The Best Closed-Back Headsets

It blocks a noisy room well but has no mic. Like the MMX 300 Pro, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Sundara Closed-Back uses a wired connection. You also get a closed design for shared rooms and a foldable frame.

A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. It undercut the ATH-M40x and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its driver size; if that figure matters, the ATH-M50x comes in at 45mm.

It is the lower-priced closed studio headphone in the line. Its circumaural ear cups seal around the ears for isolation in loud rooms, and the pads and headband use professional-grade materials. It is built for studio monitoring as much as gaming.

Its 40mm drivers use rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminium voice coils. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the ATH-M50x leads at 45mm. It also comes with detachable cables.

You also get this: no charging or pairing needed. Its price falls between the HD 280 Pro and the Sundara Closed-Back, based on our last check.

This is the closed-back Sundara, which keeps sound in and outside noise out, unlike the open original. Its NEO supernano diaphragm is 80% thinner than common designs. Closed-back planars are rare, so it suits planar sound in a shared room where open-backs would leak.

You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the MMX 300 Pro and its a wired 3.5mm connection. A closed-back planar magnetic design is unique to it among these picks, while the ATH-M40x uses a closed-back design. You also get a detachable cable.

It was priced above the ATH-M40x and below the ATH-M50x at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the ATH-M50x comes in at 45mm.

It has no mic. Its ear cups swivel 90 degrees for one-ear monitoring, and the extended frequency range includes deep, accurate bass. Its 45mm large-aperture drivers use rare-earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum voice coils.

The circumaural cups seal around the ears, which helps it isolate sound in a loud room. On driver size it ties with the MMX 300 Pro at 45mm. You also get this: no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the Sundara Closed-Back and cheaper picks cost less, and the MMX 300 Pro cost more.

On the spec sheet, it offers a 45mm driver size. On driver size it ties with the ATH-M50x at 45mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the HD 280 Pro; the Sundara Closed-Back goes with a wired connection.

A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. Another plus: condenser microphone, the only one here.

Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the HD 280 Pro at the time of writing. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ATH-M50x the nearest cheaper option.