Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Headphones Under $100
Three headsets compared, from the Philips Open-Back to the SHP9500, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $100 you can find open-back or closed-back headphones that suit games. Every pick is sold as headphones and cost $100 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for driver size, connection and design; where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones
A lower price than the HD 280 Pro 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)
Closed-back Design
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones
A closed-back design.
Best for: Buyers who want a closed-back design.
Our take Check price for Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones
The top of this price range, adding a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the HD 280 Pro and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| A closed-back design. | Buyers who want a closed-back design. | Check price for Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a double-layered, breathable headband cushion. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Philips SHP9500 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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 shares an open-back design with the SHP9500; the HD 280 Pro goes with a closed-back 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 cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the HD 280 Pro the next step up.
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
Closed-back Design2 of 3
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sennheiser's HD 280 Pro is a closed studio headphone with up to 32 dB of listed passive attenuation.
Best for
- Buyers who want a closed-back design.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no built-in microphone.
Why we like it
It blocks a noisy room well but has no mic. It is the only pick here with a closed-back design; the Philips Open-Back has an open-back design instead. It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the Philips Open-Back and the SHP9500, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the Philips Open-Back, which comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: Closed-back
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Up to 32 dB of listed passive attenuation
- Closed design for shared rooms
- Foldable frame
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Philips Open-Back at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
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
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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 shares an open-back design with the Philips Open-Back; the HD 280 Pro goes with a closed-back design. You also get 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. Only the HD 280 Pro came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
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
- Costs more than the Philips Open-Back at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Headphones Under $100
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Philips Open-Back to the SHP9500, state connection, design and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The HD 280 Pro gives no driver size.
- Price range
- From the Philips Open-Back to the SHP9500, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in Gaming Headphones Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The Philips Open-Back: an open-back design. The HD 280 Pro: a closed design for shared rooms. The SHP9500: a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Philips Open-Back at the low end to the SHP9500 at the top, so decide on features first.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the Philips Open-Back. Buyers who want a closed-back design: the HD 280 Pro. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the SHP9500.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
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 Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Philips Open-Back | A lower price than the HD 280 Pro and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want a closed-back design | HD 280 Pro | A closed-back design |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | SHP9500 | The top of this price range, adding a double-layered, breathable headband cushion |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Philips Open-Back, the HD 280 Pro and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Open-Back | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm with 6.3mm adapter | Open-back | None |
| HD 280 Pro | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Closed-back | None |
| SHP9500 | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm, 1.5m cable | Open-back | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the HD 280 Pro the Closed-back Design?
It earns the label for a closed-back design. It suits anyone who wants a closed-back design.
Do the Philips Open-Back and the HD 280 Pro differ on design?
The Philips Open-Back and the SHP9500 use open-back; the HD 280 Pro uses Closed-back.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Philips Open-Back and the HD 280 Pro apart?
The Philips Open-Back: 50mm drivers. The HD 280 Pro: up to 32 dB of listed passive attenuation. The SHP9500: a double-layered, breathable headband cushion.
Should I pick the Philips Open-Back or the SHP9500?
The Philips Open-Back suits spending as little as possible; the SHP9500 suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Is Bluetooth good enough for gaming?
For casual games it is fine, but 2.4GHz dongles have noticeably lower latency. Use the dongle for competitive play.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Philips Open-Back, chosen for a lower price than the HD 280 Pro and the rest when we checked. Look at the HD 280 Pro for a closed-back design and the SHP9500 for the top of this price range, adding a double-layered, breathable headband cushion if those matter more to you.
Check whether the cable is detachable.