The 10 Best Audiophile Headphones For Gaming, Tested by Experts

Top Picks

• Best Overall: beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X Open-Back 

If you want top-notch quality, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X is a great choice. It's perfect for all types of music listeners, whether they're just getting into music or want to replace their old headphones. This headphone's best feature is that it blocks out noise, which makes it great for traveling or working in noisy places. It also has a built-in microphone, so you can take calls or listen to music without having to use your hands. It also has a remote control built into the cord, so you don't have to take your phone out of your pocket every time you want to change the volume or skip a track.

• Best Microphone: HyperX Cloud II - Gaming Headset 

If you've ever heard the phrase "gaming headphones," you probably know about some of the best headsets. The HyperX Cloud II is a great headphone that has a newly built USB A port and a couple of speakers for a sound card that improves audio and speech for an ideal Hi-Fi gaming experience. With it, you can hear what you have been missing. The wider frequency range lets you hear details that other gamers will never hear, like the rustle of a camper's boot in the rain in Titanfall two or the scuttle in a distant vent in Dark Souls 3.

• Best Surround Sound: Razer Nari Essential Wireless 7.1 

The Razer Nari Essential is strong and very light. It's easy to wear for long periods of time without having to adjust the headset. The battery can last up to ten hours per charge, which is great because you can quickly put the headset on a stand or in its carrying case and take off the battery when you're not playing. The headset also has a system that automatically adjusts to your shape, and you can make all the major changes with just one button.

• Best for Xbox: Audeze Penrose X Wireless Gaming Headset 

Audeze Penrose X is a great headset. It has the same drivers as the Mobius headset, and the sound quality is great. It also has a 10-band EQ with two presets that can be set by the user. There are also controls for sidetone, game mute, chat mix volume (only on Xbox), OS volume controls, and mic volume. Both Bluetooth 5.0 and low-latency 2.4gHz wireless dongle systems, which come in the same box, work well with it. Also, it comes with an adapter for USB Type-C laptops or game consoles (which are becoming more popular).

• Best Open-Back: AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO Over-Ear 

The AKG Pro Audio K712 PRO is a great pair of gaming headphones. These are clear and sharp all the way through. There is also a lot of isolation, which helps you focus on the game sounds while blocking out distractions and people talking to you in real life (who wants to hear that?). The sound was also very good for gamers. They make a bass that is good enough for games like Grand Theft Auto V, Fallout 4, and so on.