Best Gaming Headsets Under $100

1. HyperX Cloud II

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The HyperX Cloud II is proof that not all gaming headsets are overpriced garbage. It’s one of the few gaming headsets that has gotten near-universal praise from casuals and hardcore gamers alike. If you have a $100 budget for a pair of gaming cans, the Cloud II should be the first product on your list.

An over-the-ear headset, the Cloud II is known for its exceptional construction, featuring a lightweight aluminum frame and solid stitching on the headband. Its large ear cups easily cover your ears, keeping background noise to a minimum. It has a boom mic on the left ear cup, which can be removed in case you don’t need it, and comes with an in-line USB sound box.

The sound box houses the audio controls, including the 7.1 virtual surround sound button, which sits right in the middle for easy access. Unlike most gaming headsets, the Cloud II has separate controls for the game volume and the mic volume – a neat feature that should prove useful in toxic multiplayer games in which tuning out your teammates is the best way to enjoy the game.

The Cloud II is one of the most comfortable gaming headsets out on the market, making it an excellent choice for marathon gaming sessions. It’s well-balanced and has the right amount of clamp. The Cloud II’s comfort level is the chief reason most people still prefer it over the newer HyperX Cloud Alpha, which boasts a superior sound quality. It has memory foam pads on the ear cups, with the option to switch to velour pads, which offer a more luxurious experience.

The Cloud II has excellent sound quality, with the 7.1 virtual surround sound adding more juice to the audio experience. It has the right amount of bass. On the other hand, the digitally enhanced and noise-canceling mic is decent at best, so don’t expect too much. It’s good at the noise-canceling part, but it has trouble picking up your voice at certain positions – you have to find that sweet spot.

Kingston lists the Cloud II as a gaming headset for multiple platforms, but it’s not the most ideal for console owners, and the biggest reason for that is the USB dongle. The sound box is not compatible with consoles, which means PS4, Xbox One, and Switch users are limited to stereo. Furthermore, the audio controls, which are on the USB-based sound box, don’t work with consoles.

In summary, the Cloud II is a fantastic gaming headset, but only PC owners can get the most out of it. It has a solid construction with comfortable ear pads and comes with extra goodies that sweeten the deal – including a travel pouch and the previously mentioned velour pads. If you game on a PC, the Cloud II is the best gaming headset that you can get for $100.

2. Logitech G430

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

For our budget pick, it came down to a couple of popular gaming headsets under $50: the Logitech G430 and the HyperX Cloud Stinger. Both presented a solid case for the throne, but in the end, the G430 got the nod because it’s the true budget option, retailing for less than $40 at most stores.

The G430 is one of the most easily recognizable gaming headsets in the business. It’s a common sight among gamers on video streaming platforms. It’s an over-the-ear headset made of cheap materials, so its construction is not on the same level as the HyperX Cloud II. Then again, budget gaming headsets are not exactly known for their build quality. It has a long, braided cable that ends with a 3.5-millimeter jack, and comes with a USB dongle.

The G430 has a pair of large ear cups equipped with soft mesh pads for more breathability. The ear pads are removable and washable. As long as you take care of it and wash its ear pads at least once a month, the G430 will still look like a brand-new product even after a year of heavy use. The ear cups can be rotated and set to a flat position, mainly for storage purposes. But be careful when rotating the ear cups. As several customers have noted, the hinges are rather flimsy and are prone to cracking.

As with most gaming headsets, the mic is located on the left ear cup. It’s not the most flexible mic, though, but it can be folded away when not in use. It’s also non-removable, so you’re stuck with it even if you don’t play multiplayer games or engage in team chats. The mic quality is decent, with the noise cancellation function doing its job as intended, but it’s not consistent. PS4 owners, in particular, have reported a hit-and-miss experience with the mic, which is a huge red flag in a multiplayer environment.

Sound-wise, the G430 is well-balanced and comes with a nice bass that never feels overwhelming even at maximum volume. As mentioned, it comes with a USB dongle, which is the key to its surround sound. With the simulated surround sound turned on, the sound quality gets a boost, but don’t expect the G430 to suddenly turn into a pair of Audio-Technica cans. It’s obviously made for gaming. When used for non-gaming activities, such as watching a movie, the G430 falls short.

It’s essential for a gaming headset to be comfortable to wear for long stretches. In that regard, the G430 delivers, with the flexible, padded headband and the breathable ear pads teaming up to provide a comfortable experience. It’s not as comfortable as the Cloud II or the Cloud Stinger, but it’s comfortable enough for about six hours straight of non-stop gaming.

If you want a budget gaming headset under $100, the G430 definitely fits the bill. It’s comfortable on the head, has good sound quality, and is compatible with multiple gaming platforms. But before you commit to it, make sure you fully understand what it brings to the table. Expecting it to be in the same league as a high-end gaming headset is unfair.

