🏆 In a hurry? Here’s our #1 pick:
What is the best gaming headphone under $100?
If you’re looking for a best, gaming headphone, our top rated pick is the SteelSeries Arctis 5.
If you’re a gamer, you know the importance of having reliable headphones. You need to be able to hear the squad and talk to them during the intense moments of your favorite games. Headphones don’t last forever regardless of how one pays for it so sometimes it’s better to keeps in the budget. This is why we’ve created this list of the best headphones for gaming that you can buy for under $100.Â
Whether you are looking for a gaming headset under 100 for Xbox One, PS4 or PC, we’ve got you covered!!
In this case, at least you don’t have to worry about the battery life!
What is the difference between gaming headphones and normal headphones?
The difference between a gaming headset and a regular headset is ridiculous— when it comes to gaming, gaming headphones offer a dramatically more immersive experience.
To fully enjoy and/or immerse yourself in a game, you need a headset with comfortable ear cushions, possibly with gel-infused padding, and some that have a high-quality audio experience with 50mm drivers and stereo surround sound. The noise-canceling microphone also needs to be easy to use so you can have a full gaming experience with your online teammates.
Some of our favorite wireless models are the Arctis 5, HyperX Cloud II, and Razer Kraken, but those often come with high prices for their high-tech virtual 7 1 surround sound, long battery life, and high-quality sound. The gaming experience matters and models like the Corsair Void, SteelSeries Arctis 3, and more offer the best wireless gaming with noise isolation.
After testing the best gaming headsets under 100, we’ve come up with this list. We’ve looked at several features like noise-canceling 7 1 surround sound and microphone sound quality, comfort, and padding, closed-back ergonomics, and wired vs. wireless.
Gaming Headphones Under $100 Review
Let’s take a look at our top choices for the best headphones for gaming that come in under 100 dollars.
SteelSeries Arctis 5
The SteelSeries Arctis 5, like the SteelSeries Arctis 3, lets you listen to your team and chat with them while it illuminates with RGG technology. You feel fully integrated into your game with the surround sound system and bidirectional boom microphone encompassing noise-canceling microphone technology. SteelSeries upped their game with the release of this Arctis 5 gaming headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 headsets have memory foam cushions with air-weave padding. The adjustable headband is incredibly comfortable with added padding, too. The padding is similar to what manufacturers use with ski goggles. You can game all day and not get tired of wearing your headphones.
This high-quality gaming headset is wired, but that won’t stop you from having an epic experience with quality frequency response with your squad. There are different wireless headphones for Xbox and Nintendo Switch platforms.
The Arctis 5 and other SteelSeries headphones products have been on the market for several years, and you can tell with the stylish, functional, and durable design of the headset. These gaming headsets under 100 look like they are built to last with an actual audio experience, unlike other flimsy plastic brands.
Pros:
• Durable design
• Flexible 3 5mm wire
• Noise cancelling microphone
For use with PC, PS4
• 50mm Neodymium Drivers
Cons:
• Wired
• Not the newest SteelSeries model
BENGOO G9000 Stereo Gaming Headset
It’s a fun headset that lights up and provides comfort with good surround sound quality. We also really liked that this headset has a low price despite the top audio drivers in the earpieces. T…
It’s a fun headset that lights up and provides comfort with good surround sound quality. We also really liked that this headset has a low price despite the top audio drivers in the earpieces. This headset rivals the more expensive favorites like the Razer Kraken and HyperX Cloud II.
The headset ear covers had plush memory foam and were almost entirely noise-canceling, too. We liked the audio, as it sounded realistic with good bass and treble.
The plug is gold-plated to reduce feedback and other sound issues. We liked being able to control the volume with the wheel to listen to people around us, not just our gaming teammates. BENGOO also included a separate cord for the LED lights because there were times when we just wanted to play, not have unnecessary lights in our peripheral vision.
While we’re fans of wireless headsets, this headset is one of the best, even with the 49-inch wire that came in the box. We’re calling these headphones a top choice for PS4 players, but they will work with any console you choose, including tablets, mobile phones, laptops, and other gaming platforms. The faux leather earcups kept us from getting sweaty, even on epic gaming sessions.
