5 Affordable Wireless Headsets You Can Use For Gaming And Music
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No matter the price, having a pair of headphones that work well for gaming and music can be ideal if you're the type that loves to jam after a long gaming session. BGR is certainly no stranger to wired gaming headphones with strong audio, but plenty of wireless options exist that won't feel like your bank account is under attack. With a focus on affordability, we've narrowed down five wireless headsets that work well for gaming or listening to music.
We scoured the web to see what real Amazon users have to say about these products, and we did our best to stay within budget while still finding wireless headphones that serve multiple purposes. From multi-channel options from brands like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach, we also found offerings from familiar names like Sony and Logitech that won't break the bank. Users should double-check compatibility, though many of these models work across multiple platforms, including offerings from HyperX.
Along with options for different consoles and platforms, many of these devices also include features suitable for both gaming and music, such as 3D Spatial Sound. While audiophiles may go for more expensive options when swearing by gaming headphones, many on this list are a great starting point for users who want the best of both audio worlds. Some of these can also be good for movies, for those who want a little bit of everything from their headphones.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X
The origins of SteelSeries as a company started with gamers, as the Denmark-based brand got its start developing the world's first glass surface designed for gaming, and it certainly helped that founder Jacob Wolff-Petersen was an avid "CounterStrike" player. However, what really makes the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Gaming Headset worthy of our list is this set's ability to be cross-platform between Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Meta Quest, Nintendo Switch, and even tablets or smartphones thanks to the included USB-C dongle.
Promising a detailed soundscape thanks to the over-ear headphones' 36-ohm neodymium magnetic drivers, SteelSeries boasts that the Nova's companion app comes with audio presets for over 100 gaming titles, including "Grand Theft Auto 5," "Call of Duty," "FIFA," and more. Users can also access numerous controls directly from the on-ear controls, including making volume adjustments and switching between Bluetooth 2.4GHz and 5.3GHz channels for both music and calls. Interested parties can learn more about this headset through the deep dive we did back in May 2024, but the headset is also well-reviewed amongst customers.
Holding a 4.1-star rating on Amazon with over 1,170 reviews, customers give these headphones points for their advertised 60 hours of battery life (with USB-C fast charging giving six hours of life in 15 minutes) while also appreciating the device's overall sound quality. However, customers do seem split on the available noise cancellation features, with some saying it works well, though one customer complains that noise bleeds through the included microphone. Nonetheless, several say it can be a good budget headset.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700
The Amazon's Choice Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless Gaming Headset caught the attention of at least one customer through the retailer, who gave the headset high marks for its crisp highs and balanced mids, while others also agree it works well for in-game sound effects or jamming some tunes. Of course, the Stealth 700 also offers cross-platform support, working with Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Steam Deck, and mobile thanks to its dual USB wireless transmitters (supporting Bluetooth 2.4GHz and 5.2).
With 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, the Stealth 700 supports Spatial Audio for an immersive experience, and its memory-foam cushioning is also friendly for those who wear glasses. Through the included Swarm II app, users can access equalizer presets or make their own adjustments with the 10-band EQ, and they can also map the device's wheel or mode button. Users can expect around 80 hours of battery life with this headset (with quick charging), and Turtle Beach touts a week of gameplay on a single charge.
Though sound quality contributes to the over 3,830 reviews giving this headset a 4.0-star rating, some users find the headphones lacking, with at least one user noting the headset fell apart after prolonged use. However, several users do note they can be solid for the price. For what it's worth, another Turtle Beach Stealth headset also made our list of good finds for gamers at Sam's Club.
HyperX Cloud III S
Experts found one pair of in-ear HyperX headphones to be among the best available in 2024. The Amazon's Choice HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset made our list for its wide compatibility (PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Mac, mobile, and Nintendo Switch) and promises up to 120 hours of gaming on a 2.4GHz connection or up to 200 hours in Bluetooth Mode. OMEN gaming laptop users can also use the device's Instant Pair option to connect without a dongle.
Touting angled 53mm drivers tuned by the company's audio engineers specifically for entertainment, these headphones also offer Spatial Audio support alongside a 20kHz frequency response. Features like these likely led one customer to say the mids and highs come through clearly, while the Cloud III can still deliver punchy bass. Along with gaming and music, the reviewer also found the headphones suitable for movies.
Users also give these headphones points for the included microphone, which supports 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection modes. Additionally, it includes USB-A and USB-C connector dongles for compatibility. While Amazon customers find this unit comfortable, some users report connectivity issues with the device's Bluetooth. However, with over 84% of users rating it 4 stars or higher, many still consider it a good value for the money.
Logitech G535 Lightspeed
With well over 40 years of experience in the PC accessory business, there are real good odds you've experienced a Logitech accessory at some point in your life, and Amazon's Choice Logitech Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset shows how much customers appreciate the device's usability for both music and gaming. Another cool feature is that users can pair these headphones with several other Logitech accessories, including a G305 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse.
With plug-and-play support for PCs and PlayStation via a USB-A dongle, this Logitech headset also features 40mm neodymium drivers and on-ear controls. For extended gaming sessions, these headphones include memory foam earcups with sports mesh material and an elastic, adjustable, reversible headband. These headphones are also Discord Certified for communication performance, and they include on-ear controls so users can adjust volume directly from the earcup.
With a 4.1-star rating from over 3,930 reviews, Amazon Customers give this unit points for its solid battery life (Logitech promises up to 33 hours and 12 meters of wireless range), though one user has qualms about the headset not including Active Noise Cancellation. Users also seem mixed on microphone quality, though a couple more factors may help users decide between Logitech and Razer when it comes to who makes better gaming gear.
Sony Inzone H5
Gamers may be irate about Sony moving toward an all-digital future, but the Amazon's Choice Sony Inzone H5 Wireless Over-Ear Gaming Headset makes our list for those all in on PS5, with a 4.4-star rating from over 370 reviews. Users should note that we're looking specifically at the Inzone 5, as the Amazon page does offer multiple models, including the Inzone Buds and Inzone H3. Nonetheless, something cool about this model is that users can upload a photo of their ear to the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer smartphone app to get audio profiles tuned specifically to their ear.
Delivering said spatial sound to PCs and PlayStation 5s through 40mm drivers, users can also choose between a 2.4GHz wireless connection (via USB transceiver) or a 3.5mm wired option. Sony also teamed up with the Fnatic esports organization to help ensure the headphones are built for competitive play. Amazon Customers still find them suitable for jamming along to some music, however, and Sony promises up to 28 hours of wireless gameplay with these headphones.
Finding the headphones lightweight while still offering clear sound, 84% of Amazon users rate this pair 4 stars or higher. Some customers have mixed opinions about the microphone, with some reporting no issues while others say it doesn't work with wired connections. Plenty find the headphones a good overall value, though some report the headset itself feels cheap and fragile. Nonetheless, PS5 owners may want to take a second look.
Methodology
Audio equipment can often seem like there are no ceilings when it comes to a price tag, so our priority when building this list was keeping items under a $200 budget to ensure they can be as budget-friendly for consumers as possible. However, we also tried to find devices with various pricing as well. BGR also looked for headsets with wide compatibility when possible, while ensuring each set of headphones was compatible with PCs at minimum.
For this list, we also took a look at what actual Amazon customers had to say about each of these items, and every item on this list holds a 4.0-star rating or better based on hundreds ,if not thousands, of reviews. We also favored Amazon's Choice items for being well-rated and priced according to the retailer.