Best Budget Gaming Headset 2023: Cheap Headsets Tested – Tech Advisor

1. Razer BlackShark V2 – Best Overall

It might not offer wireless connectivity, but Razer’s Black Shark V2 offers something unique when compared to other budget headsets in our chart; THX support. THX spatial audio simulates positionally-accurate sound that allows you to pinpoint, with accuracy, the direction and origin of gunshots, footsteps, voices and anything else you notice when gaming.

It’s an incredible thing to experience, offering a more immersive gaming experience than most other budget headsets, and Razer’s set to take that further with the release of THX Game Profiles. Game Profiles offer game-specific audio enhancements for supported games. There were over 30 at launch, with more being released all the time. 

That experience is powered by Razer’s all-new 50mm drivers, the TriForce Titanium, sporting titanium-coated diaphragms to allow for better audio separation. It’s the first in the Razer collection to sport the new drivers, and offers a noticeable upgrade over our previous first choice, the Razer Kraken TE. 

The THX smarts and improved HyperClear Cardioid microphone are all powered by a small USB sound card, compatible with PC. That sound card also allows you to tweak the audio output via Razer Synapse (for PC) to either focus on immersion or spatial awareness, depending on the gaming experience you want. The 3.5mm jack makes it compatible with PS4, Xbox One and other consoles, but you won’t get the advanced audio tweaking capabilities. 

And, as is the case with most of Razer’s headsets, it’s an absolute joy to wear over long periods without a hint of pressure build-up. The full-ear enclosed cup design provides unmatched comfort, complemented further by soft-touch memory foam and a leatherette finish. 

Simply put, it’ll keep your ears cool and comfortable during even the most intense gaming sessions, and that’s something that many can appreciate.