Best Budget Gaming Headsets without Mic

Playing video games with headphones is hands down the most immersive experience. Most games are tuned specifically to take advantage of the detailed sound quality headphones provide, especially competitive games. But what if you aren’t the type to chat to others? Or you’re a PC player and have a stand alone mic, but are looking for a nice pair of headphones to use while playing or streaming? Some of the best gaming headsets come with no mic or have at minimum, a detachable mic. So you can ditch the cumbersome drive through mic all together and focus on JUST the audio. In this list we’ll be showing you the best budget gaming headphones without a mic fit for any budget.

Broken into two sections for both wired and wireless headphones, we’ll point out features and some of the main differences between the two. 

Best Budget Wired Gaming Headsets 

First we’re going to start off with focusing on some of the most highly rated wired gaming and non-traditional headsets. The regular headphones tend to be popular among content creators, since they tend to deliver studio quality sound and are of higher quality. 

Gaming headsets are fine at a certain price point but it goes without saying, you get what you paid for. 

Regular gaming headsets tend to focus on comfort for long play sessions and ease of use. While non-traditional headphones tend to focus primarily on audio quality and have a wider variety of comfort features, like different cup sizes or ear pads. These tend to be more about personal preference, depending on what you feel is comfortable and what sound profile you prefer. 

Either way, both styles of headphones are still viable for both casual gamers or players looking to get a competitive edge. Just depends on how much you are willing to pay. Thankfully, we put a list together of some of the best gaming headsets (without a mic or a detachable mic) that works for any budget!

Corsair HS35 – Stereo Gaming Headset

THE MICROPHONE IS DETACHABLE

Corsair, the RGB kings, can make decent gaming headphones, the HS35’s are definitely an exception.  The HS35’s are a standard stereo headset, but come with big ear cups paired with a memory foam padding that guarantees comfortable extended use. 

These headphones are punching above their weight as well. Packed with “custom tuned” 50 mm neodymium drivers and a fairly wide frequency range, these deliver big sound at a reasonable price. Perfect for any gaming use, but not limited to just video games. The HS35’s have an impedance of 32 Ohms and can be used with a phone or tablet with ease. The ear cups tend to be on the smaller to medium end, so they’ll tend sit on your ears rather than over them depending on your ear size. The only place you can see where they cut corners is the build quality, so these might not be the best for younger kids or gamers who are rough with their headphones. 

A great choice for gamers looking for a (technically) pair of headphones without a microphone at entry level pricing. Would keep an eye out for these, as the price can dip to $3o when on sale. 

Product Spec’s:

• Closed-back headphones
• Detachable microphone
• 50mm neodymium drivers
• 6 FT cable – 3.5 mm jack
• Impedance – 32 Ohms
• 20Hz – 20 kHz frequency Response
• Works with PC, Xbox one, PS4, Nintendo switch and mobile devices

HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset

THE MICROPHONE IS DETACHABLE

Hard to lead a post about “Mic-less” headphones when the first product image clearly has a mic. Thankfully you can take it right off and use these as a normal pair of headphones. 

HyperX has really made a name for themselves in the gaming headphones scene, with decent quality cans that are comfortable and tend to last quite a while. I’ve had multiple gaming friends swear up and down these are some of the best gaming headphones they’ve ever used. So naturally I had to buy a pair to try them out. You can tell they cut some corners on the build quality, but overall they’re comfortable and have great sound quality at the respective price point. Easily one of the best budget gaming headsets with a removeable mic!

A really great entry level headset with a detachable mic that when on sale, is too hard to pass up and the reviews speak for themselves. Easily one of the best cheap gaming headsets available.

Product Spec’s:

• Closed-back headphones
• Detachable microphone
• Aluminum Frame
• 53 mm drivers
• Frequency response 15-25 khz
• 7.1 Surround Sound (PC Only)
• Connects via 3.5 mm jack or USB
• Medium sized ear cups
• Hyper X signature memory foam pads

Side note: While these headphones advertise 7.1 surround sound, this is ONLY FOR PC and not for consoles. 7.1 surround sound needs to be activated in the sound control panel in your PC’s sound settings.

SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone

Sennheiser is widely regarded as one of the best headphone manufacturers in the world, German ingenuity at its finest. The Sennheiser HD 559’s are open-back headphones made to deliver entry level audiophile quality, with long lasting comfort.

Packed with 38 mm drivers and Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology. These headphones have a big impedance of 50 ohms and a sound pressure level of 108 db, packing quite the punch for under $80. The 3.5 mm cable is also detachable which always a nice feature.

With big over the ear cups and lightweight headband, these are perfect for long play sessions. These headphones would be best suited for smaller heads, as with most Sennheiser’s, clamping can be an issue. 

