Products at a Glance
How we picked the best gaming headsets under $100
Looking for the best gaming headset under $100 in 2023? Whether you want wired or wireless, it can be a daunting task with so many high-quality options available.
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the best gaming headsets under $100. In this breakdown, we have considered key features such as build quality, sound performance, comfort, and connectivity to determine whether a headset deserves to be called the best. Our article will make it easier for you to choose the perfect gaming headset without breaking the bank.
Product Reviews
- Surround sound
- Cool RGB earcups
- Fantastic Mic
Who says you need lots of money just to have a top-quality headset when you can get one that’s below $100? Introducing the SteelSeries Arctis 5. SteelSeries has always been known for well-made headphones but this has to be the best one yet.
Not only does it look professional, but it also sounds and feels professional too. Here are its core features that make it the best in the market right now:
7.1 Surround Sound RGB technology:
- Arctis implemented their award-winning audio technology in the Arctis 5, giving you the clearest and most detailed sound in any game, all under a price of less than $100
- Features an exclusive next-gen DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound that will make you feel like you’re really part of the game
- The mic is so good for gaming, it got certified by Discord as the official best mic in gaming thanks to its ClearCast bidirectional technology
Illuminated earcups made with prism RGB technology:
- Adjustable volume control that helps you configure the ratio between in-game and chat volumes
- Headgear is supported with performance fabric AirWeave cushions that feel better than pillows
- Supported by a ski goggle suspension headband so you can wear it for very long hours
The headphones are so good, it has been awarded by known critics such as Red Dot Product Design, Tom’s Guide, and PC Magazine Editors’ Choice.SteelSeries has proven you don’t need to spend more than $100 to have the best gaming headset. Whether you play on PC, console, or even mobile, do not hesitate to get this.
- Best Noise Cancellation
- Great Bass
- Clear sound delivery
- Faux leather pads can get sweaty
Sennheiser not only proves to everyone that they don’t just make one of the best audio peripherals for the general audience but they can make a bombastic gaming headset for its niche demographic too.
Meet the Sennheiser GSP 302: a gaming headset that is easy to use and easy to the ears. Whether you’re playing on the PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch or mobile, audio quality stays the same with pitch-perfect sounds and beefy bass.
Compared to the others in this list, this is one of the most affordable headphones on the list that packs a huge punch with competent sound quality and comfortable design.
Here are the best parts about the GSP 302:
- Uses a closed-back headset design supported by high-grade memory foam that makes this the best in noise cancellation among the rest in the list.
- Remarkable bass performance that vibrates just right without getting too intense
- Earpads are coated with top-quality faux leather for long-lasting usage
- It may be a stereo headset but it feels like it can be surround too thanks to its clear sound delivery
- Microphone has the clearest sound among the rest in this list
- Fancy volume control on the right ear that feels very responsive and smooth
There are a few mishaps, however, but not that much of a deal:
Since the pads are made from faux leather, the sweat from your ears will eventually form on the cups themselves. Luckily it’s very easy to wipe it off and the faux leather itself is surprisingly soft and comfortable for the ears even after long periods of usage.
Another bit of a flaw is the cable itself. Modern gaming headset wires are usually braided to ensure it doesn’t break easily but the Sennheiser’s thin wire is quite delicate; make sure you aren’t careless with the wire or it loosens/breaks sooner than expected.
For its price, it’s beyond worth it. If it wasn’t for the thin wire, this could’ve been our top spot but nonetheless, the Sennheiser GSP 302 is worth every penny.
- Fastest frequency response time
- High quality surround sound
- Only works on PC
Truth be told, only a few wireless gaming headsets stand out since most of them either have a short battery life or have a short lifespan before the audio quality and connection start to deteriorate.
We give you the Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless Gaming Headset: a wireless beauty that delivers quite a punch as wireless headphones.
If you would like to experience the goodness of Corsair’s gaming headset on console, you can always buy the Void Pro RGB USB wired version. It has the same specs as the wireless rendition minus the USB power transmitter and the wireless function.
While it may not work best on consoles like the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, it does show its best on PC. If you haven’t known by now, it’s the direct successor to the Corsair Void—an already good headset but with slightly fewer features.
The Void Pro is very responsive with an extremely low latency that doesn’t lag up to 40 ft which are quite amazing given that this is less than $100. Audio quality is superb, earpads are wonderfully comfortable and it’s filled with lots of features.
Let’s check out the overall specs of the Corsair.
Delivers 7.1 surround sound that helps you immerse into the game even more. Fastest frequency response time for a wireless headset: 20 Hz – 20 kHz. Discord-certified 50 mm neodymium speaker drivers that enhance the audio quality even more
High-quality unidirectional noise cancel microphone with a quick response time of 100 Hz to 10 kHz. Microphone is backed up by an LED mute indicator that reduces background noises for better voice quality. Very long battery life of up to 16 hours.
