Buying Guide
The Best Headsets Under $150
Five headsets ranked on battery life and driver size, where the Cloud Alpha Wireless has the longest battery life; the Stealth 600 is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $100 and $150, headsets add wireless, better mics and longer battery life. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by battery life.
Rankings weigh battery life, driver size and connection as the makers state them; if a maker skips driver size, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Longest Battery Life
HyperX Cloud Alpha WirelessThe longest battery life here (300 hours).
Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.
Check price for HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming HeadsetThe largest driver size here (53mm).
Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.
Check price for HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)The cheapest way into this group, below the Cloud Alpha Wireless.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Cloud Alpha Wireless.
Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro WirelessTriForce Titanium 50mm drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless48kHz/24-bit audio.
Best for: Buyers who want 48kHz/24-bit audio.
Check price for Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Longest Battery Life1 of 5
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The Cloud Alpha Wireless stands apart on battery: HyperX offers up to 300 hours, several times any other claim here.
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.
Why we like it
It pairs that with DTS Headphone:X spatial audio and dual-chamber drivers in an aluminum frame. On battery life it leads this guide at 300 hours, ahead of the Cloud III S (120 hours). It is the only pick here with a 2.4GHz wireless connection; the BlackShark V2 Pro has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection instead.
You get an included microphone here, which sets it apart from the G522 and its a 48kHz/16-bit microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Stealth 600 and the pricier Cloud III S, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 300 hours
- Connection
- 2.4GHz wireless
- Microphone
- Included
Pros
- Up to 300 hours of battery life
- DTS Headphone:X spatial audio
- Dual-chamber drivers in a durable aluminum frame
- 2.4GHz wireless connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Stealth 600 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the Cloud III S comes in at 53mm.
Largest Drivers2 of 5
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset
The Cloud III S leads on battery at a 120 hours, with 53mm drivers, the largest here.
Best for
- Players who favour a fuller low end.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Stealth 600 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its aluminium frame resists knocks, and a lifetime Spatial Audio activation adds 3D positioning on PC. Magnetic ear-cup plates can be swapped. The 10mm boom mic has an LED mute indicator and a built-in mesh filter.
Both USB-A and USB-C connectors are included for the dongle. Its 120 hours battery life ranks second of 5 here, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours) and ahead of the G522 (60 hours). On driver size it leads this guide at 53mm, ahead of the Stealth 600 (50mm).
Like the BlackShark V2 Pro, it has a detachable microphone, while the Cloud Alpha Wireless uses an included microphone. You also get memory foam cushions. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. When we checked, only the Cloud Alpha Wireless and cheaper picks cost less, and the BlackShark V2 Pro cost more.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 120 hours
- Driver size
- 53mm
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone
- Detachable
Pros
- Up to 120 hours of battery life
- 53mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Memory foam cushions
Cons
- Costs more than the Stealth 600 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)
Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 offers up to 80 hours of battery life with 50mm drivers.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Cloud Alpha Wireless.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when battery life of 80 hours, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours) is a problem.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has a flip-to-mute mic. A mappable wheel and mode button can be assigned in the app, and the ear cups lay flat for travel. Memory foam cushions are glasses-friendly.
Its 80 hours battery life ranks third of 5 here, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours) and ahead of the G522 (60 hours). On driver size it ties with the BlackShark V2 Pro at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a flip-to-mute microphone; the Cloud Alpha Wireless has an included microphone instead.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Cloud Alpha Wireless was closest.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 80 hours
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5
- Microphone
- Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Flip-to-mute mic
Cons
- Battery life of 80 hours, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours)
The catch
What it gives up: battery life of 80 hours, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours); by contrast, the Cloud Alpha Wireless runs for 300 hours.
Also Consider4 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless
What the BlackShark V2 Pro brings to the table is TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers.
Best for
- Buyers who want TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Cloud III S offers 53mm.
Why we like it
It also runs for up to 70 hours and offers a 50mm driver size. Its 70 hours battery life ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours) and ahead of the G522 (60 hours). On driver size it ties with the Stealth 600 at 50mm.
You get a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection here, which sets it apart from the G522 and its a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection. Like the Cloud III S, it has a detachable microphone, while the Stealth 600 uses a flip-to-mute microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. It gives ground on driver size, where the Cloud III S comes in at 53mm.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 70 hours
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless
- Microphone
- Detachable
Pros
- Up to 70 hours of battery life
- 50mm drivers
- TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers
- HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection, the only one here
Cons
- Driver size trails the Cloud III S (53mm)
- Costs more than the Stealth 600 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Logitech G522 Lightspeed Wireless
The G522 is built around voice: Logitech offers a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone alongside 48kHz/24-bit audio.
Best for
- Buyers who want 48kHz/24-bit audio.
Skip if
- Skip it if battery life matters most to you; the Cloud Alpha Wireless offers 300 hours.
