If you’ve been around the block for a while you will know that buying a headset for CS:GO often feels like a series of compromises. At least it would be quite accurate to say that it was like that until the tiny niche of competitive gaming blew up exponentially.
In the earlier days of gaming headsets one would always sit on the fence – I want a headset but I also want to enjoy audio outside the game. Previously this would have meant that you had to purchase two separate products: either 1) a headset for playing and hifi headphones for everything else or 2) hifi headphones and and an external mic for playing.
Luckily times have changed and the modern gaming headsets are perfectly suited for both. Well, not “perfectly” if you ask hardcore audiophiles but well enough for 99% of the people. At least for us older gamers who grew up playing on a pair of medium range Sennheiser’s while hanging a $10 general headset around the neck.
We’ve already probably lost about 100% of the younger readers with all this “old nerd rambling” stuff so let’s move on.
| Image | Headset | Details | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC | Connectivity: Wired (USB, 3.5 mm) 7.1: No Frequency Response: 10 - 40,000Hz | See details |
 | SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless | Connectivity: Wireless 7.1: No Frequency Response: 10 - 40,000Hz | See details |
 | ASUS ROG Centurion | Connectivity: Wired (USB) 7.1: True 7.1 Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz | See details |
 | Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 | Connectivity: Wired (USB) 7.1: Virtual 7.1 Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz | See details |
 | Sennheiser GAME ZERO | Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm) 7.1: No Frequency Response: 15 - 28,000 Hz | See details |
 | HyperX Cloud Revolver S | Connectivity: Wired (USB & 3.5mm) 7.1: Virtual 7.1 Frequency Response: 12 - 28,000 Hz | See details |
 | HyperX Cloud Alpha | Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm) 7.1: No Frequency Response: 13 - 27,000 Hz | See details |
 | Corsair Void Pro | Connectivity: Wired (USB) 7.1: Virtual 7.1 Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz | See details |
 | HyperX Cloud Flight | Connectivity: Wireless 7.1: No Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz | See details |
 | SteelSeries Arctis 3 | Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm) 7.1: Virtual 7.1 Frequency Response: 20 - 22,000 Hz | See details |
 | Corsair HS50 | Connectivity: Wired (3.5 mm) 7.1: No Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz | See details |
Best Gaming Headset For CS:GO 2023
This gaming headset list is based upon our research of professional CS:GO players and our own tests.
We will introduce you our picks from three different price ranges: high, medium and budget. Generally speaking the “medium range” is your sweet spot if you’re looking for the best gaming headset for CS:GO and nothing else.
But in reality pretty much all of us want to listen to music, watch movies and so on without the hassle of using different headphones for different scenarios. The medium and budget range headsets are perfectly suitable for these purposes too, but if you have the money and want to have a taste of premium in your daily life then you might as well go for the high range ones.
1: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC – Best Gaming Headset For CSGO
- Connection: USB, 3.5 mm
- Frequency Range: 10 – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Lightweight aluminum alloy with a steel frame
- Optimal PS5 compatibility requires user to change settings on Sony PS5 – disable Sony 3D Audio and then increase default volume to 100%
- Gaming's first certified Hi-Res audio system pairs premium speaker drivers with next-generation DTS surround sound to produce incredibly accurate positional cues
- Widely recognized as the best mic in gaming, Arctis ClearCast bidirectional microphone delivers studio quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation
- Premium adjustable ski goggle suspension headband distributes weight evenly, for maximum comfort during extended gaming sessions
- Intuitive OLED menu and on-ear ChatMix dial allow for on-the-fly adjustments of game audio, voice settings, and more
2: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless – Best Wireless CS:GO Gaming Headset
- Connection: Lossless wireless (and bluetooth for mobile)
- Frequency Range: 10 – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Lightweight aluminum alloy with a steel frame
- Dual-Wireless technology provides rock solid, 2.4G wireless lossless audio for gaming, combined with Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices
- Premium Hi-Res speakers with high-density neodymium magnets reproduce a full, expansive frequency range from 10 – 40,000 Hz with stunning realism and clarity
- Luxurious lightweight steel and aluminum alloy construction offers maximum durability and a consistent fit
- Two included swappable batteries allow you to charge a battery in the base station, while using the other for more than 20 hours of gaming
- Widely recognized as the best mic in gaming, the ClearCast microphone delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation
3: Sennheiser GAME ZERO – Best Value CSGO Headset
- Connection: USB
- Frequency Range: 15 – 28,000 Hz
- Impedance: 50 Ohm
- CLOSED ACOUSTIC DESIGN – Focus on your game even in noisy environments thanks to Game Zero’s classic closed-back headsets with microphone design with memory foam earpads for a comfortable acoustic seal
- EXTREME AUDIO CLARITY – Proprietary gaming headphones transducer technology delivers an immersive and more realistic audio experience, perfect for instant in-game reactions and best performance
- GAMING MIC WITH FLEXIBLE BOOM ARM – Enjoy crystal-clear communication without background noise thanks to the gaming headset’s sophisticated microphone; easily adjust the flexible boom arm into the best voice pick-up position and conveniently mute yourself by merely raising the boom arm
- INTUITIVE VOLUME CONTROL – A volume wheel on the right pc headset ear cup allows for on-the-fly adjustments while gaming
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND COLLAPSIBLE – Designed for portability, the lightweight Game Zero headphones with microphone are designed with a unique foldable design and comes with a convenient hard carry case for safe storage
4: HyperX Cloud Alpha – Best CS:GO Headset Under $100
- Connection: Dual 3.5 mm
- Frequency Range: 13 – 27,000 Hz
- Impedance: 65 Ohm
- Durable aluminum frame
- Frequency response 15Hz–25,000 H.Headphones fit type:Over-Ear.The versatile Cloud Alpha is designed to work on PC, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and other platforms with a 3.5mm port.
- HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers for more distinction and less distortion
- Signature award winning HyperX comfort
- Durable aluminum frame with expanded headband
- Detachable braided cable with convenient in line audio control
If you are wondering why we didn’t include the most used headset of our CS:GO pro data chart it’s because the HyperX Cloud II is an old model. Cloud Alpha is the “Cloud III”.
5: ASUS ROG Centurion 7.1 Gaming Headset
- Connection: USB
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- ASUS GAMING HEADPHONES with Premium True 7.1 Surround Sound featuring 10 discrete neodynamic drivers for accurate positioning, with a hi-res ESS amplifier that delivers fully immersive and impactful audio giving pro gamers a competitive edge for a win
- CLEAR COMMUNICATION - These wired headphones with mic come with a unidirectional digital micrphone with an impressive SNR, high sensitivity to sound, and minimal background noise pickup during phone calls, gaming and on-the-go chat
- PLUG-AND-PLAY USB CONTROL BOX - Includes ROG Centurion Control Box that works like a USB sound card and provides effective environmental noise cancellation (ENC). It is simple to use but packed with features
- INTUITIVE AUDIO CONTROL - The Centurion wired headset comes with an easy-to-use ASUS Sonic Studio with complete control over audio features such as EQ settings, speaker-level balancing, in-game sound mapping, and more
- ULTIMATE COMFORT - Features two sets of ear cushions - ultra-soft fabric mesh, and highly breathable protein leather - strong hold & secured fit gives great comfort even during prolonged gaming sessions
6: Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 7.1 Gaming Headset
- Connection: USB
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Rich gaming audio with an exclusive airtight chamber design and 50mm ASUS Essence drivers, and virtual 7.1 channel sound developed in partnership with Bongiovi Acoustics
- Built-In ESS ES9018 DAC and SABRE9601K Amplifier deliver unprecedented dynamic rage, lossless playback, and ultra-low distortion
- Touch Controls for adjusting volume and playback, along with RGB synchronization across multiple headsets
- Fully-adjustable retractable microphone with auto-mute when in the locked position
- ROG hybrid ear cushions and 100% protein leather ear cushions included for ultimate comfort and sound insulation during gaming marathons
Read our full Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 review.
