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Best Cheap Gaming Headsets (2023): Which Gaming Headset Should You Buy?

Gaming headsets are an essential component of any gamer’s setup. However, not everyone can afford to splurge on expensive models that can cost hundreds of dollars. Thankfully, there are plenty of good and affordable options available that still offer excellent performance and features. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious one, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive list of top-quality headsets that won’t break the bank

Best Cheap Gaming Headsets Comparison Chart

ModelPriceCategory
Razer Nari EssentialCheck PriceBest value wireless gaming headset
HyperX Cloud CoreCheck PriceBest value wired gaming headset
Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEEDCheck PriceBest cheap wireless gaming headset
Turtle Beach Recon 50Check PriceBest cheap wired gaming headset
PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless HeadsetCheck PriceBest value wireless gaming headset for PS5
Xbox Wireless HeadsetCheck PriceBest value wireless gaming headset for Xbox Series X & S

Razer Nari Essential

Best value wireless gaming headset

best cheap gaming headsets razer nari essential
The Razer Nari Essential has a 16-hour battery life.

The Razer Nari Essential is our pick as the best value gaming headset. It offers a range of impressive features at an affordable price. For starters, it boasts 7.1 THX Spatial Audio support, which provides an immersive sound experience, enhancing gameplay by allowing players to identify directional sounds with greater accuracy. The 2.4GHz wireless connectivity ensures a stable connection and eliminates lag, while the 16 hours of battery life ensures that you can enjoy extended gaming sessions without the need for frequent recharging.

Another notable feature of the Razer Nari Essential is its lightweight design with an auto-adjusting headband, which accommodates a variety of head sizes and ensures maximum comfort, even during prolonged use. The on-headset controls are easy to use and provide quick access to essential features, such as volume control and mic mute. Additionally, the flip microphone is noise-cancelling, ensuring clear in-game chat and effective communication with teammates.

However, as with any budget gaming headset, there are some downsides to consider. The plastic build may not be the most durable, and the mic, although great for performance, is not detachable. Nevertheless, for its price, the Razer Nari Essential is packed with features that are typically found on more expensive models. It’s an excellent option for gamers looking for a budget-friendly wireless gaming headset that doesn’t compromise on quality or features.

HyperX Cloud Core

Best value wired gaming headset

best cheap gaming headsets hyperx cloud core
The HyperX Cloud Core’s excellent build quality is one of its standout features.

When it comes to value for money, the HyperX Cloud Core wired gaming headset is one of the best options available on the market today. While it may not be packed with a long list of features, what it does offer is excellent build quality, comfort, and a good audio experience. The HyperX Cloud Core’s thick aluminum frame is sturdy and durable, while the memory foam padding ensures superior comfort even during extended gaming sessions.

One of the standout features of the HyperX Cloud Core is its detachable microphone, which offers excellent voice clarity for in-game chat. Additionally, the DTS Headphone:X technology provides immersive sound, creating a more realistic gaming experience. Moreover, the wired connectivity ensures that it will work with any gaming platform, without any connectivity issues.

Overall, the HyperX Cloud Core offers an excellent audio experience, with boosted bass that does not overpower other frequencies. It’s well-balanced and provides a decent soundstage, making it a great choice for gamers who want an affordable wired headset that performs well across a range of game genres

Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED

Best cheap wireless gaming headset

best cheap gaming headsets logitech g435 lightspeed
With dual connectivity and integrated microphones, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED can also be used casually if you don’t mind its gamer aesthetics.

The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED wireless gaming headset is an excellent choice for gamers who are on a tight budget. While it may not offer all the bells and whistles of high-end gaming headsets, it has enough features to make it a worthwhile purchase. The standout feature of the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED is its dual connectivity options, allowing gamers to switch between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection modes. This feature provides flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of gaming platforms and devices.

Another notable feature of the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED is its integrated microphones, which offer clear and noise-free communication with teammates. Moreover, the headset’s battery life is exceptional, providing up to 18 hours of usage on a single charge, ensuring that you can enjoy extended gaming sessions without the need for frequent recharging.

The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED’s lightweight design makes it comfortable to wear for prolonged periods, and the ear cups are well-padded to reduce pressure on the ears. However, it’s worth noting that the headset’s plastic build may not be the most durable, and gamers will need to handle it with care to ensure it lasts. Overall, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED wireless gaming headset is a great budget option that offers decent sound quality, dual connectivity options, long battery life, and integrated microphones for clear communication.

Turtle Beach Recon 50

Best cheap wired gaming headset

best cheap gaming headsets turtle beach recon 50
The Turtle Beach Recon 50 has a detachable mic and the earcups fold for easier storage.

