You don't need to spend more than $100 to get a capable gaming headset. Even budget headphones can be packed with features suitable for your needs. The best entries have all-day comfort for long sessions; a microphone for voice comms or multiplayer games; and solid stereo driver matching, so footsteps and other sound cues are rendered positionally accurate. You'll also want to decide whether to go for wireless freedom or a wired connection that never needs charging. Sound quality also matters, particularly how clearly you can hear dialogue and directional cues. Open-back headphones can sound more spacious, but they may require a separate microphone and won't block much background noise.
We've tested over 915 headphones, and below are our top picks for the best gaming headphones under $100 to buy. Check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PC gaming headsets, and the best budget and cheap gaming headsets. If you want to upgrade your whole setup, see our recommendations for the best gaming mice and the best gaming keyboards.
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.
-
Best Gaming Headset Under $100
Wireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Peaks/DipsRecording QualitySee all our test resultsNoise HandlingConsole Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) is the best headset under $100 for gaming that we've tested. It combines low-latency wireless connection via a USB dongle with traditional Bluetooth, making it a flexible option for both casual use and high-paced gaming. While it can't be used wired, it has a long 85-hour battery life, which should last most gamers a week at least. The Turtle Beach also come with a flip-up-to-mute boom mic, which renders your voice more natural than most integrated headphone mics.
Out of the box, the headphones have a V-shaped sound profile, with extra bass and treble that makes explosion effects sound thumpy and clashing swords clear and bright. If you prefer a different balance, you can adjust the sound with the graphic EQ and presets. That said, the main downside with the headphones is the variation in how they'll sound on individuals with different head shapes and accessories; if you wear thicker-framed glasses, for example, you'll hear way less bass than our measurements suggest.
-
Best Wired Gaming Headset Under $100
Wireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Peaks/DipsRecording QualitySee all our test resultsNoise HandlingConsole Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
If you don't need wireless, the GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB is a sturdier and more comfortable alternative to the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3). Its wired connection removes battery life worries and helps keep latency low. Of course, you also lose out on the freedom of movement wireless brings. Still, the GLORIOUS' boom mic sounds just as natural as our top pick's. Its app is also much less configurable than our top pick's, but the GLORIOUS has a sturdier build and is more comfortable. It features a suspension headband that distributes weight evenly across the top of your head, and the headset has a low clamping force, so it's less fatiguing over long gaming sessions.
The GLORIOUS has a similar bass range to the Turtle Beach, but without the same treble emphasis. This gives it a bass-heavy sound that can make action sequences more exciting, though the extra bass can muddy finer details. Its built-in EQ presets are all similarly bass-heavy, so PC users who want a more balanced sound will need third-party EQ software to further adjust the headset's sound.
-
Best Open-Back Gaming Headset Under $100
Wireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Peaks/DipsRecording QualitySee all our test resultsNoise HandlingConsole Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
If you prefer a more open, spacious sound and don't need a built-in mic, the Philips SHP9500 are a good alternative to the GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB. Their open-back ear cups aren't sealed, allowing sound to pass in and out, which can make game audio feel more spacious. The downside is that the open design also mean they hardly block out ambient noise, so they're best used in a controlled environment. You'll also need a standalone mic if you want to use your voice to communicate with teammates or friends.
Like most open-backs, they don't deliver much low-bass thump, so explosion effects lack the rumble you get from closed-back gaming alternatives like the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3). But their balanced mid-range means dialogue sounds true-to-life, and subtle environmental cues come through clearly. These cans are lightweight and comfortable enough for long sessions, though their swiveling ear cups feel a little loose, and the fabric on the pads can wear over time. Their wired connection eliminates latency concerns, but means you also can't use them wirelessly.
Notable Mentions
-
Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless:
The Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless have a brighter tuning than the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3). They're wireless and can be used wired, but their price creeps above $100 at times.
See our review -
HyperX Cloud III:
The HyperX Cloud III perform quite similarly to the GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB but are a bit more affordable. Their audio cable isn't detachable, which makes them harder to repair if the cable is damaged.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 24, 2026:
We've clarified some of the trade-offs between picks.
Jul 03, 2026:
We've trimmed down the article and removed the dedicated Bluetooth pick as the top pick already support the feature. We also replaced our wired pick with the in-stock Glorious GHS Eternal RGB. The remaining picks are available at retailers and still relevant for gaming.
Mar 26, 2026:
All our main picks are still accurate and in stock, but we edited this text for clarity throughout.
Dec 08, 2025:
The Philips SHP9500 replace the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset as our 'Best Open Back' pick now that the Sennheiser is hard to find. We also removed our 'Most Durable Gaming Headset' pick. Finally, we removed the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless and Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 from our Notable Mentions, as they're too expensive for this list, but we added the Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless.
Apr 10, 2025:
We've removed our 'Most Versatile Gaming Headset Under $100' pick as the Logitech G433 is becoming hard to find and offers no advantages over our existing picks. We also wanted to ensure that more of our picks are permanently priced under $100 and don't fluctuate above $100. We also added the HyperX Cloud III Wireless as an alternative to the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) for gamers who prefer a flatter default sound.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones under $100 for most gamers. 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 is the list of all our reviews for gaming headsets under $100. 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.
