The Best Headphones for Gaming

The headband has eight adjustment levels with a metal frame and hinges, extra ear pads come in the box, and the mic covers 20Hz to 20kHz. Plugs include 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm and 6.3mm, plus a USB-C adapter. On driver size it leads this guide at 100mm, ahead of the Fosi i5 (97mm).

It shares a wired connection with the Fosi i5; the Cloud II goes with a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection. No other pick in this guide offers an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone; compare the Stealth 700 PS, which has a flip-to-mute microphone. You also get 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 priced above the Stealth 700 and below the Fosi i5 at the time of writing.

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 5 here, behind the ROG Kithara (100mm) and ahead of the Cloud II (53mm). Like the ROG Kithara, it has a wired connection, while the Stealth 700 uses a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection. Because it is open-back, other people in the room will hear it, and it will not block outside noise. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ROG Kithara and the rest.

It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time. This PlayStation version runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at once and is rated for up to 80 hours per charge. Its flip-to-mute mic uses AI noise reduction.

A steel-reinforced headband and lay-flat ear cups add durability, and the wheel and mode button can be remapped. Like the Stealth 700, it has a flip-to-mute microphone, while the ROG Kithara uses an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was priced above the Cloud II and below the Stealth 700 at the time of writing.

Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.

It is the only pick here with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection; the ROG Kithara has a wired connection instead. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Stealth 700 PS; the ROG Kithara goes with an on-cable MEMS boom mic microphone. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Stealth 700 PS and the pricier ROG Kithara, at the time of writing.

It connects over USB or 3.5mm. On driver size it trails the group at 53mm, while the ROG Kithara comes in at 100mm. You get a wired (USB and 3.5mm) connection here, which sets it apart from the Stealth 700 and its a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection.

It also offers memory foam ear pads and an aluminum frame. USB and 3.5mm options let it move between a PC and a controller. Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Stealth 700 PS the next step up.