Best 2023 cheap gaming headsets for $25, $50 and $100

25+ budget gaming headphones under $25, $50 and $100 tested for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X and One, and Switch

Looking for a cheap gaming headset? Be careful - there's huge difference in quality of affordable gaming headphones. With over 25 popular models tested, these are the best cheap gaming headsets for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch!

If you've been on Scarbir.com before, you may know I mostly test and review affordable true wireless earbuds - you can find over 200+ ratings on this site. But with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X entering the market and with so much staying at home required due to a certain virus, I decided to also dive into the best cheap gaming headset for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and phones.

In the past years, I've tested and compared over 25 budget gaming headsets. I stepped into this test unbiased and independent, with no particular love or favour for certain brands or products. All gaming headsets are tested, compared and rated 100% honestly according to my findings. Let's go!


How the best cheap gaming headsets are rated:

  • Gaming headsets can be awarded 15 points in total: 5 for comfort, 5 for microphone quality and 5 for sound quality for gaming.

    • 1 star means terrible (--)

    • 2 stars means bad (-)

    • 3 stars means average (+-)

    • 4 stars means good (+)

    • 5 stars means excellent (++)

  • Categories have subscores. That's why there can be half points awarded for comfort and sound quality. All the way below this article, you can read in detail how these gaming headsets are tested and rated.

Also check out the Budget Gaming Headset Test spreadsheet with the headset specifics and ratings!

Here we go: these are the best budget gaming headsets, last evaluated in January 2023:

Best cheap gaming headset under $100: Kingston HyperX Cloud II

$60-$90

The Kingston HyperX Cloud II probably is the most popular gaming headset under $100, and that's for good reason. It has superb build quality, mixing sturdy plastic with sleek metallic parts. It comes with a well-padded headband and two sets of earpads; leather-look pads as default, and an extremely soft, comfortable pluche alternative. With the latter, the Cloud II is comfortable for hours on end. Microphone quality could be better, however: it's too soft out of the box, and once turned up, your voice sounds a tad bright. It does sound very clear though - people will hear you easily.

The sound quality of the popular Cloud II is stunning, with rich bass, and lovely balanced mids - loud enough to hear footsteps. The mids can sometimes be sharp in action moments, but more often, they're pleasant to listen to. Sound positioning is more left-right oriented than it is around you, however - giving the darker sounding Tronsmart Alpha and also the HyperX Cloud Stinger an advantage in competitive multiplayer games. The Cloud II does an outstanding job separating game sounds from voice chat, however: it's easy to hear them clearly at the same time.

A thing to note, is that the remote with volume and mute control is only applicable to PC and Mac users as it requires USB and software. It doesn't come with volume control and a mute button when plugging it into your controller - deducting 1 point from the total score.

The HyperX Cloud II is the best gaming headset under $100, with outstanding comfort, two sets of ear cushions, and terrific sound and voice chat quality.

Best cheap gaming headset under $50: Tronsmart Alpha

$30-$40

The Tronsmart (Glary) Alpha may be built from cheap plastic, it has a lot of going for it for its low price. It's surprisingly comfortable for its big design, thanks to the headband structure that consists of two different pads on your head, instead of a tight band to hold the two big earcups together. It feels rather heavy - but it isn't too tight, and it's actually doable to wear this model comfortably for hours on end. As you can't adjust the headband, it isn't very suitable for tinier heads, however. The Alpha has outstanding microphone quality: even though your voice can have an occasional crackle in the highest notes, you sound pleasant, loud, and clear, while background noise is reduced wonderfully.

However: the sound quality is the real star of the show. Unlike many other models, the Alpha doesn't emphasize mid-tones too much. Footsteps around you sound darker than on the strongest mid-focusing headphones, but it's these mid-focusing headsets that can sound too 'hot', annoyingly bright when the action gets going. The Glary Alpha keeps its detail even in crowded moments. And what detail it offers! The boosted bass and lower frequencies make the sound full and rich, and resolve even the tiniest background sounds. The positioning of sound is excellent: you don't only hear whether action happens on your left or right; you hear sounds from everywhere, even in the distance. In games like Destiny 2 and Halo 5: Guardians, it's possible to locate running and fire in the spaces surrounding yours - truly impressive for the price.

With its great microphone clarity, rich warm sound, and excellent sound positioning, the Tronsmart Alpha is great for single-player games, gaming with your friends and for competitive gaming.