The microphone sent our voices clearly to our teammates. The mic is on a long, adjustable piece that attaches to the left side of the headset. We could move the mic piece up and down to get it out of the way when we needed to talk to people around us.
Like the Turtle Beach headset, we also did not like the cheap plastic that BENGOO made. We worried about the microphone breaking if we dropped the headset. But for gaming headsets under 100, we recognized that the manufacturer had to reduce quality somewhere.
Pros:
• Long 49-inch wire in the box
• Comfortable, noise-canceling ear cups
• LED lights that enhance gameplay
• Works with most gaming consoles and electronic devices
Cons:
• Wired
• Lights can become a nuisance
RUNMUS K8 Gaming Headset
We want a gaming headset that is comfortable with good noise-canceling sound quality. The RUNMUS K8 Gaming Headset with Surround Sound fit the bill. This headset only weighs 12 ounces, so your neck doesn’t get tired during those long gaming …
We want a gaming headset that is comfortable with good noise-canceling sound quality. The RUNMUS K8 Gaming Headset with Surround Sound fit the bill. This headset only weighs 12 ounces, so your neck doesn’t get tired during those long gaming sessions.
This headset has an affordable price, and with the standard audio cable, it works with all gaming platforms as well as with PCs, tablets, and smartphones. You might need an adaptor for some platforms, especially if you use an Apple device.
What separates this headset from the others is the quality of the components. For example, the audio cord isn’t made of the typical plastic. Instead, the audio wires are covered with a flexible, knitted 3.5 mm audio cable. The microphone also has an adjustable arm rather than a stiff, plastic one. We also like the quality of the 50mm drivers with virtual 7 1 Surround Sound in the earpieces.
One of the best features of the RUNMUS headset is the padded headband. Many headsets are hard plastic without any comfort features. The padding on the inside of the headband makes these comfortable to wear. RUNMUS also put plenty of memory foam padding on the ear cups. You can wear this headset for the longest gaming sessions.
The microphone is very sensitive, but it comes with a noise-canceling 360-degree filter. This lets your gaming mates only hear you, not your pets or your family members when they interrupt you in the middle of a colossal battle. As long as your internet connection is strong, the RUNMUS mic sends your voice in real-time without any irritating delay.
The balanced bass and treble of the audio drivers sound good in the earpieces. When you need to adjust the volume, use the dial control. This headset also has fun LED lights on the outside of the earpieces. You can plug in the USB cord to get the lights to pop with the action in your game.
Pros:
• Low price
• Balanced audio drivers
• Noise-canceling mic and ear cups
• Durable cords and boom mic
• LED game lights
Cons:
• Need USB cord for game lights
• LED game lights can be distracting
HyperX Cloud Headset
If you do not want to spend over $100 for the Hyperx Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset, you can get the next best thing – the HyperX Cloud headset is officially licensed for your PS4. T…
If you do not want to spend over $100 for the Hyperx Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset, you can get the next best thing – the HyperX Cloud headset is officially licensed for your PS4. This gaming headset under 100 is approved by Sony for use with the PS4, so you know you are getting good gaming headphones with quality frequency response.
To connect to your PS4, plug in the 3 5mm jack in your controller and start playing and interacting with your team. It has stereo sound 53mm drivers with outstanding bass, mids, and treble tones. The noise-canceling earpieces show the superiority of the HyperX Cloud brand. The speakers sound good, and the earpieces have plush memory foam for outstanding comfort.
The ear cushions have a closed-back design, so you can entirely focus on your team. The detachable microphone allows you just to listen when watching videos or other people play. When the boom mic is on, your voice comes through crystal clear to your teammates.
While this isn’t the best HyperX Cloud gaming headset, it’s almost as good as the HyperX Cloud Stinger, but for a much lower price. It has the trademark comfort that all HyperX models have, and it is Discord certified so that you can show off your skills on the social media site.
The HyperX Cloud brand has outstanding features like the durable aluminum frame and flexible, braided cables, and an inline audio control box. You really get the feeling that this gaming headset is built to last, as even the inline audio controls feel well-built and durable.
