Alienware Pro Headset review: So good it's dethroned my favorite from Razer

Over the years, I've tested and used plenty of different gaming headsets, including options from the likes of Razer, HyperX, SteelSeries, Turtle Beach, and others. One manufacturer I've never given a shot, though, is Alienware — a gaming subsidiary of Dell best known for its pre-built PCs, gaming laptops, and monitors. Because of that, I was keen to test out its new Alienware Pro Headset when I was given the opportunity, especially with the company recently pushing into the accessories market more seriously.

Indeed, both the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard and the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse quickly became knockout hits when they hit shelves earlier this year, with my colleague Zachary Boddy awarding both 4.5/5 star scores in their reviews. The Alienware Pro Headset completes the trifecta, and like its fellow "Pro" peripherals, it was designed in collaboration with over 100 esports professionals and  the legendary Team Liquid. And after over 18 months of careful development, it's finally here.

• Alienware Pro Headset (Black) at Dell for $229.99
• Alienware Pro Headset (White) at Dell for $229.99

I've tested the headset extensively over the course of the past few weeks, and I'm pleased to report that it lives up to the lofty expectations set by Alienware's recent keyboard and mouse — so much so, in fact, that it's replaced the HyperSpeed variant of my beloved Razer Kaira Pro I picked up earlier this year for wireless use. Owing to a stellar microphone, exceptional audio quality, and grade A comfort, it's truly a fantastic headset...though as I'll get into later in this review, it's not without a few drawbacks that ultimately hold it back from perfection. You'll also have to pay a hefty premium for it, though rest assured, you'll absolutely get your money's worth.

Alienware Pro Headset review: Price and specs

Compared to something like the recently released $179.99 Razer Kraken V4 that we called an "upper mid-range" gaming headset, the Alienware Pro Headset is firmly in "premium" territory with its higher price tag. Specifically, it's launching with an MSRP of $229.99 at Amazon, putting it a rung above mid-grade options but below things like the beastly $350 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro that comes with all the bells and whistles a gamer could hope for. I was sent the white model for my review, though Alienware also has a black colorway on offer.

The Alienware Pro Headset features three connectivity options — wireless through the use of a 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle or Bluetooth 5.3, and wired by way of USB Type-C — along with 50mm graphene-coated drivers and a detachable, unidirectional mic with a two-mic system and adjustable mic monitoring. Its speakers and mic both make use of noise cancellation, with the former sporting hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) and the latter utilizing AI noise reduction to block out external sounds. Note that the ANC transparency, mic volume, mic side tone, and a toggle for the microphone's noise cancellation (off by default) can all be adjusted in the latest version of the Alienware Command Center software, with equalization adjustable in the Dolby app thanks to Dolby Atmos support.

Included with the headset itself is its USB Type-C 2.4GHz wireless dongle, a USB Type-A adapter for it you can use if your PC rig doesn't have a working USB Type-C port, and the lengthy USB-A to Type-C cable you'll need for charging that also doubles as the cable required for wired use. Alienware also packages a detailed technical manual in the box that clearly explains how to get the headset up and running.

Alienware Pro Wireless Headset | $229.99 at Dell (Black)

The new Alienware Pro Wireless Headset blasts onto the market and stands tall as one of the best wireless gaming headsets available, though it'll cost you a pretty penny to buy. It's available to preorder now on Amazon.

Also see: White version

Alienware Pro Headset review: The good

There's a lot to love about the Alienware Pro Headset, though the thing that's impressed me the most — and the thing that's ultimately made me swap out my pair of Razer Kaira Pro HyperSpeed headphones — is the impeccable caliber of its microphone. Mic quality is the one aspect of headset engineering I feel Razer has never truly been able to nail, with input using its products tending to sound good, but not great. Here, though, Alienware has introduced what is quite possibly the best headset mic I've ever gamed with. 

Recorded audio is incredibly crisp and distinct, ensuring that folks you're playing with will hear you loud and clear over the sounds of in-game battle whether you're communicating in a game itself or in VoIP chat programs like Discord. Even with noise cancellation turned off, the mic excellently blocks out background interference, though you may want to toggle it on if you're playing in a noisy environment. The mic is also detachable, allowing you to separate it from the headset for travel convenience.

The excellence of the mic's audio extends to the speakers' as well, as the headset delivers a rich, yet balanced soundscape across lows, mids, and highs, complete with support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. The quality isn't terribly surprising, given the fact it was built with feedback from dozens of professional esports players. What did catch me off-guard, though, is how loud the Alienware Pro Headset can get if you really want to crank things up. Indeed, the power of its 50mm drivers is felt as much as it's heard when you max the volume, even without haptic feedback like the Razer HyperSense motors I'm used to.

