The best headphones for gaming and live streaming in 2024

As a live streamer, your equipment is just as important as your content. Without the right gear, the quality of your stream suffers. You need the right microphone, webcam, lighting, software, hardware and headphones for live streaming. 

In this guide, you’ll find reviews of the 10 best headphones for live streaming. Both gamers and other live streamers can benefit from the high-quality audio these headphones provide. Some have a microphone included, which is a must depending on the type of streamer you are. The price range, performance, and features also vary, so you can find a set of headphones that’s perfect for your needs. 

How to choose the best headphones for live streaming

When you pick out streaming headphones, you should consider sound quality, noise isolation, comfort, connectivity, microphone, type and personal preferences. 

Sound quality

Obviously, you want headphones with superior sound quality. But you should also look for headphones with surround sound. There are two types: virtual and true. Virtual simulates surround sound with software, while true has ear cups positioned to let you hear sounds from different positions. For most live streamers, especially gamers, virtual surround sound is usually plenty adequate. 

Noise isolation

Many streamers want to block out noise in their environments so they don’t get distracted while live. Different headsets may have different levels of noise isolation or none at all. Noise is tied directly to sound quality and the seal the headphone makes around your ears. If the ear cups don’t fit around your ears properly, the noise isolation won’t be as effective. 

Comfort

This one is simple. The headphones have to fit your head properly. If they’re too tight or too loose, you won’t be able to stand wearing them for a few minutes, let alone a whole streaming session. Comfort can also mean the material the headphones are made of, wireless or cables, and many other factors. Comfort is subjective, so you’ll have to determine for yourself what works best for you. Read online reviews to get other people’s real-life experiences with their headsets. 

Connectivity

You have to ensure that the headphones you choose will work with the platforms, hardware and software you’re using. Always check the specs on a set of headphones before buying to know whether they’re compatible with your system. Some headphones are wireless or connect with Bluetooth, so check the battery life on these models before buying. 

Microphone

If you’re using a headset for streaming, then you need a decent microphone. Consider if you’ll use your headset most often while streaming or if you’ll use a standing microphone most of the time. If you’re using an XLR microphone as a streamer, then you’ll need an audio interface or a mixer. This hardware setup will be capable of handling higher-quality headphones too. To check out the microphone quality of a headset, you can also search for microphone test videos. 

Type

The type of headphones refers to how they fit in your ears or on your head. There are three types to consider:

1. In-ear: In-ear headphones fit inside your ear and send sound vibrations directly to your ear. They’re lightweight and portable but have a limited number of frequencies and can lead to noise-induced deafness if you use them with high volumes regularly.
2. Over-ear: Over-ear headphones have cups that fit over the ear completely to block extra sounds. They’re also known as circumaural. Two types are closed-back and open-back. Closed-back are the best at isolating noise but can put pressure on your eardrums. Open-back have a small opening at the back to release some sound pressure, but people around you can also hear your audio.
3. On-ear: On-ear headphones sit on the ear without fully encapsulating them. They put the least amount of pressure on your ears of the three types, but they also let in the most background noise. 

Personal preferences

Personal preferences might include an open-back versus closed-back design, audio quality, detachable microphone, wired or wireless, and so on. If you’re purchasing your first set of streaming headphones, it’s hard to know your personal preferences. Consider what would make you most comfortable and what would fit best with your streaming setup. 

10 best headphones for live streaming

Once you know what you’re looking for in a set of gaming headphones, it helps narrow the search. Still, to make it a little bit easier for you, we rounded up the 10 best gaming headphones and listed their best — and worst — features here. 

1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

For a wireless gaming experience, it doesn’t get much better than the Arctis Nova Pro from SteelSeries. These headphones come with several features to help you fully customize your sound, including active noise canceling, swappable battery packs, Bluetooth support to stay connected to all of your devices at the same time, and a retractable mic.

The Arctis Nova Pro wireless headphones come with a dock that you can use to make your adjustments, plus it makes it easier to connect to consoles and maintain low latency. They’re over-ear, closed-back headphones with a dynamic transducer. Some people have reported a very poor soundstage performance, however, making it seem more like the sound is coming from inside your head rather than from speakers around you.

Features

• Rechargeable, swappable battery packs
• 25-hour continuous battery life
• Bluetooth and wireless dongle pairing
• Sound controls on the headset

Compatibility

• PlayStation variant: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
• Xbox variant: Xbox X/S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
• Mobile (Bluetooth)

Pros

• Best wireless headphones with mic
• Low wireless latency
• Large variety of sound customization features

Cons

• Poor soundstage performance

Price: $349.99

2. HyperX Cloud Alpha S

HyperX is a well-known brand for gamers, and the Cloud Alpha S headset meets the needs of both gamers and streamers. With virtual surround sound, an audio control switch, and a detachable mic, this headset is a good first buy if you don’t have a standalone mic yet. The audio is great, with a wide frequency range as well. 

