The 6 Best Gaming Headsets Under $100 of 2024

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless is the best headset under $100 for gaming that we've tested. These comfortable over-ears have low latency via their USB dongle, which ensures that your audio and visuals stay in sync during the heat of the moment. They can't be used wired, but with an amazing 85 hours of continuous battery life and an auto-off timer to conserve battery life when not in use, it won't be an issue for most people. They support Bluetooth, but you can't hear audio via the dongle and Bluetooth connections simultaneously: you have to press a button to switch between input sources.

These cans come with a very good microphone that you can handily flip up to mute. The mic reproduces your voice well, so you sound natural and realistic to whoever you're talking to. It also does a great job separating your voice from any noise around you. Out of the box, these headphones have a fairly balanced sound profile. They lack a touch of low bass but have a bit of extra boom and warmth to help bring out sound effects like footsteps in gameplay. On the other hand, their mid-treble can make sibilants sound a bit piercing. If you prefer a different sound, they're compatible with Turtle Beach's Swarm II app, which allows you to customize their sound using a graphic EQ and presets. They're a little prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to adjust their fit and positioning, especially if you have thick hair or wear glasses.

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Check out the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless instead if you're looking for Bluetooth support. Unlike the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless, you can hear audio via both Bluetooth and wireless dongle connections simultaneously when using these headphones. The dongle's low latency performance ensures that your audio stays in sync with the visuals on your screen while you game. Their warm sound profile adds boom to your audio to intensify sound effects. This slightly muddies voices and instruments, but you can always adjust the sound with the EQ and presets in the Razer Audio app.

Depending on your gaming setup, you can choose between the PlayStation variant (which also works with PC) or the Xbox version. They don't support a wired connection, though, so you don't have the option of plugging the cable into an AUX port for more versatility or to eliminate latency. Still, they last about 19 hours continuously to get you through a few long gaming sessions.

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

If you want to avoid latency issues or have a better audio quality experience, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 is the best wired gaming headset we've tested in the sub-$100 range. These over-ears offer some customization features, like programmable RGB lighting on the ear cups and a parametric EQ with presets when connected via a PC. You can use them via a wired USB cable or analog cable. We noticed a warping sound with our unit, but this only occurred using the USB connection, not via analog.

While picks like the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless offer low wireless latency, using the analog cable with these headphones virtually eliminates latency, making them a good choice if you're concerned about audio-syncing issues. They have a warm sound profile, with a touch of extra bass to help emphasize sound effects, like footsteps, when gaming. Dialogue and soundtracks are understandable but very dull and veiled. Luckily, their in-app graphic EQ and presets can help you customize the mix to suit your preferences.

While comfortable, their ski-band headband design doesn't reproduce a consistent fit, position, or seal, so take the time to ensure they're sitting well on your head before booting up your game. Despite their closed-back design, their soundstage feels wide and somewhat open. Their boom mic also captures speech well, but if you want an even better mic performance, check out the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II. Their boom mic is significantly better at separating your voice from any sounds around you, which is great if you're gaming in a noisy environment. However, they don't have any customization features to adjust their sound.

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

At the sub-$100 price point, you start to run into more headphones with less-than-stellar build quality. Still, if you're looking for headphones with a durable feel, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S offer a sturdy design at a lower price point. Their price fluctuates above and below $100, but if you're patient, you'll catch a deal. Compared to many of the picks on this list, which are completely made of plastic, their design has some metal elements to help with durability, like a flexible aluminum frame. The cables are also braided and detachable, meaning you can replace them, and the ear cup padding is easy to swap out. The box includes two sets of padding: one cloth and one leather, so you can choose which you prefer.

Because of their wired design, they're compatible with most consoles and PCs. They have a comfortable fit and good overall mic performance, so your teammates will hear you clearly. A slider on each ear cup allows you to adjust the bass level in each ear separately. As expected, their sound profile is very bass-heavy with the sliders turned up. They deliver extra boom that helps bring out sound effects, but which also makes mix sound muddy overall. Fortunately, voices and instruments are still present and clear. Still, you can't make any adjustments since these headphones don't work with companion software and lack sound customization features like an EQ.

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

If you're looking to get the most for your dollar, you might want a headset that you can use for more than just gaming. One such headset, the Logitech G433, is well-suited for use at the office or casual music listening around town. These headphones are compatible with most major platforms and consoles, and their boom mic has a great performance, so you'll sound natural during online games, even with some noise in the background. A 1/8" TRRS cable with a separate in-line mic is included, so you can take calls when you're out and about without the bulky boom mic.

Their default sound profile is well-balanced, with a bit of extra boom that doesn't muddy the rest of the mix. This sound is suitable for various content and can be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in the Logitech G HUB software. They also support Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound, which can help create a more immersive experience, whether gaming or listening to music. However, like most gaming headsets, they don't have ANC and won't block out much ambient sound, so they aren't ideal for your commute. They also leak a lot of audio, so people nearby will hear your music if you're in a quiet office. Still, their versatility makes them worth considering if you're looking for something that is useful for more than just gaming at home.

Console Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

The best open-back gaming headset we've tested is the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset. Consider an open-back design for gaming if audio quality is a high priority. These headphones are usually quite a bit pricier than our other picks, but you can frequently find them on sale around the $100 mark. This design allows them to create a wider, more spacious-seeming passive soundstage, making game audio more immersive. Their boom mic also has excellent recording quality, making your voice sound even more natural and full-bodied than the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless' very good mic.

They're also more comfortable than the Turtle Beach headphones and have a sturdy build and wired design that eliminates latency. Like most open-back headphones, their sound lacks low bass, so action-packed soundtracks don't have good thump and rumble. That said, their well-balanced high-bass response brings warmth and body into the mix, and the rest of the range is neutral, so elements like voices are clear and accurate. However, they aren't ideal for use outside of quiet environments since they hardly block ambient sound because of their open-back design.