3. SteelSeries Arctis 3

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

It’s easy to spot a gaming headset. Some models come with LED lights while others have large, over-the-top logos on the ear cups. But there are also gaming headsets that don’t look the part and can easily pass off as a regular headset for everyday use. The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is one such product.

This model is the most affordable in the Arctis series, retailing for about $20-30 less than the Arctis 5, which is also another great pair of gaming cans. It has that familiar subtle yet classy design that has become one of the main selling points of the Arctis series. Even in its “Solar Red” colors, the Arctis 3 doesn’t have that ostentatious look often associated with gaming headsets, and that’s what makes it cool.

Like the Logitech G430, the Arctis 3 is a wired over-the-ear headset. It has large ear cups equipped with luxurious pads that don’t get too warm even after several hours of non-stop use. Instead of a normal padded headband, the Arctis 3 comes with a suspension band, which makes it more flexible and more comfortable on the head. It’s easy to adjust the suspension band to fit most head sizes.

The left ear cup houses the bidirectional, noise-canceling mic. While non-removable, it can retract into the ear cup, which is practically the same as removing it from the headset. The mute button and the volume wheel are at the back of the left ear cup. Both are easy enough to reach during mid-game. But it would have been better for the audio controls to be on the right ear cup if only to make the left ear cup less crowded – the cable also connects to the left ear cup.

The Arctis 3 has great sound quality. It brings out small details in open-world games such as Assassin’s Creed Origins and The Witcher 3. It’s also one of the few gaming headsets under $100 that can hold its own when used for non-gaming activities. However, the ear cups don’t offer much passive noise cancellation, unlike most over-the-ear headsets, which can be a huge turn-off for some people. The mic, meanwhile, is clear and can easily pick up your voice.

This headset is compatible with any gaming platform with a 3.5-millimeter port, and that includes handheld consoles such as the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita. But like the HyperX Cloud II, this headset is best paired with a PC, mainly because of the virtual surround sound and the option to customize the sound settings. The stereo sound is still pretty good, though, so it’s not the end of the world for console owners.

The Arctis 3 offers excellent value at a reasonable price. It has a solid and comfortable design, comes with a noise-canceling mic, and has good sound quality, even without the surround sound. It’s also great for watching moving and listening to music, so it’s recommended for those who want an all-around headset.

4. HyperX Cloud Stinger

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

If you don’t like the Logitech G430, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is the only other budget gaming headset that you should consider. It’s a bit more expensive, going for $50 at online stores, but what you get is a great pair of cans that offers reliability and supreme comfort.

The Cloud Stinger is the budget option in the popular Cloud series. It’s an over-the-ear gaming headset with a minimalist design. It comes in an all-black finish with no markings other than the HyperX logo on the ear cups. But unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 3, the Cloud Stinger, despite its simple design, definitely looks like a gaming headset – the built-in mic and the HyperX logo easily give it away. Even non-gamers won’t have second thoughts.

As an over-the-ear headset, the Cloud Stinger comes with a pair of large ear cups that wrap around your ears to provide passive noise cancellation, which keeps background noise to a minimum. It’s a lot better than the Arctis 3 in that area. The noise cancellation is so good that some customers have actually “complained” that it’s too effective at shutting out distractions.

Even though Kingston made sacrifices in the construction in order to offer it at an affordable price point, the Cloud Stinger still offers supreme comfort. It has a lightweight frame and has the right amount of clamp on the head, making it an ideal gaming headset for extended gaming sessions. It’s equipped with memory foam pads that don’t get too warm even after several hours of continuous gaming. But unlike with the more expensive HyperX Cloud II, there is no option to switch to velour pads.

The ear cups can be rotated to a flat position for easy storage. The mic is on the left ear cup. It’s a non-removable mic with a swivel-to-mute function. There is no need to reach for a small button to set the headset to mute. Just swivel the mic to an upright position and the headset mutes instantaneously. Meanwhile, the volume control is located at the bottom of the right ear cup. It’s a slider-style control, so it’s easy to adjust the audio while in the middle of an intense firefight in-game.

The Cloud Stinger has a well-balanced sound with a good bass. Unlike the G430, it lacks a virtual surround sound option for those who game on PC. It’s strictly a stereo headset and comes with a 3.5-millimeter jack at the end of its long, non-braided cable. The mic, on the other hand, is just like most built-in mics on gaming headsets: unremarkable but good enough for team chats.

This budget gaming headset is compatible with gaming platforms with a 3.5-millimeter port, including mobile devices. It works great on both the PS4 and the Xbox One. However, it may not be suitable for on-the-go gaming – like when gaming on the Switch in handheld mode – because the long cable can be a hassle to deal with.

