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- Primary Subject: Best budget gaming headsets for casual and competitive play.
- Key Update: Detailed reviews of five top budget headsets with platform-specific recommendations added.
- Status: All five headsets are currently available to buy.
- Last Verified: 29 January, 2026
- Quick Answer: Top budget gaming headsets include RIG 400 GEN 2, Turtle Beach Stealth 500, and the Logitech G321, to name a few. The best pick for you depends on your needs and platform.
Gaming — especially at the competitive esports levels seen at the Six Invitational 2026 — can be an expensive business. The money on offer for winning actual tournaments can be huge, and that often correlates to the tech needed to keep up with the very best players being quite expensive.
Most of us, though, are not competing week in week out, so there's less of a need to completely drain your wallet for the very best gear, even if you're a highly skilled casual.
A lot of times, mid-tier and budget-friendly equipment will suffice, and if you buy wisely, your inexpensive tech might just outperform most of your competition.
And so, we come to this list — the best budget gaming headsets around. Based on collective user experience, reviews, and price — crucially, for this list — here are five of the best cheap sets on the market today.
Best headset overall
Best PS5 headset
Best Xbox headset
Best PC headset
Best mid-range headset
What Makes a Good Budget Gaming Headset?
There's no one "thing" that we can point to as an indicator of a headset being good or bad. Instead, there are multiple factors that all play a part in quality:
- Sound quality first: Clear audio with decent bass and good positional sound for games
- Comfort: Lightweight design, soft ear cushions, and a headband that won’t hurt after long sessions
- Mic quality: A noise-reducing mic so teammates can hear you clearly
- Build durability: Solid materials that won’t snap or wear out quickly
- Compatibility and value: Works for your gaming platform(s) and delivers strong features for the price
The five headsets described below tick most, if not all, of these boxes, and although some are categorized by gaming platform (PS5, Xbox, etc.), a lot of these headsets are cross-compatible.
However, having tried almost all of them out, I can personally attest to some being best for certain gaming platforms than others — stay tuned to find out more.
Why we chose the RIG 400 GEN 2
If you’re hunting for one of the best budget gaming headsets, no matter the console, then the RIG 400 GEN 2 from NACON is hard to ignore — especially at under $45.
While it’s technically a wired headset aimed at PlayStation players, it works across multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC, and mobile, thanks to its plug-and-play 3.5mm connection.
Having used it myself, the 400 GEN 2 genuinely surprised me with comfort and durability that feel well above its price. Lightweight at around 230g, sure, but it pairs memory foam earcups with a padded headband for long-lasting comfort. It also features a unique three-step clip-in sizing system that keeps adjustment simple, and the flip-to-mute boom mic is flexible, durable, and perfect for clear communication in multiplayer games.
Audio performance is solid for the price, with 40mm drivers delivering strong mids and accurate directional cues, although I will say the bass and treble don’t hit premium levels. That's a small price to pay, though, given its low cost.
Why we chose the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS
For PS5 players, the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS is a standout pick and one of the best budget headsets I've ever used.
Wired and plug-and-play, it works across PS5, PS4, PC, and mobile, while its graphene-coated 40mm drivers (a rarity in its price range) bring crisp, balanced sound with minimal distortion. The headset also supports PlayStation’s Tempest 3D AudioTech for a wider soundstage, letting you hear your environment with surprising clarity.
The R5 Spear PRO is also incredibly light, with memory foam padding, large earcups, and a smooth sliding adjustment system that helps keep it comfortable during long sessions.
Meanwhile, the flexible flip-to-mute mic ensures clear voice chat and excellent background noise rejection, which is yet another rare perk in a sub-$70 headset.
Overall, the RIG R5 Spear PRO HS delivers exceptional sound quality, a standout microphone, and all-day comfort without breaking the bank, making it a top choice for PS5 gamers.
Why we chose the Turtle Beach Stealth 500
Although there is also a PlayStation version available, we've picked the Xbox variant of the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 out as one of the best budget gaming headsets around for — well — Xbox users.
This well-reviewed and well-built headset features amplified 40mm drivers that, according to Turtle Beach, are capable of more powerful spatial audio than 40mm drivers are otherwise capable of. But if you're not completely happy with the sound, four Turtle Beach Audio EQ modes allow you to switch things up both on-the-fly and to suit whatever game you're playing.
The Stealth 500 is also a wireless headset, boasting two connection types: 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth 5.2. Fortunately, its 40-hour battery life and quick charging capabilities mean that, if you do use it wirelessly, you won't be without it long when it runs out of juice.
Elsewhere, you'll find an omnidirectional, flip-to-mute mic for clear callouts, plus an ultra-light build with a floating headband for maximum comfort and support, all without pressure points causing distraction on top of your head.
So, whether you go white or black with the color, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is sure to deliver great quality audio and sound at a very reasonable price.
Why we chose the Logitech G321
For PC gamers seeking one of the best budget wireless headsets, the Logitech G321 offers an appealing mix of comfort and versatility without breaking the bank.
Yes, rather uncommonly for a headset in this price bracket, it's fully wireless, featuring 2.4 GHz LIGHTSPEED and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity options. Therefore, it works exceptionally well with PC, but also consoles and mobile if you game across multiple platforms.
This one is seriously lightweight, too, weighing just 210g. It also features thick memory foam earcups with a padded headband for long-lasting comfort.
Adding to its build is its over-ear design, which provides decent passive noise isolation, while the headset’s simple, functional layout keeps volume and connection controls easy to reach mid-game.
Audio performance leans neutral, with 40mm drivers delivering clean mids and highs and smooth directional cues. Bass can distort at low frequencies, so it’s less suited for cinematic-heavy games, but overall, it provides dependable, balanced sound.
Finally, its flip-to-mute omnidirectional mic is effective at blocking background noise, though the clarity of it is a little average compared to more expensive sets. I would recommend it for more casual gameplay rather than ultra-competitive team matches, as a result.
Why we chose the OXS Storm A2
The OXS Storm A2 sits in the mid-to-budget price range, depending on where you look, meaning it only just sneaks onto this list. Still, it's worth highlighting, as it offers a sleek, understated design and a feature set that covers most modern gaming needs.
Comfort is solid, with plush leatherette earcups and a padded headband, though heat can build up during long sessions due to the snug fit. This isn't uncommon with an over-ear headset, though, and not something that should put you off when it has very handy, tactile on-board controls. From these, you can adjust volume, toggle ANC, and switch EQ modes without digging through software menus.
Moving on to the detachable boom mic, which is very, very strong for the price, providing natural voice capture with effective background noise reduction.
Audio performance is competent, too, with 40mm drivers delivering balanced sound, immersive surroundscapes in Xspace mode, and adequate positional cues for gaming. It also has ANC, as already touched on, to drown out distractions.
The final standout feature is the long battery life, with up to 70 hours of playback and play-while-charging support. With this combo, you can keep gaming long into the night if you really want to.
How We Test Gaming Headsets
When a headset is tested, its design and build quality, comfort and fit, audio quality, compatibility, connectivity, and gaming performance are all reviewed.
If relevant, battery life, mic performance, and customization options are also assessed, as well as any other unique features specific to individual samples.
If we are unable to review a headset, we evaluate user reviews against the competition. We also look at forums like Reddit to broaden the picture and gather more in-depth, real-world testing to determine if a potential top pick is worth featuring in a buying guide.
Final Thoughts
A great headset doesn’t have to cost a fortune, as this list proves. With these budget-friendly picks, you can enjoy clear audio, comfort, and solid performance without breaking the bank.
For more information about Rainbow Six Siege, the esports scene, and gaming setups, in general, stick with us here at Siege.gg.