Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headsets Under $60
We weighed five headsets on battery life and driver size, and the Ozeino Wireless costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $25 to $60 you find recognisable wired headsets and the first wireless models. Every headset cost 25 to 60 when we checked and is an over-ear headset with a microphone.
The order reflects battery life, driver size and connection from maker specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and a missing battery life is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
HyperX Cloud II
7.1 virtual surround.
Best for: Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud II (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
HyperX Cloud III Wired
The top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers.
Best for: Spending more than the Cloud II costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud III Wired (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the AOC the next step up.
Our take Check price for Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
AOC Wireless Gaming Headset
The longest battery life here (45 hours).
Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.
Our take Check price for AOC Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset
A USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Best for: Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Our take Check price for Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
HyperX Cloud II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Cloud II remains a sensible pick: 53mm drivers, 7.1 virtual surround and a detachable noise-cancelling mic in an aluminum frame.
Best for
- Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Ozeino Wireless, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over USB or 3.5mm. On driver size it ties with the Cloud III at 53mm. It shares a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection with the Cloud III; the G432 goes with a wired USB DAC and 3.5mm connection.
It also comes with memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus: no charging or pairing needed.
It was priced above the G432 and below the Cloud III at the time of writing. There is no published battery life figure, whereas the AOC runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 53mm
- Connection: Wired (USB and 3.5mm)
- Microphone: Detachable, noise-cancelling
Pros
- 53mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 virtual surround
- Memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame
Cons
- Costs more than the Ozeino Wireless at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
HyperX Cloud III Wired on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Spending more than the Cloud II costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Ozeino Wireless cost less when we checked.
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. It is the only pick here with a upgraded microphone; the AOC has a detachable boom microphone instead. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Cloud II the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the AOC instead: it runs for 45 hours, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & 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
Cons
- Costs more than the Ozeino Wireless at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ozeino's wireless model pairs 50mm drivers with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at a budget price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the AOC the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: battery life of 40 hours, behind the AOC (45 hours).
Why we like it
The maker claims 40 hours of battery life. Its 2.4GHz link has under 30ms delay, and it plugs in over USB-A or USB-C. The 50mm drivers suit budget console and PC gaming.
It also works over USB-C, which suits handhelds and some consoles. It matches the AOC and the G432 on driver size (50mm). A boom mic microphone is unique to it among these picks, 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the AOC was the next step up. The main gap: battery life of 40 hours, behind the AOC (45 hours). If that matters, the AOC runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Boom mic
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- Budget wireless price tier
Cons
- Battery life of 40 hours, behind the AOC (45 hours)
Longest Battery Life4 of 5
AOC Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
AOC's wireless headset offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0 and a 3.5mm cable.
Best for
- Players who hate charging mid-week.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Ozeino Wireless, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The mic detaches and the drivers are 50mm. On driver size it ties with the Ozeino Wireless and the G432 at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a detachable boom microphone; the Ozeino Wireless has a boom mic microphone instead.
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. When we checked, only the Ozeino Wireless cost less, and the G432 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 Ozeino Wireless at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Logitech G432 Wired 7.1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G432 is a wired headset with a USB DAC for 7.1 surround and a 3.5mm plug for consoles.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud II offers 53mm.
Why we like it
Its 6mm mic flips up to mute. It matches the Ozeino Wireless and the AOC on driver size (50mm). You get a 6mm flip-to-mute boom microphone here, which sets it apart from the Ozeino Wireless and its a boom mic microphone.
It also comes with 50mm drivers. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Another plus: no charging or pairing needed.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper AOC and the pricier Cloud II, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the AOC runs for 45 hours.
Key dimensions & 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
- Driver size trails the Cloud II (53mm)
- Costs more than the Ozeino Wireless at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Headsets Under $60
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Cloud II to the G432, state driver size, connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Cloud II, the Cloud III and the G432 give no battery life.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ozeino Wireless (under $50) to the Cloud III ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Gaming Headset Under $60
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size across these picks
Here driver size runs from 50mm on the G432 to 53mm on the Cloud II, a 6% spread. The Cloud II is the pick for driver size.
How much battery life you need
Across these 2 picks battery life spans 40 hours (the Ozeino Wireless) to 45 hours (the AOC). Start with the AOC if battery life decides it. The Cloud II, the Cloud III and the G432 give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ozeino Wireless: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The AOC: a detachable microphone. The G432: 50mm drivers.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Ozeino Wireless, the AOC, the G432 and the Cloud II; $50 to $100 buys the Cloud III at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending more than the Cloud II costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Cloud III. Spending as little as possible, with the AOC the next step up: the Ozeino Wireless. Players who hate charging mid-week: the AOC.
How to Choose a Gaming Headset Under $60
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround | Cloud II | 7.1 virtual surround |
| Spending more than the Cloud II costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Cloud III | The top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers |
| Spending as little as possible, with the AOC the next step up | Ozeino Wireless | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Players who hate charging mid-week | AOC | The longest battery life here (45 hours) |
| Buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround | G432 | A USB DAC with 7.1 surround |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cloud II leads on driver size at 53mm, ahead of the Cloud III at 53mm. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Cloud II, the Cloud III and the G432 leave the figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud II | Not listed | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Detachable, noise-cancelling |
| Cloud III | Not listed | 53mm | Wired (USB and 3.5mm) | Upgraded |
| Ozeino Wireless | 40 hours | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Boom mic |
| AOC | 45 hours | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 6.0, wired 3.5mm | Detachable boom |
| G432 | Not listed | 50mm | Wired USB DAC and 3.5mm | 6mm flip-to-mute boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ozeino Wireless was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the Cloud III the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Ozeino Wireless, AOC, G432, Cloud II |
| About $50 to $100 | Cloud III |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Ozeino Wireless compare with the AOC on battery life?
The AOC leads at 45 hours, with the Ozeino Wireless at 40 hours. The Cloud II, the Cloud III and the G432 don't state a battery life figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Cloud III add over the Ozeino Wireless?
The spec sheets show driver size (53mm against 50mm) in its favour. On our last price check the Ozeino Wireless was in the under $50 tier and the Cloud III in the $50 to $100 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if driver size decides your purchase.
Why is the AOC our Longest Battery Life pick?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (45 hours). On battery life it leads the Ozeino Wireless, 45 hours against 40 hours, a 13% margin. It suits anyone who hates charging mid-week.
What extras do the Cloud II and the Cloud III include?
The Cloud II: 7.1 virtual surround. The Cloud III: angled 53mm drivers. The Ozeino Wireless: 50mm drivers.
Should I pick the Cloud II or the G432?
The Cloud II suits buyers who want 7.1 virtual surround; the G432 suits buyers who want USB DAC with 7.1 surround.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Cloud II, chosen for 7.1 virtual surround. Look at the Cloud III for the top of this price range, adding angled 53mm drivers, the Ozeino Wireless for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the G432 for a USB DAC with 7.1 surround if those matter more to you.
Check the mic is detachable or has a mute button if you talk often.