The market for gaming headphones has been expanding rapidly in the past few years. In modern gaming, your headset plays a significant role in determining the quality of gameplay and even your performance in some cases.
Therefore, choosing the right pair of gaming headphones is an important decision, especially with the vast selection of different brands and models. In many cases, investing hundreds of dollars on a pair of high-end gaming headphones is a little overkill, especially when plenty of cheaper options have great performance nowadays.
So if you are on a tight budget, or you’d rather allocate your resources to other gaming elements, well not to worry! We’ve come up with a list of some excellent but cheap headsets for gaming so that you can stay on top of your competition.
Our Top 3 Picks
1. HyperX Cloud Stinger
Features:Â Stereo Headset, 50mm directional drivers, Cross-platform compatibility, lightweight, rotating earcups, HyperX Memory foam and leatherette earcups.
- A lot of value for your buck
- One of the best performing budget headsets
- Excellent comfort
- Â Doesn’t work with some old PC’s
HyperX not only makes some of the best high-end competitive headsets but also has an excellent budget candidate, the Stinger. This headset is extremely light and has cross-platform compatibility to give you a flexible user experience.
The rotating ear cups and the memory foam make for a comfortable gaming experience, and you don’t have to worry about fatigue unless you are planning a gaming marathon. While it might not look as professional as it’s big brother, HyperX Cloud 2, it does have its charm with its very sleek and simple look. The noise cancellation in these headphones is top-notch which is not something you see everything in a sub 50 dollar headset.
The Stinger does not have surround sound, but that is probably for the best, as surround sound in headsets of this price range tend to be horrible. Nonetheless, the sound quality was excellent all things considered, and features like the intuitive volume control were handy. The Stinger is a solid choice for the everyday gamer and one of the best affordable headphones for gaming today.
Click for Full In-depth Review
Related:Â Best Wireless Gaming Headsets – Complete Buying Guide
2. Corsair HS50
Features:Â Stereo headset, multi-platform compatibility, detachable microphone, 50mm drivers, on-ear volume control.
- Very high quality for your money
- Great audio and microphone quality
- Â Detachable, uni-directional microphone
- Â No surround sound
Corsair has been a popular and well-recognized gaming peripheral company for a while now. In addition to their large collection of keyboards and mice, they also sell great headphones, such as the HS50.
Compared to some of the other headphones on this list, this product is one of the best options, but also the more expensive. While still staying on the affordable side of things. The Corsair HS50 is a solid device and has most of what you would expect and then some.
The HS50s have adjustable memory foam ear cups that fit snugly on your ear, helping isolate sound. Additionally, the headband is durable, comfortable and flexible, making the HS50 one of the most comfortable options on this list. With a 50mm neodymium speaker driver, the sound quality has both high-quality bass and treble. This provides crisp, clear and reliable sound creating an immersive gaming experience. The on-ear controls are also a nice touch. This enables users to mute sound, control volume and microphone settings straight from the product itself.
Expand for More
The detachable mic is noise canceling, slim and flexible. Not only that, the microphone creates a crystal clear transmission, and the detachability feature makes the HS50 reasonably portable.
Finally, we have the build quality. The HS50s are durable, as you might expect if you are familiar with Corsair’s product line. They are made of both high-quality plastic and a metal alloy. The foam and headband are built for longevity, and the headphones themselves look sharp. They are compatible with most modern consoles, PCs, and smartphones.
The Corsair HS50 gaming headphones are more expensive, and for a good reason. The product is very well built, with high-end audio quality and the most comfortable fit of the list. Due to their ergonomic build and high sound quality, the HS50s also make a great gadget for listening to music, not only gaming.
Best of all, the headset weighs less than a pound, allowing users to game for hours upon hours without feeling any discomfort. If you are willing to invest more in a pair of mid-range gaming headphones, the Corsair HS50 should make it near the top of your list.
3. SteelSeries Arctis 3
Features:Â S1 drivers(Compatible with native surround sound), Cross-platform compatible, On-ear audio controls, ClearCast Mic.
