Best Budget Gaming Headsets (Under $100)

Our top pick is the Razer Barracuda X (2022), around $69–$80. It is the one headset here that combines a 2.4-GHz USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.2 and a 3.5-mm wired fallback in a 250 g frame, so a single headset covers your PC, PS5, Switch, Steam Deck and phone. Our ceiling is $100 street price after discount, and we prefer $80 or less so tax or an expired sale doesn't push you over. The other trap at this price is the platform SKU: several wireless models sell separate Xbox and PlayStation versions, so check the exact model number before you buy.

|---|---|---|---|---| | Best overall | Razer Barracuda X (2022) | $69–$80 | PC, Mac, PS5/PS4, Switch, Steam Deck, mobile (no Xbox wireless) | View at Razer | | Best budget | Razer BlackShark V2 X | $35–$60 | PC (3.5-mm analog; 7.1 is Windows-only) | View at Razer | | Best premium (within the ceiling) | HyperX Cloud III Wired | $70–$100 | PC and console (3.5 mm, USB-C, USB-A) | View at HyperX | | Best under $50 (wired) | HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 | $40–$50 | PC (3.5 mm) | View at HyperX | | Best for comfort and mic (wired) | Glorious GHS Eternal RGB | $70–$90 | PC and console via USB-C or 3.5 mm (Xbox via 3.5 mm, no RGB) | View at Glorious | | Best budget Xbox wireless | LucidSound LS500X | $70 | Xbox, PC (USB adapter) + Bluetooth | View at PowerA |

How we chose

• Sources: We compared manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner feedback. That includes manufacturer spec sheets, independent lab data, Best Buy rating counts and owner threads on Reddit. We did not run in-house tests.
• Five decision factors: We scored each headset on platform certainty, long-session comfort (300 g or less), mic reliability, connection type (wired or a dedicated 2.4-GHz dongle, not Bluetooth alone) and ownership friction (battery, software, replaceable parts).
• Price rule: Everything had to sit under $100 street price, ideally $80 or less. We cut the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3, around $95–$110, because it only qualifies on sale. Owners also report Swarm II software bugs and dongle reconnects [Source: Reddit r/TurtleBeach].
• Availability and SKU risk: We dropped the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 because Best Buy's listing showed it unavailable and it lost its lab main-pick status [Source: RTINGS]. We dropped the Logitech G432 and G435 because they were replaced or went out of stock at most retailers. We left out the ASTRO A10 Gen 2 because two model numbers circulate for it and we couldn't confirm the standard retail listing. The CHERRY XTRFY H3 Wireless (around $99–$100) sits right at the ceiling and weighs 325–365 g, so it missed too.
• Review confidence: We prefer 4.2/5 or better with at least 200 reviews. Newer picks that fall short are flagged in their sections.

Best overall

1. Razer Barracuda X (2022)

The Barracuda X wins because it removes the most common budget mistake: buying a wireless headset that only works on one device. It connects three ways: a USB-C 2.4-GHz dongle for low-latency play, Bluetooth 5.2 for your phone, and a 3.5-mm cable when the battery runs out [Source: Razer]. Best Buy lists it for PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck and mobile.

At 250 g it clears our "excellent" weight bar, and the rated 50-hour battery meets our "excellent" endurance bar. It uses 40-mm drivers. Owners rate it 4.5/5 across 1,174 Best Buy reviews, and they keep praising comfort and battery life [Source: Best Buy].

The trade-off is Xbox. There is no Xbox wireless support. Some reviewers also report intermittent connections, thin bass, and awkward handling of the detachable mic.

On price, even the high end of its range stays under our $80 ideal, so you don't need to wait for a sale.

Skip it if you play on Xbox wirelessly, or if you want the simplest possible setup. In that case a wired pick like the BlackShark V2 X costs less and has no battery to manage.

Best budget

2. Razer BlackShark V2 X

If you just want the best cheap gaming headset with a proven track record, this is it. It has the lowest street price on our list, around $35–$60, and the biggest review pool, at 4.6/5 from 4,031 Best Buy reviews [Source: Best Buy].

