Logitech G522 Lightspeed review: A gaming headset with a superb mic

Price When Reviewed

165 Euro

Best Prices Today: Logitech G522 Lightspeed

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed wireless gaming headset promises premium features at a moderate price, and that in a stylish white color variant (in addition to classic black). This model is the successor to the G733 and aims to impress PC and PS5 gamers with wireless Lightspeed technology, Bluetooth connectivity and outstanding sound. You can look forward to immersive gaming sound, a decent microphone and long battery life, all without any cable clutter.

One thing is clear from the outset: the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is aimed at gamers who want both comfort and performance without paying a high-end price. Below, we clarify whether the headset lives up to this claim and whether it can impress technically as well as visually. For even more great picks check out our roundup of the best wireless gaming headsets.

Considering its price, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers respectable audio performance that comes dangerously close to some much more expensive headsets.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Design and comfort

The white version of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is a real eye-catcher. With its slim, modern design and side-aligned Lightsync RGB lighting (eight zones, 16.8 million colors), it makes a visual statement.

The configurable color effects are particularly impressive on the white housing. Despite its predominantly plastic construction, the headset does not look cheap at all. On the contrary: the workmanship is robust and high-quality.

As an alternative to the white version tested here, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is also available in black, but the white version clearly emphasizes the gaming look.

Logitech has made noticeable improvements to comfort compared to its predecessor. Generously sized ear cups with soft dual-layer memory foam padding completely enclose the ear and leave enough room even for glasses wearers or gamers with ear jewellery.

The very comfortable fit is particularly noteworthy: even after hours of use, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed remains one of the most comfortable headsets we have ever tested. One reason for this is its low weight of around 290 grams, combined with the flexible, padded headband system.

The headband uses an elastic suspension band (made of washable fabric) under the rigid frame, similar to previous Logitech G headsets. It can be hooked into two positions to accommodate different head sizes.

Many users with normal to large heads will find the contact pressure just right: firm enough for a secure fit, but never too tight. The breathable fabric covering the padding and grooves in the headband also ensure that you sweat less and hardly feel the headset.

However, gamers with small heads should be aware that the headset will probably sit a little loosely even at its tightest setting and that their ears might bump against the inside.

Thanks to its generous design, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed also looks quite bulky on the head. Those looking for a petite headset may find its clunky appearance distracting. In normal use, however, the size is hardly noticeable. This is because in video calls, the “gaming headset look” is only visually noticeable; comfort remains unaffected.

A potential disadvantage of the white version is that dust and dirt are more visible than on dark headsets. Regular cleaning helps here, as everything white shows dirt more clearly.

Logitech focuses on sustainability when it comes to materials: the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is made partly from recycled plastic and even low-carbon aluminium, which does not detract from its durable impression.

In summary, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed impresses with its high level of comfort and stylish design. The white color variant is a refreshing eye-catcher in the gaming corner and fits perfectly with Logitech’s G5 series in the same color, such as the G502 X Plus gaming mouse and the G515 TKL keyboard, allowing you to arrange a harmonious setup on your desk. So you’ll be entertained not only acoustically, but also visually.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Technology and features

When it comes to features, the manufacturer has pulled out all the stops with the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, in a positive sense. The wireless gaming headset offers tri-mode connectivity, i.e. wireless 2.4 GHz Lightspeed operation, Bluetooth and wired USB mode.

The included USB-A dongle enables lag-free 2.4 GHz connections on PC, Mac and PlayStation 5; however, Microsoft’s Xbox is not supported. Alternatively, the G522 can be paired via Bluetooth 5.3. This is particularly handy for smartphones, tablets or the Nintendo Switch when on the go.

The headset already supports the new Bluetooth LE Audio standard (LC3 codec) for low latency and better audio quality, provided that playback devices support this. In Bluetooth mode, it should be noted that the microphone quality is slightly lower than in Lightspeed or USB cable mode due to the system.

