Best Gaming Headsets Under $100
Wireless headsets with 80-hour batteries now cost under $100, and great wired ones cost $40–$60. Check platform support before you buy: not every model works with Xbox.
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Quick answer
Wireless headsets with 80-hour batteries now cost under $100, and great wired ones cost $40–$60. Check platform support before you buy: not every model works with Xbox. Best overall: Cherry XTRFY H3, $69.99. Best for Xbox and battery life: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3, $90. Best value: HyperX Cloud Stinger 2, $40.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Cherry XTRFY H3 | Best overall | $69.99–$99 |
| Best for Xbox and battery life | Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 | Best for Xbox and long battery life | About $90–$99 |
| Best value | HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 | Best value | About $40–$50 |
| Best for PC esports | Razer BlackShark V2 X | Best for PC esports | From $59.99 |
Prices for gaming headsets change often, so check the current price before buying.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Headset | Price | Connection | Platforms | Key spec | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry XTRFY H3 | $99 list; seen at $69.99 | Wireless | PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, Mac, phones (no Xbox) | 53mm drivers, detachable noise-canceling mic | Best overall |
| Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 | $99 list; seen at $89.97 | Wireless | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | 50mm drivers; up to 80 hr battery | Best for Xbox and long battery life |
| HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 | About $40–$50 | Wired | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | 50mm drivers | Best value |
| Turtle Beach Stealth 500 | $79 | Wireless (2.4GHz + Bluetooth) | Xbox or PlayStation versions | 8.28 oz (about 235 g) | Best cheap wireless headset |
| Razer BlackShark V2 X | From $59.99 | Wired | Multi-platform via 3.5mm | TriForce 50mm drivers, 240 g | Best for PC esports |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 | About $60 | Wired (3.5mm) | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mac, mobile | 253 g | Best for every platform |
The picks in detail
1. Cherry XTRFY H3
Best for: Best overallTom’s Guide’s[1][2] top cheap gaming headset is the wireless Cherry XTRFY H3, praised for comfort, spatial audio and a loud, clear detachable mic. It works with PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, Mac and phones, but there’s no Xbox version and no companion app for EQ. It lists at $99 and was $69.99 in Tom’s Guide’s deal widget.
Price (Oct 2026): $69.99–$99 Source
Pros
- Comfortable oversized earcups
- Spatial audio
- Works across most platforms
Cons
- No Xbox support
- No EQ app
2. Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
Best for: Best for Xbox and long battery lifeThe Stealth 600 Gen 3 works with PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch, uses 50mm Nanoclear drivers and is rated for up to 80 hours per charge. Tom’s Guide[1][2] liked its immersive sound and companion app but found the controls cluttered and some distortion at high volume. It lists at $99.
Price (Oct 2026): About $90–$99 Source
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery
- Xbox and PlayStation support
- AI noise-reduction mic
Cons
- Cluttered controls
- Distorts at high volume
3. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
Best for: Best valueTom’s Guide[1][2] calls the wired Cloud Stinger 2 its favorite cheap headset, citing punchy sound from 50mm drivers and long-session comfort at about $40. The build feels cheap and the mic sticks out awkwardly.
Price (Oct 2026): About $40–$50 Source
Pros
- Very low price
- Punchy, detailed sound
- Comfortable
Cons
- Plasticky build
- Mic design looks odd
4. Turtle Beach Stealth 500
Best for: Best cheap wireless headsetAt $79, the Stealth 500 connects over both a 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth and weighs just 8.28 ounces. Buy the Xbox or PlayStation version to match your console. Tom’s Guide[1][2] noted the earcups get warm and the controls are confusing.
Price (Oct 2026): $79 Source
Pros
- Wireless at $79
- Light
- Bluetooth plus 2.4GHz
Cons
- Earcups get warm
- Confusing controls
5. Razer BlackShark V2 X
Best for: Best for PC esportsRazer’s BlackShark V2 X is a light 240 g wired headset with TriForce 50mm drivers, a cardioid mic and 7.1 surround sound support. It starts at $59.99 on Razer’s US store.
Price (Oct 2026): From $59.99 Source
Pros
- Light 240 g
- Cardioid mic
- Good passive isolation
Cons
- Wired only
- 7.1 surround is software-based
6. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
Best for: Best for every platformThe Arctis Nova 1 uses a 3.5mm jack, so it works with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mac and phones. It weighs 253 g, and Tom’s Hardware[3] points to it as a cheaper alternative at about $60 with a retractable boom mic.
Price (Oct 2026): About $60 Source
Pros
- Works with anything with a 3.5mm jack
- Light and comfortable
- Retractable mic
Cons
- Analog only
- No wireless
Also considered
Sony Pulse 3D Wireless ($99) for PS5 3D audio. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless ($109), just over budget. HyperX Cloud III, around $100 when on sale.
Check platform support first
Wireless headsets often come in separate Xbox and PlayStation versions, and some (like the Cherry XTRFY H3) don’t support Xbox at all. Wired 3.5mm headsets work with almost anything. Streaming as well as playing? Pair your headset with a good camera from best webcams for streaming, and see best gaming laptops under $1,500. For music listening at your desk, consider open-back headphones plus a separate mic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gaming headset under $100?
Can you get a good wireless gaming headset under $100?
What is the cheapest good gaming headset?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Tom’s Guide: best cheap gaming headsets (tomsguide.com)
- Tom’s Guide: Cherry XTRFY H3 review (tomsguide.com)
- Tom’s Hardware: best gaming headsets (tomshardware.com)
- Razer: BlackShark V2 X (razer.com)
- SteelSeries: Arctis Nova 1 (steelseries.com)
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