What Headsets Do the Pros Use?

Key Takeaways

• Pro gamers prioritize sturdy headsets like Logitech G Pro X 2 for durability during intense gaming sessions.
• Comfort is crucial for competitive success – options like HyperX Cloud II have memory foam for long-lasting wear.
• Noise-canceling, high-quality microphones, such as the one on the Corsair Void RGB Elite, are essential for clear communication.

Professional esports players are very particular about the gaming peripherals they use. At that level, it is essential to have the gear that works best for you and will not fail you when needed the most. This gives manufacturers the opportunity to promote their gaming gear through these esports professionals, and they frequently sign agreements with esports teams and players for the same. Furthermore, streaming on Twitch and YouTube presents another opportunity for esports professionals to showcase their favorite gear to thousands of viewers.

The best gaming headsets that the most famous esports champions depend on come from a wide variety of manufacturers, but they all share some common characteristics like build quality, comfort, connectivity, and microphone clarity. These esports legends frequently turn to the following gaming headsets that all offer durability, well-balanced sound, and a high-quality microphone.

Updated by Vineet Washington on September 11, 2024: Jynxzi and his Beyerdynamic MMX 300 have been replaced by Brazilian VALORANT pro Erick “aspas” Santos and his HyperX Cloud Alpha S headset. Some more information about the headsets has been added to the descriptions.

Oleksandr “S1mple” Kostyliev – Logitech G Pro X 2

Oleksandr Kostyliev, aka s1mple, has been a dominant force on the competitive CS:GO scene since joining team Natus Vincere in 2016. Hailing from Ukraine, Kostyliev’s long list of accomplishments includes winning over ten tournaments and earning the distinction of HLTV’s Player of the Year for the third time in 2022. s!mple has echoed the concerns of CS:GO 2 players who complain about bugs and cheating, so it wasn’t surprising when he announced a break from the competitive scene. Eventually, Kostyliev embraced CS:GO 2, seeing his first competitive action with the sequel in March. On loan from Navi to the Saudi Arabian Team Falcons, s1mple lost his initial match, but the event drew record viewership.

Kostyliev always seems open to taking on new CS:GO roles or even joining a different team. Whichever challenge he faces, with razor-sharp reflexes and keen instincts, it’s never wise to bet against this esports icon.

When Kostyliev has his choice, he prefers to use a collection of Logitech gear, including the Logitech G Pro X 2, as the best gaming headset for this CS:GO MVP. Esports pros like s!mple were instrumental in developing Logitech’s latest wireless headset. One of the most significant upgrades over the original Logitech G Pro X involves graphene drivers. Made from an especially rigid material, sounds in the diaphragms remain directed toward the eardrums with no loss in sound quality. The 2.4GHz LIGHTSPEED connectivity ensures a stable and consistent connection without a cable holding him down. And when the 50-hour battery life runs out, he can just use the 3.5mm wired connection to continue owning in Counter Strike.

Another advantage for esports participants and game streamers is the Logitech G Pro X 2’s Blue Vo!ce, which employs voice filters to make chatters sound crisper and clearer. The memory foam earpads and steel construction of the Logitech G Pro X 2 ensure that Kostyliev can game all day or night comfortably without worrying about the headset breaking. New with the Logitech G Pro X 2, the earcups swivel, allowing for an even more exact fit. Also, the available surround sound on the device alerts gamers of the instant enemies are approaching. Unsurprisingly, the young Russian CS:GO sensation Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov also relies on this Logitech headset to perfect his skills.

Johan “N0tail” Sundstein – SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wired

The career winnings of the Danish Johan Sundstein, aka N0tail, dispel any notion that esports is more of a hobby than a profession. The DOTA 2 player has amassed over seven million dollars in prizes, making him one of the most financially successful competitors of all time. At a young age, Sundstein quickly mastered support roles in Heroes of Newerth before transitioning to DOTA 2. Sundstein then partnered with Tal “Fly” Azik and co-founded the OG team. These days, Sundstein has stepped back from active duty and finds himself on the inactive roster for the team. Still, considering his wealth and accomplishments, plenty of avenues are open for N0tail inside and outside the competitive gaming world.

SteelSeries has long been the peripheral manufacturer of choice for Johan Sundstein and is an official partner of the OG team. The company claims that since 2001, esports professionals have won the most prize money using SteelSeries products like the Arctis Pro wired headset. This superior headset for PC gaming offers high-fidelity gaming audio and includes a DAC that enables a Hi-Res mode and adjusts game and chat levels. The Arctis ClearCast bidirectional microphone removes distracting background noise, so competitors like Sundstein can support DOTA 2 teammates as soon as requested. The headset comes with high-density 40mm neodymium drivers that achieve a frequency response range of 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz, which is wider than most headsets, be it gaming or otherwise. They produce clear audio without skipping a beat and deliver a precise, consistent sonic experience.

Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf – Drop + EPOS PC38X

Kyle Giersdorf, aka Bugha, continues his epic run as one of the top rising young stars in esports. A Fortnite master, Giersdorf has decimated the competition since winning the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Championship at only 16. Preferring to solo, Giersdorf also has amassed a large social media presence and regularly streams on the Twitch platform. So iconic in the esports and streaming world, Epic Games added a Bugha-inspired skin to the game in 2021. Earlier in 2023, Dignitas made a major acquisition, partnering with Bugha, to further cement their presence in Fortnite tournaments. More recently, to celebrate Giersdorf’s impact on the game, Dignitas launched a limited-time mode called “Bugha’s End Game” which features the player’s favorite landing sports for the most intense competition imaginable.

The Drop + EPOS PC38X looks a bit out of place among gamers but has some advantages over most gaming headsets. Unlike most headsets professional gamers like Bugha depend on, the Drop + EPOS PC38X has an open-back design typical of studio-grade headphones. This headset style doesn’t block out much ambient noise in a gaming arena but provides a more natural soundscape for recording YouTube content. However, angled drivers allow gamers to quickly identify where sound effects are coming from. Also, even though most traditional headphones lack a microphone, the noise-canceling component on the Drop + EPOS PC38X is effective enough to reduce the need for a standalone microphone. It also has a wider frequency response range than other typical headsets, ranging from 10 Hz to 30,000 Hz. The Drop + EPOS PC38X is also fairly lightweight and comfortable over long gaming or streaming sessions, which is why it has become such a popular option in the gaming headset space.

Erick “aspas” Santos – HyperX Cloud Alpha S

Erick “aspas” Santos is a young Brazilian professional esports phenom in VALORANT. He is currently signed with Team Leviatan but has been showing his skills since 2020 with Team Slick. In 2021, he was awarded MVP in the GGWP Valorant Series #1 finals. In 2022, with his Team LOUD, he won VALORANT Champions 2022, after defeating Optic 3-1 in the grand finals at Istanbul. He then moved to Leviatan in 2023 and won the Superdome held in Colombia, followed by VCT 2024: Americas Stage 2. Aspas has proved his worth in every team he has been in and continues to perform at a high level, though his contract with Leviatan expires in 2025. Considering his skills and following, it won’t be long till he’s scooped up by another major esports franchise.

The Cloud Alpha S headset from HyperX is yet another comfortable and excellent sounding headset in the Cloud Alpha series. Its support for 7.1 surround sound and dual-chamber drivers are what give Aspas the advantage in VALORANT. Not only do they sound great, they are also built like a tank with a tough aluminum frame that offers the perfect amount of rigidity and flexibility. The inline controller allows for easy adjustments to the game and chat audio levels, which is crucial when playing with teammates. Speaking of communicating with teammates, the Cloud Alpha S features a Discord and TeamSpeak certified detachable and flexible mic. It weighs just over 300 grams, but it feels much lighter thanks to the clamping force and soft earcups.

Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen – Corsair HS80

Longevity is a relative term in esports, but the veteran 31-year-old CS:GO champion Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen has as impressive a body of work as any fellow competitor. In 2022, the Danish Rasmussen became the first CS:GO player to qualify for 18 major tournaments in a row. Dupreeh is also the highest-earning professional ever to play the game, receiving over two million dollars in payouts since starting his career in 2012. Rasmussen is an expert rifler in CS:GO and achieved more success as a member of Team Vitality. The team benched Dupreeh last June despite winning a record-setting fifth CS:GO major championship the previous month. Team Falcons made another significant signing when the Saudi-based team signed Dupreeh recently, starting a new chapter in this esports legend’s life.

Peter Rasmussen uses a variety of gaming gear, including mice from BenQ and keyboards from Logitech G, but his favorite gaming headset is the Corsair HS80. This headset is available in several different formats, including wired, wireless, and RGB-enabled. Any version of the HS80 packs some seriously powerful sound, made possible by 50mm high-density neodymium drivers with a wide frequency range. When used at esports competitions, gamers appreciate the broadcast-grade omni-directional microphone of the HS80 that maintains a lifeline between teammates. The Corsair HS80 is also the best gaming headset for watching movies, supporting Dolby Atmos surround sound through a USB audio connection.

