The Best Headsets for CS:GO and CS2 (Top 10 List)
Practically, we don’t have too many requirements for a gaming headset. It should be comfortable for long playing sessions. And the sound should be high quality enough for you to hear everything happening in the game and for your teammates/opponents to hear you clearly. Headsets for Counter-Strike totally follow the same general pattern. They have to:
- be physically comfortable
- provide good sound
- have a good microphone
To be honest, any reasonably good gaming headset will work perfectly well for both CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2. However you might have preferences related to the design and brand which should also be considered.
In this article, we give some examples of quality gaming headsets and give general advice on choosing this type of gaming equipment.
You can see similar articles about the best mouse for Counter-Strike and the best keyboard for Counter-Strike.
How to Choose a Headset in Counter-Strike
If you go for decent branded equipment, rest assured — the technical quality will be totally alright for your Counter-Strike experience. So, the question of choosing an exact model is mainly subjective. There are two factors to mention:
- Design. You sure should like the thing. And you sure should like how the headset looks on you; how it complements your image.
- Connections to pro teams and players. Headset manufacturers sponsor esports professionals, and it’s just business for them. But if top players use this equipment, these models should totally be good for everyone else (alright, for most CS players). And by purchasing products of your team’s sponsor, you support your favorites and create an emotional link with them.
There is no ultimate answer as to which headset is better specifically for you. Look at the design. Check out which headsets your favorite players use. And then — just buy what you like the most.
In some rare cases, a player might feel dissatisfied after a long playing session with some models. But it’s really rare, as the branded headsets go through many tests. If you think you may have a somewhat unpleasant experience, it would be better to test your chosen model in practice.
Wired or Wireless?
Most pro gaming headsets are wired. This technology guarantees a better speed and reliability of connection. In addition, you’ll have no problems with going dead in the most unlucky moment.
Modern wireless headsets are quite good, and the speed/reliability factor becomes less crucial. For casual gaming, it might be a good choice.
We still focus on the wired headsets here, as you never know where Counter-Strike matches can lead you — may this be a start of an esports career?
The Best Headsets for CS:GO
Of course, it all depends on your personal preferences, but our team has tried to select the most popular and worthy models. So let’s take a look at the best headsets for CS:GO.
HyperX Cloud II
- Driver: Dynamic, 53mm
- Approximate Price: $100
- Connectivity: Wired (USB)
- Cable Length: 3m
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 23kHz
- Sensitivity: 98 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1
- Weight: 317g
- Microphone: Detachable, noise-canceling
- A notable player who uses this headset: YEKINDAR (Team Liquid)
HyperX Cloud II is arguably the best headset for CS:GO. A lot of esports professionals choose HyperX Cloud II, and it has become kind of a noble classic.
Comfort and quality are of a high level. The microphone is detachable. Ear cups are interchangeable. Cloud II is a universal choice, and you can use it for your general gaming sessions.
The sound is not perfect, though — the headset is not for music. Some players complain about the mic too, which is reflected in the offered price.
HyperX Cloud II has a wireless model as well. Its name is pretty clear, HyperX Cloud II Wireless (the approximate price is $150). Other CS players using HyperX Cloud II are dev1ce, farlig, Snappi, maden, niko, Summer, nitr0, Tuurtle, and Ax1Le.
Some other HyperX headsets on the pro Counter-Strike scene are: HyperX Cloud Alpha (b0RUP; dexter) and HyperX Cloud Orbit (yuurih; KSCERATO).
Logitech G PRO X
- Driver: Hybrid mesh PRO-G, 50mm
- Approximate Price: $150
- Connectivity: Wired (USB, 3.5mm)
- Cable Length: 2m
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 91.7 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1
- Weight: 320g
- Microphone: Detachable, Blue VO!CE
- A notable player who uses this headset: s1mple
It’s another very popular model and a good competitor for the title of the very best Counter-Strike headset. The design of the Logitech G PRO X is again rather practical, nothing too fancy — it’s more about the effectiveness, which might be a very good attitude towards competitive gaming.
One thing that helps this model stand out from the crowd is the microphone technology. Logitech G PRO X uses Blue VO!CE, which is known for good quality streaming mics. This could be a decent solution if you plan to mix playing Counter-Strike with streaming your matches.
