Logitech G430 Gaming Headset Review (2020)

I have found that many novice gamers opt to purchase PC gaming speakers instead of headsets/headphones. Maybe it’s because headsets are commonly associated with hard-core gamers or maybe new gamers are worried about hearing loss.

Either way, headsets and headphones give you a more intimate gaming experience and you don’t have to worry about damage to your hearing if you listen to them at a reasonable volume.

Games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice were intended to be played with headsets/headphones because they utilize binaural recording.

You essentially need them to fully immerse yourself in the game. In this guide, we’ll explore what kind of auditory immersion the Logitech G430s can afford you. If you’re planning to buy them, hopefully, this review can inspire you to pull the trigger or put your wallet away and look for better options.

Since headsets are a convenient mix of headphones and microphones, we have to judge them accordingly. Buying headsets solely because of sound quality is borderline asinine. You may as well purchase a good pair of headphones.
Nevertheless, in this review, we’ll be going over the Logitech G430’s specs, performance, and design.

Near the end of this guide, we’ve also listed a few alternatives, as well as answered a few FAQs. So if you want to learn more headsets, you may benefit from reading until the end.

Logitech G430 Performance

An advantage the PS4 has had over the Xbox One is its compatibility with USB gaming headsets. The Logitech G430s were built to be used with gaming PCs. But this doesn’t mean that Xbox gamers should avoid them completely. It just means you might have to purchase a stereo headset adapter. If it’s too much of a hassle for you, then you might benefit more from looking at our guide of the best headsets for the Xbox One.

Simply based on their performance, the Logitech G430s are worth more than their asking price. They use Logitech’s specialized 40mm Pro G headphone drivers to deliver some of the clearest and crispest sounds you’ll ever hear from a headset at this price range.

Use these babies while you play Hellblade, and you’ll have to remove them from time to time to check if there aren’t any ghosts in the room with you. Never does it feel like the speakers are directly next to your ears, especially when you’re using the 7.1 Surround sound (DTS or Dolby Digital).

It feels as if you’ve been transported to that world in front of you. If you want to fold up the mic and use these for music, do not hesitate to do so. If you’re listening to music with dense soundscapes and huge walls of sound, you can hear every echo, pop and subtle instrument with an almost transcendent clarity.

The bass is decent but I wish it was more fully realized. Treble and percussion sound clean. The microphone is where this headset falters slightly. It’s an omnidirectional mic with hardware noise canceling. It can’t be removed but it can be folded back.

In a crowded space, with the microphone extended to your mouth, it will isolate your voice perfectly. You might hear a few pops and a bit of crackling from time to time, especially if you haven’t positioned the mic properly.

Voice recording can also be a bit quiet. You might have to increase the mic/recording volume on your PC or console before engaging in online play.

I would recommend the Logitech G430s for gaming but I have noticed that some employers prefer to use gaming headsets instead of office headsets. Would these perform well in a professional setting? Because of the inconsistencies in the mic recording quality, I would not recommend these in a professional setting.

Logitech G430 Design

The Logitech G430s come in a neon blue. I like the color but it’s unfortunate that there aren’t more color options. Looking at them, you might be fooled into thinking that they have LED lighting. They do not, which isn’t a major aesthetic flaw.

The headset is deceptively lightweight. The interchangeable ear-cup padding is made from a sweat-friendly mesh material. The beauty of the padding being interchangeable is that it’s easier to clean and can be replaced when they are worn out.

The headband also comes with padding, but it’s non-removable as with most headsets. The headsets are extremely comfortable. As long as you don’t have some very abnormal ears (like mine), you can wear these headsets for hours upon hours.

Which is perfect for those long weekend binge gaming sessions. The headband does feel a little fragile. The parts where the headband connects to the ear-cups feels particularly flimsy. You need to pay attention to them.

However, the ear-cups seem to be sturdily built from plastic. The same can be said about the microphone. It’s a stiff rotating boom mic. It has about 90-degrees of rotation. It is not very flexible but the build feels secure enough to stand the test of time.

The cable is excessively long. Especially once you connect the USB adapter. However, there’s a Velcro cable tie to help you manage it. There’s also a clip that you can use to connect the cable to your clothing.

It’s a bit sad that the earcups don’t have any buttons or controls on the ear cups themselves. But luckily, there’s an inline control panel with volume control for the speakers (headphones) and a mute for the microphone.

I honestly don’t like how the inline panel is designed. The volume control is a tiny rotating wheel while the mic-mute is a slider.

Nevertheless, it feels secure and tight.

As previously mentioned, there are two analog connectors. One for the mic and the other for headphones. You can see this either as a pro or con. If you plan on connecting the headset to a quality Android phone or tablet with a 3.5 mm input, you might have to buy yourself a combined jack as the headsets don’t come with one.

What it does come with is a USB adapter, which both the jacks can be plugged into. If you want simple sound customization as well as experience the full power of the headset’s 7.1 surround sound capabilities on your PC, you’ll need to download Logitech’s free gaming software.