Best cheapest gaming headset under $25: Mpow EG10

$20

Rather shop below 25 dollars? The brand Mpow has two stellar offerings for the money: the EG3 Pro and the EG10. Both are excellent choices, but the EG10 is a more compact model likely to be more suitable for smaller heads as well.

Why the EG10 is so good? It's the cheapest headset of the test, but the microphone is one of the very best. It puts your voice through natural, full and clear - even a bit studio-like. Comfort is decent too - it's light to wear on your head, although the cushions could use a bit more padding. In the sound department, the EG10 provides a full, warm sound, with plenty of detail in the mid-tones. It has a decent soundstage as well, meaning the sound feels everywhere around you - although it can be tricky to place where the action comes from precisely.

For the price, however, the EG10 is a steal. If you prefer the design of the EG3 Pro (reviewed underneath), don't hesistate to go for that model instead.

  • Comfort: 3 | Microphone: 5 | Sound quality: 4 | SCORE: 12 out of 15

  • Available on AliExpress

Best cheap gaming headset for footstep detection and competitive gaming:
Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger

$40

The Tronsmart Glary Alpha may have the most precise sound positioning of the test; if you need to hear even the softest of footsteps in grass and sand around you (in games like Call of Duty Warzone), the HyperX Cloud Stinger may be a better choice.

The heavily boosted mid-tones of the Stinger make sure you can hear shots and movement all the way in the distance, even when you're chatting with teammates at the same time. The mid-tones can sometimes sound a bit harsh when there's lots of action going on - but it may be worth the trade for your competitive advantage. The microphone makes your voice tinny and shallow, bit its output is still clear enough. Furthermore, the Cloud Stinger may look a bit plastic - even though it's a bit tight around the head, the cushion padding is just thick enough to wear these comfortably.

Other gaming headsets under $25 - $50 - $100 tested, rated from high to low:

Mpow EG3 Pro ($25-$25)

Mpow EG3 Pro - Click any picture to enlarge

The EG3 Pro is the other great budget gaming headset offering from Mpow, next to the EG10. The EG3 Pro is a heavier, more robust model, with sturdy feeling and looking metallic parts that hold the earcups and band together. It may be too big for smaller heads, but for most people, the thick big cushions will fall comfortably around the ears. Once again, the microphone makes your voice sound loud and full, although it does miss some of the treble that also comes with your voice on the EG10. When it comes to game sounds, the EG3 Pro gives the mid-tones more attention, so it's easier to position action on your left and right; although this emphasis can make the sound a bit harsh at times - a problem all headsets with boosted mids have. It's still a wonderful performer for the money.

  • Comfort: 3,5 | Microphone: 4 | Sound quality: 4 | SCORE: 11,5 out of 15

  • Available on AliExpress


Kingston HyperX Cloud Alpha ($70-$100)

As it's often a tad more expensive than the HyperX Cloud II, you would expect the Cloud Alpha to be even better. It's only partly. For console purposes, the Alpha has the mute and volume button built-in, and its microphone gives you a fuller (but not clearer) sound than the Cloud II. Comfort-wise, it misses the Cloud II's option to swap cushions, and while the cushions of the Alpha are quite comfortable, they're not up to the point of Cloud II's soft padding.

The Cloud Alpha has big emphasis on bass and darker tones in the sound, creating an immersive singleplayer experience, but it lacks the clarity in higher notes of the other HyperX models, which make footsteps, voices and distant gunshots less easy to hear and place. The other models also do a better job of separating the game sounds from the voice chat; it can pile up too much on the Alpha, making people hard to hear sometimes. It's a great headset - just not as good as the Cloud II.



EKSA E910 ($60-$80)

The EKSA E910 gaming headset is completely wireless and connects to a pre-delivered dongle you plug into your pc, Mac, Switch or PlayStation - the Xbox doesn't support the model. It's a decent looking and built headset with thick padded cushions and headband that are comfortable to wear for a few hours - although perhaps not as long as the +- 8 hours the battery life lasts before it needs a new charge via USB-C. The microphone could use a little bit more volume and makes your voice warm, which is nice to listen to, but hard to hear for others when they have headsets with much bass. The sound is a bit filmic - warm and full instead of bright and clear with accentuated mids for competitive purposes, but it's pleasant to listen to and especially darker sounds do appear on your left or right or behind you, although not as precise as the best in test.

