Just because the best cheap gaming headsets cost less doesn't make them any less impressive. In fact, after testing dozens of headphones each year, finding a pair of cans for under $100 with immersive, detailed audio fine-tuned for gaming is far more admirable.
Even after testing the best gaming headsets, which are generally pricier, we've found that our pick of cheap gaming headsets delivers a similar, great audio experience. So, you know we're not giving these cheaper alternatives a pass because of their wallet-friendly prices.
If you're after immersive soundscapes while gaming with excellent spatial audio (like the Cherry XTRFY H3) or bargain headphones for specific platforms that still offer fantastic sound quality (Switch owners will want to check out the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit), we've put hundreds of hours of testing to help you find your next cheap gaming headset for under $100.
Top picks
Meet the king of budget gaming headsets: the Cherry XTRFY H3. These wireless headphones sport 53mm dynamic drivers, immersive spatial audio, a noise canceling mic and even multi-platform support. Unless you have an Xbox, these are a fine fit for any gamer at just under $100.
Thanks to its 50mm Nanoclear drivers, the Stealth Gen 3 are one of the best-sounding, most immersive budget gaming headsets you can get. It’s comfy to wear for long periods, has great battery life and its AI noise reduction mic works well.
Our favorite cheap gaming headset on the market completely outshines its price point. It sounds great, it’s comfortable to wear for extended periods and it’s oh so simple to operate.
At $79, the Stealth 500 is aggressively priced, offering great value. This headset can withstand long gaming sessions thanks to comfortable earcups. It's also great its wireless.
At just $27, the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit are the best gaming headset for most Nintendo Switch users (that includes the Switch 2). Even for this dirt-cheap price, they come with amazing sound quality thanks to their 40mm drivers and a comfy, lightweight fit.
Under $100, offering value and excellent sound, the Pulse 3D wireless headset is great if you want to use the PS5's proprietary 3D audio tech during games that support it.
Before we delve into why these headsets are worth grabbing, I ask myself what I'm looking for in headphones made for gaming — especially at this price. Plus, you can find out why pricier doesn’t always mean better when it comes to gaming headsets.
How to choose the best cheap gaming headset for you?
There are a handful of key factors to consider when looking for the best cheap gaming headset for your playstyle. Here are some things to know before you buy.
Compatibility: Most of the best cheap gaming headsets connect via 3.5mm jacks, meaning they will work with just about any platform including PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC. Some headsets only connect via USB for PC and PS4, though, so keep an eye out for that.
Don't expect wireless: You're almost never going to get a wireless gaming headset for less than $60, so be ready to deal with cables. If you want to splurge for a wireless set, check out our overall best gaming headsets recommendations.
Consider your comfort: Most cheap gaming headsets have either faux leather or soft fabric earcups. The former is very comfortable and does a good job sealing sound in, but can get hot over time. Fabric cups are usually very lightweight and are better to wear for long stretches, but you won't always get the most immersive sound.
Darragh here, Computing Editor at Tom's Guide, and if there's a way to spend less on clear, detailed audio while gaming, I want you to know about it. Luckily, I've tested a wide variety of gaming headsets over the years, from HyperX to Razer, and my team and I have nailed down the wallet-friendly headphones that deliver crisp sound without costing a premium.
The best cheap gaming headsets you can buy
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The best overall cheap gaming headset
If you want a premium gaming headset that doesn’t break the bank, the Cherry XTRFY H3 is the perfect choice. Compatible with a plethora of consoles, it blends unparalleled comfort, immersive sound and a fantastic, loud and clear microphone. The oversized earcups give your ears plenty of room to breathe, and the cushioned mesh headband offers a remarkably comfortable fit, perfect for long gaming sessions.
The XTRFY H3 is fitted with powerful 53mm drivers and utilizes spatial audio to deliver rich, directional soundscapes, whether you’re sneaking in Baldur’s Gate 3 or dodging blaster fire in Jedi Survivor. The headset comes with a detachable noise-canceling mic, which ensures clear communication, even with background noise, making it ideal for competitive play.
The headset doesn’t have a lot of shortcomings, but it’s worth noting that it isn’t compatible with Xbox consoles and there’s no companion app for EQ customization. But at $99, it’s a fantastic pick for gamers seeking powerful performance without the premium price tag. If you want one headset to rule them all, this is it.
Read the full Cherry XTRFY H3 review.
The best immersive cheap gaming headset
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 is an impressive budget-friendly gaming headset that delivers premium features without breaking the bank. It's my current pick as the best cheap gaming headset you can currently buy. Priced at $99, this headset offers exceptional value with its memory foam earcups that enhance comfort for extended gaming sessions, and its versatile design with adjustable and swiveling earcups.
One of the standout features of the Stealth 600 Gen 3 is its immersive audio. Equipped with 50mm Nanoclear drivers, it provides a rich and detailed soundstage that enhances gameplay across various genres. The headset also features a SuperHuman Hearing mode that boosts crucial in-game sounds like footsteps and gunshots, giving players a competitive edge in FPS games. The AI-powered noise reduction mic ensures clear communication, while the impressive battery life of up to 80 hours means you can game for days on a single charge.
