Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Headsets Below $100

Six headsets below $100 at the time of writing, five of them wireless.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

Below $100, wireless headsets with Bluetooth and long battery life are common. These six include five wireless models and one wired.

Prices are tiers at the time of writing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Longest Battery Life

    Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)

    The longest battery life here (80 hours).

    Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.

    Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Best Mic Software

    Corsair Void v2 Wireless

    NVIDIA Broadcast mic support.

    Best for: Streaming and chat.

    Check price for Corsair Void v2 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Lightest Build

    Razer Barracuda X Wireless

    The lightest weight here (250g).

    Best for: Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.

    Check price for Razer Barracuda X Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  4. Largest Drivers

    HyperX Cloud III Wired

    The largest driver size here (53mm).

    Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.

    Check price for HyperX Cloud III Wired on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Longest Battery Life1 of 6

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)

Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 offers up to 80 hours of battery life with 50mm drivers.

Best for

Long sessions away from a charging cable.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the Cloud III, which cost less when we checked.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)

Why we like it

It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has a flip-to-mute mic. A mappable wheel and mode button can be assigned in the app, and the ear cups lay flat for travel. Memory foam cushions are glasses-friendly.

Nothing else here matches its 80 hours battery life; the Void v2 comes closest at 70 hours. It matches the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed on driver size (50mm). You get a flip-to-mute microphone here, which sets it apart from the Barracuda X and its a detachable cardioid microphone.

On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed and the pricier Void v2, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
80 hours
Driver size
50mm
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5
Microphone
Flip-to-mute

Pros

  • Up to 80 hours of battery life
  • 50mm drivers
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Flip-to-mute mic

Cons

  • Costs more than the Cloud III at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its weight; if that figure matters, the Barracuda X weighs 250g.

Best Esports Pick2 of 6

Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed (PC)

Razer's BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed adds Bluetooth to a 2.4GHz esports headset with Gen-2 50mm drivers.

Best for

Shooters.

Skip if

Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed (PC)

Why we like it

The mic is a 9mm HyperClear capsule. It weighs 270g, and TriForce Gen-2 50mm drivers sharpen positional cues. 7.1 surround adds depth. It matches the Stealth 600 on driver size (50mm).

You get a 9mm HyperClear microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 500 and its an included microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Worth noting: light 270g build.

The nearest alternative on weight is the Barracuda X at 250g, against 270g here. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper Stealth 500 and the pricier Stealth 600, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Driver size
50mm
Weight
270g
Connection
HyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Microphone
9mm HyperClear

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • Light 270g build
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Gen-2 50mm TriForce drivers

Cons

  • No published battery life
  • Costs more than the Cloud III at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours.

Best Mic Software3 of 6

Corsair Void v2 Wireless

Corsair's Void v2 offers up to 70 hours of battery life, Dolby Atmos support and NVIDIA Broadcast mic support.

Best for

Streaming and chat.

Skip if

Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Corsair Void v2 Wireless

Why we like it

It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. It runs 2.4GHz for gaming and Bluetooth for phones, with up to 70 hours per charge and 6 hours from a 15-minute top-up. It lists up to 70 hours of battery, Dolby Atmos spatial audio and switching between PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile.

On battery life it sits mid-pack at 70 hours: the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours, and the Stealth 500 comes in at 40 hours. You get an omnidirectional boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 500 and its an included microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Stealth 600 and the rest.

Key specs

Battery life
70 hours
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Microphone
Omnidirectional boom

Pros

  • Up to 70 hours of battery life
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Dolby Atmos support
  • NVIDIA Broadcast mic support

Cons

  • No published driver size
  • Costs more than the Cloud III at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the Cloud III comes in at 53mm.

Lightest Build4 of 6

Razer Barracuda X Wireless

Razer's Barracuda X uses a USB-C dongle, so it moves between a PC, phone and handheld.

Best for

Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the Cloud III, which cost less when we checked.
Razer Barracuda X Wireless

Why we like it

It adds Bluetooth, a detachable cardioid mic and a 250g frame. On battery life it sits mid-pack at 50 hours: the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours, and the Stealth 500 comes in at 40 hours. It matches the Stealth 500 on driver size (40mm).

A detachable cardioid microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Void v2 uses an omnidirectional boom microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. Its price falls between the Cloud III and the Stealth 500, based on our last check.

Key specs

Battery life
50 hours
Driver size
40mm
Weight
250g
Connection
2.4GHz USB-C, Bluetooth
Microphone
Detachable cardioid

Pros

  • Up to 50 hours of battery life
  • Light 250g build
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • USB-C dongle that suits phones and handhelds

Cons

  • Costs more than the Cloud III at the time of writing

Largest Drivers5 of 6

HyperX Cloud III Wired

The Cloud III is the easiest recommendation: angled 53mm drivers, an upgraded microphone and both USB and 3.5mm connections, so it moves between a PC and a controller.

Best for

Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.

Skip if

Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
HyperX Cloud III Wired

Why we like it

HyperX offers support for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its aluminium frame is flexible and resists knocks. The wired connection needs no charging and works with PC, consoles and phones through a 3.5mm or USB cable.

Its comfort-first design targets long matches, with memory-foam cushions and a padded headband. On driver size it leads this guide at 53mm, ahead of the Stealth 600 (50mm). No other pick in this guide offers a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection; compare the Stealth 500, which has a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 connection.

A upgraded microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Barracuda X uses a detachable cardioid microphone. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Barracuda X was the next step up.

Key specs

Driver size
53mm
Connection
Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
Microphone
Upgraded

Pros

  • 53mm drivers
  • No charging or pairing needed
  • Angled 53mm drivers
  • Upgraded microphone

The catch

Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Stealth 600, which runs for 80 hours.

