The best cheap gaming headset deals March 2022

A good gaming headset is practically a necessity these days. Clean and precise audio is essential for competitive gaming, allowing you not just to pinpoint your enemies, but communicate effectively with your teammates. Moreover, recent developments in spatial audio and virtual surround sound have allowed headsets to meet — and occasionally surpass — more expensive audio setups, allowing even the most budget-conscious gamer to obtain a competitive edge at a fraction of the price.

While you could always invest in a massive pair of speakers, they’re likely to earn you the dubious distinction of the worst roommate of the decade. Thankfully, the right headset will allow you to keep the running and gunning to yourself, which is why we’ve rounded up a collection of the best deals you can currently find on some of our favorite models.

For the sake of clarity, we’ve broken the deals down into two categories: wireless and wired. The former is tailored toward gamers looking for a little less clutter in their setup, while the latter is aimed at anyone who doesn’t mind a little extra cabling, or is looking for a headset that’s a little more budget-friendly.

The best wireless gaming headset deals

Logitech G435

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch

Definitely the boldest headset on our list, the Logitech G435 is a gaming headset perfect for anyone that isn’t afraid to make a statement. This comfortable, colorful headset is on sale in the blue colorway Walmart for $59.99 — a modest $20 discount — as well as at Amazon, where it’s available in several other colorways for the same price.

Logitech’s on-ear headset features both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, making it compatible with PCs in addition to consoles and mobile devices. The 18-hour battery life is impressive, too, and while it does lack the more traditional 3.5mm audio jack, the included USB-C cable can be used to simultaneously charge and listen.

While the lightweight headset lacks the prevalent boom-mic design used by other headsets in this category — it opts for beamforming microphones — the integrated mic still manages to provide an adequate audio input solution. This has the added benefit of giving the headset a more traditional, on-ear profile, giving you the option of wearing these in public without broadcasting your gamer status.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch (via 3.5mm audio)

The wireless version of the esports-inspired BlackShark headset from Razer boasts a lightweight, aviator design, and is currently discounted to $139.99 at GameStop and Amazon. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen the comfortable headset go for, but it remains a solid discount on an excellent gaming headset that normally retails for $179.99.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is sturdy and perfectly suited for extended play sessions. The only break in its otherwise innocuous profile is a dedicated knob on the right earcup that allows for quick adjustments to volume when necessary and its detachable boom mic. The headset also features a 3.5mm audio jack and can be paired via 2.4Ghz wireless thanks to the included dongle, but the lack of Bluetooth is a bit disappointing. The V2 Pro is THX 7.1 surround capable, too, and comes with an included license for Razer’s THX spatial audio software.

In terms of battery life, the V2 Pro is capable of lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge, making it one of the longer-lasting headphones on the market. Sadly, however, it still relies on Micro USB for charging.

Razer Barracuda X

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S (via 3.5mm), Nintendo Switch

The Razer Barracuda X, another solid entry from team green, is definitely one of Razer’s more versatile (and affordable) options when it comes to wireless gaming headsets. It typically retails for $99.99, but the black colorway is on sale at GameStop, Target, and Amazon right now for $79.99, just $10 shy of its best price to date.

The Barracuda X is a fairly unremarkable headset at first glance given its standard design, but despite its bulkier profile, is actually lighter than the Razer BlackShark series of headsets. Our initial impressions by Verge staffer Cameron Faulkner noted how comfortable the Barracuda X was, even after several hours of wear, and mentioned that the design sets a strong precedent for potential future iterations.

While the lack of Bluetooth makes the Barracuda X a poor choice for mobile gaming, the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle uses a USB-C connection, meaning that you won’t have to rely on a 3.5mm audio cable to use the headset with your Nintendo Switch. The USB-C dongle can enable wireless connectivity with PS4 and PS5 thanks to the included adapter, too, but it can’t be used with Microsoft consoles unless you use a wired connection.

Razer Kaira Pro

Compatible with PC, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One

If you’re first and foremost an Xbox user, the Razer Kaira Pro is a worthwhile option to consider. It has large, 50mm drivers in each earcup for a broader sound, and you can quickly toggle through four EQ modes — including an FPS mode that amplifies enemy footsteps when playing shooters.

The Kaira Pro is one of the more expensive models featured here, with an MSRP of $149.99, but it is currently receiving a hefty discount of $50 at Amazon, dropping the price to $99.99 in the black or white colorways. For Halo fans, the Halo Infinite version — which features Master Chief-inspired green coloring and the UNSC logo on the sides — is now $129.99 ($40 off) at Amazon.

Razer’s Kaira Pro has been one of our top picks for Xbox-dedicated wireless headsets, only being unseated by the Xbox Wireless Headset since it came in at a lower price. This sale price puts them on relatively even footing, with the Kaira Pro gaining the edge in some ways due to its larger drivers and detachable boom mic. The Kaira even has a backup, mobile mic built into the headset, so you don’t have to walk around with the cardioid microphone sticking out if you feel like listening to music on your phone while on the go.

HyperX Cloud II Wireless

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch (when docked)

For non-Xbox gamers in need of a comfortable, lightweight wireless headset, the HyperX Cloud II Wireless is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon and HyperX, $20 off its usual price of $149.99. While it’s still a bit of a premium over the wired version of the Cloud II (which you’ll find below), the headset offers up to 30 hours of battery life and is easy to replenish thanks to its convenient USB-C port.

The Cloud II Wireless offers balanced sound with good voice quality and a 7.1 virtual surround sound mode, which helps you to pinpoint foes in competitive games. Its USB-A wireless dongle also allows you to connect it to a PS4, PS5, PC, and the Nintendo Switch, though, the latter requires you to play while in docked mode. You can connect it via a 3.5mm audio cable, too, but the quality suffers in comparison to its wireless performance.

The HyperX Cloud II Wireless has another trick up its sleeve as well. The detachable mic has a mute button that, when held down, toggles a self-monitoring mode, which is very handy when you want to hear your own voice level. That mic also features a built-in LED to show when you’re muted and able to safely converse with others in the room, allowing you to avoid some awkward situations with your online team. Read our review.

Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch

Our top entry in the wired category gets serious points for opting for its super-clean aesthetic. The Logitech G Pro headset was designed with esports in mind and is currently available at GameStop and Amazon for $87.99, a modest discount on its typical $99.99 price tag. This is still one of the lower prices we’ve seen for this particular headset, which was already a substantial value prior to the current discount.

The G Pro is remarkably simple in terms of its appearance, with no visible knobs or buttons, and no extra ports with the exception of a second 3.5mm audio jack for the detachable boom mic. In addition to the expected 3.5mm audio cable, the G Pro also comes packaged with velour ear pads that can be swapped with the standard leatherette earcups, as well as an external USB DAC that can be used to fine-tune your audio experience on PC using Logitech’s G Hub software.

HyperX Cloud II

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch

Reminiscent of the minimalist designs used by Logitech and Corsair, the HyperX Cloud II is a simple and effective headset that’s currently on sale in the black-and-red colorway for $68.98 at Amazon and $69.99 at Best Buy — a decent discount for a headset that usually retails for $99.99.

The Cloud II is a versatile, wired headset that’s remarkably comfortable and features audio fidelity that’s typically reserved for headsets that cost twice as much. The 53mm drivers deliver sound that is both punchy and balanced, much like those found in the wireless version we reviewed in 2020, and there’s a virtual 7.1 surround sound mode for added effect. The headset also features a detachable, noise-canceling mic, as well as inline remote for adjusting the volume of both the mic and audio playback.

It may not be as capable as its wireless sibling, but the HyperX Cloud II remains an excellent option that’s compatible with all contemporary consoles and mobile devices as long as you have a USB-C adapter.

Razer Kraken

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch

An absolute unit of a headset, the Razer Kraken is currently on sale in select colorways at Amazon for $39.99 and Best Buy for $42.99, roughly $40 off its standard retail price. The massive headset is certainly one of the larger models in Razer’s arsenal, yet it remains a solid choice for anyone who wants powerful sound while gaming on their PC or console.

The Kraken uses an integrated digital-analog converter (DAC), which provides 7.1 virtual surround without the need for additional accessories. However, this feature is only available when connected to PCs running Razer’s THX Spatial Audio software. Additionally, the headset features thick, leatherette ear cups with cooling foam — which are perfect for extended play sessions — as well as a flexible boom mic that retracts into the left earcup when not in use. And, thanks to its 3.5mm audio connection, it’s compatible with both consoles and mobile devices, as well as PC.