Gaming is something that is performed by both casual and professional gamers. You need an excellently working PC or laptop or a professional gaming machine, gaming consoles, and other gaming devices to play with full efficiency. Did you notice we missed something here? Coming to the audio department of gaming, sound plays an important role in giving you the complete feel of gaming. A headset is something that will help you in this regard. Imagine playing games with a poor audio device; you won’t be able to listen to the minute and intricate sound effects of your game. Therefore, choosing the best headset is an absolute necessity for gamers.
When choosing a headset for gaming, most of you might think the professional gaming headsets would be too costly to afford. We’re here to help you with that. In this article, we have shortlisted the best gaming headsets in the market that cost less than $100. Awesome right? With these easily affordable headsets, you can enrich your gaming experience and play with the utmost fun and excitement. Almost all of these headsets come with a great noise cancellation system to block out unwanted noises surrounding your environment. This would let you concentrate completely on your game by avoiding deviation due to external noises. While choosing the best headset under $100, ensure you select the desired one that caters to all your gaming audio needs.
Apart from noise cancellation technology, it should be able to produce high sound quality with great sensitivity. Most of these headsets come with a built-in microphone to help you attend phone calls while you are gaming. Check the compatibility of the headset with your gaming device, before you place your order. Though brand value is considered important while purchasing electronic items, you can go for new brands too after checking its audio specifications and importantly the durability. We buy things to last long. This doesn’t change with headsets too. So, make sure the headset is of high durability and made of premium quality materials.
Cheap plastics tend to break soon. If you’re wondering how to know the durability of a headset before purchasing, you can check the reviews of it online. When it comes to gaming headsets, another attractive feature that you don’t want to miss is the exterior design. Numerous models come with bright and attractive color combinations and stylish designs. Don’t you want to look sassy while wearing your gaming headset? If the design is one of your top priorities, go for unique designs with bright colors.
12 Best Gaming Headsets Under $100 in 2023
Choosing wired or wireless headphones are absolutely up to you. Now, you can sneak a look at the top 10 gaming headsets below.
1. SADES SA 819 Gaming Headset
- Color: Black and blue combination
- Weight: 1 pound
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
Sades Gaming headset is undoubtedly one of the best ones available in the market for gamers. The headset is a wired one that is compatible with almost all devices including laptops, PC, tablets, iPad, smartphones, Mac, PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, etc. The headset produces high-quality audio with clear sound details. You can listen to even minute sound details in your game with high precision. ,
You can use this for gaming as well as for attending calls while you are gaming. It has a microphone to receive your voice well. There is a volume control button to adjust the volume. It comes with an effective noise cancellation feature, which will block unwanted external noises in your environment.
The ear cups are designed perfectly to cover your ears fully and allowing complete concentration on your games. The gaming headset is of good durability and a great value for money. It offers brilliant features for less than $100. It is best suited for professional gamers. The audio drivers of the headset are responsive at 50mm value.
You must note that a Microsoft adapter is required to connect the headset with an Xbox one controller. Unlike conventional headset designs, this one comes in an attractive unique shape with black and blue tones. You can game with added style in this headset. Coming to the technical specifications, the headset’s sensitivity is 114dB +/- 3dB at 1KHz. The headphone jack is 3.5 mm.
Pros
- Compatible with most devices
- High precision sound details
- Good noise cancellation system
- Great value for money
- Unique and stylish design
- Comes with a Mic for calls
- Durable
Cons
- No cons
2. NUBWO N7 Gaming headsets
- Color: Black
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
NubwoN7 gaming headset is a wired model that comes with dual 50 mm speaker drivers to offers great sound quality. The headset will provide you great concentration while you are gaming by cancelling out unwanted external sounds. Apart from gaming, you can use it for your calls, movies, music listening, etc.
It has a built-in mic to support calls. During phone calls, the headset will remove unwanted disturbances in your environment and picks only your voice to deliver it to the opposite person. There are volume control and mute options in the mic for convenient usage. You can adjust these according to your need without having to go to settings.
