Best Headset 2023

Headsets can be a gamer’s best friend, especially if you find a good one. Whether you’re hoping for spatial audio to play and chat with friends, or just to be quiet while playing your games, most gamers have one. Sound quality, microphone quality, comfort and ease of use are all crucial to Best Headset 2023, and our nominees are sure to pull it off.

A few of our favorite headset brands made the Best Headsets of 2023 list, including Turtle Beach, Sony Nacon, and Logitech, but only one took the crown. Our winner had a perfect combination of comfort, style and function.

Here are CGMagazine’s nominees for Best Headset 2023:

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX Headset

Writer: Dayna Eileen
Score: 9.5
Price: $199.99

Turtle Beach has kept the controls of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX simple with two dials and three buttons on the back of the left earcup, as well as the USB-C charging slot. Rotary controls control volume and chat/audio balance, and buttons allow you to connect to Bluetooth, switch modes, and turn on/off. The Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX features 50mm Nanoclear speakers and I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality Turtle Beach brought to the table.

The device is set up to work with Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic and even PS5’s 3D audio. Again I say “options” and I’m excited about what’s on offer.

It is clear to me that the Turtle Beach has far exceeded the minimum requirements for a gaming headset. The team has gone to great lengths to create an affordable headset that not only works seamlessly with almost any device, but is also efficient and stylish – especially in cobalt blue. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX headset is my go-to go-to for all things gaming. I would highly recommend.

With a crisp design, great sound, and endless options at a competitive price, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX headset is the contender to beat for best headset of 2022.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Headset

Writer: Khari Taylor
Score: 9
Price: $129.99

The new stealth headsets use 2.4GHz wireless technology via a proprietary USB dongle instead of the dongle-free Xbox wireless protocol used in the previous two generations. An immediate benefit of this change is that in addition to supporting three competing options for wireless surround sound on Xbox (i.e. Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS X), the USB dongle supplied with the MAX models also allows for easier wireless stereo connectivity with PC, PlayStation 4|5 and Nintendo Switch consoles (the latter in docked mode, of course), all with the simple flick of a switch on the dongle itself.

Battery life has also obviously benefited thanks to the integration of the dongle, with the 600 Gen 2 MAX in particular receiving an increase of up to 48+ hours of total playtime, more than triple the endurance of its direct predecessor. Case in point, at the time of this writing, I’ve been turning the headset on and off for over a week and still haven’t received a low battery alert.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX sacrifices its predecessor’s dongle-free operation in exchange for greater versatility with competing consoles and a threefold increase in battery life, making it the perfect surround-sound headset option for gamers who use mainline Xbox, but also own other gaming devices, including PCs and even Macs.

Pulse 3D wireless headset

Writer: Brock McLaughlin
Score: 9
Price: $129.99

The Pulse 3D wireless headset gives your ears an incredible experience that you won’t find in many other places. These were created to showcase Sony’s Tempest 3D audio engine, which has been integrated directly into the PS5. 3D sound is not an exaggerated buzzword, it’s the real deal. You have to hear it to believe it. Playing PS5 exclusives in these tin cans is an amazing experience, but everything else just sounds the same.

The headset works wirelessly at 2.4 GHz via an included USB-A dongle. Simple plug and play. Otherwise, you can connect a 3.5mm cable to the DualSense controller or other device with a headphone jack without looking at your iPhone. In testing, I tried this headset out on my Xbox Series X and was less than impressed. With no 3D audio, it’s just your ordinary headset. This headset should only be for PS5 owners. Without one, you’re just buying a basic headset, and while it’s inexpensive, you could do better. This headset should be your dedicated PS5 headset.

The Pulse 3D wireless headset is a must-have accessory for all ten of us with PS5.

Nacon RIG 800 Pro HX 3D audio wireless headset

Writer: Khari Taylor
Score: 8.5
Price: 149.99

Using my Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 headset as a point of comparison (which uses the same 3D audio technology and 50mm drivers as this year’s 600 and 700 Gen 2 MAX headsets), I found that with every game I tested or every movie I’ve watched, the 800 Pro HX was simply surpassed when it came to overall 3D audio performance. For example, if you play through the opening chapter of Gears 5, first on the 800 Pro HX and then a second time on the Gen 2, the difference is crystal clear.

Surround effects on the 800 Pro HX just weren’t as punchy or nuanced as on the Turtle Beach. The soundscapes were also less pronounced and immersive when watching action scenes from some of my favorite Blu-ray movies like Mad Max: Fury Road.

Signal stability is rock solid. During my time with the 800 Pro HX, I never once encountered any sort of distortion, hiss or pops and pops that I’ve become accustomed to from wireless headsets over the years. This bodes well for potential buyers who are toying with the idea of ​​using this headset at a competitive level.

Nacon RIG’s 800 Pro HX is a competitive flagship headset that prioritizes lightness, durability and endurance over the bells and whistles of its more affordable rivals, but still adds some unique flashes and desirable quality of life improvements via its optional charging stand.

Writer: Dayna Eileen
Score: 8.5
Price: $299

Aesthetically, the G753 is very pretty – the entire Aurora collection is. With simple, soft lighting around the ear cups, supple leather-like padding around the ears and band, and a detachable mic, the headset is beautiful. I also have the carrying case for the headset, and it’s a lovely heart-shaped case for the G735 wireless gaming headset and G705 mouse. The entire collection is heavily marketed to female gamers and while I’ve shared my anger at this type of marketing before, the quality behind the collection is outstanding.

When it comes to the Logitech G735 wireless gaming headset, I couldn’t ask for much more. Thinking it was a standard gaming headset, I was incredibly impressed with the sound quality right out of the box, but the ability to adjust levels and surround sound made it that much more impressive.

The Logitech G735 wireless gaming headset far exceeded my expectations for a mid-range device, but durability worries me, especially for the premium cost.