10 Best Gaming Headsets With Great Linux Compatibility
There are lots of great gaming headsets out there for PC gamers. But which ones work best with your Linux PC? Find out in our list of favorite Linux compatible gaming headsets!
What Makes A Good Linux Gaming Headset?
These days, gaming headsets for computers are more than just a pair of headphones and a microphone. They’re full-featured devices with tons of extras, like LEDs, surround sound, and microphone sidetone support to make voice chats easier. Some gaming headsets even offer customizable buttons.
As great as these qualities are, not every gaming headset’s advanced features are going to work on Linux. That’s why when buying a headset, you should look for ones that are fully compatible, and supported either by the company, or the Linux community.
In this list, we’ve selected 10 excellent gaming headsets that have Linux support. You’ll be able to enjoy the features they offer while you play your favorite Linux games.
What Are The Best Linux Gaming Headsets?
From our extensive testing, these are our favorite gaming headsets for Linux users.
1. Best overall: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
This gaming headset is our overall favorite. It combines features like audio quality, comfort, reliable connectivity, plus tons of fun extras like immersive 360 audio. Here are just some of the advanced bonuses players love:
- High Fidelity drivers for advanced sound quality
- Spatial 360 audio that absorbs you into your gameplay as you hear the audio in every direction
- OLED Base Station gives you dual USB ports so you can switch to console or PC with a single button press, all while charging your battery at the same time
- The infinity power system lets you use one battery while charging another so you never run out of juice
- Active noise cancellation helps block outside noise
- Dual audio streams allow you to chat with friends while still being able to hear the game’s audio
- Clear, reliable microphone allows you to speak easily to other gamers
2. Best for quality and comfort: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023)
Not only is Razer our favorite for physical comfort, it also has all the features a Linux gamer would need, such as long battery life, great sounding audio and mics, and low-latency responsiveness. Other benefits include:
- Crystal clear, detachable mic
- Ergonomic memory foam cushions for long lasting comfort
- Lightweight and easy to wear
- Advanced, THX Spatial Audio drivers for more nuanced highs and lows and surround sound
- Pro-tuned audio-profiles that match those of top Esports athletes
- Noise canceling ear-cups
- 70 hours of battery life on a single charge
3. Best for affordability HyperX Cloud Alpha (wired)
It’s rare that affordability and great user reviews go together, but HyperX Cloud Alpha is one such exception. A fraction of the cost of many other gaming headsets, it has reliable features that give you the exact function you need. It may not have as many bells and whistles as some, but it is high quality, has all the necessary basics, and is budget friendly. Here’s more:
- Compatible with PC and multiple console types so you can use it for everything
- HyperX comfort
- Detachable cable and microphone
- Dual Chamber 50mm drivers for clearer sound
- Sturdy aluminum frame
- Expandable headband
- Noise cancellation microphone
4.Best for lightweight design: Corsair HS55 Stereo (wired)
While HyperX Cloud wins for affordability mixed with quality, Corsair HS55 has similar benefits. It’s affordable, comfortable, and even lighter weight than HyperX. It has somewhat basic features, but it does them well. What’s more, if you’re prone to discomfort from wearing heavy headsets, this will be your best option for comfy, long lasting gaming.
- Only weighs a little over half a pound (273g)
- Adjustable headband and memory foam ear cups
- 50mm neodymium audio drivers
- Multi-platform compatibility for those who game on multiple devices
- Omni-directional microphone with a flip-to-mute option
- Volume controls on the ear-cups
5. Best for wireless option: HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
We’ve already given the wired version of HyperX Cloud Alpha its due, but the wireless version combines all those stellar and affordable qualities with incredible wireless capabilities. Gamers love it and it provides a whopping 300 hours of wireless battery life on a single charge.
- Long lasting battery is perfect for gaming marathons without losing audio quality
- Tough, aluminum frame
- Breathable memory foam
- Dual Chamber drivers that tune mids/highs separately from the lows, which enhances audio clarity
- Noise-canceling, detachable microphone
- Multi-platform
- DTS Spatial audio
- Intersects quality and affordability
6. Best for audiophiles: Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X (wired)
If sound is your thing, these German produced headphones will do the trick. It’s not only great for gaming but you can also mix, master, or listen to music with audio quality that can rival anything on the market. That said, some users say the comfortable, open-back design can bleed a little sound at times, so be aware if you value audio privacy. Still, this heavy hitter has lots of impressive features:
- Several applications for all playback devices
- 48 ohms provide studio quality sound
- Removable mini-XLR cable
- Spring steel headband for a durable, secure fit
- Soft, velour ear pads
- Advanced frequency response means no sound distortion
- Used in professional studios, world-wide
7. Best for streaming: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x STS StreamSet (wired)
This headset was designed with streamers in mind, as the specialized capabilities clearly show. Sound and microphone quality are all exceptional, but perhaps the most loved feature by streamers is the ability to hear their own voice talking through the headphones via microphone sidetone support. This allows you to sound more natural as you talk, a Godsend for streamers who converse with their audience or other gamers frequently. Other features:
- Feedback can be adjusted via headset without software
- Studio-quality sound
- Cardioid condenser microphone helps block background noise
- Boom arm flip function allows you to easily mute your microphone
- 45mm drivers
- Advanced clarity even with extended range frequency
- Two ear pad choices for comfort
- Accurate audio for both sound and microphone
8. Best for combining sound with affordability: Razer Kraken V3 X (wired)
This is another great money saving option, though this one emphasizes sound quality as well. Like other low-cost headsets, the fancy extras may be lacking but the basics get the job done:
- Triforce 40mm drivers help tune lows, mids, and highs
- Cardioid mic keeps your voice clear with less background noise
- Memory foam ear cushions
- Lightweight and comfortable for long hours of gaming
- Customizable ear cup lighting effects
9. Best for wireless affordability: Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed (wireless)
There’s a reason this list has 3 Razer products on it. They make good headsets! The BlackShark version is great for those on a budget who want a good wireless option that still emphasizes audio. Here are some of the things we love about it:
- Hyperclear wideband mic has a wider range of frequencies so it picks up much more detailed inputs
- Ultra-lightweight for comfort
- Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers for richer tones
- Noise isolating ear-cups with memory foam
- 70 hours of battery on a single charge
- 4 GHz wireless connection to reduce latency and keep sound synced to real time gameplay
10. Best for high-end wireless: Astro A50 X (wireless)
For gamers who want higher end qualities, Astro has long been a respected name in the headset business. Though the battery life isn’t as long as some on our list, this option is more customizable than the other selections, making it very appealing for those willing to spend a little more on their gaming accessories:
- Dolby Audio gives cinematic sound quality
- 15 hours of battery life
- Astro Audio V2
- Command center software lets you control your audio, such as game audio settings and voice communication
- Mod kit customizations give you the option to add compatible headbands and ear cushions for improved fit and noise isolation
- USB sound card is specialized for PC gaming with features like voice streaming and audio balances
- Can control the mix of chat and game audio
- Easy to charge base station
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Hey, do you know if the (newer) Corsair VOID Elite USB also works with linux and pulseaudio?
It should work fine with PulseAudio.