Bestes gaming headset 2022: The best gaming headsets in 2022

Black Friday gaming headset deals 2022: up to 45% off today

Black Friday gaming headset deals

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

Jump straight to the deals you want…
1. US gaming headset deals
2. US wireless gaming headset deals
3. UK gaming headset deals
4. UK wireless gaming headset deals

These are all the Black Friday gaming headset deals still live going into the weekend, but we’re now switching focus to what’s coming up with the Cyber Monday gaming headset deals . That’s where all the latest and greatest discounts will now be curated going forward, so come take a look.

Black Friday has given us some of the best gaming headsets at the lowest prices they ever hit. And even now Black Friday is done and dusted, the deals are hanging around—right up through Cyber Monday and beyond. Golly. That means it’s your best chance this year to grab a gaming headset, wired or wireless, for a tasty price. A new set of cans could also make a great gift for that special gamer in your life. 

No matter the style or budget, there are all sorts of gaming headsets receiving genuine discounts from all the usual suspects, such as SteelSeries, HyperX, Logitech, and Razer. There are even some great quality headsets selling for as little as $40, and some of our absolute favorites for not much more than that.

A few tips before we get deep into the deal: Unless you’ve got a desktop mic, it’s crucial for gamers playing online to ensure a headset comes with a microphone that doesn’t sound like you are broadcasting from a World War 2 submarine. Your buddies will thank you. Directional audio has also gotten so much better over the years, so it’s something to keep a look out for if you’re after a little competitive edge. Not only will it help pinpoint footsteps in games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 , but it adds a level of tension in slower, more atmospheric games like Scorn and Resident Evil.  

  • We’ll carry on curating the best Cyber Monday PC gaming deals all the way through.

If you’re looking for wireless headsets, anything with a battery life of over 25 hours is a good place to start. You want it to last out the day, right? And finally, comfort goes a long way, considering how much time we spend these things resting on our delicate ears and craniums. 

Those are just some things we look at when curating our best wired and best wireless gaming headsets throughout the year. We’re constantly reviewing new headsets to ensure our buying advice is bang up to date during Black Friday weekend. Not only are we here to save you some money, we also want to save you time by sifting for for only the very best headset deals.

Where are the best Black Friday gaming headset deals?

In the US:

  • Amazon — Big discounts on popular gaming headsets =
  • Walmart — Console, and PC gaming headsets up to 30% off
  • B&H Photo — Deals on pro-sumer and gaming headsets
  • Best Buy — Save up to $100 on gaming headsets
  • Target — Gaming headsets as low as $13. 99
  • Staples — Tons of budget gaming headsets 
  • Lenovo — Turtle Beach headsets starting at $29.95
  • Razer — Home of some of PCG’s favorite headsets
  • Newegg — Gaming headsets starting at $5
  • HyperX Cloud Alpha — Wired | 13 — 27,000 Hz | $99.99 54.99 at Amazon
  • Razer BlackShark V2 Pro — Wireless | $179.99 $99.99 at Amazon
  • SteelSeries Arctis Pro — Wired | $179.99 $109.99 at Amazon

In the UK:

  • Amazon — Tons of budget gaming headsets options
  • HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless — Wireless | 15 — 21,000Hz | £189.99  £99.99 at Amazon
  • SteelSeries Arctis Pro — Wired | 10 — 40,000Hz | £179.99 £109. 99 at Amazon
  • HyperX Cloud Alpha — Wired | 13 — 27,000Hz | £79.99 £53.51 at Amazon
  • Newegg — Variety of gaming headset brands  
  • Overclockers — Deals on wireless gaming headsets
  • Scan — Deals on Razer and Beyerdynamic headsets
  • Ebuyer — Gaming headsets as low as £17
  • Argos — Budget gaming headsets aplenty
  • Razer — Makers of some our most highly-recommended headsets

Black Friday gaming headset deals in the US

Razer BlackShark V2 CouRageJD Edition | 50mm drivers | 12-28,000Hz| Closed-back | Wired | $109.99 $54.99 at Best Buy (save $55)
The BlackShark dethroned the HyperX Cloud Alpha to become our top gaming headset, with sound quality «far above what you will get with most other sets in this price point,» thanks to drivers with smartly separated bass, mids, and treble. It’s the champion for two years running.

