I love headsets. Every gamer do love headsets.
But it can be difficult if you have a low budget and trying to find the best gaming headset under $100 for your needs.
You have plenty of options that are accessible to you within your price range, and you could easily decide wrongly, and making the wrong decision could affect your gaming winning chances adversely. An article likes this helps to steer you in the right direction! And apart from that, making the wrong decision is always more expensive, as would need to spend additional money to correct your mistake. In this list, we have ten products that range from $50 -$100 and are guaranteed, top performers.
The purpose of this article is to show gamers that they can get good headsets without necessarily paying a huge amount of money. All the headsets below offer good value for money and contain wonderful features and picking the one best suited for your needs is surely going to give you an edge, so this article is right for you.
Recommend for earbuds
Cheap earbuds under 50
Wireless earbuds under 50
Below this article, we’ve included a buyer’s guide. It goes over every feature that you need to know about without ignoring the fact that all of these gaming headsets are under $100!
Hyper X Cloud Alpha (Best Overall Gaming Headset )
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset was built from the very start with features such as durability and comfort at the back of the mind of the designer. From the minute you unbox it, to the time you throw it against a couch, the Hyper X cloud Alpha Gaming Headset was built to be durable and is probably one of the most rugged headsets under $100 on the market. If any of the parts such as the cable or microphone is damaged, they can easily be detached from the headset and replaced for a small fee which is way better than having to replace the whole headset making it very durable.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha also distributes the weight evenly across the head with the help of a thick band padding and it also includes a seal which helps the headset remain in place during movement or when sweat builds up and is also very useful for blocking out noise and being in solid isolation which is very useful, especially if you work in a loud environment and you have to make zoom or skype calls frequently.
Another feature is the presence of deep soft ear pads, which makes it very comfortable, and also enhances isolation which is a rarity with headsets under the price tag $100. This Headset also features a microphone mute switch and a volume wheel which is a very useful feature as it is more convenient to adjust volume and mute settings on the headset than on your computer settings. It also features a set of dual-chamber audio drivers that creates very nice bass and sharp tones. Overall, this headset is a wonderful, and we think the only drawback is the fact that it doesn’t have surround sound as it helps gamers to really get immersed in the game, and a headset of this price range should definitely have surround sound as one of its features.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Awesome isolation
- Good durability
- Remote
Cons
- A little bulky
- No extra features
- No Surround Sound feature
CORSAIR Void RGB (Best Wireless Gaming Headset)
Most of the headsets produced by CORSAIR are usually within the $100 price range. But they aren’t always good enough to make the list of gaming headsets under $100 but the CORSAIR RGB Void Wireless Gaming Headset is an exception and is one that deserves to be on the list because of its exceptional quality.
The design of the headset is pretty cool and unique having a plastic design that is comfortable enough and also makes it less heavy than other headsets around the same price range which sets it up as the perfect headset for long hours of gaming. It is also popular among gamers who use glasses because it doesn’t have any sort of interference with glasses. It has an ear padding that goes over the head making it soft and comfortable enough, in addition to the ear cups which create a seal around the ear but do not cancel background noise very effectively; they only reduce it a little.
The CORSAIR void RGB has a microphone that can be muted by simply flipping it up which is a very cool and convenient feature and it emits high-quality audio to the receiver besides having a background noise cancellation feature, which amplifies clearer communication. The headset comes in both wired and wireless versions with a wide range of colors making your options plentiful.
The wireless version uses the Bluetooth technology to connect to a device as far as 40m away. Its battery lasts for about 16 hours, but its duration slowly declines across its use, which is a drawback. There have been reports of a very sharp decline in battery life across a few months but it’s something common among wireless gaming headsets. It also has the Dolby 7.1 surround sound feature that enables gaming immersion, but this feature is flat when compared to the ones on other gaming headsets with the same feature. Overall, it’s a good gaming headset for the price offered and provides value for money.
Pros
- Nice all-round sound quality
- High Bass
- Good and quality microphone
- Good software
- Very comfortable
Cons
- The fabric may be a turn off for some people
- The battery slowly declines within a very short period
- The microphone is a little too sensitive
Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset
The Logitech G Pro gaming headset prioritizes quality and sound above every other feature and they really know how to make great budget headsets. It is compatible with almost all the major systems such as PS4, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Mac, Xbox One, etc. The design has smooth curves and visible steel to give a warm feel.
The headset also has soft and comfortable leather ear pads including an additional pair in the box. This model is built in all black and is flexible; meaning it can stretch to fit onto larger heads than most traditional gaming headsets while also being durable at the same time. This headset is also lightweight, which makes it good for long gaming hours as heavy headsets become uncomfortable as hours go by during gaming.
