The very best cheap gaming headsets in the range under $60 you should consider today.
Getting an excellent budget gaming headset is enough to enjoy your games. While you might not get the fanciest design and extra features, you can comfortably play competitive games alone or with friends.
Regardless of which best budget gaming headset you pick, all of them are so good you’ll soon forget they were so cheap.
| Rating | Price | Connection | Compatibility | Surround sound | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries Arctis 1 Best overall  | 4.5 | Under $60 | Wired – 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | Yes (only PC & Xbox) | |
| HyperX Cloud Stinger Best under $50  | 4.4 | Under $60 | Wired – 3.5mm + dual 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | No | |
| Razer BlackShark V2 X Best Razer  | 4.5 | Under $60 | Wired – 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | Yes (only PC & Mac) | |
| Corsair HS50 Pro Best lightweight  | 4.4 | Under $50 | Wired – 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | No | |
| 4.4 | Under $40 | Wired – 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | Yes (only PC) | ||
| 4.4 | Under $50 | Wired – USB & 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | Yes (only PC) | ||
| 4.4 | Under $40 | Wired – 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | Yes (only PC) | ||
| Onikuma K6 Best under $40  | 4.0 | Under $40 | Wired – 3.5mm + dual 3.5mm | PC & Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR & mobile | No |
Here is a list of the top 8 headsets that are specifically built for gaming and are relatively cheap for the quality they provide.
Who doesn’t like cheap quality above the price you pay. We sure do, so we made this buyer’s guide.
Here’s all the necessary information you need to make the correct decision about the cheap gaming headset within your tight budget.
Related:
Best gaming headphones
The best wireless gaming headset
Best gaming earbuds
Best Cheap Gaming Headsets
1. SteelSeries Arctis 1
Best overall 
SteelSeries Arctis 1 is one of the best budget gaming headsets for gaming right now.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: n/a 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Excellent value
- Great comfort with memory foam earpads
- Balanced sound
- … that lacks a bit of bass punch
- No option for ChatMix
SteelSeries Arctis 1 have an overall balanced audio output. While this is good for listening to music, you sometimes miss the extra bass rumble during long gaming sessions.
They do, however, create a good surround sound with help from the Windows Sonic Spatial feature.
The gaming headset SteelSeries Arctis 1 are the most simple of the Arctis bunch. Build quality is still decent, with steel inside the headband and ear cups made of hard plastic.
These have an exceptionally comfortable fit, with thick memory foam pads that rest gently on your head. Fabric covering the ear pads also keep the ears cool.
The included microphone is removable and can be muted with a press of the button.
These are the best cheap gaming headsets for gamers who like to switch between different platforms. There’s also a wireless option.
2. HyperX Cloud Stinger
Best under $50 
The HyperX Cloud Stinger is the best cheap gaming headset under $50 with a wired connection, a jet-black color, and simple design cues.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 18-23.000Hz - Lightweight and comfortable
- Simple plastic design
- Good microphone
- Great value for money
- Lower durability
- Average noise isolation
Stinger is a good headset with excellent sound quality and a well-balanced stereo game audio with a slider to easily adjust volume.
The bass is clear but not overpowering and possesses sufficient clarity of sound.
The HyperX Stinger is a lightweight headset that weighs 275 grams and has a comfortable design for marathon gaming sessions. The audio cable has a standard length, with an optional extension audio cable in the box.
It doesn’t compress the head in any way even when wearing glasses, and it also doesn’t slide off in cases of erratic movement.
Sure the ear cushions aren’t made out of memory foam, but some cheaper foam which isn’t as fancy but still soft.
The noise-canceling microphone (uni-directional) mutes when folded up and otherwise records clear and distortion-free voice. Read our full review to find more info.
3. Razer BlackShark V2 X
Best Razer 
Razer surprised gamers with 3 new BlackShark gaming headsets, with V2 X being the cheapest gaming headphones of the bunch. However, they still offer great value.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 12-28.000Hz - Nicely balanced sound
- Sturdy build
- Razer's 7.1 virtual surround sound
- The app doesn't let you change EQ
Big new Triforce 50mm drivers deliver a decent amount of clarity and detail. The latter is most noticeable when playing with 7.1 surround sound.
Interestingly, the bass isn’t as boosted as in other gaming headsets, making for a more balanced frequency response, which is what most people prefer.
BlackShark V2 X are big over-ear headphones with a distinct look, with the same high-end design as pricier rivals. Soft padding is filled with exquisite memory foam.
There is a protruding volume knob on the left ear cup, alongside a microphone mute button. The cardioid mic works incredibly well, cancelling most ambient noises.
You get a unique code to access Razer’s proprietary 7.1 virtual surround, which can make your gaming audio more fun.
Of course, in the app, you can further play around with other audio settings and sound modes.
The 3.5mm audio connection makes these cheap gaming headsets compatible with most major gaming platforms.
4. Corsair HS50 Pro
Best lightweight 
The best budget gaming headset from Corsair with great microphone and durable aluminum construction.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Durable aluminum construction
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Detachable, Discord certified mic
- Slightly boosted bass for better in-game immersion
- No virtual surround sound
Corsair HS50 Pro budget headset have a somewhat balanced sound quality except for the slight bass boost.
The latter helps with immersion during gameplay, applying rumble to every explosion.
The midrange and high frequencies are great, too, providing well-rounded music and game audio experience.
Due to build materials, a stereo headset feels lightweight, while the memory foam ear cushions deliver overall excellent comfort.
While there is no ANC, passive isolation does a great job blocking background noise from your house. On the left earcup, you get a volume knob and a button to mute a removable mic.
The 3.5mm audio jack makes this budget gaming headset compatible with all gaming platforms and devices with an AUX port.
