Logitech G522 LightSpeed review

Here’s how one simply knows that a tech product category is now mature enough for mainstream consumers: even major players offering some of the best options available within that category now have to occasionally release more affordable products that are so good, they practically rival their very best ones – the rationale being that they’d rather lose sales to their own models rather that to competitors’ equivalents.

This certainly seems to be the case with the new Logitech G522 LightSpeed wireless gaming headset, which can easily challenge not just other such products from manufacturers like Razer or Corsair, but even Logitech’s own more expensive, premium Pro X models.

Yours truly got to spend a couple of weeks with the G522, testing it with both his main gaming PC and the PlayStation5 Pro in various titles in order to get a better idea of how Logitech’s latest compares to the popular G733 or even the company’s hi-end Pro X 2 model. Here’s what consumers need to know about this rather ambitious midrange-to-hi-end wireless gaming headset currently going for $159.

Design, build quality, comfort: good, modest, actually amazing

After unboxing Logitech’s latest, taking a close look at it and using it for a couple of hours, its one weakness becomes apparent: the G522 feels like a premium headset, it sounds like a premium headset but it does not look like one. It’s basically down to Logitech’s choice of materials: the hard black plastic this product is based on is durable and impressively light but it’s also quite similar to that of cheaper headsets than this.

It’s a shame, honestly, because that modest hard plastic doesn’t do justice to how well the headset itself is constructed: it feels very sturdy, it did not seem to mind a few drops on a hard floor, it takes a lot of bending and there are no hard edges or sharp corners to worry about. Design-wise its lines are clean and modern (they easily give off those signature gamer vibes without overdoing it) while the minimal RGB lighting also adds a bit of flair. This is a carefully put together product – and it shows.

It also happens to be one of the most comfortable headsets yours truly had the chance to use in a long time – not just when it comes to gaming headsets either. The light plastic obviously helps, the memory-foam earcups do too (the covering fabric is pleasantly soft and resistant to sweat) but what makes the most difference is how little pressure anyone will feel on top or on the sides of his/her head while wearing it, even after long hours of use. It makes for a nice change, as so many headsets out there do not manage to get this right.

Controls, communication, in-game performance: truly premium

Gamers expect basic functionality or volume adjustment to be done on-device with high-quality wireless headsets these days, so it’s no wonder that the G522 delivers on that by intuitively placing several controls on the left earcup. The on/off switch, the volume wheel, a Bluetooth pairing button and a microphone mute button are all within easy reach and immediately identifiable by feel (a great day-to-day time saver).

Wireless gaming headsets also feature microphones for vocal communication, so the G522 does too – but Logitech’s latest is also leveraging software to impressive effect. Not only is this detachable, omni-directional microphone quite capable on a hardware level (covering a frequency range of 70 Hz to 20 KHz) but it’s also greatly helped by the company’s famous Blue VO!CE tech (used by popular streaming mics like the Yeti).

This specialized software combines smart algorithmic processing, presets and effects in order to enhance vocal clarity, reduce background noise and adjust the mic sound to different styles and tastes. It’s effective enough to make a real difference and it’s definitely one of the G522’s competitive advantages compared to similar headsets from other manufacturers that do not have access to this tech.

All of that, though, would not amount to much if the G522 did not excel at delivering high-quality sound. Fortunately it does – and then some. It comes equipped with a pair of 40mm PRO-G graphene audio drivers – similar to those of Logitech’s flagship Pro X 2, just a bit smaller – featuring a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 KHz and built-in 48 kHz/24-bit digital signal processing. There’s a reason why Logitech considers this to be its most advanced gaming headset in terms of pure specs, especially considering its price point.

So the G522 can, and does, sound amazing: even without any tinkering or profile adjustments it delivered an immersive soundstage with tremendous detail and unexpectedly effective directionality in any PC or PS5 game yours truly tried it with. It’s the kind of sound that manages to be balanced and impressive, even bombastic, at the same time: mids and highs are very well presented, delivering fast and accurate effects convincingly positioned within virtual space, while bass is extremely satisfying without being overpowering. The G522 delivers excellent sound “out of the box”, a fact that can’t be underestimated in the eyes of its intended target group.