The in-line controls are located quite high up on the cable, making accessibility a little uncomfortable and inconvenient which is one of the disadvantages of its design. The ear cups form a seal and give a reasonable amount of isolation and background noise elimination which allows gamers to be able to enjoy the immersive experience better. The headset produces stunning audio clarity which is powered by the presence of G Pro drivers. The drivers reproduce gaming audio as well as any high-end gaming headset on the market.
The sound separation of this headset is also fantastic, and it does an exceptional job with separating the bass and treble sounds. It is also popular among gamers who use glasses as it is designed to work well with glasses and not make the gamer uncomfortable. The headset is also fitted with a condenser microphone that helps eliminate background noise during communication and allows the microphone to be able to respond to a wide range of frequencies.
Pros
- Great sleek black design
- Incredibly light
- Good microphone
Cons
- Lacking low-end oomph
- A little uncomfortable
SteelSeries Arctis 5
SteelSeries is reputable for making very good gaming headsets in the gaming industry They are always ranked with the best and SteelSeries Arctis 5 is the perfect example of why they are highly rated when it comes to gaming. The sound is great, the microphone is awesome, and it’s also very comfortable, all for a price less than a $100. It weighs about 9.9 ounces and has a headset frequency response range of about 20 – 22000Hz coupled with a microphone frequency response range of about 10-10000Hz. It has great ear cups that are very comfortable and allows your ears to stay cool and free of sweat and are also large enough to accommodate gamers ear of different sizes.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 also has lightning which can be customized to any color you want using the SteelSeries Engine 3 software but you should know that the software has a steep learning slope though, and you are most likely better off with the default settings. The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is primarily made for PC, but it also has an adapter that makes it possible to be used with gaming consoles. The drivers of this headset produce audio that has come to be expected of a SteelSeries product.
The Headset also gives full surround sound, thereby making the gaming experience fully immersive for the user. Its microphone is very sensitive, maybe a little too sensitive, which can be both a curse or a blessing as it picks up even the minute frequencies. The headset is also noise-cancelling, which is always a good feature to have, especially when you live or work in a noisy environment and it comes with a one-year warranty. It features a 3m rubber cable which is one of its caveats. The cable of the SteelSeries Arctis 5 is difficult to manage especially with the large button attached to it getting in the way and getting caught up in anything it encounters. This headset represents good value for money with all its great and wonderful features. It would have been much better if it came with a wireless option or had a wireless variation.
Pros
- Big Comfy earcups
- Great sound quality
- The microphone is a little too sensitive
- Microphone retracts
- Nice Stereo
- Headband is comfortable to wear for long periods
Cons
- Surround Sound is below par
- The cable is too long
- The microphone is a little too sensitive
Sennheiser GSP 302 (Best PC headset under 100)
Sennheiser brand makes some of the best audiophile phones on the market and have recently ventured into the gaming industry and have been gaining traction with products such as the GSP 300 headset series.
The Sennheiser GSP 302 headset is a wonderful headset and one of the best gaming headsets under the $100 benchmark. The headset is closed-back with an attached microphone including ear cups that are covered in soft faux leather which sits over your ear like a cocoon. The headset has a good amount of grip and does not dislodge easily, even when you get enthusiastic about playing your favorite games. It has a nice microphone that can be folded to mute and also comes with a 2m braided cable and two 3.5mm connection adapter. It is a little bulky and weighs about 10. 2 ounces with a headset frequency response range of 15-26000Hz and a microphone frequency response range of 10-15000Hz. The microphone is unidirectional and has a noise-cancelling feature. The headset works well on PCs and game consoles. The earcups are also large enough to keep you isolated from background noise, but they might also make you sweat a little because of their size.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Sensitive microphone
- Very comfortable
- Absence of Surround sound
Cons
- Earcups don’t swivel
Kingston HyperX Cloud 2
The Kingston HyperX Cloud 2 used to be the number one gaming headset in this category until it was recently dethroned. The headset has a sleek, clever modular design and is also lightweight and one of the lightest headsets on this list, which makes it ideal for long hours gaming. It is so comfortable that you might forget you were wearing a headset altogether. It comes with a 1.8m rubber cable and a 3.5mm single connection and has a headphone frequency response of 15-25000Hz and a microphone frequency response of 50 -18000Hz. including a 2-year warranty.
The microphone is detachable, bi-directional, and has the noise cancellation feature. Its earcups are soft and comfortable and come in two styles. It also has the virtual 7.1 Surround sound feature that offers the immersive gaming experience to the user when in use. It is basically a plug and play headset and needs no extra software to be installed to be used. It works well across all devices, on PCs, and game consoles but you would need to connect it using a USB cable to be able to enjoy the benefits of the sound card and the virtual 7.1 surround sound. The sound quality is also very good. and it has two 53mm sound drivers, one in each year that makes that happen.
