Buying Guide

The Best Sub-$100 Gaming Headsets

Five sub-$100 headsets, two wired and three wireless.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image

Just under $100, you can choose a strong wired headset or a capable wireless one. These five include both.

Prices are tiers at the time of writing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Best Mic Filters

    Logitech G PRO X Wired

    Blue VO!CE with a USB sound card.

    Best for: Streaming.

    Check price for Logitech G PRO X Wired on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Longest Battery Life

    Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)

    The longest battery life here (80 hours).

    Best for: Players who hate charging mid-week.

    Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Best Wireless Pick1 of 5

Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed brings Razer's TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers and a 70-hour battery to a mid-range price.

Best for

PC esports.

Skip if

If budget leads, the Kaira was cheaper at our last price check.
Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed

Why we like it

At 280g it is one of the two lightest headsets here. It is the only pick here with a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection; the Cloud Alpha has a wired 3.5mm connection instead. You get an included microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 600 and its a flip-to-mute microphone.

It also offers an ultra-light 280g frame. It connects through a USB wireless dongle, so keep a free USB port near your desk for the best range. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Cloud Alpha and the pricier G PRO X, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Battery life
70 hours
Driver size
50mm
Weight
280g
Connection
HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless
Microphone
Included

Pros

  • Up to 70 hours of battery life
  • 50mm drivers
  • Light 280g build
  • TriForce Titanium drivers

Cons

  • Costs more than the Kaira at the time of writing

Best Wired Pick2 of 5

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wired

HyperX's wired Cloud Alpha uses dual-chamber drivers in an aluminum frame.

Best for

No-charge setups.

Skip if

Its driver size is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wired

Why we like it

The noise-cancelling mic detaches. The frequency response runs from 15Hz to 25,000Hz in an over-ear fit, and the braided cable detaches and carries an inline audio control. It works with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, Mac, mobile and VR through a 3.5mm port.

It is the only pick here with a wired 3.5mm connection; the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection instead. It also comes with a detachable mic. 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 second of 5, between the cheaper Kaira and the pricier BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, at the time of writing.

Key specs

Connection
Wired 3.5mm
Microphone
Detachable, noise-cancelling

Pros

  • No charging or pairing needed
  • Dual-chamber drivers
  • Detachable mic
  • Aluminum frame

Cons

  • No published driver size
  • Costs more than the Kaira at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours.

Best Mic Filters3 of 5

Logitech G PRO X Wired

The G PRO X wired is for players who tune their sound: its USB external sound card stores EQ profiles, and the detachable mic supports Blue VO!CE processing.

Best for

Streaming.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Kaira cost less when we checked.
Logitech G PRO X Wired

Why we like it

An aluminum fork and steel headband make it one of the sturdier builds here. Its USB sound card stores pro-tuned EQ profiles on board, and you can choose leatherette or velour ear pads. A detachable with Blue VO!CE microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Kaira uses a HyperClear cardioid microphone.

USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Its price falls between the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and the Stealth 600, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Stealth 600, which runs for 80 hours.

Key specs

Driver size
50mm
Connection
Wired (USB sound card and 3.5mm)
Microphone
Detachable with Blue VO!CE

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • No charging or pairing needed
  • USB external sound card with EQ profile storage
  • Aluminum fork and steel headband

Cons

  • Costs more than the Kaira at the time of writing

Longest Battery Life4 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

Players who hate charging mid-week.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Kaira cost less when we checked.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)

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.

No other pick in this guide offers a flip-to-mute microphone; compare the Kaira, which has a HyperClear cardioid microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Only the G PRO X came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.

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

  • Costs more than the Kaira at the time of writing

Best for Xbox5 of 5

Razer Kaira Wireless (Xbox)

The Razer Kaira connects over Xbox Wireless with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers and a HyperClear cardioid mic, and it costs less than Microsoft's headset.

Best for

Xbox players.

Skip if

Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Razer Kaira Wireless (Xbox)

Why we like it

It also has dedicated EQ and Xbox pairing buttons. It is the only pick here with a xbox Wireless connection; the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed has a HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wireless connection instead. You get a HyperClear cardioid microphone here, which sets it apart from the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and its an included microphone.

It connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless; on a PC, check the product page for the connection it supports, since Xbox Wireless on Windows usually needs Microsoft's adapter or a built-in radio. It undercut the Cloud Alpha and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Stealth 600 runs for 80 hours.

Key specs

Driver size
50mm
Connection
Xbox Wireless
Microphone
HyperClear cardioid

Pros

  • 50mm drivers
  • Xbox pairing button and EQ control
  • Xbox Wireless connection, the only one here
  • HyperClear cardioid microphone, the only one here

How We Chose These Sub-$100 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.

Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier
How these picks were ranked
We compared five headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out battery life.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed to the Kaira, state connection and microphone.
Where the specs have gaps
The Cloud Alpha, the G PRO X and the Kaira give no battery life; the Cloud Alpha gives no driver size.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Kaira ($50 to $100) to the Stealth 600 ($100 to $150).

What to Look for in a Sub-$100 Gaming Headset

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Battery life

    Here battery life runs from 70 hours on the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed to 80 hours on the Stealth 600, a 14% spread. If battery life is your first filter, the Stealth 600 sets the ceiling at 80 hours. The Cloud Alpha, the G PRO X and the Kaira give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.

  2. Extras that separate them

    The G PRO X: an aluminum fork and steel headband. The Stealth 600: a flip-to-mute mic. The Kaira: an Xbox pairing button and EQ control.

    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
    A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor
  3. Where your budget lands

    $50 to $100 buys the Kaira, the Cloud Alpha, the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and the G PRO X; $100 to $150 buys the Stealth 600 at our last check.

  4. Start from what matters most

    PC esports: the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed. No-charge setups: the Cloud Alpha. Streaming: the G PRO X.

    A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
    A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers
  5. 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 Sub-$100 Gaming Headset

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
PC esportsBlackShark V2 HyperSpeed70 hours on HyperSpeed
No-charge setupsCloud AlphaDual-chamber drivers
StreamingG PRO XBlue VO!CE with a USB sound card
Players who hate charging mid-weekStealth 600The longest battery life here (80 hours)
Xbox playersKairaXbox Wireless with 50mm drivers

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers

Key specs side by side

The Stealth 600 leads on battery life at 80 hours, ahead of the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed at 70 hours. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Cloud Alpha, the G PRO X and the Kaira leave the figure out.

HeadsetBattery lifeDriver sizeConnectionMicrophone
BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed70 hours50mmHyperSpeed 2.4GHz wirelessIncluded
Cloud AlphaNot listedNot listedWired 3.5mmDetachable, noise-cancelling
G PRO XNot listed50mmWired (USB sound card and 3.5mm)Detachable with Blue VO!CE
Stealth 60080 hours50mm2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5Flip-to-mute
KairaNot listed50mmXbox WirelessHyperClear cardioid

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The Kaira was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Stealth 600 the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierHeadsets
About $50 to $100Kaira, Cloud Alpha, BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed, G PRO X
About $100 to $150Stealth 600

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Stealth 600 ahead of the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed on battery life?

The Stealth 600 leads at 80 hours, with the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed at 70 hours. No battery life figure is published for the Cloud Alpha, the G PRO X and the Kaira, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.

Why is the G PRO X our Best Mic Filters pick?

It carries the badge for blue VO!CE with a USB sound card. It makes sense for streaming.

What extras do the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed and the Cloud Alpha include?

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed: TriForce Titanium drivers. The Cloud Alpha: dual-chamber drivers. The G PRO X: a USB external sound card with EQ profile storage.

Who should choose the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed?

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed carries our Best Wireless Pick label for 70 hours on HyperSpeed. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits PC esports.

Should I pick the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed or the Kaira?

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed suits PC esports; the Kaira suits xbox players.

Bottom Line

Razer's BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed is the wireless pick. HyperX's Cloud Alpha is the wired choice, and Razer's Kaira suits Xbox.

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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