Updated : This buying guide has been revised to correct model compatibility and feature claims. It does not include new hands-on product tests.
Start with the device you will plug into and whether you need a microphone. A gaming headset, a pair of studio headphones and wired in-ear earphones solve different problems. A familiar model name does not guarantee that every version works with every console.
The examples below explain what to compare. They are not a ranked list based on new listening tests, and the old prices in this article should not be treated as current offers.
Which type fits your main use?
| Main use | Good starting point | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Games and voice chat | A compatible headset with a microphone. | Exact console version, connection method and mic support. |
| Music at a desk | Comfortable wired headphones. | Open or closed back, cable and whether the source drives them well. |
| Shared room or travel | Closed-back headphones or a suitable in-ear design. | Fit, isolation, leakage and awareness of surroundings. |
| Portable listening without a cable | Wireless earbuds or headphones. | Battery condition, controls, latency and device support. |
Gaming headsets: buy the right connection and version
Corsair VOID RGB ELITE Wireless: the maker lists PC, Mac, PS5 and PS4 compatibility for the referenced wireless model. That does not make it an Xbox wireless headset. Check the exact SKU, since similarly named USB, wireless and wired products can differ.
Use the official Corsair specification, rather than assuming every advertised surround feature works on every platform.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: Xbox compatibility depends on the version. SteelSeries says the Xbox model has a dedicated Xbox USB connection; the flexible second USB connection serves other supported systems. The non-Xbox version is not interchangeable for that use.
For any wireless headset, confirm which included transmitter is required. Bluetooth availability on a headset does not mean every console accepts it directly for game audio and chat.
Music headphones: open back or closed back?
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: these are wired, closed-back headphones. They can be an option for listening or monitoring, but they are not automatically a gaming headset with a chat microphone. Check the supplied cables and the maker’s specification.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, 250-ohm version: this is an open-back model. Sound can escape into the room, and it will not isolate you like a closed design. The 250-ohm version also deserves a check of your audio source rather than an assumption that every phone or controller will provide the volume you want. See the exact product page.
Neither studio branding nor a large frequency-range number tells you whether a headphone will feel comfortable or sound right to you.
In-ear earphones: isolation is not the same as ANC
Shure AONIC 3: Shure describes the wired model as Sound Isolating. A seal that blocks some sound is passive isolation; it is not proof of electronic active noise cancellation. Check the cable and controls supplied with the exact package if you want calls or gaming chat.
For a historical wireless example, our Jabra Elite 75t review and ANC update separates the original review findings from later features. Check the age and condition of the batteries before buying older wireless stock.
A quick buying checklist
- Match the plug, USB transmitter or wireless method to your actual device.
- Confirm microphone support separately from headphone playback.
- Check comfort, pad or tip replacements and the return policy.
- Compare the full current price, including any adapter or separate microphone.
- Decide whether you need isolation or prefer an open design.
If you already own working headphones but Windows reports no output device, troubleshoot before replacing them. Our missing audio device guide starts with connections and output settings.