Choosing the best non gaming headphones for gaming is a tedious process requiring a lot of knowledge about headsets. Unfortunately, not everyone is an expert in gaming headsets, and it is difficult for newcomers to choose the ideal product with the best features.
For example, experts believe noise cancellation and sound quality are the essential features of any gaming headset. Henceforth, by the time you are done reading our comprehensive guide, you will understand all the details about the best gaming headphones.
Contents
Comparison TableÂ
| Full product name | Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones Black
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Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones For Mixing, Mastering, and Editing
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Samson Technologies SR850 Semi Open-Back Studio Reference Headphones
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Sennheiser Professional HD 280 PRO Over-Ear Monitoring Headphones
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| Color | Black | Gray | Black | Black |
| Connectivity technology | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Form factor | Over ear | Over ear | Over ear | Over ear |
| Product dimensions | 11 x 5 x 88 inches | 8.7 x 4.7 x 9.1 inches | 8 x 8 x 4.8 inches | 9.64 x 7.36 x 3.3 inches |
| Product weight | 1.25 pounds | 8.8 ounces | 1.05 pounds | 10.1 ounces |
| Important features | 53 mm drivers reproduce clear treble and midrange | Hard-wearing, durable and robust workmanship | Self-adjusting headband for optimal fit | High ambient noise attenuation |
| Bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils for superior power handling | The soft, circumaural, and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort | Circumaural, over-ear design with velour cushioning provides outstanding comfort | Folding and rotating earcups for space-saving transport | |
| Self-adjusting 3D Wing Support provides a comfortable listening experience | Ideal for professional mixing, mastering and, editing | Proprietary large 50mm drivers with rare earth magnets | Soft earpads for a comfortable fit |
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
Pros:
- The unique headband system allows a comfortable and smooth fit
- It provides excellent sound balance with 53 mm drivers
- This gaming headset has a good frequency response
- The padding on the earcups is excellent
- The open-air and soft design is easy to your ears
Cons:
- The noise cancelling feature is not the best
- It is not a wireless headset
- The design can leak sound
The key criteria of the product are:
Connectivity options: 7 out of 10
Sound output: 9 out of 10
Material and build quality: 8.5 out of 10
Comfort: 8 out of 10
None of the products featured here is a wireless gaming headset, but fortunately, the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X offers incredible features. The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X gaming headset is not intended for wireless gaming because it does not have a connectivity feature. However, it does not make them awful, besides being wired. Additionally, these headphones share similar features to the Hyperx Cloud Alpha headphones, so you are guaranteed to get incredible performance. Nevertheless, the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X gaming headset receives a final score of 7 out of 10 for the connectivity options criterion.
However, the most important criterion of all gaming headsets is the sound quality, and this product does not lack it. The 53 mm drivers reproduce clear treble and midrange output similar to the Hyperx Cloud Alpha. So, if you are looking for decent surround sound at a reasonable price, the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X is the ideal product. As a result, these headphones get a final score of 9 out of 10 for the sound output criterion.
The material and build quality are other essential features that make this product even better. The lightweight aluminum honeycomb casing provides excellent acoustic properties. Additionally, the self-adjusting 3D Wing Support and the total ear support provide a comfortable listening experience. Consequently, this gaming headset deserves a score of 8.5 out of 10 for the material and build quality criterion.
Ultimately, the final criterion to review is comfort, and you should not overlook its importance. Fortunately, these full open-air type headphones don’t produce a sense of pressure on the ears, resulting in a completely natural sensation, identical to the Hyperx Cloud Alpha. Henceforth, we provide a score of 8 out of 10 for the comfort criterion. Remember that this gaming headset provides a maximum input power of 700 mW.
Overview: The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X headset offers incredible sound output, impeccable material, and build quality. So, if you are a gamer looking for gaming headsets with stunning features and specifications, the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X is the ideal product. You are guaranteed to enjoy every hour.
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
Pros:
- The overall build is sturdy and durable
- They can produce stunning open audio reproductions
- The padding is stable, soft, and stealthy
- These headphones produce strong highs and lows
- The ear pads are very easy to replace
Cons:
- There is no ambient noise isolation
- They feel slightly tight on the head
- They are not affordable
The key criteria of the product are:
Connectivity options: 7.5 out of 10
Sound output: 8.5 out of 10
Material and build quality: 9 out of 10
Comfort: 8.5 out of 10
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro gaming headphones are the second oldest product featured in our guide. However, they share an uncanny resemblance to the Steelseries Arctis Pro, but unfortunately, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro is not a wireless headset. The only difference from the previously reviewed product is the longer cable. As a result, these headphones get a slightly better score of 7.5 out of 10 for the connectivity options criterion.
Fortunately, all the other key criteria are better, starting with the incredible sound output. Although this product was first released nearly two decades ago, it can still perform well. In addition, they are perfect for studio applications thanks to their transparent, spacious, strong bass and treble sound. As a result, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro gaming headset gets a final score of 8.5 out of 10 for the sound output criterion.
Additionally, the great material and build quality are the second incredible feature of the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Namely, these headphones were built in Germany, resulting in a robust and durable craft. The head and ear paddings are also soft and ideal for long gaming sessions. Ultimately, this product deserves a score of 9 out of 10 for the material and build quality criterion.
