If you’ve been following PowerUp, you know we’ve always had a soft spot for Alienware—but mostly for their PCs, laptops, and stellar OLED gaming monitors. Their peripherals? Not so much. Alienware has long struggled to compete with the likes of Razer, Logitech, and SteelSeries in the mice, headsets, and keyboards space.
Well, that just changed. Enter the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset, a device that completely flips the script on Alienware’s peripheral game.
Alienware claims this headset was designed from the ground up in collaboration with esports pros—a claim every brand seems to make—but here, it shows. The Pro Headset is lightweight, supremely comfortable, and packed with features: graphene drivers that deliver stunning audio, and a battery life that can keep you off the charger for weeks. After spending a month with it, I can confidently say there’s a lot to love.
At $399, the Alienware Pro isn’t cheap, but it undercuts its closest competitor—the Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed—by $50. Both headsets are neck and neck in features, but if I had to pick a winner in a head-to-head showdown, the Alienware Pro would edge ahead—and I’ll explain why in this review.
Alienware didn’t just make a comeback with the Pro headset. They’ve raised the bar and created one of the best wireless gaming headsets of 2024.
Design and build
Alienware has always excelled at design, and it shows here. The Alienware Pro is easily one of the best-looking and most minimalistic gaming headsets available. It comes in Black or White—I got the white version, which is certainly the greater head-turner. While Alienware usually opts for a two-tone look, this time they’ve gone monochromatic to great effect. The white headset looks like it came straight out of a futuristic sci-fi lab where everything is pristine white.
The headset features a simple design with a memory foam-padded headband and two size-adjustable hangers that hold the ear cups. There’s a figure embossed into the headband that puzzles me, given that this headset has no numbers in its name. I would have expected it to spell “PRO,” but it looks more like the number 50.
The ear cushions are incredibly soft and plush, made of memory foam leatherette that I simply can’t get enough of. They provide excellent ear coverage, with a swivel mechanism allowing them to sit gently on your ears for all-day comfort. I’ve worn these for hours without experiencing any fatigue, pinching on my ears, or pressure on my bald head. They’re definitely more comfortable than the Logitech offering.
The headset controls are equally simple and minimalistic. The right ear cup has two toggles: one for power and another to switch between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes. The left cup is a bit busier, featuring a volume dial, a mic mute button, an ANC mode button, a slot for the detachable microphone, and a USB Type-C port for both charging and Hi-res audio.
The microphone has a gooseneck design that plugs into the headset with a reassuring click. It comes with a pop filter and an LED ring that glows an angry red when muted.
Overall, the Alienware Pro is an elegant headset that I wouldn’t mind using outside the house, especially given its Bluetooth and ANC support. However, I do have a few gripes about its construction. First, the ear cushions aren’t removable, so if they get torn or damaged, you’ll need to buy a new headset. Second, the ear cups don’t rotate flat, making it awkward to pack for travel. Lastly, despite its $400 price tag, the Alienware Pro doesn’t come with a hard carry case—an accessory you’d expect with a premium product.
Connectivity and battery life
The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset strikes a fine balance between performance and versatility, with dual-mode connectivity that makes it well-suited for gaming and general use. It uses 2.4GHz wireless for low-latency gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 for smart device pairing. The only downside? You can’t use both modes simultaneously—a limitation for anyone wanting uninterrupted, cross-device use. Still, both connections are impressively solid, with great range; I’ve stayed connected moving from my desk to an upper floor with no issues. Even with multiple wireless devices connected, the Pro never dropped out or stuttered.
Alienware provides a compact USB-C dongle for the 2.4GHz mode. It’s small (easy to misplace!) but perfectly sized for tight port spaces, like on my M2 MacBook Pro 14. If your device lacks USB-C, there’s also a Type-A adapter. The Pro headset supports PC, Mac, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch, and USB-C smartphones or tablets, making it highly adaptable. The dongle’s blue LED light is a handy indicator of connectivity.
Alternatively, you can opt for wired mode via USB, enabling Hi-Res audio if you have compatible content. Mobile gamers, take note: the low-latency Bluetooth on the Alienware Pro, with just 80ms of delay, ensures smooth, responsive gameplay on the go—a rarity among Bluetooth headsets.