- Exceptional comfort & design
- Â Best-in-class audio quality
- ClearCast microphone is one of the best in the business
- Â Sonic Spatial Audio is a decent supplement for the lack of surround sound
- Â Max volume could be a bit louder
The SteelSeries Arctis series is a renowned as a high-end line of gaming headsets but that is only partly true. It is indeed some of the best headsets on the market but it also has a budget option available in the Arctis 3.
With the same quality and comfort as the more expensive Arctis headsets are famous for, the Arctis 3 is off to a brilliant start. Despite being a watered down version of the Arctis 5 it still has some of the best-in-class sound quality and has kept some of the great features such as the ClearCast microphone and S1 drivers.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is slightly more expensive than your average budget headset but its design, build, and performance more than makes up for it. An excellent choice for gamers looking for a great mid-range gaming headset.
Expand for More
SteelSeries has, in many ways, perfected the art of gaming headsets. This is especially prevalent when you look at the ClearCast microphone, widely considered the best mic on the market among gamers. It offers flawless communication with your team, excellent noise cancellation and is fully retractable.
Another part of the Arctis line of headsets that is hard to complain about is the design. The AirWeave ear cushions are incredibly comfortable and keep the ears cool even on warm days. The left ear cushion also has a nice set of media controls allowing you to adjust volume and mute your microphone quickly. Although I would have liked a larger mute button as it can be a bit tough to find without removing the headset.
Lastly, the S1 drivers create incredible low-distortion sound quality with clear highs, mids, and lows. While it does not have actual surround sound like the Arcis 5 or 7, it does has Windows Sonic Spatial Audio which can be activated to take advantage of the native surround sound that can be found on Windows and Xbox One consoles. It is not as good as pure surround sound, but it does an outstanding job at replicating the feel of it. Overall the Arctis 3 has some of the clearest audio quality out of any headset in this price range as well as excellent overall performance.
4. Turtle Beach Atlas One
Features:Â Stereo Sound, Native surround sound compatible, Flip-up mic, memory foam ear cushions.
- Great bang for your buck
- Â Good stereo sound quality
- Compatible with Windows native surround sound
- Â Microphone is too sensitive & poor quality
Turtle Beach is all about the headsets and although they usually focus on console gaming, the Atlas One headset is a great budget option for PC and console gamers alike. Its stereo drivers deliver fantastic sound quality when considering the price tag and it is even surround sound compatible on Windows.
The design is simple and comfortable with memory foam ear cushions and a well-padded headband. Quality-wise it is also one of the better options on the market, and it certainly doesn’t feel like a 40$ headset.
My only complaint really is with the microphone. It is too sensitive, and the quality is kind of weak and makes you sound a bit like an airplane pilot. Luckily it is incredibly easy to mute yourself with the flip-up function, so there is that.
Expand for More
The Atlas One is very much what you’d expect from a quality brand like Turtle Beach and their expertise in creating headsets for gaming really shows. They knew exactly what features to cut and what to keep, to create a functional, well-rounded budget option for PC gamers.
They kept the signature stereo sound quality that delivers clear directional audio. You will have no trouble hearing your enemies footsteps and locating them before it’s too late.
As mentioned earlier, my most significant and the only real complaint is with the microphone. It’s just not good enough. The quality is bad, and it is way too sensitive. So if you often play with friends over Discord or enjoy team-based games with voice chat, then you might want to look elsewhere.
In the end, you do get a lot of bang for your buck with the Atlas One, and I would recommend it to any gamer that doesn’t spend too much time in team voice chat.
5. NUBWO N7
Features:Â Stereo sound, 50mm drivers, Noise-canceling microphone, Cross-platform compatible.
- Outstanding value for your buck
- Quality feels well above its price range
- Â Comfortable
- Â On-ear volume control is not that easy to locate
One of the most popular budget headsets on the market right now is the N7 from Nubwo who have really made a name for themselves over the past few years and the N7 is their best headset yet.
It offers a well-rounded package with a comfortable design, good sound quality, beautiful aesthetics, and a great microphone. It might not have a ton of features like the G432 from Logitech, but it does everything very well.
Its microphone is stand-out for the price range. Being fully flexible, noise-canceling, and overall provide really good quality communication. The stereo sound quality is also well above your average budget headset and also give pretty clear directional audio which can help you hear enemy footsteps or essential abilities.
