Lighter headsets are generally considered more comfortable to wear. They might have less cushioning, but they don’t push in on your ears and head as much. This means that they’re also easier on your neck. Those can make a huge difference, especially for gamers who play for hours on end.
Unfortunately, many associate lightweight gaming headsets having lesser quality. You can’t really blame those that believe this. It’s often true.
This explains why it’s not as easy to find a gaming headset that’s around 200 to 300 grams only in weight.
If you’re in search of a lightweight headset for gaming, then you’re in luck.
[lasso type=”table” id=”59″ link_id=”15027″]
Below, we’ve rounded up the 7 best lightweight headsets for gaming that are available in 2022.
Best Lightweight Gaming Headset
1. Razer Blackshark V2
Kudos to Razer. How they’ve managed to pack so much in something so lightweight is beyond us.
The Razer Blackshark V2 isn’t the lightest gaming headset around, but it is right up there. At just 262 grams, it weighs nearly half as much as many of its competition. Yet, it packs just as many features if not more.
This closed-back over-ear headset has an excellent microphone with spectacular audio quality. It uses TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers that can individually tune highs, mids, and lows. It also has a detachable Hyperclear Cardioid Mic. It’s a feature that allows the microphone to isolate voices while suppressing outside noise.
To top it all off, the Blackshark V2 has oval-shaped and gel-infused cooling cushions. This helps minimize the effects of pressure build-up and prevents overheating.
The $100 price tag definitely only serves to help drive the value of the Blackshark V2 up.
Technical Specifications
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; over-ear
- Drivers: TriForce Titanium 50mm
- Connectivity: Wired (5.9 feet)
- Microphone: Hyperclear Cardioid Mic
- Weight: 9.2oz / 262 grams
Pros
- Immaculate in-game and music audio quality
- Plush and comfy
- Tons of customization options using the app
- Affordable
Cons
- So-so microphone
Related Read:
2. Astro A50 Wireless (Gen 4)
Now in its fourth generation, the Astro A50 Wireless remains a top-notch product. It might even be the best lightweight wireless gaming headset today.
Yes. It’s not exactly very light. It’s right on par with other gaming headsets. At least, the wired ones. But, as far as wireless models are concerned, it’s exactly not that heavy at 380 grams. After all, you have to consider that wireless headsets naturally weigh more. This is because they have to have built-in batteries, among other things.
Apart from being lightweight, the best feature of the A50 is that it’s very comfortable.
Everything about the A50 screams comfort. This includes everything from oversized velour-style cloth ear cushions and flexible frames.
The drivers are even covered with n ultra-soft material and the headband is padded for added comfort. Plus, to make the A50 even more comfortable, you can adjust the size according to the size of your head.
At this point, the fact that audio quality and microphone quality are both great are just mere bonuses.
Now, if only it was a bit cheaper.
Technical Specifications
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; over-ear
- Drivers: Neodymium Magnet 40mm
- Connectivity: Wireless (15-hour battery life)
- Microphone: 6.0mm uni-directional with voice isolation
- Weight: 11.2oz / 380 grams
Pros
- Attractive headset base that doubles as a stand
- Swappable earpads
- Dolby Audio just sounds downright amazing
Cons
- Expensive
- Divisive looks
3. Razer Kraken X
For the second time on our list, a Razer product makes an appearance. This time, it’s the all-affordable Razer Kraken X.
At the $50 price point, you can’t really expect much outside of a basic gaming headset. It’s usually where lightweight means light on features. However, Kraken X is far from light. At least, in terms of features. Because, in terms of weight, the Kraken X only weighs 250 grams or around 8.8 ounces.
Even though it’s so light, the Kraken X is heavy on performance. In particular, it’s got a virtual 7.1 surround sound that improves the depth, clarity, and definition of the audio.
Sure, it’s done via the app, but still. At this price point, you take what you can get.
Add to this, the Kraken X looks stylishly unassuming (if that’s even a phrase) and it’s extremely comfortable to wear. But, of course, it’s not perfect. The microphone is not detachable, and as good as the design is, we can’t deny that it looks plain-ish.
Technical Specifications
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; over-ear
- Drivers: Neodymium Magnet 40mm
- Connectivity: Wired (4.27 feet)
- Microphone: Bendable Cardioid Microphone
- Weight: 8.8oz / 250 grams
Pros
- Affordable
- Virtual 7.1 surround sound
- Comfy
Cons
- Surround sound works only in Windows 10
4. HyperX Cloud Mix
The HyperX Cloud Mix isn’t just one of the best gaming headsets out there. It’s probably the best gaming headset that HyperX has ever made.
This is high praise. It’s not like HyperX is a small company that hasn’t made dozens of gaming headsets already. But, even so, the Cloud Mix has more than warranted this complement for a lot of good reasons.