Lastly, although not the best, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones are extremely comfortable. Namely, the soft, circumoral, and replaceable velour ear pads ensure high wearing comfort after extended use. So, your ears will not feel any discomfort despite feeling tight on your head. However, these features are enough to provide a score of 8.5 out of 10 for the comfort criterion.
Overview: The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro and Steelseries Arctis Pro are similar gaming headsets in many ways, including the sound quality and build material. So, this product is ideal for gamers who want to experience an incredibly comfortable headset with decent sound output. However, they are not affordable, so expect to pay more.
Samson Technologies SR850
Pros:
- They provide a spacious passive soundstage
- The self-adjusting headband provides comfort
- The dynamic frequency response is consistent and ideal
- The velour ear pads provide a smooth feel
- They are more affordable than other similar headsets
Cons:
- The build quality is not perfect
- There is no proper noise canceling feature
- They come without a microphone
The key criteria of the product are:
Connectivity options: 6.5 out of 10
Sound output: 8 out of 10
Material and build quality: 7.5 out of 10
Comfort: 9 out of 10
The Samson Technologies SR850 is the oldest headphone featured in this guide but is similar to the Razer Blackshark and the Razer Kraken. Unfortunately, the Samson Technologies SR850 headset is far from ideal because they are not wireless and come without a microphone. However, these two features are a must by today’s standards, confirming our doubts. As a result, this pair of headphones gets a final score of 6.5 out of 10 for the connectivity options criterion.
Although not perfect, the sound output is this product’s decent feature. These headphones are designed for tracking, mixing, mastering, and playback. The proprietary large 50 mm drivers with rare magnets also deliver an extended frequency response and excellent dynamic range. Consequently, our experts provided a score of 8 out of 10 for the sound output criterion.
Furthermore, although similar to the Razer Kraken, the Samson Technologies SR850 does not share similar build quality features. They are mostly made of plastic, and that’s why can sometimes feel clumsy, so you should take good care not to break them. The ear pads are also made of velour, which irritates some customers. As a result, the final score we provide is 7.5 out of 10 for the material and build quality criterion.
Finally, the Samson Technologies SR850 is packed with a self-adjusting headband for optimal fit. Moreover, if the velour ear pads do not feel irritating, the cushioning provides outstanding comfort after hours of use. Henceforth, the final score for the comfort criterion is 9 out of 10, which is still amazing considering this product’s price. Moreover, the Samson Technologies SR850 includes a 1/4″ stereo adapter.
Overview: The Samson Technologies SR850 has a stunning dynamic range but comes without a microphone. This is the cheapest product featured in our guide, and it is ideal for customers building a PC setup on a budget. However, remember that you have to purchase an additional microphone, a problem that does not happen with the Audeze Penrose.
Sennheiser HD Professional 280
Pros:
- The set comes with up to 32 dB reduction of noise
- The collapsible design allows easy storage and portability
- The set produces a natural and warm sound
- The build quality is decent for the price
- It is the latest gaming headset featured in this guide
Cons:
- They lack proper isolation and audio reproduction
- The design is bulky and unstable
- The cord is long and heavy
The key criteria of the product are:
Connectivity options: 7 out of 10
Sound output: 8.5 out of 10
Material and build quality: 7 out of 10
Comfort: 9.5 out of 10
As always, the first important criterion to review is the connectivity option. But unfortunately, the Sennheiser Professional HD 280 is not a wireless gaming headset, unlike the Cloud Flight or the Corsair HS. Furthermore, although the cord is long and robust, it is heavy, which might be a severe problem for most professional gamers. Ultimately, the final verdict is a score of 7 out of 10 for the connectivity options criterion.
Next, this set produces a natural and warm sound and high ambient noise attenuation. Additionally, customers get an accurate and linear sound reproduction. This is the most critical feature for proper sound output in all gaming headsets. So, we provide a final score of 8.5 out of 10 for the surround sound output criterion.
On the flip side, although this is the newest headset featured in our guide, it is not the best in terms of material and build quality. Namely, the overall design is bulky and unstable, so you might feel certain inconveniences, similar to the Corsair HS. However, folding and rotating ear cups are ideal for transport. All things considered, the Sennheiser 280 Pro set gets a final score of 7 out of 10 for the material and build quality criterion.
Finally, the last important feature is comfort; fortunately, the Sennheiser does not lack it. For example, the soft ear pads comfortably fit any head and ear size. Additionally, the soft material on the headrest means you will not feel any discomfort after hours of heavy use, the Cloud Flight’s best feature. Consequently, this product gets a final score of 9.5 out of 10 for the comfort criterion.
Overview: The Sennheiser Professional HD 280 lacks a wireless connectivity option but is packed with incredible sound output and comfort. So, this is the ideal product if you are a gamer searching for newer headphones with superb comfort and ease on your ears and head. You will fall in love in the first couple of hours of use.
Final Conclusion
Looking for the best headphones for gaming can be exhausting, especially if you are not sure what you are looking for. Fortunately, our comprehensive guide reviewed, rated, and explained all the details about four of the best gaming headsets money can buy.
So, it would be best to opt for the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X headphones if you are looking for an all-in-one package with numerous features and benefits. On the flip side, the Sennheiser Professional HD 280 is a cheaper alternative sharing incredible similarities to the more expensive models. Ultimately, no matter which headset you choose, you will not make a mistake because the money you spend is well worth it.Â