7: HyperX Cloud Revolver S
- Connection: USB, 3.5 mm
- Frequency Range: 12 – 28,000 Hz
- Impedance: 30 Ohm
- Durable steel frame
- Studio grade sound stage
- Signature HyperX memory foam with premium leatherette
- Durable steel frame; TeamSpeak and Discord certified noise cancelling mic
- Detachable noise cancellation microphone. Weight with mic: 376 gram
- Next generation directional 50 millimeter drivers
8: Corsair Void Pro Wireless Headset
- Connection: Wireless
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Microfiber mesh fabric and memory foam provide exceptional comfort. Connector- USB Type A
- Legendary CORSAIR build quality ensures long term durability. Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20 kHz. Sensitivity: -38dB (+/-3dB)
- Custom tuned 50mm neodymium speaker drivers bring the action to life with wide range and accuracy. Microphone Frequency Response: 100Hz to 10kHz
- Enjoy crystal clear, low latency, wireless audio with up to 40ft range and up to 16 hours of battery life
9: HyperX Cloud Flight
- Connection: Wireless
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 30 Ohm
- Gaming grade 2.4GHz wireless connection, with up to 30 hours of battery life
- Signature HyperX comfort and immersive in game audio
- Durable, adjustable steel slider
- PC, PS4, and PS4 Pro ready
- 90° rotating ear cups with LED lighting effects
Read our full HyperX Cloud Flight review.
10: SteelSeries Arctis 3
- Connection: 3.5 mm
- Frequency Range: 20 – 22000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Optimal PS5 compatibility requires user to change settings on Sony PS5 – disable Sony 3D Audio and then increase default volume to 100%
- Designed for everywhere you game, with superior sound, comfort and style on all gaming platforms, including pc, PlayStation, Xbox one, Nintendo switch via detachable 3.5 millimeter cables
- Widely recognized as the best mic in gaming, the discord certified clear cast microphone delivers studio quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation
- Sound is your competitive advantage with the s1 speaker drivers, engineered to produce ultra-low distortion audio so you hear every detail
- Play all day with athletics inspired performance fabric air weave ear cushions that keep your ears cool and dry
11: Corsair HS50
- Connection: 3.5 mm
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Legendary Corsair build quality and metal construction ensures long-term durability
- Plush Memory foam and adjustable earcups provide exceptional comfort for hours of gameplay. Microphone is removable and can be found under the box
- Precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium speaker drivers bring superior sound quality with wide range and accuracy
- Optimized unidirectional Microphone reduces ambient noise for enhanced voice quality and is fully detachable for use on the go
CS:GO Pro Headset Statistics
What’s the most used headset by CS:GO pros?
HyperX Cloud II.
According to our data, the most used headsets by CS:GO pros are:
1. HyperX Cloud II (30.5%)
2. Sennheiser GAME ZERO (10.7%)
3. HyperX Cloud Alpha (9.2%)
4. Razer Kraken Pro V2 (6.1%)
5. Sennheiser GSP 600 (6.1%)
Our CS:GO pro headset data consists of the best 30 teams in the world (thus: top 150 players).
Most Used Gaming Headset Manufacturers
What’s the most used headset manufacturer by CS:GO pros? HyperX.
- HyperX (46.3%)
- Sennheiser (19.8%)
- Razer (10.7%)
- Logitech (5.8%)
- Other (17.4%)
The gear data of the world’s top 30 teams (based on HLTV ranking) was gathered in January 2020 from multiple sources, always picking the most recently updated information.
For headsets this means a total of 131 entries (data is missing on some players), so by cutting some corners we could say that the data is based on the absolute best players of the world. Yes, teams do not equal individuals but you get the point.
Conclusions About The Results
A lazy man would jump straight into conclusion: these are the headsets most used by the best CS:GO players in the world, thus they must be the best headsets for CS:GO. Truth be told this is probably exactly what most of the people trying to sell you gaming gear will do.
However, some factors should be taken into account.
1. These players are bound by sponsorship deals.
Some of them HAVE to use gear by a certain brand because the brand pays significant amounts of money to the organizations they represent.
I remember watching a pro who also streamed (can’t remember who) a few years back. His team had just gotten a new gear sponsor and he had to switch to a new mouse, for the sake of the anecdote let’s say from a small Zowie EC2 to a remarkably bigger SteelSeries Rival. He played badly and after a horrible spray he raged something about “THIS F*KING PIECE OF… BRILLIANT NEW MOUSE”. One could tell that he wasn’t liking the mouse at all.
