A gaming headset is a crucial accessory for most gaming sessions. Whether it is to drown out all the noise in a busy living room, communicate effectively with friends and teammates, or simply hear the footsteps of a nearby lurker in a Call of Duty game, it is a crucial part of one's gaming kit. It is one of the most important keys to success in games ranging from MMORPGs to FPS titles as communication becomes an increasingly integral part of a burgeoning multiplayer game audience's demand.

However, not all of us can afford to shell out the rather impressive (and restrictive) asking prices for most of the shiniest gaming headsets available on the market. This means that a tradeoff is in play as players navigate a tricky headset market that is consistently coming up with newer, pricier options.

When choosing a budget gaming headset, you can consider factors like:

• Quality cushioning: One of the first places budget headset makers like to skimp is the cushions, but it doesn't have to be that way.
• How "cutesy" the branding is: Having a video game character or Hello Kitty on your headset might sound cool but can be a signifier of low-quality budget products.
• Wired vs wireless: Wired headsets are generally a lot cheaper.

The team at GameRant has taken up this challenge as we do our research to determine what headsets will suit your needs while making suggestions based on your respective needs and price ranges. Some of our top picks are listed below as we go through the reasons we picked them for you and provide context for our rationale below.

The Razer BlackShark V2X Gaming Headset is a headset that should require no introduction to those who have already done their research. It is a headset that hits all the right notes when it comes to value proposition, build quality, and feature set.

What is essentially a BlackShark V2 sans the DAC adapter and a detachable mic with faux leather padding thrown into the mix is a very capable headset that builds onto the success of the former. Given that console users can not use the DAC in most cases with the bundled Razer Synapse software, the Razer BlackShark V2X Gaming Headset is a no-brainer for game consoles and a relatively acceptable tradeoff for PC users.

The fact that it is built around a lightweight but durable frame and comes with an excellent noise-canceling mic adds significant value to what is already an excellently priced entry-level gaming headset. The 7.1-channel virtual surround sound is limited to PC users however, and we feel the headset could be a little better balanced in terms of sound profile out of the box, but Synapse offers EQ profiles that could mitigate some of the configurations hassles out of the box.

Read our full review of the Razer Blackshark V2X Gaming Headset.

The HyperX Cloud Flight Gaming Headset is an immensely popular gaming headset choice and also happens to be one of the most highly rated choices by consumers on our list. With an above-average battery life, a detachable noise-canceling mic, excellent audio out of the box, and a comfort-centric design, there isn't much to complain when it comes to the HyperX Cloud Flight Gaming Headset.

The HyperX Cloud Flight Gaming Headset is currently on sale on Amazon at a deep discount, making it just edge into our list as a budget gaming headset but if it continues to stay at current price levels or dips a bit lower, it could move up further on our recommendations list.

While some users might have gripes about audio quality, based on our tests and compared to headsets we tested under $100, the Cloud Flight does come out ahead in general versus its competition, albeit with a price point to match.

Read our full review of the HyperX Cloud 2 Gaming Headset.

The Astro A10 Gaming Gen 2 Wired Headset is the next iteration of the celebrated Astro headphone lineup's entry-level A10 headset offerings. With wide compatibility in play thanks to it using standard 3.5 mm connectors to 'talk' to consoles and PC alike, the Astro A10 Gen 2 comes in dressed not only to impress but outlast its competition with the brand focusing heavily on durability as a key selling point.

While the flip-to-mute mic design is a nice touch, it does happen to be coupled with a mic that is inherently slightly worse than the competition at its current price point. While it does a passable job in games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, your teammates might end up requesting someone else be an in-game leader; the mic does tend to pick up audio from the headset itself quite easily at higher volumes and can be a deterrent to a good experience if you crank up the volume to max during FPS games.

Read our full review of the Astro A10 Gen 2 Gaming Headset.

The Turtle Beach Battle Buds In-Ear Gaming Headset is an easy pick for the best in-ear gaming headset on a budget. While it does itself no favors by offering no active noise-canceling, given the nature of IEMs generally offering excellent passive noise-canceling by default, an excellent price point and an IEM headset that is built like a rock that ensures it will probably outlast your console/PC with a bit of care this generation.

RELATED: The Best Budget Gaming Desks You Can Buy In 2023

Cons for these are somewhat limited given the price point they are offered at. They are marketed as 'light' which would be true from a headset perspective but as an IEM, they tend to be quite a bit heavier than most of their comparable alternatives. While we do not have gripes with the lack of noise-canceling when it comes to the headset itself, the mic supporting it as a de facto solution would have been an ideal upgrade.

