GAMING HEADSET
The best gaming headset
is of course all about great performance, but there are other factors at play.
You need it to have a great microphone for coms, as well as the kind of comfort
that'll see you through marathon gaming sessions. It's easy to forget how much
time you spend wearing a gaming headset, but if it's a good one you should forget
you're wearing it.
The best gaming headsets on this list are chosen from the dozens I've tested, along with the rest of the hardware team, here in the PC Gamer offices. These headsets offer the best sound for gamers at each end of the budget spectrum. Quality drivers ensure you get the best audio, and we're pushing the movement to break the traditional stereotype of overdoing low frequencies, which provide terrible bass in most cases. The best gaming headsets offer more balance drivers that require minimal tweaking on your end.
What makes a good gaming headset while you're on a budget?
Audio Quality:
This may be a no-brainer but of course, top-quality audio is
what you need.
So how “good” should good audio quality should be?
To make things simple without getting too technical, the most
important traits of wonderful audio quality are clarity and bass.
The clarity in the sound department is important as you want to hear the
game fully like you’re witnessing a choir singing in a theater. The last thing
we want is to hear muffled audio while your favorite Halo theme
song is playing on the main menu.
Clearer audio makes for better immersion into the game as you
get to hear everything from the humming orchestra while exploring a forest,
travelers chatting together from a distance, the birds chirping on the trees,
and hearing every footstep your character makes.
Bass is also what makes good sound quality. Yes, some people like
their sounds with more bass while some want it less; A headset that
delivers the right amount of bass is good enough—not too much, not too less.
Without bass, there is a good chance that there will be bad “tearing” quality when something loud comes up such as explosions or the loud clanging of swords contacting each other. It’s very unpleasant to the ears unless the headset has good enough bass support.
Comfort:
Another important trait that you must look forward to is the overall comfort of the headset.
Everything from the softness of the earpads to the adjustable headgear should be taken into account.
If the earpads aren’t comfortable enough, you will begin to feel an agitation after hours or even minutes of prolonged headset usage.Sweat is also part of the standards for comfort. The longer you use the headset in one seating, the more sweat you build up.The last thing you want is sweat dripping off your headphones after you take it off or sweat soaking up within the earpads and the speakers themselves, causing a rupture in the audio.If the earpad material isn’t high-grade quality, the coating itself will deteriorate as time goes by.
A headset with good earpads should be able to absorb the sweat without feeling soaked.
Luckily, this article is full of headsets that don’t feel cheap when it comes to comfort, be it earpad comfort or sweat build-up.
Microphone Quality
Let’s face it, a lot of headphones suck when it comes to mic quality unless you’re buying something that is beyond your budget. The last thing you want is a headset with a microphone that sounds like you were talking in the sewers.
Good microphone quality is equal to good communication, especially in the competitive gaming department.
Don’t you just hate when you’re saying something important to your teammates only to have them reply with, “Huh? I didn’t get what you said.” It blows, right?
Fortunately, the budget headsets we have here are all above standard when it comes to mic quality.
Wired or Wireless which is GOOD?
Wired Headset
Headphones attached with wires are always connected with either 3.5 mm jack or USB or even both by default. This is your usual no-fuss tried and tested type of headsets which you can never go wrong with.
- however, WIRED HEADSET'S are generally the perfered type of Headset's for gaming on PC and CONSOLE gamers.
Wireless Headset
- Wireless headphone technology has significantly improved over the years. But nothing beats the audio quality of wired headphones. Since wired headphone manufacturers won't have to splurge for wireless technology, they can focus their attention (and budget) on what really matters—sound quality.
Just expect wireless headsets to be on the range of $80 to $99 for good sound quality and smooth audio without lag.
There are also downsides to using wireless headphones, however.
The range on wireless headphones are usually pretty good so it gives you a lot of flexibility and convenience when you're just moving around the house. When it comes to wired headphones, it is a major disadvantage that it is usually very bulky, they limit your freedom of movement because of those wires.