The headset has memory foam for max comfort. The materials in use are steel and aluminum, which make the model quite reliable. The wireless model is named Logitech G PRO X Wireless, and it costs approximately $230.
Many CS:GO players use PRO X, such as Xyp9x, gla1ve, dycha, headtr1ck, huNter-, NiKo, and m0NESY.
Logitech G432
- Driver: 50mm
- Approximate Price: $100
- Connectivity: Wired
- Cable Length: 2m
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 107 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1
- Weight: 280g
- Microphone: Unidirectional
Let’s be honest and realistic — not every CS player needs a professional headset. Most manufacturers offer models for a casual level at a cheaper price, with the same good quality, but probably with fewer pro features.
The Logitech G432 is a very good headset for gaming in general, and it sure is suitable for your Counter-Strike experience. In comparison to a pro model from the same company (PRO X), the design of G432 is more lighthearted, with some futuristic ideas.
Yep, you might not see Logitech G432 at pro CS:GO level, but the model is perfectly good for casual home usage. You know, the actual playing skills do not necessarily get better with better equipment — but focus on these Counter-Strike tips (for instance), and G432 will certainly help you unleash your true potential.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro
- Driver: Neodymium, 40mm
- Approximate Price: $180
- Connectivity: Wired (USB, 3.5mm)
- Cable Length: 1.5m
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz
- Sensitivity: 102 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1, DTS Headphone:** X v2.0
- Weight: 426g
- Microphone: Retractable, Bidirectional Noise-Canceling, Arctis ClearCast
- A notable player who uses this headset: broky
This is a premium model, with an improved audio quality — in terms of the sound and the microphone level. The range of Frequency Response is impressive, so the headset might be good even for listening to music. The Arctis ClearCast mic is one of the best in this segment of gaming equipment.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro looks awesome, bringing gaming authenticity to the practical, ergonomic design. Sure, using the model is comfortable. The headset has airweave fabric ear cushions. Various performance-related features of SteelSeries Arctis Pro are customizable thanks to the original software.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless costs around $290.
Some other players who use SteelSeries Arctis Pro are ropz, karrigan, and Twistzz. Basically, in FaZe Clan, only Rain plays with SteelSeries Arctis Prime.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
- Driver: Razer TriForce Titanium, 50mm
- Approximate Price: $180
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Battery life: up to 24 hours
- Frequency Response: 12 Hz – 28 kHz
- Sensitivity: 100 dB
- Surround Sound: THX Spatial Audio
- Weight: 320g
- Microphone: Detachable, Razer HyperClear Supercardioid Mic
- A notable player who uses this headset: nicoodoz
This model is primarily wireless, and it’s one of the biggest advantages of Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. The headset costs the same as some wired models, but you might prefer this type of freedom. The speed of transmission is very decent, and you will not have problems during competitive matches. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has been created with esports matches in mind.
The sound quality is also quite good. The Frequency Response is bigger than in many other models. The microphone has effective passive noise-canceling.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro looks pretty massive. In part, it’s due the design. But also, it’s a side effect of soft elements that make the headset comfortable. The ear cushions are made with memory foam and are extra soft.
The model Razer BlackShark V2 is wired. It costs around $100.
Razer Kraken Pro V3
- Driver: Razer TriForce Titanium, 50mm
- Approximate Price: $100
- Connectivity: Wired (USB-A)
- Cable Length: 1.3m
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Surround Sound: THX Spatial Audio
- Weight: 325g
- Microphone: Detachable, HyperClear Cardioid
The Razer Kraken headsets are fairly popular in the general gaming community. The thing is really good — it feels nice to play with Kraken on, and the design is just cool.
Razer Kraken Pro V3 is an improved model of the well-known Kraken lineup. It has LED lights and passive noise-canceling for the mic. The headband is reinforced with steel. The ear cushions have memory foam.
Basically, you get a very reliable and quality gaming headset, and Counter-Strike is one of the titles you can use Razer Kraken Pro V3 for. It’s a choice for casual players, not aimed at competition level.