Why we like it
It weighs 280g and offers up to 60 hours with lighting off. Its 60 hours battery life is the shortest in this group; the Cloud Alpha Wireless leads at 300 hours. You get a lightspeed 2.4GHz connection here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V2 Pro and its a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection.
No other pick in this guide offers a 48kHz/16-bit microphone; compare the Stealth 600, which has a flip-to-mute microphone. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 60 hours
- Weight
- 280g
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz
- Microphone
- 48kHz/16-bit
Pros
- Up to 60 hours of battery life
- Light 280g build
- 48kHz/24-bit audio
- Full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone
Cons
- Battery life trails the Cloud Alpha Wireless (300 hours)
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Stealth 600 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headsets Under $150
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.
- What we compared
- We compared 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 driver size has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Cloud Alpha Wireless to the G522, state battery life, connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Cloud Alpha Wireless and the G522 give no driver size.
- Price range
- From the Stealth 600 to the G522, all sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Headset Under $150
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life across these picks
Here battery life runs from 60 hours on the G522 to 300 hours on the Cloud Alpha Wireless, a 400% spread. Start with the Cloud Alpha Wireless if battery life decides it.
How much driver size you need
Across these 3 picks driver size spans 50mm (the BlackShark V2 Pro) to 53mm (the Cloud III S). If driver size is your first filter, the Cloud III S sets the ceiling at 53mm. The Cloud Alpha Wireless and the G522 give no driver size figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers Extras that separate them
The Stealth 600: a flip-to-mute mic. The BlackShark V2 Pro: TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers. The G522: a full-bandwidth 48kHz microphone.
Budget
All 5 sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked, from the Stealth 600 at the low end to the G522 at the top, so decide on features first.
Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier Start from what matters most
Players who hate charging mid-week: the Cloud Alpha Wireless. Players who favour a fuller low end: the Cloud III S. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Cloud Alpha Wireless: the Stealth 600.
How to Choose a Headset Under $150
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players who hate charging mid-week | Cloud Alpha Wireless | The longest battery life here (300 hours) |
| Players who favour a fuller low end | Cloud III S | The largest driver size here (53mm) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Cloud Alpha Wireless | Stealth 600 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Cloud Alpha Wireless |
| Buyers who want TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers | BlackShark V2 Pro | TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers |
| Buyers who want 48kHz/24-bit audio | G522 | 48kHz/24-bit audio |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Cloud Alpha Wireless leads on battery life at 300 hours, ahead of the Cloud III S at 120 hours. "Not listed" marks driver size where the Cloud Alpha Wireless and the G522 leave the figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Alpha Wireless | 300 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz wireless | Included |
| Cloud III S | 120 hours | 53mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Detachable |
| Stealth 600 | 80 hours | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5 | Flip-to-mute |
| BlackShark V2 Pro | 70 hours | 50mm | HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless | Detachable |
| G522 | 60 hours | Not listed | Lightspeed 2.4GHz | 48kHz/16-bit |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cloud III S compare with the Cloud Alpha Wireless on battery life?
The Cloud Alpha Wireless leads at 300 hours, with the Cloud III S at 120 hours. The G522 is at the other end of this group with 60 hours.
Which has the largest driver size: the Cloud III S or the Stealth 600?
Between the top two, it is 53mm on the Cloud III S against 50mm on the Stealth 600, a 6% difference. The Cloud Alpha Wireless and the G522 are left out of this ranking because their driver size isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the G522 add over the Stealth 600?
The G522 matches or trails the Stealth 600 on battery life. The Stealth 600 leads on battery life (80 hours). Both sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the Cloud III S our Largest Drivers pick?
The label rests on the largest driver size here (53mm). On driver size it leads the Stealth 600, 53mm against 50mm, a 6% margin. It makes sense for anyone who favours a fuller low end.
Do the Cloud Alpha Wireless and the Cloud III S differ on microphone?
The Cloud Alpha Wireless uses Included; the Cloud III S and the BlackShark V2 Pro use detachable; the Stealth 600 uses flip-to-mute; the G522 uses 48kHz/16-bit.
What extras do the Cloud Alpha Wireless and the Cloud III S include?
The Cloud Alpha Wireless: DTS Headphone:X spatial audio. The Cloud III S: memory foam cushions. The Stealth 600: up to 80 hours of listed battery life.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Cloud Alpha Wireless. Look at the Stealth 600 for the cheapest way into this group, below the Cloud Alpha Wireless, the BlackShark V2 Pro for TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers and the G522 for 48kHz/24-bit audio if those matter more to you.
Check the dongle type if you play on consoles too.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
- Related guideThe Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Lower budgetThe Best Gaming Headsets Under $120
- Higher budgetThe Best Headsets Under $200
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesUSB Microphone Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best Headsets Under $300
- Topic hubAll headsets and headphones guides
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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