The microphone is very good for this price range, and it’s hard to find anything better than it within this price range. It is built to give you everything you could desire, regardless of the type of game you play, and the sound quality is fantastic for both basic communication and streaming. There are some cons for this headset, though. The wiring around the connections is susceptible to failure after the usage for a while and the earcups also do not form a strong enough seal that gives the impression of isolation to the user. Overall, the Kingston HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset guarantees you amazing quality and provides good value for money.
Pros
- Quality Sound
- Microphone and cable are detachable
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Earcups are of two variants
Cons
- The connectivity fails over time due to the wear out of the wiring.
Razer Kraken Chroma V2
The Razer Kraken Chroma 7.1 v2 is a leader in the gaming laptops industry and no wonder it also manufactures one of the best gaming headsets below $100 category. It is heavy — both its overall size and oversize ear cups. These ear cups form a tight seal without pushing down or causing any unnecessary pressure. These ear cups feel soft and light when compared to other headsets in this category.
The Headset is made up of durable metal and plastic as gaming headsets go—especially coming from Razer—it has an unassuming look, lacking a lot of the more garish visual flare typical of gaming peripherals.
The Headset is fitted with the Razer brand which sits embossed across the top of the cushioned band of the extendable mic has a relatively low profile and retracts into the left headphone almost all the way. The headset comes with a 2m cable and has a headphone frequency response of 12 -28000Hz, having a microphone frequency response of 100-10000Hz. It also uses a USB connection and is compatible across most devices such as PCs and gaming consoles and uses a 50mm Neodymium speaker drivers to emit sound. It weighs around 12 ounces, which is a little bulky for a gaming headset. The headset microphone is unidirectional and has a noise cancellation feature and offers virtual 7.1 surround sound coupled with an upgraded microphone.
It is relatively comfortable, and it feels that way for short periods although it can get increasingly uncomfortable during long gaming hours. It also has an LED backlight that is perfectly customizable with the option to choose from 16.8 million colors while having enough inline controls to help you set things like the volume easily and fast. Overall if you desire a headset with good virtual 7.1 surround side, good microphone, and you don’t mind the weight, then you should consider buying the Razer Kraken Chroma V2.
Pros
- Good Audio quality
- Microphone isgreat
- It is lightweight
- The padding scores high on durability
- Comfortable for long gaming sessions
Cons
- Lack of warranty
- The joints aren’t held together as tightly as possible
- Dodgy wiring
Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One
Turtle Beach Ear Force Headsets are ones of the best headsets for gaming consoles under the $100 benchmark. They are very good and reliable, and ultimately, they are the Xbox one headset under $100 on the market. The headset serves to optimize the gaming experience on the console to the user and they do that with the help of top-quality 50mm speakers that enable you to hear every crisp highs and thundering lows. They also have microphone monitoring, which allows you to be able to increase or reduce the volume of your own voice, so you don’t have to shout meaning the microphone has high sensitivity, and its microphone frequency response range is very high.
Its design also means it is very lightweight and comfortable and thanks to its soft mesh material, it could make you feel as if you aren’t wearing anything. This feature is especially useful for gamers that spend long hours on the console, as the headsets don’t get uncomfortable as time goes on. It was built specifically for the XBox One, but it is also compatible across mobile devices and PCs if installed correctly with the assistance of the detachable 3.5mm jack. It has a variable Bass boost that gives you the power to increase the bass volume and provides you with separate audio controls for chat and gaming, giving you all the audio controls at your fingertips. One of its drawbacks though is the length of its cable, but I suspect this is because the headset is primarily designed to be wireless and not wired.
Overall this is the best budget headset for Xbox One on the market today, and you won’t find a better budget headset.
Pros
- Very Clear Communications – An adjustable, high-sensitivity mic picks-up your voice loud and clear, and can be removed when watching movies or listening to music
- Lightweight & Comfortable – Play for hours (or days) in complete comfort
- High-Quality 40mm Speakers – Hear every crisp high and thundering low with these large 40mm speakers
- Convenient In-line Controls – Convenient in-line controls place Master Volume and Mic Mute right at your fingertips
- Versatile Compatibility – Works great with new Xbox One controller with the 3.5mm jack, PS4 Pro and PS4, as well as PC, Mac, and mobile/tablet devices with a 3.5mm connection
Cons
- The connection may become unstable after some months of use
ASTRO Gaming A10 Gaming Headset
ASTRO brand is one of the leaders in the headset gaming industry and they are renowned for producing high-quality, high-end products with the ASTRO A10 Gaming headset being their first entry into the low budget market. The ASTRO Gaming A10 headset is stunningly slick and sturdy for its price range, even though it might not have the metal components and fancy features of its high-end siblings, it’s still a very good plastic headset. Its design is similar to one of its high-end siblings – the Astro A50 with big large ear cups, and an adjustable microphone that can be flipped to mute.
