The Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50

A cardioid mic picks up mostly what is in front of it, which helps in a noisy room. Its 50mm driver size is the largest here; the Redragon H888 comes next at 40mm. Its 240g weight ranks third of 4 here, behind the Redragon H888 (168g) and ahead of the NUBWO HG04L (250g).

You get a HyperClear cardioid microphone here, which sets it apart from the Redragon H888 and its a detachable boom 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. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper NUBWO G06 and the pricier Arctis Nova 1, at the time of writing.

At 168g it is also the lightest listed, and the microphone detaches when you only want headphones. On driver size it ties with the WIRWTRU at 40mm. Nothing else here matches its 168g weight; the WIRWTRU comes closest at 198g.

No other pick in this guide offers a detachable boom microphone; compare the Arctis Nova 1, which has a noise-cancelling 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. It was priced above the WIRWTRU and below the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing.

It is one of the cheapest ways to go wireless at the time of writing. A 2.4GHz dongle keeps latency low, and the 1,200mAh battery is rated for up to 100 hours. It suits long sessions without charging.

Like the WIRWTRU, it has a boom mic microphone, while the Arctis Nova 1 uses a noise-cancelling microphone. It also comes with a budget wireless price tier. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.

It was priced above the Redragon H888 and below the BlackShark V2 X PS at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm.

It uses a noise-cancelling microphone and a 3.5mm plug that works across PC and consoles, with Tempest 3D audio support on PS5. Its ComfortMAX system adjusts in height with rotating ear cups and AirWeave cushions, and on-board controls handle volume and mute. It is the only pick here with a noise-cancelling microphone; the BlackShark V2 X PS has a HyperClear cardioid microphone instead.

You also get a multi-system 3.5mm connection. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the BlackShark V2 X PS the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the BlackShark V2 X PS instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.

It uses 40mm drivers and a 3.5mm plug for PC and consoles. It matches the Redragon H888 on driver size (40mm). Its 198g weight ranks second of 4 here, behind the Redragon H888 (168g) and ahead of the NUBWO HG04L (250g).

It shares a boom mic microphone with the NUBWO G06; the Redragon H888 goes with a detachable boom 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. Its price falls between the NUBWO HG04L and the Redragon H888, based on our last check. If driver size is your priority, the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm) is the stronger choice.

It was the lowest-priced headset here at the time of writing. Its 250g weight is the heaviest in this group; the Redragon H888 leads at 168g. You get a cardioid boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the WIRWTRU and its a boom mic microphone.

It also offers a budget price tier. 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 undercut the WIRWTRU and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm.