Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Headsets Under $40

Six headsets under $40 at the time of writing, three wired and three wireless.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read6 products evaluated

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

Up to $40, you can pick a wired headset with a better mic or a basic wireless one. These six include both.

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

    NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset

    The longest battery life here (100 hours).

    Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.

    Check price for NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Wired Pick1 of 6

Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation

The PlayStation version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X keeps the 240g frame, 50mm TriForce drivers and HyperClear cardioid mic.

Best for

PC and PlayStation.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the NUBWO G06, which cost less when we checked.
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation

Why we like it

Its 3.5mm plug also works on PC. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers split into three parts to tune highs, mids and lows separately. Closed earcups cover the ears fully for passive noise isolation, and the cardioid mic rejects sound from the back and sides.

On driver size it ties with the AOC and the G432 at 50mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the Recon Spark; the G432 goes with a wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection. No other pick in this guide offers a HyperClear cardioid microphone; compare the Valorise, which has a boom mic 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 priced above the NUBWO G06 and below the Valorise at the time of writing.

Key specs

Driver size
50mm
Weight
240g
Connection
Wired 3.5mm
Microphone
HyperClear cardioid

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • Light 240g build
  • No charging or pairing needed
  • HyperClear cardioid mic

Cons

  • Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing

The catch

There is no published battery life figure, whereas the NUBWO G06 runs for 100 hours.

Best Tri-Mode2 of 6

AOC Wireless Gaming Headset

AOC's wireless headset offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0 and a 3.5mm cable.

Best for

Many devices.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the NUBWO G06, which cost less when we checked.
AOC Wireless Gaming Headset

Why we like it

The mic detaches and the drivers are 50mm. It matches the Valorise on battery life (45 hours). On driver size it ties with the BlackShark V2 X PS and the G432 at 50mm.

No other pick in this guide offers a detachable boom microphone; compare the G432, which has a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone. It also offers three connection modes including Bluetooth 6.0 and a detachable 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 Valorise and below the G432 at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
45 hours
Driver size
50mm
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, wired 3.5mm
Microphone
Detachable boom

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Three connection modes including Bluetooth 6.0
  • Detachable microphone

Cons

  • Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing

Longest Battery Life3 of 6

NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset

NUBWO's G06 offers up to 100 hours of battery life across 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.

Best for

Players who hate charging mid-week.

Skip if

Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
NUBWO G06 Wireless Gaming Headset

Why we like it

That is the longest figure among the budget wireless headsets here. 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.

Nothing else here matches its 100 hours battery life; the AOC comes closest at 45 hours. It shares a boom mic microphone with the Valorise; the Recon Spark goes with a flip-to-mute boom microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.

It undercut the BlackShark V2 X PS 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.

Key specs

Battery life
100 hours
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Microphone
Boom mic

Pros

  • Up to 100 hours of battery life
  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes
  • Budget wireless price tier

Cons

  • No published driver size

Best USB Surround4 of 6

Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset

Logitech's G432 is a wired headset with a USB DAC for 7.1 surround and a 3.5mm plug for consoles.

Best for

PC players.

Skip if

If budget leads, the NUBWO G06 was cheaper at our last price check.
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset

Why we like it

Its 6mm mic flips up to mute. It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS and the AOC on driver size (50mm). No other pick in this guide offers a wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection; compare the BlackShark V2 X PS, which has a wired 3.5mm connection.

A 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the BlackShark V2 X PS uses a HyperClear cardioid microphone. It also comes with 50mm drivers. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller.

Its price falls between the AOC and the Recon Spark, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the NUBWO G06, which runs for 100 hours.

Key specs

Driver size
50mm
Connection
Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm
Microphone
6mm flip-to-mute boom

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • No charging or pairing needed
  • USB DAC with 7.1 surround
  • 6mm flip-to-mute mic

Cons

  • Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing

Best Controller Pick5 of 6

Turtle Beach Recon Spark Gaming Headset

Turtle Beach's Recon Spark pairs 40mm drivers with a flip-to-mute mic and a 3.5mm plug.

Best for

Controllers.

Skip if

Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the BlackShark V2 X PS offers 50mm.
Turtle Beach Recon Spark Gaming Headset

Why we like it

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. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the BlackShark V2 X PS; the G432 goes with a wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection.

It is the only pick here with a flip-to-mute boom microphone; the BlackShark V2 X PS has a HyperClear cardioid microphone instead. 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 G432 the nearest cheaper option.

Key specs

Driver size
40mm
Connection
Wired 3.5mm
Microphone
Flip-to-mute boom

Pros

  • No charging or pairing needed
  • Flip-to-mute mic
  • 40mm drivers
  • 3.5mm plug for controllers and PC

Cons

  • Driver size trails the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm)
  • Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing

The catch

If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the NUBWO G06 instead: it runs for 100 hours, while this one gives no figure.

Best Bluetooth Battery6 of 6

Valorise Wireless Gaming Headset

Valorise offers 45 hours on 2.4GHz and up to 100 hours on Bluetooth, with a 3.5mm cable as a fallback.