Expand for More
The first thing you notice when unboxing the N7 is how it feels pretty superior in terms of quality compared to most 50 dollar headsets. They could easily go for 70 dollars without feeling ”overpriced,” and I suppose that is often an upside to buying from less famous brands like Nubwo.
The materials feel durable and most importantly, comfortable. The soft leatherette ear cushions are really pleasant to wear, although I would have liked a bit more padding on the headband. Overall a really comfortable headset that you can wear for hours without too much fatigue or overheated ears.
It also has on-ear volume controls and a mute button on the microphone itself. The volume wheel is a bit too small and not that easy to locate at times, but the on-mic mute is excellent and feels natural to use.
The Nubwo N7 is one of the best deals on the market when it comes to gaming headsets, and you will be hard-pressed trying to find more value for your buck elsewhere.
6. Logitech G432
Features: DTS Headphone X 2.0 Surround sound, 3D Soundscape, 50mm drivers, On-cable sound controls, cloth ear cups, lightweight.
- New-generation surround sound
- Stellar sound quality
- Â Lightweight
- Â Not the best quality microphone
The latest version of Logitech’s mid-to-low tier gaming headset, the G432 is slightly more expensive than your average ”budget headset” but also have a lot of additional features on offer. It comes with the latest generation of surround sound with the DTS X 2.0 and 3D Soundscape for increased immersion, as well as overall great sound quality.
The biggest disappointment of the new G432 is the fact that its design and aesthetics are only slightly different from its predecessor. It looks a lot better but feels the same and the old model was honestly not that great. The build feels a bit cheaper than what you’d expect from a mid-tier headset and the microphone, in particular, is a letdown.
If performance is your number one concern, then the G432 is a great pick, but if you value comfort and looks highly, then I would recommend the Arctis 3 instead.
7. Razer Electra V2
Features:Â 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound, 40mm drivers, Lightweight design, Multi-platform, Flexible microphone.
- Great sound quality
- Â Has 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Flexible microphone
- Â Ear cushions lack breathability
- Â Non-braided cable gets easily entangled in itself
Razer is not exactly known for their affordable prices but the Electra V2 is the exception. A very budget-friendly pair of gaming headphones that focus on the bare essentials. Good sound quality and design.
The Razer Electra V2 looks great, and the design is decently comfortable, although people with large ears might find them too tight. But both the headband and earpads are well padded, and the lightweight design limits fatigue during long gaming sessions.
Its clear sound and surround sound is it’s best features and where it sets itself apart from other similar headsets.
Overall a decent pair of Razer headphones but it does fall a bit short on both quality and comfort compared to our top picks like the Arctis 3 and HS50. I will recommend them to diehard fans of the Razer brand.
Expand for More
The sound quality is as good as you might expect from a pair of 40mm drivers but well above average. I was also happy to see that they had included 7.1 virtual surround sound which adds another layer of immersion to your gaming experience and not common in this price class.
It uses a regular non-braided jack port which does it job but gets easily entangled and lacks durability. On the plus side, the jack ensures full cross-media compatibility, so if you like switching between console and PC gaming, this is great.
The design is comfortable enough but does lack breathability. After a couple of hours, your ears will likely be begging for a big of fresh air, but that is a quite common issue for budget headphones.
Not my favorite on the list but it does have its highlights such as better-than-most sound quality and good looking design. For most people, I would probably recommend spending slightly more and getting the Arctis 3, but if you love Razer, then this is a great pick.
8. Turtle Beach Ear Force Recon 50P
Features:Â Stereo sound, 40mm drivers, Cross-platform compatible, Lightweight design.
- Exceptional microphone for the price range
- Â Good, clear stereo sound
- Â Full cross-platform compatibility
- Â Earpads can feel a bit tight after a few hours
- Â Wire out of each earpad is a bit annoying
Another great budget pick from Turtle Beach. The Ear Force Recon 50P is fully compatible with all consoles as well as PC. It uses a dueo 40mm driver setup that provides clear audio quality but nothing spectacular.
It has a compact design, and despite being padded, it can leave your ears a bit sore if you play for many hours. The microphone is fully flexible and detachable, and the sound quality it provides is excellent for the price range.