The biggest benefits of this closed-back headset are the game and chat audio toggling and the detachable microphone. The mic is bi-directional and noise-canceling as well. One downside is the faux leather ear cushions, which don’t hold up over time. 

Features:

• USB audio control mixer
• Circumaural, closed-back design
• Bass adjustment sliders
• HyperX 7.1 virtual surround sound 

Compatibility:

• PC
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox One 

Pros:

• High-dollar features at a lower price point
• Removable microphone 

Cons:

• Faux leather ear cushions are less durable 

Price: $129.99 

3. Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed

The Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed is a premium wireless gaming headset designed for comfort and versatility. It’s not just for gaming — it does well on Zoom and Discord calls too. This headset has a bass-heavy sound profile, but you can customize the sound using Logitech’s G HUB software. It also has extremely low latency, so your audio and visuals stay synced up when you’re using the wireless dongle.

You can use the G Pro X 2 Lightspeed as a wired headset as well, as it contains a 3.5mm TRRS jack. However, you can’t have multiple audio connections at the same time, you have to switch between them. The microphone also adds a little too much bass to your voice, but it does a great job of filtering out background noise.

Features:

• Over-ear, closed-back design
• Both wired and wireless options
• Changeable ear cups, one in leatherette and one in velour
• Graphene drivers (to make it more lightweight and improve the sound)

Compatibility:

• USB-A dongle for PC and PlayStation 5
• 3.5mm TRRS connection for Xbox or handheld like Nintendo Switch

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Robust Logitech G HUB software to control sound
• Impressive mic environmental noise filtering

Cons:

• Can’t support multiple connections simultaneously

Price: $249.99 

4. SteelSeries Arctis 7

For gamers and streamers who want wireless headphones without latency issues, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 is a good contender. The 2.4 GHz wireless audio is supposed to remove any lag, so you can use your wireless headset at a range of up to 39 feet. This headset also boasts a 24-hour battery life.

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 headset also has 7.1 surround sound, but you can only toggle it from the software. The mic has clear voice quality and cancels background noise. The whole headset is ergonomically designed as well, so you can wear it for a long time. The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is highly rated for gamers, with good performance on major gaming and streaming metrics, at a reasonable price. 

Features:

• Bi-directional microphone
• On-headset chat mix
• Noise-canceling microphone
• DTS surround sound headphone

Compatibility:

• PC
• Mac
• PlayStation 4, 5
• Xbox One (wired)
• Switch
• Mobile

Pros:

• Best value headphones
• Truly lag-free wireless

Cons:

• Surround sound isn’t always accurate

Price: $179.99

5. Audeze Maxwell Wireless

For gamers who switch between console and PC and want a wireless headset for a smooth experience, there’s the Audeze Maxwell headset. It comes with several connection options, including USB-C, RF dongle, and Bluetooth. It comes with a comprehensive app that lets you adjust EQ, access spatial audio, and manage firmware updates.

The Audeze Maxwell is a good choice for gamers and audio enthusiasts alike, thanks to its cutting-edge technology that provides high-quality, customizable sound. It also has one of the longest battery lives of most other premium wireless headsets, at 80 hours on a single charge (most others tap out at 50). The design of the headset makes it a bit uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, however.

Features:

• Supports simultaneous audio with Bluetooth and wired connection (but not Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dongle)
• Detachable hypercardioid mic
• Dolby Atmos license with the Xbox variant
• 90mm planar magnetic drivers for warm, high-fidelity audio

Compatibility:

• Xbox variant: PC, Mac, Xbox 360, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
• PlayStation variant: PlayStation 4, 5

Pros:

• Comes with pop filter for microphone
• Balanced audio
• Full charge time is under two hours

Cons:

• Larger than other headsets and could be uncomfortable for some

Price:

• Playstation variant: $299
• Xbox variant: $329

6. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones have a closed-back design that comes in 32-, 80-, and 250-ohm variants. The large ear pads can fit over most ears, and they’re one of the most comfortable pairs of headphones available. The price is reasonable for the clear and accurate sound you get.

The Beyerdynamics have a lot going for them and are a favorite among live streamers. But one downside is that the cable is not detachable. They also don’t come with a mic.