  • Comfort: 4 | Microphone: 3 | Sound quality: 4 | SCORE: 11 out of 15

  • Available on AliExpress



Tronsmart Sono ($25-$35)

The Tronsmart Sono is a great gaming headset for all-round everyday use. It even looks formal (and normal) enough to use for Zoom meetings. The Sono has an outstanding microphone which makes you sound natural, clear and full. Gaming sound quality is pleasant, with nicely present bass and controlled mids and highs. The sound has some spaciousness too, but could use more positioning detail. If you also want your headset for music playback, the Sono is a good choice - it sounds warm, laidback and full on it, with plenty of bass and space. The microphone is detachable, so you can even wear it outside without looking too weird. As for comfort, your ears can brush against the insides of the cups, but the ear cushions are soft and breathable and don't become too warm too quickly.



Redragon H510/ Havit HD2002 ($20-$45)

The Havit HD2002 (available for just $20 on AliExpress) or Redragon H510 ($45 on Amazon) is a likeable gaming headset when it comes to comfort, as it both has thick, soft ear cushions and a well-padded headband. It also looks formal, and has a detachable microphone for music-listening pleasure. This mic puts your voice through with warmth and clarity. When it comes to game sounds, the performance is less convincing: there's some space in the sound and the bass is pretty solid, but positioning is only limited to your left and right and floaty, and the mids come with harsh peaks in moments of action.


Mpow Air SE/ Mpow Air II ($25-$30)

Not to be confused by the wireless Mpow Air, this SE or II model is still wired. It feels nicely built, with plastic materials mixed with some metallic parts, such as the hinges. The thick ear cushions seem pretty comfortable at first, but your ears can become warm after a while. The microphone convinces; your voice sounding clear albeit a bit flat. The sound is pleasant too, it has a strong bass and lower tones, but it's thin in mids and sound positioning - makes this one less suitable for competitive gaming, especially since it makes other people's voices sound warm too, so they battle too much with the action on screen.



ASUS ROG Delta Core ($50-$90)

This ASUS ROG ('Republic of Gamers') has great looks and build quality, but if the triangular shapes of the cushions don't go entirely over your ears, the Delta Core may press onto your ears too much. The Delta Core is very comfortable for smaller ears, however - with either the delivered faux-leather or the breathing cushion. The microphone presents your voice clearly and natural, but brighter background sounds do come through. Sound-wise, there's a big amount of bass that rumbles a bit loosely, but mid-tones are rich and lush. Unfortunately, sound positioning is sub-par; there's little separation between the different sound effects, giving the Delta Core a disadvantage to competitive gamers.



Klim Puma/ Somic G941 ($40-$70)

The Klim Puma often costs over 50 dollars on Amazon, but is also available as the Somic G941 on AliExpress, and then only costs $40. Under both names, it's powered via USB instead of a 3,5 mm jack, so it's not compatible with Xbox, Nintendo Switch and phones. You can use it on PlayStation, though. It looks and feels solid, with strong metallic-like materials that make it feel heavy on your head. The microphone output seems a bit soft, but your voice is clear from harshness and volume peaks. There's a good soundstage and positioning when playing games, but as bass and lower tones are boosted very heavily (you can even activate a bass rumbling on your ears with a switch!), the sound can become a bit congested at times. Still, this is a sweet, full sounding headset.



Somic G936N ($40-$60)

If looks count, perhaps write this one off. The Somic G936N looks like 100-year-old pilot gear. It's medium comfortable: the headband is soft, but the huge earcups may be a bit too heavy and low for your ears. Speaking of pilot gear: the microphone displays a noticeble walkie-talkie like on/off switching sound when you're talking, but your voice itself sounds clear and loud. The 936N comes with a 3,5 mm audiojack standard to plug into any controller, but also has a USB-remote with various sound tweaks and adjustable mute and volume for PC and Mac games. Console gamers cannot use these options, and miss a volume and mute control option (which means -1 for the total score). Happily, the Somic has a spacious sound with good sounding bass and controlled mids and highs. It could use more precise positioning, but it's one of the most immersive sounding gaming headsets under $100.


Kotion Each G2000 ($25)

The Kotion Each G2000 won some older gaming headset tests of YouTubers and it's easy to see why: it has wildly elevated mid-tones and highs, making it very easy to detect footsteps and gunshots around you. For the very same reason, the G2000 can also be very hard to enjoy - there's often an overdose of harsh, piercing sound effects. Because voices from other people also sound bright, there can just be too much going on in the sound. The surprisingly big headset has a hard plastic headband and thin cushions, making it only medium comfortable. The microphone is pretty good, however, presenting your voice bright and clear.


