Thursday, September 2, 2021

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Are the gaming chairs really worth the hype? The best ones are. These thrones for gaming, many of which are modelled after the bucket seats of racing cars, are designed with avid gamers in mind. That means that they are specifically created to make hours of gaming sessions less unbearable, even the affordable ones touting high backs, lumbar support pillows, and many adjustments for the ultimate comfort.

More to their credit, an excellent gaming chair can be a fantastic home office seat as well. In fact, competition in this area has driven up quality to the extent some are much better options than expensive dedicated office chairs. A handful has even toned down the gamer aesthetic in order to better serve this dual purpose.

Whether you just want a dedicated gaming chair or you’re looking for something that can moonlight as your work chair to save money, you can trust that the best of them will see you through your sessions without back and shoulder pain. So, we gathered these aces and put them on this list for you to peruse, alongside our price comparison tool to help you score the best deal.

How to choose the best gaming chair for you?

Congratulations! You’ve just set up your new, shiny gaming PC, and you want to take it out for a proper spin around the Steam games catalogue.

Not so fast. Before you dive into a work day’s worth of gaming or a proper all-nighter, you need to make sure that your chair is up to the task of keeping things comfortable and pain-free in your body. Luckily, most gaming chairs are designed with that in mind. 

Still, some offer more comfort or come with better features than others. Entry-level and mid-range models tend to have memory foam lower back and neck pillows rather than built-in support mechanisms. However, most of the biggest names now also offer slick chairs with adjustable lumbar support for added comfort. Depending on your needs, you might either be able to save some money or need to splurge for the proper support you need.

If you're set on a more elegant look, don’t worry. Not all gaming chairs have that gamer aesthetic in heaps. Others come with a more somber look in case you need that for your daily work video conferencing calls. Be sure to check the adjustability of its height, arms, and back as well, since some are more flexible and versatile than others.

Luckily, all of our recommendations below are comfy enough for all-day use, should last for years, and most have great recline features. It’s just a matter of narrowing the list down, and finally picking the most ideal one for you. Dig into our mini reviews to see which is right for you as you plough through long sessions with the best Steam games and the best PC games.

Best gaming chairs 2021

Secretlab Titan best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Secretlab)

1. Secretlab Titan

Plush comfort

Dimensions: 29.5 x 27.5 x 57 inches (W x D x H) | Seat height: 19.5 - 23 inches (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 290 pounds

Extra large seat
Adjustable, integrated lumbar support
Limited height adjustment

The SecretLab Titan is always a go-to recommendation. Its racing seat style design looks good but is not as provocative as many. It fits in well as an office chair too. And while the price may initially look high, what you get for your money is great. The SecretLab Titan has an advanced base that allows for tilt of the seat pan as well as the back. You get a soft memory foam neck pillow. And lumbar support is built in and adjustable, so you don't need another distracting foam add-on to keep your posture in check. 

Check out our full Secretlab Titan review.

noblechairs Epic Real Leather best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

If you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, the noblechairs Epic Real Leather is it. (Image credit: noblechairs)

2. noblechairs Epic Real Leather

A leather-clad beauty

Dimensions: 84 x 38 x 70 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height:: 131 - 141 cm (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 180kg

Uses real leather
Extensive adjustabliity
Premium quality
Easy to set up
Plastic arm rests
Will prove too large for very small rooms

The Noblechairs Epic Real Leather is a real contender for the best gaming chair crown. From the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather of its name, if you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, this is it. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And once you're done the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on. You can customize your position however you want. Just do us a favor, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up. Synthetic leather is also an option if you want to save some money.

Anda Seat T-Pro 2 at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Anda Seat)

3. Anda Seat T-Pro 2

Looks fetching in fabric

Premium materials
Sturdy construction
Supportive ergonomic shape
Not built for shorter folk
Accessories feel uncomfortable
Fabric could stain

We think fabric chairs without too many aggressive-looking cut-outs are great for folk who want a gaming chair that fits into a normal room well. Not all of us have entire rooms dedicated to gaming, after all. A fabric weave will generally feel less hot and sweaty than PU leather, but is also less easy to wipe down. Eat dinner while playing most nights? Fabric might not be the best choice unless your spill rate is pretty low. 

The Anda Seat T-Pro 2's ultra-strudy base and general construction are ready to accomodate the larger gamers. We don't think it's the right choice for shorter folk — although the wide seat base makes it easy to play with legs crosssed. We like this chair a lot, although an even higher-end one with built-in lumbar support would make even better use of the realtively stylish design, with no need for lower back support pillows. 

Autonomous ErgoChair 2 best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

The ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone. (Image credit: Autonomous)

4. Autonomous ErgoChair 2

Gaming with class

Dimensions: 47 x 27 x 20 in (H × W × D) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum: 18 - 20 in | Maximum load: 300 lbs

 Comfortable 
 Stylish 
 A little expensive 

If you’re looking to sit back and play games all day in comfort, but you don’t want a chair that looks like a gaming chair, you’ll want to take a look at the Autonomous ErgoChair 2. Marketed as an office chair, the ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone that doesn’t use RGB as a personality trait. It’s not all style, either, as the ErgoChair will also let you adjust basically every part of the chair, so that no matter how your body is built, you’re guaranteed to be comfortable while gaming. The mesh back is also far more breathable than a leather one.

