Holiday Gift Guide: Headsets — Best of 2025
Here are GamingTrend's picks for your next gaming headset
Editorials
There are a lot of gaming headsets out there. With these coming in year after year, it gets fuzzy as to what to pick, especially as a holiday gift. Here are our favorites, ones that arrived in 2025, as well as the ones we're still using from a few years back.
The Premium Headsets
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
David Burdette said, "The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset is the ultimate headset. The more I use it, the more I love it, and the better it continues to get. It has so many bullets in the chamber, with the exceptional comfort and style Steelseries is known for, the versatility of its 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, extraordinary battery life and Wireless Base Station control center, and its outstanding audio quality that is only enhanced by the superb Sonar software. It’s pricey, but you’re paying for the best, and the Arctis Nova Pros are without a doubt in that category."
Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset review – SUPERnova
Sound can be an extremely underrated part of video games and much media. We love the pretty visuals, and obviously for gaming the gameplay has to be right, but a good or bad soundtrack, along with the mixing of sound effects and dialogue, can be the difference in whether you’
David Burdette
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
David Burdette said, "Razer has leveled up with the BlackShark V3 Pro. I already really liked the V2, but this sequel has improved in every conceivable way, and even in ones I hadn’t thought about. Delivering awesome sound through this comfy and iconic design, offering incredible active noise cancellation with a great microphone, and topping it all off with terrific battery life makes for a killer package. Synapse’s upgrades and replaceable ear cushion plates are just icing on an already epic cake that is the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless gaming headset."
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless headset review — Baring its teeth
I’m thoroughly impressed with the upgrades Razer has implemented in making a great headset a phenomenal one
David Burdette
Razer Kraken V4 Pro
David Burdette said, "Razer wants to put you inside the media you engage with, and the Kraken V4 Pro headset is a stellar example of finely tuned audio fidelity. Backed up by Razer’s crystal clear drivers, sporting fancy haptic feedback, and a plethora of other advantages brought by a steep price point, this is a premium experience for those willing to open their wallets."
Razer Kraken V4 Pro wireless headset review — In the game
Razer offers an ocean of depth with the Kraken V4 Pro
David Burdette
Astro A50 Gen 5
David Burdette said, "Astro brings the next generation of A50s to the table with a bang. The high-level audio of the Gen 5 A50s is a dream, accompanied by a phenomenal mic and community EQ settings that elevate it even further. If not for the singular flaw of restricted Bluetooth, it might be the best headset out there. Even so, it ranks among them."
Astro A50 Gen 5 wireless headset review — Amongst the stars
The Astro A50 is an iconic design for a gaming headset. It’s recognizable, and has been a huge player in the esports scene which has led to even greater acclaim. When you think Astro, you think of the best. That’s somewhat been my way of thinking, as I’
David Burdette
ASUS ROG Delta II
David Burdette said, "ASUS may not be the most well-known brand in headsets, but the ROG Delta II makes me consider them in a different light. With well-tuned 50mm drivers that offer an all-round audio experience, you’ll be able to play whatever genre tickles your fancy without losing accuracy or immersion. Add in excellent battery life and a better-than-expected mic, and the ROG Delta II delivers a premium quality for the premium price."
ASUS ROG Delta II wireless gaming headset review — A do-it-all option
A fine choice for whatever game ails you
David Burdette
High-End Headsets
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
David Burdette said, "I can’t help but continue to recommend a SteelSeries headset. They are high-end game-changers, and the improvements to an already great Nova 7 in the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 make it even more worth the cost. Would you settle for second place? If you want to come in first, the Nova 7 Gen 2 will help you get there."
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 headset review — Next generation greatness
Perfect for gaming and lifestyle
David Burdette
Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro
David Burdette said, "The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro wireless headset is a stylish option that combines Kraken’s power with Kitty’s aesthetic, and to great effect. It sounds great, it looks awesome, and it works on most devices. What matters is on the inside… but Razer has that and the outside covered."
Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro wireless headset review — Impawssibly great
Time to click heads and look fabulous doing it
David Burdette
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3
David Burdette said, "Turtle Beach has a winner of a headset in the third generation of the Stealth 700. Featuring fantastic drivers that amplify your audio, it’s an easy sell when you back it up with outstanding battery life and terrific comfort that you can use with any of your devices, including simultaneously via Bluetooth. While its supporting cast in the Swarm II app still needs fine tuning, everything else adds up to a great headset."
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) wireless headset review — Pumping up the numbers
Yet another Turtle Beach headset this year, amirite? This will be the third one I’ve reviewed, with the gear maker going with a full lineup refresh. It’s usually a good thing, working out kinks and adjusting for feedback. I thought the new 600 series was just alright, but
David Burdette
Middle Ground
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
David Burdette said, "If you’re in the market for a headset and want the best for less, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is the choice. Not only does it meet the standard you’d expect from SteelSeries, it does so without compromising on quality while shaving at certain features. Add in Sonar, a value that’s indescribable, and you have the best budget headset on the market."
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless headset review — Superstar performance on a budget
SteelSeries is a brand I associate with excellence. That said, that excellence can sometimes have a trade off in cost. I’d always prefer to spend my money wisely, and saving up for the best is usually the route I’d prefer to take. Not everyone shares my sentiments, but
David Burdette
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
David Burdette said, "SteelSeries has a grasp on what makes the best gaming headset, and they’ve figured out the best ways to cut corners for a budget model while still offering world-class quality. The Arctis Nova 3 is exactly what it’s meant to be: a value proposition to gamers that don’t want to fork over a load of cash, but still get the best for their money. You don’t get better audio than from SteelSeries, and with Sonar backing up the Nova 3 doubly, this is the perfect entry into the ecosystem."
