Best Headset for CS:GO– The Ultimate Guide


You’re playing a Counter-Strike game, and you can’t anticipate the kind of weapons the enemy team is using or deduce the number of people running based on their muffled footsteps. It doesn’t help either that CS’s positional audio isn’t great and that you’re using your PC speakers or regular headphones.

When you’re playing a first-person shooter video game of CS’s popularity, it can get very competitive, and such details matter greatly. Having a good monitor, mouse, mousepad, and keyboard ceases to be enough, but you should definitely consider investing in a good quality headset, so allow us to help you choose the best headset for CS:GO and enlighten you as to why it made it to our top picks.

Comparison Table

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Overall
HyperX Cloud II
HyperX Cloud II
  • Sound: Surround
  • Headphones Form: Over-ear
  • Weight (oz): 8.3 oz
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Best for Long Sessions
Logitech G Pro X
Logitech G Pro X
  • Sound: Surround
  • Headphones Form: Over-ear
  • Weight (oz): 9.1 oz
VIEW ON AMAZON →
Best Sound Quality
HyperX Cloud Alpha
HyperX Cloud Alpha
  • Sound: Stereo
  • Headphones Form: In Ear
  • Weight (oz): 12 oz
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Best for Competitive Games
Sennheiser Game Zero
Sennheiser Game Zero
  • Sound: Stereo
  • Headphones Form: Around-ear
  • Weight (oz): 10.5 oz
VIEW ON AMAZON →

The 4 Best Headsets for CS:GO in 2022

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best wired headsets for CS:GO and break down why they’re the best.

1. HyperX Cloud II – Best Overall

Unlike most headsets, our best overall pick, the HyperX Cloud II doesn’t take the out-of-space aesthetic too far with angular shapes and LED lights but is instead more grounded with an attractive, understated design (for the gunmetal and black or red and black options).

Nevertheless, it’s not all looks and no substance. In fact, if we take a look at that substance, we’ll find that the headband and ear pads are made of something resembling leather and memory foam with solid metal joints. You get additional ear pads made of a breathable velour, which headsets rarely ever offer. HyperX really gave us a comfortable gaming headset that’s neither heavy nor tight.

In terms of connectivity, this headset works with PCs, mobile devices, and most modern game systems using its USB sound card adapter or 3.5 mm output. It also features volume controls for audio and mic.

In addition, the audio quality is just excellent, so you get the gunfire and explosion sounds played up. You have an expanded dynamic sound range, but you don’t have that actual audio positioning; the 7.1 surround sound is leaning more towards stereo as is the case with most best headphones for csgo, which is just as well since pros use stereo for CS anyways.

Pros:

  • Attractive design
  • Good comfort and build quality
  • Works with PCs, mobile devices, and most gaming systems
  • Excellent sounding

Cons:

  • Ineffective surround sound

Final Verdict

Whether it’s the look, comfort, connectivity, or sound quality, HyperX Cloud II has it all, making it an all-around quality gaming headset.

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2. Logitech G Pro X – Best for Long Sessions

The Logitech G Pro X, our pick for long gaming hours, is not too loose or too tight, with its connecting hinges that can be adjusted to fit your head perfectly.

Like the Cloud II model, velour earpads are included to replace the pre-attached leatherette ones, making them ideal for glass wearers. This headset is sturdy thanks to the metal frame and comfortable thanks to the thick cushions.

Also, you get in-line controls. Not only can you use the regular volume options, but you can also increase the volume of different surround sound sources like footsteps, an advantage for CS:GO gamers.

Moreover, this is Logitech’s first gaming headset to support Blue Voice software, which opens up a whole new range of customizable options. Despite the mic output’s below-average performance, the Blue Voice app can be a real game-changer in moderating that.

This headset gives you highly accurate sounds, so explosions and gunshots will be loud without obscuring other quieter sounds. Also, it provides good enough isolation for home background noises. You might notice a slight de-emphasis in the bass range, though.

We have to point out that surround sound is unavailable for consoles, so it’d probably be best to play CS:GO on your PC.

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Pros:

  • Utmost comfort for long gaming hours
  • Numerous customization options and impressive software
  • Good sound quality

Cons:

  • No surround sound for consoles

Final Verdict

We love the Logitech G Pro X; it’s just perfect for long gaming sessions on PCs because of the comfort, customization options, and software it offers.

3. HyperX Cloud Alpha – Best Sound Quality

One of the most outstanding sound qualities you’ll get in a headset is that of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. The reason for that is mainly the high-quality sound isolation. The outside sound blockage makes it, so it doesn’t interfere with the game sounds. Additionally, the headset delivers sounds to you without much alteration, so you won’t miss any details.

As for comfort and durability, this headset will not disappoint, whether it’s the solid metal bands and forks, the robust joints, or thick padding. It’s got a nice seal as well, which plays into the sound isolation. And to top it off, the mic and cables can be replaced if damaged, so you don’t need to buy a new headset altogether.

However, a few things could be said about this fan favorite’s mic quality. It may not be the best as it emphasizes the range of fundamental notes a little, but it’s tailored to suit voice chat, after all.

This headset has a 3.55 headphone jack but other than that isn’t very portable. And contrary to the HyperX Cloud Alpha, there’s no fancy software, but that’s more than reasonable with its aggressively low price tag.