Features:

• Dynamic transducer
• Circumaural sound coupling
• Ambient noise isolation
• Soft inner headband
• Single-sided cable 

Compatibility: 

• Comes with a 3.5 mm stereo jack plug and 6.35 mm adapter 

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Good audio

Cons:

• Cable not detachable
• No mic

 Price: $159.99 

7.  Sennheiser Game ONE

Sennheiser is well-known for audio products, so you can expect amazing sound quality with the Sennheiser Game ONE. This headset, designed for gamers and streamers, also comes with a mic with a noise-canceling pick-up pattern. The Sennheiser Game ONE has an open acoustics design, so it won’t isolate every external noise, but it will put less pressure on your eardrums. 

The Sennheiser is perfect for streamers who appreciate good audio quality, but it does have a few drawbacks. It’s not wireless, and it doesn’t offer surround sound. If you can move past those aspects, though, then you’ll have a great gaming headset. 

Features:

• Circumaural ear coupling
• Dynamic, open transducer
• 2-year warranty
• Noise-canceling microphone 

Compatibility:

• PC
• Mac
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox One
• Nintendo Switch 

Pros:

• Excellent audio quality
• Responsive microphone 

Cons:

• No surround sound 

Price: $179.00 

8. Razer BlackShark V2 X

For the best wired gaming headset under $100, look at the Razer BlackShark V2 X. The comfortable fit is one of its best selling points, as its audio quality isn’t exactly up to the standards of its competitors. The sound is pretty bass-heavy and has inconsistent bass and treble delivery. The best thing the BlackShark V2 has going for it is that it’s a no-fuss headset that works with almost any device. You can get the USB or 3.5mm version — the 3.5mm jack is recommended if you want to use them for consoles and PCs. The microphone performs well, picking up your voice clearly and separating it from ambient noise. 

The Razer BlackShark V2 X is lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours, but it’s not as portable as other gaming headsets on this list. It doesn’t fold easily, but it does come with a carrying pouch.

Features:

• Comes with audio software for PC
• Supports THX surround sound on PC
• 3.5mm headphone jack and USB versions
• On-ear cup volume control

Compatibility:

• PC
• Mac
• PlayStation 4, 5
• Xbox One, X/S
• Nintendo Switch

Pros:

• Best value gaming headset
• High-performance microphone
• Comfortable fit
• Versatile connectivity

Cons:

• Sound profile is bass-heavy and inconsistent

Price: $79.99

9. ASTRO A50

The ASTRO A50 is a wireless, over-ear headset that comes with its own charging base. The battery life of the ASTRO A50 is about 15 hours — usually plenty of time for a single gaming and live streaming session. This headset also comes with command center software to control audio, as well as on-headset buttons for basic volume control. You also don’t need an optical cable with a PC, as it comes with a USB sound card function.

Both the audio and mic quality on the ASTRO A50 are exceptional, with the 7.1 surround sound immersing you in whatever game you’re playing. This headset hits high marks for every category that matters to gamers and streamers, but that kind of quality doesn’t come without a high price tag.

Features:

• 49-foot wireless range
• Open-air transducer
• Dolby 7.1 surround sound
• Flip-to-mute microphone
• Proprietary ASTRO audio V2 tuning

Compatibility:

• PC
• Mac
• Xbox X/S
• PlayStation 4 
• Need adapter for PlayStation 5

Pros:

• Recharge docking station
• Command center software 

Cons:

• Expensive 

Price: $299.99 

10. Audio Technica M50X

The Audio Technica M50X headphones are great all-purpose headphones, with audio quality to suit gamers, streamers and audio professionals. These closed-back headphones come with three different detachable cables and fold in on themselves so you can store them easily.

The audio quality is great for this price range, and the noise isolation is top-notch as well. These headphones don’t come with a mic, however, and they can be a little uncomfortable. All in all, the Audio Technica M50X are a solid choice for streamers who appreciate good sound quality and already have a microphone. 

Features:

• 45 mm large-aperture drivers
• Circumaural design
• 90-degree swiveling ear cups
• Three cables (one coiled, two straight in different lengths) 

Compatibility:

• PC
• Need adapter to use with consoles

Pros:

• Foldable design
• Good noise isolation

Cons:

• Tend to be tight and uncomfortable 

Price: $149.00

FAQs

Let’s wrap up

The perfect live streaming headset can be difficult to find because so many aspects of them are subjective. A headset that fits comfortably on one person’s head may be too tight on someone else’s. The same headphones also won’t work for two people with different preferences in audio quality. Know your needs before you start shopping, and look for the headphones that will meet your requirements.