BENGOO G9500 Gaming Headset Review

BENGOO may be known for its range of affordable gaming accessories, but they’re rapidly becoming a contender in the gaming headset market, too. Much like how many of their accessories offer class-leading feature sets at attainable prices, their headsets continue this trend, offering affordable yet high performant gaming headsets, and as we are reviewing here, the BENGOO G9500 gaming headset.

The BENGOO G9500 is an affordable over-ear gaming headset that is compatible with PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, laptops and mobile devices using the 3.5mm audio jack. Lightweight, comfortable and with an audio-tune customised for gaming, the G9500 has surprised me in all the right ways.

There are a couple of areas where I think BENGOO could make improvements, but considering the price and that this is one of their best-selling gaming headsets, I think BENGOO has made a fantastic headset.

What’s in the box?

• BENGOO G9500 Gaming Headset
• Detachable microphone
• Quick-start guide
• Splitter cable for PC

Design and build

I love some of the detail that has gone into the G9500. Anyone familiar with BENGOO products will recognise the blue and red bicolor design, but the way it has been integrated here is very tasteful. The red and blue LED lighting adds a gaming feel without being overly bright, making it ideal for gaming in a dim room.

The ear cups are made of hardened plastic with a matte finish. This is purely cosmetic, however, as the G9500 is a closed-back headset. The ear cups are chunky without being oversized, and they are very well assembled, with no creaking components when flexed.

The earpads are stuffed with plenty of soft foam and coated with supple leatherette. It’s very comfortable, but it can make your ears quite warm compared to fabric coverings. I found the sizing to be ample to completely cover my ears and wearing the headset correctly created a very effective acoustic seal, which is important for both sound quality and passive noise reduction.

BENGOO has judged the clamping force perfectly; some headsets can squeeze across your temples or below your ears but these sit perfectly for my taste. The G9500 is also well suited to glasses-wearers, as the ear pads are soft enough that they won’t press on the arms and cause discomfort. It’s not quite on the same level as premium padding, as you do lose the seal slightly, but that’s a common thing glasses-wearers have to put up with, unfortunately.

Features and controls

All of the controls are located on the cable, and I found them very easy to locate and operate. I like how it only takes a simple movement to adjust volume or mute the microphone; it’s a very minor quality of life improvement, but it’s one of those things that once you try it, you wonder why that isn’t the standard.

From top to bottom on the cable;

Volume wheel, microphone mute switch, durable braided cable, USB for lighting.

Having the mute switch easily accessible is a bonus, and although there is no visual indicator while wearing the headset, the switch is easy to find by touch during gaming.

The G9500 uses a physical volume wheel, and it is reliable without the crackle or static noise that sometimes comes with cheaper dials.

Connectivity

The BENGOO G9500 gaming headset connects using a 3.5mm audio cable, making it compatible with PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, PC, laptops and mobile devices. Users will appreciate the plug and play nature of the headset, requiring no additional drivers. The USB connection powers the LED lights and does not carry audio.

It is important to note that for older Xbox One controllers, a Microsoft adapter (not included) is required, which is standard for many wired gaming headsets.

For PC users, the included splitter cable should be used, with the pink plug for the microphone and the green plug for audio. This ensures the microphone functions properly and is important for users searching “bengoo g9500 gaming headset mic not working” to check first.

Sound Quality

Much like my colleague Andy noted when he reviewed other BENGOO headsets, the G9500 has a gaming-focused audio profile. Rather than pushing overpowering bass, the headset has a mostly neutral profile with an emphasis on mids and highs that keeps the audio bright and clear. If you play competitive games, you will appreciate this tuning, as it helps to pick out footsteps, gunfire and in-game details clearly.

The bass is still present, but it does not overwhelm, allowing the mids and treble to remain clear. This tuning is especially useful in games where positional awareness is important, giving you a better sense of direction during gameplay.

There is a slight muddiness during intense moments when many sounds overlap, but compared to other headsets in this price range, the performance is above average. Overall, BENGOO has found a balanced tuning that works well for gaming.

Microphone quality

The microphone is about what you would expect from a headset at this price. Clarity is decent, but bass tones are subdued, so it is not a complete representation of your voice. The omnidirectional pickup pattern makes it easy to capture your voice even if the microphone is not positioned perfectly, but it will pick up some background noise like keyboard clicks.

The microphone is flexible and rotates, allowing you to adjust the angle as needed, and it stays in position during gaming sessions.

Comfort

The G9500 uses soft protein leather ear pads that remain comfortable during extended gaming sessions. The adjustable headband allows the headset to fit a variety of head sizes without pressing too hard on the sides of your head.

I found it easy to wear the headset for several hours without discomfort, and the headset remained stable during longer sessions, making it suitable for gaming marathons or watching movies.

BENGOO G9000 vs G9500

Much like my colleague Andy noted when he compared similar headsets, there are a few clear differences between the BENGOO G9000 and the BENGOO G9500 worth mentioning. Both headsets share a similar design language, using soft ear pads, an adjustable headband and LED lighting to add a gaming feel during use, while maintaining a comfortable fit for longer sessions.

The G9500 improves on the G9000 with a bicolor blue and red design that feels more modern, along with upgraded 720° microphone flexibility that makes positioning easier during calls and gaming. The G9500 also uses a softer, thicker protein leather on the ear pads, creating a better seal and slightly improved passive noise isolation, which can be useful for players who game in louder environments.

Sound quality on both headsets remains tuned for gaming, with the G9500 offering a slightly clearer midrange and treble, helping footsteps and voices stand out better during gameplay, while maintaining the same level of bass presence as the G9000. Microphone clarity is similar on both, though the G9500’s flexible boom arm allows for finer positioning, which can help with reducing background noise during calls.

Both headsets use the same 3.5mm connection and require the splitter cable for PC use, with USB for lighting, making them equally compatible across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC and mobile devices. For users choosing between the two, the BENGOO G9500 is a slight step up in comfort and tuning, making it a better option if you want small improvements in clarity and design while keeping the same affordable price point.

Summary

I’m impressed with what BENGOO has achieved with the G9500 gaming headset, especially at this price point. It has a stylish design with blue and red lighting, comfortable padding and a durable build that feels solid during use. The microphone could be improved, and more lighting customisation would be a bonus, but these are minor points.

Overall, the BENGOO G9500 gaming headset offers a reliable option for gamers looking for an affordable wired headset with clear audio, practical in-line controls and a comfortable design. If you need a gaming headset for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC or mobile devices, the BENGOO G9500 is a great choice.

The BENGOO G9500 is available on Amazon.