Based on 784 Pro Players
The most used headsets by CS2 players
The most popular headsets are calculated based on 784 professional CS2 players.
Introduction
Having a good audio solution is of vital importance in any competitive game, and that goes double for a game where getting hit in the head means that you’ll be sitting out the remainder of the round more often than not. Having a good headset (or a pair of headphones or in-ears) to play with can make you feel like you’re having hacks, so we went looking for the best headset for CS2. This list is based on our CS2 Pro Settings and Gear List.
Want specs on over 130 registered gaming headsets? Browse our gaming headset spec list.
Our Guide
The Pro Usage Top 5 gets updated continuously and instantly so that you can always get an accurate overview of what the pros are using at any given time. In the body of the article itself, we go over the five most popular pro products in no particular order and, when relevant, we also give you some extra options in the form of products that fall just outside of the top 5 or are otherwise relevant.
What makes a headset good for CS2?
A headset, by definition, has a mic attached to it but that doesn’t mean that you have to get a headset in order to play CS2. Lots of players (both professionals and casuals) opt to go for a regular set of headphones in combination with an external mic, for example.
Whatever you decide on: you will want something that’s going to offer at least decent audio quality (you don’t need super expensive high tier audiophile headphones for CS2) so that you can clearly distinguish the important stuff in the game. You’ll want to be able to hear what you need to hear: what kind of weapons the enemy team is using, how many people are running through tunnels, where that grenade bounced first, and so on.
Aside from that you’ll definitely need a mic. Whether that’s an external one or not depends on your preferences, but if you want to be even moderately serious at CS2 you will need a microphone to communicate with your teammates. No one likes a mute teammate, and not being able to make callouts actively hinders your chances of winning.
And last, but certainly not least, you’ll want something that’s comfortable for you. Different people have different preferences and if you’re going to be gaming for hours on end you want to make sure that your headsets remains comfortable and doesn’t pressure your noggin too much.
HyperX Cloud II
Classic Work
HyperX’s Cloud II seems to have found the perfect formula for gaming headsets. What’s this formula? A rugged design, comfortable wear, decent sound quality, and a reliable detachable microphone.
At first glance, the Cloud II may not appear particularly outstanding, and indeed it isn’t in many aspects. However, its main appeal doesn’t come from special features or cutting-edge technology. The Cloud II’s popularity stems from reliably excelling at everything it’s supposed to do. In an era where most gaming headsets make significant compromises in at least one area, the Cloud II’s release established it as the de facto “standard gaming headset.”
Rugged and Reliable
The relatively low-key and subtle design (if you choose the pure black/gray version) won’t draw much attention when you remove the microphone for daily commutes. Combined with the comfortable headband and replaceable ear cushions, this headset offers great comfort for most users. Most importantly, thanks to included adapters, it works across all platforms.
In terms of sound quality, it’s not the absolute best on the market. Those who enjoy tweaking EQ settings (or even want automatic adjustments based on applications) might find this plug-and-play headset somewhat lacking. But as a gaming headset, its performance remains excellent.
Conclusion: The Cloud II is an outstanding “all-rounder” (not meant as criticism) that you can rely on for years. However, it’s no longer the top performer in the market; there are now many better-performing headsets available.
Pros:
• Rugged design
• Two ear cushion material options
• Industry-proven reliability
Cons:
• Basic functionality
• Microphone isn’t the best
• Sound quality no longer top-tier
Specs:
Type: Closed-back
Connection: Wired
Cable length: 300cm
Noise cancellation: None
Microphone: Detachable
Weight: 320g
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Razer’s competitive offering
Razer was absent from these ‘most used’ lists for a bit when it comes to headsets and that was, in part, due to the fact that they had so many headset lines running at the same time. This changed when the BlackShark V2 released.
The BlackShark V2 is aimed at competitive/professional gamers who want a premium audio experience, and it seems to hit the mark. The BlackShark V2 offers great sound quality, decent (passive) noise cancellation, and a comfortable, yet sturdy design.
Worth noting is that Razer released an updated version of this headset in 2023. The review that’s linked below is about that updated version, which features a number of mic improvements. It also adds BT compatibility and has a bigger battery.
