Category: Esports Hardware

If you’ve ever played an FPS or fighting game, you will agree that sound is one of the most important aspects of gaming. Audio lag from headphone latency is a massive problem in games like Call of Duty, Valorant, Mortal Kombat, CS:GO, Street Fighter, and Overwatch, where every millisecond matters. And it can be detrimental to your win rate. If you struggle with reacting to nearby enemies because of a time lag from your audio device, you need to get a headset with low latency. We’ve curated a list of the best low-latency headphones in 2025. From near-zero audio lag to special gaming features, these devices will help you win more casual and pro matches. But before you choose the perfect headset, you need to understand why the devices on this list are so amazing. What is a Good Headphone Latency for Gaming Generally, any latency under 50 milliseconds (ms) is good for gaming. However, a headphone latency of around 20–30 ms is considered the gold standard for competitive gaming. Less than 20 ms is within god-tier territory, and the signal to the user’s ears will be almost instantaneous. Wired headphones tend to offer lower latency than wireless (Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz dongle) devices. Hence, most gamers prefer wired headsets. This does not mean that wireless headphones can’t have super-low latency. In fact, while curating our list, we found some audio devices that used wireless connections and still offered exceptionally low latency. How We Chose the Best Headphones for Low Latency Our team created a shortlist of 24 high-quality gaming headphones according to several popular online gadget reviewers. Next, we used trustworthy headphone testing platforms like RTINGS.com and versus.com to find accurate data on their latency, specs, and technology. We used all of that data and ranked every headset to find the top 7 best. Our rankings were based on a combination of the following criteria: Latency: Our shortlist only consisted of high-quality devices, so we made latency our most important criterion. Headphones with extremely low latencies were favored. Connection technology: We did our best to create a balanced mix of headphones with wired, wireless, and hybrid connection capabilities. Sound quality: We considered the type, size, and quality of drivers in each device. Communication: We evaluated how well the device helped users to communicate more effectively. Factors like microphone quality and noise canceling played a huge role. Comfortability: The weight, wired or wireless, fit, range, and other attributes helped us determine the comfortability. Battery life (for wireless): How long you could use the device before having to charge it again. More battery life means more reliability and uninterrupted gaming time. Compatibility: We considered their compatibility with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS, etc. Special features: Capabilities like active noise cancellation, high-resolution audio, and water/sweat resistance were positive points for the headsets. 7 Best Low-Latency Headphones of 2025 In this section, we’ll get into our full review of the 7 best headsets with low latency. Every product on the list offers something special. The table below serves as a TLDR by summarizing the key points from our in-depth review. Use it to make a quick decision. HeadphoneHighlightLowest LatencyConnection Type (For Lowest Latency)Turtle Beach Atlas AirBest Bluetooth0.1 msanalog jackSee detailsSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro WirelessBest Sound Quality0.2 msUSBSee detailsDrop PC38XBest Lightweight0.3 msanalog jackSee detailsAudeze Maxwell WirelessBest Wireless9.1 msanalog jackSee detailsRazer BlackShark V3 ProLowest Latency Overall 0 msUSBSee detailsLogitech G PRO X WirelessMost Affordable Wireless22 ms2.4 GHzSee detailsHyperX Cloud IIIMost Affordable Wired25 ms2.4 GHzSee detailsBest low-latency headphones: comparison table Turtle Beach Atlas Air: Best for Bluetooth Connection Lowest Average Latency: 0.1 ms (analog jack) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: 0.1 msBluetooth: 180 msUSB cable: N/A2.4 GHz dongle: 38 ms One of Turtle Beach’s most popular headsets, Atlas Air can operate in both wired and wireless modes. It is the first wireless open-back gaming headset for PC and the first to feature a floating earcup. Thanks to those comfort-focused designs, the product won the Gaming Headset of the Year at GamesRadar+’s Hardware Awards 2024. The Turtle Beach Atlas Air works on Windows PCs, PlayStations (5 & 4), and mobile devices (via Bluetooth). Xbox