These days as the scene has gotten a lot more professional this would probably not be taken as lightly by the sponsor in question as back then.
2. These players are professional gamers, not professional gaming headset experts.
Playing a game professionally does not mean that the player is capable of judging what’s “best”. He will only know that it’s working for him (though even this is dubious because of the sponsorship deals, one might have to publicly use gear he doesn’t like). Besides, even if you get free gear sent to you whenever you want it doesn’t mean that you would want to switch to a newer model immediately just when you have gotten used to the previous one.
So What’s The Point Of The Data?
The most accurate conclusion you can come up with is that these headsets are suited for professional grade gaming. This doesn’t mean that they are bad, most of them are actually excellent and included in our picks.
The point we are trying to make is that you should never jump into buying something just because a certain player uses it too. It only means that it’s good enough, not that it’s the best one for your speficic needs.
If you are interested in more similar data about gaming gear, have a look at our guides about CS:GO monitors, best CS:GO mice, keyboards, mouse pads and mouse bungees.
What Aspects Should You Focus On When Buying?
Buying a gaming headset is not exactly rocket science. Let’s have a look at what qualities you should base your choice on.
The short answer before we elaborate on each one individually:
- Price (premium or tight budget?)
- Sound quality (obviously)
- Wireless or wired?
- Features (7.1 surround?)
- Do you want an open or closed headset?
- Microphone quality
Price
The most obvious one. Not many of us are operating on unlimited funds. Set a budget and stick to it. We’ll introduce both premium and budget alternatives, with “value” choices in between.
Sound Quality
Quite obviously the single most imporant factor on a headset. How much focus you should put on this depends on what your purposes for the headset are and how much of a golden ear you consider yourself to be.
CS:GO-wise none of these headsets will make you a better player. There’s no magic switches for hearing footsteps better and the improved sound quality wont magically amp up your or your teammates’ in-game communication.
Keep in mind though that “sound quality” beyond a certain point is always a subjective thing. Some like warm sound, some cold. Most don’t even know the difference. If you’re listening to music from Spotify or Youtube, you shouldn’t even be too concerned about this.
Wireless Or Wired?
Wireless gaming headsets have become more and more relevant in the recent years. In the past they were useless for competitive games such as CS:GO because of the latency. Now the choice between these two is up to your personal preference. Wireless headsets are more expensive and charging is an additional daily task to your chore list – no matter how effortless it is it’s still a tiny detail you will have to remember. On the other hand being freed from the cable is nice if you want to chill on your bed listening to a stream.
Features (7.1 Sound For CS:GO? Open Or Closed? Mic?)
7.1 surround sound has been a real buzzword for a while in gaming headsets. Virtual 7.1 surround is absolutely useless for CS:GO. Enabling it will actually make pinpointing sound cues harder, not easier.
However, if you enjoy casual games it’s a nice feature to have as it certainly adds to the cinematic feel and overall immersion.
True 7.1 surround sound is an entirely different discussion though, as there actually are multiple drivers in the earphone. As this technology improves (and more importantly the whole in-game audio of CS:GO) you might even gain some advantage at some point, but as of now you can easily live without the possibility. Ultimately your aim is to be the best and the best always compete at LAN’s where you will have to deal with just earplugs.
The quality of the microphone is somewhat trivial when it comes to gaming headset – they’re all pretty similar (unless you buy something absolute trash) and more than sufficient for the job. Naturally there are differences on how crisp, deep, etc they sound, so if you are overly self-conscious about your voice you can always check out mic test videos from YouTube.
Whether you should get closed or open headphones is up to your personal preference again. If you really want to go splitting hairs then obviously closed is the way to go as they eliminate outside noise more efficiently. Also if you’re playing in noisy environments like a busy household with kids or your gaming setup is located next to the family TV you might be better of with a noise cancelling headset.
The comfort of a certain headset is something that you can only be sure after testing out how the ear cups match your ears, but generally speaking every headset we have chosen should have ear cups that are extremely comfortable for the average ear.