Product Spec’s:

• Open-back headphones
• Medium to large ear cups (would be better for smaller heads, clamping can be an issue)
• 38 mm drivers
• 50 ohm impedance
• Frequency response 14 – 26,000 Hz
• detachable 3.5 mm cable

Philips SHP9500 – HiFi Precision Headphones

It would be an atrocity if this list didn’t include the Philips SHP9500’s. These are hands down the most comfortable headphones under $100 out there! Which is not what was expected given some of Phillips other products, which have questionable quality. 

With their really big ear cups and soft double layered padding, this headset can be easily worn for long gaming sessions. The sound profile is very punchy for having 50 mm drivers, delivering great mids and highs. With a wide frequency range between 12 to 35,000hz, these can definitely hit a wide array of different sound profiles to enhance your gaming experience. 

The SHP9500’s are also open-back headphones, which means sound will bleed out from the speakers into your surroundings. So if you are in an environment where you may need to be quiet or you are trying to block any background noise, these might not be the best choice for you. They also come with a detachable cable too and can be replaced with any standard 3.5 mm jack. Phillips really knocked it out of the park with this headset. 

Great sound for headphones in this price range. But you better snag them up quick as they’ve been discontinued, due to Phillips being bought out they’ve stopped production on a lot of their headphone’s. Which is really disappointing since they make some quality cans. 

Product Spec’s:

• Open-back headphones
• 50 mm Neodymium drivers
• Wide Frequency response 12 – 35,000 Hz
• 32 Ohm Impedance
• SUPER BIG & comfortable ear cups
• Detachable 3.5 mm cable

Side note: If you plan on using a headset like this for live streaming, buyer beware! Due to these being open back headphones sound will bleed through and will be picked up through your microphone. Even applying noise gate and sound suppression didn’t help, that was the only issue with these. 

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

All the way from Germany, Beyerdynamic has been specializing in headphone manufacturing since 1924 and are one of the foremost experts in headphone quality. The Beyerdynamic DT 770’s are one of the best introductory high end studio headphones on the market. With their closed-back design these headphones are great for drowning out background noise and giving some of the clearest audio you’ll ever hear. Especially for a headset that doesn’t require additional amperage due to its lower impedance. Although, these would benefit greatly from being used with an audio interface. 

The cups are extremely soft and fit completely around your ears. The head band was a tad clampy at first, but the aluminum headband can easily be shaped to fit the contour of your head. These are perfect for long gaming sessions or for the would be content creator, super comfortable for long streams.

In our opinion, this are the best headphones on this list. Especially under the $150 range!

Product Spec’s:

• Closed-back Headphones
• Big ear cups – fits completely over ear
• Excellent build quality
• 80 ohm impedance – Great for PC or studio use (Works better if plugged into mixer or audio interface)
• Wide frequency response – 5Hz – 35,000Hz
• ‘Bass reflex’ technology – Gives better bass response
• 9.8 FT  cable – 3.5mm to 1/4″ adapter

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Best Budget Wireless Headsets

This is where the boat gets rocky in terms of price. As soon as the word “Wireless” is attached to any headphone, the cost jumps up significantly with little additional features other than cutting the cord. 

Biggest thing to note with wireless headphones, the sound quality takes a decent dip compared to their wired counterparts. Comparing a wireless Razer headset to a pair of Beyerdynamic DT studio headphones is an unfair comparison. But having the freedom to walk freely, or not have to worry about routing cables can make the hit to the overall sound quality worth it.

When putting this list together, we truly tried to find the best wireless gaming headsets and studio headsets to fit any budget. 

Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED and Bluetooth Wireless Gaming Headset

If Logitech’s products had to be categorized under one word, it would be “consistent”. The G435’s coming in at around $50 have quite  bit to offer, unique design that leans toward comfort over sound quality. The G435 is light, under 6 oz. and its breathable ear cups promote lengthy game sessions without your ears getting sweaty. This headset tends to run on the smaller side, so gamers with BIG HEADS, this headset may not be for you!

The 40 mm drivers are a tad smaller than some of our wired headsets on this list. Take that paired with the decibel limiter, this headset will lean on the quiet end. The G435 also has a built-in microphone, while not “mic-less” it does give the appearance of not having the typical swing arm microphone. 

The biggest downside to this wireless headset, is that it doesn’t work with Xbox devices. 

Product Spec’s:

• Works ONLY on PC, PS4, PS5 & Nintendo Switch (Sorry Xbox)
• Closed-back headphones
• Small to medium ear cups
• Frequency response 20Hz – 20KHz
• 40 mm drivers
• 45 ohms (Passive)
• 18 hour battery life
• Optional max volume limiter
• LIGHTSPEED Bluetooth connectivity – Ultra low latency
• Works with phones/tablets

Razer Barracuda X Wireless Gaming Headset (2021 Model)

THE MICROPHONE IS DETACHABLE

Razer in these later years has stepped up the quality of their gaming accessories, the Razer Barracuda X is proof of that.