Park Jae-hyuk aka Ruler – Astro A50

The Korean Park Jae-hyuk, commonly known as Ruler, has been a force in the League of Legends scene since 2016. Ruler is admired for his unique approach involving extensive farming before executing a calculated late-game strategy. While he has served as a botlaner on JD Gaming since 2022, Ruler is considering offers to move to other teams. Some of the 2023 titles Ruler has to his credit include first-place finishes in both the LPL Spring and Summer events. Although he ultimately lost out to fellow South Korean League of Legends superstar Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, Park Jae-hyuk was nominated for Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards 2023.

Ruler is sometimes criticized for his rigid League of Legends play style, but the futuristic-looking Astro A50 is a wireless headset that constantly surprises with its versatility. What separates the A50 from many other headsets is its base station, which boasts numerous inputs like optical and a jack for AUX analog sources. The component also allows source mixing between wired and wireless sources so gamers like Ruler can be more productive while gaming at home. As one of the most customizable headsets, fussy pro gamers can also purchase mod kits for the A50 with alternate earpads for various levels of noise isolation. The headset’s support for spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos caps off one of the most feature-packed pieces of pro gaming gear.

The updated Astro A50 X is even more enticing for multi-platform competitive gamers. Game Rant’s review of the A50 X discussed how an HDMI 2.1 wireless base station enabled seamless switching between consoles and PCs.

Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk – Logitech G733

As a testament to the longevity of DOTA 2, released in 2013, the game still produces sensational young talent like Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk. The 21-year-old Ukrainian is a star on Team Spirit and is known for his remarkable versatility, sometimes playing as many as 14 different heroes in a single tournament. Mulyarchuk was among the top money earners in esports for 2023, racking up 1st place trophies in major tournaments like the 2023 Riyadh Masters. Yatoro has also been controversial, as the Ukrainian Esports Federation banned him from competing because of his affiliation with Russian players and coaches.

Yatoro has colored his hair pink in the past, and the stylish Logitech G733 is the perfect peripheral for a competitive gamer with a unique sense of style. Although Mulyarchuk often must use wired headsets at tournaments, this Logitech wireless headset is his device of choice. The G733 is available in several different colors and allows for swapping with different headband suspension straps and mic covers.

Since Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology allows for a wireless range of up to 20 meters and minimal latency, gamers won’t miss the reliability of a corded alternative. PRO:G drivers are an excellent match for its support for surround sound, which can alert competitive gamers to danger before disaster strikes. Dual-layer memory foam on its ear cushions also makes the lightweight Logitech G733 a dream to wear for long gaming sessions or streams. Game Rant’s review of the Logitech G733 confirmed its excellent balance of battery life, reliable wireless connectivity, and long-lasting comfort.

Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut ​​​​​​- JBL Quantum 910

Hailing from France, the 23-year-old ZywOo is one of the most fearsome fixtures on the CS:GO 2 scene. Nicknamed the “Chosen One” because his birthday coincides with the release date of Counter-Strike, Mathieu Herbaut doesn’t take that title for granted. As a student of the game, ZywOo’s competitive success is as much about outthinking his opponents as it is about his deadly accurate aim. ZywOo’s mother is one of his biggest fans, following his career closely after urging him to finish secondary school before turning pro.

Unlike many CS:GO pros, Herbaut has remained with the first team he signed with in 2018, Team Vitality. One of ZywOo’s most recent triumphs came in the BLAST Premier: World Final 2023, where he led his team to a first-place finish and was awarded MVP. By the end of 2023, Herbaut had won more MVP medals than any other competitor, with 18 total MVP honors in his illustrious career. ZywOo’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down and, consequently, was rewarded with a Vitality contract extension until 2026.

When an elite gamer like ZywOo is enthralled in intense action, the last thing he wants is to be distracted by background noise. The JBL Quantum 910 is one of a relatively small batch of wireless gaming headsets with active noise cancellation (ANC). When gaming in chaotic settings, the Quantum 910 will monitor rooms and attempt to neutralize any annoyances with sound pulses. JBL QuantumSPATIAL 360 technology also produces some of the most convincing spatial sound of any headset. With its head-tracking ability, the Quantum 910 will automatically shift a soundscape to match a listener’s movements.

Boasting a 39-hour battery life and the ability to recharge its battery while in use, the JBL Quantum 910 avoids some of the frustrations of relying on a wireless device. The build quality of the 421-gram headset is surprisingly heavy on plastic components. Still, with especially thick memory foam earcups, gamers like ZywOo quickly forget they are wearing a professional-grade headset.

Matthew “Mero” Faitel – Astro A40

Following the same trajectory as Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, the Canadian Matthew “Mero” Faitel is the latest rising star in the Fortnite world. Starting his career at age 16, Faitel won his initial FNCS Championship as a member of Team New Age. Later, as part of Dignitas, Giersdorf would achieve more fame with consistent performances that confirmed his talent. Immediately after leaving Dignitas, Mero secured his crowning achievement last October by winning the FNCS Global Championship 2023 along with his 16-year-old partner Cooper.

Other than his immense Fortnite skills, Faitel is also known for his impressive use of gaming controllers, which is rare for competitive shooters played primarily on PCs. Mero is also no stranger to controversy, accused in 2022 of using a Cronus Zen device to improve the aim of his controller. Thankfully, an IT specialist would clear his name, and it has since become more apparent that Faitel needs no help to dominate the competition.

Communication is critical in Fortnite, as it is in most competitive multiplayer games. The wired Astro A40 was built from the ground up with esports pros like Matthew “Mero” Faitel in mind. Astro Audio V2 is one of the main reasons competitive gamers often turn to the A40, which allows gamers to pinpoint exactly where sounds emanate. In addition, the headset is exceptionally comfortable to wear with a combination of cloth ear cushions and a leatherette covering that resists heat buildup.

Perhaps the most critical part of any headset for Mero is its microphone. The Astro A40 has a unidirectional mic that avoids picking up background noise and has the unique flexibility to install on either side of the device. Another surprising aspect of the A40 is that it’s actually an open-back headset disguised as closed-back, which is far more common among gaming headsets. While this hampers noise isolation with the headset itself, it also promotes a more realistic soundstage for streamers and content creators to record videos. Mero, who produces videos for YouTube, can benefit from the available MixAmp Pro TR to have more control over how broadcasts sound without using a standalone microphone. The headset has 40mm dynamic, open drivers for crisp sound output, but the frequency response range is not as wide as some of the other more sound quality focussed gaming headsets.

Martin “stavn” Lund – HyperX Cloud II

One of the most promising young CS:GO 2 stars, the Danish Martin “stavn” Lund is a remarkably consistent rifler. Stavn’s ability to stay cool in the most difficult situations has led him to 1st place finishes in major tournaments like the 2023 BLAST Spring Final. Lund is one half of a dynamic duo involving the also Danish Jakob “⁠Jabbi⁠” Nygaard, with whom he first competed in 2022 on Team Heroic. The two have collectively battled drama, including allegations of agreeing to join Team Astralis without Heroic’s consent. Regardless, now playing a pivotal role on Astralis, stavn hopes to build upon his resume, which saw him make the top ten of the HLTV 2023 rankings.

Although the HyperX Cloud III is now available, esports stars like Stavn stubbornly refuse to abandon the Cloud II. With only incremental upgrades, these competitive gamers may not have compelling reasons to upgrade. The Cloud II quickly became the go-to headset among casual and veteran gamers because of its balanced out-of-the-box sound. With minimal adjustments needed to hear key audio cues, the Cloud II suits gamers who travel and move from PC to PC. Virtual 7.1 surround sound is activated using an attached control box, which also adjusts chat and mic levels. The headset connects to analog audio ports of PCs and console controllers and remains one of the most highly-rated wired gaming headsets.

Rivals have imitated the pillowy, soft memory foam cushions on the Cloud headsets but without complete success. Combined with highly adaptive clamping force, the Cloud II floats on Martin Lund’s head throughout long practice sessions. This wired headset struggles somewhat with passive noise cancellation, but gamers find the mic successfully focuses its recording on chatters. It does lack some of the more fancy features like RGB lighting and wireless connectivity, but it makes up for that with excellent sound quality and comfort.

İsmailcan “Xantares” Dörtkardeş – Corsair Void RGB Elite

Widely considered the best Turkish CS:GO player of all time, Xantares is a rifler infamous for registering kills first in a match. Since going pro with the Space Soldiers team in 2015, İsmailcan has never strayed far from his Turkish roots. Mostly playing with fellow countrymen, Xantares didn’t join an international team until becoming part of the BIG Clan in 2018.

2020 was perhaps the most successful year for İsmailcan, achieving several first-place finishes in DreamHack events and being named MVP by HLTV. The next year was turbulent for Xantares, being banned on Twitch after gaining a huge following. In 2021, the entry-fragger joined the Turkish-dominated Eternal Fire squad, which is finding success in the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.

The Corsair Void RGB Elite is a supremely comfortable wireless headset with a highly accurate microphone. Rather bulky and heavy with RGB-illuminated earcups, there is no mistaking what headset Xantares chooses to wear. The overall soundscape of the Void RGB Elite has an especially wide frequency, which ensures that explosions in CS:GO 2 don’t overwhelm more subtle sound effects. Supporting 7.1 surround sound, the dynamic audio immerses casual and competitive gamers in violent virtual worlds. Perhaps if Xanteres’ opponents had the same headset, they could anticipate the Turkish pro sneaking up on them soon after a match starts.

An option for PC and PlayStation gamers, the Void RGB Elite relies on Corsair’s long-range and low-latency wireless technology. However, the headset most impresses with one of the best omnidirectional microphones at its mid-range price point. Unlike many alternatives that make the lower register of voices sound nasal, the mic on the Void RGB Elite makes Xantares’ voice instantly recognizable to teammates. The 16-hour battery life could be considered a drawback but that’s more of a personal preference.

How to Listen and Communicate Like the Pros

Esports followers are often surprised to see their favorite competitors use the same relatively affordable headsets they own. Today’s gaming headsets are designed specifically to meet the needs of gamers, whether big prize money is on the line or if a buyer simply wants a reliable way to communicate with friends. Still, these qualities are commonly found on the gaming headsets that help the top esports pros find glory:

Build Quality

Competitive gamers, more than the average buyer, need a headset that can withstand the test of time, whether at tournaments or at home. The Logitech G Pro X 2, which Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev uses in CS:GO 2 matches, continues the tradition of the first well-built Pro X wired headset. Not only do its solid 50 mm graphene drivers help with sound accuracy, but aluminum parts and a steel frame justify its rather steep asking price.

Audiophile-approved gaming headsets like the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 used by Jynxzi often exhibit the most impressive build quality. Although it’s surprisingly lightweight for a headset this powerful, the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 boasts a nearly indestructible metal headband and a secure but comfortable closed-back design.

Comfort

There are many gaming headsets available that esports pros can wear for hours at a time without discomfort. However, the Drop + EPOS PC38X, trusted by Fortnite prodigy Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, owes its stellar reputation to the enhanced comfort its open-back design provides. This corded headset also takes advantage of mesh earpads, which are both pleasing to the ears and extremely breathable. Generally, the lighter the headset, the more comfortable it will be to wear for long hours. But the quality of the earcups and clamping pressure also affect how comfortable a headset it.

HyperX may still have an advantage over other headset manufacturers with its Cloud line. Martin “stavn” Lund has likely pledged his loyalty to the Cloud II because its thick memory foam cushions keep ears from aching. This wired headset also has a durable, flexible aluminum frame that accommodates many different CS:GO 2 competitors.

Wired vs. Wireless

While most esports tournaments require wired headsets like the Corsair HS80, contestants often appreciate the freedom of using wireless alternatives at home. DOTA 2 legend Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk enjoys wearing the Logitech G733 during recreational gaming or streaming. This wireless headset includes a superior range of transmissions plus a 29-hour battery life to overcome the limitations of cord-free peripherals.

Another standout wireless headset approved by Park Jae-hyuk, aka Ruler, is the Astro A50. This headset showcases the same versatility a player needs to succeed in League of Legends, with an included DAC with impressive connectivity and mixing.

Microphone Clarity

A high-quality and noise-reducing microphone is often the first feature a competitive gamer looks for in a headset. Matthew “Mero” Faitel can often be seen communicating with Fortnite teammates using his Astro A40 gaming headset. The device remains popular with gamers years after its release because its detachable microphone effectively filters out everything except for a multiplayer chatter’s voice.

Some microphones that effectively isolate a gamer’s voice still make esports pros sound distorted. That’s not an issue with the Corsair Void RGB Elite, partly responsible for the chemistry between İsmailcan “Xantares” Dörtkardeş and his CS:GO 2 teammates.

Of course, a particular gaming headset’s strengths and weaknesses may not appeal to an ordinary gamer like an esports pro. Even so, the options discussed above have been proven to last through the most grueling conditions and offer excellent sound and microphone quality.

FAQ

Q: Are gaming headsets worth it?

For anyone looking to add to the immersive experience of gaming, pairing your rig with the right headset is a must. Headsets provide a number of advantages including various types of noise-cancelling and in-game environmental notifications such as approaching enemies.

Q: Why do some esports pros wear two headsets?

During LAN tournaments, esports pros will sometimes wear two headsets, one over their ears and one around their neck, to showcase a product from their sponsors. while still using the organizer provided headset to minimize external sounds.