I PRESENT SOME OF THE BEST HEADSET UNDER $100
1) SteelSeries Arctis 5
SteelSeries Arctis 5 - RGB Illuminated Gaming Headset with DTS Headphone: X v2.0 Surround - for PC and PlayStation 4 - Black
| Form Factor | Over Ear |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Brand | SteelSeries |
| Special Feature | Gaming |
About this item
- Arctic 5 combines cutting edge audio technology with independent game and chat controls and RGB illumination for an immersive gaming experience
- Arctic speaker drivers produce ultra-low distortion, paired with DTS headphone’s v2.0 surround sound for rich, immersive audio
- Widely recognized as the best mic in gaming, arctic clear cast bidirectional microphone delivers studio quality voice clarity and background noise cancelation
- The inline USB chat mix dial balances game audio and chat volume on the fly
- Padded air weave ear cushions and adjustable, steel reinforced headband provide long-lasting comfort and durability.
Product Description
Arctic challenges everything you know about gaming headsets with completely overhauled audio, a new mic design with unmatched clarity, and improved comfort with materials inspired by athletic clothing. Arctic 5 features RGB illumination, game/chat audio balance, and DTS headphone: x v2.0 7.1 surround. The arctic 5 can be connected both through USB to a pc, mac, or ps4 or with the included 3.5mm adapter for Xbox, switch, and mobile devices. Some features such as chat mix, surround sound, and illumination are only available when connected via USB.
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 300 Gaming Headset with Noise-Cancelling Mic, Flip-to-Mute, Comfortable Memory Foam Ear Pads, Headphones for PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Smartphone compatible.
About this item
- EPOS ENGINEERED SOUND – The GSP 300 closed acoustic gaming headset delivers immersive game sounds with deep bass performance and acoustic clarity.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN – Play your best as the memory foam earpads ensure best-in-class comfort and acoustic insulation.
- ERGONOMIC ADJUSTMENT – Enjoy a superior fit with a headband that can be easily adjusted to different head sizes and shapes.
- BROADCAST QUALITY MIC – Be heard clearly as you speak without background noise thanks to the noise-canceling microphone; easily mute yourself by merely raising the boom arm.
- INTUITIVE VOLUME CONTROL – A volume wheel on the right ear cup allows for quick adjustments while gaming.
Product Description
Created for gamers who enjoy good sound in their games, the
GSP 300 gaming headset delivers an immersive experience with high-quality
audio. Engineered to deliver the audio cues needed for an instant reaction, the
deep bass lets you experience explosions to the fullest while acoustic clarity
ensures clear game chat. Multiplatform compatible (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch,
Mac, OSX ), the GSP 300 features a lift-to-mute noise-canceling boom microphone
for crystal clear communication. Superior fit is delivered by a clever
ball-joint hinge to angle the ear cups and extra-large memory foam ear pads
improve passive noise attenuation. Let the power of audio transport you into
your game. With superior sound and comfort, the GSP 300 headset takes your game
sound to the next level.
3) Corsair Void RGB Elite Wireless Premium Gaming Headset
Corsair Void RGB Elite Wireless Premium Gaming Headset with 7.1 Surround Sound - Discord Certified - Works with PC, PS5, and PS4 - Carbon (CA-9011201-NA)
| Form Factor | On-Ear |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Connectivity Technology | RF |
| Brand | Corsair |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Wireless |
About this item
- Noise Control: Noise Cancellation. Headphones fit type: On-Ear
- Hear everything from the lightest footstep to the most. Thundering explosion thanks to the premium, custom-tuned 50-millimeter high-density neodymium Audio drivers with an expanded frequency range of 20 Hz - 30, 000 Hz
- Constructed for enduring comfort through long gaming sessions with breathable microfiber mesh fabric and plush memory foam ear pads
- Connect wirelessly to your PC or PS4/PS5 using low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless with the included USB adapter
- An omnidirectional microphone picks up your voice with exceptional clarity, with a flip-up mute function and a built-in LED mute indicator
- Built to last through years of gaming with durable construction and aluminum yokes
- 7.1 surround sound is not supported with Apple M1 Chip devices.
Product Description
Immerse yourself in the action with the Corsair void RGB Elite wireless, with custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers delivering 7.1 surround sound on the PC. Microfiber mesh fabric and memory foam ear pads provide lasting comfort. Connect to your PC or PS4 with a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection, with a range of up to 40ft and all-day battery life up to 16 hours. An omnidirectional microphone with LED mute indicator ensures that you're heard with exceptional vocal clarity. The void RGB Elite's distinctive design and durable construction are complemented by fully customizable RGB lighting on each ear cup. Powerful Corsair iCUE software ties everything together, enabling full control over equalizer settings, 7.1 surround sound, RGB lighting, and more.
4) Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5, PS4, PS4 Pro, PlayStation, & Nintendo Switch with 50mm Speakers, 15-Hour Battery life, Flip-to-Mute Mic, and Spatial Audio - Black
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About this item
- SURROUND SOUND READY FOR XBOX - Optimized to deliver immersive surround sound with Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphone: X; Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: may require additional purchases, app downloads, and supported hardware
- GEN 2 FLIP-TO-MUTE MIC - A larger, high-sensitivity, high-performance mic improves chat clarity and conceals cleanly into the headset when muted. Mic monitoring also allows you to hear your own voice while you chat so you’re aware of your own volume.
- XBOX WIRELESS - Enjoy the simplicity and superiority of a direct connection from your headset to your console– no wires, no base station, and no adapter needed
- SUPERHUMAN HEARING - Turtle Beach's exclusive Superhuman Hearing sound setting lets you hear subtle, game-changing sounds so you can live up to 20% longer and win more. Data from Turtle Beach Superhuman Hearing study conducted by Real Industry, May 2021
- GAME AND STAY CONNECTED WITH BLUETOOTH - Enjoy the ability to take mobile calls or listen to your own music simultaneously while gaming, ensuring you’ll never miss a moment of action
- EASY ACCESS TO AUDIO PRESETS - At the press of a button, customize the way your game sounds with four signature Turtle Beach audio presets
- METAL-REINFORCED HEADBAND CONSTRUCTION - An all-new metal-reinforced headband gives the Stealth 700 Gen 2 a heavy-duty construction ensuring long-lasting durability
- AERO FIT COOLING GEL-INFUSED COMFORT - Re-shaped Aerofit cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions provide premium comfort for hours of gaming
- GLASSES FRIENDLY - Our exclusive, patented ProSpecs comfort-driven design removes pressure on your glasses while you play
- 20-HOUR WIRELESS BATTERY LIFE - The built-in rechargeable battery now provides up to 20 hours of wireless gaming per charge; matching the competition’s battery life but at a lower price.
Product Description
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 is the successor to the best-selling Stealth 600 wireless gaming headset, dominates on PS5, PS4 & PS4 Pro, and features a new wireless mini-USB transmitter for a rock-solid connection. New for Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a larger flip-to-mute mic for refined chat clarity that integrates into the headset when muted, plus uniquely re-shaped, breathable ear cushions with ProSpecs technology provide glasses-friendly comfort over long gaming sessions. Turtle Beach’s data-proven Superhuman Hearing gives players the ultimate audio advantage, driven through precision-tuned 50mm speakers for a deeply immersive, undistorted audio experience. Plus, Stealth 600 Gen 2 is also Sony 3D Audio ready for PS5.
5) Turtle Beach Recon 200
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About this item
- Powerful amplified audio: Immerse yourself in your games with rechargeable, battery powered amplified sound from your Xbox and PlayStation
- Surround sound ready for Xbox: Optimized to deliver immersive Windows Sonic surround sound, provided by Microsoft for Xbox (and compatible Windows 10 PCs)
- Speaker frequency response: 20 hertz 20 kilohertz; Flip up Mic Turtle Beach's renowned high sensitivity mic picks up your voice loud and clear, and flips up to mute
- Variable mic monitoring: Hear and adjust the volume of your voice inside the headset so you never have to shout
- Multiplatform Compatibility: Designed for Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PS4 Pro & PS4 and also works great with Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices
Product Description
Louder is better. Immerse yourself in your games with the Recon 200’s powerful amplified audio with Bass Boost. Whether you play on an Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PS4 Pro or PS4, the Turtle Beach Recon 200 gaming headset delivers high-quality game sound and crystal-clear chat through its superior 40mm speakers and high-sensitivity flip-to-mute mic. Additionally, the Recon 200’s lightweight design, metal-reinforced headband, and synthetic leather-wrapped memory foam cushions provide added durability and unmatched comfort. The Recon 200 has a rechargeable battery that delivers over 12-hours of gaming per use, and features onboard controls for Master Volume, Variable Mic Monitoring so you can hear and adjust the volume of your voice inside the headset to avoid shouting at other players, and for selecting between Xbox and PlayStation.
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