HyperX Cloud Alpha| Wired | 50mm drivers | 13-27,000Hz | Closed-back | $99.99 $54.99 at Amazon (save $45)
The lowest-ever price for the more affordable wired version of our favorite wireless gaming headset. The Cloud series is legendary, and the Alpha has held strong for 5 years now as the best pair of cans HyperX has ever made.

Razer Kraken Ultimate | 50mm drivers | 20–28,000Hz | Closed-back | Wired (3.5mm) | $129.99 $64.99 at Best Buy (save $65)
If you love the look and design of the Kraken but wish it had a little oompf. The Kraken Ultimate might be more up your alley. It offers THX spatial audio and better bass than the cheaper, greener base Kraken. 

Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Wired | 10–41,000Hz | Open-back | $279 $179 at Drop (save $100)
Our Jacob is a huge fan of the Sennheiser HD 650. It’s basically Sennheiser’s classic audiophile headset and it sounds absolutely stunning. The HD 6XX is Drop’s version of that same headset, in partnership with Sennheiser, of course. So you’re getting a slightly modified version of the HD 650 for quite a bit less cash, especially with this deal. Just note it doesn’t come with a microphone, so you’ll need one of those separately. Similarly, you might need a more powerful amp to get the most out of this headset, but that’s not necessarily a requirement.

Our state-of-the-art price-searching bots are all over the web, tracking down the best prices all the time. That means this list will be regularly curated multiple times each day.

The best Black Friday gaming headset deals today…

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Turtle Beach Recon 500

£69.99

£35.88

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Razer BlackShark V2 X

£59. 99

£36.95

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Razer Barracuda X

£99.99

£44.99

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Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation

£199.99

£120.82

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Razer Kaira Pro

£120.99

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Black Friday wireless gaming headset deals in the US

Razer Barracuda X | 40mm drivers | 20–20,000Hz | Closed-back | Wireless | $99. 99 $56.60 at Amazon (save $43.39)
The Quartz pink version of the Razer Barracudas here are loud in sound and in style. This headset sounds great, and it’s multiplatform with enough battery life to wear all day. Plus it’s super comfy.

SteelSeries Arctis 7X (Xbox Version) | 40mm drivers | 20–20,000Hz | Closed-back | Wireless | $149.99 $89.99 at SteelSeries (save $70)
The Arctis 7X at a time was one of our favorite wireless headsets for both PC and console gaming. Its ski goggle headband is very comfortable and perfect for marathon gaming sessions. Our only problem is that the bass isn’t great for the price, and there’s no Bluetooth support, so it’s not great for commuting.

Sony Inzone H9 | 40mm drivers | 5–20,000Hz | Closed-back | Wireless | $299.99 $279. 99 at Best Buy (save $20)
Sony’s new premium PC gaming headset, the Inzone H9, is predictably pricey, and this is the first time it’s been on sale since its launch. It has features like ANC, Bluetooth wireless, and a decent 32-hour battery life. While Inzone software isn’t the best, the default sound and sleek design are suitable for PS5 and PC gamers looking for a fancy headset. 

Our hard-working price-searching bots are working night and day to find the very best wireless gaming headset deals on the internet. 

The best Black Friday wireless gaming headset deals today…

288 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

£99.99

£75.99

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Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless SE Gaming…Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless SE Gaming Headset, Carbon

£109. 99

£84.99

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Corsair Hs70 Pro Wireless Gaming…Corsair Hs70 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset — Carbon

£99.95

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Corsair HS70 PRO WIRELESS Gaming…Corsair HS70 PRO WIRELESS Gaming Headset, Carbon (CA-9011211-EU)

£106.72

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Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless Gaming…Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset — Carbon

£117.13

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Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless Gaming.

Black Friday gaming headset deals in the UK

HyperX Cloud Alpha | Wired | 336g | £89.99 £39.99 at Amazon (save £50)
The venerable Cloud Alpha may be getting on a bit now, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the pound-for-pound best-sounding gaming headsets of all time. The smart driver design has been recently aped by Razer’s impressive BlackShark V2 range, and sounds as close as you can get to an expansive open back design in a noise-isolating closed back headset. Highly recommended.