The ear cups of this headset are designed in an ergonomic way to provide you great comfort while wearing it. The headband and ear cups are bulky and soft to soothe your ears and promote wearing it for a long time. The headset is compatible with multiple devices such as PC, laptops, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and smartphones.
Just like the previous model, this headset too will require an Xbox One Stereo Adapter. You have to turn ON the sound switch when connecting the headset to audio devices. The headset is adjustable to 120 degrees. Under the range of $100, this one sure comes at a much cheaper price for you to afford.
Pros
- Good compatibility with audio devices
- Noise cancellation technology
- Cheaper price
- A soft and padded headband and ear cups
- Built-in mic to support calls
- Good audio quality
Cons
- No cons
3. HyperX Cloud Alpha – Gaming Headset
- Color: Black with red combo
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset is a popular one among ardent gamers. It comes in a black and red design with a stylish design. It has 50 mm, dual-chamber drivers, to provide high precision sound with less distortion or external noise. It will separate the bass for producing a clear crisp sound.
HyperX is an award-winning headset brand and will surely provide you great comfort for long time use. It has 3.5 mm ports and is compatible with almost all devices including PC, laptop, Mac, smartphones, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch, VR, etc. The headset is made of a highly durable aluminum frame.
The headband can be expanded and adjusted according to the head size. The braided cable of the headset can be detached when you want to. It is stuffed with soft leatherette to provide you comfort for long time usage. It comes with a convenient in-line audio control.
The headset has a built-in microphone to support attending calls. It is detachable too. While you are on calls, the microphone will only pick up and transmit your voice with clarity. It will block out unwanted sounds with its noise cancellation technology. The frequency response of this headset is 13 – 27,000Hz.
Pros
- Mic with noise cancellation technology
- High precision sound with less distortion
- Compatible with most audio devices
- Durable
- Attractive design
- Detachable mic
Cons
- No cons
4. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset
- Color: Black
- Weight: 9 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wireless
If you are looking for a wireless gaming headset under $100, this is one of the best in the market with good durability. The headset comes with 2.4 GHz lossless and ultra-low latency features to connect with PC, PS4, etc. You can connect it with Nintendo Switch and Lite, and your Android smartphones through a USB C type dongle.
The 3.5 mm cable will allow easy connection to the Xbox controller and other audio devices. You can listen to every minute detail and sound effects in your games through this headset. It comes with a clear cast mic to supports calls. The mic is built with noise cancelling technology to avoid unwanted noises from disturbing your calls. The mic is discord-certified. It offers great noise cancellation just like the ones used by aircraft carrier deck crews.
The mic is equipped with a bi-directional design. You can talk with great voice clarity in this wireless headset. The headset is known for delivering a great performance with its speaker drivers. The headband is a steel-reinforced one but lacks any soft cushion. There are volume and mute controls on the right side of the headset.
As this is a wireless model, battery life is important for its efficient performance. This headset will provide your battery life up to 20+ hours. This will make uninterrupted gaming, a pleasure. To personalize or customize headset settings, you can install the SteelSeries Engine software. It has options to adjust EQ settings, mic level, and sidetone control settings.
Pros
- Wireless headset
- Good compatibility and durability
- 20+ hours battery life
- Noise cancelling microphone
- SteelSeries Engine software allows customizable settings
- Ultra-low latency
Cons
- Headband lacks any soft cushions, might be uncomfortable for long hours of use
5. HUHD K5 Wireless Gaming Headset for PC PS4 Switch
- Color: Black with red combo
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wireless
This gaming headset is a wireless model just like the previous one. It is compatible with PS4, PC, Mac, PC, TV, Nintendo switch Console, etc. You will need a USB for connection. The headset is not suitable for Xbox one. The headset supports a 2.4G connection.
It uses 40 mm, drivers, with neodymium magnets to deliver amazing sound output. It produces 7.1 surround sound with strong bass levels. You can expect great audio quality with lossless and ultra-low latency features. It also comes with zero interference.
