Let’s be real—gaming audio can make or break your vibe. Whether you’re sweating in Apex, vibing in Stardew, or yelling at randos in Warzone, your headset’s pulling heavy weight. So I spent a week rotating between three sub-$100 contenders to see who delivers, who disappoints, and who just shows up for the XP.
Spoiler: They’re wildly different—and that’s the fun part.
Build Quality & Design
Turtle Beach Recon 70
Budget looks. Budget build. It’s the fast food headset of the bunch—gets the job done, doesn’t impress the date. It’s all plastic, lightweight, with a flip-up mic that feels like it might snap if you sneeze too hard. But hey, at $39, it’s not pretending to be anything else.
OXS Storm G2
This one’s got that spaceship pilot energy. Smooth lines, understated RGB, and a look that says “Yes, I game… and I have mood lighting.” The plastic’s a bit thin, but it doesn’t feel fragile. It’s light, sleek, and actually kinda stylish.
Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless
Cherry keeps it clean. Matte-black, no-fuss, and just stealthy enough to feel premium without looking like a prop from a sci-fi flick. It feels more solid in-hand than the other two, like it could take a few rage-quits without shattering.
Performance in Real Gaming
Recon 70
It’s decent. Not mind-blowing, but it pulls its weight in shooters. You’ll hear footsteps fine in Valorant and dialogue in RPGs comes through clean. Bass? Eh. It’s there, but it’s not throwing any punches. Still, if you’re jumping into casual matches or grinding dailies, you won’t be mad at it.
Storm G2
Wireless freedom is great. Sound? Not as great. It’s clear but feels a bit hollow—like it’s all treble and no meat. The “7.1 surround” feature tries its best, and EQ presets help a little, but you won’t mistake this for a premium setup. That said, the mic is solid—clean and loud without distortion.
Cherry H3 Wireless
This one’s the ringer. Snappy 2.4GHz wireless means no lag, and the audio actually punches above its price point. You get more dynamic range—gunfire pops, ambient sounds breathe, and everything just sounds tighter. It won’t rival $200 cans, but it absolutely holds its ground.
Comfort & Usability
Recon 70
Light and fine for a couple hours, but those pleather pads don’t breathe. After a long session, your ears might start to beg for mercy. Still, the headset’s so light you’ll forget it’s on… until it starts sweating with you.
Storm G2
Comfort’s good at first—memory foam does its thing—but the padding isn’t super plush. After a few hours, the headband pressure starts creeping in. If you’re a marathon gamer, this might not be your best friend.
Cherry H3
Comfort king. The clamping force is just right, the pads feel premium, and I did a five-hour RPG binge without needing to readjust once. No hotspots, no weird pressure points, just set-it-and-forget-it comfort.
Compatibility & Setup
Recon 70
Wired. 3.5mm jack. That’s it. But it works on everything: Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, even your phone if you’ve got the port. Zero lag, zero hassle.
Storm G2
Bluetooth, aux, AND a USB-C wireless dongle. This thing’s a Swiss army knife. Works on PC, Mac, mobile, and most consoles—though PlayStation support can be a bit tricky depending on the mode you’re using.
Cherry H3
Simple 2.4GHz wireless and optional wired backup. Plug in the dongle, and you’re good. Works great on PC and consoles without needing to fiddle with settings.
Pros & Cons
| Headset | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Recon 70 | Dirt cheap, decent audio, universal wired support | Feels flimsy, no thump in bass, gets sweaty |
| Storm G2 | Wireless, RGB, long battery life | Hollow sound, comfort fades, no custom EQ |
| Cherry H3 | Excellent comfort, strong audio, reliable wireless | No flash or flair, less bass than some might want |
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
- Turtle Beach Recon 70 is your go-to if you’re gaming on a budget and just want something that works. No frills, no drama—just plug in and play. Great for younger gamers or anyone who just needs a solid backup headset.
- OXS Storm G2 is for the RGB-loving gamer who values wireless convenience and aesthetics more than pristine sound. It’s fun, flashy, and super versatile—but don’t expect audiophile-tier output.
- Cherry XTRFY H3 Wireless is the sweet spot. It sounds good, feels great, and just works. If you’ve got $99 to spare and want a headset that won’t let you down mid-match, this one’s a sleeper hit.
