Best Gaming Headset Under $50– Buyer’s Guide


Being in the middle of a team-based game and losing because of the headset’s bad quality is a nightmare to all gamers. We all know that playing with a high-quality gaming headset makes all the difference in the world. 

Luckily, a good gaming headset shouldn’t necessarily break the bank. You can get an excellent one at a reasonable price point. Yet, there are certain factors to consider, and I’ve compiled most of them in the buying guide below. 

Most importantly, you’ll find some of the best gaming headsets under $50 in this article with a detailed review stating their pros and cons, hoping you choose the one that is best for your needs.

Top 6 Gaming Headset Under $50 (Comparison Table)

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Budget Pick
SADES SA902
SADES SA902
  • Driver Size : 40mm
  • Connection Type : USB 
  • Compatible with : PC, PS4 Console, and MAC
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: Yes 
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Best Microphone
HyperX Cloud Stinger
HyperX Cloud Stinger
  • Driver Size : 50mm
  • Connection Type : 3.5mm
  • Compatible with : PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Mobile Devices
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: Yes 
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Most Lightweight
Turtle Beach Recon 70
Turtle Beach Recon 70
  • Driver Size : 40mm
  • Connection Type : 3.5mm
  • Compatible with : PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: No 
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Best for Xbox One
LVL50 Wired Stereo
LVL50 Wired Stereo
  • Driver Size : 50mm
  • Connection Type : 3.5mm
  • Compatible with : Xbox One
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: Yes 
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Detachable Microphone
SteelSeries Arctis 1
SteelSeries Arctis 1
  • Driver Size : 40mm
  • Connection Type : 4-pole 3.5mm,  Dual 3.5mm PC extension
  • Compatible with : Xbox One, Mac OS X, Nintendo Switch, Windows 7, PlayStation 4
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: No 
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Best for Casual Gaming Sessions
Razer Kraken X 7.1
Razer Kraken X 7.1
  • Driver Size : 40mm
  • Connection Type : 3.5mm
  • Compatible with : PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile, PC
  • Noise-Canceling Mic: No 
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The 6 Best Gaming Headset Under $50 in 2022

1#. SADES SA902 – Budget Pick

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This is the current price of these SADES Newest SA902 7.1 USB Gaming Headset available at Amazon .

SADES SA902 is the best gaming headset for anyone on a budget. It has most of the features that are usually found in more expensive sets. 

This lovely set comes with comfortable ear cups made of ventilated protein material, allowing for incredible breathability. This means that no matter how long you wear them, you won’t suffer from your ears turning red hot.  

The set fits all head shapes because its headband has four levels of adjustment, so it’s highly flexible. Plus, its protein leather material makes it very durable. 

I didn’t think that I’d find a mic in such a cheap gaming headset, yet I found an omnidirectional one! This means that it picks sounds from all directions, so it will pick your sound from the front, back, right, and left with equal gain. 

What’s more, the microphone is quite flexible, allowing you to fold it up if you don’t want to use it. An extra-impressive feature is the noise cancellation quality of the mic, which means that your teammates will hear you loud and clear no matter how noisy the environment you’re in. 

Another considerate gesture from the manufacturers is the in-line control on the cable, which allows you to quickly adjust the sound levels of the mic and the headphones instead of having to pause the game to go to the main menu and the settings. 

With Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound, you’ll enjoy an immersive gaming experience. Besides, the sound quality is quite acceptable with two 40mm speakers and a 20Hz to 20KHz frequency response range. 

SADES SA902 uses a standard USB connection, so it’s highly compatible with any device with a USB port. To illustrate, it’s compatible with PCs, but you must have Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista computers. It’s also compatible with PS4 Console and MAC. 

However, note that MAC supports media playing and microphone, but doesn’t support 7.1 sound effects. Also note that it won’t connect to Xbox One and that you must install a particular software found on Sade’s website to activate the 7.1 surround sound. 

Check out our guide to best rainbow six siege headsets.