TurtleBeach Recon 50P ($20-$25)

The highly popular TurtleBeach Recon 50P can be had for as low as 20 dollars, but fails to really impress. The cheap plastic materials may feel sturdy and light, but the tiny earcups and thin headband press on your head, and wearing these for a few hours isn't very comfortable. While the microphone sounds clear, the sound is bassy, dark and congested. Not too bad for single-player games, but for competitive gaming, it lacks any space and details around you.



Redragon Scylla H901 ($15-$25)

As the only model in the test, the Redragon H901 microphone is just a dot coming out of the earpad. It makes your voice sound a bit distant to other players, and gives a low humming on the background as well - but your voice does sound pleasantly full. The same applies to the sound: bass and lows are well-represented and make for a full and engaging sound, that could use better sound positioning.


Nubwo N11 ($20-$25)

If you're only playing single-player games, the Nubwo N11 could be on your shortlist. It has a typical cinema-like sound, with much emphasis on bass and warmer tones, and impressive sound placement as well: different areas can game can just sound different from their background noise. For competitive gaming, there's too little emphasis on the mids - which make footsteps hard to hear. It's not very comfortable either, as the earpads have a large clamping force on your ears and cheeks. The microphone is below average: just like the game sound, your voice sounds dark and heavy. Other people can constantly hear the 'opening' of your microphone very loudly as well - which can be tiresome for your friends.


Sades A6 ($30-$40)

Take note: the Sades A6 doesn't have a 3,5 mm output, only USB - so it works on PlayStation, but doesn't work on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and phones. The A6 is a big headphone, with round earcups that have a loose fit on your ears, and a headband that presses (only) a bit. The microphone isn't that great - as if you're talking into a pillow, soft and dampened. The sound fares a little better though: this Sades sounds warm, dark, and doesn't oversteer the mid-tones. There's some positioning around you as well, although the (overly) powerful bass often pushes it away.



Tronsmart Shadow wireless ($50-$80)

The Tronsmart Shadow is a USB-powered wireless gaming headset for a reasonable price, and therefore cannot be used on Xbox systems. Unfortunately, it's a struggle to connect to both PlayStation and Mac/ pc, and even after connecting it takes a seemingly random button mashing to get the microphone to work. When it works… it makes your voice sound much too soft and distant. If voice chat isn't the most important aspect, the Shadow does a fair job with its comfort (thick cushions and a soft headband), up to 12 hours battery life and sound - it's full in the bass and lows, which can creative an immersive experience in some singleplayer games, but they can also drown out the higher tones, making it hard to hear and precisely place footsteps and gunshots around you.

Havit HD2232D ($20-$25)

Hard cheap plastics and thin ear cushions that press against your ears and on your cheeks a bit: the Havit HD2232D isn't a wonder in build quality or comfort. The microphone is decent and puts your voice through a bit muffled, but clear enough. Games sound good overall, with solid sound positioning and fair reproduction of mid and higher tones. The bass can be too strong though, pushing away the other frequencies. The same goes for voices of your friends: the sound can just pile up too much, making both the game and the voices hard to hear.

TurtleBeach Recon 70 ($25-$30)

For almost the same price as the 50P, the TurtleBeach 70 is another model with cheap plastic materials and a super-tight fit, with both the headband and earcups pressing on your head. The sound has convincing space and brighter sounds effects like footsteps and gunshots can be placed precisely in it, but the mids and highs that cause this effect, can be unbearably bright at times. Mids and highs sound sharp and have painfully high volume peaks. The microphone is underwhelming: your voice lacks clarity and there's a lot of white noise underneath your voice.



Onikuma K1 ($15-$25)

The Onikuma K1 reaches this high in this list thanks to its microphone quality. When you talk, other people may hear a bit of a soft buzzing on the background, but your voice itself sounds both clear and warm. Comfort is quite alright as well. Even though the K1 - available in multiple army color schemes - can feel a bit tight on your head, the cushions are made from a breathable, comfortable material. Sadly - the sound is so flat, dull, distant and lacking detail, that it's hardly an improvement over any tv or monitor screen.



