Logitech's take on a portable gaming headset is surprisingly likeable, with numerous options for customisability and adequate audio performance.

Unfortunately, despite a favourable first impression, my experience with the G433 was marred by lapses in quality.

Audio on the first set I received would intermittently cut out, no matter what device it was linked to or how it was connected. The sound would return only after plugging the headset out and back in.

I exchanged this for a second set, only to find that the default braided cable transmitted audio from just the right channel. It was only after I swopped the spoilt cable for an alternative rubber one (included in the box) that I could hear sound from both sides.

It's a great pity, because these issues detract from what is otherwise a likeable headset.

In terms of appearance, the G433 is a welcome departure from the rest of the Logitech range. A textured mesh covering wraps around the entire earcup and headband padding, giving the whole headset a seamless feel. While the company's other offerings are sombre-coloured, the G433 offers two striking colour options - red and blue - on top of the usual black.

At $159, the G433 sits at the lower end of Logitech's gaming headset price range ($99 to $299). Unlike most of its peers, it is designed to go beyond the desktop, to be a portable, on-the-go companion.

This is evident in its lightweight construction. Without a cable, the G433 weighs in at roughly 260g. In comparison, Logitech's flagship G933 tips the scales at 374g, more than 40 per cent heavier.

To shore up the G433's versatility, the headset comes with a variety of different options for use. In the box are the aforementioned braided and rubber cables, both with in-line controls. There are also two types of earcups (mesh and fabric), two types of connectivity (USB or 3.5mm) and a splitter for separate microphone/headphone jacks.

If you want to use the G433 on the move, its microphone is detachable for a sleeker profile, and it also comes with a carrying pouch.

Sound-wise, the G433 is loaded with virtual 7.1 positioning. In order to use it, you need to connect the headset to your PC via the included DAC, and download the Logitech Gaming Software programme.

Aside from a nifty demonstration of the headset's 7.1 capabilities, the software also allows you to choose your own custom equaliser settings or use pre-made settings for different genres like first-person shooters or multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games.

Lisabel Ting

•Verdict: While the G433's sound is not the most robust - voices coming through it bear a slightly hollow tone - its range and directional positioning make it a passable gaming headset. Now, if only it had worked all the time...