Overall, the Cloud Stinger is an excellent budget gaming headset. It’s comfortable, has good sound quality, and is not as flimsy as other plastic-made gaming headsets. Kingston did a great job in creating the Cloud Stinger. The manufacturer obviously cut corners but did so without sacrificing too much of what makes a good gaming headset.

5. Corsair Void Pro

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The Corsair Void Pro is one of those headsets clearly made with gamers in mind. Compared to the other products in this guide, it has the most striking look, with its diamond-shaped ear cups leaving no doubt it’s a gaming headset.

The Void Pro is available in three versions: a multi-platform model that has a 3.5-millimeter jack and a USB dongle and a couple of made-for-PC models, one of which is wireless. If you game on PC, definitely go for either the USB-only model or the wireless model. Ignoring the virtual surround sound, the sound quality is basically the same for all three models. The product listed here is the multi-platform model, which is officially called the Void Pro Surround.

An over-the-ear headset with a durable construction, the Void Pro Surround comes with a pair of large ear cups with an ergonomic design. The ear cups are large enough to go around your ears and do an excellent job of shutting out background noise. Covered in a mesh fabric, the ear pads are made of memory foam.

Although not on the same level as the HyperX Cloud II when it comes to comfort, the Void Pro Surround is a delight to wear. It has adequate padding on the headband and has just the right amount of clamp. It’s a bit heavier than other gaming headsets in the same class, though. After about six hours of non-stop use, you might start to feel uncomfortable with the weight.

Like the SteelSeries Arctis 3, the Void Pro Surround has a crowded left ear cup. It has a non-removable, unidirectional mic with noise-canceling out front, a mute button on the ear cup, and a volume control at the back of the ear cup. In addition, the cable connects at the bottom. Though easy to reach mid-game, the mute button is a bit hard to press, at least in the beginning. It should loosen up after a month or so – unless you don’t use it.

The Void Pro Surround has good sound quality even in stereo mode, which is the only thing available for console gamers. It has a clean bass that stays pleasant even in maximum volume and has no trouble picking up crucial details in first-person shooters, such as footsteps and distant gunshots. With the 7.1 virtual surround sound turned on, the sound experience becomes more immersive. Sadly, that option is off the menu for console gamers.

On the other hand, the mic is not that good. Its noise-canceling function works as intended, but it has to be positioned really close to your lips, which can be uncomfortable, in order to register a clear input. Even worse, the mic is not all that flexible, although it can be folded when not in use. Long story short, the Void Pro Surround is not the most ideal companion for high stakes multiplayer matches in which team communication is crucial.

If you want a gaming headset under $80, the Void Pro Surround is a good alternative to the Arctis 3, which has the same list price. It has a comfortable and ergonomic design and has good sound quality, with a surround sound option for PC gamers.

6. Sennheiser GSP 300

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

The Sennheiser GSP 300 is an over-the-ear gaming headset with extra-large ear cups. It’s a wired headset with a 3.5-millimeter jack, which makes it compatible with any device that has a matching analog port. It’s available in different colors – including a cool “Need For Speed” model with red highlights – with each color scheme representing a different model name. (The GSP 300 is the blue one.)

It’s easy to forget that you’re wearing the GSP 300. It has a lightweight frame and has ample padding on the split headband. Equipped with memory foam pads for supreme comfort, the extra-large ear cups can easily cover your ears, effectively sealing your ears from background noise. With no distractions, you get to focus more on your game. In addition, the ear pads don’t get too hot, making the GSP 300 an ideal gaming headset to wear for long stretches.

The non-removable, noise-canceling mic is on the left ear cup. It has a swivel-to-mute function that makes it easy to turn on/off mid-game. It lacks flexibility, though. It just goes up or down, which can be a turn-off for some people. But on the bright side, the mic quality is really good. It’s crystal clear, tunes out background noise, and can easily pick up your voice. There aren’t many gaming headsets under $100 that can say the same thing about their built-in mics.

The volume control is on the right ear cup, and thank goodness Sennheiser went with that instead of an in-line design. See, the non-braided cable can be very sticky. But with the on-cup controls, you’re spared from making contact with the cable every time you need to adjust the volume. On a related note, the cable is also on the short side, which is good for on-the-go gaming but not ideal for gaming at home.

When it comes to sound quality, the GSP 300 is good but not remarkable. It has a balanced sound, although the bass is a bit weak compared to the HyperX Cloud II, which sells for the same price. Unlike most of the products here, the GSP 300 does not offer a virtual surround sound option via a USB dongle, which might disappoint those who game on PC. Of course, that’s not an issue for those who game on consoles.

In all, the GSP 300 is a solid gaming headset. It’s got a nice build quality, an excellent mic for team chats, and a comfortable design for extended gaming sessions. It doesn’t come with a lot of features and has a few caveats that might discourage some people, but it gets the job done.