Razer Kraken | Wired | 322g | £79.99 £49.99 at Amazon (save £30)
I prefer the Blacksharks personally, but the Kraken is Razer’s standard gaming headset. Not only that, it’s a rock-solid gaming headset for the masses. With chunky 50mm drivers and a retractable mic, it delivers what a gamer needs. And it comes in a couple of colours to match your setup. The only thing is, like many gaming headsets, they can be a little too generous on the bass, but that’s not an issue for everyone. If you love a little too much low-end, you’ll love the Kraken at this price.

Razer Barracuda | 40mm drivers | 20–20,000Hz | Closed-back | Wireless | £159.99 £133 at Amazon (save £26.99)
This headset is a jack-of-all-trades. Go from your PC to your mobile, to your consoles in just a few easy steps. A 3.5mm wire, USB Type-C dongle and Bluetooth make most devices compatible. It has Razer Synapse compatibility to boot, letting you tweak the EQ to suit your hearing needs. Not the most budget-friendly gaming headset, but one I believe is well worth the investment at this reduced price.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro | Wired | 426g | £179.99 £109. 99 at Amazon (save £70)
The outstanding Arctis Pro briefly dropped lower than this, but at this price remains a solid deal on a set of seriously hi-res gaming headphones. The 10–40,000Hz response of these cans makes them ultra-clear for gaming, and delivers great depth for music too.

Our hard-working price-searching bots are working night and day to find the very best wireless gaming headset deals on the internet. 

The best Black Friday gaming headset deals today…

Reduced Price

Turtle Beach Recon 500

£69.99

£35.88

View Deal

See all prices

Reduced Price

Razer BlackShark V2 X

£59. 99

£36.95

View Deal

See all prices

Reduced Price

Razer Barracuda X

£99.99

£44.99

View Deal

See all prices

Reduced Price

Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation

£199.99

£120.82

View Deal

See all prices

Razer Kaira Pro

£120.99

View Deal

See all prices

Black Friday wireless gaming headset deals in the UK

Steelseries Arctis 7 | Wireless | 20–22,000Hz | 24-hour battery | £159. 99 £94.99 at Amazon (save £65)
The Arctis 7 has long been the de facto wireless headset of choice for many gamers, us included. A few people on the team use this headset and rate it highly for regular use. The mic is clear and the sound is surprisingly balanced for a gaming-first headset. Definitely tough to go wrong with this headset, especially now that it’s below £100.

Razer Nari Ultimate | Wireless | 432g | £199.99 £99.99 at Amazon (save £100)
I’ll be honest, the haptic audio feedback built into the Nari does not float my boat, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t still a quality wireless gaming headset. And given that the wireless premium usually pushes headset prices well over £100, that makes the Nari Ultimate great value right now.

Our hard-working price-searching bots are working night and day to find the very best wireless gaming headset deals on the internet.  

The best Black Friday wireless gaming headset deals today…

288 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

£99.99

£75.99

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Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless SE Gaming…Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless SE Gaming Headset, Carbon

£109.99

£84.99

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Corsair Hs70 Pro Wireless Gaming…Corsair Hs70 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset — Carbon

£99.95

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Corsair HS70 PRO WIRELESS Gaming.

What should I look for in a Black Friday gaming headset deal?

Before you throw open your wallet, knowing what features are most important to you in a gaming headset is good. Consider how long you will wear it per day and for what purpose.

If you play a lot of FPS games, it’s worth investing in a headset with surround sound to you can pinpoint enemies and a noise-canceling mic, so your teammates don’t have to listen to your mechanical keyboard going click-clack.

If you’re going wireless, consider dropping RGB lighting down your priority list, as it’ll sap battery life like nobody’s business. Otherwise, if you’re looking to stand out among streamers, a wired RGB headset will surely hypnotize those fans into subscribing.

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Jorge is a hardware writer from the enchanted lands of New Jersey. When he’s not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, he’s reviewing all sorts of gaming hardware from laptops with the latest mobile GPUs to gaming chairs with built-in back massagers. He’s been covering games and tech for nearly ten years and has written for Dualshockers, WCCFtech, and Tom’s Guide. 

SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC headphones review

Our Verdict

If your budget doesn’t stretch that extra $50 for the wireless version, you won’t find a more complete package for 250 bucks.