To get more immersed in your gaming session, try a noise-canceling gaming headset. By using active noise cancelation (ANC), the Razer Opus X Wireless will "listen" to your environment and counteract the sounds of your environment by sending nullifying waves into your ears. This kind of technology is usually a bit more expensive, but Razer has managed to pull it off nicely with this pair.

Related: Best Noise Canceling Headphones

What about the other tech in the Razer Opus X? They come in a low latency form and use Bluetooth, making them perfect for mobile, PC, and Nintendo Switch gamers. Additionally, they can last nearly a dozen three-hour gaming sessions on a single charge with their extended battery life. So, even if you forget to plug it back in for a charge when you're done smacking goblins around for the night, your Razer Opus X headset will be ready for the next night's session.

The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset is an unlikely feature on our list. It does however offer an impressive 18 hours of battery life with both Bluetooth and wireless LIGHTSPEED connectivity in tow. This allows for a high degree of compatibility with a variety of devices while also offering low latency for those multiplayer FPS sessions where communication is key during team fights.

Our gripe with the headset however is its limited flexibility; if you do not have a large head, that should not be a factor but the option to have a better adjustable headrest seems to be a perplexing design choice from Logitech's end. That being said, at the currently discounted sub $30 price point it is available at, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset is more than just a potential buy for us.

While it is not a clear winner in any other category, it does offer extraordinary value at a staggeringly high price: performance multiple that should see it sell out quite fast.

How to choose a good budget gaming headset

It shows wise financial planning, whether old or young, to want a budget gaming headset. But what separates the best budget gaming headsets from those of the lowest tier?

Beyond reading reviews, keeping your eye on the ground for gaming headset deals, and checking lists such as the one above, what can you do? Aside from reviewing timeless advice given in our what to look for in a gaming headset article, there are a few niche things you may want to consider in the context of a budget gaming headset. Does the headset have genuinely quality cushioning? Are you paying for cutesy branding or a headset? Lastly, should you go for a wireless or wired headset, considering wired headsets are usually cheaper all other things considered equal?

Quality cushioning

Makers of lower quality gaming headsets, that also sell their headsets on the cheap, aren't worried about comfort. It's really easy to put a thin layer of felt over hard plastic and give the appearance of comfy ear pads.

Look for quality cushioning that surrounds the ears and is made of a soft, but firm material.

Avoid "cutesy" branding

Looking for a headset with Hello Kitty, SpongeBob, or your favorite video game character on it? There's a whole set of Logitech G K/DA gaming gear, which includes a nice Logitech headset. That headset? Over $100 as of this writing. It isn't cheap and it isn't budget.

Related: Cutest Cats In Gaming History

Why? Branding deals and merchandising require complex company relationships to pull off well. Some money exchanges hands.

If you get a product on the cheap with a character on it, you can expect that a not insignificant portion of the money spent developing the headset went to some licensing deal. Headsets like this are meant to be sold cheap for the character, not the amazing tech of the headset. If you want a good gaming headset under $30, you might ought to look elsewhere.

Wired vs Wireless

We've written extensively about the differences between wired and wireless gaming headsets in the past, but here's a quick summary in case you missed it:

• Wired headsets have better sound quality due to lower chances of interference, latency, and signal loss.
• Wireless headsets suffer from battery life issues.
• Wired headsets have cables, which can reduce maneuverability.
• Wired headsets are easier to use due to how simple connecting them is.
• Wired headsets are cheaper.

All in all, wired gaming headsets are usually the clear favorite, whether you're looking for budget or not.

Related: Wired vs. Wireless Mouse: Which Is Better for Gaming?

While a wired budget gaming headset may not have all the advantages described in the list above, the quality of a wired headset should be better than a similar-priced wireless headset when things are priced fairly.

FAQ

Q: Should I buy a gaming headset or a sound system?

That depends on your needs. A gaming headset does have some advantages; They offer better value for money, better noise isolation and can make gaming a relatively more bearable hobby for your housemates if you share a living room or gaming space.

Q: Should I go wireless or wired for a gaming headset?

Wired headsets are cheaper, do not need recharging, and have no latency qualms with modern devices while offering widespread compatibility for most users.

Likewise, wireless headsets tend to offer freedom from wires/clutter and allow gaming at a much higher range than most of their wired counterparts, albeit at a cost.