The Turtle Beach Ear Force Recon has some of the best-in-class audio and mic quality but falls a bit short in terms of comfort. It is well suited for people who enjoy short gaming sessions and gamers who use in-game voice chat a lot.
Expand for More
I don’t have a lot of really negative things to say about the Ear Force Recon, but a few things did annoy me. The headset has a wire coming out of both earpads and while I am sure this is designed to help with the sound quality it is a bit annoying compared to the standard 1-wire setup. On the plus side, the wire has an on-hand media controller that allows you to mute and adjust volume easily.
The quality build feels decent enough, but it’s not its strong suit. With a mostly plastic build and an un-braided wire, it does feel like you need to be a bit careful when using it, but gaming headsets are not exactly meant to be thrown around either.
I’d say the sound quality, and microphone performance makes it one of the best cross-platform headsets in the 40 dollar price range and I would highly recommend it to most casual gamers. The tight fit might become an issue if you often play for more than 3 hours at a time though.
9. Plugable Onyx HS53
Features:Â Stereo sound, 53mm drivers, Multi-platform, Retractable microphone.
- A lot of value for your buck
- Great stereo audio quality
- Plug-and-play
- The fit is a bit too loose & lacks breathability
The Onyx HS53 is Plugable’s first stab at a gaming headset which is quite impressive all things considered. It’s 53mm drivers deliver excellent stereo sound quality for your buck and a good amount of bass as well.
The design is overall very comfortable, but the earpads do sit a bit lose on the head, so it’s not great if you tend to make rapid head movements while gaming.
It is an overall excellent budget headset that performs well in most regards and has very few negatives.
10. Fusion
Features:Â Stereo sound, 50mm drivers, on-ear sound controls, detachable microphone, memory foam earpads, multi-platform compatibility.
- Great stereo sound quality and bass
- Â Feels and look very qualitative
- Excellent, detachable microphone
- Â Slightly uncomfortable to wear for many hours due to weight
Next up we have the Fusion Gaming Headset. This product is definitely for people looking to stay on budget, but still feel like they got a quality product for their buck.
The most notable feature of the Fusion Headsets are the significant, 50mm drivers that deliver deep, booming bass, and high-quality stereo sound. The on-ear controls are also a nice feature. In addition to the sound quality, and noise-isolation, the ear-cups comfortably sit on your ear, drowning out distracting noises around you.
The built-in control panel allows you to conveniently control things like audio volume and microphone settings through the device itself.
The Fusion headset has a phenomenal detachable microphone. Not only is it visually stunning, but the receiver also transmits clear, crisp and loud audio, especially for its slim composition.
Despite having a good sound quality and a stellar microphone for the price range, the Fusion headset’s biggest strength might be its exterior. It looks incredible and could easily pass as a high-end headset. It has a sleek, futuristic and clean build. It has circular ear cups, and the frame looks clean, almost to a point where you can’t even tell it’s mostly made of hard plastic.
Expand for More
With the 42-inch, braided, 3.5 audio wire, the Fusion gaming headsets are compatible with the Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac, and most mobile devices.
The memory foam earpieces on the Fusion gaming headset are very comfortable. However, the headband can be an issue for some people. The headphones are not super bulky, but also not all that light. This means that without the padding on the headband, wearing this product for long periods can be uncomfortable.
Besides that, the Fusion gaming headsets have very few cons and should be considered, especially for the mind-boggling affordable price.
Top 5 Gaming Headsets Under 25$
I would not recommend buying a headset in this price range as they tend to have a lot of issues and low durability. However, for those in need of an ultra-budget friendly option, here are five decent headsets for gaming that cost under 25$.
1. SADES CX-778
Features: Stereo headset with 50mm drivers, Omnidirectional Microphone, noise-cancellation, universal compatibility, Cushioned earpads.
- Â Looks absolutely stunning
- Â Precise and clear sound
- Feels very sturdy
- Â Not too comfortable to wear for many hours
The SADES CX-778 Gaming Headphones are some of the most beautiful sub 40 dollar headphones on the market, thanks to their HyperX Cloud inspired quality headband and black on red design. However, it’s not just a pretty product. It actually has some decent performance to back it up.