Coming to the design, it is built of metallic construction and therefore comes with great durability. It has plush memory foam PU ear pads to provide the utmost comfort for long hour usage. You can play games all day with zero discomforts with this headset.
The microphone is flexible at 180 degrees. It produces good sound clarity and has mute control functions. The sensitivity of the mic is -58 dB. The headset can function for more than 6 hours once charged. It comes at the best price for its features.
Pros
- Compatible with many audio devices
- 2.4G connection
- 180 degrees flexible mic
- Great sound quality
- Zero interference
- Good battery life
Cons
- Some complaints about the poor mic quality
- Not suitable for Xbox one
6. Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
- Color: Black
- Weight: 11.7 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wireless
Corsair HS70 Pro is a wireless gaming headset, which comes with high-quality sound performance. It uses custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers to produce precise and good range audio quality. It will enrich your gaming experience with its marvelous depth. It produces 7.1 surround sounds with a multi-channel sound experience. However, the 7.1 surround sound experience is available only with PC.
The headset is equipped with an Omni-directional mic that will support calls with great voice clarity. It has to flip up mute function and in-built LED mute indicator. The frequency response of this mic is 100Hz – 10 kHz. Impedance is 2.0k Ohms. The mic is unidirectional and detachable. You can remove it when you are not on calls, for complete indulging in gaming. It also supports noise cancellation.
The ear cups are stuffed with plush memory foam to provide comfort for long time uses. The headset has good compatibility with your PC or PS4 console. It comes with a 2.4 GHz low latency feature. You will need a USB adapter to connect to the game devices. A USB adapter is provided along with the package.
The headset is certified by discord and comes with up to 40 ft of wireless range. The battery life is up to 16 hours after fully charged. You can use the CORSAIR iCUE software to customize audio equalizer settings, sidetone control settings, and immersive virtual surround audio settings.
Pros
- Wireless, 7.1 surround sound
- Compatible with PS4 and PC
- USB adapter provided
- Low latency and good sound clarity
- 16 hours of battery life
- Detachable mic (mic has noise cancellation technology)
- Cushioned ear cups
Cons
- Few of the headsets’ ear cups have technical issues
- The CORSAIR iCUE software is faulty
7. Jeecoo Xiberia USB Pro Gaming Headset
- Color: Black with RGB lights
- Weight: 1.15 pounds
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
The headset is a wired model that comes with 7.1 surround sound technology. It uses 50mm speaker unit neodymium magnets to produce clear audio quality. You can listen to every minute detail and sound effects in your game with good clarity. It has a built-in USB card to support connectivity with your gaming devices.
The microphone of this headset is a unidirectional one, which decreases the noise in your environment to produce clear voice quality during phone calls. It has easily accessible controls to adjust volume and turn ON / OFF the mic. The headset has good controls for all other sound settings too. It is built with strong construction to provide good durability for long term usage.
The headband is made of metal and is adjustable according to head size. The mic is also flexible according to your position. The ear cups are stuffed with thick memory foam cushion pads to provide the utmost comfort for continuous usage. The headphone can be used for other purposes as well, apart from gaming. But, as it is exclusively built for gaming, it will provide a completely satisfying experience for gamers.
The headphone is compatible with major PC, Mac devices, and laptops. However, it cannot be used for Xbox devices. This might be its drawback. To activate the 7.1 surround system, you have to download and install the software according to the steps listed in the user’s guide. Along with all its positive features, it comes at a much cheaper price.
Pros
- 7.1 surround sound technology
- Flexible microphone
- Good durability
- Foam cushioned earmuffs
- Apt for gamers
- Good controls for volume settings
- Very cheap
Cons
- Occasional issues with the 7.1 surrounds sound software
- Not compatible with Xbox devices
8. HyperX Cloud Stinger – Gaming Headset
- Color: Black
- Weight: 9.7 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
HyperX Cloud Stinger is one of the lightest gaming headsets. It comes with rotating ear cups that can is flexible in 90 degrees rotation. It will fit perfectly in different head sizes. It comes with 50 mm drivers for producing amazing audio quality.