Pros:

  • Impressive price point 
  • Durable 
  • Wide compatibility
  • Omnidirectional mic
  • Features LED lights 
  • Highly adjustable 4-piece headband with foldable mic

Cons:

  • Not compatible with XBOX One
  • 7.1 surround sound needs software installation

Bottom Line 

If you want to buy an excellent headset for gaming without breaking the bank, go for SADES SA902 without a doubt. It comes with a noise-canceling inline-mic, comfortable earpad, adjustable headband, and is highly compatible. 

Click here to buy these SADES Newest SA902 7.1 USB Gaming Headset Monitoravailable at Amazon .

2#. HyperX Cloud Stinger – Best Microphone 

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This is the current price of these HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset available at Amazon .

The feature I like the most in HyperX Cloud Stinger is its microphone. If you’re in the middle of a heated game and want to mute the mic, you just need to swivel it. Besides, the mic features excellent noise isolation, which filters any background noises, so you can speak with your teammates even if you’re in a noisy environment.  

What’s more, I can confidently say that this gaming headset is one of the most comfortable sets at this price range. It’s soft padding, large ear cups that don’t fall off, and 9.7-ounce weight make them great for gaming marathons. 

Another comfort-providing features are the ear cups that can rotate up to 90 degrees, allowing for extreme comfort and the volume control on the ear cup that allows you to control the volume easily. 

Also, the on-ear audio control is pretty easy to use because it is an intuitive slider. And the wire ends in a splitter for headphones and mic. You don’t even need a USB pass-through.

The sound quality is impressive and immersive, thanks to the 50mm directional drivers, 7.1 Dolby Surround audio type, and 18Hz to 23KHz that help make the sound clear and precise. 

You can connect the 3.5mm stereo plug to whichever device you need, and it will most likely get connected because HyperX Cloud Stinger is compatible with PS4, PC, Xbox One, Wii U, and mobile devices.  

Pros:

  • Excellent sound quality 
  • Noise-isolating mic 
  • Swiveling ear cups and mic
  • Wide compatibility 
  • Comfortable 
  • 7.1 Dolby Surround sound 

Cons:

  • Not as durable as expected 

Bottom Line 

HyperX Cloud Stinger is the most comfortable gaming headset with many attractive features, including swiveling ear cups, a noise-canceling microphone, and compatibility with a wide platform. 

In case you want to invest in a bit more expensive monitor, check out the following guides:

Click here to buy these HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset available at Amazon .

Best gaming headset under $100.

3#. Turtle Beach Recon 70 – Most Lightweight 

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This is the current price of these Turtle Beach Recon 70 Gaming Headset available at Amazon .

Weighing 3.03 ounces, Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very comfortable to wear for long periods. Besides, the ear pads are made of synthetic leather, adding more comfort. Note, though, that this headset might not be very comfortable for glass wearers due to its small ear cups and stiff leatherette.

Even though the headset is made of hard plastic with a textured exterior, it’s very rigid and doesn’t creak. Plus, you’ll enjoy the secure fit of the headband. Aside from being sturdy, it’s also flexible and fits all head shapes, thanks to the hinges connected to the outside of the headphones, allowing for a certain tilt. 

Moreover, if you want to pack the headset in a bag, you can easily do that without breaking it because there’s another swiveling hinge that lets the set lay flat.  

It connects via a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it’s pretty easy to use. Fortunately, it’s compatible with Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. But you have to keep in mind that it is more suitable for console games rather than PCs because of its short cable that is only 48 inches long. 

The microphone on this set is incredibly accurate. Something I like about it is that it mutes when you flip it up, given that it swivels up to 90 degrees. Yet, its quiet sound is its only drawback. So, if the chat service does not have automatic adjustment gain, you might need to make some adjustments. 

The sound quality is quite good, but the main drawback is that the mic doesn’t isolate sounds because the ear pads are skinny. If you need this for one-person games, it will work significantly. However, I don’t recommend it for team-based games. 

Pros:

  • Widely compatible with many devices 
  • Comes with a mic that swivels
  • Durable 

Cons:

  • Not comfortable for people with glasses 
  • Short cable 
  • Not the best for PC games 

Bottom Line 

I recommend Turtle Beach Recon 70 for non-glass-wearers looking for a very comfortable and light headset. It’s also pretty durable and has a swiveling mic. Yet, it is more suitable for one-player games because there is no noise isolation. 