Again, the biggest drawback here is that it only works well on the PC but not much on consoles. Yes, the headset is viable for console gaming however when we tested it on the PS4 and the Xbox One, there were unusual mishaps that we never found on PC: the audio was laggy and the microphone wasn’t performing smoothly.
In short, if you want to opt for a wireless headset for the PC, you have to have this.
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Clear and accurate sound
- No RGB lighting
- Wired connection
The Razer Kraken X Gaming Headset is one of the best gaming headsets on the market right now.
Featuring custom-tuned 40mm drivers and a bendable cardioid microphone, this multi-platform headset also boasts oval ear cushions and an adjustable headband for maximum comfort during those long gaming sessions.
But that’s not all – the Razer Kraken X Gaming Headset truly sets itself apart with its 7.1 surround sound support on PC. Get ready to immerse yourself in a game environment like never before with precise positional audio.
And let’s not forget about the lightweight design of this headset, coming in at only 250g. You can game for hours without any discomfort. The leatherette and foam ear cushions provide a snug fit, while the bendable unidirectional microphone captures your voice with clarity and filters out any distracting background noise. Plus, the on-earcup controls make adjusting volume and muting your mic a breeze
- Wireless
- Lightweight
- No noise cancelling
The Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless is one of the best gaming headsets under $100. They feature a lightweight feel and can only be used wirelessly with your PC or games console. These headphones also have low latency, meaning your audio and playback will remain in sync. Especially during the most important moments.
For battery life, this headset can last over 35 hours in one go. And has a clever off-timer that saves your battery when they are not being used. You will also get a boom mic which makes your voice sound crystal clear to whoever is on the other side. This option is perfect for PC gaming and is a strong choice if you are looking for a headset under $100.
Things to consider
Material
If the earpad material isn’t of 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.
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 be?To make things simple without getting too technical, the most important traits of wonderful audio quality are clarity and bass.
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 the agitation. Especially, 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.
Should I get wired or wireless?
The answer to whether or not you want something traditionally wired or wireless is all up to you. Just take note of the following:
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.
The only flaws here are that they get tangled easily if you aren’t careful and they only have a limited range from the input. Nonetheless, this is generally the preferred type of headset for PC players and console gamers
Wireless Headset
Some people get easily stressed out by wires and to deal with that, wireless headphones exist. A wireless headset looks very minimalistic as an audio apparatus and is always nice to look at.
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.
One of the biggest cons is that it is battery-charged. If you don’t charge your headset regularly, it’s going to break your momentum during a heated game when it dies down in the middle of a fight.
Another is that since this is signal-based, any obstructions will cause the audio to lag. You need to have a clear pathway for your audio source to your wireless headset.
Wireless gaming headsets are recommended for console and PC gamers who want no stress at all on wires. Later on in the article, we’ll be showing the best wireless gaming headset under 100 for each platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Can I still get a good gaming headset under $100?
Yes, certainly! There’s plenty of budget options out there with a degree of bass quality and good clarity. Check out Amazon and Best Buy for some good deals to boost savings further.
What is the best HyperX headset under $100
A good option from HyperX is the HyperX Cloud Flight. These over-the-ear headphones offer a decent 30hr battery life and wireless connectivity.
Priced at $79 this is a well-priced option for anyone looking for a headset under $100.
How much should I spend on a gaming headset?
This really depends on your specific budget and preference. Typically a good budget for a wired gaming headset is around $50. And, for a new wireless headset? Something around $100 would offer you a great audio experience and a decent build quality that will last a long time.
Our Verdict
Best Gaming Headsets Under $100 in 2024
There you have it, five of the best gaming headsets under 100. Two of which are the best wired headphones and the three being the best wireless headsets.
If there’s going to be our personal pick, it’s really the SteelSeries Arctis 5.
What’s not to love about it? 7.1 surround sound technology, illuminated earcups, made from grade-A lightweight materials and highly ergonomic.
It doesn’t matter which platform you’re playing, just get this and cherish it for what it is since you won’t get any better bargain than the Arctis 5 for below $100.
But if you’re up for anything else, it will just depend on your preference. Whichever you pick, there is no wrong answer at all:
- If you want the best value out of your hundred bucks, the SteelSeries Arctis 5 is a headset to behold.
- If you desire something cheaper than the Arctis 5 but still want the same competent overall quality, the Sennheiser GSP 302 is your best choice.
- If it’s a great wireless gaming headset for the PC you’re after, go for the Corsair Void Pro RGB Gaming Headset.
- If you’re a PS4 player looking to buy a much more affordable wireless gaming headset, the Turtle Beach 600 Wireless Gaming Headset is your new best friend.
- If you’re an Xbox One fan looking for the best wireless (or wired) gaming headset, the Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One Amplified Gaming Headset is right for you.
That’s it for this article. With any of these headsets with you, you’re guaranteed to have a much more immersive gameplay thanks to the stellar sound quality and comfortable ergonomics.