Comfort-wise, the Alienware Pro Headset's fit is a bit snugger around the ears than what I'm used to, though it feels light as a feather to wear and has more than enough adjustable length and headband flex to ensure it will fit all head shapes and sizes. The memory foam leatherette earcups aren't quite as cool (temperature-wise) as the thick, airy cushions I tend to prefer, but they also rest very gently against the skin, provide fantastic passive noise cancellation, and don't get uncomfortably warm at all. Overall, I do like Razer's Kraken and Kaiya designs a bit more, but Alienware's is right there with it.

The complete lack of RGB or neon green "gamer" accents means the headset's design is very minimalistic, though the presence of Alienware's shiny silver alien logo on each earcup means its still easily identifiable as a pair of gaming headphones. The all-plastic construction may bother some at this price point, though it nevertheless feels very durable regardless of how I stretch or twist it. Notably, there are several physical controls on the earcup exteriors you can use for quick adjustments, including a mic mute button, volume wheel, and an ANC toggle on the left and the power button and the slider used to swap between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth on the right.

Speaking of the wireless connectivity, it's been flawless in my testing, as has the experience using it tethered with the Alienware Pro Headset's USB-A to Type-C charging cord. The advertised lengthy battery life of 70-75 hours with ANC off has been accurate in my experience, too, though you'll likely need a recharge after around 25-35 hours if you're playing with noise cancellation enabled. Something to be aware of is that out of the box, the headset will shut itself off to save battery if it hasn't been used in 30 minutes; you can tweak that timer or disable it entirely in Alienware Command Center.

Alienware Pro Headset review: The bad

I have very few issues with the Alienware Pro Headset, with the biggest one being that its active noise cancellation is only decent. Admittedly, this isn't actually much of a problem for me since I don't like using ANC anyway — its constant low-frequency sound waves tend to make me feel uncomfortable and give me headaches quickly — but it's something to be aware of if you greatly enjoy the future. It does a solid job of silencing things like low chatter or the sound of a room fan, but it's proven to struggle with anything louder.

The noise cancellation on the microphone has the opposite problem, as it's a bit aggressive with what it ends up cutting out when recording your voice. Though uncommon overall, there have been cases where the mic fails to pick up my speech as a result of this, prompting my friends to ask me to repeat myself. As I said before, the mic effectively blocks out background sounds without the AI noise reduction, so I recommend leaving it off unless you truly think you need it.

Finally, the fact you can't use the Alienware Pro Headset on Xbox is a drawback worth mentioning, though this is arguably more of a problem with Microsoft than Alienware since its proprietary Xbox Wireless technology limits which accessories are compatible with its consoles. Still, it's a frustrating limitation that many multiplatform players are tired of having to deal with.

Alienware Pro Headset review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want an excellent wireless gaming headset

The Alienware Pro Headset is a terrific wireless gaming headset that features top-notch mic quality, excellent clean audio, flawless wireless performance, an option for wired use, all-day comfort, and up to three entire days of battery life. Without a doubt, it's one of the best PC gaming headsets in the ~$200 range, even if its ANC and mic noise cancellation fall a little short.

✅You're after a minimalist aesthetic

Not everyone is about that RGB unicorn vomit life — I'm certainly not. If you aren't, either, you'll appreciate the Alienware Pro Headset for its clean and minimalist design.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You're on a budget

While there are more expensive wireless gaming headsets on the market, the Alienware Pro Headset is far from cheap at its $229.99 MSRP. If you're trying to cut the cord without breaking the bank, there are far better options out there.

❌You need Xbox support

Sadly, the Alienware Pro Headset is one of many audio peripherals that frustratingly works with every platform other than Xbox consoles, so if you were hoping that it would stand tall as one of the best Xbox headsets, I'm sorry to disappoint.

I never thought my next gaming headset would be one from Alienware, but here I am — jamming to a mix of 2000s alternative rock and video game scores with it on my head as I write this. It's certainly made headsets before, but this one feels like the company's first serious push into the market, and it proves it's more than capable of competing fiercely in it.

With that said, premium quality begets a premium price tag, and not everyone can afford a $230 headset — yours truly included (I was only able to get the aforementioned Razer Kaira Pro thanks to a family gift and a deal). I'm lucky to have been sent the Alienware Pro Headset for review purposes, as I'd have probably never ended up with it in my hands otherwise. If you're on a budget, look to options like the Razer Kaira that's down to just $69.99 on Amazon right now.

For those who can afford it, though, the Alienware Pro Headset is a stellar option that pairs top-tier audio and mic quality with dependable, versatile connectivity and a minimalistic, yet rugged and comfortable design. It has close competition like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, but it's undeniably an amazing headset, even if its noise cancellation features could stand to be better. Just make sure you don't get it thinking you can use it on Xbox, though, because you can't; if you're after an Xbox headset, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is a great alternative.

The Alienware Pro Headset is available now on Dell's website for $229.99.

Alienware Pro Wireless Headset | $229.99 at Dell (Black)

Alienware's new wireless Pro Headset marks the company's first serious foray into the gaming headset space, and like the Pro gaming keyboard and mouse before it, it's a phenomenal option. Just be ready to pay a premium for its quality, as it doesn't come cheap.

Also see: White version