Gamers frequently underestimate the importance of having good audio for their gaming experience. It more often than not becomes an afterthought when it comes to the buying process. Gamers usually don’t prioritize it and put whatever money is left after they get all the hardware and the games to pay for the audio. If you are getting headsets then there are some things you need to keep in mind to get the best audio experience. We’ve compiled information about what you should be looking for and the best gaming headsets under $100, read below!
HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset
This one has dual chamber drivers for a more distinct sound and to reduce distortion. It has a high impedance of 65 ohm which means you can run it with an amplifier without fear of blowing them out. It has a dual aluminum frame with an expandable headband to fit a wide variety of head sizes. It has a detachable audio cable so this one is highly recommended.
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HyperX Cloud Alpha - Gaming Headset, Dual Chamber Drivers, Legendary Comfort, Aluminum Frame,... | View Prices |
Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless Gaming Headset
If you are looking for a wireless headset then this one is a great choice. It has a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 KHz which is the entire range of the audible audio for the human ear. It has a 50mm neodymium speaker driver which offer a wide range and accuracy. It works upto a 40 ft audio range and has a 16 hour battery life for the extended gaming sessions.
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CORSAIR Void PRO RGB Wireless Gaming Headset - Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound Headphones for PC - Discord... | View Prices |
SADES Gaming Headset
This one is very affordable compared to the other ones on this list. It has a high precision 50mm driver for vivid clear sound and immersive pleasure. The mic position is adjustable to best pick up your voice. The headset cups over the head comfortably and fully for noise isolation. The braided cable has an inbuilt microphone mute switch and volume control.
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SADES Gaming Headset for New Xbox One, PS4, PC, Noise Reduction Game Earphone, Bass Surround... | View Prices |
Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset
This one from Logitech is a great middle of the road option. It has patent pending Pro G Drivers that offer 7.1 surround sound. It has a range of around 15 m and a 15 hour replaceable battery. The all black design is classy with different matte and glossy surfaces.
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Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset – DTS 7.1 Surround Sound – Pro-G Audio Drivers, Black | View Prices |
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset
On the higher end in this price range, we have this option that has support for Windows Sonic Surround Sound. It has powerful 50 millimeter speakers to deliver crisp highs and deep lows. It has special glasses-friendly comfort ear cushions which removes the pressure on the gamers who use them. The black design with green accents and logo is very muted and appealing.
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Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Xbox One | View Prices |
SteelSeries Arctis 5
This one is discord certified with a clearcast microphone that delivers studio quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation. It has DTS Headphone: X v2.0 surround sound which is a standard made exclusively for headsets to deliver great sound spatial audio.
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SteelSeries Arctis 5 - RGB Illuminated Gaming Headset with DTS Headphone: X v2.0 Surround - for PC... | View Prices |
Things to Consider Before Buying Gaming Headsets
Ergonomics
Things to think about when it comes to ergonomics are how snugly the headset fits, the noise isolation it provides, the build quality of the device and the general looks. A gaming headset is going to be used for extended, sometimes 10-12 hour, gaming sessions (you know who you are). The headset primarily has to be comfortable for use over a long time. It should not get uncomfortable and the audio quality should be clear enough to not hurt your ears.
There should be enough isolation to block out ambient sounds so that you can concentrate on your game. The thickness of the padding and the tightness of the fit determine how much sound is blocked. On the other hand, too much of a good thing can become uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time giving rise to sweat that builds up within the inner padding. When buying online this can be tricky because you don’t get to try it out yourself. In this case, trust the product reviews.
When in doubt, go for devices with adjustable frames and settings. That way even if the default configuration doesn’t fit you have some adjustable leeway to make it suit your head and comfort level.
If someone complains about frayed cables or loose connectors in the reviews then that one should be avoided because the build quality is questionable. Often headsets break at an innocuous point of failure like the jack or cable. The body of the headset that holds the sound equipment is often fine and durable. It is these small things that matter. It is preferred to get one with a removable cable. That way, in case of a bad wire, you can just replace it without having to buy an entirely new headset
When it comes to looks, everyone has their own preference. You can go for something with a muted style if you are going to use the headset in public places. If you like to show off, go crazy and pick something with a kickass color scheme.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, at this price point, you need to worry about whether it has surround sound and whether it has a good mic.
When it comes to the actual sound drivers present within the headset, a 50mm driver is standard in this price range. If you want to save money, you can get something cheaper that doesn’t specify the details of the driver. A headset that hides that information is mostly not going to give you the best sound quality. Advertisers will generally jump on the most marketable features and talk about them in the product description. If they are not specifying the technical details, then the product is not great to begin with but usually can be had for cheaper.
If you are playing team esports then it is essential that you have support for spatial audio so you know where the bullets are coming from. This doesn’t apply to all games as MOBAs and strategy games like starcraft don’t need that level of fidelity. In that case you can skimp and get a cheaper one without losing a tactical advantage in your game.
Surround sound is often confused with 3D sound which is binaural sound which is a whole different beast where you can tell how far away a target is based on the strength of their sound. Not all games have support for it and you can’t find support for that in the sub $100 price range.
You also need to clearly hear your teammates and should be able to command them through a proper mic. The mic should ideally have background noise cancellation.
You cannot expect active noise cancellation in this price range. It would be a great-to-have feature but is unfortunately reserved for the most high end headsets.
Wireless Headphones
If you are going wireless make sure they have a good battery life as you don’t want to run out of juice in the middle of a match. The range at which the wireless works is also important. It should support at least 10 feet of distance between the wearer and the dongle.
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