For
  • Subtle RGB lighting
  • Great sound
  • Very comfortable
Against
  • No chat mix on earcup

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Specifications

Price $250
Driver Type 40mm
Impedance 32 Ohm
Frequency Response 10Hz–40kHz
Design Style Closed cup
Microphone Type Noise-canceling bi-directional
Connectivity USB
Weight 13. 1oz
Cord Length 5 feet

High-resolution audio is PC gaming’s favorite “Next Big Thing” at the moment. Just as HD displays brought our eyes out of the dark ages and into a new era of crystal-clear game worlds, hi-res audio wants to bathe your ears in newfound fidelity, making positional audio cues in games easier to pinpoint, and Metallica’s Master of Puppets sound exactly 3.8 times more badass than the last time you heard it. And it’s this promise that SteelSeries embraces with its newest batch of Arctis headsets. They were already among the best gaming headsets in the market, and now a trio of fresh (and expensive) models aims to stretch out that lead on the competition.

There’s always room for a little healthy cynicism when these new tech standards present themselves, of course. But what we’ve seen elsewhere from hi-res headsets, such as Roccat’s Khan Pro AIMO, is that even if you’re not listening to 24-bit sound, and thus capitalizing on the tech, the sound quality is still wonderful. Like that Roccat headset, the Arctis Pro + GameDAC features a frequency response range of 10Hz all the way up to 40kHz, way beyond the usual 20-20 we see from non-hi-res cans. And that means that even if you don’t have a Tidal subscription to deliver lossless songs into your ears at the press of a button, you do hear an improvement in sound quality thanks to that wide range.

Best of all, that improvement is coming from the GameDAC box, a digital-to-analog converter and amplifier that takes processing duties away from your PC and handles them in the middle of the signal path. SteelSeries’s GameDAC, which is small and unobtrusive enough to sit on any desk, also doubles up as the control center. Pressing the larger black rubberized dial brings up an OLED options menu, where you can turn DTS Headphone: X surround sound on and off, tweak game/chat volume balance, and more.

As with previous Arctis models, there’s a volume scroll wheel at the back of the left earcup, and an easy-to-find mic mute button above it. However, on the wired version I’ve tested, there’s no game/chat balance scroll wheel on the right earcup, and as a veteran Arctis 7 user, I feel that loss. It’s inherently more tricky to set it using the GameDAC.

Another minor gripe is that since the headphones connect to the GameDAC via micro-USB, you need to hook up the supplied 3.5mm mobile adapter if you want to use the headset (minus hi-res support) with your smartphone. And since recent smartphones ditched the 3.5mm jack, that means attaching yet another adapter, and walking around looking like a meme. Not really SteelSeries’s fault, but worth bearing in mind if you’re considering this as an all-in-one solution.

And it is very tempting to see the new Pro version of the Arctis as just that. It’s PS4- compatible as well as PC, though not Xbox without jumping through some hoops . Visually, the beautiful clean design hasn’t been trodden on by the inclusion of RGB lighting—it’s a subtle ring around each earcup that looks as good as we’ve seen any RGB product look. As a gaming headset, it’s feature-rich and brilliantly tuned with the sometimes divisive Headphone: X software-based surround sound, creating rich and spacious soundscapes. As a pair of audiophile headphones, it really does have the warmth and depth to compete with more expensive, non-gaming models, albeit with a chain of adapters in tow if you want to hook it up to a smartphone.

This wired Pro model isn’t the cream of the new Arctis crop—that honor belongs to the more expensive wireless version (our high-end pick for the best wireless gaming headset ), which also includes a chat mix scroll wheel on the headset, and the ease of use that a wireless setup brings. But if your budget doesn’t stretch that extra $50, you won’t find a more complete package for 250 bucks.

This article was originally published in Maximum PC’s June issue . For more quality articles about all things PC hardware, you can subscribe to Maximum PC now.

Read our review policy

Steelseries Arctis Pro + Game DAC

If your budget doesn’t stretch that extra $50 for the wireless version, you won’t find a more complete package for 250 bucks.

Phil ‘the face’ Iwaniuk used to work in magazines. Now he wanders the earth, stopping passers-by to tell them about PC games he remembers from 1998 until their polite smiles turn cold. He also makes ads. Veteran hardware smasher and game botherer of PC Format, Official PlayStation Magazine, PCGamesN, Guardian, Eurogamer, IGN, VG247, and What Gramophone? He won an award once, but he doesn’t like to go on about it.