The large, 50mm driver creates high precision audio and delivers loud, clear sound, which is somewhat rare to see in a headset that is this affordable.
The headset has a frequency range of 20 – 20000 Hz and an impedance of 32 Ohm. The headphones themselves are reasonably comfortable and has with a soft headband, cushioned ear pads, and premium PU leather enclosures.
The overall build feels quite sturdy and relatively qualitative. It has a very standard, slim, yet simplistic design, making it appealing to both the eyes and ears. It may not have RGB LED Backlighting, but it still looks miles better than most headsets in its price range.
Expand for More
The durability of the CX-778 is superior to its price class as well. The frame is composed of a mixture of high-quality plastic and metal. The headband itself isn’t that bulky, but it still provides a tight, comfortable fit.
The mic itself is mediocre and not as well done as the rest of the headset. It doesn’t have the best sound quality, but this could be due to its tiny size, which can be a pro to some people who dislike bulky mics. It may not have poor quality, but it still has a reasonably low sensitivity and minimum frequency range.
The SADES CX-778 is without a doubt, a good pair of gaming headphones. However, they are not the most comfortable to wear for hours on end, due to its pretty concerning. However, a few hours at a time and you won’t notice any issues, and the advanced cushioning of the headband even makes it comfortable to use for short gaming sessions at a time.
All and all, SADES CX-778 is a perfect option if you want something that feels pretty high-end without having to pay accordingly.
2. Nubwo N2
Features:Â Dual 50mm drivers, Stereo sound, Lightweight, on-ear volume controls, multi-platform compatibility, braided wire.
- Incredible value for money
- Â Comfortable du to its cushioning and lightweight build
- Drivers deliver a good sound quality
- Â Almost no bass
Don’t let this stellar looking gaming headset fool you; it is as affordable as the VersionTech G2000, it just doesn’t look the part. However, it is more than a pretty face, it is also comfortable and sports some great 50mm drivers under the hood.
While it is noticeable that it is mostly made off hard plastic when you have it in your hands, that doesn’t detract from the fact that it looks like a 100 dollar headset at one-fifth of the cost. On top of that, the plastic build makes it incredibly lightweight and is one of the factors that make it so comfortable to wear.
Expand for More
Now let us not get carried away. Its actual performance is not on par with high-end headsets, but it still has very decent audio and sound quality. So unless you are an audiophile, they do make for a decent pair of headphones.
The microphone is another part that performed way above what you might expect from a 20 dollar headset. If your primary use of the microphone is a bit of in-game voice chatting with your friends or guild members, then the Nubwo N2 will be sufficient. However, I would not recommend using it if you plan on streaming or Twitch or maybe making your own videos as the receiver quality does show signs of a struggle once you actually add it to a video editing program.
The biggest con with the Nubwo N2 is the bass and general lows of the sound system. As stated earlier, it’s alright but the bass is almost nonexistent, and the sound quality is almost too clear to produce proper lows.
All and all this is probably the best 20 dollar headset on the market, and its comfort alone make it worth every penny. When you back that up with good sound quality and a decent microphone, then you have a very successful budget option on your hands.Â
3. Bengoo G9000
Features:Â Stereo sound, Multi-platform compatibility, noise isolating microphone, LED lights.
- Incredible value for money
- Â Comfortable
- precise audio positioning
- Â Not the best audio quality
The Bengoo G9000 are some of the most popular affordable gaming headphones on the market and we can certainly see why. With a frequency range of 15Hz – 20KHz, and a 40mm magnetic neodymium driver, the G9000 has good audio positioning, which is more than can be said about most budget headsets. That being said, the actual sound quality on the G9000 is not exactly perfect but matches what you’d expect from its price.
They do have advanced and precise audio positioning, making it a decent option for tactical FPS games. Even with the overall sound quality suffering compared to the Stinger or G430, these headphones still have strong bass. However, I would not suggest using these for anything more than gaming.
Expand for More
The isolating microphone can be adjusted to your liking and can pick up your voice, not white noise, with ease. The appearance is nothing fancy but still looks alright.
At first glance, the Bengoo G9000 looks a bit like a cheap, made in China product. Although, don’t let this fool you. The G9000 has high quality, permeable, over-ear pads and a cushioned headbands.
