Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headphones Without a Boom Mic
Five headsets ranked on driver size and connection, where the ROG Kithara has the largest driver size; the Philips Open-Back is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gaming headphones skip the boom microphone and focus on sound. Every pick is sold as headphones or lists no attached microphone, ordered by driver size.
We ranked these headsets on driver size, connection and design using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Drivers
ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones
The largest driver size here (100mm).
Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones
A lower price than the SHP9500 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones
A double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Best for: Buyers who want double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Our take Check price for Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
HIFIMAN Edition XS Planar Magnetic Headphones
Stealth Magnets.
Best for: Buyers who want Stealth Magnets.
Our take Check price for HIFIMAN Edition XS Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 5
ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ROG Kithara brings to the table is 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG, plus a full-band MEMS boom microphone.
Best for
- Players who favour a fuller low end.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when open-back leaks sound both way is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 100mm driver size is the largest here; the Fosi i5 comes next at 97mm. It shares an open-back planar magnetic design with the Fosi i5 and Edition XS; the SHP9500 goes with an open-back design. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.
Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. Worth noting too: open-back for a wider soundstage. When we checked, only the Edition XS and cheaper picks cost less, and the Fosi i5 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 100mm
- Connection: Wired
- Design: Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone: On-cable MEMS boom mic
Pros
- 100mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- Costs more than the Philips Open-Back at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Fosi i5 brings to the table is a 97mm diaphragm, plus CNC metal and walnut construction.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
It also offers a 97mm driver size. Its 97mm planar diaphragm is 2 microns thin with a sputtered silver alloy coating. A memory-steel headband, multi-axis pivoting cups and silicone sliders handle the fit.
Its 97mm driver size ranks second of 4 here, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm) and ahead of the SHP9500 (50mm). Like the ROG Kithara and Edition XS, it has an open-back planar magnetic design, while the Philips Open-Back uses an open-back design. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ROG Kithara.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 97mm
- Connection: Wired
- Design: Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone: None
Pros
- 97mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- 97mm diaphragm
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Philips Open-Back at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Philips's open-back headphone uses 50mm drivers and ships with a 6.3mm adapter.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
It is the lowest-priced open-back model here. Its open-back design suits long music sessions, and a padded headband and breathable cushions keep it comfortable. It matches the SHP9500 on driver size (50mm).
Like the SHP9500, it has an open-back design, while the ROG Kithara uses an open-back planar magnetic design. 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. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.
It undercut the SHP9500 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: driver size of 50mm, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm). If that matters, the ROG Kithara comes in at 100mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm with 6.3mm adapter
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: None
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Open-back design
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm)
Also Consider4 of 5
Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SHP9500 is a hi-fi headphone rather than a headset: open-back 50mm drivers and a breathable headband give a wide, natural sound.
Best for
- Buyers who want double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
There is no microphone, so pair it with a desk or clip-on mic. It matches the Philips Open-Back on driver size (50mm). Like the Philips Open-Back, it has an open-back design, while the ROG Kithara uses an open-back planar magnetic design.
It also offers a double-layered, breathable headband cushion. 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. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Philips Open-Back and the pricier Edition XS, at the time of writing. The trade-off is driver size; for more, the ROG Kithara comes in at 100mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm, 1.5m cable
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: None
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Double-layered, breathable headband cushion
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Driver size trails the ROG Kithara (100mm)
Strong Alternative5 of 5
HIFIMAN Edition XS Planar Magnetic Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Edition XS brings to the table is Stealth Magnets, plus a NEO supernano diaphragm.
Best for
- Buyers who want Stealth Magnets.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
It builds on the Edition X with Stealth Magnets and a larger driver. Open-back planar sound gives a wide soundstage for single-player games and music. It is open-back, so it suits quiet rooms rather than shared spaces.
Its 3.5mm cable is user-replaceable, and the memory-foam headband is light for long sessions. Like the ROG Kithara and Fosi i5, it has an open-back planar magnetic design, while the Philips Open-Back uses an open-back design. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise.
Its price falls between the SHP9500 and the ROG Kithara, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the ROG Kithara, which comes in at 100mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired
- Design: Open-back planar magnetic
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Stealth Magnets
- NEO supernano diaphragm
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- No published driver size
How We Chose These Gaming Headphones Without a Boom Mic
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ROG Kithara to the Edition XS, state connection, design and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Edition XS gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Philips Open-Back ($50 to $100) to the Fosi i5 ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in Gaming Headphones Without a Boom Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much driver size you need
Here driver size runs from 50mm on the SHP9500 to 100mm on the ROG Kithara. Start with the ROG Kithara if driver size decides it. No figure for the Edition XS.
Extras that separate them
The Philips Open-Back: an open-back design. The SHP9500: a double-layered, breathable headband cushion. The Edition XS: a NEO supernano diaphragm.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the Philips Open-Back and the SHP9500; $150 to $250 buys the Edition XS; $250 to $500 buys the ROG Kithara; $500 to $1000 buys the Fosi i5 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Players who favour a fuller low end: the ROG Kithara. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Fosi i5. Spending as little as possible: the Philips Open-Back.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
How to Choose Gaming Headphones Without a Boom Mic
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Players who favour a fuller low end | ROG Kithara | The largest driver size here (100mm) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Fosi i5 | The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm |
| Spending as little as possible | Philips Open-Back | A lower price than the SHP9500 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want double-layered, breathable headband cushion | SHP9500 | A double-layered, breathable headband cushion |
| Buyers who want Stealth Magnets | Edition XS | Stealth Magnets |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ROG Kithara leads on driver size at 100mm, ahead of the Fosi i5 at 97mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Kithara | 100mm | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | On-cable MEMS boom mic |
| Fosi i5 | 97mm | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | None |
| Philips Open-Back | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm with 6.3mm adapter | Open-back | None |
| SHP9500 | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm, 1.5m cable | Open-back | None |
| Edition XS | Not listed | Wired | Open-back planar magnetic | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Philips Open-Back was the lowest-priced pick and the Fosi i5 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Philips Open-Back, SHP9500 |
| About $150 to $250 | Edition XS |
| About $250 to $500 | ROG Kithara |
| About $500 to $1000 | Fosi i5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ROG Kithara ahead of the Fosi i5 on driver size?
The ROG Kithara leads at 100mm, with the Fosi i5 at 97mm. The SHP9500 is at the other end of this group with 50mm. The Edition XS doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the Fosi i5 add over the Philips Open-Back?
On paper it adds driver size (97mm against 50mm). The Philips Open-Back was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the ROG Kithara our Largest Drivers pick?
It earns the label for the largest driver size here (100mm). It suits players who favour a fuller low end.
Do the ROG Kithara and the Philips Open-Back differ on design?
The ROG Kithara, the Fosi i5 and the Edition XS use open-back planar magnetic; the Philips Open-Back and the SHP9500 use open-back.
What extras do the ROG Kithara and the Fosi i5 include?
The ROG Kithara: 100mm HIFIMAN planar drivers tuned by ROG. The Fosi i5: a 97mm diaphragm. The Philips Open-Back: 50mm drivers.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ROG Kithara. Look at the Fosi i5 for the top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm, the Philips Open-Back for a lower price than the SHP9500 and the rest when we checked and the SHP9500 for a double-layered, breathable headband cushion if those matter more to you.
Add a desk or clip-on microphone if you want to talk.