  • This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Respawn 115 

SecretLab Omega 2020 best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

The SecretLab Omega 2020 doesn’t just rely on looks alone. (Image credit: SecretLab)

5. SecretLab Omega 2020

Floating on sublime comfort

Dimensions: 27 x 27.5 x 53.5 inches (W x D x H) | Seat height: 18 - 21.5 inches (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 240 pounds

Extremely plush neck and lumbar pillows
Reasonably priced
Neck and lumbar pillows don’t stay in place

Incorporating that sleek, Mad Men-level sophistication with that SciFi gaming look, the SecretLab Omega 2020 is simply stunning, especially if you opt for the PU leather or high-end Napa leather models. But, the SecretLab Omega doesn’t just rely on looks alone; one of the best gaming chairs of 2021, this one comes with a head pillow and a lumbar pillow – both memory foam – and offers even better support than its predecessor. That’s not to mention the improvements over the 2018 model, like the metal support on the armrests, that makes the SecretLab Omega 2020 feel so much more robust. So expect, after a grueling gaming session, to just go straight to napping for a couple of hours without moving an inch – without having to worry about the chair falling apart on you. 

Razer Iskur best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

6. Razer Iskur

A solid first effort

Dimensions: 66.55 x 74.55 x 137.11 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height (Minimum to maximum): 174 to 181 cm | Maximum load: Less than 136kg

Premium construction
Firm but comfortable
Not great for larger gamers
Can't sit cross-legged

Razer is no stranger to gaming peripherals, but this is the first time it’s entered the gaming chair market and we must say, it’s certainly a solid first effort. The Razer Iskur is a high-quality gaming throne that rounds out your Razer-filled set up quite nicely. However, even if you’re not fully invested in Razer, it’s still an appealing proposition, delivering comfort and build you won’t find in cheaper gaming chairs. Is it pricey? It might be out of reach for many, but if you can afford it, you will love that you bought it.

Read the full review: Razer Iskur

Corsair T2 Road Warrior best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

The Corsair T2 Road Warrior is covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather. (Image credit: Corsair)

7. Corsair T2 Road Warrior

Comfort from the masters of gaming

Dimensions: 50 x 56 x 80 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum: 51.5 - 60 cm | Maximum load: 136 kg

Easy to assemble
Comfortable
Expensive

Corsair is known for making popular and high-end PC components and gaming peripherals, and now it’s making a mark in PC gaming chairs. This has resulted in one of the best gaming chairs we’ve ever sat in. The Corsair T2 Road Warrior is covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather with neck and lumbar pillows wrapped in microfiber, you’ll be able to game in both comfort and style. And, with its rollerblade-style wheels, you can move it around on any surface without having to worry about scratching up your floor. 

noblechairs Icon best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

The noblechairs Icon gaming chair is more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather. (Image credit: noblechairs)

8. noblechairs Icon gaming chair

A luxury gaming chair

Dimensions: 87 x 37 x 70 cm (W × D × H) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum): 48 - 58 cm | Maximum load: 180 kg

Premium materials
Very comfortable
Bolster support pillow unnecessary

Noblechairs is well known for crafting some of the best gaming chairs out there – and the Noblechairs Icon makes it clear why. While it’s more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather, it’s still extremely comfortable and one of the best PC gaming chairs out there. This is thanks to its nice lumbar pillow, which you can easily remove if you don’t like it.  The Icon is Noblechairs's least aggressive design, which may appeal if it will double as a day-to-day home office chair.

Edge GX1 best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience. (Image credit: Edge)

9. Edge GX1

A gaming chair that puts ergonomics first

Seat height: (Minimum to maximum: 480 – 590 mm | Maximum load: 150kg

Premium design
Very adjustable
Very expensive
Even more expensive to ship

The Edge GX1 is a gaming chair that actively avoids the popular racing style that is increasingly popular with modern gaming chairs. Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience, where comfort is the priority – while also providing a premium chair. And when we say premium, we mean it, with the Edge GX1 costing £800, a huge amount for a gaming chair. It’s hand-crafted in the UK, and there’s some great touches, such as inflatable lumbar support. It’s a huge asking price, but we’ve been using it for a while now, and it is very comfortable. You’ll have to adjust a bit, but once you get it right, it’s worth the high price. It ships worldwide from the UK, but US and Australia readers should beware the high shipping costs.

You can only buy this chair direct from Edge

AndaSeat Fnatic Edition at an angle on a white background

The Fnatic Edition offers some higher-end features at a reasonable price.  (Image credit: Anda Seat)

10. Andaseat Fnatic Edition

Luxury in comfort

Dimensions: 16.14 x 14.96 x 19.29in (W × D × H) | Seat height: (Minimum to maximum: 19.20 - 24.5 in | Maximum load: 160kg

Ultra-comfy
Great recline feature
Roomy seat
Fnatic branding may actually limit the appeal
Not perfect for shorter people

We have reviewed a bunch of Andaseat gaming chairs. The Fnatic Edition is our current fave, worth considering whether you like esports team Fnatic or have no idea who they are. This is a real throne of a gaming chair, with a large seat, plush memory foam padding and an ultra-soft lumbar support pillow covered with synthetic velvet. It's about as plush as they come, but doesn't cost a devastating amount because it uses PVC synthetic leather across its surfaces. Big on comfort. Great for the larger gamer. Probably not the right choice for short folk. 