You can get rid of ‘the face’ bit if you like.

No -Ed. 

Best Gaming Headsets 2022: Ranked, Top 7

All PC gamers crave stereo surround sound with perfect highs and lows. Good gaming headphones with a microphone can make all the difference in critical gaming situations and provide an unrivaled level of comfort during your planned gaming marathon.

It’s not hard to see just how much of an impact the Nvidia RTX 3080 can have on performance, but how important is clear sound quality in a game? nine0003

For anyone who enjoys competitive gaming, a quality gaming headset is just as important. This allows you to pinpoint enemies with the sound direction and react quickly — instead of shooting somewhere in the direction of this useless damage indicator on the screen.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing gaming headphones. Price and sound quality top the list — these are the most important factors we considered when choosing our favorites for this list. Comfort also matters a lot. In addition, noise-canceling microphones are, all other things being equal, of great quality, so most of the headsets listed here include this feature. You need decent voice quality and a microphone that doesn’t pick up every keystroke on your mechanical keyboard. nine0003

Our list of the best gaming headphones with mic has something for everyone, no matter the budget. No | Drivers: 50mm Razer TriForce Titanium | Connection: 3.5 mm USB sound card | Frequency response: 12 Hz — 28,000 Hz | Features: detachable noise canceling microphone, built-in cable controls | nine0021 Weight: 262 g

  • + Low-key
  • + Comfort
  • + Excellent Sound
  • + Trusted Brand

Not putting HyperX Cloud Alpha in the first place was not easy. The Razer Blackshark V2 gaming headsets offer amazing sound quality, great value, and easy-to-use software.

The headphone drivers have discrete ports to separate bass, mids and jitter from interference from each other. The result is a richer sound that rivals more expensive headphones like the HyperX. nine0003

The price of $100 is very low for this level of quality. The BlackShark V2 Pro is a new model that gives gamers a wireless option for $80 more.

2. HyperX Cloud II Wireless

Well-balanced wireless headset for superior gaming sound

Wireless: Yes | Drivers: dynamic, 53 mm with neodymium magnets | nine0021 Connectivity: USB dongle | Frequency response: 15Hz-20kHz | Features: Detachable microphone | Weight: 300 g | Battery life: 30 hours

  • + Powerful but clear sound
  • + Exceptional build quality

Headphones provide excellent sound and build quality with basic features well-executed and without any noticeable flaws. All this, of course, increases the price.

The stereo sound here is sharper and sharper in the lower range, which will appeal to lovers of bass and depth. However, the extra bass doesn’t affect overall clarity — and it sounds great in games and music environments. Neodymium magnets are designed to give low, mid and high frequencies room to resonate without getting in each other’s way, and you really feel it when you listen to them.

Other than that, it’s the usual impressive build quality, generous packaging, clean microphone, and high levels of comfort for long gaming sessions that the Cloud II design has always offered. nine0003

3. Razer Thresher Ultimate

Razer’s best headset on the market

Wireless: Yes | Drivers: neodymium 50 mm | Connectivity: wireless USB analog 3.5 mm | Frequency response: 12-28,000 Hz | Features: Retractable Unidirectional Microphone, RGB, 7. 1 Dolby Surround

  • + Detailed Sound
  • + Comfort
  • nine0035 + Quality wireless connection

The later version of Nari Ultimate can grab attention with its tactile feedback. However, while it looks the same, it has a weaker sound than the classic Thresher Ultimate. For the money, this is the best Razer-made gaming headset we’ve used so far.

I’d rather have the detailed, reliable sound of Thresher’s more sensitive drivers than something that feels like you get hit in the head every time the game explodes. nine0003

The wireless connection is solid, the fit is comfortable, the battery life is decent — though not best in class at around ten hours — and if you pick up a pair of extra pink cat ears from the Razer store, you can make them look amazing.

