The Best Gaming Headsets Under $20

A cardioid mic picks up less from the sides than an omnidirectional one. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the QXQ; the Vliveaudax goes with a wired USB sound card connection. It is the only pick here with a cardioid boom microphone; the CM7002 has an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone instead.

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. When we checked, only the QXQ and cheaper picks cost less, and the BENGOO G9000 cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the CM7002 instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.

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.

It matches the Vliveaudax on driver size (50mm). It is the only pick here with a wired connection; the Vliveaudax has a wired USB sound card connection instead. You get an ENC noise-cancelling boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the BENGOO G9000 and its an omnidirectional boom microphone. 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 BENGOO G9000 and the rest.

It is the cheapest headset here with that feature at the time of writing. On driver size it ties with the BENGOO G9000 at 40mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the NUBWO HG04L; the Vliveaudax goes with a wired USB sound card connection.

No other pick in this guide offers a flip-to-mute boom microphone; compare the Vliveaudax, which has a boom mic microphone. It also comes with a 3.5mm plug for PC and consoles and an entry-level 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 was priced above the Vliveaudax and below the NUBWO HG04L at the time of writing.

It is the lowest-priced USB headset here. Its noise-cancelling mic and ear-cup volume control are plug-and-play over USB-A or USB-C. It matches the CM7002 on driver size (50mm).

It is the only pick here with a wired USB sound card connection; the NUBWO HG04L has a wired 3.5mm connection instead. You get a boom mic microphone here, which sets it apart from the BENGOO G9000 and its an omnidirectional boom microphone. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC.

Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. It undercut the QXQ and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

It suits a first headset for PC or console. On driver size it ties with the QXQ at 40mm. No other pick in this guide offers an omnidirectional boom microphone; compare the QXQ, which has a flip-to-mute boom microphone.

You also get a USB plug that only powers the LED lights and one of the lowest prices among these headsets. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. It was priced above the NUBWO HG04L and below the CM7002 at the time of writing. It gives ground on driver size, where the CM7002 comes in at 50mm.