As long as they use 5/32" or larger bearings, and nothing funky is going on with the headtube or steerer tube, a cheap headset can last a long time if well cared for. And often they can be brought to useable shape even when not properly cared for in the past. On my beater bike, the crown race wasn't just brinneled, the bearings had also carved out a track that was noticeably deeper than how the race was designed. But the wear was evenly distributed, and it feels relatively smooth with fresh grease and bearings.