8 Best Open Back Headphones for Gaming

Are open back headphones good for gaming?

As you are here to find the best open back headphones for gaming, I thought of starting with the answer to this most queried question.

Well, it can’t be answered with a single word or two!

Open-back headphones have an authentic and lifelike sound profile that every gamer enjoys.

You won’t like having echoes inside the headphones while gaming. Right?

Here is the fact, which makes open-back headsets better than their closed counterparts.

Open-air headsets offer a spacious soundstage and improved imaging for an optimal gaming experience. With a high-quality open-back headphone, you can locate from where the footsteps and gunshots are coming.

This design also improves breathability to make the headset comfier for long gaming sessions.

However, all these facilities come at the cost of noise isolation and sound leakage.

Therefore, make sure to play in a quiet room, and nothing will disturb you anymore!

But when the market is flooded with a number of such gaming headsets, it’s quite difficult to find a perfect pair.

Yet, no fear, my dear!

Let me take this burden for you and be relaxed.

After a lot of research, I have gathered 8 best open-air headphones to make the task easier for you.

Have a look below.

Top-Rated Open Air Headphones for Gaming: Enjoy The Fullest

As I have no idea about your budget, I included both high-priced and low-priced headphones on the list.

You can pick the one that will match your requirements.

At first, I would like to give a short overview of the listed headphones.

Well, I know you can’t make up your mind with this basic concept.

That’s why I am going to present a short review of each headset with its exclusive features, pros-cons, and key specs.

You have already seen my top suggestion from the table.

Let’s start with it then.

1. Top Recommendation: Drop + Sennheiser PC38X Gaming Headset

★★★★★

When I was about to portray this headset, I was thinking in which aspect it lacks a bit as a gaming headphone!

It has all the qualities that a gaming headset should have to give you the utmost advantages over your enemies.

I will talk more about these best open back gaming headphones.

Before that, let me mention their key specs.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: Over-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Transducer Principle: Dynamic.
• Console Cable Feature: 1.5 m console cable, 1 x 3.5 mm TRRS connector.
• PC Cable Feature: 2.5 m PC cable, 2 x 3.5 mm split TRS connector.
• Cable Type: Removable.
• Mic Pickup Pattern: Bidirectional.
• Microphone Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 16 kHz.
• Mic Sensitivity: -38 dBV/PA.
• Compatibility: PC, Mac, Nintendo, Playstation, Mobile, Tablets, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Sony PS4 & PS5 controllers.
• Warranty: 2 years.
• Dimension: 7.99 x 7.6 x 4.8 inches.

Drop + Sennheiser PC38X brings about a great evolution in the world of gaming headsets with an indented volume wheel, open-back design, and warm sound profile.

When you want to draw out the most off a gaming headphone, it is important to have increased locational accuracy and better stereo imaging.

This will indeed keep you a few steps ahead of the other competitors.

I must say this headset has done a tremendous job of assisting you in this case.

And thanks to their angled drivers and open design to make it possible.

Their drivers come from the same family as the Sennheiser GSP 500 and 600.

And you know what?

These two are the highest-quality gaming headsets on the market.

The PC38X gaming headphones deliver higher fidelity and better frequency response.

Because of these venerable drivers, the low-end extensions sound better, which makes your games and music more lifelike than ever before.

I played Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout with this headset, and the feeling was amazing. I could hear the enemies and sense my surroundings more clearly.

To keep you unbeatable, it also offers crystal-clear in-game chat with your teammates.

Their noise-canceling microphone is designed for high-volume low-distance recording, and it can handle all the unpleasant pops and hisses during voice chat.

It’s a quite expensive gaming headset, but what it offers completely justifies the price.

The versatile compatibility is another thing that attracts me most after its sound profile and mic performance.

Besides, they will provide two different pairs of earpads: mesh knit and velour to keep you cool and comfortable for a long period.

So, if you want to make yourself unstoppable, you can give it a try.

My next headphone will not disappoint you either.

2. Excellent Overall: Beyerdynamic 459038 DT 990 PRO

★★★★

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO studio headphones can be a perfect, long-term investment for your gaming due to their high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship.

Wait! You have got confused just now. Am I right?

Whether a studio headphone will be good for gaming or not is your only concern right now.

Well, I am removing all your confusion within a moment.

