Best Gaming Headsets Under $200 – PC, Xbox, PlayStation
by Simon
Are you looking for a premium gaming headset and ready to upgrade towards high-end ranges of headphones? Then, you are at the right place. We are going to look at some gaming headsets suitable for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Technology has come a long way, so as the headphones. There are all sorts of headphones, cheap, expensive, open-back, and closed-back. The vast majority of young gamers are not able to upgrade to a 200$ gaming headset. Therefore, it is crucial to find perfect headphones if you are planning to spend that much.
Anyways, If you are short on time, you can check my top pick. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is THX Certified headset that provides good sound quality, comfort, 24-hours long battery life with the robust build quality. Be sure to check it out.
How to Choose a Gaming Headset under $200 Price Range
So, the question arises, WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST ME? Well, don't. I will show you, how to choose and determine a headphone. Make sure your chosen headphone fulfill all your needs.
These are few things that you should check in a headset.
Open-Back and Closed-Back
Open-Back Or Closed-Back Headphones
All the headphones are primarily categorized into two types, Open-Back and Closed-Back. Before determining which one is best for you, It is crucial to know the difference between them.
The Open-Back headphones are built in such a way that the sound is not isolated inside the ear cups. The sound waves can quickly leave or enter the ear cups; therefore, it produces a broader soundstage. And, since the sound waves do not echo inside the ear cups and wider soundstage makes clear and natural audio quality.
The Closed-Back headphones have the opposite build. Unlike Open-Back headphones, the Closed-back headphone tends to keep the sound waves inside the earcups. They provide good sound isolation. And, since the outside noise cannot reach your ears, you'll focus more on your games than the Open-Back headphones. The Closed-Back headphones tend to have better audio positional accuracy than Open-Back headphones.
Are Open-Back headphones good for you?
Well, it depends. If you play games in your separate room. And, you prefer to play Open-world or Story-mode games. Then, Open-back headphones are perfect for you. They will provide the natural feel of the game as if you are present in the world. You can get an exceptional music listening experience from these headphones. However, you'll have to deal with the sound leakage problem.
Are Closed-Back headphones good for you?
If you play your games in a busy area, let's say, your TV Lounge. Then, you want to stay more focused on your game. Then, Closed-Back is more suitable for you.
Wired or Wireless
Wired Or Wireless
The fight between wired and wireless technology is long debated. And, this topic can go on and on. But, I want to raise another solid point in that discussion here. The choice between wired and wireless headphones depends upon your choice.
We all know that wireless technology has come a long way. The time when wireless headphones sounded worse than the wired ones is long gone now. The wireless headphones are perfectly countering the wired headphones nowadays. However, the wired headphones still have their perks.
The wireless headphone allows you to move freely, keeps you away from the tangling wires. Let's say your coach is far away from your console and monitor. Then wireless headphones might be better for you. If you need to get away from your keyboard from time to time, take wireless headphones into account. However, always check the battery life of a headphone before getting it. All the headphones provide different playback hours, and you'll have to determine whether it satisfies your need or not.
On the other hand, if you crave more sound quality, then go with wired headphones. Since wired technology is cheaper than wireless, therefore, companies can spend more technology for better sound quality at the same price range. However, the wires may restrict your movements.
However, the choice between the Wired and Wireless headphones depends upon your preference and needs.
Sound Quality
Sound Quality
Sound Quality is by far the most critical factor in a headphone. That's the primary reason why we are getting a headphone. However, there is more to it when it comes to determining the sound quality.
Starting with the Bass, If you are an FPS gamer, you do not need a punchy and robust bass. However, a headphone should have a decent amount of Bass present in the audio so that you can feel the rifle shots and explosives. But in some cases, you might want to have more punchy Bass for your music. But, keep a note that you can virtually increase the Bass or make your headphones sound louder.
Similarly, the Treble needs to be clear and neat to increase your chance of hearing different sound elements in-game, which may increase your chances of winning your games.
