While many assume that all gaming accessories are expensive, you can get a decent pair of gaming headphones for around $50. Many headphones in this price range have microphones with decent recording quality, so you're heard by your teammates. That said, they'll often lack features like wireless connectivity or customization options you'd commonly find on more expensive pairs. If you're comfortable making some compromises, there are many options that'll work with your consoles or PC that won't blow a hole in your budget.
We've tested over 890 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best gaming headsets under $50. Also, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PS5 gaming headsets, and the best Xbox X/S headsets.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Budget Gaming Headset
Recording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingThe best budget gaming headset we've tested is the Logitech G432. These cans are decently well-built with a comfortable and lightweight fit for longer gaming sessions. They're wired-only and come with a 1/8" TRRS cable, which allows you to connect them to most consoles (and their controllers). They also have flexible wired adapters if your device doesn't have a combo (input/output) jack or uses USB-A. Plus, they're more than suitable for multiplayer games thanks to their boom microphone, which ensures your voice sounds clear to teammates, even in moderately noisy environments.
Their sound profile lacks low bass, which can make explosions seem less immersive, but dialogue still sounds present and clear. Their companion software offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you tweak their sound. Unfortunately, they're prone to inconsistent audio delivery, so you should take some time to adjust their fit and positioning to get the same sound between uses (which is especially important for tactical shooters). If that's a dealbreaker for you, the Logitech G335 are around the same price and have a more consistent sound delivery. You might prefer them because they're more comfortable and durable, but they reproduce even less low bass and don't have an app or sound customization features.
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Best Cheap Wired Gaming Headset
Recording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingIf you're willing to compromise on build quality to keep costs down, then you'll want to consider the Turtle Beach Recon 50X/Recon 50P. Their simple and plasticky design is a step down from the Logitech G432, but they're still worth considering if price is a major factor. Their cost varies depending on the color you choose, but all models work with any device with an AUX port. Their large ear cups are well-padded and decently comfortable for longer gaming sessions, too.
Thanks to their wired design and boom microphone, they have amazing recording quality, which is great if you want your voice to sound natural over Discord, even if you're gaming in a moderately noisy environment. Their sound signature has more bass on tap and an elevated mid-range, which can accentuate sound effects like explosions in gameplay, but has muddy dialogue compared to our top pick. They don't have any sound customization features to adjust their sound to your liking, but you can always EQ them with third-party software if you game on PC.
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Best Budget Wireless Gaming Headset
Recording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingWhile it can be hard to find wireless options at this price point, the best we've tested is the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. These are worth considering if you don't want to worry about a cable, but they're designed for people with smaller heads, so their fit is tighter than other gaming headphones. You can easily pair these headphones to PCs and PlayStation consoles using the dongle. They also support Bluetooth, meaning you can use them with a phone. Unlike most picks on the list, they don't have a boom mic; their integrated mic struggles to separate speech from background noise, especially compared to the Turtle Beach Recon 50X/Recon 50P, so they're not great if you care about how your voice sounds on calls.
On the upside, their warm sound profile is well-suited for gaming. The extra warmth and boom help draw attention to sound effects like footsteps while dialogue and instruments remain clear, but they lack sound customization features. If you want wireless headphones to tweak to your liking, you can jump to the more expensive Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless; they have an app with a graphic EQ, and also offer a longer continuous battery life.
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Best Budget Gaming Headphones For Mic Performance
Recording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingIf you're choosing between the best budget gaming headsets but want the best combination of mic recording quality and noise handling, look at the Astro A10. Their voice won't sound quite as natural as it will on the Turtle Beach Recon 50X/Recon 50P, but the Astro are a more complete package: their build quality, stability, and comfort are all superior to the cheap pick. Plus, their boom mic still keeps your voice comparably full-bodied and natural, while doing a better job separating you from background noise, so your teammates will hear you clearly no matter where you game.
As for sound, they bring a little extra punch and boom to emphasize sound effects like footsteps. However, dialogue and instruments are pushed to the back of your mixes, and they lack EQ presets to customize their sound.
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Most Durable Budget Gaming Headset
Recording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingIt's not easy to find a sturdy-feeling headset at this price point. Our top pick has an okay build, but if you want something that'll stand the test of time, look at the HyperX Cloud III instead. They're more expensive than the other picks on our list, but you can often find them on sale closer to the $50 mark. They're the next generation of the popular HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II and feature compatibility with the HyperX Ngenuity app, where you can access a graphic EQ and presets. They use an analog connection that you can convert into a USB connection (with an included adapter), which gives you access to features like channel mixing and virtual surround sound.
Their mid-range is superbly detailed, so dialogue comes through with clarity, but their sub-bass energy is underwhelming, so explosions lack rumble and boom. That said, you can always adjust the sound profile in the companion app. These headphones also have a detachable mic, so you can use them in more casual settings, which adds to their versatility.
Notable Mentions
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1:
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 have a better build than the Logitech G432. They're similarly comfortable and have a better-sounding mic, but they lack app support and sound customization features.
Their mic isn't detachable, either.
See our review -
Turtle Beach Recon 70:
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 are more comfortable than the Turtle Beach Recon 50X/50P, but they have a worse microphone.
See our review -
GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB:
The GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB come with RGB features that are hard to find in this price range. They come in above our $50 target, but are more comfortable and have a better mic than the Logitech G432. You can only cycle through preset EQs, though.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 22, 2026:
We've trimmed down the article to provide clearer product guidance, added the GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB to the Notable Mentions, and validated that the remaining picks are relevant and in stock.
Apr 24, 2026:
We've checked that our picks are in stock, but we haven't changed them.
Mar 03, 2026:
We edited this text for clarity and checked that all our picks are in stock, but we haven't changed our selections.
Oct 31, 2025:
We've verified our picks are still valid and in stock, removing the Razer Kraken X, Logitech G433, and HyperX Cloud Stinger from our Notable Mentions due to spotty stock coverage or increased prices.
May 02, 2025:
We haven't tested any new gaming headsets since our last update to this article, but we've updated the text in a couple of places for clarity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget and cheap gaming headsets for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for headphones around $50, sorted by their gaming performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection, especially if you don't care about having a microphone or wireless features.