Best Budget Wireless6 of 6

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox)

The Stealth 500 offers 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.2 with a QuickSwitch button between them, plus a 40-hour battery.

Best for

Tight budgets.

Skip if

Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Stealth 600 offers 80 hours.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox)

Why we like it

Turtle Beach's app adds EQ presets and its Superhuman Hearing mode. On battery life it trails the group at 40 hours, while the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours. It matches the Barracuda X on driver size (40mm).

It is the only pick here with a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 connection; the Cloud III has a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection instead. You get an included microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 600 and its a flip-to-mute microphone. It also offers variable mic monitoring.

On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Barracuda X and the pricier BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
40 hours
Driver size
40mm
Connection
2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2
Microphone
Included

Pros

  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • QuickSwitch button between wireless and Bluetooth
  • Variable mic monitoring
  • Included microphone, the only one here

Cons

  • Battery life trails the Stealth 600 (80 hours)
  • Driver size trails the Cloud III (53mm)
  • Costs more than the Cloud III at the time of writing

The catch

The trade-off is battery life; for more, the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours.

How We Chose

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
The figures behind the order
We set side by side six headsets on battery life, driver size, weight and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life and driver size have gaps.
The shared baseline
All 6, from the Stealth 600 to the Stealth 500, state connection and microphone.
Where the specs have gaps
The BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed and the Cloud III give no battery life; the Void v2 gives no driver size.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Cloud III ($50 to $100) to the Void v2 ($100 to $150).

What to Look for in a Gaming Headsets Below $100

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Driver size

    The Cloud III tops driver size at 53mm and the Stealth 500 sits lowest at 40mm. The Cloud III is the pick for driver size. The Void v2 gives no driver size figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.

  2. How much battery life you need

    Across these 4 picks battery life spans 40 hours (the Stealth 500) to 80 hours (the Stealth 600). If battery life is your first filter, the Stealth 600 sets the ceiling at 80 hours. The BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed and the Cloud III give no battery life figure, so 4 of 6 picks are compared here.

    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
  3. How much weight you need

    Here weight runs from 270g on the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed to 250g on the Barracuda X, a 7% spread. If weight is your first filter, the Barracuda X sets the ceiling at 250g. The Stealth 600, the Void v2, the Cloud III and the Stealth 500 give no weight figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.

  4. Features beyond the spec table

    The Barracuda X: a detachable cardioid mic. The Cloud III: an upgraded microphone. The Stealth 500: variable mic monitoring.

    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
  5. Where your budget lands

    $50 to $100 buys the Cloud III, the Barracuda X, the Stealth 500 and the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed; $100 to $150 buys the Stealth 600 and the Void v2 at our last check.

How to Choose a Gaming Headsets Below $100

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Long sessions away from a charging cableStealth 600The longest battery life here (80 hours)
ShootersBlackShark V3 X HyperSpeedHyperSpeed with a 9mm HyperClear mic
Streaming and chatVoid v2NVIDIA Broadcast mic support
Long sessions where clamp and weight add upBarracuda XThe lightest weight here (250g)
Listeners who want the biggest drivers hereCloud IIIThe largest driver size here (53mm)
Tight budgetsStealth 5002.4GHz and Bluetooth near $75

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers

Key specs side by side

The Cloud III leads on driver size at 53mm, ahead of the Stealth 600 at 50mm. "Not listed" marks battery life where the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed and the Cloud III leave the figure out.

HeadsetBattery lifeDriver sizeWeightConnection
Stealth 60080 hours50mmNot listed2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5
BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeedNot listed50mm270gHyperSpeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Void v270 hoursNot listedNot listed2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Barracuda X50 hours40mm250g2.4GHz USB-C, Bluetooth
Cloud IIINot listed53mmNot listedWired (USB and 3.5mm)
Stealth 50040 hours40mmNot listed2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the Cloud III, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Void v2 at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierHeadsets
About $50 to $100Cloud III, Barracuda X, Stealth 500, BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed
About $100 to $150Stealth 600, Void v2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cloud III ahead of the Stealth 600 on driver size?

The Cloud III leads at 53mm, with the Stealth 600 at 50mm. The Stealth 500 closes the ranking at 40mm. The Void v2 doesn't state a driver size figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.

Which has the longest battery life: the Stealth 600 or the Void v2?

The Stealth 600 tops battery life at 80 hours; the Void v2 follows at 70 hours, 14% apart. The spread runs down to the Stealth 500 at 40 hours. No battery life figure is published for the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed and the Cloud III, which leaves 4 of 6 picks ranked here.

How does the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed compare with the Barracuda X on weight?

Between the top two, it is 250g on the Barracuda X against 270g on the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed, a 7% difference. The Stealth 600, the Void v2, the Cloud III and the Stealth 500 are left out of this ranking because their weight isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.

What makes the Stealth 600 the Longest Battery Life?

It earns the label for the longest battery life here (80 hours). The Void v2 is next on battery life at 70 hours, so this pick's 80 hours is 14% further out. It gives up driver size (50mm against 53mm) to the Cloud III, the cheapest pick. It makes sense for long sessions away from a charging cable.

Do the Stealth 600 and the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed differ on microphone?

The Stealth 600 uses flip-to-mute; the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed uses 9mm HyperClear; the Void v2 uses Omnidirectional boom; the Barracuda X uses Detachable cardioid; the Cloud III uses Upgraded; the Stealth 500 uses Included.

Beyond the specs, what sets the Stealth 600 and the BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed apart?

The Stealth 600: up to 80 hours of listed battery life. The BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed: Gen-2 50mm TriForce drivers. The Void v2: Dolby Atmos support.

Bottom Line

Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 leads on battery. Razer's BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed is the esports pick, and HyperX's Cloud III covers wired play.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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