The audio's positional accuracy is also an essential factor in FPS or RPG games. You need to stay attentive in the game world to give quick responses just by hearing your opponents' footsteps or movements. There are different ways a headphone can provide a sense of positional accuracy, Stereo and Surround Sound. In Stereo Mode, the headphone uses both ear cups and produces the audio from both to get the feel of the audio's positional accuracy.
On the other hand, the Surround Sound uses both ear cups and virtually provides audio through different audio channels. In my personnel experience, I have found Stereo Sound more effective than most headphones with Surround Sound. However, don't get the wrong idea. Many Surround Sound headphones provide far superior positional accuracy.
You can determine the Bass and Treble of the headphone by looking at the frequency response. The low frequencies resemble the Bass, while the High frequencies are the Treble. The Mid frequencies are for voices and vocals in the audio.
Microphone Quality
MICROPHONE QUALITY
A microphone is something that every Online gamer needs. To stay connected with your teammates, a mic that captures neat audio is required.
Because, If your microphone captures distorted and noisy audio, your teammates will end up muting you. You don't want that, right. Good communication is a necessity to form a perfect synergy with your teammates.
For a gaming headset, you do not need a perfect microphone. A simple Mic that allows you to stay connected with your teammates easily is good enough. Unless you want to stream or start a podcast, you might need a good headset for streaming.
Comfort and Build Quality
Comfort And Build Quality
An average gamer play games for almost one hour and 22 minutes, according to research at LimeLight. But, some of us may play for many more hours than that. That is why a comfortable headphone is required.
First of all, you have to know the average time of YOUR gaming session. And, then determine whether a headphone is suitable for you or not.
These are a few things that can impact the comfortability of a headphone.
Ear Pads and padding on the Headband.
Clamping Force.
And, Weight.
Likewise, the durability of a headphone holds the same level of importance. A robust headphone can stay intact for months, and you do not have to invest in a new pair very often.
These are a few things that can determine the durability of a headphone.
Material Used.
Headband Structure.
Removable Earpads, Cables, and Microphone.
And, Warranty.
Best Gaming Headsets Under $200 Price Range
Best Gaming Headsets Under $200 - PC, Xbox, PlayStation
The Razer BlackShark is one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy in 2023. The problem here is the $150+ price tag on a Razer Headset, since most of the Razer Headset retail around 100 dollars price.
These are THX certified, so they do have 7.1 Surround Sound. This virtual sound precision will increase your gaming senses.
They are equipped with Razer's 50mm Triforce drivers. The triforce separates Bass, Mid, and Treble's production, So you get the most out of each frequency.
They are compatible with the Razer Synapse 3 software. It gives you different sound EQ settings and different mic settings as well.
The headset looks like an aviation headset. In terms of weight, they are among the lightest headsets. The thick padding on the headband makes them easy on the ears. Also, the memory foam ear cushions are soft and include breathable fabric material, which keeps your ears from sweating. The clamping force is also just about right, Not so tight, nor so loose. These headsets are comfortable.
The 2.4GHz wireless dongle (provided with the headset) is used for the wireless connection. The micro-USB cable is used for them to charge. The 24 hours long battery life allows you to game for long gaming nights. And, in a regular routine, the battery can last for several days.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro comes with a removable microphone, giving an extra point to durability. This cardioid mic focuses more on your voice. And, it will block the background noise if you are in a crowded area. However, there are some hints of nasal and bassy sounds.
As for sound quality, The Bass is punchy and kicky but not overly done. The Razer has focused more on the Mids and Highs. And, that's important with the gaming so that you can hear dialogues clearly, and also able to listen to footsteps and the direction which they are coming from. The soundstage is broad as compared to other closed-back headphones.
Pros
Excellent Sound Quality with THX Surround Sound.
Broad Soundstage with natural Bass quality.
Comfortable.
24 hours long battery life.
Cons
Should have had a sound eq system on the headset itself.
The Arctis Pro is a top of the line gaming headset from SteelSeries. Starting from the design, they have a simple, classic, and sleek design. You can also use them outside, away from your gaming desk.