4. Steelseries Arctis 9X

Best wireless gaming headset for most users

Wireless: Yes | Drivers: 40mm neodymium drivers | Connectivity: USB Wireless, 3. 5mm Wired, Bluetooth | Frequency response: 20-22,000 Hz | Features: Retractable Noise Canceling Microphone, DTS:X Headphones, 7.1 Surround Sound

  • + Good Gaming Sound
  • + Comfortable ski goggle headband.
  • + Excellent Bluetooth microphone
  • — Dear
  • — Weak bass

We like the Arctis 9X because you can easily forget it’s wireless while you’re using it. There is no noise or sonic artifacts that have historically been a hallmark of wireless earbuds. Additional Bluetooth compatibility means you can also use this headset on your mobile devices.

Excellent battery life — over 20 hours out of the box; You can also continue playing while charging by simply connecting the headset to your computer using the USB cable. nineNo | Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium magnets | Connectivity: analog 3.5 mm | Frequency response: 12Hz-28kHz | Features: 7. 1 Surround Sound Ultralight

  • + Cheap
  • + Superb 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound
  • + Comfort

As a cheap alternative to the fancy Kraken, the Kraken X is an inexpensive option that stands out on PC for one simple reason — 7.1 virtual surround sound. Available via the app, it enhances the already good sound in the headset with superior depth, clarity and resolution.

This version of the Kraken offers amazing value for money. Of course, there are minor drawbacks (the main one is the non-detachable microphone), but it’s hard to complain when you get great 7.1 sound at such a low price. nine0003

6. Creative SXFI Gamer

Best Surround Sound Headset

Wireless: No | Drivers: neodymium magnet 50 mm | Connectivity: USB-C, 3.5 mm stereo input | Frequency range: 20-20 kHz | Features: Positional Audio | Weight: 336 g

  • + Excellent price
  • + Pretty good surround sound
  • + Discreet and comfortable design
  • — Bulky software
  • — No wireless support

The Creative SFXI Gamer Headset is good, but has a ridiculously bad reputation. However, this shouldn’t put off those looking for a great overall listening experience. Positional Audio, also known as Battle Mode, is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in their favorite battle royale for less than $150.

50mm neodymium drivers provide good bass in both stereo and surround modes. The microphone is well suited for competitive gaming (although the red LED on the tip is infuriating) if you want to be heard loud and clear. nine0003

7. Astro A03 in-ear headphones

Best budget in-ear headphones for gaming

Wireless: No | Drivers: Dual Dynamic 5.8mm / 9.2mm | Connectivity: 3.5 mm stereo input | Frequency range: 20-20 kHz | Features: travel bag, 3 sizes of ear tips | Weight: 260g

  • + $50 only
  • + Fun colors
  • — Microphone not working on PC

If you’re like most people and your only experience with in-ear headphones is the ones that come with your smartphone, then you’ll definitely love this one. The

Astro A03 are a stylish pair of in-ear headphones that not only sound good, but are only $50. A great alternative for people who find a regular gaming headset too heavy and uncomfortable for a long time. We also have to point out the flat, tangle-resistant cables, as in-ear headphones are notorious for tying themselves in inexplicable knots in your pockets. nine0003

Best Wireless Gaming Headphones of 2022

So you want to know who the best Rainbow Six Siege operators are? This is a very complex shooter — perhaps one of the most intricate multiplayer games currently being played. The depth comes from many places: destructible environments, map design, but primarily from the unique gadgets, stats and loads offered by each of the playing operators. We trained with elite soldiers to find out which operator is the strongest. nine0003

New Rainbow Six Siege Operators are released every season, and you can unlock them earlier by purchasing the Battle Pass for that season, or wait for them to go public and use your hard-earned in-game currency. It is earned by completing matches and completing daily quests, so it’s useful to know which ones to get first in order to collect the remaining Operators even faster.

Rainbow Six Siege Top Attack Operators

Here are some of the best Attack Operators in Rainbow Six Siege:

Maverick

Thatcher is almost permanently banned these days, so finding another effective way to clear Bandit batteries or Caid’s claws is a must. While Kali can be useful for this too, the Maverick is the best choice, but it does require a lot of practice if you want to safely and efficiently break through fortified surfaces.

