Players practising directional cues
If footsteps and approaches matter in your games, start with a headset connection your platform accepts and check its headphone audio settings before choosing on appearance or driver size.
Who this is for
Players sitting away from the screen
If a cable to your controller or computer gets in the way, consider a wireless model whose adapter or connection method works with your device. Leave room for its adapter and plan when to charge it.
Players using more than one device
If you want game audio alongside phone audio or calls, check whether the exact headset supports both connections at once and which device receives your microphone.
What to check when buying
Wired headset
Choose when: You want to avoid headset charging and have a suitable connection at your controller or computer.
Trade-off: The cable may limit where you sit or move.
Wireless with a USB adapter
Choose when: You want to sit away from the display without a headset cable and the exact adapter works with your platform.
Trade-off: It uses a compatible connection and needs charging.
Dual wireless
Choose when: You need game audio and phone audio together on a model that explicitly supports simultaneous connections.
Trade-off: Hearing both sources does not mean your microphone can transmit to both.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Directional audio | Check your game’s headphone options and the console or PC spatial-audio settings. PlayStation provides PS5 headphone 3D-audio profiles; Xbox Support says Windows Sonic works with a stereo headset. | If I practise responding to footsteps and approaches, I need to hear where a cue comes from rather than choose by driver size alone. Around 31% of consumers put directional-audio setup first. |
| Connection compatibility | Identify the controller, USB or PC connection you will use, then check the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact headset variant. | When I move between a console and a PC, I do not want to buy a headset whose intended connection works on only one of them. Compatibility is the primary need for around 31% of consumers. |
| Wireless and second-device audio | Check adapter support and charging needs. For phone audio alongside a game, confirm simultaneous listening and microphone routing separately. | A cable is awkward where I sit, or I want to hear my phone without losing game audio. Roughly 19% of consumers make that flexibility their main concern. |
| Fit and team chat | Consider ear-pad fit, microphone controls and the seller’s change-of-mind return terms before relying on a long-session setup. | If I practise through several matches with team chat, pressure on my ears or an awkward microphone would matter throughout the session. For about 19% of consumers, fit and communication come first. |
Buying pitfalls
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Assuming the screen determines headset compatibility
A large TV or monitor does not tell you whether your console accepts a headset’s controller connection or wireless adapter. PlayStation directs users of third-party wireless headsets to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Note your console or PC model and intended connection, then check compatibility for the exact headset variant.
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Choosing a surround label before checking audio settings
Xbox Support says Windows Sonic can be used with a stereo headset, so a headset’s surround branding alone does not establish which spatial-audio option you need.
Try the platform’s available headphone setting with a compatible headset, then decide whether another format or headset feature serves your games.
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Assuming dual audio means dual microphone chat
SteelSeries says the Arctis Nova 7 can play 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio simultaneously, but its microphone cannot transmit to both sources at once.
If calls or Discord must work alongside game chat, check the exact model’s microphone routing before buying.
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Treating comfort features as a fit guarantee
Ear-pad materials and headband descriptions cannot tell you how a headset will feel with your glasses or over a full practice session.
Check the adjustment and pad design, and read the seller’s change-of-mind return conditions before testing the fit.
Brands to consider as a reference
SteelSeries
The Arctis Nova range is relevant if you are comparing platform variants and want audio controls or, on selected models, two wireless audio sources.
- SteelSeries Support says the Arctis Nova 7 supports simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth listening.
- Check the exact Nova variant for console compatibility. On the Nova 7, simultaneous listening does not send microphone audio to both sources.
HyperX
The wired Cloud III is a reference point for players comparing connections across a PC and consoles.
- HyperX lists 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A connectivity for the Cloud III.
- Check which connection your device accepts and whether a cable is practical from your seat; those connectors do not establish directional-audio performance.
Logitech G
The PRO X wireless models are relevant when comparing connection options and PC audio controls.
- Logitech G lists wireless, Bluetooth and 3.5 mm connections for the PRO X 2, and a 10-band parametric equaliser for the PRO X3.
- These are model-specific features. Confirm console compatibility and software availability for the version you intend to use.
Joybuy headset options
These options cover wired play and wireless setups for different gaming devices. Match the named platform and your intended connection before deciding whether a cable, charging or second-device audio matters more to you.
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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Wireless, PlayStation and PC, White
Consider this wireless variant if you play on PS5, PS4 or PC away from your screen. If phone audio or calls must run alongside a game, confirm how this exact headset routes audio and its microphone before relying on both devices.
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Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen3 Wireless, Xbox and PC, Purple
This wireless variant is named for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC play where a headset cable would be inconvenient. Confirm its intended wireless connection on your device and allow for charging; do not assume the same connection route applies to PlayStation.
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ASUS ROG Pelta Wireless Gaming Headset, Black
Consider the ROG Pelta if you want a wireless headset for a setup away from the display. Check the connection method for your exact console or PC before ordering; in particular, confirm compatibility separately if you intend to use an Xbox.
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Logitech ASTRO A10 Gen 2 Wired Gaming Headset, White
Consider this wired model if avoiding headset charging matters more than moving without a cable. Check that your controller or computer has a suitable connection, or identify the adapter you would need, before choosing it for large-screen play.
Common questions
Does a large TV mean I need a particular type of headset?
No. Screen size does not determine headset compatibility; the console or PC and the connection you plan to use do. Check the controller, USB or wireless route first, then set up the platform’s available headphone audio options.
Can a stereo headset use spatial audio on Xbox?
Yes. Xbox Support says Windows Sonic can be used with a headset connected through the controller or an Xbox wireless accessory. Select the headphone setting on your Xbox rather than assuming a headset’s surround label determines the available option.
How do I set up headphone 3D audio on PS5?
Open the PS5 sound settings and select 3D Audio for Headphones. PlayStation lets you create a personalised profile or choose a preset; compare the options by how clearly you can identify sound direction in your games.
Can I take a phone call while listening to game audio?
Some dual-wireless headsets allow both audio sources, but microphone behaviour depends on the model. SteelSeries says the Arctis Nova 7 can play 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio together while its microphone sends voice to only one source at a time; check the manual for the headset you choose.
What should I do with a wireless headset when I no longer use it?
Check your local council’s electrical-equipment collection options or a retailer take-back route rather than putting it straight into ordinary household waste. GOV.UK guidance on electrical and electronic equipment notes that products can fall within its scope even when they do not connect to a mains supply.