The wireless model is Razer Kraken Pro V3 Pro, for around $200. If you want to buy it and still look for ways to earn some extra cash, consider selling CS:GO skins on DMarket — for example, something you don’t use in the game.
Sennheiser Game Zero
- Driver: 50mm
- Approximate Price: $200
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
- Cable Length: 3m
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 26 kHz
- Sensitivity: 100 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1
- Weight: 312g
- Microphone: Non-Detachable, with a convenient turn-off button
- A notable player who uses this headset: mezii
This model clearly emphasizes the sound quality — Sennheiser is a well-known manufacturer of headphones. They’ve adapted Game Zero to gamers’ needs, making the bases less pronounced and allowing players to focus on the most important sounds from the virtual world. This decision has a downside too, as you cannot expect having two in one — Sennheiser Game Zero is clearly not for music.
The general quality of this product is very high. It is comfortable to wear the headset for long hours thanks to the lightweight build. The microphone quality is acceptable but not premium. You might want a more dedicated piece of equipment for streaming. For gaming, everything works well, though — even for pro esports competitions. One thing about the mic is just great, as Sennheiser Game Zero has a very convenient button to turn it off.
Some other Sennheiser gaming headsets in use by pro players are Sennheiser PC 360 (birdfromsky) and Sennheiser GSP 600 (NAF).
Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless
- Driver: 50mm
- Approximate Price: $110
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Battery Life: Up to 16 hours
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 111 dB
- Surround Sound: 7.1
- Weight: 330g
- Microphone: Uni-directional, noise-canceling
Corsair is a pretty big brand in gaming hardware. Their lineup of products even includes premade PCs. So, the company does not focus on headsets only, which might be considered as a downside. But at the same time, Corsair is known for high quality and reliability. So if you like the brand, why not give their headset a try?
Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless is a top model by this company, and the price is still quite reasonable. The headset is aimed at being comfortable (adjustable ear cups and plush memory foam) and at delivering quality sound. The manufacturer achieves both of these goals pretty well. Don’t expect anything mind-blowing, as it’s just a good piece of gaming equipment. But do you need something more?
EPOS H6PRO
- Driver: 42mm
- Approximate Price: $180
- Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
- Cable Length: 2.5m
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Weight: 322g
- Microphone: Detachable, magnetic, lift-to-mute
- A notable player who uses this headset: TMB
This brand is pretty much focused on immersion in various experiences through sound, including gaming. Playing CS:GO certainly requires hearing all the slight sounds of the virtual world as if you are really there. If this concept feels like the best idea of playing shooting matches, pay attention to the products of EPOS and, for example, to the model EPOS H6PRO.
The first thing you notice with this headset is the design. It is strongly futuristic, with some brave lines and somewhat “speedy” shapes. The sound quality is excellent. With passive noise-canceling, you certainly get the immersion (the model is good for other entertainment as well, such as movies, but rather not for music). Ear cups with memory foam are pretty standard for decent headsets, but the 2-axis hinge for adjusting them is something interesting.The detachable magnetic mic is just a great idea.
Beyerdynamic MMX 150
- Driver: 40mm
- Approximate Price: $150
- Connectivity: Wired (USB)
- Cable Length: 2.4m
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
- Sensitivity: 116 dB
- Surround Sound: Augmented mode
- Weight: 304g
- Microphone: Detachable, META VOICE
Here we have another company that focuses on audio. Beyerdynamic offers various headphones, and MMX 150 is one of their gaming headsets. Unlike many other models, this one tries to cover both gaming and music listening needs.
Thanks to a quite big range of Frequency Response, you can hear more with Beyerdynamic MMX 150. It’s a professional level of sound, and having something like this during CS:GO matches might give you some advantages.
The microphone decreases surround noises to let teammates hear your voice clearly. The design of Beyerdynamic MMX 150 is rather classic. And from the pic only, you could say that the materials are of high quality. The headset is pretty comfortable — as it should be. The MMX 100 is basically the same but with the 3.5 connector.
Let us say it once again, these models are just examples of the best headsets for CS:GO and Counter-Strike 2. Feel free to go beyond this list, while keeping in mind your comfort and sound quality.
Which exact headset to choose? That’s totally up to you — in the sense that your emotional response is more important than even technical specs.
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