PC gaming headsets are a must-have for any serious PC gamer. Unfortunately, PC gaming headsets have a terrible reputation for being expensive. That is not true, and there are great options for PC gaming headsets under $300 and every range in-between.

As I break down the best PC gaming headsets under $300, it’s important to warn you that I am not going to focus on only the most expensive options. I will provide the best option at every fifty dollar increment between $50 and $300.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $50

In selecting the best PC gaming headsets under $300, I argued whether I was even going to look for an option this low. After all, how much quality can you get in a PC gaming headset that costs so little? Quite a bit, actually.

The Cloud Stinger is the entry-level PC gaming headset from HyperX. Entry-level PC gaming headsets do not necessarily equate to cheap either. For your money, you get a wired gaming headset that is very comfortable with reliable audio quality. The Cloud Stinger is lightweight, offers 90-degree rotating ear cups, 50mm directional drivers, adjustable steel slider, and a noise-canceling microphone.

All of this means you get a lot of bang for your buck. I should know; I use a pair as my primary gaming headset for PC. When I moved, my Astros got destroyed, and I had just built a new gaming rig. Cue me running down to the nearest electronics store to buy a throwaway headset. A year and a half later, I have no central point of dissatisfaction that would make me replace them.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $100

As far as gaming headsets go, this might be my top choice for your money. Right at the $100 limit, Steelseries packed so much goodness into a neat package. Pop over to the Steelseries website and count the number of times their marketing team worked in “award-winning” about this headset and you get an idea of what they were able to build.

The Arctis 5 is a cool-looking headset with solid construction and the ability to customize via Prism RGB Illumination. I love that last feature, as all of my peripherals and my PC itself are set up with a matching lighting scheme. Aesthetics aside, the Arctis 5 utilizes AirWeave fabric in the ear cups which means no ear sweat and comfort for extended playing sessions.

The microphone is a real treat for this price range of gaming headset. The ClearCast mic on the Arctis 5 is one you would expect in a headset of double the price and is Discord-certified as a bonus. The mic is also retractable, which can be positive or negative. If you are an adult capable of taking care of your things, it’s a nice feature. I would not recommend it for a child or teenager, as it is my experience that they are prone to breaking things.

The Arctic 5 is the first headset on the list boasting surround sound and a mixer. These are both great features at any price, but especially under $100. With the S1 speaker driver and DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound, this gaming headset offers high fidelity sound so you can hear every detail as the developers intended. Finally, an in-line ChatMix dial gives you the power to determine the perfect mix of in-game audio and chat audio, especially suited for you.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $150

If you have never heard of Sennheiser, you are not a true audiophile. No one requires you to be obsessed with the pinnacle of sound. All you need to know about the Sennheiser brand is that most consider their equipment the crème de la crème.

As far as gaming headsets go, you are going to make some sacrifices at this price range. The sound quality on the GAME ONE headset is as good as anything on the market.

Sennheiser is a German company, and therefore you can expect the absolute best when it comes to engineering. The headset is light and comfortable with every component thoughtfully engineered so that the entire headset is greater than the sum of its parts. When it comes to long gaming sessions, the GAME ONE offers plush velvet earcup padding, cushioned headband, and open design. These features mean that you will be comfortable and cool during use.

The GAME ONE offers an exceptionally designed microphone that offers noise-canceling capabilities. Integrated controls sit on the right ear cup, and the microphone has a quick mute feature; lift the microphone into the vertical position and go radio-silent.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $200

Wow. That’s all. This headset is fantastic, and I can’t believe I have to write about two headsets that will cost more than this. The Razer Tiamat 7.1 V2 is so good on paper and in my experience that I have to keep telling myself I don’t need them.

Let’s start with the sound. This bad boy offers 7.1 surround sound. There are ten separate audio divers in this headset. That means you have, in each ear, one 40mm subwoofer, two 30mm drivers for left/center/right, and two 20mm drivers for rear/side. Additionally, this headset comes with an audio control unit, meaning you have quite a bit of customization.

When it comes to looks and construction, the headset looks and feels great. With removable ear cup covers, you have some visual customization to consider. If you opt for the clear covers, you can have fun with intern LED lights powered by Razer Chroma. Conversely, if you like a more plain look, the solid covers are your best bet. The headband on the Tiamat is ergonomically engineered to balance the weight of the headset for long gaming sessions and has the durability that comes with steel construction. The microphone is everything you would expect at this price range. The only negative is that the ear cups utilize leatherette which makes my ears sweaty during long stretches of use.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $250

Astro and eSports go hand-in-hand. Back in my videogame retail management days, the Astro headset was the most desired headset by all gamers. It is for a good reason, too; they are high-end. I owned a pair of A40s for a long time, so I get what the big deal is.

The A40s are a very comfortable, well-balanced, and robustly-constructed headset. They look sharp, too. If you have ever looked at a pair of Astros, they have a unique aesthetic that is very pleasing and gives off a definitive “high-end gaming” vibe. The Astros are also known for their customization capabilities with the ability to order one-of-a-kind ear cup tags directly through their website. Though the ear cups utilize fake leather, they are covered with cloth to save you from sweaty ears.

From a sound quality perspective, the Astro A40s are right up there with anything else in the price range. The A40s boast Dolby Audio with a full 3D audio experience. On PC, you have the option of Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos. With the MixAmp, you effectively get an in-line sound card as part of the headset. Additionally, you get lag-free/interference-free Dolby Surround Sound with all of the controls over your audio levels that you would want. Not only is the incoming sound great, but the microphone allows you to send it back out with the same quality.

Best PC Gaming Headset Under $300

Steelseries is the only repeat brand on this list, and that says a lot about how good their products are. It should also not be a surprise that the single wireless headset on the list is the most expensive. Excellent audio quality, long battery life, and comfort are just flat out hard to do wirelessly for cheap. Technically, this headset has an MSRP over $300, but it is available from several retailers for under that price point.

This PC headset takes everything that is great about the Arctis 5 (our suggestion for best headset under $100) and cranks it up to eleven. The form factor, comfort, durability, and sound quality are all present; there’s more of everything.

Let’s start with the fact that this headset is wireless. The ability to not be tethered to your PC has many benefits. In a regular gaming session, I might have to get up five times to go ten feet. Traditionally, wireless headsets can cause issues due to dropping packets. The Arctis Pro offers lossless 2.4G wireless audio and Bluetooth functionality. Problem solved.

Another issue often experienced with wireless headsets is the need to charge them regularly. The Arctis Pro has an answer for this as well: a dual battery system. Charge the second battery while using the headset, and you are always one battery swap away from a seamless experience.

As a wireless headset, the Arctis Pro utilizes a base station. This base station has your standard volume controls, ChatMix, and an equalizer all built-in. Much like the Arctis 5, this headset comes with the Discord-certified ClearCast microphone and DTS Headphone:X V2 audio. Combine all of this with the premium speaker drivers that deliver double the hi-res audio of the Astro A40s and you have one fantastic combination.

Closing Thoughts on the Best PC Gaming Headsets Under $300

You don’t have to re-mortgage your house to experience a PC headset with great sound, durability, and comfort. Regardless of what you are looking for, you have plenty of options to determine which of the best PC gaming headsets under $300 is right for you.