Introduction
When building the ultimate PC gaming setup, peripherals play a key role in elevating your comfort and control while playing the latest and greatest titles. Gaming mice and keyboards are essential parts of a setup that can be the difference between winning and losing, so gamers tends to put their focus on them. However, gaming headsets are also important, as they greatly enhance the audio quality and communications with friends.
If you have already splashed the cash on a mouse and keyboard, one way to improve your audio on the cheap is to pick up a wired gaming headset, as these designs tend to be a lot cheaper than their wireless counterparts. But which wired gaming headsets are worth picking up?
Suggested Article: Best Discord Certified Headsets to Buy in 2023
In this buyers guide, we’ll be taking you through the best wired headsets for PC gaming, including a range of price points and designs, meaning you should have no problem finding a headset that suits your budget and aesthetic. On top of this, we’ll be offering some advice on how to pick an audio device that will sound right for you.
Our Recommendations
1. Logitech G335
👑 The best budget wired gaming headset.
First up, we have the Logitech G335, a wired gaming headset targeted towards budget PC gamers. Logitech are well known for offering a range of high-quality gaming peripherals, but most of the spotlight goes to their gaming mice and keyboards. However, their selection of gaming headsets are also amongst the best within each price category. The G335 in particular is a solid budget option for gamers that want to remain comfortable during long gaming sessions. The design shares a lot of similarities with the higher-end G733 Wireless, a gaming headset that we gave plenty of praise in our in-depth review, so gamers can expect more of the same from this wired variation. Finally, the G335 comes in a variety of colours, with multiple ways to customise the earcups and headband for a look that matches the rest of your setup.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | Logitech G335 |
|---|---|
| Speaker Driver Size | 40mm |
| Weight | 240g |
| Surround Sound | N/A |
| Headphone Frequency | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| RGB | Yes |
| Microphone Pattern | Cardioid |
| Microphone Frequency | 100Hz – 10kHz |
| Discord Certified? | Yes |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Audio Jack |
Things We Like
Entry-level price point: For a gaming headset within its price point, the G335 looks and feels better than most other budget headsets. On top of this, it can often be found on sale, making it even better value for money.
Discord certified headset: As a Discord certified headset, you can expect this design to provide a clear method of communications when talking to your friends on either PC and console.
Things We Don’t Like
Not the best sound quality: It seems as though this headset prioritises comfort instead of sound quality, making it a less than ideal choice for audiophiles. Whilst the sound isn’t bad for gaming and chatting with friends, the 40mm drivers and lack of surround sound does cause limitations in audio clarity.
Mic does not detach: One of my biggest pet peeves on a gaming headset is when the microphone does not detach or retract. Though it is somewhat expected within this price range, the folding microphone used here is distracting and prone to taking unnecessary damage over time.
Summary
Gamers on a budget that want a headset that looks and feels great won’t find many options better than Logitech’s G335. With premium design features found on more higher-end headsets such as a floating headband and memory foam earcups, this headset is an ideal choice for long gaming sessions while chatting with friends.
Features: 4.2/5
Design: 4.3/5
Sound Quality: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.3/5
Pros
- Very comfortable design
- Discord certified headset
- Colourful design with RGB
Cons
- Limited sound quality
- Microphone doesn’t detach
Where to Buy
Buy the Logitech G335 on:
2. Steelseries Arctis Nova 1
👑 The best value wired gaming headset.
For gamers working within a tight budget that want to put more attention towards the audio quality, allow us to introduce the Arctis Nova 1 from SteelSeries. Another one of the strongest designs within the budget category, the Arctis Nova 1 looks to provide more of a balance between sound quality and comfort compared to Logitech’s offering. With a floating headband design and memory foam earcups, this headset feels comfortable and lightweight, even after hours of non-stop gaming. In addition, the more reserved appearance and retractable microphone allows this headset to blend in more with a traditional headphones, making them suitable for all kinds of environments. As for the audio quality, the Nova acoustic system used for this design offers spatial audio, allowing gamers to track the location of enemies a lot easier for a competitive advantage. Additionally, the AI noise-cancelling mic blocks out a lot of surrounding sounds, which helps to improve communications with team-mates when playing in crowded spaces.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 |
|---|---|
| Speaker Driver Size | 40mm |
| Weight | 236g |
| Surround Sound | 7.1 |
| Headphone Frequency | 20Hz – 22,000Hz |
| RGB | No |
| Microphone Pattern | Bidirectional |
| Microphone Frequency | 100Hz – 10,000Hz |
| Discord Certified? | No |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Audio Jack |
Things We Like
Premium design: Despite being one of the cheapest designs within the SteelSeries collection, the Arctis Nova 1 boasts a design that we’d be happy with on a headset that is the double the price.