For one, it’s a premium-looking headset with a premium build quality. The aluminum frame feels rigid and sturdy. At the same time, it’s lightweight. In addition to this, the headband is enveloped inside plush and soft-touch memory foam material that makes it extremely comfortable to wear. This is then all topped off with a matte black coating with minimal branding.
Another reason why it’s one of the best is because of its functionality. It might be wired, but it does have the option to be used as a wireless headset. It can also be used on pretty much any Bluetooth-enabled device, including smartphones and tablets, as well as consoles.
With an estimated 20-hour battery life, a detachable boom mic, braided cables, a carry bag, as well as crisp and balanced audio quality, the Cloud Mix just set the bar for future HyperX audio products to come.
Technical Specifications
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; over-ear
- Drivers: Custom-design Dual Chamber 40mm
- Connectivity: Wireless (20-hour battery life)
- Microphone: Electret Condenser Boom
- Weight: 9.17oz / 260 grams
Pros
- Sleek and modern design
- Versatile
- Premium build quality
- Long battery life
Cons
- Boom mic doesn’t work over Bluetooth
5. Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X
The people over at Audio-Technica can’t just seem to stick to the audiophile market. They keep on making one good headset after another. A good example of this is the Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X.
A tasteful pricetag with Audio-Technica’s signature touches are all the key selling points of the ATH-ADG1X.
Considering that high-fidelity audio is already a given, we reckon it’s better to focus on the other positives. Luckily, the ATH-ADG1X has plenty. This includes a lightweight (285 grams), the 3D Wing support system for added comfort, and the 6.6-feet cables. The microphone is also vivid and clear, with soft ear pads to boot.
On top of this all, the ATH-ADG1X uses an all-metal honeycomb housing. This helps keep the headset cool and lightweight, as well as give it a more natural-sounding audio quality.
Technical Features
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; open-air
- Drivers: 53mm
- Connectivity: Wired (6.6-feet)
- Microphone: Hypercardioid Electret Condenser
- Weight: 10.1oz / 285 grams
Pros
- Audiophile-grade sound quality
- Great looks
- Comfortable
- Powerful bass
Cons
- Build quality feels cheap relative to the similarly-priced competition
6. Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless
SteelSeries had a winner when it first introduced the Arctis line of gaming headsets. Every one of them is considered either the best or one of the best in their price points. But, if we were to single out just one, we’d have to go with the best of the best — the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
The Arctis Pro Wireless makes near-zero compromises. It looks great and feels even better to wear. It even has a dual-battery charging system that gives you perpetual use of the headset for gaming.
The lossless, hi-res certified audio basically has zero distortion. It’ll block out everything that you don’t need to hear and make you hear everything you want to. Or, if you’re playing a horror game, it’ll give you nightmares. It’ll give you a feeling of immersion that you’ve never felt before, giving life to every sound that you hear in-game.
The supposedly “lackluster” microphone is even great. It’s just that, relative to everything else, it just fails in comparison.
So long as you’re willing to pay the price, the Arctis Pro Wireless is the best there is.
Technical Features
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; open-air
- Drivers: 40mm
- Connectivity: Wireless (10-hour battery life)
- Microphone: Retractable Boom
- Weight: 12.59oz / 357 grams
Pros
- Swappable dual-battery system
- Dual Wireless functionality
- Lightweight and durable
- Beautiful
Cons
- Very, very, very expensive
- Doesn’t work on Xbox One
7. Sennheiser PXC 550-II
Who says that you can’t have a lightweight audiophile gaming headset?
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II is proof that you can get the best of everything.
Equipped with dynamic 32mm drivers, the sound quality of PXC-550-II will make it hard to go back to other kinds of headphones. More importantly, it has the build quality befitting its asking price. Plus, the battery life, which is rated for 20 good hours, is absurdly long, especially since it comes with enhanced audio and smart features.
The PXC 550-II might not be a conventional gaming headset. However, it’s one of the best there is.
You could even argue that it’s the best lightweight gaming headset.
Technical Features
- Acoustic design: Closed-back; open-air
- Drivers: Dynamic 32mm
- Connectivity: Wireless (30-hour battery life)
- Microphone: Hypercardioid Electret Condenser
- Weight: 8oz / 227 grams
Pros
- ANC-capable
- Incredibly light
- Feels premium through and through
Cons
- Looks plain and subtle
End Thoughts
And, there you have it.
The 7 best lightweight headsets for gaming in 2022.
As we’ve proven to you, lightweight doesn’t have to mean that it’ll be light in features and functionality. In fact, some of the lightweight gaming headsets we recommended might even have more functionality than the heavier and supposedly more feature-packed gaming headsets.
With that said, we certainly hope that you’ll put our list to good use.
Even if you don’t end up buying any one of the products we recommended, we do hope that our recommendations, at the very least, taught you what separates the good from the great when it comes to lightweight gaming headsets.