Solid performer
The BlackShark V2 Pro isn’t the most advanced gaming headset on the market, but it doesn’t want to be. What you get is a reliable package that offers great audio for (competitive) gaming in a comfortable and attractive package. It also has a huge wireless range and a very impressive battery life. To top it all off, it comes with a fantastic microphone. What more do you need for competitive gaming, right?
This is for people who want a competition-focused headset that offers a more high tier experience than some of the more basic products in this list.
For more info on the BlackShark line, you can visit Razer’s comparison page.
Pros
- Longest range of any wireless headset I’ve tried so far
- Fantastic battery life
- Good sound quality, after tweaking the EQ
- Fantastic mic (on the 2023 model)
- Sturdy build quality
- Good (passive) noise isolation
- Comfy and surprisingly light
Cons
- Price tag is on the higher side
- Ear cushions could be more breathable
- Some bugs when pairing with Razer Synapse
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Detachable |
| Weight | 320g |
Logitech G Pro X Headset
For the pros
Logitech’s G Pro line is aimed at the most competitive gamers among us. It’s for those who don’t need fancy lights or eye catching designs and who only want to focus on competitive performance.
One of the standout features of this headset is the fact that it comes with Blue VO!CE microphone technology. You might know Blue from their Yeti and Snowball microphones. Those are widely lauded as great sounding desk mics and are used by a variety of streamers and other professionals who need their voice to come through as clearly as possible and thus can’t settle for a regular headset mic. There’s a whole lot of options to tune the mic so you won’t have to worry about sounding too quiet or having a lot of background noise bleeding through.
Aside from that, it’s a durable and comfortable headset made from steel and aluminum, complete with memory foam cushioning. It’s also packing DTS HEADPHONE:X 2.0 surround sound and its got a pretty great sound quality that can further be tuned through their software.
If you’re looking for a great wired gaming headset that focuses on all the right things for competitive gamers this could very well be your dream solution.
Pros
- Great microphone
- Good audio quality
- Comfortable fit
- Blue VO!CE technology improves mic quality even further
- Good build quality
Cons
- Relies on software for most of its functionality and is therefore not as suited for console use
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Cable Length | 200cm |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Detachable |
| Weight | 338g |
Logitech G Pro X 2 LIGHTSPEED Headset
Wireless competitive gaming headset
The Logitech G Pro X 2 LIGHTSPEED Headset might look exactly the same as the G Pro X Headset that came before it, but there are some really interesting changes that have happened under the hood. The X 2 is the first gaming headset to feature graphene drivers (see: How do Graphene Headphone Drivers Work?) which really enhances the sound quality when compared to its predecessor.
Aside from delivering a high-end sound profile, the positional audio is also great, making this headset a fantastic choice for gaming. On top of that, it also has dual-connectivity (meaning that you can easily switch to Bluetooth in case you want to take a call or use the headset on the go) and a battery life of 50 ingame hours.
Flawless technology
The wireless connection is, as we’ve come to expect from Logitech LIGHTSPEED technology, completely flawless, and just like its predecessor you also get full access to the Blue VO!CE technology suite, which greatly enhances the quality of the microphone.
If you want an all-in-one audio solution that you can easily take with you for commuting and traveling without having to worry about keeping it charged, this could be the one for you, but it’s also quite simply a great choice for players who are looking for a high tier wireless gaming headset.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Very comfortable
- Choice of two earcup materials
- Flawless wireless connection
- Great build quality
- Good battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited EQ
- Microphone doesn’t live up to the price tag
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Detachable |
| Weight | 331g |
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Nailing the basics
Everything that you’ve read and know about the ubiquitous Cloud II goes for the Cloud Alpha, except for the 7.1 virtual surround sound.
The Cloud Alpha does improve on the Cloud II by offering a slightly better microphone (and ditto sound, thanks to some changes in the chambering) but it does so by leaving out the 7.1 surround and additional velours ear pads that you get with the Cloud II, so depending on what you’re expecting from your headset this’ll either be an upgrade or a downgrade.
The Cloud Alpha is a solid and reliable no-nonsense headset that doesn’t exactly stand out it any way, but it’s precisely that straight-to-the-point, no frills type of design that attracts so many people to this kind of headset.