However, it’s still sufficient for listening to music on the go or using Discord on your mobile phone. For critical voice recordings, it is better to use the dongle or USB cable anyway. The latter is included as a USB-A to USB-C cable and serves both as a charging cable and an audio cable (USB class-compliant sound card). However, there is no analogue 3.5-millimeter jack connection, which means that the Logitech G522 Lightspeed cannot be used purely in analog mode.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Battery life

One highlight of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is its enormous battery life. Logitech promises up to 40 hours with RGB lighting activated and an impressive 90 hours without lighting. We were able to confirm these values in practice:

In Lightspeed mode with the lighting switched on continuously, the battery lasted around 38 hours. This is an excellent value, far exceeding that of its predecessor, the G733 (around 20 hours with RGB). Without lighting effects, you can enjoy several days of gaming marathons before the battery runs out.

Although there are competing headsets with even longer runtimes (such as the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless with around 300 hours of runtime; see review), the Logitech G522 Lightspeed sets the standard in the mid-range.

A practical feature that increases the battery’s longevity: Logitech’s G‑Hub software allows you to optionally activate a charging limit of 80 percent to conserve the battery. And if the battery does break down after years of use, it can be replaced with just a little skill. Logitech is collaborating with iFixit and plans to provide replacement batteries and instructions. This shows that sustainability and longevity have been taken into account here.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Sound quality

For the audio drivers of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, the manufacturer relies on both tried-and-tested and new technology. 40-millimetre Pro-G speakers ensure good sound quality. However, these are embedded in a new acoustic module: completely enclosed in the ear cups, which is designed to minimize resonance-related distortion and produce a more symmetrical sound.

According to Logitech, this has improved bass response and clarity while reducing power consumption by around 35 percent. The frequency response remains classic at 20 Hz to 20 kHz. In practice, the drivers do indeed deliver a powerful, low-distortion sound, but more on that in the sound test below.

A positive feature is that the headset supports DTS Headphone:X 2.0 for virtual surround sound (license via the Windows app “DTS Sound Unbound”) as well as native spatial sounds such as Windows Sonic or PS5 Tempest 3D on consoles and PCs. This means you’re equipped to locate your opponents acoustically with pinpoint accuracy for competitive gaming.

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed is easy to use and well designed. All controls are easily accessible on the left ear cup: a power slide switch (with LED status indicator), below which is a recessed button for switching between Lightspeed and Bluetooth mode, followed by an easy-to-use volume wheel and a two-stage microphone mute button.

The latter is particularly clever: when you press it to mute, it extends slightly and a red ring becomes visible – so you can immediately see and feel that you’re muted. In addition, a small red LED lights up at the tip of the microphone as soon as the mic is deactivated.

So if you forget to “unmute” yourself, embarrassing silences in voice chat are a thing of the past. The detachable microphone connects via a trapezoidal 3.5-millimeter plug and can be flexibly adjusted.

Last but not least, Logitech offers exemplary software support. In Logitech G Hub (PC/Mac) and the Logitech G mobile app, you can configure the headset extensively: everything is available, from RGB lighting control (various effects or synchronization with other Logitech devices) to the 10-band equalizer and “Blue VO!CE” microphone filters.

Also, up to three audio profiles can be conveniently stored directly on the headset. Once set up, you can save a gaming, music and chat profile, among others, and use them on another console or device without having to restart the software.

This device-independent profile storage is a great feature, especially for cross-platform users. All in all, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed excels in versatility and user-friendliness. From connectivity options to battery and audio technology, pretty much everything that demanding gamers appreciate has been thought of.

Sound quality review

Let’s get to the most important thing: how does the Logitech G522 Lightspeed sound? The short answer: very good, especially for gaming, with slight compromises for music in the factory settings. In gaming mode, the headset impresses with a clear, spatial sound image.

Footsteps, gunshots and ambient noises can be precisely located; tracking down opponents in FPS games is easy thanks to the clean stereo stage and spatial sound capabilities.

