If you’ve been in the gaming scene for a hot minute, you know the deal with gaming audio—it’s a whole vibe, man. Audio is what separates the legends from the losers in the gaming world. It’s what either makes a game worth diving into or just another waste of time. And any seasoned gamer spending hours in front of those AAA titles knows that sound matters more than anything else. And don’t even get me started on music and series junkies.
Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Headphones:
But to get the sickest auditory experience, you gotta have some legit headphones that can deliver. So today, once again, we’re breaking down the top five best budget-friendly headphones you can cop right now.
Mpow 059 Wireless Headphones (The Cheapest):
No doubt, wireless headphones aren’t always the most durable, but the Mpow 059 wireless ones bring serious comfort and audio quality at an unbeatable price.
Type: Closed-back over-ear.
Driver Type: 40mm.
Connection: Bluetooth with detachable cable featuring a 3.5mm connector.
Battery Life: Approximately 13 hours of playback.
Bluetooth headphones used to take a beating or get lost in the mix, but not anymore. With top-rated Bluetooth headphones like the Mpow 059, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck compared to what used to be available.
Features of the Mpow 059 Headphones:
Design-wise, the Mpow 059 keeps it real with 40mm neodymium drivers, full-size over-ear design with padded ear cups, and an adjustable padded headband. Plus, it’s got a built-in mic for hands-free calls when synced with your phone, and you can fold it up for easy transport.
But what really sets the Mpow 059 apart from other cheap headphones is that what it does, it does well. It delivers solid wireless sound alongside sleek design and sturdy build. Plus, one cool touch is that you can also use the Mpow 059 as wired headphones with the included cable.
On the wireless side, the Mpow 059 draws power from a built-in 420mAh battery for about 13 hours of playtime. For its price range, the Mpow 059 headphones offer excellent value with their sound quality, sleek design, and wireless convenience.
Pros:
Foldable design.
Amazing sound for wireless headphones.
Includes a cable for wired use.
Great value for the price.
Cons:
Wireless sound signal won’t be as deep or detailed as wired connection.
Mic only usable in Bluetooth mode.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x:
If you’re on the hunt for a well-crafted pair of beginner-friendly headphones that look sharp, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones are the way to go.
Type: Closed-back dynamic over-ear.
Driver Type: 40mm.
Connection: 3.5mm cable with included quarter-inch adapter.
Audio-Technica is a big name in the headphone game, known for studio-quality gear. While they offer plenty of pro-grade solutions that’ll cost you a pretty penny, they also provide a variety of reasonably priced alternatives, including the ATH-M20x headphones we’re talking about today.
The ATH-M20x headphones are designed to be a beginner-friendly pair that delivers studio-like experience. They sport full-size over-ear design with 40mm drivers. They sound great with phones, but when plugged into a PC or TV, the ATH-M20x really shines.
Features of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Headphones:
These headphones offer excellent sound quality in the high and mid ranges, with enough resistance to ditch the annoying interference (like faint buzzing) when connected to your electronic devices. The sound is clear and accurate, though don’t expect booming bass like in pricier models.
The padded headband and leather ear cups provide comfort for long wear sessions, and the cups also offer decent noise isolation, filtering out most surrounding noise, so your sound won’t disturb others unless you crank it up to 11.
Consider the ATH-M20x as the little bro to Audio-Technica’s ATH series, providing a budget-friendly alternative (about half the price) to the M40x and M50x headphones, which are pricier beasts.
Pros:
Solid build quality.
Comfortable to wear.
Great sound for the price.
Strong 3.5mm cable with 6.3mm adapter.
Cons:
Lacks booming bass compared to higher-priced models.
Koss PortaPro headphones:
Check it, if you’re looking to upgrade your ear game for something better but still portable, we gotta put you onto the Koss PortaPro headphones.
These bad boys are semi-open-back, on-ear types, sporting dynamic drivers and a 3.5mm cable connection. When it comes to portable on-ear headphones, one pair stands above the rest—enter the legendary Koss PortaPro. This brand has been around for ages, earning a legendary status among head-fi enthusiasts.
Why? ‘Cause they pack a serious punch for their size and low cost. Sure, they won’t pump out the same deep sound as studio-grade over-ear headphones, but PortaPros still bring it where it counts—in the sound department.
Features-wise, the PortaPro headphones rock cushy ear pads connected to a thin, flexible metal headband. They’re designed to fold up for easy travel, and despite being lightweight, they’re surprisingly durable.
And let’s talk sound quality. These babies cover the lows, mids, and highs like a boss. The only downside? Their on-ear design won’t block out noise like over-ear ones, so if you’re cranking the volume, others might hear it.
Overall, Koss PortaPro headphones are the perfect travel buddy, offering excellent value for your money. And if you’re willing to drop some extra cash, you can even snag a Bluetooth version for a wireless experience.
HyperX Cloud Stinger gaming headphones:
HyperX Cloud Stinger headphones from Kingston got everything you need for intense gaming sessions without skimping on any features you might need!
These bad boys are closed-back, over-ear types, rocking 50mm drivers and a dual 3.5mm audio/mic cable connection. Gaming headphones used to get a bad rap among music lovers, but brands like Kingston have seriously stepped up their game in recent years, with killer models like the premium HyperX Cloud series.
And today, we’re shining the spotlight on the Cloud Stinger, HyperX’s budget-friendly model that doesn’t compromise on quality. One reason gaming headphones don’t get much love from audio aficionados is that they come with a built-in mic, which means headphone makers gotta cram more electronics into the housing, potentially affecting sound quality.
But fear not, because the Cloud Stinger doesn’t skimp on gear. It packs beefy 50mm drivers for powerful sound. And while these drivers are housed in large rotating ear cups made of comfy memory foam, the padded headband is adjustable via a steel slider. Plus, the rest of the headband is polymer, giving you durability without the weight. While the sound quality isn’t mind-blowing, it’s darn good. You’ll just have to shell out more if you want studio-quality sound.
But despite that, the directional drivers make it easy to pick up environmental details in-game, and they isolate noise pretty well. The mic is super sturdy, but you can’t remove it when using the Stinger solely as regular headphones. At least you can flip it out of the way.
Considering the price, it’s hard to find fault in the HyperX Cloud Stinger.
SteelSeries Arctis
Yo, if you’re all about that sleek and comfy headphone vibe, then the SteelSeries Arctis headphones are where it’s at, no doubt.
These babies are closed-back, over-ear types, packing 50mm drivers and a dual 3.5mm audio/mic cable connection. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the wired version of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, perfect for gaming with its high-performance, detachable mic. But let’s keep it real, the build quality kinda reflects its budget-friendly price point, feeling a bit flimsy.
They don’t support the SteelSeries Engine software for more customization options, but on the flip side, they’re super lightweight. Plus, with a 1/8-inch TRRS connector, they support audio and mic on almost all gaming platforms. Either way, these headphones could be a solid choice for folks looking for a versatile, straight-up headset.
Now, peep the deets:
Pros:
- Same award-winning sound quality as the Arctis line.
- Detachable noise-canceling ClearCast mic for clear, natural voice, certified by Discord.
- Adjustable steel-reinforced headband for a snug fit and long-lasting durability.
- Compatible with all modern gaming platforms.
- Ideal for on-the-go with a compact, portable design.
Cons:
- Lacks software support for customization options.
