Logitech G533 review: An excellent wireless headset that's both attractive and affordable

The G533 makes an interesting counterpoint to its predecessors. View photos of the G633 and G933 headsets

from 2016, the apparent heirs of Logitech's old G930: chunky air traffic controller silhouette, coffin-shaped earcups, RGB lighting, accent edgy decorations. aesthetics

video game

. Take it all and throw it away.

What do you have left? Probably something like Logitech's new G533.

This review is part of our

gathering

best gaming headsets

. Go there for more details on competing products and how we tested them.

Design: professional courtesy

Okay, maybe keep the air traffic controller silhouette: the G533 is a little thinner than its older siblings, but not by much.

However, it looks professional. I'm not sure the pictures do the G533 justice, as much of its appeal is in the detail - the way the headband wraps around the ear cups or the little groove the microphone folds into. The G533 grows a little more every day, with new intricacies revealed even after weeks of use.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

It's the best a Logitech headset has ever looked, I think. It's not that I care about the G633/933 pair - they had a certain spatial appeal and I loved the hidden microphone. The G533's microphone is unobtrusive

for a gaming headset

but not fully recessed like the G633.

But the G533's smooth curves, the way the matte and piano blacks complement each other, the circular ears - it doesn't sound like the Logitech I'm used to. Razer, perhaps, or a more traditional audio company like Audio-Technica or Sennheiser. But for Logitech, the G533 is another big step forward aesthetically.

The G533 also seems better built than the 633/933. It is larger but also lighter and less waterproof than the G633/933. The plastic also seems to be of higher quality, with less "squeaky joint" noise than the G633/933 had when flexed.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

The G533's controls have been simplified a bit over the G933, sporting only a power switch, volume roller, Micro USB port for charging, and a single programmable "G-key" that defaults to mute and reactivate the microphone. It's a bit redundant because the microphone mutes when you pick it up, so I eventually reprogrammed mine using Logitech's software to turn surround sound on and off, then later reprogrammed it to scroll equalization settings.

As I said, the microphone doesn't fully retract like the G633/933, but is otherwise very similar - an inflexible base with an extendable (and flexible) boom. There's a single red LED to indicate mute status, although it's so small and hard to see that's essentially just another argument for taking advantage of the mute toggle capabilities of the G533. There's also a miniature pop filter, which we'll get to later.

The only thing I'm not excited about is that Logitech continues to use rough mesh for all of its headsets. I'm more of a leatherette fan, willing to put up with a bit more heat for a softer material, but that's a minor gripe and Logitech isn't alone in using mesh. Something to know, however. (I hope the microfiber earbuds added to the G433 make their way to the G533, even as an optional add-on.)

Performance

Logitech created my hopes by positioning the G533 as a slimmed down version of the G633/G933, but using the same drivers, the implication being similar audio quality. Drivers are only one factor in how well a headset sounds, however, and after thoroughly A/B testing the G533 and G933, I think the latter has a slight advantage.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

Not that there is a huge difference. The pair share Logitech's passion for flat, studio sound, with the G533 sounding a little brighter than most competitors right out of the box, mostly because it doesn't pack the crushing bass that's jammed into most gaming headsets. It's a good move by Logitech, leaving the user EQ to their liking instead of nailing one sound profile to the detriment of all the others.

Most people will want more bass presence though, and as with the G933, I recommend using the still stupidly named EQ setting

drop the bass

running a giveaway atm on my twitch if you want to be in a chance of winning a new pair of SteelSeries Arctis 3 gam… https://t.co/8pZkPwjlbx

— Gaimster1 Wed Jun 16 16:02:08 +0000 2021

in Logitech's software and then make some minimal adjustments to taste. This will get you closer to the settings most people would want for gaming, adding a bit more punch to the mix.

But despite the similarities, I maintain that the G933 has the edge. There's an immediacy to the G933, a fullness or richness of sound that the G533 doesn't share. Particularly at lower volumes, I found the G533 lacked the

oomph

of the G933, struggling a bit to deliver the same wide soundstage as the G933.

Surround sound performance is even more hit or miss. The G533 struggles a bit with stereo sound, but its virtual 7.1 mode sounds positive

hollow

sometimes falling in and out of that annoying echo chamber effect that I associate with bad headphones surround. It comes and goes, and with a good surround mix, the G533 still sounds great, in

Battlefield 1

for example. But where I was half hot on the G933's surround, I wouldn't call that a selling point for the G533. It is most often unpleasant.

They are

very

very slight differences, and there are certainly reasons to choose the G533 over its sibling, not only is it cheaper but it's also more attractive and more comfortable. Don't make the mistake of thinking the G533 and G933 are equivalent just because they come from the same company and use the same drivers.

And what about industry-wide performance? The G533 are probably the best sounding wireless headphones at this price point (

$100 on Amazon

right now).

SteelSeries Arctis 7

and

affordable.

IDG / Hayden Dingman

We should also take the time to discuss the single mic G533. Logitech likes to highlight the G533's miniature pop filter - a small circle made from some sort of foam/mesh hybrid that sits over the mic itself. It's a much prettier alternative to the standard pop filter, which on headphones usually takes the form of a large foam ball that sits at the end of the boom.

Does it work, though? Again, I resorted to testing the G533 against the G933, as both use similar microphone designs apart from the new pop filter. And yes, the G533 does reduce some of the plosives - those big air-burst noises you sometimes get from "B" and "P" sounds. It works well, in other words.

It's kind of a gimmick though. The G533's microphone still isn't good enough that you want to, say, record a podcast on it, and I don't think your teammates will really notice the lack of plosives. There are also competitors that sound as good as the G533 (or better) without needing (or drawing attention to) a miniaturized pop filter. This is an improvement for Logitech, but not necessarily an industry-wide revolution. p>

Summary

If you want a wireless headset for your PC, though? The G533 is my new go-to recommendation. What little it lacks in audio compared to the G933 is more than made up for by its cheaper price and more comfortable fit, as well as its sleek looks. The Arctis 7 is a little harder to dismiss - it's still more comfortable than the G533, but I think the G533's better sound gives it the edge.

Just make sure you only need a PC headset, because that's all the G533 does - there's no phone and officially no console support, whereas the Arctis 7 and the G933 support both. It's the last factor that might point you towards an alternative, but otherwise the G533 is a great wireless option at a great price.

Note: When you buy something after clicking on links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our

affiliate link policy

for more details.