Summary
It’s everyone’s goal to save costs, isn’t it? In addition, whether you want to have a nice audio experience on either a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or one of the finest gaming laptops, the best inexpensive gaming headphones will do the job just fine.
If you are striving to murder swarms of alien bugs in Helldivers 2, you may want additional sound help. If this is the case, a cheap headset like as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 might provide you with the auditory advantage you need to prevail in your battle against the beasties that are inspired by Starship Troopers.
the greatest inexpensive gaming headsets 2024
If you are also interested in intriguing single-player experiences, such as The Last of Us Part II Remastered, inexpensive gaming headphones may assist you in identifying essential conversation more effectively than the majority of speakers that are found on many televisions that fall into the middle price range.
Due to the fact that we have put every inexpensive set of gaming cans on the list below through extensive testing, you can have faith that we will not lead you in the wrong direction with our suggestions. As a result, take a seat, read up on our recommendations for the most affordable gaming headphones, and get ready to save a significant amount of money.
the greatest inexpensive gaming headsets
1. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
2. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
3. Astro A10
4. Razer Kraken X
5. Roccat Elo 7.1 USB
6. Turtle Beach Recon 70
THE BEST OVERALL CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
While the microphone may get in the way and isn’t be best around when it comes to carrying sound, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is one of the top cheap gaming headsets around.
The headset offers a comfortable fit thanks to its large ear cups and padding, but the overall design is flimsy, which is a tad disappointing. And thankfully, the ear cups sit around the ear rather than press against them, which makes for a headset that you can wear for long gaming sessions.
Solid overall sound quality and initiative controls via a dial on the ear cups, make up for the few shortcomings of the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2.
THE BEST DESIGNED CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
At a price of just sixty dollars, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 has virtually all of the wonderful features that are included in the rest of the fantastic Arctis range that SteelSeries offers. Soft fabric earcups and the same rich drivers that are found in higher-end Arctis models are included in this headset, which has a reduced version of SteelSeries’ characteristic elegant headset design. It was our experience that the Arctis Nova 1 was reliable for almost every kind of video game.
It is the ideal gaming companion because of its retractable microphone and convenient 3.5mm connection, which allows it to be used whether you are away from home with your Switch or at home with your personal computer. Despite the fact that it does not have the same abundance of bells and whistles as its more expensive brothers, the Arctis Nova 1 achieves some of the highest levels of performance that are available within this price range.
THE MOST STYLISH CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
Astro A10
The Astro A10 is a demonstration of the fact that you do not need to spend a lot of money in order to have great sounds from a gaming headset. You get a headset that takes certain design flourishes from its more costly sister for less than fifty dollars, and it has a reasonable level of ruggedness to match its look.
To get to the heart of the matter, the sound quality of the headset is exceptional considering how inexpensive it is. In addition to having a powerful low-end response, the Astro A10 is also capable of handling treble with a precise and clear ability. An excellent low-cost gaming headset may be created by including a lightweight frame and memory foam earcups into the design. However, you should be warned that the fit may be a touch too tight for certain people.
THE MOST COMFORTABLE CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
Razer Kraken X
The Razer Kraken X is a highly dependable headset that is available at a reasonable price point. It has a design that is among the most attractive that Razer has ever created. A far cry from the cumbersome chassis of past Razer headsets, the Kraken X is sleek, understated, and lightweight. It also has leatherette ear cups that are pleasant to use for extended periods of time throughout long sessions.
Both competitive and immersive games benefit from the headset’s well-balanced sound, which is made possible by its 3.5mm connector, which works effortlessly with both consoles and personal computers. Even though we would have liked the headset to have a detachable microphone and improved music performance, we still consider it to be an excellent gaming headset for the price.
THE BEST PC CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
Roccat Elo 7.1 USB
The Roccat Elo 7.1 USB is a gaming headset that is dependable, has a reasonable price point, and has great audio performance. It is similar to other models that come from the PC accessories business. When playing intensive action games, the dialogue is audible and clear, and the sounds of shooting, explosions, and other rumbling effects are also audible and clear. It is also possible to use this headset as a pair of headphones, which in addition to providing excellent treble and voices functions. The Roccat Swarm program gives users the ability to choose from a variety of audio presets that are tailored to certain gaming genres, switch between stereo and surround sound, alter the sidetone of the microphone, and choose from a variety of voice-changing filters at their discretion.
It is important to keep in mind that the Elo 7.1 USB does not sit well on the head since it is quite narrow and thin. Therefore, you should avoid wearing it for an extended period of time. In addition, the subpar microphone does not contribute much to voice chat because of the distortion problems it has.