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X wireless gaming headset review — Elevated entry-level
I should not be surprised at this point that SteelSeries runs the headset market, and now they have the budget space on notice
David Burdette
Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB
David Burdette said, "The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB - Gengar Edition is more than just a looker, just like the other Kitty V2s. These headsets pack surprisingly competent quality in them, with good versatility via the wired connection that enables some great sound. Although it’s certainly not on the level of Razer’s recent Kraken V4, Kitty V3, or BlackShark V3, it’s priced right and can do more than you expect. Alongside looking super awesome, what more can you ask for?"
Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB - Gengar Edition review — A worthy evolution
This kitty-cat is purple, but does it ghost us? Or scare up a good time?
David Burdette
Corsair VOID Wireless v2
David Burdette said, "Corsair's premium budget-oriented headset returns in the best way possible. The VOID Wireless v2 checks almost every box, providing solid to stellar sound, a good mic, outstanding battery life, and a comfy design. This is one sharp headset."
Corsair VOID Wireless v2 headset review — The karambit of headsets
Corsair adds a light and audially lethal weapon to their arsenal
David Burdette
Logitech G522
Corvo Rohwer said, "The Logitech G522 is a breezy and comfortable headset that blends excellent battery life with solid sound and clear microphone audio in a midrange budget. Layer that on top of a fashionable RGB finish, and this headset establishes itself as a proud successor to the G733."
Logitech G522 review — Lightweight listening
The successor to the G733 is here
Corvo Rohwer
Budget Offerings
Turtle Beach Atlas 200
Nicholas Aguilera said, "The Atlas 200 is an all-rounder. Boasting great sound quality, comfortability, and versatility, I can’t help but highly recommend this headset."
Turtle Beach Atlas 200 Wired Headset review — Wired in
Yes I prefer wired headsets, sue me
Nicholas Aguilera
RIG R5 Spear Pro
Cassie Peterson said, "The RIG R5 Spear Pro headset for PlayStation is a lightweight yet durable headset that’s a perfect fit for competitive gamers. It’s comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions, and delivers excellent audio with little to no distortion thanks to the graphene-coated 40mm drivers."
RIG R5 Spear Pro for PlayStation headset review — Built to compete
SNAP+LOCK & Mod it!
Cassie Peterson
Turtle Beach Airlite Fit
Cassie Peterson said, "The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit is the perfect fit for anyone looking for a budget-friendly gaming headset. It’s ultra lightweight, usable across all platforms, and is easy to use and to adjust. All of this greatness fits in a package less than $30!"
Turtle Beach Airlite Fit headset review — A perfect fit for you and your wallet
Turtle Beach continues to carry gaming audio forward for any budget.
Cassie Peterson
Earbuds
SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds
David Burdette said, "SteelSeries has done it again. The Arctis GameBuds are exemplary, and the icing on the cake of SteelSeries continued raising of the aural bar. Having a set of earbuds in your pocket that can almost replace a gaming headset is phenomenal, and they do so much more for your listening than just gaming. Add in the incredible versatility of Sonar’s EQ, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better all-around set of earbuds."
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review — Stylin’ and (Sonar) profilin’
So, funny story, I lost my earbuds on a Polaris RZR ride at the end of August. While they weren’t any I’d be upset to lose, it immediately put my focus on replacing them. Little did I know that an email from SteelSeries would change my life. The
David Burdette
Cleer ARC 3 Gaming Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds
Ron Burke said, "With an incredible feature set, and audio quality to match, the Cleer ARC 3 Gaming delivers a rich and powerful sound that rivals an in-ear set, but without the discomfort of having anything inside your ears. While it may take a moment to find the right spot, once you do, there’s no other open-ear true wireless solutions that can match it – this is the top of the tier."
Cleer ARC 3 Gaming Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds review — On-ear unrivaled audio experience
There are as many earbud manufacturers as stars in the sky these days it seems. As numerous as they are, the massive differences in quality are equally as varied. As someone who has suffered hearing damage, I have an appreciation for really clear audio, but I can’t always have
Ron Burke
TOZO Golden X1
Joe Morgan said, "The TOZO Golden X1s are great earbuds with some nice features. While they’re a little more on the expensive side, the quality and experience prove the asking price to be more than reasonable. While prolonged comfort may be an issue for some, TOZO has tried to mitigate that with several sizing options included in the package. With great sound quality and stout battery life, you’ll be ready to come up for air long before your Golden X1s are. If you’re in the market for a great set of high-quality earbuds, the TOZO Golden X1s are an excellent choice."
TOZO Golden X1 Wireless Earbuds review — Sleek earbuds with vivid audio
Great performance, reasonably priced
Joe Morgan
Status Audio Pro X
Ron Burke said, "The Status Audio Pro X is smaller, more comfortable, better sounding, and sports feature upgrades across the board. More than iterating on their previous work, this new device represents a new evolution for wireless audio for the industry. "
Status Audio Pro X review — Audiophile sound, futureproof, and more portable than before
In my review for the Status 3ANC earbuds I said they were the best noise cancelling earbuds I’d ever put in my ears. Well…that’s not true. The 3ANC gave us incredible bass, incredibly effective noise cancellation, and an excellent range of sound. It was an absolutely phenomenal
Ron Burke
Thanks for checking out all our recommendations for your holiday shopping! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
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