5. Asus TUF Gaming H3
This is a sturdy wired stereo headset with good sound quality for a low price point.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Good sound with deep bass and sparkly highs
- Quality microphone for the price
- Cheap-feeling build materials
The audio performance of the TUF H3 wired headset remains fairly balanced throughout the frequency response, with a slight boost in the bass for a more immersive gaming experience.
Despite coming at a price point of under $40, their microphone quality is more than adequate. On top of that, it’s certified by Discord so that your teammates can easily understand you.
The plastic construction makes them surprisingly pretty hard and featherlight. Faux leather earpads are generously padded so that you’re don’t have to deal with ear pain during long play sessions.
Instead of inline controls, you can find both the mute mic button and volume wheel on the ear cup.
All in all, it’s one of the best cheap headphones for gaming.
6. Logitech G432
Best gaming headset from Logitech with the solid sound quality for the price point.
Connection: Wired – USB & 3.5mm 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Balanced sound
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Good passive soundstage
- Can sound harsh sometimes
Surprisingly even frequency response with a modest boost in bass and upper midrange.
The latter makes the vocals more present but can occasionally makes the sound harsh at high volumes. Sadly, you can’t change sound profiles since there’s no app.
Nevertheless, G432 are overall good for both video games and music listening. They good a good sense of soundstage, too, and they can also do simulated surround sound.
These budget gaming headsets are built quite well, with a metal frame to add sturdiness and durability if they fall off the table.
The flip-to-mute microphone is of decent quality but can sound a bit dull if you have a deeper voice.
Well-padded headband and earpads are reasonably thick and ensure both good comfort and noise isolation for long stratches.
7. Razer Kraken X
The Kraken X are one of the best budget gaming headset with a good mic quality, sturdy aluminum frame, and 7.1 surround sound support.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm 
Driver size: 40mm 
Frequency range: 12-28.000Hz - Wide compatibility
- Great value
- Good sound
- Comfortable
- All-plastic construction
While there’s an emphasis on low-end, it never overwhelms the audio quality into muddiness.
Instead, they output great sound quality that remains nicely clean. A detailed positional sound gives you the gaming edge over your opponents.
For improved immersion, Razer offers its own virtual surround that mimics 7.1 systems. The latter only works on PC, and not on consoles (PS5 & Xbox Series X) or mobile devices.
Despite the price, Kraken X have a rather good microphone. You can easily use it for both serious gaming and video calls on Zoom or Skype.
A few things could be better with the build quality, but for the price bracket, you can’t ask much. Generally speaking, they should survive a couple of years of days use.
8. Onikuma K6
Best under $40 
This is a great gaming headset from an unknown brand that delivers a lot of value for money.
Connection: Wired – 3.5mm / USB 
Driver size: 50mm 
Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz - Cheap
- Amazing value for the money
- Comfy with big, plush ear pads
- Quality microphone
- AUX compatibility
- Free replacement policy
- Can get warm after a while
- USB doesn’t support sound, only lights
It delivers energetic low frequencies and enjoyable sound quality across the frequency response range (for a cheap headset).
The massive earpads provide an extra comfortable fit, and they also have spacious ear cups cover for added protection. While not memory foam, it’s soft and thick, so you won’t feel any discomfort (even after many hours).
It is quite effective at blocking background noise as it has a closed-back design, and it offers extra privacy by ensuring sounds don’t leak out.
Even though they don’t have RGB lighting, additional LEDs add to the cool factor.
Also, its unidirectional microphone works well for an in-game chat or talking with your friends. You can mute it with an in-line control module.
If you don’t already have a good microphone for your gameplays, check our pick for the best microphones for gaming.
Honorable Mentions
Turtle Beach Recon 70 – Turtle Beach Recon 70 are a great cheap gaming headset for consoles under $40 but with a cheaply made construction. (Check Recon 70 price)
Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming Headsets (FAQ)
What to Expect from a Budget Gaming Headset?
Most cheap gaming headsets aren’t wireless, don’t excel in audio quality, boast few premium features, and sport mostly plastic build.
Fortunately, they have a mostly lightweight design and are fairly comfortable to wear for long periods. Microphones in this price range do a surprisingly good job, too, picking up your voice nice and clear.
Also, many cheap gaming headsets now offer surround sound gaming. Though, they only work on PC.
Why Wireless Headsets Cost More?
Any wireless headset costs more than wired headsets because they’re made from more components (Bluetooth and DSP chips, batteries, wireless dongle,…), which increases production cost.
The price range of more premium headsets with wireless connectivity options depends on the brand and the specifications. They can be as low as $100 or as high as $600, depending on your budget and needs.
Sadly, you can’t get a reliable cheap gaming headset with wireless connectivity for under $50 (maybe in the future).
Check out the best wireless gaming headsets you can get right now.
How Much Should I Spend on a Gaming Headset?
There’s no need to cash out big money since you can get a compelling gaming headset for under $100. Going higher will bring other features and customization options, that aren’t beneficial to your gameplay.
Even overall best headset might not work for you. If you’re a casual gamer, first try some more affordable option before spending a couple of hundreds on other headsets.
What are Good Brands for Gaming Headsets?
By far the most trusted gaming brands are SteelSeries, HyperX, and Logitech.
Of course, some other headsets and brands can be great, too, like Sennheiser and Audio-Technica, but since they’re more music-oriented, you have to pick the right model.
Are 7.1 Gaming Headsets Worth It?
It’s better to have a stereo headset with a good soundstage, rather than opting for a simulated 7.1 surround. Quite often, virtual surround hurts the overall sound quality, even on otherwise great headsets.
Unless a game is mastered to use a particular surround standard, like Dolby Atmos. In that case, having an Atmos-supported gaming headset can offer much greater immersion.
