As someone who believes that anyone no matter the budget should be able to enjoy gaming to its fullest, I was extremely excited to hear about IOGEAR’s latest gaming headset. Coming from their Kaliber Gaming brand, the UNIKOMM Universal Headset gives players exactly what they need, even at the low price of just $24.95. If you’re someone who needs a low-cost headset or maybe just a backup pair, this is an enticing buy.

What’s in the Box

Similar to their other products, the Kaliber Gaming brand doesn’t really have frills included in the unboxing process. But for $24.95, did you really expect it to? Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with the headset, its removable mic, and its instruction manual. Luckily, this headset is extremely easy to get set up and you won’t need that manual for too long.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

For what it’s worth, this headset looks pretty darn good. Its blacked-out design with the subtle use of silver with the KG logo is a nice touch. I think that if I had to complain though, I’d say that the design of the earpads and the cushion on the inside of the headband looks a bit dated. It’s got that sort of mesh pleather that I remember headset having in the mid-’00s.

As for build quality though, this headset rocks. For its really low price, I was surprised by how sturdy it actually feels. From its earcups to its headband to its cable, it all really holds up well. The earcups are hard plastic and swivel nicely, the adjustable headband gives a satisfying toggling sound as you adjust it, and the 3.5mm audio cable is braided so that it stands up to heavy use. The fact that its mic is also removable is kind of unbelievable for this price point.

Specs and Audio Quality

I was pleasantly surprised that not only does this headset stand out in its durability but it’s really great in the sound department too, price considered. If you’re buying this headset and understand what you’re paying for, you might actually be a bit surprised yourself. There isn’t a lot of range when it comes to bass, but the audio is very clear and accurate, making it easy to find where a sound is coming from.

I played Call of Duty: Vanguard to test these out and forgot that I was even using them instead of my go-to headset because it’s a really decent headset. The mic is ok but that really doesn’t matter as much as what’s coming from the earphones is what is most important. I really wasn’t expecting much, so these really left a good impression.

• Universal stereo headset for use with Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC/Mac, and mobile devices

• Large 50mm drivers deliver immersive highs and powerful bass

• Dual swiveling ear cups provide a better and more comfortable fit

• Removable, flexible boom microphone for gaming chat

• Built-in thumbwheel volume control for easy adjustments

What It Could Have Done Better

The only real complaint I have is that this headset isn’t all that compatible with PC to its fullest extent. Because this is a singular 3.5mm audio jack, PC users are really only going to get to utilize the headphone function for these and not the mic. It’s not a dealbreaker but it is worth mentioning since these claim to be universal. They technically are, but not truly. A simple fix would be to include a splitter cable but for its $25 price, it’s something that can be overlooked in some capacity.

Verdict

Going into this review, I wasn’t expecting anything. Coming out of it though, I’m blown away by what KG is offering for its extremely palatable price. Through its impressive build quality, audio experience, and features, this is the best lower-budget headset I’ve ever used. This is an easy buy for players who don’t have a lot of money to fork out on gear, those who need a backup headset, or simply something to take on trips or with you. I can only hope that IOGEAR continues to develop even more superb budget-friendly gaming gear.