$19.99
Rankings
The BlackShark V2 X is a premium wired headset featuring 50 mm drivers, a removable HyperClear cardioid mic, and THX Spatial Audio via an included USB sound card, balancing high-fidelity sound, comfort, and advanced software features for competitive gamers.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers a lightweight, comfortable design with DTS spatial audio and a swivel-mute mic at a budget-friendly price, though its plastic build and occasional wireless drops limit premium appeal.
The Skullcandy Jib Wired Earbuds are a budget-friendly in-ear solution offering clear sound with a bass boost, passive noise isolation, and an inline mic/remote. Their lightweight design and universal 3.5 mm compatibility make them practical for everyday listening, though durability concerns have been reported.
The Logitech H390 is a budget-friendly wired USB headset designed for clear voice communication and basic audio playback. Its plug-and-play setup, noise-cancelling microphone and comfortable on-ear design make it a solid choice for remote workers and students.
A budget-friendly wired USB gaming headset offering virtual 7.1 surround, an active mic and RGB lighting, comfortable for long play but limited by a plasticky build and occasional mic issues.
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is an entry-level wired on-ear headphone offering balanced sound with a bass boost, lightweight portability, and an in-line mic for calls. Its foldable, closed-back design makes it ideal for everyday use, though the cheap plastic build limits long-term durability.
The Sonitum headset is a budget-friendly wired over-ear solution that excels in microphone clarity and comfort. It offers universal 3.5 mm connectivity and a lightweight design, making it ideal for bulk office deployments, though it lacks modern wireless features.
The Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 offers a long-lasting battery, multipoint Bluetooth and useful Tile tracking in a lightweight on-ear package, making it a solid choice for commuters and casual listeners. Its bass-forward sound and lack of water resistance limit appeal for audiophiles and active users.
The JBL Quantum 100 is an entry-level wired over-ear gaming headset offering lightweight comfort, a detachable boom mic and broad platform compatibility at a budget price. Sound quality is modest with weak bass, and it lacks advanced features such as ANC or software tuning.
The JBL Quantum 100 is an entry-level wired over-ear gaming headset offering clear sound, a comfortable fit, and a detachable boom mic. It excels in value and multi-platform compatibility but lacks wireless features and suffers from a short cable.
The Recon 70 is a budget-friendly, lightweight wired headset that works well across platforms, offering decent sound and a clear mic. However, users report variable build quality, cable stiffness, and occasional audio glitches.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 mm | 50 mmbest | 40 mm | 50 mmbest | 9.2 mm | 40 mm | 30 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 30 mm | — | |
34 hours | 36 hoursbest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
32 ohms | 32 ohms | — | 32 ohms | 16 ohms | 32 ohms | 24 ohms | 32 ohms | 32.5 ohmsbest | 32 ohms | 32 ohms | |
94 dB | 105 dBbest | — | 100 dB | 85 dB | 96 dB | 98 dB | 97 dB | 103 dB | 94 dB | — | |
10 mbest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
— | -42 dB | — | -42 dB | — | -42 dB | — | — | -40 dB | -17 dBbest | -58 dB | |
| ↓ lower better | 153 g | 400 g | 232 g | 240 g | 36.9 gbest | 220 g | 118 g | 221 g | 275 g | 197 g | 100 g |
| ↓ lower better | 2 hours | 0.167 hoursbest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microphone(2) | |||||||||||
Microphone Type | Built-in | Omnidirectional | — | Removable HyperClear cardioid | Inline | Detachable boom mic | In-line | Detachable Boom | Electret condenser | Noise-canceling, fixed boom | Condenser |
Microphone Sensitivity (dB) | — | -42 dB | — | -42 dB | — | -42 dB | — | — | -40 dB | -17 dB | -58 dB |
Audio(6) | |||||||||||
Driver Size (mm) | 40 mm | 50 mm | 40 mm | 50 mm | 9.2 mm | 40 mm | 30 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 30 mm | — |
Driver Type | — | Dynamic | Dynamic | Customized Dynamic | Dynamic | — | Dynamic | — | — | — | — |
Frequency Response | 20-20000 | 20-20000 | 20-20000 | 12-28 kHz | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz | 20-20000 Hz | 12-22000 | 20-20000 | 10-21000 | 20 Hz - 20000 Hz | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz |
Impedance (ohms) | 32 ohms | 32 ohms | — | 32 ohms | 16 ohms | 32 ohms | 24 ohms | 32 ohms | 32.5 ohms | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
Sensitivity (dB) | 94 dB | 105 dB | — | 100 dB | 85 dB | 96 dB | 98 dB | 97 dB | 103 dB | 94 dB | — |
Form Factor | On-Ear | Over-ear | Over-ear | Over-ear | In-Ear | Over-ear | on-ear | Over-Ear | Over-ear | — | Over-ear |
Build & Design(1) | |||||||||||
Weight (g) | 153 g | 400 g | 232 g | 240 g | 36.9 g | 220 g | 118 g | 221 g | 275 g | 197 g | 100 g |
Battery & Power(2) | |||||||||||
Battery Life (hours) | 34 hours | 36 hours | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Charging Time (hours) | 2 hours | 0.1667 hours | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Warranty(1) | |||||||||||
Warranty Period (months) | 12 months | 24 months | — | 24 months | 12 months | 24 months | 12 months | 24 months | 24 months | 12 months | 12 months |
Connectivity(2) | |||||||||||
Connectivity Type | Bluetooth, 3.5mm Aux, USB-C | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired 3.5 mm AUX | 3.5 mm analog | Wired | Wired | 3.5mm analog | Wired | Wired |
Cable Length (m) | — | 2.2 m | 1.2 m | 1.8 m | 1.2 m | 1.2 m | 1.2 m | — | 1.3 m | 1.9 m | 1.8 m |
Accessories(1) | |||||||||||
Number of Included Accessories | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | — | 6 | 3 | — | 1 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Riff Wireless 2 for delivering a battery life that outstrips most budget on-ear competitors and for packing premium conveniences like Tile locating, multipoint Bluetooth, and a rapid-charge USB-C port, while noting the on-ear form factor and bass-heavy tuning as drawbacks.
