Buying Guide
The Best Headphones for PC Gaming and Music
We weighed four headsets on driver size and connection; the ROG Kithara has the largest driver size, and the Philips Open-Back costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Plain headphones give the best sound per dollar when you use a separate microphone. Every pick is sold as headphones or an open-back model rather than a headset, with drivers of 40mm or more, ordered by driver size.
We ranked these headsets on driver size, connection and design using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 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 INZONE H6 Air 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)
Included Microphone
Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back
An included microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want an included microphone.
Our take Check price for Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest driver size here (100mm). | Players who favour a fuller low end. | Check price for ASUS ROG Kithara Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Fosi Audio i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the INZONE H6 Air and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Philips Open-Back Wired Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| An included microphone. | Buyers who want an included microphone. | Check price for Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 4
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
Nothing else here matches its 100mm driver size; the Fosi i5 comes closest at 97mm. It shares an open-back planar magnetic design with the Fosi i5; the INZONE H6 Air goes with an open-back design. It is the only pick here with an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone; the INZONE H6 Air has an included microphone instead.
Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the INZONE H6 Air 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 4
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
- Worth skipping when open-back leaks sound both way is a problem.
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 INZONE H6 Air (40mm). Like the ROG Kithara, 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 4
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. Its 50mm driver size ranks third of 4 here, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm) and ahead of the INZONE H6 Air (40mm).
Like the INZONE H6 Air, 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 INZONE H6 Air and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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)
Included Microphone4 of 4
Sony INZONE H6 Air Open-Back on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The INZONE H6 Air is the lightest headset here at 199g and the only open-back gaming headset in the group.
Best for
- Buyers who want an included microphone.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
Sony adapted its drivers from studio monitor headphones and adds a custom equalizer for RPG and adventure games. Its 40mm driver size is the smallest in this group; the ROG Kithara leads at 100mm. Like the Philips Open-Back, it has an open-back design, while the ROG Kithara uses an open-back planar magnetic design.
You get an included microphone here, which sets it apart from the ROG Kithara and its an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone. 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 4, between the cheaper Philips Open-Back and the pricier ROG Kithara, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 199g
- Connection: Wired
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- Light 199g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Drivers adapted from studio monitor headphones
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- Driver size trails the ROG Kithara (100mm)
- Costs more than the Philips Open-Back at the time of writing
How We Chose These Headphones for PC Gaming and Music
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four 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 4, from the ROG Kithara to the INZONE H6 Air, state driver size, connection and design.
- Who each pick suits
- The ROG Kithara for the largest driver size here (100mm); the Fosi i5 for the top of this price range, adding a 97mm diaphragm; the Philips Open-Back for a lower price than the INZONE H6 Air and the rest when we checked.
- 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 Headphones for PC Gaming and Music
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much driver size you need
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the INZONE H6 Air to 100mm on the ROG Kithara. Start with the ROG Kithara if driver size decides it.
Extras that separate them
The Fosi i5: CNC metal and walnut construction. The Philips Open-Back: an open-back design. The INZONE H6 Air: a custom RPG and adventure equalizer.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the Philips Open-Back; $150 to $250 buys the INZONE H6 Air; $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 Headphones for PC Gaming and Music
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 INZONE H6 Air and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want an included microphone | INZONE H6 Air | An included microphone |
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.
| 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 |
| INZONE H6 Air | 40mm | Wired | Open-back | Included |
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 |
| About $150 to $250 | INZONE H6 Air |
| About $250 to $500 | ROG Kithara |
| About $500 to $1000 | Fosi i5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Fosi i5 compare with the ROG Kithara on driver size?
The ROG Kithara leads at 100mm, with the Fosi i5 at 97mm. The INZONE H6 Air is at the other end of this group with 40mm.
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 INZONE H6 Air our Included Microphone pick?
It earns the label for an included microphone. It suits anyone who wants an included microphone.
Do the ROG Kithara and the Philips Open-Back differ on design?
The ROG Kithara and the Fosi i5 use open-back planar magnetic; the Philips Open-Back and the INZONE H6 Air 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 INZONE H6 Air and the rest when we checked and the INZONE H6 Air for an included microphone if those matter more to you.
Add a clip-on or desk microphone for voice chat.