Once you get the hang of his gadget, he will become one of the strongest attackers in the game. Not only can he create lines of sight without having to clear defender hindrances like Mute Jammers and Kaid’s Claws, but he can also replace Ace or Thermite if you have a soft cracker working with you. Maverick uses the method of removing a fortification by destroying its anchor points. On key maps like Clubhouse and Consulate, it makes it almost pointless to drop walls. nine0003

This versatility extends to other gear as well. The AR-15.50 is not often chosen as it is a semi-automatic rifle, but it is strong for long lines of sight, such as holding a server wall in a Clubhouse or a garage wall in a Chalet. It has two or three rounds and fires as fast as you can press the left mouse button, so give it a try. The best option is probably the M4 due to its high rate of fire, relatively low recoil, and the fact that it can be fitted with an angled grip for higher ADS speed. The Maverick can even carry Frag Grenades with him, which is without a doubt the most powerful secondary weapon in an attack. nine0003

Sledge

We like Sledge: not only is it highly useful, it’s a great fragger, and its load options tend to change infrequently. His adaptation becomes more important as vertical play begins to permeate even mid-tier ranked games, and with his hammer, he can single-handedly open entire floors.

With the addition of frag grenades, an excellent assault rifle that can fit almost any scope, and the best secondary SMG, it’s clear that Sledge is a top-notch operator. Quite often, if you play Siege for an extended period of time, you’ll try different operators specializing in different roles, but there’s something to be said for «core» operators like Sledge. They will always be strong and useful, and you will most likely return to them again and again. nine0003

Ace

Power Break is essential in a siege, and Ace’s Throwing Breakers can quickly open a large area from a safe distance. It’s not always desirable to have the Maverick carve out fortified walls in an area where rogues can get easy loot, so Ace is the best choice in those situations.

He is also one of the best fraggers in the game thanks to his AK-12 assault rifle. Statistically, the AK-12 is one of the most efficient assault rifles in the game, and it doesn’t hurt that you can mount a 2x scope on it. With recoil changes coming in 2021, you’ll probably want to equip it with a vertical grip. nine0003

To complement his kit, he can carry smoke grenades, making him an excellent target-oriented operator who can break through, smoke, and land singles. However, it doesn’t do well on hatches — you’ll have to use two of its charges to open the hatch — so bring along a Hibana for sites like the church and an Arsenal for the clubhouse.

Zofia

She is almost interchangeable with Ash, but we prefer Zofia for her solo play potential. She can open critical vertical spots on maps like Kafe and Coastline with her Bursting Charge, and since she has four projectiles in her launcher, she can also single-handedly clear a Jaeger stack to get rid of the shield. nine0003

Her main assault rifle is no longer usable due to recoil changes, but her LMG-E is quickly becoming one of the most popular pistols in the game. With a decent scope, huge magazine, and controlled recoil, you can take out everything from soft walls to enemy operators. She doesn’t have Ash’s speed, but Zofia can be a great shardbreaker if pushed.

Iana

Iana is surprisingly strong thanks to the versatility of her gadget and the fact that her weapon is one of the best in the game. nine0003

Jana’s twin replicator creates a controllable holographic copy of herself that looks exactly like herself to enemy operators. She even makes sounds, as if Yana is moving. This copy can’t jump, shoot, or use gadgets, but it’s great for gathering intel and burning out goodies like the Aruni gate without spending something more valuable, like a smoke or frag grenade.

In terms of equipment, the ARX is a powerful assault rifle and one of Siege’s best weapons. She also has frag grenades, which is objectively the best secondary gadget, but she can also take the new Gonne-6, making her a good choice for solo players. You won’t have to rely on someone else to clear the shield or soft hatch. nine0003

Twitch

Twitch’s appeal is pretty simple: it has the best weapon in the game (arguably). The F2 Assault Rifle combines high damage, controlled recoil and a terrifyingly fast rate of fire — plus it has a 1.5x scope.

In addition, Twitch’s strike drone is handy for destroying Mira’s black mirrors and other nasty defender gadgets such as Bandit’s batteries, jammers, and Jaeger’s spinning tops. The Twitch Scanner Drone uses stun guns that technically have infinite range, allowing you to clear useful objects from insane sniping angles. Also, Twitch starts with a standard drone, which means she doesn’t have to endanger one of her shock drones while gathering intel. nine0003

Buck

Buck used to compete with Sledge but fell off the leaderboards thanks to a reduction in workload, but now he’s back in his place. Buck is a versatile, competent operator capable of performing many roles, but not specializing in one. It makes up for this by having some really powerful weapons, making it a great choice for kill-hungry players.

