Different dimensions of entertainment are being added continuously to newly developing games among which sound is one. A game can only be thoroughly enjoyed when the sound quality is befitting. And that’s when gaming headsets come into play. So, in this write-up, we bring forth to you the best gaming headsets under £100.
Whether you game on a PC, console or smartphone, a gaming headset will take care of the audio. They come paired with a microphone which is a necessity for multiplayer games. Gaming headsets, being designed ergonomically, will provide you with comfort all the time you have them on, making them convenient for long gaming sessions.
So if you want to level up the sound of your games and have a more lively experience of your favourite games while staying in a budget range of under £100, stay tuned with this article which will help you shortlist a good headset for purchase without a hitch. You may also like reading about the Best Headphones under £30.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
Editor’s Choice – Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED
2nd Best Choice – SteelSeries Arctis 5
3rd Best Choice – SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
How we picked the best gaming headsets under £100
To pick the right gaming headset for you, we studied them for a number of features which include the quality of sound, the type of connectivity, the longevity of the battery and a few more important features, all of which we will be explaining briefly as follows while making sure that the features justify their price tag.
Sound Quality:
Of course, this is the main feature one would consider before buying a gaming headset. A gaming headset should be able to provide immersive sound quality with balanced bass and treble. Surround sound is an essential feature that can give you a hint about things like from which direction an enemy is approaching. Moreover, it must be able to cancel out outdoor noise so that you stay more focused on your game.
Connectivity:
Gaming headsets can be wired or wireless. Wired gaming headsets offer advantages like low latency and no dependency on batteries. But they compromise on portability as the wire attached to them may get bothersome. On the other hand, wireless headset uses Bluetooth for connectivity and are way more portable, with no hanging wires, but may show slight latency.
Battery life:
The battery life needs to be taken care of when purchasing a gaming headset so that the battery does not die out before your long gaming session is over. Though this is not going to be an issue for wired headsets but wireless gaming headsets need to be checked for this feature. Luckily, many wireless headsets offer an extended battery backup so you get a long time of use before charging again.
Microphone:
If you are much into playing Muti-player games online, a good quality microphone is certainly what you are going to need. Good quality gaming headsets offer microphones which input your voice clearly while minimising background noise. Gaming headsets often offer a retractable mic which can be flipped away when not needed. Some headsets even offer a microphone that can be completely detached from the headset.
Ergonomics:
Since the gaming headset ought to stay on your head for a long time, it must be comfortable. Gaming headsets are designed in a way so that their weight evenly balances on the head. They often come with adjustability options so that they feasibly fit different head sizes. Besides, the ear cups are made up of a soft material so that they rest on your ears conveniently, without straining or hurting your ears.
These are the Best Gaming Headsets under £100
| Gaming Headsets | Drivers | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED | 40mm | 236g | Current Price |
| SteelSeries Arctis 5 | 40mm | 363g | Current Price |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 | 40mm | 253g | Current Price |
| HyperX Cloud Alpha S | 50mm | 374g | Current Price |
| HyperX Cloud II | 53mm | 275g | Current Price |
1. Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED
Logitech never fails to provide its users with praise-worthy gadgets and the headset that holds the first place on our list of the best gaming headset under £100 is one among them. The Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED is a wireless on-ear gaming headset that will offer numerous advantages like low latency, sound customization, and long battery life.
The G535 LIGHTSPEED is lightweight and has rectangular earcups filled with memory foam. It has a plastic build and comes with a reversible fabric strap on its ski-band design headband which efficiently balances the weight of the headset without putting too much pressure on the ears and ensuring comfort. While this headset seems suitable mostly for larger heads, it does provide the option of adjusting the hinges in order to fit different head sizes.
This headset is a good choice for gaming as it offers low latency, thanks to the wireless USB dongle it comes with. But because you can not use the headset without it, it restricts compatibility with different devices like smartphones, to connect to which you’ll need an adapter. However, the headset can be easily paired with PCs and consoles.
Speaking of sound quality, this headset is equipped with 40mm audio drivers and has a sound profile that is immersive. It suits different content like gaming and music. Further, it is compatible with the Logitech G HUB software which lets you customize the sound profile according to your needs. However, the headset is not very good at blocking background noise nor does it prevent leakage of sound coming from it when the volume is high.
The microphone of this headset comes with flip to mute option but is not detachable. It inputs voice while isolating noise to some extent. A few on-ear controls are provided on this headset to easily access functions like adjusting the volume and turning it on or off. The headset offers a long battery life of over 33 hours which adds to its portability.
Pros:
- Offers sound customization
- Low latency
- Well-built and comfortable
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Does not block background noise
- Limited on-ear controls
2. SteelSeries Arctis 5
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is the next choice on our list of the best gaming headsets under £100. Featuring 40mm drivers and DTS surround sound, this headset surely does its part well in making your gaming sessions more immersive. It offers a powerful bass while the mid-range and treble are also quite up to the mark. The microphone quality is also appreciable and suited for online gamers. Plus, a lot of customisation options are offered through its dedicated app.
As far as the build quality is concerned, this headset has a plasticky build which feels somewhat flimsy compared to the build quality of other headsets from SteelSeries. This might make you take extra care of these headsets while you are travelling. And since this is a wired headset with limited folding options, portability may get compromised.
Coming to ergonomics, this gaming headset comes with an adjustable ski-band headband with well-cushioned earcups that feel soft on the skin. Though people with small to average head sizes are likely to find this headset comfortable, it might be uncomfortable for people with larger heads, especially when used for longer durations.
Though the flip-to-mute option is lacking on the microphone, it does provide an on-ear button to mute the microphone in addition to a volume adjustment wheel. The headset features dual-zone RGB lights providing an appealing look to this gaming headset and is a beneficial feature for live streamers.
Pros:
- Good speaker and mic quality
- Comes with a dedicated app
- Features RGB lights
Cons:
- Plasticky build
- May not be comfortable for larger heads
3. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 is also one of the best Gaming Headsets under £100. This is a wired gaming headset that can be connected through a USB port to your PC or console, be it PS4, PS4 or Switch. Equipped with powerful drivers, this gaming headset offers 360-degree spatial sound to the user. It comes with a companion app which lets you personalise the sound profile the way you want. However, this headset offers average noise cancellation.
This headset is lightweight and fits comfortably, thanks to the ski-band headband which is adjustable. However, it still may not be adequate to fit larger heads perfectly. The ear cups are made up of memory foam which keeps your ears relaxed when the headsets are on. The headset has a plastic build which is quite durable. To enhance the look of this headset and to give a boost to your gaming rig, RGB lights are offered on it which are customizable.
Speaking of the controls, a switch to turn the RGB lights on or off is offered on this gaming headset. In addition, a button to mute the microphone and a wheel to adjust the volume are provided. The microphone offered on this gaming headset has a good overall performance but does not offer the flip-to-mute option. To sum up, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 is one of the best, wired headsets for its price, especially if you want it for gaming purposes.
Pros:
- Comes with a companion app
- Fits comfortable
- Good build quality
Cons:
- Average noise cancellation
- Less portable
4. HyperX Cloud Alpha S
When it comes to mentioning good gaming headsets, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S cannot be skipped. This headset comes with HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers and offers 7.1 surround sound which will make you completely indulge in your game. Moreover, the bass can be adjusted easily with the help of separate sliders for each ear. Unfortunately, no adjustment can be made through their companion app.
This gaming headset comes with a noise-cancelling microphone which can be detached. It is quite efficient at recording voices precisely. If you often play multi-player games online, this feature is going to prove helpful. It also comes with a detachable USB dongle which lets you control features like volume and microphone muting. It can be paired to your device through a 3.5mm port, and it also includes a USB adaptor for connectivity.
Reinforced with an aluminium frame, these gaming headsets are sturdy enough for daily use. The earcups are made up of leatherette and memory foam which is breathable and comfortable, making them convenient for use for extended time periods. The trio of sound quality, comfort and build being offered on this headset surely make it a good option to consider, particularly for the purpose of gaming.
Pros:
- Offers 7.1 surround sound
- Comes with bass adjustment sliders
- Great build quality
Cons:
- Companion software is limited
- Lacks in-line controls for console gaming
5. HyperX Cloud II
The HyperX Cloud II can also be considered one of the best gaming headsets under 100 as it scores well in most features. This is a wired gaming headset which is compatible with PCs and different gaming consoles. One of the best things about this gaming headset is that it offers negligible latency which makes it a great option to be used for gaming.
This gaming headset has a durable and comfortable design. With a cushiony headband and the right amount of tension provided by the band, you are hardly going to feel strained after using this gaming headset. Moreover, the earcups are also well-padded and will keep your ears at ease. Plus, this gaming headset does not build up a lot of heat.
You can use this gaming headset indoors as well as outdoors. However, you may not be impressed by them when used in noisy places as the noise cancellation they offer does not meet our expectations. Other than that, I really like the sound profile of this gaming headset. The bass is good and the highs and mids are balanced.
This gaming headset comes with a very practical microphone which clearly inputs voice which makes it an even better choice for gaming as it lets you communicate well with your co-players. Also, the mic is detachable making this gaming headset a regular one, in case you want to. The HyperX Cloud II is a worth considering-option for sure.
Pros:
- An impressive sound profile.
- Low latency.
- Comfortable and solid build.
Cons:
- Poor noise cancellation.
- Slightly bulky.