Despite its downsides, such as a cluttered control scheme and some distortion at high volumes, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 stands out as a choice for gamers seeking quality and affordability.
Read the full Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 review.
The best value cheap gaming headset
HyperX needed to up its audio game following the release of the original Cloud Stinger, which was a pretty underwhelming headset. Thankfully, the sequel is a whole lot better than its predecessor, with the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 currently proudly sitting atop my picks of the best gaming headsets you can wrap your ears around.
The biggest quality the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 has going for it? Just how damn good it sounds for a peripheral you can now regularly buy brand new for just $40. Thanks to its powerful 50mm drivers, this headset is capable of delivering sound that is not only nuanced but also pleasingly punchy.
It’s obviously not faultless (the way the mic constantly pokes out looks pretty damn silly). As for the materials that have been used to construct this piece of audio equipment, they hardly scream “premium”. Yet when you have a $40 headset that sounds this good for the price point and is so comfortable to boot, I can’t look past the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 as being one of my favorite cheap gaming headset.
Read the full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review.
The best wireless cheap gaming headset
If you’re looking for a great gaming headset but don’t want to pay over the odds, I promise you’ll love the Turtle Beach Stealth 500. Even though it’s “entry-level,” it still packs a punch, trust me. Choose either the Xbox or PlayStation model, and effortlessly switch between every gaming system you own with the Bluetooth and 2.4GHz dongle.
Weighing just 8.28 ounces, this is a very light headset, and you can wear it for hours on end without feeling weighed down. When it comes to sound quality, the Stealth 500 provides you with an immersive gaming experience thanks to spatial audio, which I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with. Swarm II is the Stealth 500’s companion app, and I find it both intuitive and straightforward to use. You can use it to choose from four game presets, update the headset’s firmware, and toggle Superhuman Hearing.
Its leatherette earcups, although mighty comfortable, are prone to getting hot and making your ears sweat, and the Stealth 500’s control scheme is also confusing.
In the grand scheme of things, these seem like minor complaints simply because you get a lot for $79. I think the Stealth 500 is great value for money, it boasts a lightweight build, excellent comfort levels, superb and immersive sound quality, and a handy tuck-away mic.
Read the full Turtle Beach 500 review.
The best streaming cheap gaming headset
To make your Nintendo Switch 2 games more immersive, we highly recommend the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit headset. It’s a standout budget option that punches well above the price. Delivering excellent comfort, colorful style that makes it look like you’re wearing Joy-Cons on your head, and surprisingly immersive audio make this a winner.
Lightweight at only 8oz, it’s perfect for long gaming sessions thanks to its plush earcups and cushioned fit. The 40mm drivers provide clear, directional sound that enhances everything, from Mario Kart World to the modern Legend of Zelda games. A flip-to-mute, bi-directional mic captures your voice clearly while minimizing background noise, making the headset ideal for online play.
While it’s a wired-only headset with a non-folding design, those two factors are its only shortcomings, and they’re easy to overlook at this price. For Switch 2 owners, or owners of any of the Switch consoles, the Airlite Fit is a fun, functional and affordable headset.
Read the full Turtle Beach Airlite Fit.
The best 3D audio cheap gaming headset
At $99, the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless headset isn't the cheapest gaming headset I’ve seen, but it costs a good deal less than the newer Sony Pulse Elite ($149). The original Pulse not only works with the PS5 but also with PCs, adding a degree of versatility to the headset (something I love as both a dedicated PlayStation and PC player). Add in compatibility with Sony's Tempest 3D Audio engine, and you've got a rather impressive gaming headset for under $100.
Not only does the headset look rather good with a black and white color scheme matching that of the PS5, but it also delivers some strong audio. You'll hear all the bangs, pops, creaks, screams, and more in all manner of games, with the 3D audio letting you pinpoint where enemies are by sound alone.
The best PS5 games really take the Pulse 3D to another level. And I can think of no better example of the Pulse 3D handling spatial sound and making it a key appeal of a game more than in riveting roguelike shooter Returnal. The level of audio immersion is astounding as you hear the constant pitter-patter of lashing alien rain on the shoulders of your crashed explorer as she tries her best not to be blasted to bits by beasties.
I’ve enjoyed listening to music and movies on Sony’s headset, too. It's also pretty comfortable, with decent cushioning and a sturdy headband that works for long gaming sessions. There's no active noise cancellation and some of the controls on the earcups aren't the most intuitive. But I’d still happily say the Pulse 3D is an essential PS5 accessory, even years after its first release.
Read the full Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset review.
Also tested
How we test the best cheap gaming headsets
In order to determine what the best cheap gaming headsets are, we use every model we review with a variety of games and genres. We generally test headsets with shooters to get a sense of directional sound for competitive games, as well as RPGs and action/adventure titles to evaluate more immersive, cinematic audio.
We also test all gaming headsets with a variety of music to see how well they double as everyday headphones. Additionally, we evaluate the quality of each headset's microphone via sound recordings and real-world play sessions.
Today's best cheap gaming headset deals
