Best Budget Gaming Headset 2023

When it comes to affordable gaming headsets, the Razer Barracuda X is our favorite among a field of worthy contenders. Click here to see detailed views of our picks for the best budget gaming headsets, or have a look at the list below:

TL; DR – These are the Best Budget Gaming Headsets:

• Razer Barracuda X
• Wyze Wireless Gaming Headset
• Xbox Wireless Headset
• Sony Pulse 3D
• Corsair HS65 Surround
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
• Logitech G435 Lightspeed
• HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

There are many gaming headsets that deliver solid sound quality, a comfortable fit, and premium features without a steep entry price. But of course, not all budget options will hit the mark, and those that do have compromises to keep the cost down. Luckily, we’ve tested and researched a range of headsets, bringing you our top eight affordable options to pair with your Xbox Series X/S, PS5, or gaming PC – and you can find them here in the UK.

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Best Budget Gaming Headsets

1. Razer Barracuda X

Best Budget Gaming Headset

The Razer Barracuda X is proof that when you get back to the basics and forgo all the frills, you can produce a top-notch gaming headset. There aren’t any unique marquee features, but what makes it special is that it pumps out clean audio, offers multi-platform compatibility (that includes your Android phone), and solid wireless connectivity without demanding more than $100 from you. Comfort is a top priority as well, with its 250g lightweight design and plush ear cups designed to be breathable. Add in its 20-hour battery life, and you’re good to go for long gaming sessions.

Gaming-wise, it delivers a mids-centric profile with a strong bass presence and solid virtual surround sound – not to mention, a reliable mic that lets you come through loud and clear when you’re talking over Discord. PS5 gamers will also appreciate its Tempest 3D audio support. Tired of the same black aesthetic? It also comes in Razer’s Mercury (white) and Quartz (pink) colorways.

2. Wyze Wireless Gaming Headset

Best Ultra Cheap Gaming Headset

Wyze, the company behind affordable smart home gadgets and security cameras, has entered the gaming headset arena. For just $60, you get sleek matte black cans with well-cushioned earcups that are comfortable on head and ready to pump out high-fidelity sound from its 50mm drivers. You even get two different mics, a detachable boom mic to keep connected with your teammates and a built-in option for when you’re out in the world or need a more subdued look during Zoom meetings.

As for connectivity, the Wyze Gaming Headset offers a 20ms ultra-low latency wireless connection via a 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth support, and you can even connect to two devices simultaneously. You don’t get a wired option, but there’s still a good deal of compatibility, as the headset works seamlessly with PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile, though it doesn’t support Xbox. Finally, since it’s exclusively wireless, battery life is important, and 20 hours with each charge should last through any gaming marathon.

3. Xbox Wireless Headset

Best Budget Xbox Gaming Headset

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The Xbox Wireless Headset has a lot going for it. Not only does it match the aesthetics of the newest Microsoft consoles, but it can pair directly with them without the need for additional dongles or adapters. It offers more than just convenience. This headset’s fifteen hours of battery life is more than enough to get you through long gaming sessions. Plenty of thought has also been put into the button and dial placement. Instead of a bunch of controls crowding one ear cup, they’re arranged for intuitive on-the-fly adjustments.

Of course, none of that matters if the sound quality isn’t up to par. Thankfully, this headset provides plenty of low-end while still sounding clear and crisp. You can also take advantage of spatial audio technology for an even more immersive audio experience. And, with the ability to connect via Bluetooth or USB-C – you’ll have to get a longer cable separately – you can use this Xbox headset with just about any device. You can even invest in a wireless dongle for latency-free PC gaming.

4. Sony Pulse 3D

Best Budget PS5 Gaming Headset

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When the Playstation 5 came out, it brought a whole slew of improvements with it including its very own spatial audio technology known as Tempest 3D. And, having a headset that can make the most of the PS5’s audio capabilities is ideal for that immersive audio experience. The Sony Pulse 3D is not only more than capable of doing that, but it’s surprisingly affordable as well. At $99.99, it’s cheaper than you would expect from a first-party peripheral.

The sound these cans deliver is crisp, vibrant, and spacious, transporting you to the middle of the action. The positional audio from Tempest 3D also adds a layer of immersion that you won’t get with just any headphones. While the battery life is nothing to write home about, it’s still plenty for long gaming sessions. Though the Pulse 3D was obviously made to be a PS5 headset, it is surprisingly versatile. Since its wireless connectivity comes via the included USB dongle, you can also use it with a PS4, gaming PC, and Mac as long as you have a USB port available.

5. Corsair HS65 Surround

Best Budget Wired Gaming Headset

Corsair delivers an almost unbelievably great wired headset for under $80 with the HS65 Surround. This simple plug-and-play headset connects to your devices via a 3.5mm jack. You can also connect this headset over USB to get 7.1 surround sound for an immersive wide and realistic soundscape. These cans also deliver a neutral sound with superb directional audio, which may also help you place where enemies are in-game. You might be tethered to your gaming rig but the sound coming out of these headphones is more than worth it.

The Corsair HS65 Surround is not chock full of fancy features and instead spends where it matters: sound and comfort. And that audio is delivered through two 50mm drivers housed in soft memory foam earcups. A mix of quality plastic and aluminum bones make up the rest of this fairly minimalistic headset, though some may find that the headband can be a bit tight. You also don’t get all the confusing buttons and dials that some options come with, just a volume dial on the left earcup and a flip-to-mute feature on the non-detachable mic. If you need to make other sound adjustments, you can do it using the iCue software.

6. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3

Best Multi-Platform Budget Gaming Headset

The sheer number of gaming devices out there makes it challenging to find a headset compatible with them all, but SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 3 does just that. This wired option offers both a USB-C—with a USB-A adapter/extension cable—and a 3.5mm jack, so you’re good to game on everything from your PC, Mac, and gaming phone to your Switch, Xbox Series X, and PS5. If you connect via USB, you can even take advantage of flashy RGB lighting rings on the earcups.

The multi-platform connectivity under $100 essentially pays for itself, though there’s plenty more to love about the Arctis Nova 3, starting with the stellar high-fidelity drivers that pump out quality audio. Making things even better is SteelSeries’ Sonar software that lets you adjust EQ settings and create custom sound profiles optimizing the audio for specific games when you’re on PC. And similar to most SteelSeries headsets, you get an extremely comfortable fit and a clear-sounding mic.

7. Logitech G435 Lightspeed

Best Ultra Cheap Wireless Gaming Headset

Logitech’s carbon-neutral G435 Lightspeed is made for young gamers and gamers with smaller heads. It’s not only smaller and more compact than most gaming headsets out there – the mic is nothing more than a stump on the side of the left earcup – but it’s lighter as well at 165g. That lightweight obviously adds to its comfort, which is made better by the flexible headband and the soft, breathable ear cups.

But don’t take its inexpensive price and small form factor as signs of subpar quality. This budget gaming headset comes with 40mm audio drivers that deliver good – albeit, not amazing – sound as well as support for Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D Audio, and Windows Sonic. As is the mic, which is technically made up of dual beamforming mics. The wireless connectivity is strong as well. Plus, if you’re getting this for your kid, you know you’ll win points with its fun colorways, of which there are three.

8. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

Best Ultra Cheap Wired Gaming Headset

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For a sub-$50 gaming headset from a well-known brand, you can’t beat the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. Helping to keep the price low is its exclusively wired interface, so you’ll be tethered to your gaming platform via a 3.5mm connection, though its plug-and-play nature is still super versatile. Perhaps the most blaring indication of the headset’s affordability is the plastic build, but it’s solid enough with a comfortable, lightweight feel perfect for marathon gaming sessions.

Despite the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2’s cost-cutting design, its 50mm drivers crank out a surprisingly good sound quality with a rich, layered soundstage. However, when it comes to tweaking that audio, you’re pretty much stuck with how they come with virtually no software support. This headset is actually pretty light in features in general, so you won’t find any RGB lighting or tons of on-ear controls, but it’s ideal for those who want decent sound at a wallet-friendly price.

Where to Get the Best Budget Gaming Headsets in the UK

Finding the right gaming headset can be a match made in heaven, but you don’t need to pay above and beyond to find your lucky set. Out of all the headsets we’ve tested on this list, every single one is available to pick up in the UK, and at a reasonable price. Whether it’s our favourite the SteelSeries Arctis 1, or the incredibly affordable Turtle Beach Recon 70, there is a headset ready and waiting for you. Don’t see the headsets below? Click here.

What to look for in a Budget Gaming Headset

We’ve picked out the cream of the crop when it comes to budget gaming headsets, but you can still run into a lot of bad apples. Here we’ll tell you about a few things you should expect from this market of cheap gaming headsets including build and sound quality.

Of the budget gaming headsets we’ve tested, we found that build quality can run the gamut between flimsy and cheap to super sturdy to the point of being almost too heavy. Of course, you’ll also get better build quality as you move up the price scale—less molded plastic and more metal. If you can check out these gaming headsets in store, be sure to not just put them on but give them a decent stretch (without snapping them in half!) and see if it creaks at all.

Although you will find scratchy fabric ear cups on some models, you’ll also encounter smooth synthetic leather and soft fabric, too. When it comes to leather vs fabric, it all comes down to your preference, but know that leather offers more sound isolation while fabrics are more breathable. Also be on the lookout for memory-foam padding as it offers the cushiest, most comfortable fit against your head.

Sound quality can be impressive across the board, though the tendency we found across the category was to favor low frequencies instead of highs or mids. You’ll get cleaner highs and better separation between mid and low frequencies in the midrange gaming headsets or higher class peripherals.

Budget Gaming Headset FAQ

Are gaming headsets good for listening to music?

The short answer to this question is no, but there’s far more to it than that. When comparing similarly priced headphones and gaming headsets, the sound on the headphones is usually clear, well-balanced, and warm, while headsets lean more bass-heavy and can get muddied, especially cheaper ones. That’s often due to the extra technology and features loaded into headsets affecting cost, whether it be mics, added controls, or more connectivity—it makes headsets bulkier too.

It’s also important to note that most gaming headsets focus on a wide soundstage and surround sound to immerse you in the action and provide in-game audio cues, but stereo sound is better suited to music. With all that said, high-end gaming headsets, like the Audeze Maxwell, offer a decent music listening experience thanks to better drivers, a wide frequency range, the ability to adjust equalizer settings, and support of high-res sound. Still, in most cases, you’ll be better off with wireless headphones or even earbuds when vibing to your favorite tracks.

What is the number 1 best gaming headset?

Though it’s far too pricey to make it on this guide, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is hands down the best gaming headset available. With it comes a plethora of features to make it a true stand out, including active noise cancellation, fantastic spatial audio, and ample customizations to the EQ setting and game chat mix. Beyond that, you’ll enjoy multiple connectivity options, including simultaneous listening on different devices and a hot-swappable rechargeable battery system, all on a comfortable headset with telescoping arms.

Michelle Rae Uy is a freelance tech and travel writer, part-time production editor, and a full-time traveler from Los Angeles, California. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles, London and the rest of the world. Follow her on Instagram @straywithRae