Best Headsets & Headphones for Streaming
What you wear on your head decides two things: whether you can actually hear problems in your own audio, and whether your game sound leaks into your microphone. These are the closed-back studio pairs and wireless gaming headsets worth buying in 2026, from a $99 broadcast standard to a $249 DAC flagship.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
TOP PICKClosed-Back StudioThe pair you see on more streaming desks than any other. Fully closed so nothing leaks into your microphone, velour pads that survive 8-hour sessions, and a detailed sound that makes editing and mixing honest. Buy the 80-ohm version for direct PC use.
$179
Buy
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Closed-Back StudioThe studio classic and the safest first upgrade from a gaming headset. Large-aperture drivers, strong isolation, three detachable cables, and a folding build that travels well for IRL or event streaming.
$149
Buy
Sony MDR-7506
Broadcast MonitorThe broadcast industry's default for four decades and the cheapest genuinely professional option. Neutral, revealing, foldable, endlessly repairable — if you only monitor audio and talk to chat, nothing else at $99 competes.
$99
Buy
Sennheiser HD 560S
Open-Back StudioThe critical-listening option: open-back, wide soundstage, extremely accurate. Superb for editing VODs and mixing music — but it leaks sound, so pair it with a dynamic mic or use it off-air rather than live.
$199
Buy
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Wired + GameDACThe flagship for desk-bound streamers: premium hi-fi drivers fed by a GameDAC Gen 2 with an ESS Sabre quad-DAC, so game audio is cleaner than any headset amp can manage, plus a stealth retractable mic and no battery to ever run out mid-stream.
$249
Buy
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7
Wireless HeadsetThe best balance of price, comfort and features in 2026. Around 38 hours of battery, simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth so you can take calls or hear your phone while streaming, and the same comfortable Nova frame.
$180
Buy
Logitech G PRO X 2 Lightspeed
Wireless HeadsetBuilt with esports pros: graphene drivers, a Blue VO!CE-processed microphone that's better than most bundled mics, and three connection modes. The safest pick if you want one device for game audio and comms.
$199
Buy
HyperX Cloud III
Wired HeadsetThe value benchmark for wired gaming headsets. Memory-foam comfort that made the Cloud line famous, a detachable mic, and plug-and-play use on PC and console with no software required.
$99
BuyQuick Comparison
| Product | Type | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO | Closed-Back Studio | $179 | Best overall for streaming | 5.0 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Closed-Back Studio | $149 | First studio upgrade | 5.0 |
| Sony MDR-7506 | Broadcast Monitor | $99 | Best budget pro pick | 4.5 |
| Sennheiser HD 560S | Open-Back Studio | $199 | Editing & mixing | 4.5 |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | Wired + GameDAC | $249 | Premium desk setup | 5.0 |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 | Wireless Headset | $180 | Best value wireless | 4.5 |
| Logitech G PRO X 2 Lightspeed | Wireless Headset | $199 | Esports & comms | 4.5 |
| HyperX Cloud III | Wired Headset | $99 | Best budget headset | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a headset or headphones with a separate mic for streaming?
Headphones plus a dedicated microphone give clearly better audio, and audio is what viewers notice first. A $149 pair like the ATH-M50x with a $120 Shure MV6 sounds dramatically better than any all-in-one headset at the same combined price. Choose a headset instead if you play on console, need to move around, or want a single wireless device — the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 and Logitech G PRO X 2 are the best of that category.
Do I need closed-back headphones for streaming?
For live streaming, yes. Open-back headphones leak audio out of the earcups, and your microphone picks that leaked game or music audio back up — which creates echo for viewers and can trigger DMCA copyright flags on music. Closed-back pairs such as the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO or ATH-M50x contain the sound. Keep open-backs like the HD 560S for editing sessions when the mic is off.
Why do so many streamers use the Beyerdynamic DT 770?
Three reasons: it's fully closed so it never bleeds into the mic, the velour earpads stay comfortable through very long sessions where leatherette gets hot, and almost every part — pads, cable, headband — is user-replaceable, so the same pair lasts many years. The detailed, slightly bright tuning also makes it easy to hear problems in your own audio.
Do wireless headsets add latency to game audio?
Modern 2.4GHz wireless headsets have latency low enough that you will not notice it in gameplay — typically around 20–40ms. Bluetooth is the exception and can be badly out of sync, so use the included 2.4GHz dongle for gaming and save Bluetooth for phone calls or music. Every wireless pick on this page uses a dedicated 2.4GHz connection.
What are the best budget headphones for streaming?
The Sony MDR-7506 at about $99 is the best true-professional option — it's the broadcast standard, neutral and repairable. If you want a microphone included at the same price, the HyperX Cloud III is the most comfortable wired headset around $99. Both beat cheap RGB headsets on sound quality by a wide margin.
Are expensive gaming headsets worth it for streaming?
Only for specific needs. The $249 Arctis Nova Pro earns its price if you want a genuine DAC in the chain — the GameDAC Gen 2 with its ESS Sabre quad-DAC is a real audio upgrade, not marketing. But if you already have a dedicated microphone and an audio interface, that money is better spent on studio headphones plus lighting.
Related Gear Categories
Closed-Back vs Open-Back for Live Streaming
This is the one specification that matters more for streamers than for gamers. Open-back headphones sound wider and more natural, but they leak audio — and your microphone hears that leak. Viewers get a faint echo of your own game or music, and if the leaked audio is copyrighted music it can trigger a DMCA claim on your VOD. Closed-back designs seal the sound in. Keep a closed pair for live work, and add an open-back like the HD 560S later if you edit or mix seriously.
Comfort Is a Technical Requirement
A four-hour stream is a long time to wear anything. Clamping force, earpad material and weight decide whether you finish the session comfortably: velour pads (DT 770) breathe far better than leatherette, which traps heat. Look for replaceable pads too — pads are the first part to wear out, and being able to swap them for $25 turns a $179 pair into a multi-year purchase. If you also need a microphone, see our streaming microphone picks and the 2026 gear roundup.
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