In Valorant, sound is your most reliable source of information. Before an enemy ever swings a corner, you can hear them dropping from heaven on Haven or stomping through the water on Pearl. If your headset produces muddy, bass-heavy audio, you won’t be able to tell exactly how far away they are.
The best headset for Valorant is the HyperX Cloud II due to its incredibly flat EQ profile, which perfectly highlights the mid-range frequencies of in-game footsteps. For players who suffer from headset fatigue, the IEMs are the preferred choice of VCT professionals.
If you are tired of getting flanked by a flanking Reyna you never heard coming, it is time to upgrade your audio. Here are the top 5 headsets for competitive Valorant.
Why You Should Avoid “Bass Boosted” Headsets
Most consumer headsets (like Beats or standard Skullcandy headphones) artificially boost the bass frequencies so that music sounds “punchy” and explosions sound cinematic.
This is terrible for Valorant. Footsteps, weapon drops, and ability cues live in the mid-to-high frequency ranges. If your headset boosts the bass, the low-end rumble of a Raze ultimate will completely drown out the sound of a flanker. You need a headset with a “flat” or “neutral” sound signature to ensure all audio cues are processed equally.
At a Glance: Top Headsets for Valorant
| Best For | Headset Name | Design Type | Connection |
| Best Overall (Esports) | HyperX Cloud II | Closed-Back | Wired USB |
| Best IEMs (In-Ear) | Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro | In-Ear Monitor | Wired |
| Best Wireless | Logitech G Pro X 2 | Closed-Back | 2.4GHz Wireless |
| Best Premium Audio | Open-Back | Wired (Requires AMP) | |
| Best Budget | Closed-Back | Wired |
1. Best Overall (Esports): HyperX Cloud II
The HyperX Cloud II has been the undisputed king of competitive esports for nearly a decade. Walk onto any VCT or CS2 tournament stage, and you will see dozens of pros wearing these.
They feature a closed-back design, which passively blocks out the sound of your loud mechanical keyboard. More importantly, their sound signature is incredibly neutral, meaning you can hear the exact direction of a footstep without the bass muddying the audio. (To make sure your keyboard isn’t bleeding into your mic, read our guide to the Best Keyboard for Valorant).
2. Best IEMs (In-Ear): Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro
If you watch Tyson “TenZ” Ngo stream, you will notice he rarely wears a bulky headset. He uses In-Ear Monitors (IEMs). (See his full setup in our guide on TenZ’s Valorant Settings & Gear).
IEMs sit deep inside your ear canal, providing unparalleled passive noise isolation. The Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro is an incredible budget IEM that costs under $50. Because the audio drivers are sitting directly inside your ear, the directional imaging is razor-sharp, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where an enemy is rotating from.
3. Best Wireless:
If you want to eliminate cables from your desk setup without sacrificing audio quality, the Logitech G Pro X 2 is the best wireless option for Valorant.
It uses 50mm Graphene drivers, which drastically reduce audio distortion at high volumes. It also uses Lightspeed 2.4GHz wireless technology, ensuring there is zero audio delay between the game and your ears. It is the perfect companion to a wireless mouse. (See our top wireless mouse picks in our 5 Best Mice for Valorant guide).
4. Best Premium Audio: Sennheiser HD 560S
If you play in a quiet room and want the absolute best directional audio possible, the Sennheiser HD 560S is an audiophile-grade, open-back headphone.
The open-back design creates an incredibly wide “soundstage.” Instead of sounding like the audio is trapped inside your head, it sounds like it is happening in the room around you. This allows you to judge distance with terrifying accuracy.
5. Best Budget: Razer BlackShark V2 X
If you just spent your budget on a new PC and need a reliable headset for under $50, the Razer BlackShark V2 X is a fantastic choice. It is incredibly lightweight (240g), making it comfortable for long ranked sessions, and features a surprisingly clear cardioid microphone for calling out enemy positions to your team.
(Once you have your headset plugged in, make sure your in-game settings are optimized. Read our guide to the Best Audio Settings for Valorant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 7.1 Surround Sound headsets good for Valorant?
No. You should always disable simulated 7.1 Surround Sound in your headset software before playing Valorant. The game uses its own proprietary audio engine (HRTF) designed specifically for stereo output. Forcing a third-party 7.1 filter over it will completely ruin the directional imaging.
