The best cheap gaming headsets aren't just a way to hear audio or speak through a mic on a budget; they deliver a quality audio experience just as well as any premium headphones. After testing dozens of gaming headsets throughout the years, we know this to be true.
Whether you're diving into PC games or playing the latest titles on your PS5, there's a budget headset that will match your style of play. You may be surprised by how well a cheap gaming headset can detect directional sounds in first-person shooters or capture the soundscape of a thrilling, narrative-driven game, especially at a low price.
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 they cost less.
For our best recommendation, check out the king of cheap gaming headsets: the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3. At under $100, these over-ear cans offer incredibly immersive sound, excellent battery life and are extremely comfortable to wear over long gaming sessions. For something even less, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 will do the trick. This headset comes with great sound and a comfy fit, all for under $50. Of course, if you're all about PS5, look no further than the PlayStation Pulse 3D headset.
For even more options, scroll on through to find the best cheap gaming headset for you.
The quick list
Thanks to its 50mm Nanoclear drivers, the Stealth Gen 3 is the best-sounding, most immersive budget gaming headset. 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.
Unless you have an Easter Island-sized head, you’re gonna love this slightly snug headset. We dig its slick design and its crisp and clear micophone, making it idel for video game streamers.
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.
Tony is a computing writer at Tom’s Guide covering laptops, tablets, Windows, and all things gaming — and that includes all types of gaming headsets. During his off-hours, Tony enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, reading speculative fiction novels, and spending too much time on X/Twitter. His non-nerdy pursuits involve attending Hard Rock/Heavy Metal concerts and going to NYC bars with friends and colleagues. His work has appeared in publications such as Laptop Mag, PC Mag, and various independent gaming sites.
The best cheap gaming headsets you can buy
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The best overall 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’s 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
For less than $50, you can get the Astro A10 headset that borrows some design flourished from its more expensive sibling, with a decent amount of sturdiness to match its style.
More to the point is that that sound is superb for how affordable the headset is. The Astro A10 has a punchy low-end response, yet also handles treble with a concise crispness. Add in a lightweight frame and memory foam earcups and you've got a great cheap gaming headset. Just be aware that the fit might be a little snug for some.
It’s also an excellent choice for streamers on limited funds, as its microphone is both crisp and clear, and, more importantly, reliable. I discovered very few drops in signal while trying to communicate with teammates during my gaming sessions on the Astro A10.
If you’re a streamer pining for a good set of cans that won’t dent your bank balance, I highly recommend the Astro A10. This fantastic value gaming headset is almost absurdly cheap. I also appreciate how durable the design of this budget peripheral is, and I dig the decent mic. Even if those earcups occasionally squeeze my cranium a little too snugly.
Read the full Astro A10 review.
The best 3D audio cheap gaming headset
At $99, the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless headset isn't the cheapest gaming headset around 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, it also delivers some strong audio. You'll hear all the bangs, pop, 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.
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.
How to choose the best cheap gaming headsets
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.
Today's best cheap gaming headset deals
