While there is tons of talk about the latest in advancements for graphics, how pretty and realistic a game looks, and how it’s this next-gen thing we should all be excited for, a lot of players tend to ignore an aspect that I believe is equally as important: sound fidelity.
It makes sense that sound is a very important element in first-person shooters, as the technology has advanced to where you can actually hear your opponents’ footsteps and where they’re coming from. Likewise, if you’re playing rhythm games, visual cues can only take you so far, as it’s usually the beat that carries you through. I learned this the hard way while playing Crypt of the Necrodancer earlier this year.
For other genres, sound plays just as important a role, as a sweeping soundtrack can make or break the immersion in an atmospheric title. Off the top of my head, A Plague Tale: Innocence carries the best soundtrack out of all the games I’ve played this year, and I owe my appreciation for it to a nice, yet inexpensive gaming headset.
Whether you’re playing a tense rhythm game like Beat Saber or just enjoying the smooth, melodic and relaxing tunes in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a good headset is an amazing investment towards better enjoyment of your game library. However, it doesn’t have to break your bank at all, and you can find a lot of good options for under a hundred bucks.
Without further ado, here’s some good-quality headsets that you can get right now for under $100 (arranged from least to most expensive).
NOTE: If you buy something through this post, Player.One may get a share of the sale.
Logitech G430 ($26.99; PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch)
Logitech is my go-to brand whenever I have to replace my mouse and keyboard, but they’re also quite decent when it comes to audio peripherals like gaming headsets. The G430 in particular can be found for under $30, and is packed with amazing features like Dolby 7.1 Surround audio and DTS Headphone: X. It also comes with a foldable boom mic with good recording quality, and also has noise-cancelling capabilities.
It’s fully compatible with all consoles and PC devices, even going so far as to add support for Windows 7, as there are still a lot of people opting to go with that particular OS. The lightweight design and comfortable earcups that cover your entire ears are also welcome additions to stop strain in longer gaming sessions.
Razer Electra V2 (starting from $29.99; PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and mobile devices)
The Electra is one of the cheaper Razer options, in a lineup consisting of somewhat overpriced choices. I’ve had firsthand experience with both this and the Adaro DJ, which is my favorite Razer headset, and I must say that this is a good choice for an inexpensive headset. It comes built-in with Razer’s own 7.1 surround audio technology, which you can thoroughly adjust to your liking using the Razer Surround Pro software. The custom-tuned 40mm drivers are there for a superior quality sound experience and a well-adjusted bass performance.
You can get a 3.5mm version or the USB version, which is slightly more expensive. The 3.5mm is compatible across multiple platforms, but it does come with a caveat that it’s a bit harder, if not entirely impossible to set up with the Razer Surround Pro software. It’s still pretty good regardless, and it comes with quick volume physical button controls for easier settings on the fly.
Turtle Beach Recon 70 ($39.95; Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile devices)
Turtle Beach offerings are always a safe bet when you want something cheaper, but are still aiming for competitive play with crisp sound and clear voice chat. The Recon 70 continues this tradition, and is widely available in various color schemes to show off the platform you’re gaming on. Whether you’re on Team Green with Xbox, Team Blue with the PlayStation, or Team Red with Nintendo, the Recon 70 offers high-quality sound through 40mm speakers and full compatibility with Dolby Atmos.
The Recon 70 is also optimized for use with Windows Sonic, if you’re on Xbox One or PC. The flip-up mic is amazing at picking-up your voice loud and clear, for those clutch moments when you’re calling out various commands in competitive titles.
HyperX Cloud Stinger (starting at $49.88; PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and mobile devices)
The HyperX lineup of gaming headsets recently became popular among those looking for good budget headsets, and with good reason; they're some of the best when it comes to feature parity, and the headsets themselves are very comfortable as well. The Cloud Stinger is one of HyperX's entry-level offerings, but it does boast bigger drivers than the competition; at 50mm, you’re hearing more precise audio and clearer, sharper details in your sound.
The Cloud Stinger also has neat little features like a mute option whenever you swivel the microphone upwards, and that oh so comfortable signature memory foam that cups and cradles your ears for longer bouts of gaming. If you go beyond the entry level price by a few dollars, you can also opt into a version with 7.1 surround sound for better audio clarity, or even a wireless option for a few dollars more.
SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 (starting at $49.99; PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and mobile devices)
When it comes to mic quality, the name I always most associate with is SteelSeries, and with good reason – their ClearCast microphone audio is so good that going for their headsets is a cheap option to go into streaming, without paying for a separate microphone. All the better when you consider that their entry-level Arctis 3 carries the ClearCast branding as well, which delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation at a price point that is way below $100.