Great value for money: In a similar fashion to our previous entry, the Arctis Nova 1 can be found on sale quite frequently, making it a great option when looking to pick up a bargain.
Things We Don’t Like
Some performance limitations: Whilst the surround sound implementation gives this headset better audio quality than most budget options, the smaller drivers does limit the sound and volume when compared to more premium offerings.
Lack of RGB lighting: The overall aesthetic of this gaming headset screams sophistication, but this does lead to a design that is perhaps too simplistic to appeal to a large group of gamers. As a result, some RGB to brighten things up seems like a missed opportunity to grab the attention of more gamers.
Summary
In terms of getting bang for your buck, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is certainly up their with the best wired gaming headsets available. Along with a comfortable design and a premium aesthetic, the Nova acoustic system includes spatial audio and EQ customisation through the SteelSeries Sonar software, leading to audio quality that eclipses almost every headset available within a similar price range.
Features: 4.2/5
Design: 4.5/5
Sound Quality: 4.3/5
Value for Money: 4.3/5
Pros
- Premium comfort
- Surround sound & custom audio
- Great value for money
Cons
- 40mm drivers limit sound quality
- Not ideal for RGB lovers
Where to Buy
Buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 on:
3. Corsair HS65 Surround
👑 The best premium wired gaming headset.
Not all wired gaming headsets are tailored towards a budget audience. Instead, designs such as Corsair’s HS65 Surround look to provide excellent audio communications and comfort to gamers looking to assemble a mid-range gaming rig. Whilst there are still pricing benefits to these designs, the main objective is to cram as many premium features into the design for consistently clear communications with team-mates. Looking at the HS65 Surround specifically, the 50mm drivers and presence of 7.1 surround sound leads to a loud and detailed sound in all the latest titles. However, the standout feature is the custom SoundID profiles that can be made in Corsair’s iCUE software. This innovation lets gamers conduct a test that gathers information on their individual hearing parameters and then creates a custom sound profile to suit your needs, which in turn optimises your headset so that you don’t miss any important details in the midst of the action.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | Corsair HS65 Surround |
|---|---|
| Speaker Driver Size | 50mm |
| Weight | 234g |
| Surround Sound | 7.1 |
| Headphone Frequency | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| RGB | No |
| Microphone Pattern | Omni-directional |
| Microphone Frequency | 100Hz – 10,000Hz |
| Discord Certified? | Yes |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Audio Jack |
Things We Like
Custom high-quality audio: We’ve used the SoundID custom audio on a number of Corsair’s latest headsets, including the wireless version of the HS65, and have always been impressed with the results. Because of this, we’re happy to see it make an appearance here.
Discord certified: Another Discord certified headset features in this list! With this seal of approval from Discord, gamers can assume their voice will sound crystal clear when giving their team-mates orders.
Things We Don’t Like
Flip-to-mute microphone: On a design that isn’t targeted towards budget consumers, the lack of a removable microphone is disappointing, as this leaves the microphone prone to damage when not in use.
Not the most comfortable design: Whilst the leatherette padding on the earcups and headband feels fairly plush, it can become uncomfortable during prolonged gaming sessions and is likely to wear over time.
Summary
For gamers that want premium custom audio for a price that won’t break the bank, then the Corsair HS65 Surround is a solid choice to consider. Featuring 7.1 surround sound that can be fine-tuned with SoundID for a personalised sound, users can expect clear and precise audio when gaming.
Features: 4.3/5
Design: 4.2/5
Sound Quality: 4.3/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Great audio customisation
- Discord certified design
- Sleek appearance
Cons
- Lack of a detachable mic
- Concerns over long-term comfort
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair HS65 Surround on:
4. ASUS ROG Delta
👑 The best RGB wired gaming headset.
If you’re looking for a wired gaming headset that offers nothing but the best in terms of audio quality, then the ASUS ROG Delta could be the perfect addition to your gaming setup. Compared to the rest of the products featured in this roundup, this gaming headset has almost double the headphone frequency, which leads to improved audio details when playing a range of the latest titles. On top of this, the ASUS ROG Delta is Discord certified, meaning you won’t have any communication issues when chatting to friends online. As for the design, the D-shaped earcups include plenty of padding and is designed to match the natural shape of the human ear for a snug fit. To accentuate this unique shape, the earcups are outlined with a bright strip of RGB lighting.