Check out our list for the best headsets for turtle beach.

4#. LVL50 Wired Stereo – Best for Xbox One

Microsoft has officially licensed LVL50 Wired Stereo for Xbox One, which means that it meets first-party quality standards.

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This is the current price of these Razer Kraken X 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset available at Amazon .

The microphone is one of its appealing features, as it has no mic-mute button. Instead, you can quickly mute it if you rotate the boom backup and activate it when you pull it down. However, some players might not like this feature because it demands you get one hand off the console, and that isn’t nice if you’re in the middle of a heated multiplayer match. 

Sadly, this headset is not as comfortable as anyone would hope because of the rigid arms that hold the earcups, so the headset doesn’t swivel or conform to your ear shape. Plus, it can’t be folded flat for transportation. However, the ear cups are covered with foam, so they are comfortable even for glass-wearers. 

Thanks to the single 3.5 mm audio jack, it connects to PS4, Xbox One, Switch, mobile and PC. And it strikes an excellent balance between the pumping synth soundtrack, the over-the-top dialogue, and the futuristic sound effects. 

The sound quality is not the best at this price range because it favors midrange frequencies. This way, the vocals, and dialogues are highlighted at the expense of the music. 

Pros:

  • Excellent for Xbox One
  • Nice sound quality for games 
  • Comfortable 

Cons:

  • Heavy
  • No swiveling 
  • Puts some pressure on the back of the ears   

Bottom Line 

If you’ll use the headset mainly for Xbox One, I recommend LVL50 Wired Stereo as Microsoft licenses it. Besides, they are comfortable and can be connected to many devices. 

5#. SteelSeries Arctis 1 – Detachable Microphone

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This is the current price of these PDP Gaming LVL50 Wired Headset available at Amazon .

SteelSeries Arctis 1 is one of the best gaming headsets with a detachable microphone, so you can use it for listening to music while commuting, for example, and not just for gaming. It also includes a volume dial and a mute mic button on the left ear cup.

However, the mic doesn’t have good noise isolation, so it picks up any surrounding sounds. This makes this headset good for online games only if your environment isn’t too noisy. If it’s loud and you want to go online, you can just mute the mic when not in use. 

While the design is simple and plain, the headset is pretty big, so you’ll have to make a lot of adjustments for it to fit your head without feeling like it’ll slip off. Despite this, SteelSeries Arctis 1 is incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Plus, the foam padding around the ear pads elevates all the pressure even for glass-wearers. 

This headset connects via a 3.5mm audio jack, so you can easily use it for PC gaming and with your Switch, while you’re on the road. The cable is a bit longer than usual (3m), yet I don’t see it as an issue. I find it very useful, given that you can walk with the headset on with no problems. 

Besides, it is pretty compatible, as you can use it with Xbox One, Mac OS X, Nintendo Switch, Windows 7, and PlayStation 4. 

Sadly, there isn’t an in-line mic, which means that the set can’t be used for making phone calls when you remove the boom mic. 

Pros:

  • Detachable mic 
  • Long cable 
  • Wide compatibility with many devices 
  • Can be used as regular headphones 
  • Very comfortable 

Cons:

  • Lacks an in-line mic 
  • Bad noise-isolation 

Bottom Line 

SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the perfect headset that can also be used as a pair of headphones, thanks to its removable mic. Plus, it’s pretty comfy and connects to many devices. However, it’s not for noisy environments.

6#. Razer Kraken X 7.1 – Best for Casual Gaming Sessions 

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This is the current price of these SteelSeries Arctis 1 Headset Gaming Monitors available at Amazon .

If you’re still a beginner or enjoy short and casual gaming sessions, I recommend you go for Razer Kraken X 7.1, for it’s not suitable for gaming marathons, for example. 

This can also be attributed to the fact that it doesn’t allow for the needed airflow, so your ears will get hotter the more you wear the headset. Consequently, I don’t recommend it for exercising. 

Moreover, this set is not the best for those who want to play team-based games in noisy environments because the mic has no active noise cancellation, so your teammates may not clearly hear what you’re telling them.  