The Arctis Pro maintains a robust build quality. You've got an aluminum finish that gives the premium feel of the headphones. The headband features a soft and comfortable cushioning, just like the ear cups.
The Hi-Res certified speakers produce an expansive frequency response of 10Hz to 40,000Hz, covering many audio profiles. From high-quality Bass to crisp Treble, SteelSeries Arctis Pro is an audiophile gaming headset.
The audiophile sound quality will provide an immersive feel of the explosives or rifle shots in your COD games. The DTS Surround Sound does a great job in delivering the positional accuracy of the audio.
The main selling point for the Arctis Pro is the DTS Headphone: X v2.0 Surround Sound, which does a tremendous job in providing a natural feel of the environment around you in the games.
The microphone on the SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a huge turnoff. The SteelSeries claims their microphone to be the leading in the gaming industry, which is strictly not true. Although the mic is good at capturing clear audio without any background noise; still, SteelSeries could have put more effort into it.
You might find these headphones a little above the 200USD mark sometimes. However, you can get a used one for under $200.
Pros
Comfortable and Durable.
Detachable cable and Microphone.
Hi-Res Sound Quality along with DTS Surround Sound.
Corsair HS75 XB Wireless Gaming Headset For Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, And Xbox One
The Corsair HS75XB is a wireless gaming headset for Xbox One and Xbox S and offers simple pairing to your console. The HS75 offers 20hours of battery life, which is enough for at least three days of gaming.
The simple and aesthetic design headset will be an excellent addition to your Xbox setup. The flexible body allows them to store a nice amount of tension. The soft padding on the headband and ear cups ensures they are comfortable.
The detachable microphone adds durability points to the headset. The microphone on HS75 XB sounds pretty lovely as compared to other headsets at this price range.
The sound quality can be defined as good at this price range. The four different EQ option allows you to play with audio settings and find your perfect tone. All the EQ options focus on other audio elements like Bass, Mid, Treble, and Vocals.
As for Bass itself, the punchy Bass is also suitable for listening to music as well.
Wrapping all this up, Corsair HS75 XB provides 30ft of wireless range. You can go to open the door for someone and stay connected with your teammates.
The Sennheiser Game series features both Open-Back and Closed-Back gaming headsets. The Game Zero is a closed-style headset, keeping the sound in without any leaks.
These are foldable headsets with compact and aesthetic designs. A volume control slider is available on the right ear cup. The overall build quality is very excellent, with a solid plastic headband and metal joints. And it is also adequately flexible. The padding on the headband and deep ear cushions makes sure they are among the most comfortable gaming headsets.
The bendable microphone integrated into this headset is not detachable. Although the Mic has the passive noise-cancellation feature, it will still pick up some audio from the background. However, Game Zero's mic captures neat and detailed audio. If I say that the microphone on the Sennheiser Game Zero is the best on this list, it would not be wrong.
The cable is unfortunately not detachable. You will need an amp or sound card with these.
They provide a vast soundstage for a closed style pair. You may not find them your perfect music headphones since they are more gaming-oriented. The Treble is full of details and crisp, while there is a good amount of Bass present in the audio. The Sennheiser Game Zero produces Hi-Fi sound with acoustic nature. They use Stereo Sound technology for the positional precision of the audio.
Many CSGO professionals favor these headphones. You can find more best headphones for CSGO here.
Corsair Virtuoso is clearly among the premium gaming headsets. They come in 4 different colors and have RGB lighting.
The best thing is that you can remove the microphone and make them your regular music headphones-the USB wireless dongle for the 2.4GHz connection. You can also use the 3.5mm Auxiliary cable for a standard wired connection. I would recommend using them on a wired connection on your PC and saving the battery for your outdoor use.
Speaking of which, you get 20hours of battery life on a full charge from these headphones, which is pretty average for gaming headsets.
When it comes to audio quality, they are very crisp and clear to listen to. They have good range and resolution over different ranges. However, the Bass is little on the lacking side. You can use the EQ software and enhance and increase the Bass on your PC. If you are looking for solid and deep bass, then these are not for you.