Pros
- Sturdy and reliable design
- Decent audio quality
- Comfortable
Cons
- Pretty much no customization options
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Cable Length | 200cm |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Detachable |
| Weight | 298g |
Sennheiser GAME ZERO
From the audio experts
The Sennheiser GAME ZERO is a headset made made by a brand that’s been in the audio business for decades. This closed-back headset offers a very basic experience when it comes to features and customization options (there aren’t any) but the sound profile has been tuned specifically for competitive gaming, meaning that the bass has been toned down a little bit in favor of the far more important mid and high registers.
With its lightweight and super comfortable design you can be sure to be gaming in comfort for many hours, and the same goes for your teammates thanks to to the very decent microphone. Microphone quality isn’t that important if you’re just going to be shouting some callouts every now and then, but it’s always nice to know that your teammates’ ears won’t start bleeding if you go a little further than that.
If you want a premium audio experience packed into a headset that’s made by a serious and respected audio brand for competitive gaming, then you should look towards the GAME ZERO.
Pros
- Great, neutral sound
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Tweaked for gaming audio
- Good microphone
Cons
- The bass isn’t as pronounced, making it less suitable for content consumption
- Not very versatile due to a non-detachable mic and lack of customization options
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Cable Length | 300cm |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Non-Detachable |
| Weight | 300g |
HyperX Cloud II Wireless
The Cloud gone wireless
The Cloud II Wireless came quite some time after the wired version was released, and usually companies like to make big changes between products over time, but not so with the Cloud II Wireless. What you’re getting here is basically just the original Cloud II, but with the wire cut. If you’re someone who wants to make the swap to a wireless headset without giving up everything that you love about your trusty Cloud II then this is a great option.
These days, the Cloud II Wireless can be bought for extremely friendly prices, making this one of the very best budget headsets for people who want to cut the cord and are interested in a headset that’s made for competitive gaming.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Great build quality
- Decent battery life
- Great sound for gaming
Cons
- Microphone is subpar
- Only one set of ear cushion (the wired version has two)
- Not very customizable
- Sound isn’t very suited for content consumption or music listening
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Detachable |
| Weight | 320g |
Sennheiser GSP 600
Flagship audio
The GSP 600 is one of EPOS’ (sadly, the company has ceased its gaming audio activities) flagship headsets for gaming, and if you’re looking for a no-frills dedicated gaming headset with fantastic sound quality then this might be right up your alley. Do note that the sound cannot be customized, and that it is very much tuned for (competitive) gaming. The bass response of this headset is on the lower end, which can cause movies and music to lack that ‘oomph’ that you’re sometimes looking for.
When gaming competitively, however, that ‘oomph’ is just about the last thing you need (prominent bass levels can drown out important higher sounds such as reloading and footsteps) so this GSP 600 performs absolutely beautifully as a gaming headset. Couple that with a fantastic mic, stick it in a headset that’s built really nicely, and you’ve got yourself the GSP 600.
Pros
- Very good mic
- Good build quality
- Great sound for gaming due to the great-sounding highs and mids
Cons
- Expensive
- Bass response is on the low side, making it less suited for content consumption and music listening
Specs
| Type | Closed-Back |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Cable Length | 250cm |
| Noise Cancelling | No |
| Microphone | Non-Detachable |
| Weight | 395g |
Best headset for CS2 – Conclusion
Most headsets on this list don’t feature endless tuning options and extra dials and knobs, but they all have one thing in common and that is that they all have great positional audio. It should come as no surprise that professional gamers go for headsets with a great sound, but all of the models on this list are at least somewhat known for their great and accurate portrayal of sounds as opposed to going for a more ‘cinematic’ bass-heavy sound that some gaming headsets tend to do.
As we mentioned in the intro: having clear and precise sound is of vital importance in a game such as CS2, and this list seems to indicate that the pros agree with that. It makes sense as well; CS2 isn’t a game that thrives on cinematic experiences or anything of the sort. It’s a basic (at least on the surface) and to-the-point shooter game, so you’ll want your sound to be as neutral as possible.
No matter your opinion on this list, we strongly recommend conducting your own research, especially testing whether each headset fits you. Consider this ranking as a reference guide. If you want to delve deeper into CS2 gear, configurations, and tactics, visit CS2ZOOM – the authoritative CS2 encyclopedia platform offering comprehensive gaming resources and professional advice to help you dominate the CS2 battlefield with greater ease.
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