For gamers on a very tight budget, the Turtle Beach Recon 50 wired gaming headset is a great option that offers solid sound quality, comfort, and versatility. Since it is a wired gaming headset, it is compatible with any gaming platform that has a 3.5mm jack, including PCs, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, as well as mobile phones. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers who want a headset that can be used across multiple devices without any compatibility issues.

While the Turtle Beach Recon 50 may not have any standout features, it offers a comfortable and lightweight design that makes it ideal for prolonged gaming sessions. The ear cups are well-padded, ensuring that pressure is reduced on the ears, and the headband is adjustable to accommodate different head sizes. Additionally, the microphone is detachable, providing gamers with the flexibility to use the headset for non-gaming activities such as listening to music or watching movies.

In terms of sound quality, the Turtle Beach Recon 50 provides a decent audio experience, with well-balanced audio that ensures that dialogue, sound effects, and music are all clear and distinguishable. While it may not have the booming bass or immersive soundstage of more expensive gaming headsets, it provides a good audio experience for its price range.

PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

Best value wireless gaming headset for PS5

best cheap gaming headsets playstation pulse 3d wireless headset
The Pulse 3D wireless headset is also available in black and white.

The PlayStation Pulse 3D wireless headset is an excellent choice for PlayStation 5 gamers who want a high-quality wireless headset that takes full advantage of the console’s audio features. The headset’s design is simple yet stylish, with black and white colors that match the PS5’s aesthetic. It is comfortable to wear, with soft ear cups and a lightweight design that make it ideal for long gaming sessions.

One of the key features of the PlayStation Pulse 3D wireless headset is its compatibility with the PS5’s 3D audio technology. This advanced audio feature provides gamers with a more immersive audio experience by simulating sound waves as they would naturally occur in real life. The headset is specifically designed to take full advantage of this technology, providing gamers with a more accurate and realistic audio experience.

In terms of sound quality, the PlayStation Pulse 3D wireless headset delivers excellent audio, with well-balanced sound that ensures that dialogue, sound effects, and music are all clear and distinguishable. It also has a built-in microphone that provides clear voice chat, making it ideal for online gaming and multiplayer sessions.

Xbox Wireless Headset

Best value wireless gaming headset for Xbox

best cheap gaming headsets xbox wireless headset
Even though it looks bulky, the Xbox Wireless headset is lightweight.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is an excellent choice for Xbox gamers who are looking for a high-quality wireless headset that is affordable and packed with features. It can be purchased for less than $100, making it a great value for gamers who are on a budget.

One of the standout features of the Xbox Wireless Headset is its seamless pairing with Xbox consoles. It connects to Xbox consoles via Xbox Wireless, making it easy to connect and use right out of the box. Additionally, it also has Bluetooth connectivity and can be used with a variety of devices, including PCs and mobile devices.

Another key feature of the Xbox Wireless Headset is its support for advanced audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, and DTS Headphone:X. This allows gamers to experience immersive audio that enhances the overall gaming experience. The headset also has excellent sound quality, with well-balanced audio that ensures that dialogue, sound effects, and music are all clear and distinguishable.

The Xbox Wireless Headset has a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear, even during long gaming sessions. It also has up to 15 hours of battery life, ensuring that gamers can play for extended periods without having to worry about recharging.

Verdict

There are plenty of cheap gaming headsets for various types of gamers.

Razer Nari Essential

Best value wireless gaming headset

HyperX Cloud Core

Best value wired gaming headset

In conclusion, the Razer Nari Essential is the best wireless headset and the HyperX Cloud Core is the best wired headset when it comes to value for money. The former features 7.1 THX Spatial Audio support and 16 hours of battery life while the latter has an excellent build quality, superior comfort with memory foam padding, and DTS Headphone:X support.

For those on a tighter budget, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED is the best wireless headset and the Turtle Beach Recon 50 is the best wired option. Meanwhile, if your main gaming platform is the PS5, the best budget gaming headset is the PlayStation PULSE 3D wireless headset and for Xbox gamers, it’s the Xbox Wireless Headset. Both of these are designed to work seamlessly with their respective consoles and they can take advantage of the consoles’ audio features.

FAQs

๐Ÿ“Œ What is the best budget headset?

There are plenty of options, but our picks are the Razer Nari Essential and the HyperX Cloud Core, depending on whether you prefer wireless or wired.

๐Ÿ“Œ Do gaming headsets improve gaming?

They can, if the microphone is clear and the sound is accurate.

๐Ÿ“Œ Does the Razer Nari Essential have surround sound?

Yes, it features THX 7.1 Spatial Audio.

๐Ÿ“Œ Is the HyperX Cloud Core noise cancelling?

Since it’s closed-back, it provides passive noise cancelling, but it doesn’t have active noise cancelling if that’s what you’re looking for.

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Carlo Salvador

Senior Editor at Compare Before Buying. Writer and researcher passionate about fitness, gaming and music.