Corsair T3 Rush best gaming chair at an angle on a white background

Corsair T3 Rush is extremely comfortable with its breathable soft fabric exterior and memory foam lumbar support. (Image credit: Corsair)

11. Corsair T3 Rush

Understated beauty

Dimensions: 34.8 x 27.2 x 14.8 inches (W x D x H) | Seat height: 17.5 - 21 inches (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 264.5lbs

Affordable
Comfortable
Gaming aesthetic subdued

Unlike its biggest rivals, the Corsair T3 Rush lacks that over-the-top gaming aesthetic. In fact, it almost looks like any computer chair out there, albeit the more premium kind – beyond that starship pilot’s look it's sporting at the headrest area, that is. But, what this gaming chair lacks in gaming aesthetic hoopla, it makes up for in comfort with its breathable soft fabric exterior, memory foam lumbar support and extremely customizable backrest position.

  • This product is only available in the UK at the time of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Noblechairs Icon (listed above)

Some of these fantastic gaming chairs could be on offer right now, so make sure to check out the latest cheap gaming chair sales.



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Latest Tech News

Round out your gaming immersion by adding one of the best PC gaming headsets in your arsenal. Nothing gets you right in the middle of the action like a gaming headset with excellent audio, immersive surround sound and Dolby Atmos, and a clear mic so you come across loud and clear to your squad when it counts. 

Gaming headsets have come a long way. Unlike the headsets of the past that only focus on surround sound, booming bass, and RGB lighting, today’s offerings have also improved on their sound quality. Options from Razer, SteelSeries, Audeze, and Logitech have been raising the stakes so that gamers are not only getting the immersion and the rumble they need and crave for, they’re also getting great sound quality worthy of top-quality headphones.

So, whether or not you have a more discerning taste when it comes to sound, pick up an excellent headset of PC gaming. Luckily, as we’ve gathered the best ones we’ve tested in this guide, you won’t need to do tedious scouring on the internet. Just peruse our list below, utilize our price comparison tool for the best deals, and choose the one that’s right for you.

How to choose the best gaming headset for you?

Whether you've recently invested in a gaming laptop or you’re working with the best budget gaming PC you could piece together, your PC gaming experience isn’t going to be fully realized until you have invested in quality, immersive audio. That’s where PC gaming headsets come in. 

PC games are just about the visuals, after all. In fact, many of them require you to have accurate sound imaging and an excellent soundstage to get to the top of the leaderboards. Luckily, top-notch gaming headsets from budget to premium are already equipped with those.

However, these days, you can be more discerning about things like sound quality and mic performance as well. Thanks to the improvements manufacturers have made to their products, PC gaming headsets – or at least, the best of them – are now just as great for music listening and movie watching as they are for gaming. That’s without costing a whole lot more than those with subpar sound quality.

Take a look at how comfortable the headband and ear cups sit on your head as well. Many headsets these days pride themselves on having plush memory foam and soft, sweat-wicking foam cover; however, not all of them actually offer that level of comfort. And, if you plan on gaming for hours, you need to choose one that won’t hurt your head when you wear it for long periods.

Finally, there are things like type of interface (wireless or wired), connectivity and range, and RGB lighting to consider as well.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

1. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Premium wireless gaming headset

Interface: 2.4GHz USB wireless, 3.5mm audio jack | Features: THX Spatial Audio, noise cancellation, TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, removable HyperClear Supercardioid mic

Great sound quality
Razer’s THX Spatial audio app for fine audio customization
Battery quality
Isn’t fully compatible with consoles
Could use a better battery level indicator

Focusing primarily on three attributes: positional audio, communication clarity and noise cancellation, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a premium wireless gaming headset in every sense of the word. It has a great feature set, serious battery life, excellent build quality and impressive sound quality, all of which work together to deliver an amazing audio experience whether you’re gaming or movie watching. Next to those, the fact that it’s incredibly comfortable seems like icing on the cake.

Read the full review: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless Headset against a pure white background

2. Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless

Does Dolby Atmos make a difference? You bet

Interface: Wireless / Wired (USB) | Features: Dolby Atmos, 20 hour battery life, 60-foot rang, custom-tuned 50mm high density neodymium audio drivers< iCUE RGB lighting control

Nice design
Fantastic sound quality
Comfortable
Dolby Atmos works well
Expensive
Mic arm not easily positioned

The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is possibly the best gaming headset Corsair has ever made, which is saying a lot since they've produced some of the best headsets we've tested in recent years. Featuring Dolby Atmos sound, you can experience better-than-7.1-surround sound to give you the tactical edge in your favorite eSports titles or just to enjoy while streaming the latest Summer blockbusters. With its excellent build quality, comfortable design, 20-hour-long battery life, range of around 60 feet (18.3m), and fully customizeable RGB lighting through Corsair's iCUE software, this is the premium gaming headset that ever serious PC gamer should check out. It's not as good as "true" home theater Dolby Atmos, though, so audiophiles (and anyone on a tighter budget) might want to look elsewhere.

Read the full review: Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless

Corsair HS60 Haptic at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Corsair)

3. Corsair HS60 Haptic

One of our favorite headsets ever, hands-down

Interface: Wired (USB) | Features: Haptic bass powered by Taction Technology, custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers, noise-cancelling unidirectional mic

Excellent sound
Haptic feedback is like wrapping your head with a subwoofer
Excellent noise-cancelling microphone
In theory, you can lose the detachable mic
Some might prefer a wireless headset

Easily one of the best headsets we've ever used, the Corsair HS60 Haptic boasts haptic feedback so that you can feel every single bass note, putting you right in the middle of all the action. It actually feels like you’ve just strapped a subwoofer comfortably to your head, and that’s without compromising the sound quality. With no Bluetooth or wireless radio connection to worry about, this isn’t a surprise. For those who enjoy multiplayer campaigns with friends, that mic not only provides incredibly clear voice input, but also comes with a few onboard controls for mic muting, volume and haptic intensity. Best of all, while this isn’t the cheapest headsets out there, it’s also not expensive, making it a great value for your money.