is only compatible with a 3.5 mm jack. Its Bluetooth latency is less than 200 ms, so it remains one of the best headsets for gaming on mobile devices. While its wired connection offers near-zero latency (0.1 ms), the latency for its 2.4 GHz connection (38 ms) is acceptable but not exceptional. Weighing just 301 g, Atlas Air features a lightweight frame that houses a high-resolution sound system with 40 mm drivers and a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 40 kHz. Key Features: Open-back design Floating fit High-resolution audio (24 bit) Pros: Relatively low Bluetooth latency Top-quality audio Multiple wired and wireless connections Award-winning headset Highly affordable Cons: Limited Xbox compatibility Who it’s for: Mobile gamers who use Bluetooth. Price: You can buy it for $149.99 on the official website. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: Best Sound Quality Lowest Average Latency: 0.2 ms (via USB cable) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: N/ABluetooth: 236 msUSB cable: 0.2 ms2.4 GHz dongle: 38 ms This SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless supports PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, VR, and more. It has a different version designed for Xbox. One of the most popular headsets used by pro gamers, this product has won over a dozen gaming hardware awards. For gaming, you can use the near-zero latency dual USB cable or go for the ultra-low latency 2.4 GHz dongle. The device also supports a Bluetooth connection. However, the latency for that is pretty high, even for the technology. 40 mm drivers and a frequency range of 10-22,000 Hz (wireless) and 10-40,000 Hz (wired) ensure that you enjoy top-tier audio while streaming, gaming, or listening to music. Key Features: High-Res Audio Active Noise Cancellation 2 batteries (22 hours per battery) X-ray hearing Pros: Top-quality audio Smooth in-game communication Multiple wired and wireless connections Award-winning headset Cons: Seperate version for Xbox compatibility Who it’s for: Online gamers and esports players willing to pay a little extra for the best sound quality. Price: You can buy it for $379.99 on the SteelSeries store. Drop PC38X: Best Lightweight Lowest Average Latency: 0.3 ms (via analog jack) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: 0.3 msBluetooth: N/AUSB cable: N/A2.4 GHz dongle: N/A Formerly Drop + EPOS PC38X, this headset is now known as Drop PC38X after Drop ended its collaboration with EPOS (a former Sennheiser division). However, it remains the same high-quality, lightweight headset with a 10 Hz – 30000 Hz frequency response. It weighs only 290.5 g, making it one of the lightest headsets you can find with similar specs. You can use Drop PC38X with all major game consoles and mobile phones, thanks to its 3.5mm TRRS cable. It also comes with a split cable for PC. Both cables have almost no latency (0.3 ms). Key Features: Noise-cancelling microphone Auto-mute Open-back design Pros: Compatible with most devices Convenient communication Highly affordable Cons: Only one connectivity option Who is it for: Anyone seeking an affordable, versatile communication device for gaming and chatting. Price: You can buy it for $169 on the official store. Audeze Maxwell Wireless: Best for Wireless Connections Lowest Average Latency: 9.1 ms (via analog jack) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: 9.1 msBluetooth: 186 msUSB cable: 13.0 ms2.4 GHz dongle: 23 ms The Audeze Maxwell is the ultimate wireless gaming headset. Packed with 80+ hours of battery life, four modes of connectivity, fast-charge, and low-latency connections, it deserves its spot on our list. It works on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The headset uses massive 90 mm planar magnetic drivers, which are much larger than those in other gaming headphones. It produces 24-bit/96 kHz high-quality audio over both wired and wireless modes. The Audeze Maxwell delivers ultra-low latency performance over both Bluetooth and the 2.4 GHz wireless connection. The lag on its wired connection is also quite negligible. Key Features: Fast charge in 20 mins High-res audio 3X Range of Traditional 2.4 GHz connections Embedded Dolby Atmos® License (Xbox version only) A.I. Noise-Filtering Microphones Pros: Top-quality audio Smooth gaming experience Durable battery life Multiple modes of wired and wireless connectivity Relatively low Bluetooth latency Cons: N/A Who it's for: Anyone looking for the best low-latency wireless headset. It’s a fantastic wireless option for both mobile (Bluetooth) and console (2.4 GHz) gaming. Price: You can get it for $299 on the official website. Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Headphone with Lowest Latency Lowest Average Latency: 0 ms (via USB cable) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: 0.2 msBluetooth: 249 msUSB cable: 0 ms2.4 GHz dongle: 10 ms The BlackShark V3 Pro is one of Razer’s best-ever gaming headsets because of its incredible spatial audio, 50 mm drivers, noise-canceling feature, and insanely low latency. You will experience no lag when you connect through the USB cable. The headset supports 3 other connection types, including a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle with 10 ms lag. No other headset comes close to those numbers. Also, a 70-hour battery life means you can remain wireless for days. The BlackShark V3 Pro supports PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and mobile devices. It also comes with a 2-year warranty and pro-tuned profiles for these FPS games: Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, COD: Black Ops 6, Fortnite, and Halo Infinite. Key Features: Active noise cancelation Dual-layered Flowknit memory foam cushions Adaptive 15° swivel joints THX Spatial Audio Pro-tuned FPS profiles Pros: Supports multiple wired and wireless connections Zero USB latency Built for gaming Cons: Weighs 367 g. May be considered heavy Who is it for: The best gaming experience, especially for FPS players who rely heavily on locating footsteps. Price: You can buy it for $249.99 on Razer’s official website. Logitech G PRO X Wireless: Most Affordable for Wireless Connection Lowest Average Latency: 22 ms (via 2.4 GHz dongle) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: N/ABluetooth: N/AUSB cable: N/A2.4 GHz dongle: 22 ms Logitech G PRO X Wireless is a simple but reliable headset with a single mode of connection. There’s a reason why it’s so popular in the competitive gaming industry. Users can enjoy quality audio with the PRO-G 50 mm drivers and a battery life of up to 20 hours. The headset supports PS5, PS4, and PC. It also comes with a 2-year warranty. Key Features: next-gen surround sound BLUE VO!CE Detachable mic Pros: Seamless communication thanks to microphone quality Affordable Cons: No Xbox or mobile phone compatibility Only one mode of wireless connection Who it's for: Users on a budget looking for an affordable wireless headset with ultra-low latency. Price: You can get it for $179.99 on Logitech’s page. HyperX Cloud III: Most Affordable for Wired Connection Lowest Average Latency: 25 ms (via 2.4 GHz dongle) Full Latency Breakdown: WIRED CONNECTIONSWIRELESS CONNECTIONS3.5 mm analog jack: 25 msBluetooth: N/AUSB cable: N/A2.4 GHz dongle: N/A HyperX Cloud III is a mid-range headset popular among gamers. It’s a single-mode audio device, offering an analog jack connection for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. With 25 ms average latency, angled 53 mm drivers, a 10 Hz-21 kHz frequency response, and a bit depth of up to 24 bits, this headset probably offers the best bang for your buck. Key Features: Noise-cancelling LED mic-mute indicator High-res audio Pros: Top-quality audio Highly affordable Smooth communication Versatile compatibility Cons: Only one mode of wired connection Who is it for: People on a budget. This is an affordable wired headset with ultra-low latency. Price: You can buy it for $99.99 on the official online store. Honorable Mentions These headsets nearly made it to our list but just about fell short. They also have incredibly low latency: Astro A50 X (29 ms latency via 2.4 GHz dongle): Alternative wireless option with low latency. Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro (40 ms via aptX): Wireless aptX option. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (48 ms via 2.4 GHz dongle): Best earbud with low latency. Final Verdict: Choosing the Best After testing and comparing dozens of options, we’ve found that the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro stands out with virtually zero latency over USB and only 10 ms on a 2.4 GHz wireless connection—making it the best low-latency headset overall for gaming. If you prefer wireless convenience, the Audeze Maxwell Wireless offers outstanding range, incredible battery life, and near-imperceptible lag across multiple devices. For players who prioritize sound quality, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless delivers high-resolution audio and robust connectivity.

Category: Esports Hardware

Best Low-Latency Headphones with Near-ZERO Audio Lag (2025)

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