Tip: if you’re going to be traveling soon, make sure you know how to use your favorite headphones for in-flight entertainment.
1. Razer Kraken X
Price range: under $50 If you’re looking for a budget gaming headset with good microphone quality, Razer Kraken X is a great choice. Although wired, its comfortability isn’t affected by its lightweight build and design. It also offers latency-free audio, making it a good choice to use for competitive games. The Razer Kraken X has a great mic, so you won’t experience issues relaying information when communicating with people, as they can hear you clearly. However, its sound quality isn’t impressive if you listen to music often and care about sound detail in games.
Pros
Excellent microphone quality 7.1 surround sound Lightweight Comfy to wear, even with glasses on Discord-certified Razer Synapse support
Cons
7.1 surround sound only works in Windows 10 Microphone is not detachable Wired
2. Turtle Beach Recon 70
Price range: under $50 The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a perfect fit for gamers on different platforms, despite not being wireless. On the bright side, audio latency is non-existent with this headset. However, the Turtle Beach Recon 70’s build isn’t one of the sturdiest on the list. It’s made purely from plastic, and that makes this headset easy to break compared to the ones with aluminum and other metal parts. It offers great comfort, as it only weighs about half a pound, which is light for a gaming headset. This weight wouldn’t be possible without its plastic build, so if you want a lightweight gaming headset, you have to overlook the build quality.
Pros
Affordable Comfortable fit 8 color options Lightweight
Cons
No software support Limited on-the-fly buttons Mic not detachable
Good to know: experiencing issues with your microphone picking up headset output? We show you how to fix it.
3. Asus TUF Gaming H3
Price range: under $50 ASUS’s TUF Gaming H3 is one of the brand’s budget gaming headsets from its TUF hardware and peripherals line. Despite its plastic build, it’s still recognized as one of the most comfortable headsets to wear – even during long gaming sessions. It also has on-the-fly controls, such as mute and volume built on the side of one of the ear cups, which leaves the non-detachable wire free of in-line controls, reducing the weight. If you want this headset but prefer wireless peripherals, opt for the ASUS TUF Gaming H3 Wireless instead.
Pros
Comfortable to wear and lightweight Good microphone quality On-the-fly controls
Cons
Plastic build Microphone not detachable No software support
4. HyperX Cloud II
Price range: $50 to $100 The Hyper X Cloud II is a well-loved headset among esports professionals and streamers. For its price, it offers excellent features that you’d want in a gaming headset, such as low latency, which is essential when playing games. It also features comfortability, even after a long period of gaming. Although it has a lot of good features, its downside is the wired connection, which might become a hassle. If you prefer wireless gaming headsets, you can opt for the HyperX Cloud II Wireless.
Pros
Excellent build quality Great bass Light and comfortable to wear Detachable microphone 7.1 surround sound toggle In-line microphone and headset volume control
Cons
Wired Surround sound can only be used with specific devices Not portable Microphone quality isn’t very good No software support
Tip: learn how to share audio during a Zoom call.
5. Corsair HS70 Pro
Price range: $100 to $150 The Corsair HS70 Pro offers quite a lot for the price. Its build quality feels premium and durable enough to use for long gaming sessions, which sets the standard high for headsets priced at this range. With its Discord-certified, detachable, and unidirectional microphone, you can use it when playing games where clear communication is vital. It’s supported by the Windows-only iCue software that lets you customize your Corsair HS70 Pro’s sound profile, turn on 7.1 surround sound, and adjust the microphone volume. The Corsair HS70 Pro can only be connected via USB dongle, which means you can use it on devices with USB Type-A ports.
Pros
Wireless Detachable mic Great build and sound quality 7.1 surround sound 16-hour battery life iCUE software support
Cons
Audio latency if you go more than 32 feet away from its receiver iCUE software only available on Windows Leather ear cushions get worn out easily On the heavier side of gaming headsets
6. Razer Barracuda X
Price range: Under $100 The Razer Barracuda X is a wireless gaming headset that offers three connectivity options, which makes it convenient for users who game on PC, console, and mobile. Although not supported by Razer Synapse, it’s supported by the Razer Audio App that’s available for iOS and Android devices. It has good microphone quality, letting others hear you without background noise. The 2022 version of this headset has upgrades that include Bluetooth 5.2 and a longer battery life that can last up to 50 hours of usage.
Pros
Works over 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, and 3.5mm analog On-the-fly headset controls Wireless 50-hour battery life Supported by the Razer Audio app on iOS and Android
Cons
Noise isolation not the best No headset software for customization Not supported by Razer Synapse
Good to know: audio drivers are an important component of headphones. learn the about headphone drivers and how they affect audio quality.
7. Epos H6PRO
Price range: $150 to $200 The Epos H6PRO comes in two versions: open- and closed-back. The differences between the two versions show in terms of noise isolation, comfort when using, and audio quality. If you want good noise isolation, the closed-back version is the better choice. One of its downsides is that it doesn’t work wirelessly even at this price point. Still, it’s a good choice for multi-platform gamers who appreciate well-balanced and isolated sound when gaming. It’s also suitable for listening to music, as it has a flip-to-mute microphone that’s also detachable.
Pros
Excellent build and sound quality Well-balanced sound reproduction Detachable flip-to-mute mic Open and closed-back versions are available Deep audio levels
Cons
On the pricier side of gaming headsets Wired Microphone quality can be improved Bulky design
8. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7x Wireless
Price range: $150 to $200 With its good build quality, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova doesn’t feel flimsy and the light clamping force is perfect for gamers who use glasses. The headset is a great choice for multi-platform gamers, as it can be connected to devices using the USB dongle, Bluetooth, and its Type-C wire. The downside to this headset is the default sound profile. Its overpowering bass can take a toll on your listening experience. Fortunately, the sound profile can be adjusted to your liking using software from SteelSeries that works on Windows and macOS.
Pros
Wireless 38-hour battery life Low latency, even through wireless connectivity Great microphone quality Fast charging Multiple SteelSeries software support Can work over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
Cons
Bass-heavy default sound profile Bulky design of dongle raises potential port-blocking issues
9. Logitech G735
Price: $200 to $250 The Logitech G735 from Logitech’s Aurora Collection is a high-end headset offering low latency, audio mixing, and a comfortable fit. However, it doesn’t have noise cancellation, and you can only rely on its ear pads to isolate. With 40 mm audio drivers and Dolby Atmos sound support, you can expect decent sound quality. It also has excellent microphone quality with its Blue VO!CE filters in the Logitech G Hub software.
Pros
Wireless Comfortable fit for any head size Great detachable, performing microphone 16-hour battery life Low latency Can connect using 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously Supported by Logitech G Hub
Cons
Small wireless range Only one color option No noise cancellation
Tip: is your Discord stream lagging? Not to worry, as this tutorial shows you what to do in such a situation. Image credit: Pexels. All original photos by Natalie dela Vega. Even so, some affordable options have been included in our list because they manage to bring to the table an impressive set of features, despite the low price tag.