The A10 headset comes in different design color variation such as blue, green, red, etc. which are targeted at Xbox One, PS4, and PC gamers respectively, although any color variation of the headset is fully compatible with those devices listed. It is built with aluminum to make it lightweight and durable and also to make it look beautiful. Its ear cups are large enough and built to fit the natural curves of your ears and the band has thick padding protecting the part of your head that comes in contact with the band. Its power cord is 6.5ft in length and is easily detachable and easily replaced when faulty at the same time. The headset also contains a pair of 50-mm audio drivers that are customized to meet Astro’s high standards and deliver clear stereo sound.
It also has a 3.5mm audio jack that enables it to be used across most devices and gaming consoles and a microphone that is very effective and good for communication. The only caveats of the A10 gaming headset are its lack of advanced features, and the need to get an adapter to use it with a PC, which inevitably adds to the overhead cost. Many other headsets in this price range have no use for an adapter as they manage to combine both voice and game audio into the same cord.
Pros
- Impressive audio performance
- Durable design
- Affordable
- Powerful bass
- Feels very comfortable
Cons
- No accessories included
- No simulated surround sounds
- Can be uncomfortable after prolonged use
CORSAIR HS70 SE 7.1 Gaming Headset
The CORSAIR HS70 headset is also a good low budget gaming headphone and has a performance that would impress any gamer. Its design has two variations: closed- back and over-ear type. It is built with metal components to enhance durability and weighs about 13.2 ounces with a headset frequency response range of about 20-4000Hz. It is a little bulky compared to many of its competitors in this category and can become uncomfortable during long gaming hours.
The microphone is dynamic and uni-directional with a frequency response range of about 100 – 10000khz and even ships with the headset detached. This detachable feature means it can easily be replaced or upgraded to a better microphone or even removed completely for gamers that play solo. The headset is fitted with 50mm neodymium drivers, which are way better than the other drivers that can be found in similar headsets with the same price range and the ear cups have plush foam cushions for added comfortability. The HS70 headset is a great headset overall and wonderful for gamers that want to stick to a budget
Pros
- Great drivers
- High build quality
- Plush memory foam
- Very compatible
- Detachable Mic
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Weak 7.1 virtual surround sound
Buyers Guide
What Is A Gaming Headset?
A gaming headset is very similar to most headsets out there, but with many more additional features that make the gaming experience immersive for the user. They always have microphones attached with them that enables them to be able to communicate with a team member during group games, which makes it an essential feature.
Headsets whether gaming or normal, are generally judged by their sound quality. A gaming headset needs a finer and crisper sound quality. The transmission must be clear and should block out any background noise – the most important components in the headset. And while all headphones are judged by their sound quality, a gaming headset demands a finer and clearer sound quality that provides detailed and crisp voice transmission and blocks out any unnecessary outside noise.
These are some of the things you should consider when buying a gaming headset.
- Compatibility across platforms
You must be sure about the range of gaming devices the headset is compatible with. You should be sure it works across devices such as PCs, PS4, Xbox One, Mac and any platforms you use frequently
- Comfort
You should be certain the headsets are comfortable enough to be worn over long periods especially if you spend long hours gaming.
- Microphone
You should find out if the microphone that comes with the headset provides crisp communication and has the noise cancellation feature
- Durability
The headset design should look durable, and be made of tough material that would let it stand the test of time
- Sound Quality
The headset should emit great sounds, and also have the virtual 7.1 surround sound feature if possible
What’s the Difference Between Gaming Headsets And Music Headphones?
The major difference between both is the presence or absence of a microphone. This difference is pretty visible to anyone. Gaming headsets always have a microphone attached to them, while most music headphones do not have a visible microphone. The gaming headset is just a music headset with the addition of a microphone for interactivity
In terms of quality and requirements, music headsets are focused on one thing mostly which is the quality of stereo sound they emit, because they are majorly used for listening to music or watching movies. But for gaming headsets, there are so many other aspects to take into consideration, such as noise-cancelling features, ear cup seal isolation, microphone sensitivity, etc.
What Headsets Work with PS4?
PS4 has a standard 3.5mm jack, which is the most common type of jack found on all gaming headsets. Therefore, almost all gaming headsets should be compatible with a PS4. There aren’t really any specific gaming headsets made only for a PS4.
What Headsets Work with Xbox One?
The Xbox One doesn’t come with a standard 3.5mm jack, unlike the PS4. If you want to connect most gaming headsets to an Xbox One, you might need to buy an adapter which can be gotten from the official Xbox Store.
Some headsets are built mainly to be used on the Xbox console that comes with an adapter, so you can always get one of those.
Conclusion
All gaming headsets have their strengths and weaknesses, especially when you are on a budget. It would be best to list out the requirements which you want in your headset to have in order of priority and then select your headset based on that.
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