Sometimes, the best gaming headset doesn’t have to be a “gaming headset” at all. While many people view these devices as their own category, they’re ultimately still headphones, just with a boom mic and some fancy branding attached. While the overall quality of dedicated headsets has improved over time, they still tend to cost extra compared to a good pair of wired headphones (which, yes, still exist). If you need to chat with friends, you can always buy a microphone separately and get superior sound quality there as well.
That said, we completely understand that many people just want the simplicity of a headset with a built-in mic. So after testing dozens of contenders over the past couple of years, we’ve rounded up a few commendable gaming headsets and headphones that work well for gaming — which aren’t quite the same thing. Whichever way you go, all of our picks should make your game time more enjoyable, whether you play competitively or just for fun.
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Best gaming headphones for 2025
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Best headphones for gaming Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 5 - 40,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 345g (without cable) The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X should please most people willing to pay for a capital-N nice pair of headphones for gaming purposes. It localizes sounds accurately and delivers the kind of spacious soundstage expected from a good open-back model. Bass is a little more present here than on many open-back headphones as well. There still isn’t much in the way of deep sub-bass, unsurprisingly, but there’s enough warmth to give stuff like explosions a bit more juice without muddying up the mids. Details in the midrange get the most emphasis overall, but they’re clear, and their forwardness isn’t a bad thing when you’re trying to listen for enemy players in a competitive FPS like Counter-Strike 2 or Apex Legends. The treble isn’t pushed quite as hard, but it’s neither overly recessed nor harsh. All of this helps the DT 900 Pro X sound detailed but not boring. It's the kind of sound that plays nice whether you’re trying to win a multiplayer game or take in a more cinematic single-player story. And when you’re not gaming, you get an enjoyable profile for music. The whole thing is built well, too. The DT 900 Pro X will clamp down slightly harder than average if you have a large head, but it balances its weight well, and its wonderfully soft velour earpads go a long way toward keeping the pair comfortable over hours-long gaming sessions. It comes with two detachable cables, including a three-meter option that’s convenient if you sit far from your PC. It can’t fold up, though. Like all open-back headphones, the DT 900 Pro X leak game audio and let in lots of noise, so it’s not great on the go. Clearly, if you can afford to upgrade to an ultra-premium pair like Sennheiser’s HD 800 S, you’ll get more space and true-to-life detail. And like many audio products, this pair has become a little more expensive in recent months. But for something typically priced in the high $200 to low $300 range, the DT 900 Pro X should satisfy. Pros Immersive, detailed sound with pleasing bass
Well-built with soft ear cushions Cons Leaks and lets in outside noise, by design
Lacking in deep sub-bass, like most open-back headphones $320 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $320 at Beyerdynamic$320 at B&H
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Another good option Sennheiser HD 560S Enclosure: Open-back | Driver: Dynamic | Frequency response: 6 - 38,000Hz | Mic: No | Connectivity: Wired | Weight: 280g If you’d rather not spend as much, the Sennheiser HD 560S is another excellent open-back headphone that’s often available for $200 or so. Like the DT 900 Pro X, it has a wide soundstage that makes it easier to feel immersed in a given game. Its signature is slightly more neutral on the whole, so you won’t feel like you’re missing any part of what's happening, and it retrieves a lovely amount of treble and midrange detail. There's less bass power for explosions, though. And the treble, while more present here than on Beyerdynamic's pair, can sound piercing at times. Imaging isn’t quite as nuanced either, though it’s far from poor. The HD560S' design is plenty comfortable to wear for extended periods. It doesn’t clamp down too hard on those with big heads (like yours truly), and its velour earpads hug the ears softly. The included cable is removable, too. The plastic frame doesn’t feel as sturdy or premium as the DT 900 Pro X, however, so you won’t want to chuck it around haphazardly. It won't isolate much noise either, nor will it prevent others from hearing what you're playing. Nevertheless, the HD 560S is a pleasure, and a great value. Pros Impressively balanced sound
Comfortable
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