“You get what you pay for” is a phrase commonly associated with all kinds of consumer electronics. And it can be aptly applied to the havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset. But that isn’t a bad thing. I recently picked it up on Amazon for a low price – which, given its relatively high customer score, certainly looked like a bargain. As any gamer will be aware, a solid gaming headset can be a huge bonus during online play. It can help you hear subtle sounds such as footsteps and distant gunfire. It can even enhance a story-driven single player experience by utilising immersive audio to suck you deeper into the narrative. So, how does this low-cost offering from havit stack up? Does it provide decent overall performance for its price-point? Read this complete havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset review to find out…
havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset Review (H2010d)
Price
Price-wise, the havit H2010d is nothing to scoff at. I bought it for just £26.49. Naturally, you can’t expect groundbreaking audio when you’re paying so little. And havit even badges itself as a cost-effective, ‘price-performance’ brand. So, I’d expect this headset to meet me somewhere halfway – meaning low cost but decent overall quality. Thankfully, that’s what it provides.
havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset Sound Quality
havit says the H2010d features ‘loud & clear 3D surround sound’. Frankly, that isn’t accurate. However, the audio quality certainly isn’t bad considering the device’s low price. It does the job.
Firstly, I dived into some Elden Ring and put the headset to the test in single player action. While the sound was far from immersive, I had no trouble hearing what was happening on screen. Sure, it was a bit tinny and somewhat shallow. But I could distinguish between individual sounds and still appreciate the game’s fantastic soundtrack. The headset definitely lacked bass and that ‘oomph’ you might expect from more premium headsets, though.
The real test for the headset came during numerous rounds of Call of Duty: Warzone with my pals. Multiplayer games are where a quality headset can really come into its own. So, how did the havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset manage? Well, it did just fine all in all. It didn’t cause me any problems, and footsteps and gunfire were audible and I could hear chatter from my friends easily enough. The headset fell short when the action got particularly intense and fast-paced. The audio became jumbled and occasionally hindered communication during those moments. Again I must reiterate the low cost of this item – my expectations weren’t very high. And while it didn’t exceed my expectations, it did meet them. I got exactly what I felt I’d paid for in terms of sound quality.
Microphone
The havit H2010d includes a built-in adjustable microphone. I’m pleased to report my friends could hear me in the party chat when using the mic which might not always be the case with budget headsets. Having said that, they were quick to report a noticeable dip in quality compared to when I use my usual (rather pricey) headset. They described my audio as muffled and felt my speech lacked definition. Despite this, it had no negative impact on the in-game action. I could communicate with them and they could understand what I was saying. There were no noticeable dips or outages, which is a big plus in my book when it comes to a cost-effective peripheral like this.
Build Quality
For a device worth less than £30, this RGB Wired Gaming Headset is built surprisingly well. It’s obviously made predominantly from cheap(ish) plastic, but it’s sturdy enough to endure at least a few months of regular usage. It also features an adjustable headband and soft faux leather ear pads. However, I did notice after a couple of hours of continuous play that I started to develop a mild headache from the way the device rested on my head. Now, this likely won’t be the case for everyone but it’s worth pointing out. If comfort is an important factor for you, then you may wish to consider a headset at a higher price point.
The headset’s RGB lights work fine and look nice, but they can only be used when plugged-in via USB. Unfortunately, they won’t turn on if you’re connecting to your console by 3.5mm jack only. Speaking of which, the headset was super easy to use with my PS5 – I simply plugged it in and played.
havit RGB Wired Gaming Headset Review (H2010d) – Verdict
The havit RGB wired gaming headset isn’t going to blow you away. But it is perfectly serviceable and will satisfy someone looking for a cheap and easy audio solution. It’s important to keep your expectations in check, though. The more you’re willing to fork out, the better your headset is likely to be. And an inexpensive device like this can only achieve so much. But I was able to play my favourite games without any disruption or notable problems when using the H2010d.
What it lacks in audio and mic quality, it makes up for in its cost-effectiveness. And that’s what makes it an ideal purchase for someone on a budget who isn’t too concerned with finer sound details. If you’re looking for something that simply does what it says on the tin – i.e. a standard headset compatible with numerous gaming platforms – you can’t really go wrong. Just don’t expect too much from it.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Which gaming headset would you recommend? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other tech reviews…