EKSA E900 ($30-$40)

If your ears wouldn't become so warm and sweaty after a few hours, the Eksa E900 would be brilliantly comfortable: both the headband and cushions are extremely soft - one of the best feeling of the test. Unfortunately, the E900 microphone makes you sound sharp, hollow and distant - 'it's like you're somewhere behind us all the way in the back'. The Eksa does have a nice representation of bass and mids, but it lacks direction in the sound: it's hard to position action around you.



Onikuma K6 ($25)

Oof, this is one big headset. The Onikuma K6's cushions are so thick, and the device is so heavy and plastic-y clunky, that it's barely comfortable even for short sessions. The microphone output is a bit muffled and dark, which sounds alright, but means your voice may have to battle other sounds people hear in games. The K6 does have a warm, bassy sound in games, with convincing sound placement of the darker sound-effects too. Unfortunately, its mids and highs can become tiringly sharp.



Onikuma K9 ($20-$25)

A headset with a typical film-like approach to sound: dark and bassy, with quite a bit of space in the sound, so environments in Destiny 2 (for instance) sound different from each other. The mids are a bit too recessed to precisely place the action around you, unfortunately. The cushions touch the outsides of your ears, but the headband has a pleasant thick padding. The microphone is worthless, however: your voice sounds harsh and tinny, and background noise is passed through way too loud.



Nubwo N7 ($20-$40)

It's great having a soft, lightweight headband - but not if it means it can't hold the big ear cushions properly. This is the case on the N7: the big earpads are simply too big to carry comfortable - the cushions almost sink over your ears. The microphone output is a bit flat and increases in volume when there's sound around you, but at least you're audible. In games, the sound is too flat: it lacks vividness and bass.


Razer Kraken X ($40-$50)

Razer may have a lot of fans for its gaming products; its Kraken X headset fails to convince. The microphone is one of the worst of all tested models. It makes your voice sound sharp and thin, and comes with crackles on the line. The headband is comfortable, yet the round cushions press on your ears a bit, which is annoying if you're wearing glasses. Sound-wise, there's a lot of emphasis on mids, which are often controlled but can sometimes be a bit harsh during explosions and other loud sound effects. Unfortunately, there's too little space in the sound to properly position action around you.

Beexcellent GM-1 ($20-$25)

The Beexcellent GM-1 pops up if you're looking for the cheapest gaming headsets on Amazon, but please just go for the Mpow EG10 instead. The Beexcellent is made from cheap and cranky plastic and pushes painfully hard on your ears, without too much padding in the cushions. The microphone lets in surrounding noises easily and drags detail our your voice, but it's still clear enough for others to hear. However, the sound is shallow and flat, with below-average separation and placement of sound effects, and mids that can become sharp easily.

Eksa E3 Pro Airy Joy ($25-$30)

Eksa built this gaming headset to counter all the heavy, big gaming headsets on the market. Lovely idea, but a bad product. The tiny headband is quite comfortable, but the tiny cushions surround your ears tightly and become warm. The microphone is the worst of the entire test, with crackles, distorted sound and insane volume peaks. One of the comments was: 'You sound like you're ill'. In the sound department, the bass and lower tones need more separation; the sound can be too congested now, especially since the mids are too recessed.


Nubwo N15 ($15-$25)

The N15 looks like you can take a Skype call just as easy as a gaming session with them, but don't. Other players can hear the air flow and breaths through the microphone, and you sound like you're wearing a mask. Despite the soft padding, the cushions press hard on your ears. The sound is a bit sharp, with a huge emphasis on mid-tones that can distort easily, yet sound tinny. There's decent left-right separation of sound effects nonetheless.

Bonus: the best under $100 tested against a YouTubers favourite: the Sennheiser PC38X

Now, how does the test winners hold up against the brand new and not-so-cheap Sennheiser PC38X, of which some reviewers claim it's the best new gaming headset you can buy? For starters, swap the synthetic earpads that are on the PC38X by default and change them for the soft cushions that also come in the box. They make the Sennheiser more comfortable to wear, as these cushions apply less pressure on your ears. It's easier to wear the Sennheiser with glasses this way, although there's still clamping on your ears and cheeks. The Sennheiser looks and feels durable, yet the build quality isn't convincing: a part of the headband-cushion lets loose from the plastic band straight out of the box! The microphone doesn't convince either: your voice sounds bright and clear, but almost too loud - especially as your voice comes with annoying volume peaks to counter background noise.

