For the gamers out there, only very few of them have the space, money, or ability to set up a speaker system. Naturally, most gamers are better off with a pair of headphones that can keep gunfire and explosions from bothering anybody else around. However, headphones can get quite expensive, and there are thousands to choose between, making the process confusing.
Luckily, we've found a great selection of headphones for all different kinds of gamers out there.
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Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Most versatile
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Sennheiser HD 660S2
Best mid-range for audiophiles -
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Premium pick for audiophiles
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Editor's choice
Sennheiser HD 560S
Sennheiser's 560S headphones feature a wide, open soundstage perfect for gaming with 3D sound, and with an open-back design, you won't have to worry about missing audio cues even when playing the most competitive first-person shooters. Plus, with comfortable earcups, these headphones are ideal for long gaming sessions.
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Premium pick
Shure SRH1540 Premium Headphones
These premium closed-back headphones from Shure feature some of the most comfortable earpads out there, have an exceptionally open soundstage, and offer up some overall excellent audio quality whether you're gaming, listening to music, or doing anything else. If you want some headphones perfect for just about any usecase, the SRH1540s are a great choice.
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Best value
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
- Brand
- Audio-Technica
- Noise Cancellation
- No
- Microphones
- yes, detachable
Audio-Technica's ATH-M50X headphones pack in some professional-grade audio quality with a neutral sound profile, making these cans as good a fit for audio production as they can be for gaming. You'll never have to worry about too much bass or piercing highs when blasting away in Call of Duty with these. Plus, they won't break the bank, either.
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Best on a budget
Koss Porta Pro
- Brand
- Koss
- Microphones
- None
- Weight
- 6.4oz
- Foldable
- Collapsible
- Dimensions
- 6.81 x 2 x 8.94in
- Carrying case
- Yes
The famous Koss Porta Pro headphones are foldable, extremely lightweight, and will only cost you $50 if you can't find them on sale. What's more, though, is that these headphones punch well above their weight in terms of audio quality. If you're on a budget, these can handle games as well as music better than most competitors at the same price.
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Most versatile
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Brand
- Sony
- Battery Life
- 30 hours
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Noise Cancellation
- Yes
- Weight
- 0.55 pounds
- Colors
- Black, Midnight Blue, Silver
Sony's impressive WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones have been a top-tier choice of cans for music since they came out, but they can handle more than just music. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more versatile all-around pair that can work for gaming as well as movies, shows, and even traveling, thanks to excellent ANC.
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Best headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Xbox
The Arctis Nova Pro from SteelSeries is a premium pair of cans with its own DAC, lag-free sound, a convenient retractable microphone, effective ANC, multipoint, and up to an impressive 25hrs of battery life. Beyond all that, the Nova Pro has some seriously impressive audio quality when gaming, too.
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Best mid-range for audiophiles
Sennheiser HD 660S2
If you're an audiophile looking for a premium listening experience when gaming, the Sennheiser HD 660S2s are a great pick. These open-back cans have an enormous soundstage, manage exceptional amounts of detail, and remain punchy and dynamic in terms of their delivery. Whether it's a competitive FPS or a story-driven game, these headphones can handle it all.
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Premium pick for audiophiles
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser's HD 800 S headphones may cost a pretty penny, but they're some of the best, highest-fidelity cans on the market. They make for an exceptional listening experience whether it's music, gaming, movies, or anything else. If you're looking for immersion, the HD 800 S are perfect.
Which headphones for gaming are right for you?
A lot of which headphones you go with depends on your budget and what you're looking for out of a pair. If you plan to mostly play games on your phone and also want some headphones that can work for music and movies, Sony's excellent WH-1000XM5s are an excellent choice. If you're a serious audiophile with a budget to match, who wants the best, the HD 800 S is worth a look.
While for most gamers, Sennhesier's HD 560S headphones are a great blend of value and performance. If you don't find a pair that's to your liking above, though, you may want to take a look at our list of the best gaming headsets as well as our top picks of headphones in general. When it comes to audio, there are so many devices out there that there's sure to be one right for you.