At 8.8 ounces, this set is pretty lightweight, so it doesn’t put much pressure on your head. Plus, the headband padding and thick ear cup padding allow the pressure to be distributed around your ears. However, the design is a bit bulky. 

Unfortunately, it is made of cheap plastic, so they are prone to snap if not handled with care. Also, the cable is not detachable, which means that if it suffered any damages, you’d need to buy a new headset. 

You needn’t worry about compatibility because you can connect Razer Kraken X 7.1 with consoles, Switch, mobile devices, PS4, Xbox One, and PCs via its 3.5mm plug. 

Pros:

  • Wide compatibility 
  • Comfortable 
  • Lightweight 

Cons:

  • The mic isn’t removable 
  • No carrying case 
  • No flat swiveling 
  • No noise-isolation 
  • Low-quality music performance 

Bottom Line 

Razer Kraken X 7.1 is suitable for casual gamers because it’s pretty comfortable, features a high-quality mic, and is compatible with various devices. 

How to Pick a Budget Headset? 

There are certain features you won’t find on gaming headsets that cost 50 dollars or less. Yet, you must know the features that are a must-have and the features that you can do without. In this buying guide, I’ve compiled a list explaining all of this. 

1. Connectivity

If you need a gaming headset with Bluetooth connectivity, you must be ready to pay more than $50. That said, note that you won’t find a high-quality headset with Bluetooth at such a low price point. 

2. Compatibility 

The lack of Bluetooth does not mean that the gaming headset won’t be as compatible as you hope. Most of them have a 3.5mm jack, which enables them to connect to PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC. So, they are basically compatible with everything. 

However, take care that some headsets need a USB to connect with PS4 and PC, so steer away from those.  

3. Comfort 

You must make sure that the gaming headset is comfortable enough for you to wear for extended periods daily. 

Buying a lightweight headset is a game-changer, for it reduces the strain and pressure on your head. Besides, you must get one with comfortable earcups. There aren’t many cheap headsets with comfortable-enough ear cups because most of them are either made of faux leather or soft fabric. 

Those made of faux leather are very comfy and don’t allow sound to leak, but they don’t allow for air circulation, so your ears will become hot over time. 

On the other hand, those made of soft fabric are more suitable for long periods because they are extra light. Yet, they allow for some sound leakage, so you won’t get immersed in the game. 

4. Microphone Quality 

With team-based games becoming more and more popular, missing something your team says can change the game’s score. For this reason, I recommend you buy a headset with a high-quality microphone. 

It’s always nice to have a headset whose mic can swivel or retract. This way, it won’t always be in front of your mouth when you decide to take a break. 

Another critical feature to consider is the extent of noise isolation your mic has. It’s crucial to buy one that can filter any background noise to ensure that the team will hear you regardless of the environment you’re in. 

5. Driver

You might think that the driver’s size (that is the diameter of the speakers pointed to your ears) doesn’t matter, but it does. The bigger they are, the better the sound quality. Generally, most drivers range between 30 to 53 mm. 

6. Controls 

Having controls on the headset itself can be a lifesaver. Instead of having to go to the main menu to control the audio, you can click on the buttons on the headset in a second without losing your focus or missing any valuable time. 

Final Thoughts  

Hopefully, you’ve understood how to choose the best gaming headset under $50 after reading this article. If you’re still confused, allow me to help you a bit more by highlighting some products.

If you’re looking for an excellent headset that definitely won’t break the bank, go for the impressive SADES SA902. It’s the only headset whose headband has four pieces, so you can adjust it easily until you find the perfect fit. Plus, its omnidirectional mic has an excellent noise-isolating, so you can use it regardless of how loud the environment is.

If you’re looking for the best microphone, I recommend  HyperX Cloud Stinger. You can swivel the mic to mute it, and it has nice noise isolation, so it filters all background noises. Besides, it’s very comfortable even if you wear it for a long time.

The most suitable headset for Xbox One is  LVL50 Wired Stereo, for it’s licensed from Microsoft. What’s more, the microphone can be muted if you simply pull it up.

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