Connectivity, battery life, software: all top-notch

While sound quality is obviously the most important aspect of any modern wireless headset, other things matter just as much when it comes to using one day in, day out for a long time. Battery life, for instance, can be frustratingly limiting if it’s not long enough for at least a few gaming sessions. Luckily the G522 delivers on that front, too, as Logitech’s claims of around 70 hours (when the RGB lighting is not being used) and around 30 (when it is) proved to be pretty accurate. Yours truly played for almost twenty days straight for around three hours a day – RGB mostly turned off – before the G522 gave out. That’s enough for most gamers out there, probably even some competitive ones (once a week is fine… right?).

People can play for more hours by using the headset’s USB-C port to connect the G522 to a PC: Logitech’s latest can then operate normally and slowly charge at the same time. Wireless freedom is what most people will probably go for, though, in which case the G522 can work via both Bluetooth and Logitech’s own LightSpeed proprietary connection (the necessary USB-A receiver is included). Both PS5 gamers and PC gamers can take advantage of LightSpeed for the fastest, clearest, most reliable wireless connection currently available.

Long-time Logitech customers already know this, of course, but the company’s options and settings software can add considerable value to its highly customizable products. In the case of the G522 there’s a lot that Logitech’s G-Hub application can do: apart from the obvious (such as the EQ adjustment of sound profiles or the RGB lighting control) it also allows for the use of community-developed presets for specific games, as well as the tweaking of the aforementioned Blue VO!CE enhancements and effects.

That’s obviously all on PC – there’s also a mobile app which is… adequate – but it would be really nice to see Logitech create a PS5 settings app for its own headsets at some point.

The final verdict: a gaming headset punching above its weight

There’s no such thing as a perfect tech product, so the G522 too could have been better in some respects. It’s somewhat strange, for instance, that Logitech did not take into account how some people may prefer to just swing the mic away from their field of view when it’s not in use (instead of unplugging it and re-plugging it every time). It may be a deliberate design choice, but it’s not ideal in terms of functionality. The G522’s performance also leaves something to be desired when it comes to music listening, as fine detail in instrument sound or vocals is often lost due of the pronounced “punch” this headset is tuned for by default.

Both weaknesses are not dealbreakers, though, in the context of a wireless headset specifically designed for gaming – which is where the G522 truly shines. Logitech’s latest simply delivers on all fronts: in-game sound quality, comfort, connectivity choice and battery life are all excellent, making this an enjoyable, easy-to-live-with headset for everyone. Its design is nice, its use of RGB is modern and tasteful, its accompanying software is fully-featured and regularly-updated. The only thing holding it back from being a truly premium wireless headset is its modest build quality, really, which is not of the same level offered by some much more expensive models (including Logitech’s own Pro X 2).

That’s just the thing, though: if one can get the same premium-level performance, functionality and versatility for less than what premium-level gaming headsets usually charge for, why not go for the more affordable option? If the latter delivers where it counts, like the G522 actually does, then it’s up to each individual consumer to decide whether the premium-level build quality alone is worth the price difference.

This is precisely what makes Logitech’s latest wireless headset such an easy recommendation: it is one of those rare products that truly punch above their weight, providing high value at a time when so many consumers are looking for it the most. Perfect timing, one might say, no?

LOGITECH G522 LIGHTSPEED SCORECARD

Kostas Farkonas

DESIGN

BUILD QUALITY

PERFORMANCE

USER EXPERIENCE

EXTRAS

TO THE POINT

A very well-put together wireless gaming headset that delivers the kind of performance and features expected of premium products, but at a considerably lower price point. A great choice for gamers putting comfort, ease of use and value for money above all else.

4.5

pros

	Modern, minimalistic design
	Tasteful use of RGB
	Excellent in-game performance
	Clear voice communication
	Flexible connectivity
	Rich in options, often-updated software
	Great value for money

cons

	Hard plastic not looking the part
	Detachable microphone not to everyone’s taste
	A headset Settings app for the PS5 would be nice

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