Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headsets Between $150 and $200
From the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 to the Stealth 700 PS: four headsets ranked on battery life and driver size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
At $150 to $200 sound quality and features such as ANC or dual wireless appear. Every pick has a microphone and cost between $150 and $200, ordered by driver size.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: battery life, driver size and connection come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation)
The longest battery life here (80 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
Open-back Design
Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back
An open-back design.
Best for: Buyers who want an open-back design.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gen 2
The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gen 2 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. | Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest battery life here (80 hours). | Long sessions away from a charging cable. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab) |
| An open-back design. | Buyers who want an open-back design. | Check price for Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gen 2 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stealth 700 uses the largest drivers here, 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, and a CrossPlay dual transmitter for switching between systems.
Best for
- Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.
A CrossPlay dual transmitter connection is unique to it among these picks, while the INZONE H6 Air uses a wired connection. Like the Stealth 700 PS, it has a flip-to-mute microphone, while the INZONE H6 Air uses an included microphone. When we checked, only the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 cost less, and the INZONE H6 Air cost more. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Stealth 700 PS instead: it runs for 80 hours, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: CrossPlay dual transmitter
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 60mm drivers
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
- Memory foam cushions designed for glasses
- CrossPlay dual transmitter connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life2 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PlayStation Stealth 700 uses 60mm Eclipse drivers and offers up to 80 hours of battery life.
Best for
- Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. This PlayStation version runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at once and is rated for up to 80 hours per charge. Its flip-to-mute mic uses AI noise reduction.
A steel-reinforced headband and lay-flat ear cups add durability, and the wheel and mode button can be remapped. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Stealth 700; the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 goes with a ClearCast Gen 2 retractable microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the INZONE H6 Air.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 60mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
Cons
- Costs more than the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 at the time of writing
Open-back Design3 of 4
Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The INZONE H6 Air is the lightest headset here at 199g and the only open-back gaming headset in the group.
Best for
- Buyers who want an open-back design.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when open-back leaks sound both way is a problem.
Why we like it
Sony adapted its drivers from studio monitor headphones and adds a custom equalizer for RPG and adventure games. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 700 and its a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection.
No other pick in this guide offers an included microphone; compare the Stealth 700, which has a flip-to-mute microphone. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was priced above the Stealth 700 and below the Stealth 700 PS at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the Stealth 700 PS runs for 80 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 199g
- Connection: Wired
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- Light 199g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Drivers adapted from studio monitor headphones
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
- Costs more than the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth together through a USB-C dongle.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Its ClearCast Gen 2 mic retracts. No other pick in this guide offers a ClearCast Gen 2 retractable microphone; compare the Stealth 700 PS, which has a flip-to-mute microphone. It also offers a USB-C dongle with USB-A adapter and ClearCast Gen 2 noise rejection.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Worth noting too: up to 50 hours of battery life. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Stealth 700 the next step up. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 50 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone: ClearCast Gen 2 retractable
Pros
- Up to 50 hours of battery life
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- USB-C dongle with USB-A adapter
Cons
- No published driver size
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Stealth 700 to the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Stealth 700 and the INZONE H6 Air give no battery life; the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 gives no driver size.
- Price range
- From the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 to the Stealth 700 PS, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gaming Headsets Between $150 and $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the INZONE H6 Air to 60mm on the Stealth 700. The Stealth 700 is the pick for driver size. No figure for the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2.
How much battery life you need
Here battery life runs from 50 hours on the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 to 80 hours on the Stealth 700 PS. Start with the Stealth 700 PS if battery life decides it. No figure for the Stealth 700 and the INZONE H6 Air.
Features beyond the spec table
The Stealth 700 PS: up to 80 hours of listed battery life. The INZONE H6 Air: a custom RPG and adventure equalizer. The Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2: a USB-C dongle with USB-A adapter.
Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 at the low end to the Stealth 700 PS at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Long sessions away from a charging cable: the Stealth 700 PS. Buyers who want an open-back design: the INZONE H6 Air. Keeping the budget tight: the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2.
How to Choose a Gaming Headsets Between $150 and $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 60mm Eclipse dual drivers | Stealth 700 | 60mm Eclipse dual drivers |
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Stealth 700 PS | The longest battery life here (80 hours) |
| Buyers who want an open-back design | INZONE H6 Air | An open-back design |
| Keeping the budget tight | Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Stealth 700 leads on driver size at 60mm, ahead of the Stealth 700 PS at 60mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth 700 | Not listed | 60mm | CrossPlay dual transmitter | Flip-to-mute |
| Stealth 700 PS | 80 hours | 60mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5 simultaneously | Flip-to-mute |
| INZONE H6 Air | Not listed | 40mm | Wired | Included |
| Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 | 50 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | ClearCast Gen 2 retractable |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stealth 700 PS ahead of the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 on battery life?
The Stealth 700 PS leads at 80 hours, with the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 at 50 hours. The Stealth 700 and the INZONE H6 Air don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the Stealth 700 PS worth paying more than the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2?
On paper it adds battery life (80 hours against 50 hours). The Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Stealth 700 PS the Longest Battery Life?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (80 hours). It suits long sessions away from a charging cable.
Do the Stealth 700 and the INZONE H6 Air differ on microphone?
The Stealth 700 and the Stealth 700 PS use flip-to-mute; the INZONE H6 Air uses Included; the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 uses ClearCast Gen 2 retractable.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Stealth 700 and the Stealth 700 PS apart?
The Stealth 700: 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. The Stealth 700 PS: 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. The INZONE H6 Air: drivers adapted from studio monitor headphones.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stealth 700, chosen for 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. Look at the INZONE H6 Air for an open-back design and the Arctis Nova 7P Gen 2 for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
Weigh comfort against features; you will wear it for hours.