The sound precision is very good with this headphone.
The microphone quality is very appealing. The quality is evident, full of details. They may catch some of the background noises, but in most cases, it is not noticeable.
As for comfort, they might feel a little stiff and tight on the first use. It will get a little better as time goes.
Should you buy these? Yes, if you want versatile headphones under the $200 price range, the Corsair Virtouso is a good pick.
Pros
The microphone is detachable.
Good microphone.
No audio delay on a wireless connection.
20hours of battery life on a complete charge.
Good in terms of sound quality.
Cons
The 2.4GHz USB dongle limits your mobile usability.
The HyperX Cloud Flight S is a wireless gaming headset that uses a USB dongle for the wireless connection. A micro-USB is used for the charging. The best thing about them is the removable microphone.
The microphone can capture clear audio. The audio is full of details, but there are some nasal sound effects. I would have liked the more with more clear audio quality, like Sennheiser Game Zero. Even though it is a noise-canceling headphone, it will capture some background noises. However, the microphone is good enough for standard discord chats.
The headphone is highly comfortable to wear. The pleather memory foam cushions are padded on the ear cups. You can also use them while getting away from your PC to grab a cup of coffee.
The sound quality is pretty decent. The HyperX Cloud Flight S covers suitable ranges of frequency response. The Bass (lows) is perfect with clear Treble on the high frequencies. As for sound positioning, the 7.1 Surround Sound is good. Unlike other Surround Sound headsets, the headsets increase the high-frequencies. It will improve the feel of the environment around you in the games.
There are four buttons present on the ear cups. You can customize these buttons for your custom commands. Another cool thing is about them is the wireless charging option. The HyperX has tried a new feature with these headphones. You can use the wireless charger (sold separately) to charge them, which looks fabulous, in my opinion. Of course, you can still charge them with the wires provided with the headset.
This is a wireless headset that utilizing THX spatial audio. It implements RGB, a better mic implementation, and larger driver units from Nari Essentials. This headset is a perfect competitor for HyperX Cloud Flight and SteelSeries Arctis Pro.
The Nari headset features thick ear pads that are very comfortable on the ears. The cooling gel layer makes them breathable, keeping your ears from getting warm. It also provides excellent sound isolation.
The microphone is retractable. It can be retracted into the ear cup. The microphone is suitable for your standard Discord chats. However, I like the mic quality with HyperX Cloud Flight S more.
The Nari headset uses a 2.4GHz wireless dongle for the connection. You will need to use them in wired mode on Mobile Devices. Their low impedance allows them to use the mobile phone without any issues. They provide 14hours of battery life with RGB enables and 20hours with RGB deactivated.
The Mox volume is higher than most headphones on the list. The 50mm drivers do a pretty job in providing excellent sound quality for gamers. The sound quality is also good enough for listening to music. You can change the audio profiles (on the software level) and get a perfect EQ for your needs.
Is there anything they lack? Yes, I would have made them my permanent gaming headset if they had Bluetooth mode.
Concluding everything, I would say that the 200USD mark for a gaming headset lies between the high-end and mid-end gaming headset. You can expect more in a 200 dollars gaming headphone.
As I have said earlier, a gaming headset should have perfect sound quality, microphone, comfort, and durability. You can pass all the headphones from these filters and find a perfect one for you.
As for my Top pick, I choose Razer BlackShark V2 Pro because of the excellent sound quality, positional accuracy, long battery life, comfort, build quality, and cardioid mic. There are other headphones on the list as well. You can find a headphone according to your console as well. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is my pick for the best headphone for PlayStation under $200. At the same time, Corsair HS75XB is the best headset for Xbox under 200USD.
Simon here is an audiophile that loves to try out new audio equipment and loves to listen to different genres of music. Being an active student of Audio Electronics, He is more than capable of discussing different elements of headphones.
A Powerful Music Can Change The Tone Of Your Heart, That Is The Real Power Of Music.
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