Everyday users overwhelmingly highlight the long battery life, quick-charge capability, and comfort of the plush earpads, but complain about the plastic build feeling cheap, overly sensitive touch controls, and lack of water resistance.
“Good sound quality”
“Best headphones I ever had”
“Mic fell off”
Choose EKSA E1000 for larger drivers and virtual surround; choose Stinger for sturdier build and no RGB.
Choose the Cloud Stinger if you want a sturdier headset with similar sound at a modest price increase.
Choose JBL for lighter weight, detachable mic and budget pricing; choose Stinger if you need longer cable and built-in virtual surround.
Choose BlackShark V2 X if you prioritize larger drivers and THX audio and are willing to pay more; stick with Stinger 2 Core for budget and steel-frame durability.
Reviewers commend the EKSA E1000 for solid audio performance and comfort at a low price, noting its 7.1 surround and mic quality while pointing out the plastic feel and mic durability concerns.
Users praise clear sound and comfort, but report mic falling off and cable tangling issues.
Professional reviewers view the Recon 70 as a solid entry-level option delivering essentials but falling short of pricier competitors.
Everyday users generally appreciate the headset's value, light weight and clear mic, while reporting audio dropouts and build quality issues.
Professional reviewers, including PCMag (perfect score) and Tom's Hardware, praised the BlackShark V2 X for its superb audio, mic clarity, lightweight comfort, and THX Spatial Audio support, while noting the lack of wireless capability.
Everyday users consistently praise the headset's comfort, clear microphone, and immersive sound, but complain about the non-detachable cable, limited console functionality for THX, and occasional durability issues.
Retail descriptions and editorial summaries position the Jib as a solid, low-cost wired option, praising its value, basic reliability and travel-friendliness while noting it improves on earlier Skullcandy models.
Everyday buyers generally appreciate the Jib's sound quality, comfortable fit and useful mic, especially given its price. However, many complain about premature failures, fragile cables and controls, and the lack of a protective case.
Professional reviewers praise the Quantum 100 for delivering JBL's QuantumSOUND Signature at a budget price, noting its accurate soundstage and comfortable design, while pointing out the absence of software-based surround and lack of USB or wireless connectivity.
Everyday users consistently highlight solid sound quality, comfort, and the detachable mic, rating it 4-plus stars for value, with complaints about the short cable and occasional audio-balance issues.
Professional reviewers consider the MDR-ZX110 a standout in the sub-$25 segment, highlighting its clear audio, effective isolation, and convenient in-line controls.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the headphone's value, sound quality, and portability, often calling it the best budget option for commuting, gaming, and calls.
Professional reviewers view the Quantum 100 as a solid budget option that excels in comfort, intuitive controls, and microphone clarity, while noting its lackluster sound quality and limited feature set compared to higher-priced competitors.
Everyday users praise the headset's comfort, lightweight feel, excellent microphone, and value for money, but frequently complain about weak bass, cheap-looking plastic, a non-detachable cable, and poor noise isolation.
Professional reviewers praise the Cloud Stinger series for delivering console-level comfort, a sturdy steel headband, and surprisingly rich audio at a sub-$50 price point, noting DTS Headphone:X as a standout feature.
Everyday users consistently highlight the headset's comfort, clear swivel-mute mic, and cross-platform ease of use, while complaining about sweaty fabric ear pads, occasional wireless drop-outs, and the extra step of installing the DTS software.
Reviewers describe it as a dependable, no-frills business headset that excels in comfort and call clarity, though they note the fixed mic and limited audio richness as drawbacks.
Users praise its comfort, noise-cancelling mic and instant setup, while noting occasional ear fatigue and the limitation of a left-side only microphone.
Professional reviewers describe the Sonitum headset as a solid, entry-level solution that delivers surprisingly clear microphone performance for its low price, appreciating its universal 3.5 mm plug and plug-and-play simplicity, while noting the lack of modern USB-C or digital processing as a drawback.
Everyday users praise the headset for clear voice pickup on Zoom and Teams, all-day comfort, and excellent bulk pricing, but complain about occasional audio imbalance, keyboard noise pickup, and cable tangling.
Choose Logitech H390 if you need digital audio quality and mute LED; choose Sonitum for lower cost and universal 3.5 mm compatibility.
Pick HyperX Cloud Stinger for immersive gaming sound; pick Sonitum for clear voice communication at a lower price.
