Buying Guide
The Best Good Inexpensive Gaming Headsets
Four inexpensive headsets under $50, including a wireless pick with Bluetooth.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Inexpensive should still mean comfortable and clear. These four stay under $50 at the time of writing.
We compared drivers, weight and connection from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Wired Pick
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset50mm drivers in a wired design.
Best for: PC and console.
Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Wireless Pick
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset2.4GHz and Bluetooth with 50mm drivers.
Best for: Wireless on a budget.
Check price for Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best USB Pick
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming HeadsetA USB connection.
Best for: PC-only setups.
Check price for Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Detachable Mic
JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming HeadsetA detachable directional mic.
Best for: Everyday listening.
Check price for JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50mm drivers in a wired design. | PC and console. | Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 2.4GHz and Bluetooth with 50mm drivers. | Wireless on a budget. | Check price for Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A USB connection. | PC-only setups. | Check price for Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A detachable directional mic. | Everyday listening. | Check price for JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Wired Pick1 of 4
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset
The Cloud Stinger 2 has the largest drivers in this list at 50mm, plus DTS Headphone:X spatial audio on PC.
Best for
- PC and console.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Quantum 100M2 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its ear cups rotate to rest around the neck, and DTS Headphone:X spatial audio adds positional cues. Its signature HyperX comfort suits long sessions at a low price. HyperX tunes it for clear game audio, and the rotating earcups let it rest flat on the collarbone or lie on the desk.
It is a simple wired design with few settings to manage. On driver size it ties with the Ozeino Wireless at 50mm. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the Quantum 100M2 and its a wired 3.5mm connection. It was priced above the Ozeino Wireless and below the Kraken V3 X at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- Wired
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- DTS Headphone:X spatial audio
- 50mm drivers in a wired design
Cons
- Costs more than the Quantum 100M2 at the time of writing
Best Wireless Pick2 of 4
Ozeino Wireless Gaming Headset
Ozeino's wireless model pairs 50mm drivers with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at a budget price.
Best for
- Wireless on a budget.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Quantum 100M2 cost less when we checked.
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 Cloud Stinger 2 on driver size (50mm). On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the Quantum 100M2 and the Cloud Stinger 2, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Costs more than the Quantum 100M2 at the time of writing
Best USB Pick3 of 4
Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset
The Kraken V3 X plugs in over USB, which avoids a noisy front-panel jack and enables 7.1 surround in Windows.
Best for
- PC-only setups.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud Stinger 2 offers 50mm.
Why we like it
Its bendable HyperClear cardioid mic picks up voice over room noise, and Chroma RGB lights the ear cups. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the Cloud Stinger 2 leads at 50mm. No other pick in this guide offers a wired USB connection; compare the Cloud Stinger 2, which has a wired connection.
You also get memory foam cushions. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Cloud Stinger 2.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Weight
- 285g
- Connection
- Wired USB
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 7.1 surround in Windows
- Memory foam cushions
- A USB connection
Cons
- Driver size trails the Cloud Stinger 2 (50mm)
- Costs more than the Quantum 100M2 at the time of writing
Best Detachable Mic4 of 4
JBL Quantum 100M2 Wired Gaming Headset
JBL's Quantum 100M2 has a detachable directional mic and a 3.5mm plug.
Best for
- Everyday listening.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It is the only JBL headset in this group. Its directional mic detaches and mutes, and memory foam with breathable fabric cushions keeps it light. One 3.5mm jack works with PC, consoles, Switch and phones.
JBL QuantumSOUND tuning brings out footsteps and effects. You get a wired 3.5mm connection here, which sets it apart from the Kraken V3 X and its a wired USB connection. It also comes with a 3.5mm connection.
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 cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Ozeino Wireless the next step up.
Key specs
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Detachable directional boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Detachable directional mic
- 3.5mm connection
- JBL QuantumSOUND signature tuning
Cons
- No published driver size
The catch
There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Cloud Stinger 2 comes in at 50mm.
How We Chose These Good Inexpensive Gaming Headsets
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side four headsets on driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick, while driver size and microphone have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Cloud Stinger 2 to the Quantum 100M2, state connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Quantum 100M2 gives no driver size; the Cloud Stinger 2 and the Kraken V3 X give no microphone.
- Price range
- From the Quantum 100M2 to the Kraken V3 X, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Good Inexpensive Gaming Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the Kraken V3 X to 50mm on the Cloud Stinger 2, a 25% spread. The Ozeino Wireless comes second at 50mm, in the same price tier as the Cloud Stinger 2. The Quantum 100M2 gives no driver size figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The Ozeino Wireless: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The Kraken V3 X: memory foam cushions. The Quantum 100M2: a 3.5mm connection.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Budget
All 4 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Quantum 100M2 at the low end to the Kraken V3 X at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
PC and console: the Cloud Stinger 2. Wireless on a budget: the Ozeino Wireless. PC-only setups: the Kraken V3 X.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers Battery life claims vary with lighting
Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.
Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.
How to Choose a Good Inexpensive Gaming Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PC and console | Cloud Stinger 2 | 50mm drivers in a wired design |
| Wireless on a budget | Ozeino Wireless | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth with 50mm drivers |
| PC-only setups | Kraken V3 X | A USB connection |
| Everyday listening | Quantum 100M2 | A detachable directional mic |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cloud Stinger 2 leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the Ozeino Wireless at 50mm. "Not listed" marks driver size where the Quantum 100M2 leaves the figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Stinger 2 | 50mm | Wired | Not listed |
| Ozeino Wireless | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Boom mic |
| Kraken V3 X | 40mm | Wired USB | Not listed |
| Quantum 100M2 | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Detachable directional boom |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Ozeino Wireless our Best Wireless Pick?
It earns the label for 2.4GHz and Bluetooth with 50mm drivers. It suits wireless on a budget.
Do the Ozeino Wireless and the Quantum 100M2 differ on microphone?
The Ozeino Wireless uses boom mic; the Quantum 100M2 uses Detachable directional boom. The Cloud Stinger 2 and the Kraken V3 X have no microphone listed, so 2 of 4 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Cloud Stinger 2 and the Ozeino Wireless include?
The Cloud Stinger 2: DTS Headphone:X spatial audio. The Ozeino Wireless: 50mm drivers. The Kraken V3 X: 7.1 surround in Windows.
Who should choose the Cloud Stinger 2?
The Cloud Stinger 2 carries our Best Wired Pick label for 50mm drivers in a wired design. It ranks first of 4 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits PC and console.
Should I pick the Cloud Stinger 2 or the Quantum 100M2?
The Cloud Stinger 2 suits PC and console; the Quantum 100M2 suits everyday listening.
Bottom Line
HyperX's Cloud Stinger 2 is the wired pick. Ozeino's wireless model adds Bluetooth, and Razer's Kraken V3 X is the USB option.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for PC
- Without a budget limitThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Similar guideThe Best Headsets for a Gaming PC
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- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesUSB vs XLR microphones: what each needs and what each gives you
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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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