You can listen to your gaming sound effects with high precision using this headset. It is compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox devices. The headband and ear cups are stuffed with memory foam to provide great comfort for long hour usage.
The headband comes with a steel slider and has an adjustable option to extend or shorten according to head size. It can therefore be used by people regardless of age and gender. The steel slider will give a sturdy fit to your head. The ear cup has a volume control button to adjust volume while you play games.
The headset’s mic comes with a noise cancellation system. It produces crystal clear voice clarity for your calls by blocking external noises. It uses a swivel-to-mute system to let you know when you are muted. The headset’s black finish with the red Hx brand logo looks stylish for gaming purposes.
Pros
- 90 degrees rotatable ear cups
- Black and red design is stylish
- Good compatibility with gaming devices
- Mic with noise cancellation technology
- Cushioned ear cups
- Good sound precision
- Lightweight
Cons
- Average durability
- Some complaints about its easy breakage
9. Turtle Beach – Ear Force Recon 50P Stereo Gaming Headset
- Color: Black and blue (Available in multiple color combinations)
- Weight: 12.77 ounces
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
Turtle Beach stereo gaming headset comes in so many attractive color combinations. You do not want to opt for this just for its appealing colors, it is equipped with numerous amazing features too to impress you. It is a wired headset that comes with a high-sensitivity microphone. The mic can produce clear voice clarity during calls. You can easily detach it while gaming or watching videos, as it is removable.
The headset is easy to carry, as it weighs less. It comes with 40 mm high-quality speakers to offer great sound performance. There are in-line controls like volume and mic mute options just at your reach. The headset has great compatibility with the most gaming devices. This includes PS4 Pro, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, PC, smartphones, tablets, etc.
Ensure that the above gaming devices support a 3.5 mm jack, as the headset comes with it. Turtle Beach headset is available in color combinations like black and blue, black and green, black and red, blue and white & white and green. You can choose your favorite one from these.
The headset is available at extraordinarily cheap prices than any other model. The headset is foldable. The ear cups are cushioned stuffed for comfortable usage. However, the headband does not come with any pads or stuffing. This might produce discomfort when using it for many hours.
Pros
- Multiple color combinations available
- Mic with detachable option
- Good sound clarity
- Cheap price
- Foldable ear cups to save space
- Lightweight and easily portable
- High compatibility with gaming devices
Cons
- The headband does not come with padding or cushions
- The mic is faulty for some users
10. Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset
- Color – Black
- Weight – 8.8 ounces
- Mic – Yes
- Wired – Yes
When it comes to finding the best quality gaming headset for under $100, the Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset is hands down one of the best options that you can get your hands on. Not only does it feature a superior design, but it is backed with a premium construction too.
The headset features 7.1 surrounds sound audio functions for clear audio output so you can play your games with ease. Also, it comes with drivers and software-enabled surround sound for the ultimate gaming performance that you can probably expect.
The Kraken is designed for all-day comfort, thanks to the lightweight design, which is 40% lighter than the other standard options available in the market. Also, the bendable noise-canceling microphone comes in handy with the cardioid mic that makes communication a lot more seamless and clearer.
The in-headset audio controls come with analog volume controls with the mic mute switch for superior functions like no other. So, if you want to make quick adjustments to the headset, this is the one that you need to get your hands on.
The overall construction of the Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset is pretty on point, not just in terms of the design but also in terms of durability. You can use it without any hassle or complaints, something that most people tend to struggle with.
Pros
- Surrounding sound and immersive experience
- Premium and durable construction
- 40% lighter design
- Comes with analog volume controls
Cons
- Not the most comfortable to wear over extended periods
11. Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset
- Color: Classic Black
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wired
Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset is one of the popular headsets among gamers. The headset comes with great compatibility with all prominent gaming consoles. It is Classic Black in color with an attractive design. The headset is designed in such a way to deliver the ultimate performance for gamers. It will serve as the best addition to your overall gaming equipment.