Best for

Phone and PC.

Skip if

Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the NUBWO G06 offers 100 hours.
Valorise Wireless Gaming Headset

Why we like it

It suits long sessions away from a charger. It matches the AOC on battery life (45 hours). Like the NUBWO G06, it has a boom mic microphone, while the G432 uses a 6mm flip-to-mute boom 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. You also get this: dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth. It was priced above the BlackShark V2 X PS and below the AOC at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
45 hours
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm
Microphone
Boom mic

Pros

  • Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
  • Up to 100 hours on Bluetooth
  • 45 hours on 2.4GHz
  • 3.5mm wired fallback

Cons

  • Battery life trails the NUBWO G06 (100 hours)
  • No published driver size
  • Costs more than the NUBWO G06 at the time of writing

The catch

It gives ground on battery life, where the NUBWO G06 runs for 100 hours.

How We Chose These Gaming Headsets Under $40

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.

A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
How these picks were ranked
We compared six headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life and driver size have gaps.
What every pick has in common
All 6, from the BlackShark V2 X PS to the Valorise, state connection and microphone.
Where the specs have gaps
The BlackShark V2 X PS, the G432 and the Recon Spark give no battery life; the NUBWO G06 and the Valorise give no driver size.
Price range
From the NUBWO G06 to the Recon Spark, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a Gaming Headset Under $40

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

  1. How much driver size you need

    Across these 4 picks driver size spans 40mm (the Recon Spark) to 50mm (the BlackShark V2 X PS). Start with the BlackShark V2 X PS if driver size decides it. The NUBWO G06 and the Valorise give no driver size figure, so 4 of 6 picks are compared here.

  2. Battery life

    The NUBWO G06 tops battery life at 100 hours and the Valorise sits lowest at 45 hours. If battery life is your first filter, the NUBWO G06 sets the ceiling at 100 hours. The BlackShark V2 X PS, the G432 and the Recon Spark give no battery life figure, so 3 of 6 picks are compared here.

    Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
    Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
  3. Extras that separate them

    The G432: 50mm drivers. The Recon Spark: 40mm drivers. The Valorise: 45 hours on 2.4GHz.

  4. How much to spend

    All 6 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the NUBWO G06 at the low end to the Recon Spark at the top, so decide on features first.

    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
    Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
  5. Start from what matters most

    PC and PlayStation: the BlackShark V2 X PS. Many devices: the AOC. Players who hate charging mid-week: the NUBWO G06.

How to Choose a Gaming Headset Under $40

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
PC and PlayStationBlackShark V2 X PSA cardioid mic and 240g frame
Many devicesAOC2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0 and 3.5mm
Players who hate charging mid-weekNUBWO G06The longest battery life here (100 hours)
PC playersG432A USB DAC with 7.1
ControllersRecon SparkA flip-to-mute mic on a 3.5mm plug
Phone and PCValoriseUp to 100 hours on Bluetooth

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor

Key specs side by side

The BlackShark V2 X PS leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the AOC at 50mm. "Not listed" marks battery life where the BlackShark V2 X PS, the G432 and the Recon Spark leave the figure out.

HeadsetBattery lifeDriver sizeConnectionMicrophone
BlackShark V2 X PSNot listed50mmWired 3.5mmHyperClear cardioid
AOC45 hours50mm2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, wired 3.5mmDetachable boom
NUBWO G06100 hoursNot listed2.4GHz, BluetoothBoom mic
G432Not listed50mmWired USB DAC and 3.5mm6mm flip-to-mute boom
Recon SparkNot listed40mmWired 3.5mmFlip-to-mute boom
Valorise45 hoursNot listed2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mmBoom mic

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the AOC compare with the NUBWO G06 on battery life?

Between the top two, it is 100 hours on the NUBWO G06 against 45 hours on the AOC, a 122% difference. No battery life figure is published for the BlackShark V2 X PS, the G432 and the Recon Spark, which leaves 3 of 6 picks ranked here.

Why is the Valorise our Best Bluetooth Battery pick?

It carries the badge for up to 100 hours on Bluetooth. The price of that: the NUBWO G06, the cheapest pick, still beats it on battery life (100 hours against 45 hours). It suits phone and PC.

Do the BlackShark V2 X PS and the AOC differ on microphone?

The BlackShark V2 X PS uses HyperClear cardioid; the AOC uses detachable boom; the NUBWO G06 and the Valorise use boom mic; the G432 uses 6mm flip-to-mute boom; the Recon Spark uses flip-to-mute boom.

What extras do the BlackShark V2 X PS and the AOC include?

The BlackShark V2 X PS: a HyperClear cardioid mic. The AOC: three connection modes including Bluetooth 6.0. The NUBWO G06: up to 100 hours of listed battery life.

Who should choose the BlackShark V2 X PS?

The BlackShark V2 X PS carries our Best Wired Pick label for a cardioid mic and 240g frame. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits PC and PlayStation.

Bottom Line

Razer's BlackShark V2 X PS is the wired pick. AOC's tri-mode headset is the wireless value, and NUBWO's G06 lists the longest battery.

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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