Buying Guide
The Best Lightweight Headsets
From the Redragon H888 to the G435: five headsets ranked on driver size and weight, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A light headset stays comfortable for long sessions. Every pick weighs 250g or less, ordered from the lightest.
Our comparison rests on published figures for driver size, weight and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lightest Build
Logitech G435 Lightspeed WirelessThe lightest weight here (165g).
Best for: Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming HeadsetThe lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $50.
Check price for Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStationA HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer BlackShark V2 XPassive noise cancellation.
Best for: Buyers who want passive noise cancellation.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Flip-to-mute Microphone
Logitech G335 Wired Gaming HeadsetA flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Check price for Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lightest Build1 of 5
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless
Logitech's G435 weighs 165g and hides beamforming mics in the earcups instead of using a boom.
Best for
- Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when shorter 18-hour battery is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker notes it does not support Xbox. On driver size it ties with the Redragon H888 and the G335 at 40mm. Its 165g weight is the lightest here; the Redragon H888 comes next at 168g.
No other pick in this guide offers a dual beamforming (built-in) microphone; compare the BlackShark V2 X, which has a HyperClear cardioid microphone. On a PC, use the Lightspeed dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Only the G335 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Battery life
- 18 hours
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Weight
- 165g
- Connection
- Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone
- Dual beamforming (built-in)
Pros
- Light 165g build
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 165g frame
- Built-in beamforming mics instead of a boom
Cons
- Shorter 18-hour battery
- Costs more than the Redragon H888 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset
Redragon's H888 weighs 168g and offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $50.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm).
Why we like it
Its mic detaches when you only need headphones. On driver size it ties with the G435 and the G335 at 40mm. On weight it sits mid-pack at 168g: the G435 weighs 165g, and the G335 comes in at 240g.
It is the only pick here with a detachable boom microphone; the G435 has a dual beamforming (built-in) microphone instead. You also get three connection modes 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BlackShark V2 X PS was closest.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Weight
- 168g
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Detachable boom
Pros
- Light 168g build
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Three connection modes
- 168g frame
Cons
- Driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm)
The catch
What it gives up: driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm); by contrast, the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm.
Also Consider3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Redragon H888 cost less when we checked.
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.
It matches the BlackShark V2 X and the G335 on weight (240g). It shares a HyperClear cardioid microphone with the BlackShark V2 X; the G435 goes with a dual beamforming (built-in) 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. Its price falls between the Redragon H888 and the BlackShark V2 X, based on our last check.
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 Redragon H888 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X
The BlackShark V2 X gets the essentials right at a low price: 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, a HyperClear cardioid mic and passive noise cancellation.
Best for
- Buyers who want passive noise cancellation.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Redragon H888 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
At 240g it is one of the lighter closed-back headsets here. On weight it ties with the BlackShark V2 X PS and the G335 at 240g. Like the BlackShark V2 X PS, it has a HyperClear cardioid microphone, while the Redragon H888 uses a detachable boom microphone.
You also get breathable foam ear cushions. 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: no charging or pairing needed. It was priced above the BlackShark V2 X PS and below the G335 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
- Passive noise cancellation
Cons
- Costs more than the Redragon H888 at the time of writing
Flip-to-mute Microphone5 of 5
Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset
The G335 is almost as light as the G535 at 240g, with flip-to-mute and a 3.5mm plug that works on any system.
Best for
- Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the BlackShark V2 X PS offers 50mm.
Why we like it
It matches the G435 and the Redragon H888 on driver size (40mm). It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS and the BlackShark V2 X on weight (240g). A flip-to-mute microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Redragon H888 uses a detachable boom microphone.
You also get memory foam ear pads. 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. Its price falls between the BlackShark V2 X and the G435, based on our last check. If driver size is your priority, the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 40mm
- Weight
- 240g
- Connection
- Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone
- Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- Memory foam ear pads
- Flip-to-mute microphone, the only one here
Cons
- Driver size trails the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm)
- Weight trails the G435 (165g)
- Costs more than the Redragon H888 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Lightweight 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five headsets on driver size, weight, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 4 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the G435 to the G335, state driver size, weight and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The G435 for the lightest weight here (165g); the Redragon H888 for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing; the BlackShark V2 X PS for a HyperClear cardioid mic.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Redragon H888 (under $50) to the G435 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Lightweight Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size across these picks
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the G335 to 50mm on the BlackShark V2 X PS, a 25% spread. Start with the BlackShark V2 X PS if driver size decides it.
Weight
The G435 tops weight at 165g and the G335 sits lowest at 240g. The Redragon H888 comes second at 168g, in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 for the G435.
Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier Features beyond the spec table
The BlackShark V2 X PS: a 240g frame. The BlackShark V2 X: breathable foam ear cushions. The G335: memory foam ear pads.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Redragon H888, the BlackShark V2 X PS, the BlackShark V2 X and the G335; $50 to $100 buys the G435 at our last check.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Match the pick to your priority
Long sessions where clamp and weight add up: the G435. Keeping the cost under $50: the Redragon H888. Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone: the G335.
How to Choose a Lightweight Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long sessions where clamp and weight add up | G435 | The lightest weight here (165g) |
| Keeping the cost under $50 | Redragon H888 | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic | BlackShark V2 X PS | A HyperClear cardioid mic |
| Buyers who want passive noise cancellation | BlackShark V2 X | Passive noise cancellation |
| Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone | G335 | A flip-to-mute microphone |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BlackShark V2 X PS leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the BlackShark V2 X at 50mm.
| Headset | Driver size | Weight | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G435 | 40mm | 165g | Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Dual beamforming (built-in) |
| Redragon H888 | 40mm | 168g | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired 3.5mm | Detachable boom |
| BlackShark V2 X PS | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| BlackShark V2 X | 50mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| G335 | 40mm | 240g | Wired 3.5mm | Flip-to-mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Redragon H888, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the G435 at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Redragon H888, BlackShark V2 X PS, BlackShark V2 X, G335 |
| About $50 to $100 | G435 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the G435 ahead of the Redragon H888 on weight?
The G435 is lowest on weight at 165g; the Redragon H888 follows at 168g, 2% apart. The G335 closes the ranking at 240g.
Is the G435 worth paying more than the Redragon H888?
The spec sheets show weight (165g against 168g) in its favour. The Redragon H888 sat in the under $50 tier and the G435 in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if weight decides your purchase.
What makes the G435 the Lightest Build?
It earns the label for the lightest weight here (165g). The Redragon H888 is next on weight at 168g, so this pick's 165g is 2% further out. The Redragon H888, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Do the G435 and the Redragon H888 differ on microphone?
The G435 uses dual beamforming (built-in); the Redragon H888 uses detachable boom; the BlackShark V2 X PS and the BlackShark V2 X use HyperClear cardioid; the G335 uses flip-to-mute.
Beyond the specs, what sets the G435 and the Redragon H888 apart?
The G435: a 165g frame. The Redragon H888: three connection modes. The BlackShark V2 X PS: a HyperClear cardioid mic.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the G435. Look at the Redragon H888 for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing, the BlackShark V2 X PS for a HyperClear cardioid mic and the BlackShark V2 X for passive noise cancellation if those matter more to you.
Lighter frames flex more; handle them gently in a bag.
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 Headsets Under $150
- Similar guideThe Best Headsets for PC
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesUSB vs XLR microphones: what each needs and what each gives you
- Similar guideThe Best RGB Headsets
- 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
View all articles