Does the Sennheiser PC38X sound way better than the $50 Tronsmart Alpha? Again - swap the default pads as they only resolve a lot of mid-tones, and not anything else. With the other pair of cushions, the Sennheiser sounds a lot better than the synthetic ones. Other peoples voices sound more natural and fuller, and so does the game sound. There's plenty of bass in the music and in sound effects, but at the same time, mid-tones are still well-represented - up to the point that can become too ‘hot’ in crowded action scenes. Nonetheless, even distant footsteps and gunshots can be heard on your left and right. The key here is ‘left and right’, though. The Sennheiser sounds clean and clear compared to the darker sounding Tronsmart and more dynamic than the HyperX Cloud Stinger, but like the HyperX Cloud II, its positioning is mostly limited to your left and right, while the Tronsmart Alpha and HyperX Cloud Stinger have more accurate positioning of shots, explosions and opponents' movement - making it easier to 'read' the action around you.

The Sennheiser may look and feel sleek; the $120 cheaper Tronsmart Alpha and HyperX Cloud Stinger hold their ground next to the PC38X, and the HyperX Cloud II sounds fuller and is more comfortable.

  • Comfort: 3 | Microphone: 3 | Sound quality: 4 | SCORE: 10 out of 15

  • Available on Drop

How these cheap gaming headsets are tested and rated:

  • Comfort and build: All headsets are worn up to 6 hours (at least 3 hours) in a row; not just in gaming sessions; also on regular workdays. Comfort is tested on the pressure on your head; weight, headband and padding, cushion comfort and breathability, comfort with and without glasses. Headphones can get up to 5 stars on comfort quality; an average of headband and cushions scores. That's why half scores can occur.

  • Microphone quality: All headsets are tested in play sessions on both PlayStation and Xbox, and in a dedicated laptop + Discord blind-testing setup with three experts: a gaming enthousiast, a hifi-specialist, and a professional podcaster. Before every headset, I didn't tell them which model I would test now, to filter out any brand and price bias. Thanks again for your extensive and honest mic quality remarks, Matthijs, Corne and Henry. Microphone quality is rated 1 to 5 stars for each model.

  • Hardware: All headsets are tested on the latest Xbox One series and PlayStation 4, the way almost all gamers play: with the 3,5 mm audiojack plugged directly into the controller. Some USB-powered headphones are tested via the USB-port of the PlayStation 4. I stayed away from expensive audio setups, amps and equalizers: these headsets are tested the way they are used most often.

  • Sound quality for games: For gaming sound performance, all headsets are tested on overall sound quality, bass, mids/ highs, and sound positioning: the ability to hear footsteps and shots around you. The latter gives you an advantage in online games. Games played for testing are not limited to Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (of which the voices in the head of the player truly mark audio positioning) and Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer, which is a fantastic test case for audio positioning. Headsets can be awarded 5 points for gaming sound; a self-adjusted average for three factors: sound positioning, bass, mids/ highs.

  • What about 'virtual 7.1 surround sound'? Some gaming headsets claim to have 7.1 surround sound, such as the Sades A6 and Klim Puma in this test. This function only works on PC and Mac, and not on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or phones. The simulation of '7.1 surround sound' requires a USB-port and a software driver, which gaming consoles don't offer. Even though you can connect USB-headphones to your PlayStation, it won't generate such an effect. Rest assured: you don't need it. The headsets in this test are extensively tested on sound positioning, and some perform stellar without a simulated 7.1 effect.

  • Sound quality for music: While not the main focus in this test and not affecting the sound quality score, all headsets are also tested for music, with always the same (pop) songs on Spotify, always on the same laptop. Again: no amp, no equalizing, just straightforward everyday usage. You can see the sound scores in the spreadsheet + overall score with music score included here.

  • Volume controls: Most headphones have volume controls on the remote in the chord or directly on one of the earcups. Some don't, however. This turned out to be such a big annoyance and comes back in user reviews so often, that the lack of a volume slider results in a deduction of 1 point on the total score.

Check out the Budget Gaming Headset Test spreadsheet too, including all headset specifics and ratings!

Disclaimer

This is a completely independent and unsponsored test. I bought almost all gaming headset myself. I test, review and compare all models the same way; all just as extensive.

Do you plan to buy one of the headsets in this test? Please use the buying links in my article. These are affiliate links from which I gain a little percentage. It won't cost you extra, but it helps me a bit in supporting my ongoing research on great affordable audio products.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them in the comments. I'll try to answer the questions I can.

Check out the Budget Gaming Headset Test spreadsheet too, including all headset specifics and ratings!

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- Scarbir

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