Not only will it allow you to easily customize the headsets but it also allows you to customize any other Logitech hardware you have connected to your computer.

Normally, you should not expect much from a headset at this price-point but I’m happy to report that the Logitech G430 over-delivers in almost every facet.

Logitech G430 Pricing and Alternatives

At the time of writing this review, the Logitech G430 was going for $47.88 at Amazon. There are not a lot of 7.1 surround sound gaming headsets at this price range. However, if you feel that you want something a bit cheaper or something in a different style, in this section we’ll go over a few alternatives for you.

RUNMUS Gaming Headset

Price: $35.95

The RUNMUS Gaming Headsets are a cheaper alternative to the Logitech G430s. In addition to having 7.1 Surround Sound capabilities, they also LED lighting. They also come in two colors, red and blue.

Corsair Void Elite

Price: $51.84

The Corsair Void Elites are slightly more expensive than the Logitech G430s, however, they have a sturdier build, control buttons on the ear cup, an omnidirectional mic with better recording quality which can be flipped up to mute. If you can get over its plain black exterior then you have a really great alternative to the Logitech G430s on your hands.

Jeecoo USB Pro Gaming Headset

Price: $29.99

If you’re looking for a headset priced way under $50, look no further than the Jeecoo USB Pro Gaming Headset. It has 7.1 surround sound, memory foam, and RGB lighting. They’re a built bulky but the mic recording quality is surprisingly superb. It is a great buy, especially if you’re looking for a good budget gaming headset.

Logitech G430 Logitech G430 Gaming Headset FAQs

Does Logitech G430 Work With PS4?

The Logitech G430 headset work with the PS4. Unfortunately, they can’t deliver 7.1 surround sound on the PS4. But they do connect to the USB port. If you want a more PS4 friendly alternative to the Logitech G430 headset, check out our guide on the best PS4 gaming headsets.

What Headset Does Tyler1 Use?

You might be surprised to know that Streamer and gaming personality Tyler1 uses the Logitech G430 as his headset.

Where Do I Plug My Headset Into My Computer?

Depending on what type of headset you’re using and what jacks and attachments it comes with, you can connect your headset in three ways: through the 3.5mm jack ports, through the USB port or through Blue Tooth.

The Logitech G430 headset comes with two jacks for the mic and headphones (respectively). These can be connected directly to your computer’s 3.5mm jack inputs. This will give you stereo but not surround sound.

If you want to benefit from the headset’s 7.1 surround sound capabilities, you’ll have to use the USB adapter to the headsets to the computer. You will need to connect the headset jacks to the appropriate jack sockets on the USB adapter before connecting the USB adapter to the computer.

Once you’ve connected the jacks to the USB adapter, you can then connect it to the USB port on your computer. Once you’ve done this, Windows will try to find the appropriate drivers for your headset. As soon as this process is completed, you can download the Logitech Gaming Software, which will allow you to customize your headsets and use 7.1 surround sound.

Which is Better: Wireless or Wired Gaming Headset?

The answer to this question depends on your preferences and the size of your wallet. Generally, I prefer wireless headsets, whether it’s for gaming or music listening. It’s important to note that wired headsets still deliver better sound with less risk of interference than wireless headsets do.

If you want a 7.1-surround sound at an affordable price, then wired headsets are your best option. Although there are wireless headsets that provide both true and virtual surround sound, they tend to be expensive.

For instance, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless Gaming Headset comes with virtual surround sound. It costs $293.09. You can get a wired headset with most of its capabilities for cheaper. In addition to this, you won’t have to worry as much about radiofrequency radiation.

I still firmly believe that wired headsets are better than wireless headsets, although wireless headsets are far more convenient. If you’re looking for a great wireless headset, check out our guide on the very best wireless headsets for gaming.

Is Surround Sound Good for Gaming?

Surround sound can be great for gaming, depending on what game you’re playing. Surround sound headset may be wasted on games like Spelunky but may do well with RPG and open-world games like The Witcher.

Some sources also suggest that to fully benefit from a 7.1 surround sound headset, you’ll need a digital to analog audio converter (DAC) for your computer. Preferably one that is built into your sound card and that headset itself.

Logitech G430 Gaming Headset: Final Verdict

The Logitech G430 over-delivers for its price tag. You get great clarity, virtual 7.1 surround sound, and a very comfortable build. If you’ve just broken your headset and you’re looking for a short term replacement, then the Logitech’s G430 can fill that void. In addition to this, Tyler1 uses them. If that isn’t an endorsement on their quality, I don’t know what is.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Delivers great clarity and sound. Mic recording quality could be a bit better but it’s serviceable.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐

The headset is very comfortable and lightweight. However, the headband side-pieces are flimsy and notorious for breaking. Gamers with wider heads may find the headset uncomfortable.

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The price is one of the biggest selling points. Yes, you can find headsets that are cheaper but they won’t give you the same two-year warranty and support that Logitech does.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a good headset, particularly for new gamers with shallow pockets. For its quality and capabilities, the Logitech G430 is a bargain.