Imagine going through life hearing everything through a speaker a few feet away. That’s what it can be like if you game without a headset.
Sometimes, a gaming headset can make all the difference between an amazing gaming experience and a sub-par one.
But, how much should you spend on a gaming headset?
In this article, we will be going over what kind of features you can expect in a few different price ranges.
Additionally, we’ll talk about whether gaming headsets are worth the money and if premium gaming headsets are worth the extra investment.
How Much Should You Spend on a Gaming Headset?
We recommend spending between $100-$150 on a good gaming headset. In this price range, you’ll get excellent audio quality, robust designs, and added immersion to any game. Competitive gamers could find benefit in headsets ranging over $150. But typically, those headsets have the same internals as the mid-tier headsets, but with a few more added bells and whistles. However, if you’re looking to buy a gaming headset for a child, or if you’re not the type to play games requiring pin-point precision audio, then you can still find a great headset for under $100.
What Price Range is Best for You?
Let’s kick this off with the common price ranges typical for most budgets.
In this section, we’ll go over what you can expect in each price range, and we’ll recommend who these price ranges are best for.
$50 and under
If you’re on a tight budget, or even buying for a child, you can still get a decent gaming headset for less than $50.
Headsets in this price range usually have basic features such as decent audio quality and a built-in microphone. However, the audio quality may not be as immersive due to lower-quality drivers, translating into tight sound stages or the lack of surround sound.
Something else to consider is that the microphone on budget headsets will not be as clear compared to higher-end headsets.
You’ll also find that gaming headsets in this price range might not be as comfortable for extended gaming sessions. This is because they are made to be cheaper and will usually lack luscious padding or adjustable headbands.
Who should shop in this price range?
- Casual gamers
- Parents buying a headset for kids
- Gamers on a really tight budget
$50-$100
Headsets in the $50 to $100 range offer more advanced features like 7.1 surround sound, noise-cancellation, and thicker, more comfortable, padding.
These mid-range headsets usually offer qualities such as wider sound stages and precise audio imaging. Features like these can really help you become immersed in almost any game.
In addition, the microphones on these headsets are almost always better and provide clearer audio when communicating with your teammates.
While they are typically built better than your lower-end headsets, the build quality may not be as durable as the higher-end models.
We would recommend the headsets in this range to most casual gamers, but competitive gamers on a budget would still find these headsets useful.
Who should shop in this price range?
- Competitive gamers on a budget
- Casual gamers looking to up their game
- Beginner streamers
$100-$150
Gaming headsets in this range are considered high-end and offer equally high-end features like hi-fidelity audio, stronger cables or wireless connectivity, and more robust materials and build quality.
These headsets often have customizable EQ settings that allow you to fine-tune audio output to your liking. This is great for you gamers who play multiple genres, as it’ll allow you to change the settings for each game.
The microphones used are usually top-notch as well and offer crystal-clear audio, even in noisy environments.
Additionally, the build quality is usually more durable and can withstand extended use. Furthermore, the cushions are typically more lush and comfortable, which allows for comfortable marathon gaming sessions.
If you’re a serious gamer, competitive or not, gaming headsets in this price range are perfect for you. Here, you get all the important features you need for extended immersive gaming sessions.
Who should shop in this price range?
- Competitive gamers
- Serious gamers
- Streamers
$150 and up
If you’re willing to spend over $150 on a gaming headset, then you’re the kind of person who wants the best. And that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
With these premium gaming headsets, you can expect top-of-the-line features like premium audio quality, background & active noise cancellation, and more.
These headsets often come with additional features like smartphone apps that allow you to customize audio settings and even personalize RGB lighting.
You can expect that, for the price, these headsets use premium materials like aluminum or steel, making them more durable and long-lasting.
They’ll also use high-grade padding, which offers the utmost comfort and breathability. Perfect for gamers wanting a headset they can wear for hours.
However, these headsets are only recommended for hardcore gamers who want the most immersive experience possible and don’t mind spending extra on comfort or specific features.
Who should shop in this price range?
- Gamers looking for the best
- Serious and competitive gamers
- Pro players and streamers
Is it Worth Buying an Expensive Gaming Headset?
The answer to that depends heavily on the games you play, the way you play them, and your budget.
For example, if you’re not the type that plays FPS games such as CS: GO, PUBG, or Warzone, then you’re not going to really need pin-point precision sound imaging typically found in a premium gaming headset.
With that being said, even if you’re just a casual gamer who plays those types of games, a top-tier gaming headset will probably be overkill.
We would recommend that casual gamers stick to the mid-range headsets. Spending around $100–give or take–on a gaming headset will give you plenty of hi-fidelity audio and will be head-over-heels better than gaming without one.
However, if you’re the competitive type who plays in tournaments, or just want the best of the best, then by all means, go all out on a gaming headset.
Do Expensive Headsets Make a Difference?
In our honest opinion, a good gaming headset can make all the difference in the world when it comes to immersion and efficiency in your games.
A good headset allows you to hear the game world in 3D and allows for strategic planning with teammates via voice chat. The sound quality in a decent gaming headset can allow for accurate sound imaging of enemy footsteps or incoming fire.
More importantly, you need a comfortable headset–If you don’t have one, your performance will simply suffer.
But all of that doesn’t require a top-of-the-line gaming headset. Mid-range headsets offer great functionality, quality, and comfort.
The really expensive gaming headsets do indeed offer high-grade performance and quality. However, the price is typically inflated by using smartphone apps, elaborate RGB, and other eye candy-esque features.
In the end, unless you’re a streamer or high-tier competitive gamer, a premium gaming headset would just be too much money to spend for the average gamer.
You won’t get any super game-changing features with a premium headset over a mid or high-tier headset unless there is a particular one with specific features you feel like you can’t live without.
Final Words
The price you should pay for a gaming headset is debatable. But overall, we recommend you spend around $100-$150 for a good gaming headset that fits your style and needs.
Gaming headsets that cost any more than that are unnecessary for most people, but can come with some cool features some of you might enjoy.
It really comes down to you as a gamer. Do you need a headset for FPS games? Do you plan on playing in tournaments? What’s your allotted budget?
You should ask yourself these questions and find what works best for you. There is no one size fits all answer here, but we hope we were able to help.
If you’re currently looking for a new headset, make sure to check out our buying guides–We created some unique guides for you, including:
This concludes our article on how much you should spend on a gaming headset. If you found this piece helpful, please consider sharing it with your friends and family on social media.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to reach out to us in the comment section down below, and a member of our team would be happy to help.
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