At 240 g it is the lightest wired headset here. You get closed-back 50-mm TriForce drivers and a cardioid boom mic on a plain 3.5-mm analog connection [Source: Razer]. Wired also means no dongle, no charging and no firmware to manage. That suits competitive-minded players who care about positional cues more than bass.

Compared with the Barracuda X, you give up wireless, Bluetooth and a detachable mic. Both the cable and the mic are fixed, so if either fails, the headset is done. The 7.1 surround mode runs as Windows software only. Common owner complaints are volume range, jack behavior and cord length.

One SKU warning: buy the standard model, RZ04-03240100-R3U1. A newer Xbox-branded variant is a different SKU.

Skip it if you want repairable parts or any wireless option.

Best premium (within the ceiling)

3. HyperX Cloud III Wired

The Cloud III is the sturdiest-built headset here on paper. Its aluminum frame is the exception in a price tier full of plastic [Source: HyperX]. It uses 53-mm angled drivers with a stated 10 Hz–21 kHz response, and it connects by 3.5 mm, USB-C or USB-A, which makes it a strong wired choice for PC and console.

The detachable mic is a plus for repairs and travel. Owners rate it 4.7/5 across 1,216 Best Buy reviews [Source: Best Buy].

The trade-offs are real:

• Weight: 308 g without the mic and about 320 g with it [Source: Tom's Hardware]. It is the only pick that misses our 300 g comfort line.
• Cable: The headset cable is captive, so a failure is harder to fix. Some owners report more than a year of heavy use with the cable intact, while others mention tangling [Source: Reddit r/HyperX].
• Sound and software: Stock bass is restrained. Some owners report low mic gain and NGENUITY/firmware friction.

Price is the other objection. Its range runs around $70–$100, and the top of that range plus tax breaks a $100 out-the-door budget. Buy it near the low end.

Skip it if you want wireless, a replaceable main cable, or the lightest possible fit.

Best under $50 (wired)

4. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The Stinger 2 is the simple PC headset for buyers who want small, practical conveniences. The mic swivels up to mute, and the volume control sits on the earcup [Source: HyperX]. No digging through software or reaching for your keyboard mid-match.

It weighs about 272 g (0.60 lb), inside our 300 g comfort line. It uses 50-mm drivers with a stated 10 Hz–28 kHz response and a 3.5-mm connection. Owners rate it 4.6/5 from 626 Best Buy reviews and mostly praise comfort [Source: Best Buy].

Against the BlackShark V2 X, the Stinger 2 is heavier and has a smaller Best Buy review base. The swivel-to-mute mic is the reason to choose it instead.

What you give up at this price:

• A plastic frame.
• A fixed mic and cable, which limits repairs [Source: SoundGuys].
• Wireless of any kind.

The most common owner request is a longer cable, not a fix for a known defect. HyperX positions it as a PC headset, so console players should check their setup before buying.

Skip it if you want detachable parts or plan to sit far from your PC.

Best for comfort and mic (wired)

5. Glorious GHS Eternal RGB

The GHS Eternal RGB is our pick if your sessions run long and your squad needs to hear you clearly. A lab's October update named it the top budget pick, replacing the Logitech G432 [Source: RTINGS].

Comfort and repair features stand out:

• A suspension headband spreads the load.
• It weighs 280 g including the mic.
• The mic detaches, which helps with repairs.

Early buyers praise the natural-sounding mic, the comfort and a build that feels sturdier than typical sub-$100 headsets. Connection is by USB-C or 3.5 mm, using 40-mm angled drivers. On Xbox you connect through 3.5 mm, so you lose RGB lighting.

The catch is maturity. Best Buy shows 4.9/5, but from only 21 reviews, well short of our 200-review comfort zone [Source: Best Buy]. The suspension band's tension is a possible wear point [Source: RTINGS]. Early owners also note bass-heavy tuning and limited EQ control.