Finding a gaming headset that uses RF instead Bluetooth is hard to find.  Granted this is the 2021 model, the only updated features the 2022 model are a 50 hour battery life and both Bluetooth/RF 2.4Ghz connections. At an additional $30 price jump. 

With a decent battery life and acceptable proprietary drivers, this is a solid headset at the $69.99 price point. Especially when comparing this to other gaming headsets in this range. I would definitely buy this when on sale over MSRP. 

Product Spec’s:

• Works ONLY with PC, PS5, Switch, & Android mobile device
• Closed-back headphones
• Detachable mic
• Small to medium ear cups
• Lightweight – only 250g
• Frequency response 20Hz – 20kHz
• 2.4Ghz RF wireless connectivity
• 20 Hour Battery Life (USB-C Charging)

Corsair HS70 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

THE MICROPHONE IS DETACHABLE

The Corsair HS series is a far step from the initial launch of VOID series, the VOID’s were great headphones but always felt like bulky and heavy. The HS70’s feel weighted but evenly distributed across the headband, lessening the “clamping” effect. 

These headphones get straight to the point. Custom tuned 50 mm drivers that match studio quality headsets, 2.4ghz RF wireless connection for low latency, and 32 ohm impedance make these cans one of the best budget headsets under $100. With the detachable mic and big ear cups covered in memory foam padding, these things are meant to be worn for long periods of time without putting pressure on your dome. 

The biggest downside however, is the 16 hours of battery life. Even some of the lower end budget wireless headsets have better battery life than their flagship wireless headset. 

Product Spec’s:

• Works ONLY with PC, MacOS, PS5, PS4
• Closed-back headphones
• Medium to Large ear cups
• Detachable mic
• 50 mm drivers
• 2.4Ghz RF wireless connectivity
• 32 ohm impedance
• Frequency response 20Hz – 20 kHz
• 16 hour battery life

Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT Wireless

It is a rare sight to find a name brand wireless studio headset under $100. With this headset being the wireless version of the Audio-Technica ATH-M 20 model, the features are basically identical. Stocked with 40 mm drivers for a great low end sound, your favorite games will really pop with these. Especially with a insanely wide frequency range from 5 to 32,000 Hz

The ATH-M20xBT’s also use both Bluetooth and RF wireless connectivity. Providing low latency which is perfect for competitive games. Paired with an INSANE battery life at a whopping 60 hours from a single charge, means you’ll be able to use these for days at a time. 

These headphones are overall a really great choice, the perfect blend of affordability and excellent sound quality. Could not got wrong with these!

Product Spec’s:

• Closed-back headphones
• Medium to big ear cups
• 40 mm drivers
• Frequency response 5 – 32,000 Hz
• 36 ohm impedance
• 60 hour battery life
• Bluetooth and RF wireless connectivity

(Could not for the life of me, find the impedance for these. If they align with most other wireless headsets it should be around the 32-36 ohm range)

SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless Gaming Headset

THE MICROPHONE IS RETRACTABLE

The Arctis 7 headphones by SteelSeries are award winning and rightfully so. These are one of the best wireless gaming headsets on the market hands down!

Gaming headsets have sort of a stigma around them and are viewed as “subpar” compared to studio/regular headphones. But these 40 mm Neodymium Drivers give such clear low, mid, and high and some of the best sound for a gaming headset. These do a great job of pinpointing sound too. Playing multiplayer games, you’ll get the advantage of hearing footsteps or vehicles before any of your friends. Paired with 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, these have practically zero latency. Really impressive sound quality out of these, which was unexpected after using studio quality headphones for so long. 

Regarding comfort and size, the ear cups are in the medium to large range. Perfect for gamers with bigger heads that want cups to completely cover their ears. The weight feels evenly distributed and it has a really comfortable headband. Which is adjustable via a Velcro strap, which after thinking about it is a nice touch. Most of the other reviews on gaming headsets, first complaints are about build quality and headphones breaking at the adjustment points. 

Granted this headset is on the higher end cost wise, the investment is worth it and we could not recommend the Arctis 7+ headphones enough. 

Product Spec’s:

•  Closed-back headphones
• Medium to large ear cups
•  Frequency response 20 – 20,000 Hz
•  40 mm Neodymium drivers
•  32 ohm impedance
•  2.4Ghz RF wireless connectivity
•  30+ hours off single charge
• Conveniently placed volume control 

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How much should you spend on a gaming headset?

Well this is a tough question that can only be answered with “whatever your budget allows”.

Compare and contrast the different specs of all the headphones in your price range. Do you prefer comfort or sound quality? Wire or wireless? Gaming or studio headset? 

Find out what features are the most important to you, then single out the best budget gaming headsets without a mic that best fit your needs. 

With most headphones only being available for purchase online, it may require buying a couple of pairs and sending them back until you find that right pair. If you are a content creator and truly want that broadcaster level audio quality, a gaming headset might not be the best choice but you’re going to pay more.

It’s all about weighing the pro’s and con’s that are going to best fit your situation and budget.