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Pros:

  • Optimal sound isolation
  • Very comfortable
  • Can be fixed

Cons:

  • Not the best mic quality
  • No software

Final Verdict

For an affordable price, the HyperX Cloud Alpha has excellent sound quality and will stand the test of time, which is quite a steal.

4. Sennheiser Game Zero – Best for Competitive Games

Single-player games aside, you’re looking at our best competitive multiplayer gaming headset. The Sennheiser Game Zero has impeccable sound for competitive games, and the volume control knobs are foldable, which is quite a catch.

When it comes to the build, Sennheiser uses plush, breathable faux-leather earcups that make for a good seal. The headband is flexible enough to be adjusted to your head size, and it’s ergonomic, too. Overall, this is Sennheiser’s most comfortable headset.

Now we wouldn’t say you can record a podcast with this mic due to its overemphasis of voices, but it’s a good quality mic for our purpose (in-game conversations). It might even pick your voice, even if your mouth isn’t directly above or below it, and the headset blocks out most background noises, too.

We also like how easily portable the Game Zero is. However, it doesn’t come with software, but if you want to keep things simple, this is a good fit. What we don’t like is that the mic is not detachable, and the headset’s price is quite hefty.

Pros:

  • Perfect for competitive games
  • Breathable and adjustable
  • Good quality mic
  • Easily portable

Cons:

  • Overemphasizes voices
  • Non-detachable mic
  • Expensive

Final Verdict

We believe this might just be the best headset for CS in terms of its competitive nature. And with this build quality and noise isolation, it’s hard to say no to the Sennheiser Game Zero.

What to Look for When Buying a Headset for CS:GO

It can get quite overwhelming finding a good headset for CS, which is why we’ve put together a buying guide of the most important features to look out for.

Comfort and Build

Your first instinct might be to brush off minor discomfort. Still, if you’re playing for long hours, and you probably are, that actually builds up to be a pain in the neck quite literally, and a headset that doesn’t fit well might give you a headache as well. With a highly competitive game such as CS:GO, you simply can’t afford to lose your focus.

Several factors contribute to a headset’s comfort, including head size, weight, and soft, breathable earpads that prevent overheating. Still, it burns down to personal preference. Some gamers like a more snug fit, whereas others want their headsets a little loose.

Another matter that depends on personal preference is build or material; you can opt for a synthetic or a leather headset. Also, most headsets are made of plastic, so make sure that it’s sturdy at the very least, or choose a metal/wire headset to avoid this dilemma altogether.

Sound Quality

Surround sound offers up to a 360-degree soundscape, meaning you’ll be able to sense danger from a mile and hear where footsteps are coming from. Surround sound headsets certainly give you an advantage and an immersive CS:GO gaming experience. 

Adversely, stereo sound is almost like being in a theater where the sound field is in front of you, nothing from beside or behind you. Now, you can technically play CS:GO with a stereo sound headset, but with it being a multiplayer game, you’ll miss out on all of that.

Noise Isolation

For surround sound headsets to work efficiently, you can’t be hearing background noises. That immersive gaming experience is only possible with good noise isolation. This is especially true for CS:GO because of the small directional audio cues embedded in the game that you can easily miss, like footsteps.

Part of what separates a headset with good noise isolation from one without it is its seal, meaning you need to ask yourself this: how well do the ear cups fit my ear? And go from there. 

Tip: For our fellow gamers with glasses, if you don’t want to miss out on the bass sounds, consider buying velour pads for your headset or a gaming headset with eyewear channels in the earpads.

Microphone Quality

We’d venture that microphone quality and sound quality are the two most important features to look out for. If you’re going to use your headset’s mic as your main, then you need it to be a high-quality mic to communicate with your teammates clearly. Open lines of communication and teamwork can level up your CS:GO gaming experience.

Furthermore, the mic has to be adjustable, so you can maneuver it freely to get it as close to your mouth as you want because how you adjust your mic can make a significant difference in quality.

Also, control and customization options are something to keep in mind. Though you may not feel the need to adjust any of the controls as an amateur, software that supports customization can be handy in the future.

Connectivity: USB or 3.5 Jack Connector?

Typically, good gaming headphones use a standard 3.5 mm jack that connects to a variety of devices and transmits audio signals clearly. What could possibly make it inadequate for a headset is that its power transmission is, after all, limited.

Therefore, a headset with LED lighting will need more, and here’s where a USB comes into play. But then again, as versatile as it’s, a USB isn’t compatible with all mobile devices.

Connectivity: Wired or Wireless?

Previously, people have mostly used wired headsets for gaming, but nowadays, the only main difference between a wired and wireless headset is that the latter requires recharging, changing batteries, and setting up wireless connections. On the other hand, with wireless headsets, you don’t have to worry about cables getting all twisted, so ultimately, you have to pick your battles.

Final Thoughts

This article has walked you through some of the best headsets for CS:GO gamers and hopefully gave you some insight into what makes a good CS gaming headset. Undoubtedly, we recommend that you look into all of them, but if we had to choose, we’d go with the HyperX Cloud II, our best overall choice. Whether it’s the design, comfort, connectivity, or sound, this headset has indeed won us over.

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