Skip it if you want a proven multi-year track record (the Cloud III has one at a similar price) or you want wireless.

Best entry-level wireless

6. Turtle Beach Stealth 500

If you want the best budget wireless gaming headphones from an established gaming brand and you play on one console family, the Stealth 500 fits. It pairs a 2.4-GHz dongle with Bluetooth 5.2 and is rated for up to 40 hours of battery [Source: Turtle Beach], clearing our 30-hour bar.

At about 233 g per its manual listing, it is the lightest headset on our list. It uses 40-mm drivers. The PS5/PC model holds 4.5/5 from 265 Best Buy reviews, and the separate Xbox listing shows 4.6/5 from 398 [Source: Best Buy].

Unlike the Barracuda X, it comes in an Xbox version. That is also its biggest trap: the PlayStation and Xbox versions are separate SKUs, and one dongle won't cover both consoles.

A lab found it less robust and less comfortable than stronger wired choices [Source: RTINGS]. At around $82–$90, it also sits above our $80 ideal.

Skip it if you switch between Xbox and PlayStation, or if you prioritize build quality over going cable-free.

Best for switching devices

7. Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless

The HS35 v3 offers full tri-mode connectivity: a 2.4-GHz dongle, Bluetooth and wired. Its range starts lower than the Barracuda X, at around $60–$80. It is built for moving between PC, PS5, Switch, Mac and mobile [Source: Corsair].

It weighs about 250 g, matching the Barracuda X and very light for a wireless over-ear. It uses 50-mm neodymium drivers. Early reviewers single out audio quality and boom-mic clarity [Source: Best Buy].

You give up two things:

• Battery life: Rated up to 30 hours on 2.4 GHz and 32 hours on Bluetooth. That is the lowest among our wireless picks and just meets our 30-hour minimum.
• Proven reliability: It is a new model with 4.6/5 from only 49 Best Buy reviews.

Its Dolby Atmos tuning also depends on a PC.

Choose it over the Barracuda X if you catch it near the low end of its range and charge often anyway. Choose the Barracuda X for more battery and more review history.

Skip it if maximum battery life matters most, or if Xbox is your main platform (Corsair and Best Buy list PC, PS5/PS4, Switch, Mac and mobile; Xbox is not among the stated platforms).

Best budget Xbox wireless

8. LucidSound LS500X

Xbox players have few officially licensed wireless options around $70 that also include Bluetooth. The LS500X is one of them [Source: PowerA]. Its price range is tight, around $70, which leaves room under the ceiling for tax.

The specs are strong for the money:

• A USB adapter for Xbox and PC.
• Up to 50 hours on low-latency wireless and up to 70 hours on Bluetooth, clearing our "excellent" battery bar.
• 50-mm drivers.
• On-ear game/chat balance controls and mic monitoring, so you can hear your own voice.

Owners mention glasses-friendly comfort and intuitive controls.

The honest caveat is confidence. Best Buy shows 3.9/5 from only nine reviews [Source: Best Buy], the thinnest record on our list and below our 4.2/5 preference.

Check the box before you pay. The LS500X is the Xbox version; the LS500P is the PlayStation version.

Skip it if you need a long reliability history or play on PlayStation. In that case, the Stealth 500 PS5/PC version or the Barracuda X fits better.

Who should skip these

• You need one wireless headset for both Xbox and PlayStation. The Stealth 500 and LucidSound LS500 lines sell separate console SKUs, and the Barracuda X has no Xbox wireless. A wired headset like the GHS Eternal RGB, which reaches Xbox through 3.5 mm, is the safer route.
• You have a hard $100 out-the-door limit and only want a sale-dependent model. The Cloud III at the top of its range plus tax crosses $100. That is also why we left out the Stealth 600 Gen 3.
• You want zero software dependence. Go wired. The BlackShark V2 X's only software feature is Windows-only 7.1; everything else is a plain 3.5-mm connection.
• You don't need a boom mic. Look at our best headphones under $100 instead. If you prefer in-ears, see our best IEMs under $100 or best budget earbuds.

