The best headphones for gaming geeks should deliver a good sound quality for playing games. They should also be durable and provide a comfortable fit. There are many options, but you have to pick the right ones.
Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a pair of high-end wireless headphones from SteelSeries. They are made for PlayStation and Xbox gamers, including features like Hi-Res audio support and active noise canceling. The headsets are comfortable, offer decent sound quality, and come with a wireless base station. But they can be fiddly.
The base station has a black and white OLED display, which can control software and adjust audio settings. It has two USB-C connectors, allowing it to connect to two devices simultaneously. The headphones can be charged in the base station as well.
SteelSeries’s GG (Gaming Gear) software lets users customize the audio. It includes a Sonar suit and EQ presets. In addition, it allows users to share and swap EQs with others.
Another feature of the headphones is their simulated 7.1 surround sound. Users can adjust the headsets to their liking, whether movie-centric or game-centric. This is a great feature, as it helps suppress background noise, room-level conversations, and outside traffic.
The headset also has a sturdy, rigid headband with faux leather covering the pads. There’s a retractable microphone, a retractable suspension strap, and an adjustable hat pin to help keep the headset from slipping.
Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headphones have excellent battery life. The battery can be charged in the base station, but there’s also a USB-C port on the ear cups.
SteelSeries’s headset is designed for gaming but also has a luxurious fit. The headsets are stiff, but they’re also lightweight. And they have a surprisingly good range. Depending on the game, you can listen up to 120 feet without interference.
Corsair HS60 Pro
The Corsair HS60 Pro is an updated version of the HS60 headset. This new model adds surround sound to the game experience. Its microphone is also improved.
The HS60 PRO headphones have more bass than the previous model. However, the higher frequencies may suffer from distortion. These headphones have a solid build. They also have memory foam ear cups.
HS60 Pro Surround is a good choice for gamers who want virtual surround sound while gaming. You can also use it in stereo mode for music. There are five EQ presets included. Each is useful for a specific scenario. HS60 Pro Surround is also compatible with various platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and smartphones.
While it looks and feels great, the HS60 PRO SURROUND doesn’t perform as well as the original. The padding on the ear cups is thicker, and the sound profile is more bass-heavy. That means it will feel snugger on your head.
The HS60 Pro SURROUND has a detachable 3.5mm mic and a noise-canceling unidirectional microphone. The microphone’s audio output is reasonably accurate in the mids. Nevertheless, there are no audio prompts if the mic is muted.
The Corsair HS60 PRO headphones are a decent option for wired gaming. Their treble reproduction could be crisper, but they’re still quite good.
The HS60 PRO SURROUND is a more affordable and versatile alternative to the HS60. It’s better designed, sounds better, and is much more comfortable. But it’s not the ideal gaming headset. If you need a more complex and specialized set of 7.1 surround headphones, check out the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless, which features USB-C connectivity and a better mic.
Bang & Olufsen H8i
If you are looking for a pair of high-end headphones for your gaming and listening needs, you should consider the Bang & Olufsen H8i. The Danish company is known for its fine craftsmanship and innovations in product design. This luxury model is made with top-quality materials and features Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and a premium Bluetooth 4.2 connection.
Bang & Olufsen H8i headphones feature Active Noise Cancellation, reducing unwanted background noise. In addition to its superior noise cancellation, this model boasts a more refined and precise sound.
These premium wireless on-ear headphones are designed with a sleek design and a luxurious finish. They also feature two dedicated microphones for improved voice quality when making phone calls.
The headphone’s design is made of brushed aluminum and cowhide leather on the headband. This material is more comfortable to the touch than synthetic leather.
When not in use, these headphones fold into a convenient carry case. The H8i’s battery is not removable but lasts 45 hours with active noise cancellation turned off. A 3.5 mm audio jack is provided for wired listening.
When you turn on the H8i, a switch toggles between ANC and Transparency Mode. Transparency Mode lets you tune ambient sounds to make your music sound more accurate and complete.
The H8i headphones have button controls that are easier to use. They also include sensors that detect when the headset is removed and automatically resume playback.
Bang & Olufsen also claims that the materials used in the H8i construction will last for years. Whether or not this is true, these headphones deliver excellent performance.
The new H8i models also feature a more powerful battery and better ANC. The improved ANC will improve your audio quality and battery life by about 4 hours.
Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 gaming headphone might be the perfect fit if you’re looking for a high-end pair of headphones. Though it may not look as striking as the more flashy HD 600, it’s a solid headphone that delivers the quality sound and features you want.
The headphone comes with a detachable cable for easy portability, a 3.5mm jack, a 1/4″ jack, and an adapter for a headphone amplifier. It is also made from a Kevlar-reinforced oxygen-free copper cord that ensures smooth, clean transfer of signals.
Like the HD 600, the 650 headphones have an open-back design that allows plenty of airflow around the ears. This helps the headset achieve a natural sound with good isolation. But if you’re not a fan of the open-back style, you can still choose the more traditional over-ear version of the headphone.
There’s also a unique feature on the 650. Each headset cup is protected by a metal mesh cage, preventing unwanted vibrations. As a result, the headset’s drivers are highly detailed and provide a clear, expansive sound.
Another unique feature is the headband adjustment. The adjustment is very thin and requires a bit of force to keep the headphones on your head. However, it hasn’t flaked out after two years of use.
Other than that, the 650 offers plenty of comforts and excellent detail. You can expect a smooth, balanced midrange and a textured bass that is both powerful and subtle.
The Sennheiser HD 650 headphones are a great addition to your audio collection. Not only will they enhance your listening experience, but they’ll also allow you to forget about the outside world completely.
HyperX Cloud Stinger
HyperX Cloud Stinger is a wireless gaming headset. It offers a comfortable fit and an authentic audio experience and is compatible with most devices. You’ll be able to play games on your console, computer, and mobile devices with headphones. They are available for a moderate price.
The Cloud Stinger has a bright midrange and highs that should help bring out positional details in a game. But treble can be uneven. Some people may also hear different sounds depending on their head shape. For some users, the added bass emphasis might be too much.
While this gaming headset is suitable for a moderate price, you’ll want to keep an eye out for better quality. That said, Cloud Stinger has a good build quality and an impressive microphone. Aside from being easy to connect, it’s also easy to use.
HyperX Cloud Stinger’s headphones come with meter-long and splitter cables. Both lines feature a 3.5mm jack to hook up with most devices.
These headphones come in a matte black finish with a red HyperX logo on the headband. You’ll find a user manual and a warranty card in the box. The Cloud Stinger has a plastic body and leatherette ear pads.
The ear cups are not very plush but have an adjustable steel slider. This feature is useful, as it allows you to tilt the headphones to create a good seal. However, if the hinges are too flimsy, you might not get a good fit.
The headband is tight enough, but it’s also not as soft as the earcups. If you fire gunshots often, you may feel uncomfortable.
The Cloud Stinger has an excellent microphone that’s suitable for most games. Plus, it’s compatible with other leading chat programs, such as Discord.
