Buying Guide
The Best Sennheiser Headphones for Gaming
Four Sennheiser picks for gaming: one headset with a mic, two headphones and an in-ear monitor.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Sennheiser moved its gaming headsets to EPOS, so today's choice is the GAME ZERO or a Sennheiser headphone with a separate mic. These four cover both.
We compared design, isolation and mic from each listing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Open-Back
Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones
An open-back design with a detachable cable.
Best for: Quiet rooms.
Our take Check price for Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Best With a Mic
EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO
A flip-to-mute boom on a closed design.
Best for: Voice chat.
Our take Check price for EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO (opens in a new tab)
Best Isolation
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones
Up to 32 dB of passive attenuation.
Best for: Noisy homes.
Our take Check price for Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones (opens in a new tab)
Best In-Ear
Sennheiser IE 100 PRO In-Ear Monitors
A 10mm in-ear with a detachable cable.
Best for: Travel and handhelds.
Our take Check price for Sennheiser IE 100 PRO In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An open-back design with a detachable cable. | Quiet rooms. | Check price for Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| A flip-to-mute boom on a closed design. | Voice chat. | Check price for EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO (opens in a new tab) |
| Up to 32 dB of passive attenuation. | Noisy homes. | Check price for Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones (opens in a new tab) |
| A 10mm in-ear with a detachable cable. | Travel and handhelds. | Check price for Sennheiser IE 100 PRO In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Open-Back1 of 4
Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sennheiser's HD 599 is an open-back around-ear headphone with aluminum voice coils and a detachable cable.
Best for
- Quiet rooms.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: open-back leaks sound both ways.
Why we like it
It has no mic, so pair it with a separate one. No other pick in this guide offers a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection; compare the HD 280 Pro, which has a wired 3.5mm connection. It is the only pick here with an open-back design; the HD 280 Pro has a closed-back design instead.
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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the GAME ZERO.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm
- Design: Open-back
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Open-back for a wider soundstage
- Around-ear open-back design
- Aluminum voice coils
Cons
- Open-back leaks sound both ways
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the HD 280 Pro at the time of writing
Best With a Mic2 of 4
EPOS Sennheiser GAME ZERO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GAME ZERO, from Sennheiser's gaming line now sold under EPOS, is a closed-back folding headset with a flip-to-mute boom.
Best for
- Voice chat.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the HD 280 Pro, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Memory foam pads are listed. It folds flat into the included hard case, and the flexible boom mic reduces background noise. Like the HD 280 Pro and IE 100 PRO, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the HD 599 uses a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection.
Like the HD 280 Pro, it has a closed-back design, while the HD 599 uses an open-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. Its price falls between the IE 100 PRO and the HD 599, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: Closed-back
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute noise-cancelling boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Foldable closed-back design
- Memory foam ear pads
- Flexible boom mic
Cons
- Costs more than the HD 280 Pro at the time of writing
Best Isolation3 of 4
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
- Noisy homes.
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 shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the GAME ZERO and IE 100 PRO; the HD 599 goes with a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection. It shares a closed-back design with the GAME ZERO; the IE 100 PRO goes with an in-ear design.
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. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the IE 100 PRO the next step up.
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
Best In-Ear4 of 4
Sennheiser IE 100 PRO In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sennheiser's IE 100 PRO is an in-ear monitor with a 10mm dynamic transducer and detachable cable.
Best for
- Travel and handhelds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no built-in microphon rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the most compact Sennheiser option here. Silicone and foam tips shield outside noise when they fit well, and the dynamic driver aims for distortion-free reproduction. Fit matters: the wrong tip size costs bass and isolation.
Like the GAME ZERO and HD 280 Pro, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the HD 599 uses a wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm connection. It is the only pick here with an in-ear design; the HD 280 Pro has a closed-back design instead. It also comes with a slim single-driver shell.
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 HD 280 Pro and the GAME ZERO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 10mm dynamic broadband transducer
- Slim single-driver shell
- Detachable cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the HD 280 Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These Sennheiser Gaming Headsets
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
What to Look for in a Sennheiser Gaming Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
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.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
How to Choose a Sennheiser Gaming Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet rooms | HD 599 | An open-back design with a detachable cable |
| Voice chat | GAME ZERO | A flip-to-mute boom on a closed design |
| Noisy homes | HD 280 Pro | Up to 32 dB of passive attenuation |
| Travel and handhelds | IE 100 PRO | A 10mm in-ear with a detachable cable |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 599 | Wired 3.5mm and 6.3mm | Open-back | None |
| GAME ZERO | Wired 3.5mm | Closed-back | Flip-to-mute noise-cancelling boom |
| HD 280 Pro | Wired 3.5mm | Closed-back | None |
| IE 100 PRO | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | HD 280 Pro, IE 100 PRO |
| About $100 to $150 | GAME ZERO |
| About $150 to $250 | HD 599 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
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.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
Are gaming headsets comfortable with glasses?
Softer memory foam pads and lighter clamp help. Look for listings that mention glasses support if it matters to you.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
Bottom Line
The HD 599 is the open-back pick for a quiet room. The GAME ZERO is the one with a mic, and the HD 280 Pro isolates best.