Key Specs
| Key Spec | ASUS ROG Delta |
|---|---|
| Speaker Driver Size | 50mm |
| Weight | 387g |
| Surround Sound | N/A |
| Headphone Frequency | 20Hz – 40,000Hz |
| RGB | Yes |
| Microphone Pattern | Unidirectional |
| Microphone Frequency | 100Hz – 10,000Hz |
| Discord Certified? | Yes |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
Things We Like
Excellent sound quality: The range of frequency on this device is almost double the industry standard, allowing audio output to sound significantly higher quality. Paired with the large 50mm drivers, gamers can expect to hear plenty of vivid details in all the latest titles.
Design is suited to gamers: Thanks to the multitude of materials used throughout the design, along with the abundance of RGB on the earcups, this headset boasts a classy yet edgy look that is a perfect fit alongside a high-end gaming PC.
Things We Don’t Like
Very expensive wired headset: With wired headsets being predominantly used by gamers on a budget nowadays, there are bound to be plenty of people that will take one look at the price of this headset and decide it’s not the right choice for them.
Relies on a USB-C connector: One of the most unconventional aspects of this headset is the connectivity, as it uses USB-C instead of the typical 3.5mm audio jack. This will be great for connecting these headsets to modern phones and laptops, but could cause connectivity issues with consoles and PCs with older motherboards.
Summary
If you’re an audiophile that’s looking for a high-quality gaming headset to put into your gaming setup, then the ROG Delta’s should certainly be on your shortlist. When compared to other wired gaming headsets, they provide significantly improved audio quality for a more immersive gaming experience. Plus, the RGB around the earcup creates a look that will be at home in most gaming environments.
Features: 4.3/5
Design: 4.3/5
Sound Quality: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Sound great when gaming
- Detachable microphone
- Premium design for gamers
Cons
- Comes with a hefty price tag
- USB-C connection could limit compatibility
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Delta on:
Are Wired Gaming Headsets Still Worth Buying in 2023?
Before deciding which of the options recommended above would be the best fit for your gaming setup, you may be questioning whether a wired headset is worth buying at all. In an age where most wireless designs share similar specs and quality to their wired counterparts, as well as the freedom to move around and connect to multiple devices at once, choosing to ditch the wires can seem like a no-brainer. However, there are a couple of reasons why a wired option could still be the better choice for you.
First of all, wired gaming headsets tend to be a lot cheaper than their wireless alternatives, making them a great choice for those looking to get the best deal possible. Not only is the entry-level for wired headsets a lot lower, allowing you to save plenty of cash for other PC gaming peripherals and accessories, but you can normally pick a high-quality wired headset for the same price as a cheap wireless option. Therefore, the lack of a wireless connectivity is a worthy sacrifice for better audio quality or a more comfortable design.
Also, there are plenty of compatibility issues with headsets that can hinder the practicality of a wireless gaming headset, which is something that isn’t really an issue with wired headsets. Due to a gaming headset being more of a cross-compatible device than a gaming mouse or keyboard, it’s always beneficial to have a headset that can connect to both PC and console.
This becomes an issue with wireless headsets, as some designs can’t connect to the likes of Xbox or Switch consoles. On the other hand, all of these devices are compatible with a 3.5mm audio jack, making a wired headset the better choice if you want one headset for all your gaming devices.
Why You Can Trust Us
When testing out any of the latest gaming peripherals, our team of PC gaming experts put the products through their paces in a range of the latest competitive and blockbuster titles. On top of this, we also try them out in general daily scenarios to see how they feel during prolonged usage. This then gives us a detailed opinion on the product in question, which is shared to our audience via YouTube videos and written content.
If you’d like to know more, head on over to the ‘About Us’ section.
How We Tested the Best Wired Gaming Headsets
In order to test and evaluate the best wired gaming headsets, there are a number of factors that we take into account, these are:
- Audio quality
- Mic quality
- Comfort
- Aesthetic
- Software & customisation
- Value for Money
Conclusion
Best Wired Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
From all the recommendations we’ve discussed for the best wired gaming headsets, our go-to choice would be the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Though each of the offerings have their advantages, this headset is arguably the most well-rounded design that offers the best value to gamers.
Buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Should I Spend on a Wired Gaming Headset?
We’d recommend spending at least $50-$100 on a wired gaming headset, as this should be enough to grab a design that’s comfortable and sounds great.
Is a USB or 3.5mm Audio Jack Better for a Gaming Headset?
It depends. Both connections have their benefits. USB tends to lead to improve audio quality while 3.5mm has a wider range of compatibility.
Do I Need a Microphone When Gaming?
No. You only need a microphone in multiplayer games where you want to communicate with your team or with friends.
Is 7.1 Surround Sound Good for Gaming?
Yes. A gaming headset with 7.1 gaming headset will be much better at portraying the precise location of the sound around you, leading to increased immersion and an easier way to locate targets.