Battery life is where this headset truly excels. The Pro delivers over 70 hours on 2.4GHz or 75 hours on Bluetooth. I’ve been using a blend of Bluetooth (MacBook) and 2.4GHz (PC and PS5) over the past month, and I’ve only needed to charge it twice—a welcome break from the daily charging grind. Even with ANC on, it still hits around 60 hours. And if you’re in a rush, fast charging provides 8 hours of use from just 15 minutes, which is perfect for quick top-ups.
All in all, Alienware has hit a high note with the Pro headset’s connectivity options and battery performance. It’s a robust option for anyone needing versatility, range, and endurance in their daily setup.
Sound and performance
The Alienware Pro headset is a powerhouse of audio performance, delivering sound quality that’s nothing short of extraordinary. Its 50mm graphene drivers are engineered for precision, providing deep, clean bass with zero distortion and crisp, detailed highs. Whether you’re blasting your favourite playlist or engaging in intense firefights, this headset excels across the board.
For gaming, the Alienware Pro’s sound signature is tuned for competitive edge and immersion. Its ability to pick out subtle details like the clink of a dropped shell or distant footsteps is uncanny. In Black Ops 6, the spatial accuracy allowed me to track enemy flanks even amidst chaotic firefights. The separation and layering are equally remarkable, ensuring every element of the soundscape stays distinct, even in games as chaotic as Diablo IV. From the squelch of demon flesh to the nuanced echoes of magic, every detail is vivid and impactful.
In narrative-heavy games like Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga, the headset showcases its finesse with quiet, atmospheric moments. The rustle of wind, buzzing of flies, and haunting whispers of Senua’s furies were so immersive that they sent chills down my spine.
But it’s not just about gaming—this headset delivers for music and media too. Its warm, inviting sound signature brings life to film and game soundtracks. Compared to the Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro, which can sound clinical, the Alienware Pro feels alive. Tracks like “All Good Things” from the Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred soundtrack became visceral, concert-like experiences. Whether it’s orchestral sweeps or bass-heavy Snoop Dogg bangers, the Pro handles it all with aplomb.
Even for casual use, like watching YouTube or diving into the Dragon Age Veilguard soundtrack, the Alienware Pro maintains its stellar performance. It effortlessly transforms any audio experience into something more engaging and satisfying. The Alienware Pro is warm, detailed, and versatile enough to handle anything you throw at it. If sound quality is your priority, this headset will exceed your expectations.
Active Noise Cancelling and Microphone
The Alienware Pro’s Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) feature is functional but unremarkable, as is often the case with gaming headsets. It’s decent for cutting out low-frequency background hums, like a PC fan or a dishwasher, but it falls far short of what you’d expect from ANC specialists like Sony or Bose. If you’re looking for comprehensive noise isolation—say, to block out airplane noise—you’ll be disappointed.
At best, I’d rate the ANC a 5 out of 10, with most of the noise reduction coming from the headset’s excellent passive seal courtesy of the plush pleather earcups. On the flip side, Transparency Mode—which amplifies ambient sounds so you can hear your surroundings—works surprisingly well. It’s clear and natural, making it easy to have conversations or stay aware of your environment without taking off the headset. This is a great feature for gamers sharing space with family or roommates.
Unfortunately, the microphone is a let down. Despite Alienware’s claim of a dual-mic AI noise cancellation system, the result is overly compressed audio with noticeable artifacts. While it excels at cutting out background noise (making it viable for noisy environments), it does so at the cost of natural voice quality. In side-by-side comparisons, the mic falls far behind competitors like the Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro, which offers far better clarity and richness for communication.
So while the ANC and mic both have their utility, they don’t live up to the premium standard set by the headset’s sound quality and design. For gamers prioritizing top-tier mic performance or travel-grade ANC, this might be a sticking point.
Verdict
The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset has officially won me over. It checks nearly every box for what I personally want in a gaming headset: outstanding audio, all-day comfort, sleek aesthetics, and industry-leading battery life. While the microphone could use some work, it’s not enough to overshadow the headset’s overall brilliance.
That said, the $400 price tag comes with some compromises that shouldn’t be present at this level. Features like removable ear pads, Xbox compatibility, simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity, and a carry case are conspicuously missing. These omissions are hard to justify for a premium product and could deter buyers who demand full feature parity.
Despite these flaws, the Alienware Pro delivers an unparalleled gaming experience in 2024, making it an easy recommendation—especially if you snag one during Black Friday or holiday sales. Trust me, your ears will thank you!
Dell/ Alienware Australia kindly provided the Alienware Pro Headset to PowerUp for the purpose of this review.
