The Best Closed-Back Gaming Headphones

The 80-ohm load is easier to drive than the 250-ohm version. At 80 ohms it sounds best from an interface or amp but runs from most laptops. Replaceable velour pads and a spring-steel headband are built for daily use, and the closed back suits vocal booths.

Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed. At our last price check it topped the group, with the INZONE H6 Air the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the MDR7506 instead: it comes in at 40mm, while this one gives no figure.

It blocks a noisy room well but has no mic. Like the GAME ZERO, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the MDR7506 uses a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the ATH-M40x was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the MDR7506, which comes in at 40mm.

Memory foam pads are listed. It folds flat into the included hard case, and the flexible boom mic reduces background noise. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the HD 280 Pro; the INZONE H6 Air 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. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. It was priced above the MDR7506 and below the INZONE H6 Air at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the MDR7506 comes in at 40mm.

It ships with both 3.5mm and 6.3mm connections. Its response runs from 10Hz to 20kHz, and the 9.8-foot cord has a 1/4-inch adapter. The closed design reduces outside noise.

You get a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection here, which sets it apart from the HD 280 Pro and its a wired 3.5mm connection. It also offers a foldable build. 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.

Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. It was priced above the ATH-M40x and below the GAME ZERO at the time of writing.

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. It also offers detachable cables. Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper HD 280 Pro and the pricier MDR7506, at the time of writing.

Sony adapted its drivers from studio monitor headphones and adds a custom equalizer for RPG and adventure games. You get a wired connection here, which sets it apart from the MDR7506 and its a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection. An open-back design is unique to it among these picks, while the HD 280 Pro uses a closed-back design.

Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was priced above the GAME ZERO and below the DT 770 Pro at the time of writing. It gives ground on driver size, where the MDR7506 comes in at 40mm.