In terms of construction, the headset has thick headband padding to relieve pressure and provide you with utmost comfort while gaming for long hours. It has memory foam ear cushions for noise cancellation and an efficient audio experience. The headset is lightweight, to make you feel effortless while gaming. The 3.5 mm jack of the headset will fit almost all devices and gaming consoles.
To provide you with high-end audio performance, the headset comes with Razer Triforce 50mm drivers. It will deliver powerful sound output with proper highs and lows. The mic is equipped with the best noise cancellation technology to eliminate unwanted noise while you talk. This will pick up your voice commands with good clarity.
The headset’s closed ear cups and plush cushions will filter background noise and deliver rich audio effects with high clarity. Advanced passive noise cancellation technology is equipped in this headset for this purpose. You can connect the 3.5 mm jack with many devices and gaming consoles including PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and smartphones.
You can enjoy the Immersive 7.1 Surround Sound with this headset, which supports software-enabled surround sound. This technology is available only on Windows 10 64-bit operating system. Overall, the headset comes with efficient features at a reasonable price, worth your investment!
Pros
- 7.1 Surround sound
- Compatible with most devices
- Attractive design
- Noise cancellation technology
- Cushioned ear cups
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slightly pricey
- No Bluetooth feature
12. VANKYO Gaming Headset CM7000
- Color: Black and red
- Weight: 1.36 pounds
- Mic: Yes
- Type: Wire
This headset is one of the very popular ones in the wired model. It comes with 50 mm speaker drivers and 7.1 virtual surround sound to produce an amazing gaming experience. It will be able to grasp every minute sound effect in your gaming environment. The headset comes with an adjustable headband that is also double padded. It can extend according to head size.
The ear cups are soft and work well for noise isolation. You can game without the disturbance of external noises around you. To use the headset for phone calls, you should turn ON the mute button on the headset’s left side. The microphone of the headset is flexible and sensible. It can be adjusted according to your convenience and comes with good voice clarity and noise cancellation.
The headset has great compatibility and is suited for almost all gaming devices including Xbox One, PS4 controller, PC, Gamecube, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo New 3DS LL / 3DS, Nintendo 3DS LL / 3DS, etc. To use the headset with the Xbox controller you should have an adapter, which is not included in the headset package.
The nylon braided cables of the headset are durable and made of premium metal. There is customer support provided by the brand for the buyers. As the headset uses a plug and plays feature, you do not have to install any drivers. The Headset package comes with a 7.1 Surround Sound USB Adapter, Mic Splitter Adapter, and a quick guide.
Pros
- 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Adjustable headband
- High compatibility with gaming devices
- Good noise cancellation
- Plug and play type
- Durable material
Cons
- No cons
Ultimate Buyer’s Guide To Choose the Right Gaming Headsets Under $100 in 2023
As we are dealing with gaming headsets that are under $100, the price factor is ruled out here. Within $100, make sure you smartly choose a headset with the best specifications. Three important factors you should remember while purchasing your gaming headset are its performance, durability, and design. These three factors should not be compromised at any cause.
1. Audio specifications
Audio specifications of the headset should be your top priority. The first and foremost factor that anyone will want from a headset is a good sound performance. For gaming, the audio quality should be much more detailed and deep to give a realistic feel. The headset should be able to pick up the low frequency and high frequency sounds efficiently. It should not produce cracks when the volume is increased to high.
While we discuss the sound performance, the important factor that is not to be skipped is the headset’s noise cancellation technology. At times, we would play games in a place where there are moderate or high external disturbances or noise. We don’t want this to interrupt our gaming session. Headsets with good noise cancellation technology will filter unwanted sounds and provide you complete concentration into your gaming. This will be of great use when you play games on your smartphones or tablets in traffic or public transport, where traffic noise and people are shouting.
2. Durability
The durability of the headset is your next factor to consider after the sound quality and performance. Good durability will ensure a long life to your headset. Though headsets of certified brands come with good durability, you can also opt for new brands. To know about its durability, check the material in which it is made. Avoid plastic constructed headsets. Go for high-quality headsets within your price range.
The construction of the headband and ear cups should be checked. Their flexibility and stuffing should be done neatly for long time usage. In wired headsets, make sure the wire or cable is durable. Headsets with good durability will be a good value for your money. Your investment will go waste if your headset wears out soon, even after producing a good performance.
3. Design
As far as the design of the headset is concerned, there are two factors to discuss. 1) Exterior design and color of the headset 2) Design of the ear cups and headband. When it comes to gaming, both of these are important. If you are someone who doesn’t care about the outlook of the headset, you can go for a simple one with great sound features. If you are looking for a colorful and stylish design, there are many to please you. There are headsets with two color combinations and unique designs to appeal to the gamers. You can also go for complete black finished ones.
Next is the design of the ear cups and headband. Make sure the headband is adjustable and not too tight on your head. As you are going to wear this for many hours, you will need an adjustable headband and ear cups with cushion stuffing or soft padding inside. This will help both in the Long term wearing and noise cancellation. With ergonomic design, you won’t feel any burden of wearing a headset for a long time.
4. Wired or wireless
Choosing a wired or wireless model depends on your choice. But, make sure you check the below factors when choosing either one among the two. If you are opting for a wired headset, make sure the cable is durable enough and has compatibility with your gaming and audio devices. If you are going to go for a wireless one, check the range of the wireless functioning. The battery life of the headset should also be noted. Higher the battery life, the longer your gaming sessions without any interruptions. Most of the wireless models come with their headset brand’s software to customize or personalize the sound settings. Make sure the software is not faulty. You do not want to opt for those models.
Other features
Some of the other features that you should look for are its compatibility with your audio devices, customizable settings with software access, 7.1 surround sound, noise cancellation mic, etc. While most of the gaming headsets are compatible with major gaming devices, some models only support PC, PS4 devices. Some models do not support Xbox one devices. You should check the headset’s compatibility with your gaming device before you place your order. Some headsets require an adapter or USB to connect to gaming devices. Check all these factors before you choose it. Noise cancellation is common in all models. So, you do not have to worry about that.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gaming Headsets Under $100
1. Which headset is best for gaming? Wired or wireless?
Wired headsets are highly recommended for gaming purposes. Here is why. The wired headsets receive audio frequencies directly from the cable, hence offers high sound quality and precision when compared to wireless models. If you are someone who will travel often and cannot sit near the gaming device constantly, you can opt for wireless ones.
2. What are the top two factors to check while buying a gaming headset?
High precision sound quality and durability are something you should have for sure in your gaming headset. High precision sound quality will make your gaming more fun and engaging, while durability will ensure its long life and provide you comfort even after wearing for a long time. Cheap materials will cause physical discomfort and break easily.
3. What is a unidirectional microphone?
Unidirectional microphones are highly efficient. These microphones will pick up sound only from the direction it is pointed at. This will allow unwanted background noise to be blurred out. This will be useful for attending calls while gaming.
4. Why is noise cancellation important in headsets?
Headsets with a high Noise cancellation system will reduce or block the background noise in your environment. This will allow peaceful gaming and attending calls, as you won’t be distracted from traffic or shouting noises. These headsets tend to produce a clearer sound.
5. What is latency in headsets?
Latency is nothing but the time taken for audio to travel from your audio device to your headset. You should always go for headsets with low or ultra-low latency, as it will make audio travel faster to your headset with fewer lags.
Conclusion
Done sneaking some of the cheapest and efficient gaming headsets in the market? It is now time to choose your favorite one among these. Before you pick the one, ensure its compatibility with your gaming device. Go for highly durable and comfortable headsets with a soft headband and ear cups for enjoying continuous gaming with great comfort. As most of the headsets listed above are cheap, the cost is not going to be much of a concern here. A headset with the best noise cancellation system and sound quality should be preferred over exterior design. Wired or wireless is totally up to your choice!
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