Read the full review: Corsair HS60 Haptic

Logitech G Pro X Wireless at an angle on a background

(Image credit: Logitech)

4. Logitech G Pro X Wireless

Wireless freedom

Interface: Wireless | Features: up to 20h battery life, Detachable mic with foam windscreen, 1.8m USB A to USB C charging cable

Excellent sound quality
Superb build quality
Comfortable
Kind of expensive
Weak mic

Wireless headphones are no longer plagued with latency, with such releases as the Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed setting a higher standard for wireless audio. One of the best gaming headsets out there, this pair of cans gives you wireless freedom alongside low latency, robust build quality and, most importantly, excellent sound. It also boasts up to 20 hours of battery life, and a wireless range of up to 13m. Its microphone could be better, and it could also be cheaper. However, if you have the cash (and you don’t use the mic that much anyway), this one’s a shoo-in.

Read the full review: Logitech G Pro X Wireless

SteelSeries Arctis Pro at an angle with its DAC on a white background

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

5. SteelSeries Arctis Pro

PC gaming’s best kept secret

Interface:: Wired (USB) | Features:: 40mm drivers, Retractable boom microphone, DTS Headphone:X v2.0, RGB lighting, included DAC

Included DAC
Audiophile worthy sound
Surround sound not great

SteelSeries is known for offering impeccable audio, but the SteelSeries Arctis Pro takes things to the next level. This headset doesn’t just offer up immersive surround sound for all the explosive action of your favorite games, but thanks to its included DAC (digital to audio converter), the Arctis Pro also serves you well when listening to your favorite music. One of the best PC gaming headsets to date, this one’s a little on the pricey side, but when you consider just how comfortable and exceptional sounding this headset is, well, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best gaming headsets you can buy today.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis Pro 

Astro A50 on its charging stand on a white background

(Image credit: Astro)

6. Astro A50 Wireless (2019)

Like the Cadillac of PC gaming headsets

Interface: Wireless (5.8GHz) | Features:: Dolby Audio, Works with PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PC and mobile; Astro Audio; 5.8GHz wireless tech with MixAmp; USB charging with base station

Dolby Audio sounds amazing
Supremely comfortable
Edgy aesthetics

The Astro A50 Wireless isn’t just an appealing choice for the best gaming headset because of its edgy aesthetic – that is, if you’re into that sort of look. This is a multi-use headset boasting excellent and immersive – if not audiophile-level – sound quality as well as fantastic wireless connectivity so latency is no issue. As far as its feature-set, it has effortless-to-swap ear cups and a charging station, because things should be easy where they can. Sadly, it is more for the luxurious-loving crowd with that premium price. 

Read the full review: Astro A50 Wireless (2019)

SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

7. SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless

Excellent sound for both your PC and PS5

Interface: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth | Features: Discord-certified microphone, 20+ hour battery life, On-ear ChatMix control, DTS Headphone:X v2.0

Excellent sound quality
Lag-free
Expensive

When it comes to sound, the Arctis line of headsets from SteelSeries will never fail you. It delivers a sound quality that will please both gamers and music snobs alike. And, this being wireless, it eliminates those pesky cables without sacrificing performance. In fact, whether you’re connected via Bluetooth or via the 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, you’ll have a lag-fee experience, making this an excellent proposition for gaming. At this point, that 20+ hours battery life and Discord-certified mic are just icing on the cake.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless

Beyerdynamic Custom Game at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Beyerdynamic)

8. Beyerdynamic Custom Game

Gaming never sounded so good

Interface:: Wired (3.5mm) | Features: Sound slider; Soft ear pads; Changeable design covers; Detachable cable

Extremely comfortable
Impressive audio quality
Kind of expensive

While it’s more expensive than we’d like, the Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game is one of the best PC gaming headsets we’ve used in some time. It doesn’t feature flashy surround sound or wireless functionality, unfortunately. However, this headset does excel in two of the most important categories: sound and comfort. Seriously, once you put it on and experience your games in headphones this amazing, there’s no looking back.

Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Custom Game

Corsair HS50 at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Corsair)

9. Corsair HS50

The budget king

Interface: Wired (analog) | Features: 50mm drivers; Easy on-ear volume and mute controls; Multi-platform compatibility

Strong stereo sound
Excellent value
Mic easily misplaced

Usually when you're purchasing anything, including gaming peripherals, you get what you pay for. You don't go into Walmart, pick up a $50/£50 gaming headset and expect to be blown away, at least not usually. Well, Corsair takes this rule and turns it on its head. The Corsair HS50 is, for the budget gamer, the best PC gaming headset you can get today. Retailing at $50 in the US, the HS50 has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets that are double the price. Everything, down to the build materials, radiates quality. If you don't mind forgoing some extra bells and whistles – like 7.1 surround and Bluetooth connectivity, for example – then you need to take a look at the Corsair HS50.

