There was a time when gaming was a recreational activity. But today, it is much more than that. People are using it as a way of escape from daily life’s monotony and also to make money. Games have also evolved a lot and it is not just the visual that needs to be compelling. Sound quality and multi-player connectivity are also necessary. To get the complete gaming experience, 21st-century gamers need gaming headsets that have a fantastic sound quality and are also high on comfort. However, not everyone has deep pockets so they look for budget gaming headsets. If you are searching for the same, then this guide will give you many options to explore.
Best budget gaming headset
SteelSeries Arctis 1
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 6.4 ounces
Xbox Wireless Headset
- Black
- Wireless (15 hours)
- Over Ear
- 1.53 pounds
Turtle Beach Recon 500
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 1.42 Pounds
PDP LVL50 Wireless
- Black
- Wireless (+16 Hours)
- Over Ear
- 1.76 Pounds
Corsair HS60 Haptic
- Arctic Camo
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 1.46 pounds
HyperX Cloud Stinger
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 9.7 ounces
Razer Kraken X
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 8.8 ounces
Roccat Elo 7.1 USB
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 13.1 ounces
HyperX Cloud Core 7.1
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 1.52 pounds
Sony Pulse 3D
- Black & White
- Wireless (12 hours)
- Over Ear
- 1.15 pounds
Razer BlackShark V2 X
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 1.2 pounds
JBL Quantum 300
- Black
- Wired
- Over Ear
- 8.6 ounces
If you are on a tight budget, then SteelSeries Arctis 1 is a great option for you. It doesn’t come with the suspension headband design for a lower-profile approach but has a simple cushioned headband and size adjustment sliders. The spacious earcups and 40mm neodymium drivers offer you more than what you have been wishing for. The headsets give out solid sound and can attach to any device with a 3.5mm headset jack. It is compatible with PS4, Xbox One, PC/Mac, Nintendo Switch.
This headset is compatible with Xbox Series X/S, PS5/PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac. It introduces new 60mm dual drivers, splitting up the high and low frequencies for impressive audio detail. Engines revving and explosive booming will all be crystal clear and great enough to give you goosebumps. The Turtle Beach Recon 500 uses a 3.5mm wired connection, supporting almost any platform. A volume dial on the left earcup and a simple-to-push button to mute the mic offers convenient control.
Headphone gives you the ability to fully immerse yourself into the game. But many headsets lack that oomph effect. Corsair HS60 Haptic headset connects to your PC over a USB connection. It gives out a rumbling sound effect that makes the gaming experience even more amazing. The ear cups are also spacious enough to cover your ear and a sturdy build makes sure that the headset will last. The cushioning inside keeps headsets comfortable and doesn’t cause any strain on the ear.
If you are looking for a very sturdy design, soft padding, and large ear cups that snugs your ears comfortably, then HyperX Cloud Stinger is a fantastic option for you. Its intuitive slider is the on-ear audio control that makes it easy to use while worn. The audio blows out at higher ranges that can be a bit painful. But if comfort is what you are seeking, then these headsets are worth buy.
Astro A10 is compatible with PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, mobile, PC and features 40mm drivers. Astro has some expensive high-end headsets but with this device, they proved that they can offer something great even at a lower price. Its slick design will remind you of its more premium siblings such as the A40 and A50. At the price of less than $50, it has a surprising level of style and sturdiness. Its lightweight frame and soft memory foam make it ideal for long sessions. The sound quality is also amazing at this price.
A very solid budget handset in the market is Razer Kraken X. It is packed with good sound and great design. Here, you witness features like its sleek, subtle, and lightweight with leatherette ear cups that are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Its 3.5 mm connection works with consoles and PCs in a seamless manner. It lacks in better music performance but a good gaming headset for the price.
This headset is compatible with PC, has 50 mm drivers with 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response. If you compare Roccat Elo 7.1 USB with other PC accessories, it is a reliable gaming headset and fairly priced. It offers solid performance and dialogues come in loud and clear. Effects like gunfire, explosions, and other rumbling effects sound amazing, giving you intense action gameplay. When not playing, you can use it as headphones and enjoy superb treble and vocals. With Roccat Swarm software, you can pick different audio presets based on gaming genres. Go ahead and switch between stereo and surround sound, select different voice-changing filters, and adjust the mic sidetone. The only issue that you face with this headset is that you cant wear it for prolonged periods as it doesn’t sit comfortably on the head. The mic is also mediocre, not leaving much to voice chat.
Looking at Corsair HS50, it can be aptly said that it is a respectable entry-level headset. Its features make it a desirable buy. A cozy fit and decent game audio meets the price. It is also ideal for long session play as its foam ear cups stay comfortable and you can swivel it up and down, adjusting it better to your head. The looks are decent and the HS50’s detachable microphone gets the job done. It allows quick multiplayer sessions. The build of the headset is solid for a budget model. The only drawback here is that it is plain looking with an all-black look, no design, and no extra special features.
HyperX Cloud Core 7.1 is compatible with PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, mobile, PC and it is a refresh of the HyperX Cloud Core II. The latter is one of the cheapest gaming headsets in the market. Just like HyperX Cloud Core II, HyperX Cloud Core 7.1 touts comfortable leatherette earcups, innate inline controls, and overall gaming audio which is quite impressive. What’s more amazing about this headset is that it also supports virtual surround sound. In a competitive game, you can hear the enemies better and get more immersed in narrative adventures. The convenient removable mic does the trick. 3.5 mm and USB connection options are great options to connect it with any game console, PC, or mobile device.
Sony Pulse 3D is an affordable option when you are looking for the best budget gaming headsets. it is available at a price of $99 and you get a pair of wireless gaming headset that seamlessly works with your PS5. The device is specifically designed for PS5 and this is why it offers a special blend of spatial sound through Tempest 3D audio. This way you enjoy a more realistic experience, taking your gaming experience a notch higher. Thanks to its wireless connectivity, you can use this headset with a PC and Mac. The 3.5 mm audio cable and USB-C connection support even more devices. It has a battery life of 12 hours and is one of the most power-packed headset. If you run out of power, wire the headset into your controller and enjoy a non-stop experience.
If we compare this headset with its sibling, there are minimal differences. The first thing to note is the sound quality. The x model is not as rich in sound as its sibling but it is still a great sounding headset. It has a better microphone but the only downside is that it cannot be detached. 7.1 surround sound works well, the levels of audio distinction are clear and layered and give out sound as you would expect.
JBL has always offered headsets and earphones that have compelling audio tech and this headset is no different. The company has utilized its 50 years of audio experience for a realistic soundscape when branching out to 7.1. It’s 3.5 mm jack connection works with all major consoles. So, you won’t face any issues in establishing a connection and enjoying a high-quality gaming experience with clear and crisp sound effects.
These are just a few and good options that you can consider when planning to buy cheap headphones. After going through the description, it will be much easier for you to decide which headset will work best with your needs and buying capacity. Whether you are a budding gamer or an established one, these are some great options that you must consider when making a purchase. Hope this gaming headset guide is more of your speed and you find exactly what you have been looking for.