There is no shortage of gaming headsets on the market today and we have seen a fair number of them. With options for audiophiles to the RGB-obsessed, Logitech releases a new entry into the field. Its mission? To provide a lightweight, versatile, energy-efficient, and sustainable wireless headset into the market. This is our review or the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset.
Specifications
- MSRP: $79.99
- Driver Diameter: 40mm
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
- Impedance: 45 Ohms (passive)
- Microphone Type: Dual beam-forming
- Microphone Frequency Response: 100 - Hz - 8 KHz
- Connection Type: USB-C, Logitech LIGHTSPEED (2.4MHz via dongle) , Bluetooth
- Certifications: Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D AudioTech, Windows Sonic Spatial Sound, Discord
- Included Accessories: USB Type A Transmitter, USB-A to USB-C cable
- System Compatibility: Windows 10 or later, MacOS X 10.14 or later, Playstation 5, Playstation 4
- Weight: 165g (5.8 oz)
- Available in Black & Neon Yellow, Blue & Raspberry, Off-white & Lilac
The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset is the latest entry into Logitech’s brimming catalog of peripherals for just about every need. From business to gaming, Logitech is ubiquitous within the personal computing space. Anecdotally, one of my earliest peripheral purchases at the dawn of the internet was Logitech’s first USB optical mouse. You might need to “stay awhile and listen” for that story…
It would be easy with this kind of position in the market to just produce what works and make sales, but that has never been a part of their company ethos; innovation, however, is. Into this pursuit of innovation, LIGHTSPEED wireless technology was born - a low latency, low power-draw solution to the issues plaguing wireless peripherals. And, it works. This low-power wireless band gives the G435 a battery life of up to 18 hours, instilling confidence that it won’t cut out on you mid-game.
LIGHTSPEED connectivity isn’t the G435’s only trick; this ultra-lightweight headset features a padded headband, memory foam earpads, and comes equipped with a dual beam-forming microphone. And, we can’t forget about the sound. The G435 is equipped with 40mm audio drivers with a decent frequency response for the low end. Throw in Bluetooth and you have a recipe for comfort and connectivity.
These are not, however, the only redeeming qualities. According to Logitech, the plastic parts of the G435 are made from 22% post-consumer recycled places and the paper packaging from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests. This makes the Logitech G435 a Certified CarbonNeutral product.
All of these features and considerations are great, but the real question remains: how does the G435 function in the real world?
In order to discern the quality of sound produced, I ran these headphones through an audio tough test - a gauntlet of samples I run audio devices through alongside gaming experiences to test high, mid, and low-end responses in a variety of environments. For this test, the selection of music includes everything from symphonic scores, technical rock, funk, and EDM (both bass-heavy and ambient) to the spoken word.
After running these tests, here is what I found:
The audio experience with the G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset was a pleasant one. In gaming experiences, the G435 did its job well. The balance between in-game effects and narrative beats provided a decent all-around experience. Nothing felt lost in the balance between explosions and environmental effects.
The overall soundscape is full, handling spatial audio with decent ease as well, but does not quite reach the levels of immersion we have experienced with other headsets without the sound becoming oppressive. This was especially noticeable while listening to the audio samples.
One odd anomaly I experienced during my listening sessions was a sensation of pressure within the headphones while listening at any volume above 50%. This might be attributed to the absence of any cushioning between the drivers and the user’s ear or it could be the driver’s voicing for bass response. That being said, sound is still good at lower volumes - which speaks well of the G435.
Finally, we come to the microphone. The quality of the mic follows the lead of the overall product: it’s adequate. The good news is that, if the G435’s doesn’t work for you, there are a number of options for microphones - including some fantastic options within Logitech’s catalog. Take a listen for yourself:
Final Thoughts
The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset has a lot of positive attributes that are worth celebrating. These headphones put the “light” in LIGHTSPEED, but they are also a testament to the technology that Logitech is implementing within their wireless gear.
The freedom to be wire-free without a noticeable hit to latency and without worry of draining battery life is exceptional. During our testing, we were able to move around 30ft away from the G435’s USB receiver without any audio stuttering… and that was through solid brick walls as well!
Overall, we found that the G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset provided a decent soundscape for gaming, listening to music, and chatting. It is a bit lacking in the mic department, but the weight and design of the G435 make it a comfortable headset to wear over time.
If you are looking for a lower-cost headset that is nearly weightless and wireless, the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset offers an exceptional feature set for its price point.
The product described in this review was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.