Buck’s versatility is mainly provided by his underbarrel shotgun attachment attached to whatever primary weapon you choose. It is useful for soft hatches and soft walls, whether you want to open a spin or just punch a hole. Like all shotguns, it is deadly to enemy operators and at close range. nine0003

While we’re all howling for Buck’s lost frag grenades, his flare grenades can still be useful for clearing the growing amount of goodies that are popping up in Siege, and he now has a Breakout gadget, making him a great spare an option when you are facing reinforced hatches or walls.

The Best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege

Here are the best Defenders in Rainbow Six Siege:

Smoke

No defender can beat Smoke when it comes to plant blocking and entry. Three of Smoke’s gas grenades can stop an enemy charge for 30 seconds, dealing enough damage to kill any operator who tries to carefully squeeze through the toxic cloud or plant a defuser. These gas grenades are remote activated, so you can keep one near the entry point until the attackers try to push, and activate it just in time to ruin their game. nine0003

Smoke’s SMG-11 is a headshot machine, his M590A1 shotgun is not only the best shotgun in the game, but also essential for opening any rooms that might be blocked by the enemy. Smoke can also carry a deployable shield with him, which is a very powerful secondary gadget and plays well with other gadgets.

Jäger

No matter how much you weaken Jäger, he is still one of the strongest defenders in the game. He is the most effective operator, absorbing utility and protecting defenders from frag grenades. Unlike Wamai, Jaeger is free to place and leave his gadgets, which is very handy considering his assault rifle is one of the best primary defender weapons in the game. nine0003

If properly arranged, his gadgets will be incredibly difficult to deal with. In addition, they now have an infinite charge with a cooldown period between uses, so a poorly coordinated attacking team can easily run out of all their throwables while trying to gain a foothold on the object.

Maestro

The Maestro is not an indispensable operator, but his LMG makes him useful when it comes to holding positions. If you miss the first burst, you will have 90 ammo to get things done before reloading. Its two Evil Eye cameras don’t do much in terms of destroying shrapnel or scaring off attackers, but because they can see through smoke and are bulletproof, they’re great for getting information about when attackers are pressing and landing.

His secondary pistol is essentially a mini shotgun which is useful for quick kills or (not so fast) turning, but it also has access to impact grenades. New operators like Osa might be vulnerable to Maestro’s powers, so if the rest of the major roles are covered, you can’t go wrong with this guy. nine0003

Lesion

Lesion is one of those operators who are never indispensable, but always helpful. His invisible needle mines build up over time, which means Lesion is an Operator that gets stronger as the round goes on and helps the defending team by slowing down attack runs, providing intel, and occasionally failing to plant.

While Gu Mines don’t deal much damage initially, they slow down movement speed and prevent enemies from landing, completely changing the course of the round. His T-5 SMG is very powerful and easy to use, and he can bring in impact grenades to help open up an area or create escape routes if you’re wandering. nine0003

Mute

This place could be taken by a Bandit or Caid, but we think Mut is the best choice when it comes to keeping the fortified walls intact for as long as possible. The main reason for this is that its jammers not only prevent gadgets from breaking through, but also prevent drones from getting information about the target. If placed in tandem with Jaeger’s ADS gadgets around the drone holes, it would be very difficult for attackers to breach the wall unless they have a good Maverick, Kali, or—unless by some miracle he’s banned—Thatcher. nine0003

Like Smoke, Mut also benefits from a great combination of SMG-11 and M590A1 shotgun. The MP5K is also reliable if you’re not very good with shotguns. He can stop drones, stop a gap, open a section and crush heads — Mute can do it all.

Aruni

Aruni proves to be a very effective trap for defenders. Her Suira Gate is indestructible and can only be destroyed by throwing something hard at it, such as a grenade or drone. They will also be destroyed if an enemy operator walks through them, but this will deal damage to them, which can lead to defeat if they have already been in a firefight that round. nine0003

After the gate is down, there is a 30 second wait time, after which you can shoot the laser emitter to reset the gate and raise it back up. They are great for slowing down the onslaught at any point in the match, from the early rush to the last moment. They can also give you information when they fall and become another obstacle that attackers will have to spend useful substances on.

Her secondary gadgets are not something worth writing about, but she has access to Mozzie’s P10 Roni and Dokkaebi’s Mk 14 DMR.