The product is incredibly light as well, so it allows gamers to play for hours without any discomfort. Another notable feature is the breathable leather material. This decreases sweat build up around the ear cups. Besides that, the Begoo G9000 don’t have much more to them. They are decent, budget gaming headphones that have most of what you would expect. If you are looking for comfort and maybe aren’t exactly an audiophile, this product may be down your alley.
4. SADES Spirit Wolf
Features:Â Magnetic NdFeB driver, 7.1 Surround sound, breathing LED lighting, memory foam earcups, noise cancellation.
- Very good bass and decent surround sound
- Â Beautiful LED lighting and design
- Precise audio positioning
- Â Rather heavy
- Â Microphone not the best
It has always amazed just how much Sades are able to stuff into their extremely affordable gaming gear. The new Spirit Wolf headphones are just the latest example of this but not the only one on this list.
The SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 is more affordable than most headsets we have on here, making it an excellent option for people on a really tight budget.
The new magnetic NdFeB driver provides clear bass boosted sound and accurate acoustic positioning. The sensitivity is 115dB, and the frequency range is 20-20000 Hz. Everything from footsteps, gunshots, and explosions can be heard and located pretty precisely in game.
The headset is visually appealing and follows a futuristic design much like other gaming peripherals. Although, the SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 is more unique, and has a sleek, geometric design.
Additionally, the headsets also have a more advanced LED backlighting feature. The colors can be changed, and the breathing LED lighting effect creates a more exciting vibe.
Expand for More
The SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 is also pretty comfortable, built out of durable materials and soft foam. A favored featured is the more complex volume and microphone control buttons located on the non-threaded USB connection cable. The headsets are compatible with nearly every PC, and most new-gen consoles.
The SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 is merely phenomenal for its price. However, it still lacks the sound quality of headsets like Corsair HS50 or Logitech G430. Despite its advanced sound positioning technology, the treble in this product lacks behind a bit.
The microphone on the Spirit Wolf is mediocre. It’s not a major selling point for them, but it’s more than sufficient for most gamers. If you are looking for a product to record videos or music, you should look elsewhere. The frame of the headphones are mostly made of high-quality plastic but still weighs a lot. This means that the SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 can be uncomfortable when worn for long periods.
Overall, the headphones are a suitable choice, especially for the unbelievable price. If you are looking for a pair of headphone specifically for your gaming needs, the SADES Spirit Wolf 7.1 should definitely be considered.
5. VersionTech G2000
Features: 50mm magnetic neodymium driver, universal compatibility, on-ear controls, stereo sound, synthetic leather-wrapped cushioning, Blue LED lighting.
- Incredible comfort
- Â Good sound and bass quality
- Very high value for money
- Â Headband a little frail
VersionTech is a popular budget gaming peripheral company that has been dominating the market for a while now. Among many of their successful products, the G2000 stands out as the most popular.
These headphones are affordable, simplistic and fill most gamers needs sufficiently. For starters, these headsets have high precision, 50mm magnetic neodymium driver that has a 20HZ – 20KHz frequency range. In comparison to the other headphones of its price range, the sound quality in the G2000 excels.
Additionally, the headphones have an adjustable microphone that picks up your voice with moderate clarity. If the intended use of the receiver is casual gaming with friends, there’s nothing to worry about. However, I would not recommend leading a 20-man raid in World of Warcraft with this microphone.
Expand for More
The G2000s comfortably sit on your head and around your ears thanks to the synthetic leather-wrapped cushioning and breathable headband. The threaded cables enable for universal compatibility. These headphones support newer Playstations, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles. Additionally, this product works with most smartphones and PCs.
The VersionTech G2000 has an attractive appearance. The bright and adjustable LED backlighting is one of the most notable features of the build. Besides that, the G2000s resemble a modern, sleek, simplistic headset.
However, the actual durability of these headphones is not phenomenal. The frame is made out of a frail plastic. This also means that these headphones are incredibly light, making them comfortable to wear in the long run, make sure not to treat them too harshly.
Overall, G2000 is a reliable pair of gaming headphones. They have high-quality sound, a sleek design, and straightforward build. Most importantly, the G2000s are comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time.