Read the full review: Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset 

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless at an angle with its DAC on a white background

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

10. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

A wireless headset with wired sound

Interface: Wireless (Bluetooth) | Features: Dual-battery charging system, Bluetooth connectivity, 40mm drivers

Lossless audio
Convenient dual-battery system
Expensive

Compromises are a part of everyday life, but nobody actually enjoys making them. Luckily, you won’t have to with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. With it, you can get high quality lossless audio playback with a wireless headset. And, when you add the unique and ultra-convenient dual-battery charging system that lets you wear this headset in perpetuity to the mix, you have a formula for one of the best PC gaming headsets we've ever had the chance to use. If you have the money, and you absolutely need the best wireless headphones money can buy, this is your best bet.

Read the full reviewSteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless 

Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Creative)

11. Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

Improving a perfect formula

Interface: Wired (USB and Analog) | Features: 50mm drivers; Reinforced steel and aluminum build; Detachable and flexible mic

Very comfortable
Clear, accurate sound
Mids and highs unbalanced

Creative has made a name for itself over the years for crafting sublime audio products – and the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition further cements that legacy. Instead of just sitting back and iterating on the same winning formula of its previous products, Creative gives the Sound BlasterX H7 a full overhaul, resulting in a PC gaming headset that looks just as great as it sounds. If you’re looking for a comfortable, solid and meaty-sounding headset, the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is one of the best PC gaming headsets you can get.

Read the full review: Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition 

Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

12. Turtle-Beach Elite Atlas Aero

How elite is the Elite Atlas Aero?

Interface: Wireless | Features: Metal headband; Powerful desktop software; Enables Waves NX 3D Audio; ProSpecs Glasses Relief system

ProSpecs Glasses Relief system
Plenty of features
Questionable aesthetic

Yes, there might be a few things that hold the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero back from true greatness – namely, its tight fit and not-so-appealing aesthetic. However, when it comes to what really matters, this headset delivers. With great sound quality to start, coupled with its ProSpecs Glasses Relief system to make it more comfortable for wearers with glasses, plethora of features and incredibly powerful software, this is one of the best gaming headsets we’ve ever put over our ears. And, for it, you’ll be happy to pay what would have felt like an exuberant price. 

Read our full review: Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero

Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 R at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Beyerdynamic)

13. Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 R

No gimmicks, just excellent sound

Interface: Wired (3.5mm with 6.35 adapter) | Features: Open-back design, extended frequency response

Amazing sound quality 
Comfortable
No built-in mic

The Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 R is something of an anomaly when it comes to gaming headsets. There’s no USB for digital audio or attached mic to communicate with your pals in Esports. It’s an open-back headset, a design choice that is unheard of in the gaming audio sphere. But that’s what makes the Tygr 300 R special. That open-back design, coupled with an extended frequency response, gives you a wider soundstage and an incredibly atmospheric and pleasurable listening experience when tackling single player gaming experiences like Metro Exodus. It might not have virtual surround sound but its sound quality is on par with the best of them – it even sounds good listening to music, something most gaming headsets don’t manage to do well.

Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Tygr 300 R 

Razer Nari Ultimate at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Razer)

14. Razer Nari Ultimate

Feel the game

Interface: Wireless | Features: 8-hour battery life; HyperSense haptic feedback; Compatible with many devices; 50mm drivers

Great sound
Tons of connectivity
Haptic vibrations are divisive

Anyone can simply just listen to their games, but with the Razer Nari Ultimate, you can feel them as well. This gaming headset has haptic motors in the ear cups that make your ears vibrate. That’s more than enough to make this at least a curious headset, but when paired with the long battery life, amazing sound quality and comfortable build, it’s clearly one of the best gaming headsets out there. Do yourself a favor and turn off the haptic feedback, even when you’re listening to music.

Read the full review: Razer Nari Ultimate

Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 at an angle on a white background

(Image credit: Asus)

15. Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

Shiny

Interface: Wireless (Bluetooth) | Features: 7.1-channel surround sound; 50mm Neodymium drivers; Bluetooth; Built-in DAC

Great sound quality
Aesthetic
Expensive

With its Republic of Gamers brand, Asus has built a reputation for being the name behind some of the best gaming peripherals to constantly meet consumer standards. The Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 joins their ranks. Packed with 50mm Neodymium drivers and Bluetooth compatibility, this gaming headset provides fantastic sound quality without being tethered with a wire. It’s even compatible with other gaming platforms, so you won’t have to switch between different headsets. It’s a little pricey, but considering how good this headset sounds and how flexible it is, we’d say it’s worth it.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

How we test gaming headsets

Testing gaming headsets are among our favorite things to do here at TechRadar. They might not be as exciting as the latest graphics cards or the newest gaming PCs, but they can be just as fun to try out and appraise.

During such a test, we take a look at the design aspects first, checking to see if the gaming headset is as robust and as comfortable as it should be. We also check how responsive and accessible its controls are. If wireless, we test the connectivity, range, and battery life as well, making sure that it delivers as promised or better. If wired, we test the length, durability, and flexibility of the cable.

Finally, we test the sound quality – just how balanced it is and how present all the frequencies are, as well as the soundstage and sound imaging to see just how immersive and accurate they are. We test these out on games as well as music and movies.

We then take everything we’ve learned about the gaming headset and compare it to its price – whether or not it’s performance and features are worth that price tag, and whether or not it offers the best value to customers.



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The best graphics cards are a must for anyone doing anything beyond regular everyday computing. Whether it’s for gaming, video editing, or doing graphic design work, you need something to handle the graphical load. And, the integrated graphics inside lower powered PCs and laptops just won’t do the trick.

