The Best Cheap and Good Gaming Headsets

This is the PlayStation-styled version with a 3.5mm plug. Its swivel-to-mute mic flips up to mute, and audio controls sit on the headset. Soft ear cushions keep it light.

On driver size it ties with the WIRWTRU and the Recon Spark at 40mm. It is the only pick here with a swivel-to-mute boom microphone; the Quantum 100M2 has a detachable directional boom microphone instead. It also comes with a lightweight over-ear design.

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 CM7002 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Quantum 100M2 cost more.

It is the only JBL headset in this group. Its directional mic detaches and mutes, and memory foam with breathable fabric cushions keeps it light. One 3.5mm jack works with PC, consoles, Switch and phones.

JBL QuantumSOUND tuning brings out footsteps and effects. You get a detachable directional boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone. It also comes with a 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Stinger 2 Core and the pricier Recon Spark, at the time of writing.

A 3.5mm plug covers PC and consoles. It matches the Stinger 2 Core and the Recon Spark on driver size (40mm). You get a boom mic microphone here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its an ENC noise-cancelling 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. Worth noting: light 198g build. You also get this: no charging or pairing needed. The main gap: driver size of 40mm, behind the CM7002 (50mm). If that matters, the CM7002 comes in at 50mm.

It plugs straight into a controller. Memory foam ear cushions and on-ear volume controls keep it comfortable and easy to adjust. It plugs into PC, consoles and phones over 3.5mm.

Its 40mm speakers cover game and chat audio at a budget price. It matches the Stinger 2 Core and the WIRWTRU on driver size (40mm). You get a flip-to-mute boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the CM7002 and its an ENC noise-cancelling 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. 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 Quantum 100M2 and the rest.

Noise cancelling on the mic helps in a loud room. Its 50mm drivers and soft over-ear cushions aim at long competitive sessions, and an ENC mic reduces background noise. The wired link avoids battery worries.

Its 50mm driver size is the largest here; the Stinger 2 Core comes next at 40mm. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the Recon Spark and its a wired 3.5mm connection. No other pick in this guide offers an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone; compare the WIRWTRU, which has a boom mic microphone.

Another plus: no charging or pairing needed. Another plus: low price tier.