The Best Budget-Friendly Gaming Headsets

It connects over USB or 3.5mm. Nothing else here matches its 53mm driver size; the IMYB A36 comes closest at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; the IMYB A36 has a wired 3.5mm connection instead.

It also comes with memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Kraken V3 X and the rest.

Its mic detaches when you only need headphones. On driver size it ties with the G335 and the Kraken V3 X at 40mm. Its 168g weight is the lightest here; the G335 comes next at 240g.

It is the only pick here with a detachable boom microphone; the G335 has a flip-to-mute microphone instead. It also comes with three connection modes and a detachable microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.

A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. When we checked, only the IMYB A36 cost less, and the G335 cost more.

It matches the Redragon H888 and the Kraken V3 X on driver size (40mm). Its 240g weight ranks second of 3 here, behind the Redragon H888 (168g) and ahead of the Kraken V3 X (285g). Like the IMYB A36, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Cloud II uses a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection.

A flip-to-mute microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the IMYB A36 uses a boom mic microphone. It also comes with memory foam ear pads. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Its price falls between the Redragon H888 and the Kraken V3 X, based on our last check.

Its bendable HyperClear cardioid mic picks up voice over room noise, and Chroma RGB lights the ear cups. On driver size it ties with the Redragon H888 and the G335 at 40mm. On weight it trails the group at 285g, while the Redragon H888 weighs 168g.

A wired USB connection is unique to it among these picks, while the G335 uses a wired 3.5mm connection. You also get memory foam cushions. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC.

When we checked, only the G335 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Cloud II cost more. Driver size is its weakest area, and the Cloud II covers it better at 53mm.

The headband adjusts for fit. Its 50mm drivers and 3.5mm connection work with PCs, PlayStation, Xbox (older pads need an adapter) and Switch. The mic handles basic voice chat.

Its 50mm driver size ranks second of 5 here, behind the Cloud II (53mm) and ahead of the Kraken V3 X (40mm). Like the G335, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Cloud II uses a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection. A boom mic microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the G335 uses a flip-to-mute microphone.

A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Redragon H888 was the next step up.