That’s where graphics cards come in. They’re designed to handle intensive graphical tasks so that your PC can keep up with your creative workload and gaming demands. That’s particularly true if you’re trying to get a faster refresh rate or higher resolution out of your setup.

Upgrade or build your PC with one of the best GPUs around. It’s the only way to truly get the most out of your computing experience, whether you want to play that AAA game that just came out, finish a video editing project, or mine Bitcoin.

How to choose the best graphics card for you?

It can be difficult choosing the best graphics card for you. While there are just two companies, AMD and Nvidia, responsible for all the GPUs out there, each company has a number of entries for each price point and graphical need. And, while it may seem like the first logical step is to choose a company, it’s more important to consider what you can afford and what resolution you plan on gaming at. 

After all, a high-end GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 may set you back quite a bit but, with that hefty price tag, the ability to keep up at 4K resolution. In general, AMD’s newest lineup of cards is going to run a little cheaper than Nvidia’s offerings. But, when Nvidia released their newest GPUs, they dropped the price to be more competitive. So, the difference in price is not so stark, though it should still be a consideration. In fact, each company has a GPU that’s competitive for each level of gaming, whether it’s 1080p, 1440p, or 4K, at similar price points. 

One important metric for finding out how powerful a GPU is how much memory it comes with. For example, a strong GPU for 1080p might have 8GB of GDDR6 RAM but one meant for higher resolutions, like the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, comes with 12GB.

Where the performance between the companies differ is in ray tracing - new rendering technology that improves reflections, shadows, and more realistically mimics light. With AMD RDNA 2, the company is just getting started on implementing this new tech. Whereas Nvidia Ampere GPUs are not Nvidia’s first entry. In fact, the company has been at it longer so it’s better implemented. 

Other considerations, particularly if you’re about to build your own PC or upgrade one of the best gaming PCs, is to make sure whatever GPU you end up with is compatible with that PC’s motherboard. After all, you won’t be able to play the best PC games if your desktop is having trouble recognizing the GPU you installed.

And, while you won’t be able to swap the graphics card out on a gaming laptop, these same considerations apply. You might be able to get a cheaper one with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or splurge on one with an RTX 3080.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

(Image credit: Nvidia)

1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

Best graphics card

Stream Processors: 4,864 | Core Clock: 1.41 GHz (1.67 GHz boost) | Memory: 8 GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a | Power Connectors: 1x PCIe 8-pin (adapter to 1x 12-pin included)

Excellent 1080p performance
Ray tracing performance is solid
Only entry-level 4K performance

Is AMD no longer the king of great value GPUs? The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti certainly threatens that claim with its price to performance ratio. The newest arrival in the RTX 3000 line, this graphics card punches way above its weight class, delivering a performance that could rival that of the RTX 2080 Super while keeping its price tag incredibly affordable for most people. And, that’s with impressive ray tracing included. 1080p gaming has never been this good and this affordable.

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080

(Image credit: Nvidia)

2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080

The best graphics card, hands-down

Stream Processors: 8,704 | Core Clock: 1.44 GHz (1,71 GHz boost) | Memory: 10 GB GDDR6X | Memory Clock: 19Gbps | Power Connectors: 2x PCIe 8-pin | Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a

Excellent 4K gaming performance
Low temperatures
Still kind of expensive

With the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080, 4K gaming just became a lot more accessible. Before, you had to shell out more than $1,000/£1,000 to get playable framerates with the RTX 2080 Ti. However, with the next generation of Nvidia graphics cards, the price of 4K gaming has been cut nearly in half, thanks to the RTX 3080. It boasts one of the largest generational leaps in GPU history, delivering a 50-80% performance boost over the RTX 2080 and a 20-30% boost over the RTX 2080 Ti, all while keeping the same price point as the RTX 2080. This is both an absolute powerhouse of a graphics card and a great value, if you have a bit of extra cash lying around. 

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

(Image credit: Future)

3. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Nvidia’s new Ampere leader

Stream Processors: 10,240 | Core Clock: 1.37 GHz (1.67 GHz boost) | Memory: 12 GB GDDR6X | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Outputs: HDMI, 3x DisplayPort | Power Connectors: 2x PCIe 8-pin

Excellent performance
Beautiful graphics card
Same size as RTX 3080
Very expensive
Power-hungry

 There’s a new Nvidia champion in town, and it takes power and performance to an even more accessible price point. Delivering RTX 3090-level performance, an impressive feat in its own right, the long-awaited RTX 3080 Ti comes with an even better price tag, making all that sheer power more accessible than ever. It continues what the RTX 3080 has started – to take 4K gaming into the mainstream arena – with its breathtaking 4K at 60fps performance while slashing a few hundred dollars off the steep 3090 price. This is the best graphics card on the market right now, especially if you care about ray tracing. 

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090

(Image credit: Nvidia)

4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090

Best graphics card for creatives

Stream Processors: 10,496 | Core Clock: 1.40 GHz (1,70 GHz boost) | Memory: 24 GB GDDR6X | Memory Clock: 19.5Gbps | Power Connectors: 2x PCIe 8-pin | Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a

GPU performance to beat
Up to 8k performance
Extremely expensive
Very large

You can’t beat the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 when it comes to performance. With a whopping 24GB of RAM, no game or, more importantly, heavy graphics project will suffer performance issues. In fact, you can even get some 8K performance at 60 fps out of the 3090. It is an incredibly expensive unit, and quite large too, so it will probably be too much GPU for most users. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is, in essence, a replacement for the Titan so it’s meant more for the creative user tackling intensive 3D and video rendering than for the avid gamer. Even so, it comes with a massive reduction in price compared to the Titan, even if it’s still out of most people’s budget.

