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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lightest Build
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless
The lightest weight here (165g).
Best for: Long sessions where clamp and weight add up.
Our take Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset
The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Redragon H888 Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation
A HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox
A HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox (opens in a new tab)
Flip-to-mute Microphone
Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset
A flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Our take Check price for Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lightest Build1 of 5
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 batter 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 Xbox, 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's H888 weighs 168g and offers 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
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. 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.
Key dimensions & 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)
Also Consider3 of 5
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 Xbox on driver size (50mm). It matches the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and the G335 on weight (240g). It shares a HyperClear cardioid microphone with the BlackShark V2 X Xbox; 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 Xbox, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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 for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Xbox version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X has the same 240g frame and 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 connects to an Xbox controller. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers tune highs, mids and lows separately. The HyperClear cardioid mic picks up more voice than room noise, and the closed cups give a tighter passive seal.
It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS on driver size (50mm). It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS and the G335 on weight (240g). It shares a HyperClear cardioid microphone with the BlackShark V2 X PS; 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper BlackShark V2 X PS and the pricier G335, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
Flip-to-mute Microphone5 of 5
Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 Xbox 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 Xbox 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 dimensions & 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 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.
- 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. The BlackShark V2 X PS is the pick for driver size.
Weight
Here weight runs from 240g on the G335 to 165g on the G435. The Redragon H888 comes second for less money.
Fit and compatibility
On a PC, use the Lightspeed 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.
Features beyond the spec table
The Redragon H888: a 168g frame. The BlackShark V2 X PS: a 240g frame. 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 Xbox and the G335; $50 to $100 buys the G435 at our last check.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
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 budget tight | 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 HyperClear cardioid mic | BlackShark V2 X Xbox | A HyperClear cardioid mic |
| 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 Xbox 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 Xbox | 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
The Redragon H888 was the lowest-priced pick and the G435 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Redragon H888, BlackShark V2 X PS, BlackShark V2 X Xbox, G335 |
| About $50 to $100 | G435 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the G435 ahead of the Redragon H888 on weight?
The G435 comes out best at 165g, with the Redragon H888 at 168g. The G335 is at the other end of this group with 240g.
Is the G435 worth paying more than the Redragon H888?
On paper it adds weight (165g against 168g). The Redragon H888 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the G435 the Lightest Build?
It earns the label for the lightest weight here (165g). It suits 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 Xbox use HyperClear cardioid; the G335 uses flip-to-mute.
What should I check before buying the Redragon H888?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
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 Xbox for a HyperClear cardioid mic if those matter more to you.
Lighter frames flex more; handle them gently in a bag.