The sound is no slacker as well, considering that the Arctis 3 features S1 speaker drivers, which are engineered to produce ultra-low distortion audio so you hear every small detail. For Xbox One and PC users, it’s also fully compatible with Windows Sonic Spatial sound to take audio clarity to the next level. SteelSeries didn’t skimp out on comfort either, as the Arctis 3 features AirWeave cushions that keep your ears cool and dry all throughout those long gaming sessions.
Corsair HS70 SE Wireless ($64.99; PC and PlayStation 4, with other platforms requiring additional set-ups)
Corsair’s move into audio peripherals has resulted in great options, particularly the HS70, which is even Discord Certified for your voice chat needs. This basically means that there’s no additional set-ups needed for you to talk to your Discord server; just plug and play. The HS70 is also quite optimized for PC gaming, featuring a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless Audio with a whopping, improved range of up to 40ft. The battery life is no slouch, either, and will last you up to 16 hours depending on use.
As for sound quality itself, the HS70 features precision-tuned 50mm Neodymium speaker drivers, which is exceptional when it comes to superior sound quality, range and accuracy. The unidirectional mic has ambient noise reduction capabilities, and can be detached if you’re planning on just using the headset alone for listening to various tunes. The plush memory foam and adjustable ear-cups are there for maximum comfort, while Corsair’s high standard of build quality is prevalent throughout the device.
HyperX Cloud II ($88.90; PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One)
We’re getting to the big boys now, as this next offering from HyperX is a huge boost in quality – if you don’t mind the higher price point. The Cloud II is easily one of the best gaming headsets you’ll find under a hundred bucks, no questions asked. The Cloud II comes with its own USB audio sound card for an additional option into 7.1 Surround, if you’ve got the ports for it. The 53mm Neodymium magnetic drivers boast some of the clearest and crispest audio in its price point, even more so if you pair it with the 7.1 Surround option.
The detachable mic is both Discord and TeamSpeak certified, so you can just plug and play in order to talk with your group of friends on both servers. The audio sound card can also be used to opt into noise cancelling as well as echo cancelling via ambient noise attenuation. If you have a stereo adapter, you can even use its stereo compatibility for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Razer Kraken 2019 ($79.99; PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch)
Probably one of the most popular gaming headsets as of now, the Razer Kraken 2019 is a refresh of Razer’s highly popular lineup. It takes on many colors and forms, including a special PewDiePie edition that’s themed after the YouTuber's color scheme. The popularity isn’t just because of its widespread use by big internet personalities, however, as the Kraken has amazing sound output from its 50mm custom-tuned drivers. The result is superior, punchy bass set for a very wide soundscape, ranging from soft footsteps to cinematic and over-the-top explosions.
It’s built for comfort as well, with cooling gel-infused oval ear cushions specifically made to reduce heat buildup. There’s also hidden indented eyewear channels, which are incredibly useful for players with glasses, while the fully adjustable frame makes it popular for different head sizes. It’s an amazing choice whatever your budget may be, and the 3.5mm jack is fully multiplatform across different devices.
Corsair Void Pro ($79.99; PC)
If you want something especially for PC gaming, then Corsair has something very special for you. The Void Pro is one of their top gaming headset offerings, and its feature set screams premium at every turn. For starters, the Void Pro features custom-tuned 50mm neodymium speaker drivers, which offer wide range and accuracy. It’s crystal clear and low-latency despite the wireless connectivity, with a battery life lasting 16 hours. The optimized unidirectional microphone can easily be muted by folding it upward, and the mic has its own LED indicator for when it’s muted or not.
As it is PC only, connectivity is achieved via USB and boasts incredible performance with Dolby 7.1 Surround sound. It’s also compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8 OS, for those who are still not into the Windows 10 ecosystem. Of course, it’s not a PC peripheral if there’s no RGB option, and the Corsair Void Pro offers that in spades with built-in CUE functionality, which is Corsair’s ecosystem for its RGB peripherals.
SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 ($99.00; PC and PlayStation 4)
Almost crossing the hundred-dollar threshold is this last offering from SteelSeries, which is unsurprisingly also the best one in this list. The Arctis 5 2019 is an amazing upgrade over the Arctis 3, boasting better overall features and specs. The Arctis 5, like other SteelSeries entries, boasts the ClearCast microphone technology that is considered one of the best in terms of audio clarity. It delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation through a very nifty and flexible microphone that is optimized across different voice chat servers.
The Arctis 5 also features S1 speaker drivers, specifically engineered to produce ultra-low distortion audio so you hear every detail in your games. It also comes with support for precision audio with the inclusion of next-generation DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound. The AirWeave ear cushions are specifically designed for maximum coolness and comfort, while the inclusion of a USB ChatMix dial can help you balance your game and voice chat’s audio on the fly.
So, what do you think? Which of these amazing headphones will you be picking up? Let us know and stay tuned for more recommendations from us on the best deals on controllers and other hardware.