Whether competitive shooters like CS2 or cinematic single-player epics, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers clearly defined details and convincing surround sound. Activating DTS Headphone:X on your PC adds even more depth to the sound—the atmosphere becomes even more immersive, which is particularly noticeable in story-driven games or films. Even at high volumes, the sound remains distortion-free and pleasant. Explosions rumble, voices are clear, and even the slightest sounds are not lost.

Although the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is obviously designed for gaming, many of us naturally want to use our headset for music and multimedia as well. Here, the G522 is somewhat idiosyncratic in its default settings.

The bass sounds a bit flat and restrained, while the mids are a bit too prominent and the highs a bit too soft. This means that music initially lacks a bit of punch and brilliance. However, there’s no need to worry: with a few equalizer adjustments, the sound can be improved enormously.

Logitech G Hub offers a comprehensive equalizer and numerous presets for this purpose. So if you subtly boost the lower frequencies (20 to 125 hertz) and treble, you’ll get a much more balanced sound.

Bass lovers should take a moment to adjust the settings, and then the Logitech G522 Lightspeed will purr right along when listening to songs and film soundtracks. On a positive note, the drivers respond excellently to EQ without distorting – presumably thanks to the new acoustic modules.

Conclusion regarding sound: gamers will immediately enjoy themselves, and those who like to listen to music can achieve a well-rounded sound with just a few clicks. Considering its price, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed delivers respectable audio performance that comes dangerously close to some much more expensive headsets.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Microphone quality

The microphone on the Logitech G522 Lightspeed deserves a special mention, as Logitech has really delivered here. The detachable boom mic is boldly advertised by the manufacturer as “the best microphone in the gaming world”, and we can indeed attest to the wireless gaming headset’s surprisingly high voice quality.

The microphone records at 48 kHz/16 bit, covers a wide frequency range (70 Hz to 20 kHz) and sounds very clear, natural and with low-noise in practice. In online rounds and Discord chats, you’ll be understood crystal clear with the G522 – your voice comes across as present and in near broadcast quality.

Streamers and frequent chatters in particular benefit from no longer needing an external table microphone arm to achieve decent voice transmission.

The “Blue VO!CE” technology also gives you additional tools to improve your voice via software. Noise reduction, compressor, de-esser (to reduce sharp S sounds) and EQ profiles can be activated to mute background noise or adjust the sound of your voice.

In our test, the raw signal from the microphone was already very good, but somewhat sensitive to ambient noise (mechanical keyboard strokes could be heard quietly). But this is exactly where Blue VO!CE and the G-Hub filters come in, effectively cleaning up the input. After that, all that remains is the voice, clear and distinct.

The microphone thus also meets semi-professional requirements for streaming or podcast recording. The only downside: during testing, we noticed that the microphone sometimes swallows the first letters of a new speech passage.

This could be due to the automatic speech recognition or a sensitivity threshold – however, the noise gate can be adjusted in G Hub to remedy this behavior.

Is the Logitech G522 worth it?

The Swiss manufacturer has scored a major success with the Logitech G522 Lightspeed. The white version reviewed here combines technology and style to create an attractive overall package. The G522 delivers almost everything you would expect from a modern gaming headset, and at a very reasonable price of only $130. In our test, the G522 impressed us with its high level of comfort, first-class sound for games and an outstanding microphone that transmits your voice so clearly that it’s hard to believe you’re talking through a wireless headset. The battery life is respectable – the headset can handle long gaming nights or streaming sessions without needing to be recharged.

Of course, not everything is perfect: audiophile music lovers will need to fine-tune the equalizer, and the large headset feels a little loose on smaller heads. But these are minor flaws considering the overall performance. All in all, we can give the Logitech G522 Lightspeed a clear recommendation. For PC and PS5 gamers looking for a comfortable wireless headset with versatile features, the G522 is currently a very attractive option. It easily keeps up with more expensive premium models and surpasses its direct predecessor in all respects.