Buyer's guide

The best budget gaming headphones match your platform, your session length and your tolerance for charging. Here are the five factors we used, with the thresholds behind them.

1. Platform certainty. Match the exact SKU to your console, and confirm the dongle is in the box. Look for your main platform plus PC or mobile at minimum; three or more ecosystems is excellent. The Barracuda X and HS35 v3 cover the most ground, but the Barracuda X has no Xbox wireless support and Xbox is not among the HS35 v3's listed platforms.

2. Long-session comfort. We treat 300 g or less as good and 260 g or less as excellent.

• Excellent: Stealth 500 (about 233 g), BlackShark V2 X (240 g), Barracuda X (250 g), HS35 v3 (about 250 g).
• Good: Stinger 2 (about 272 g), GHS Eternal (280 g).
• Misses: Cloud III, at 308–320 g.

3. Communication reliability. You need a dedicated boom mic with a mute control. A detachable or flip-to-mute mic is better. The Cloud III, GHS Eternal and Barracuda X have detachable mics, and the Stinger 2 swivels to mute.

4. Connection and latency. Wired 3.5 mm, USB or a dedicated 2.4-GHz dongle all count. Bluetooth alone does not, so treat it as your phone connection [Source: SoundGuys].

At this budget, wireless becomes worth it around $70–$100, and only when a dongle is included [Source: RTINGS]. A wired headset in the $35–$60 range is often a safer buy than a wireless one near $90. You get no charging and fewer connection failures, and a $40–$70 wired option can offer better durability or mic reliability than a near-$100 wireless model.

5. Ownership friction. For battery, 30 hours or more is good and 50 hours or more is excellent. For repairs, at least one high-wear part should be replaceable, and a detachable cable is preferred on wired headsets. For reviews, we prefer 4.2/5 or better from 200 or more reviews. The LS500X, HS35 v3 and GHS Eternal don't meet that bar yet.

Is $50 enough? For wired, yes. The BlackShark V2 X and Stinger 2 both live in that range. For wireless with a dedicated dongle, the picks here run from about $60 (HS35 v3) to $90 (Stealth 500), and labs say wireless becomes compelling around $70–$100.

Deal and value check. Compared with premium headsets, budget models usually give up build quality and software polish first [Source: RTINGS]. Expect plastic frames, fixed cables or mics, and less refined apps. The sub-$100 wireless picks trade build or polish for features, and some have thin bass. The aluminum-framed Cloud III is the exception.

Prices drop around Black Friday and the holidays, during Prime events, and during retailer gaming-accessory promotions. The BlackShark V2 X has moved between roughly $30 and $50, and the Cloud III has fallen from its $100 comparable price to about $70. HyperX's newer, pricier wireless line, including the Cloud III S Wireless, may push sale prices on the wired Cloud III lower.

A note on volume. WHO advises keeping average listening below about 80 dB — roughly 60% or less of maximum volume as a rule of thumb — and cutting listening time sharply as volume rises; at 90 dB the weekly safe time drops to about four hours. The ITU's H.872 (2024) gaming standard uses 80 dBA for 40 hours/week for adults and 75 dBA for children and sensitive users. Persistent ringing, muffled hearing, pain or sound sensitivity warrants a medical or audiology evaluation, not just a new headset [Source: WHO; ITU]. We did not find any recall or product-safety flag on these picks, but we have not verified that independently.

Bottom line

• Under $50, wired: BlackShark V2 X (View at Razer) or Cloud Stinger 2 (View at HyperX).
• $50–$100, wired comfort/durability: GHS Eternal RGB (View at Glorious) or Cloud III (View at HyperX).
• PC/PS5/Switch/Steam Deck wireless: Barracuda X (View at Razer); HS35 v3 if you want tri-mode cheaper (View at Corsair).
• PlayStation-only entry wireless: Stealth 500 PS5/PC (View at Amazon).
• Xbox wireless: LucidSound LS500X (View at PowerA).