Best gaming headsets with a good mic under $100
Updated 15 October 2026 · Prices checked September–October 2026 and they change often
Most gaming headset mics are an afterthought. SoundGuys puts it bluntly: truly great ones "are genuinely pretty hard to find". This guide only includes headsets whose microphone got a good verdict from at least one independent reviewer, and it notes where reviewers disagree.
First: headset mic or a separate mic?
- For Discord, party chat and in-game comms, a good headset mic is all you need, and it moves with your head so your level stays steady.
- For YouTube voice-overs, commentary or a stream where your voice is the content, a separate USB mic will sound better. SoundGuys' own headset-mic roundup sends readers who'd rather keep the two separate to its list of dedicated mics. Our USB microphone guide starts at about $55, and the Fifine AM8 vs Samson Q2U comparison covers the two most popular budget picks.
- A lot of small streamers do both: a headset to hear the game, plus a USB mic on a boom arm for their voice. In that case, buy the headset for comfort and sound, not its mic.
Comparison table
| Headset | Connection | Mic | Works with | Approx. US price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) | Wireless (USB dongle) + Bluetooth; no wired mode | Flip-up-to-mute boom | PC, PlayStation, Xbox (buy the right platform version) | $94.99 at Turtle Beach (launched at $99) |
| HyperX Cloud III | Wired: USB dongle or 3.5 mm | Detachable boom, built-in mesh pop filter | PC, PlayStation, Xbox (3.5 mm) | $99.99 list; $69.99 at Amazon and HyperX in Sep–Oct 2026 |
| GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB | Wired: USB-C or 3.5 mm | Detachable boom | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | $89.99 at launch (April 2026); seen at $81.99 |
| Razer Barracuda X (2022) | Wireless (USB-C dongle) + Bluetooth + 3.5 mm | Detachable boom | PC, PlayStation, Switch, phones | $99.99 at Razer; often about $70 on sale |
*From manufacturer stores, retailers and deal reports (see sources). Check the live price before you buy.
The picks
Best wireless under $100: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3)
RTINGS' top gaming headset under $100. Its verdict says the mic "is very good, with great noise handling, so fellow gamers will hear your voice clearly, even if you're gaming in a shared space." It also measured just over 85 hours of continuous battery life (Turtle Beach advertises 80). You get a low-latency USB dongle plus Bluetooth, and a flip-up-to-mute boom, so there's no button to hunt for mid-match.
Keep in mind: it can't be used wired. RTINGS rates its noise isolation as poor and its stability as only acceptable. The sound is V-shaped (boosted bass and treble), though an EQ app lets you adjust it. Buy the version for your console: RTINGS notes the PlayStation and PC versions don't work with Xbox, while the Xbox version works with all three. Turtle Beach's store had it at $94.99 on 15 Oct 2026.
Best wired value: HyperX Cloud III
A comfortable, sturdy wired headset that's usually well under its $99.99 list price. RTINGS says its detachable boom mic "offers a very good overall performance, so your voice sounds clear and full-bodied, even with some noise in the background". The mic has a built-in mesh pop filter and a red mute LED on the boom. It connects over a USB dongle (PC and PlayStation, with EQ in HyperX's app) or a 3.5 mm cable for anything else, including Xbox.
Keep in mind: reviewers split on the mic. Tom's Hardware found it "just fine", with a relatively low recording volume even at maximum gain, some sibilance and loud blips when muting. TechRadar called it one of the best headset mics its reviewer had used, but that review carries an editor's note admitting it originally mixed the Cloud III up with Logitech's Pro X 2, so weigh it accordingly. RTINGS says the default sound lacks bass, and the cable isn't detachable. GamesRadar thinks it's best value at $60 or less, and Amazon's tracked low is about $51.
Most comfortable wired pick: GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB
RTINGS' best wired gaming headset under $100. RTINGS lists a "clear and natural-sounding microphone" among its pros and says the mic "sounds great for calls on Discord or in-game voice chat". The suspension headband and low clamping force make it, in RTINGS' words, "impressively comfortable for long gaming marathons". It connects by USB-C or 3.5 mm, and PC Gamer notes the box includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Keep in mind: RTINGS found a "very exaggerated mid-bass" and an audible hiss in quiet scenes. Don't confuse it with the cheaper non-RGB GHS Eternal ($59.99, 3.5 mm only). PC Gamer reviewed that model and found its mic "fine for video calls and Discord chats" but prone to breath and plosive distortion without a foam windscreen. PC Gamer also thought you "can still find more bang for your buck elsewhere in the budget arena." The RGB version launched at $89.99.
Most versatile connections: Razer Barracuda X (2022)
SoundGuys' "best budget" pick in its roundup of gaming headsets with good microphones. Its review calls the mic "better than average" and says the boom mic suits video calls as well as gaming. It's the only headset here with a low-latency USB-C dongle, Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm jack, so one headset can cover a PC, PlayStation, Switch and your phone. It's also light.
Keep in mind: SoundGuys flagged ear cups that swivel oddly, Bluetooth limited to the basic SBC codec, and quieter audio over the USB-C dongle than over Bluetooth. Razer's newer Barracuda X Chroma costs $129.99, which is over budget, and Windows Central says you actually lose a feature compared with the 2022 model. The 2022 model is $99.99 at Razer, and Windows Central reports it often drops to around $70.
Quick recommendations
- Wireless, best mic for chat in a noisy house: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3).
- Cheapest good all-rounder: HyperX Cloud III, especially at $70 or less.
- Long sessions, comfort first, wired: GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB.
- One headset for PC, Switch and phone: Razer Barracuda X (2022).
- Your voice is the content: any of these for game audio, plus a USB mic.
Tips for a better headset mic
- Position the boom about two fingers from the corner of your mouth, not straight in front, to cut breath noise and plosives.
- Use the foam windscreen if one is included. PC Gamer blamed the lack of one for the base GHS Eternal's plosive problems.
- Check your level in Discord or OBS before going live. Several reviewers found headset mics quiet by default.
- Streaming console games? See our guide to capture cards for console streaming.
Sources
- RTINGS, best gaming headsets under $100 (updated Sep 2026): rtings.com
- Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3): RTINGS review (Aug 2024, updated Jun 2026); price: turtlebeach.com, checked 15 Oct 2026; launch price: Tom's Guide
- HyperX Cloud III: RTINGS review (Sep 2023, updated May 2026); Tom's Hardware review (May 2023); TechRadar review (with editor's correction note); GamesRadar review; price: SoundGuys deal report, hyperx.com, CamelCamelCamel
- GLORIOUS GHS Eternal RGB: RTINGS review (May 2026); base GHS Eternal: PC Gamer review (Apr 2026); launch prices: GamesRadar, HotHardware
- Razer Barracuda X (2022): SoundGuys review (updated Feb 2025); SoundGuys, best gaming headsets with good microphones (updated Jul 2026); price: razer.com, checked 15 Oct 2026; Chroma comparison and sale price: Windows Central