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090

AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

(Image credit: AMD)

5. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

A 1080p powerhouse

Stream processors: 2,048 | Core clock: 1,968 | Memory: 8GB GDDR6 | Memory clock: 16Gbps | Power connectors: 1 x 8-pin | Outputs: 1.4 with DSC DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1 VRR and FRL

Strong 1080p performance
Great thermal efficiency
Low power consumption
Should be cheaper
Only slightly better than the RTX 3060

For rock solid 1080p gaming, you can’t go wrong with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT. Not only is the card a great performer, but it doesn’t use a lot of power so you can install it in a system with a smaller PSU. Because of its great thermal efficiency, you also don’t need a super expensive water cooling system built into your PC. Unfortunately, it is a bit pricier than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, its direct competition, and doesn’t come with ray tracing.

Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070

(Image credit: Nvidia)

6. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070

One of the best graphics cards of all time

Stream Processors: 5,888 | Core Clock: 1.50 GHz (1.73 GHz boost) | Memory: 8 GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Power Connectors: 1x PCIe 8-pin (adapter to 1x 12-pin included) | Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a

Amazing performance
Best value graphics card today
Awesome ray tracing performance
Same inflated prices as Turing
Required 12-pin power connector

The best graphics card on the market for most people, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 delivers excellent performance – on par with the RTX 2080 Ti even – without costing an arm and a leg. Before this card, 4K gaming was out of a lot of people’s budget. The RTX 3070, therefore, brings it to the mainstream for the first time, and that’s without you having to compromise on settings for most games. And did we mention the fact that this GPU is incredibly cheap? A cheap price tag plus 4K gaming on quality settings equals great value, and that’s why the RTX 3070 tops our list.

Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070

AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

(Image credit: AMD)

7. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

Another high-end swing from AMD

Stream Processors: 2,560 | Core Clock: 2.32 GHz (2.58 GHz boost) | Memory: 12GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 16 Gbps | Power Connectors: 8 pin + 6 pin | Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC

Excellent 1440p performance
Ray tracing
Lightweight card with no sag
Ray tracing performance is weak
No FidelityFX Super Resolution

Those comfortable messing with your BIOS and looking for a 1440p graphics card that’s slightly more accessible, price-wise, will appreciate AMD’s latest high-end offering. This Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti rival delivers a solid 1440p performance with ray tracing to boot. It comes at the right time as well, with 1440p gaming monitors’ growing popularity. Its price is a bit closer to the more powerful RTX 3070, but if you’re an AMD fan, it’s still an excellent contender.

Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

AMD Radeon RX 6800

(Image credit: AMD)

8. AMD Radeon RX 6800

AMD's return to the high-end graphics card market

Stream Processors: 3,840 | Core Clock: 1.82 GHz (2.10 GHz boost) | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 16Gbps | Power Connectors: 2 x 8 pin | Outputs: DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, HDMI 2.1 VRR and FRL

Excellent performance
Finally, AMD ray tracing
Divisive design

If you think AMD is still stuck in the budget and mid-range markets, think again. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 marks AMD's return to the high-end graphics card market, and it’s a premium ace without the incredibly premium price. This GPU delivers a solid 4K gaming performance and impressive ray tracing at 1440p, while being a better value than its direct rival, the RTX 3070, thanks to its VRAM. Plus, AMD's Smart Access Memory technology will make it even faster. 

Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 6800

MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio

(Image credit: MSI)

9. MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio

For when you need the very best

Stream processors: 2,176 | Core clock: 1,650 | Memory: 24GB GDDR6X | Memory clock: 19.5Gbps | Power connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: DisplayPort 1.4a x3, HDMI 2.1

Incredibly powerful
Stylish RGB
 So expensive

If you're after the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090, you're going to want one with a cooler that's more than powerful enough to handle the full brunt of the power on offer. The MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio has the cooling power not only to handle this GPU at its stock settings, but has enough oomph to overclock it to make it even more powerful. For a GPU that already laughs in the face of all PC games at 4K, this extra power is just icing on the cake. 

Read the full review: MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio

PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC

(Image credit: PNY)

10. PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC

The best eSports graphics card

Stream Processors: 1,536 | Core Clock: 1,500MHz | Memory: 6GB GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 12Gbps | Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin | Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DVI

Affordable
Excellent 1080p performance
Limited memory bandwidth

When Nvidia first revealed its Turing lineup, it was hard to find a model that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Nonetheless, with the launch of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – especially the PNY XLR8 Gaming OC model – next-generation performance became accessible to everyone. You won’t have access to 4K 60 fps gaming with this card, but it’s one of the best graphics cards for anyone still using a 1080p display, and it can handle most esports games well above 60fps. At that resolution, you’ll have trouble running into any title that it can’t handle.

Read the full review: PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC

Michelle Rae Uy has also contributed to this article.



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The Labor Day TV sales event has arrived early with fantastic deals on a range of 4K TVs from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and more. To help you find all the top offers, we're rounding up the best  Labor Day TV sales that are happening right now.

