimate may get attention for its controversial haptic feedback feature, but it looks the same but arguably has weaker audio than the classic Thresher Ultimate. it is the best gaming headset Razer has developed and and is still in use today.

The detailed, solid audio of Thresher's more aurally acute drivers is much better than the feeling of being poked in the side of the head every time an explosion occurs during a game.

The wireless connection is solid, the fit is comfortable, and the battery life is decent, though not class-leading at about 10 hours.

HyperX delivers clear audio while offering one of the most comfortable and durable headsets on the market; the Cloud Orbit S uses audiophile-level planar magnetic drivers, and the sound is cool. Essentially a rebadge of the Audeze Mobius headset, the Orbit S looks very sleek, and the huge memory foam ear cushions are very comfortable to wear without weighing down your head for extended periods of use.

The great sound quality alone is worth the investment. The headset can easily be used as a headset for all mobile, console, and PC play, and using Audeze's Waves NX 3D sound technology, which tracks your head movements to simulate 7.1 surround sound, the results are impressive. That said, the software can be a bit overwhelming. Still, this remains a great-sounding headset with a reliable detachable microphone.

Read our review of the HyperX Cloud Orbit S

What we like most about the Arctis 9 is that while using it, you forget it's a wireless model. There are none of the muddiness or audio artifacts that have spoiled the party for wireless headsets, and the added Bluetooth compatibility allows this headset to be used with mobile devices as well, which is great if you plan on gaming on your phone or tablet.

Simply connect the headset to your PC with the USB cable and continue playing while it charges.

The distinctive ski goggle headband is really effective at keeping the weight of the headset away from your head, and I never felt the headset digging in, even after hours of play. The only major issue is that $200 seems a bit pricey, given that the Arctis 7 only costs $150 without Bluetooth.

As a less expensive alternative to the Kraken, the Kraken X offers virtual 7.1 surround sound on a PC. Available via an app, this sound is excellent in depth, clarity, and definition, further enhancing the headset's superior audio. It also makes it hard to go back to the X's standard audio mode. When you factor in the enviable comfort and stylish, understated design, this version of Kraken is a great value. Of course, there are some shortcomings (the non-removable microphone being the first) that could bring the party down, but when you get excellent 7.1-channel sound for such a low price, you can't complain.

Read our review of the Razer Kraken X.

The Creative SFXI Gamer headset is a good headset with a laughably bad name. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a great overall listening experience, it won't deter you. Position Audio, aka Battle Mode, is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in their favorite battle royale like Call of Duty: Warzone for under $150.

The 50mm neodymium drivers produce good bass in both stereo and surround sound modes. The microphone is suitable for competitive gaming (although the red light on the tip is annoying) and is useful if you want to hear loud and clear.

Each headset to be tested should be used daily for at least a week; record a sample of your voice in Audacity and compare it to one recorded with the other model. Then go to Discord and get feedback from friends about your voice.

Our goal for the week is to test each headset in a variety of game genres. Shooters, battle royale, and racing games make particularly good test scenarios. Finally, good racing sims have very specific mixes designed to make it easier to hear brake lockups and tires losing traction; in Project CARS 2, a good headset is often distinguished from a merely good headset, and the best headsets are those that have the best mixes.

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