We liked everything about these gaming headsets under 100, especially the price. The only thing that could be improved is having a mute button for the boom mic, but this is a convenience that we can overlook. We also wish the headband has memory foam, but we know that gamers who want to pay a budget price get a budget headset.
Pros:
• Aluminum frame
• 53 drivers for outstanding sound
• Braided cords
• Detachable mic
Cons:
• No mute button
• No memory foam in the headband
• Budget-priced headphones without upgraded features
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless
It’s a good gaming headset for players who want an Xbox-specific headset. We appreciate being able to connect to the Xbox One instantly. We also enjoyed being able to move around without worrying a…
It’s a good gaming headset for players who want an Xbox-specific headset. We appreciate being able to connect to the Xbox One instantly. We also enjoyed being able to move around without worrying about your gaming headset wires getting tangled.
The surround sound quality and speaker drivers on the Turtle Beach headset were balanced, with a decent amount of bass. With this headset, the explosive bass sounds realistic, there’s no distortion and gunfire had the right amount of treble.
We also liked that the Turtle Beach headset blocked almost all background noise, mostly when we were in the quieter moments of our favorite games. While in the game, the crew never complained about not being able to hear us. The microphone was clear enough and did not hiss or crackle when talking to the mates, even when we were yelling amid heated struggle.
This headset is comfortable, with memory foam earpads that won’t pinch your ears. Even with the padding, your ears should stay cool and not get overheated during a long gaming session. We also liked that the headset’s headband was fully adjustable.
The only thing we didn’t like about the Turtle Beach headset was the look. Yes, they have a simple style in black with green accents, but we thought they looked a bit cheap, especially when compared to a few other brands.
Pros:
• Comfortable and adjustable
• Balanced bass and treble
• Ears stayed cool
• Quality microphone
Cons:
• Cheap plastic look
• Large ear covers
Looking for decent headphones for running? Here’s our complete review guide to The 8 Best Wireless Headphones for Running.
What is the Best Gaming Headset Under 100?
After reviewing different headsets for almost a week, we had to pick SteelSeries Arctis 5 as our pick for the best headset for gaming under 100. With the speakers offering crystal clear, virtual 71 surround sound, and a 3.5mm wires, and a custom-tuned boom microphone the SteelSeries Arctis 5 is one of the best gaming headphones out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that we came across while putting together this review:
If you have a gaming headphone, it can give you a significant advantage over your opponent, and not having one can make it difficult for you to compete with those gamers that do have a gaming headset.Â
For instance, with a gaming headset, you can tell from footsteps where the other guy is coming—now you can hear footsteps with a regular headset as well but most ordinary headphones don’t offer surround-sound and because of that, you can never really pinpoint which direction the enemy is coming from, which can be quite frustrating.Â
Gaming headphones are designed to offer clear, balanced sound and can be worn for long periods of time without feeling any discomfort.
Noise cancellation means fewer distractions which, if you’re a gamer, you’d know can be a huge problem from time to time. Fewer distractions also mean a more immersive experience—it helps you converge your attention to a considerable degree and as a result, you perform better.
The first thing you’d want to consider is your platform (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, etc.), you’d need to make sure that the headset you’re buying is designed for your platform or at least compatible with it.Â
The next thing after that would be sound quality—sound quality to a great extent depends on the driver diameter or driver size or the size of the diaphragm; the larger the driver diameter, the better the sound quality and extra points, if it offers noise-cancellation.
You’d also want to take into the equation the quality of the microphone. It’s not news that when it comes to gaming, a quality microphone goes a long way—you’d want to make sure that when you talk into it, it only catches what you’re saying and not any noises from the surroundings, your teammates will thank you for it. Unnecessary noises, as you might be aware, can quite bothersome when the going gets tough.Â
Finally comfort—and this is something not often talked about but you’d also want to consider how comfortable the gaming headset you’re buying really is. Wear poorly designed headphones for an hour and you’d be massaging your ears for the next two so you’d want to make sure that the headphones are the right fit for your ears and/or are designed to be worn for hours on end.
Not all gaming headphones are noise cancelling, however, most of them do offer noise cancellation with the microphone. This allows the mic to cancel out all sounds except your voice.