THE BEST MULTI-PLATFORM CHEAP GAMING HEADSET
Turtle Beach Recon 70
Is it a PS5 or a PC? Apple’s iPhone or Nintendo Switch? It is possible to utilize the Turtle Beach Recon 70 on any of the gaming platforms that are now available, and it comes in a variety of colors. Comfort is a significant selling factor, since each ear cup offers sufficient space and breathability to let the ears to rest in a comfortable manner, in addition to ensuring that the ear cup is properly fitted to avoid slippage. While not all of the sound effects have a clear and distinct tone, we were impressed by the level of detail that was there in the gunshots and footsteps. It is also possible to use the Recon 70 for listening to music, but you should not anticipate that it will act as a replacement for your typical set of wireless headphones.
Despite the fact that moving the microphone is disruptive due to the fact that it vibrates every time you flip it into one of the fixed places, the microphone is also effective for talking with other players via the multiplayer setting. Irrespective of the fact that the hues are appealing, the design is not very impressive and gives off an impression of being childish.
Corsair HS35 Stereo Gaming Headset
For a price of thirty dollars, the Corsair HS35 is capable of doing all of the tasks that are necessary for you to enjoy online multiplayer gaming sessions without emptying your budget. During combat operations, the drivers on these bad boys are able to handle booming sound effects like as explosions and strong rumblings with accuracy. Additionally, they are able to give great stereo separation, which includes the ability to hear enemy fire. Long-term comfort for extended periods of time is ensured by a design that is both lightweight and flexible. The ability to remove the microphone stalk when it is not necessary or to put the microphone wherever you desire it is a convenient feature that may be used depending on the requirements of the situation.
The shortcomings of the headset, such as its lack of USB connection and its subpar microphone, will be a point of contention for some. Nevertheless, when we are discussing a model that is not only inexpensive but also fully functional and competent, such as the HS35, these are shortcomings that can be forgiven.
HyperX Cloud Core 7.1
The HyperX Cloud Core 7.1 is an updated version of the HyperX Cloud Core II, which is well-known for being among the most affordable gaming headphones available. In the same vein as its predecessor, this headset has earcups made of leatherette that are pleasant to wear, integrated controls that are easy to use, and great overall game audio.
Support for virtual surround sound is also included in the Cloud Core 7.1, which makes it simpler to hear adversaries more clearly in competitive games and allows players to get more engaged in narrative journeys. The headset has a mic that can be removed for convenience, and it is compatible with a variety of gaming consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices thanks to its 3.5mm and USB connection choices.
Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
The Sony Pulse 3D Wireless headset is hardly the most affordable gaming headset available, coming in at $99 or £89 respectively. On the other hand, it is compatible not only with the PlayStation 5, but also with personal computers, which gives the headgear a certain degree of adaptability. The fact that it is compatible with Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio engine makes it a fairly excellent gaming headset that can be purchased for less than one hundred dollars.
Not only does the headset have a black and white color scheme that is similar to that of the PlayStation 5, but it also provides some excellent audio quality. You will be able to hear all of the bangs, pops, creaks, cries, and other sounds in a wide variety of games, and the 3D audio will allow you to determine the location of opponents based only on their sounds. On the other hand, the headset is also good when it comes to listening to music and watching movies.
Additionally, it is rather comfortable, being equipped with enough padding and a robust headband that is suitable for extended periods of gaming. Additionally, some of the settings on the earcups are not the most user-friendly, and there is no active noise reduction. However, we would still argue that the Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is an indispensable item for the PlayStation 5.
How we test the best cheap gaming headsets
For the purpose of determining which of the inexpensive gaming headsets are the best, we test each model with a wide range of games and categories while we are evaluating them. We often test headsets with shooters in order to obtain a feeling of directional sound for competitive games. Additionally, we test headsets with role-playing games and action/adventure games in order to assess auditory experiences that are more immersive and dramatic.
We also put all of the gaming headsets through a series of tests with a wide range of music to see how well they perform as regular headphones. Furthermore, we assess the quality of the microphone on each headset by using sound recordings and the actual play sessions that are conducted in the real world.
How to choose the best cheap gaming headset for you
When searching for the most suitable inexpensive gaming headset for your play style, there are a few crucial aspects that you should take into consideration. Consider the following information before making a purchase.
The vast majority of the finest inexpensive gaming headsets connect using 3.5mm jacks, which means that they are compatible with almost every gaming platform, including the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and personal computers. Make sure you keep an eye out for the fact that certain headsets can only connect to a PC or PS4 with the use of a USB cable.
Do not anticipate wireless connectivity: a wireless gaming headset will practically never be available for less than sixty dollars, so you should be prepared to cope with cords. Consider purchasing one of our picks for the best gaming headsets overall if you are interested in spending more money on a wireless set.
Give some thought to your ease: The earcups of the majority of inexpensive gaming headsets are either made of imitation leather or soft fabric. Despite the fact that it is incredibly comfy and performs a fantastic job of preventing sound from escaping, the former may get heated over time. Fabric cups are often relatively lightweight and are more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time; nevertheless, you may not always get the most immersive sound quality while using them.