The Labor Day sales event is the perfect opportunity to score massive discounts on a wide range of 4K TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more. You'll find summer clearance prices on last year's sets as well as record-low prices on newer models, so whether you're looking for a budget HD TV or a premium OLED, our Labor Day TV sales will have you covered. We've also included a standout Labor Day TV deal of the day and today's bargain is this Toshiba 55-inch 4K Fire TV that's on sale for $379.99 (was $479.99).

While Labor Day takes place on Monday, September 6 this year, retailers like Best Buy and Walmart have already kicked off their official Labor Day sales, and we've included those top bargains below. We should start to see more deals popping up in the coming days, and we'll be updating this page with all the latest offers leading up to the holiday weekend event.

Labor Day TV deal of the day

Toshiba 55-inch 4K UHD Smart Fire TV: $479.99 $379.99 at Best Buy
Save $100 -
Our Labor Day TV deal of the day is this Toshiba 55-inch 4K smart TV that's on sale for a record-low price of $379.99. The 2021 set comes with the Fire OS for seamless streaming, and you'll get a free Echo Dot (worth $39.99) with your order.

The best Labor Day TV sales

Labor Day TV sales: 32-49 inches

TCL 32-inch Smart LED Roku TV: $199.99 $173 at Walmart
Save $26 -
You can get this budget 32-inch smart TV from TCL on sale for just $173 at Walmart's Labor Day sale. That's the best price we've found for the LED TV that includes the Roku experience, which allows you to stream your favorite content from the home screen of your TV.

Toshiba 32-inch Smart HD Fire TV: $199.99 $179.99 at Amazon
Save $20 -
This 32-inch Toshiba is a great TV if you're looking for something that'll cover the basics for the kid's rooms, studies, or bedrooms. While it's not a 4K display, it does come with Fire OS and Amazon Alexa built right in for handy smart assistant support and is on sale for $179.99.

Toshiba 43-inch 4K UHD Fire TV (2021): $369.99 $349.99 at Amazon
$20 -
Amazon has cut this 2021 Toshiba Fire display price down to $349.99 this week. The 43-inch set comes with the Fire OS  and an Alexa voice remote so you can use your voice to adjust the volume, change the channel, browse for movies, and more.

Labor Day TV sales: 50-59 inches

Hisense 50-inch A6G Series 4K UHD Smart TV: $429.99 $369.99 at Best Buy
Save $60 -
Best Buy has this Hisense 50-inch TV marked down to $369.99, which is a fantastic price for a feature-packed 4K TV. The A6G series set comes with Dolby Vision HDR, DTS Virtual: X, Chromecast, and a voice remote that works with the Google Assistant.

TCL 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart Roku TV: $499.99 $449.99 at Best Buy
Save $50 -
One of our favorite Labor Day TV deals from Best Buy is this TCL 55-inch 4K that's on sale for $449.99. While this isn't the lowest price we've seen, it's the best deal you can find right now and a fantastic price for a 4K Ultra HD set that includes the Roku experience for seamless streaming.

Samsung 50-inch 4K Crystal UHD Smart TV: $899.95 $567.99 at Walmart
Save $331 -
You can score a massive $331 discount on this stunning Samsung 50-inch 4K TV at Walmart's Labor Day TV sale. That's the best price you'll find for the 4K set that delivers bright, bold colors thanks to the powerful Dynamic Crystal technology.

Labor Day TV sales: 60-75 inches

TCL 65-inch 4-Series 4K Smart Android TV: $699.99 $529.99 at Best Buy
Save $170
- This TCL 65-inch 4K TV is on sale for just $529.99 thanks to today's massive $170 discount at Best Buy's Labor Day sale. You're getting Google Assistant and Chromecast built in, excellent smart capabilities, plus an easy-to-use remote that features voice search and control.

Hisense 65-inch A6G Series 4K UHD Smart TV: $599.99 $539.99 at Best Buy
Save $60 -
At just $539.99, this Hisense 65-inch smart TV is offering an excellent budget price point in Best Buy's latest TV deals. Featuring HDR, DTS studio sound, and a massive range of channels thanks to the Fire operating system, this already cheap TV is offering a particularly compelling discount this week.

Sony 65-inch X85J Series 4K UHD Smart TV: $1,599.99 $1,099.99 at Best Buy
Save $500 -
This stunning Sony 75-inch 4K TV gets a massive $500 discount at Best Buy. That's the best price we've found for the X85J series set, which delivers a gorgeous picture with rich colors and detailed contrasts thanks to the powerful X1 4K HDR processor.

LG C1 48-inch 4K UHD Smart OLED TV: $1,499 $1,296.99 at Amazon
Save $203 -
Pick up TechRadar's best-rated OLED TV of 2021 for its lowest ever price this week at Amazon. Available at a hefty discount in all sizes, the LG C1 series is a fantastic choice if you're looking for something that's the perfect balance of features, picture quality, and price. With an industry-leading 4K upscaling processor, excellent WebOS platform, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, this is a versatile premium TV that's great for both content and games.

See more TV bargains with our roundup of the best cheap TV deals and sales and the best OLED TV deals.

You can also see more tech offers with our guide to the best Labor Day laptop sales and the best Labor Day mattress sales.



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Wednesday, September 1, 2021

13 suicide and crisis intervention hotlines to call or text when you need help - CNET

If you or anyone you know is experiencing abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts or sexual assault, these are the numbers to call.

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Heat Domes and Surging Grid Demand Threaten US Power Grids with Blackouts

A new report shows a sharp increase in peak electricity demand, leading to blackout concerns in multiple states. Here's how experts say ...