See their key specs for now.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: On-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Gray, Black.
• Sound Pressure Level: 96 dB.
• Connection: 3.5 mm jack and 6.35 mm adapter.
• Cable Length: 3 m.
• Cable Feature: Coiled.
• Dimension: 8.7 x 4.7 x 9.1 inches.

The cable of this Beyerdynamic 459038 DT 990 PRO is longer than Drop + Sennheiser PC38X Gaming Headset.

For any sound enthusiast, these open-back headphones are a reliable tool. Even professional users all over the world have been keeping their trust in these headphones for decades.

Anyway, now let’s find out the reasons for choosing this benchmark studio headphone for gaming purposes.

Actually, it’s their wide stereo image and 3D sound reproduction. They provide a fantastic expanse and detailed tonal depth, which is enough to make them a loyal companion for gamers.

My friend literally fell for this headphone by playing Sekiro Shadows Die Twice.

Therefore, no doubt, these non-gaming headphones will provide a superior service for gaming also.

Wired headphones tend to be tangle-prone which can cause a negative impact on your gaming performance due to the lack of proper attention.

But these headphones won’t let you down in this case, either.

Along with the incredible sound, the single-sided cable will allow you to wear and take off the headset frequently without getting tangled.

This Beyerdynamic 459038 DT 990 PRO is and always has been handcrafted in Germany.

Besides, you will get a soft pouch with these headphones.

It doesn’t offer much protection, but the fabric is somewhat waterproof to protect the headphone from minor water damage.

3. Wide Compatibility: EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset

★★★★★

These headphones are best for any gamers who want an open acoustic sound with versatility.

Gamers searching for the slim outline of classic headphones in a high-end gaming headset should look no further than this headset.

I know you are getting impatient to know the details.

But before that, have a glance at their key specs for a more precise idea.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: On-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Transducer Principle: Dynamic.
• Cable Length: 3 m.
• Microphone: Flip-up Boom Mic.
• Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox SeriesX, PC Softphone, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Mac OS X, PS5.
• Warranty: 2 years.

These Open-back headphones with mic come with a more convenient impedance than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO.

I assume that you are a pro gamer. Then you must not want your gaming platform to be restricted with a single platform or two.

You can chill out when there are GAME ONE headsets available on the market.

They come with exchangeable cables that make them compatible with multiple platforms. You can connect it with PC, Mac, consoles, mobiles, and tablets that feature a 3.5 mm jack input.

And when it comes to talking about its sound quality, it also deserves a big hand.

This classic high-end gaming headset delivers sonically accurate and natural hi-fi sound that reveals every detail and dynamic realism of the in-game audio for better gaming performance.

Besides, it offers a bass extension while also balancing with the other frequencies.

You will get a pro-quality noise-canceling microphone with this headset to enjoy crystal-clear conversation with your game mates.

Moreover, its flexible boom arm can be adjusted easily for the best voice pick-up and positioning.

The notable thing about this mic is it automatically mutes when the boom arm is raised.

So convenient. Isn’t it?

What more you can get is a handy control system. They come with a built-in volume controller on the right ear cup.

Now, I have a headphone from famous Audio Technica.

4. Best for Solo Games: Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X

★★★★★

Audio Technica AD700X is another legendary pair of open air headphones for gaming.

For a high-quality gaming experience, a perfect mid is an absolute necessity.

And this ATH-AD700X is developed, focusing on mid-performance. On the other hand, the low and treble range also offers a good sound quality.

Check out the key specs of these headphones now.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: Over-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Driver Size: 53 mm.
• Cable Length: 3 m.
• Connection: 3.5 mm, 6.3 mm adapter (included).
• Maximum Input Power: 700 mW.
• Dimension: 11 x 5 x 88 inches.

If I compare the weight, this headphone of Audio Technica is lighter than the previous EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE headset.

I want to let you know at the start that it doesn’t come with a microphone. Therefore, you can play solo games with it.

Anyway, ATH-AD700X has earned its popularity among gamers because of its design and sound profile.

They are very professional-looking open-air headphones.

This design produces no sense of pressure on the ears, which results in a completely natural sensation with enhanced comfort.

The earcups of this headphone are built with a light honeycomb aluminum casing to make them durable and sturdy enough.

There is also 3D wing support that makes the headphone adjustable for people of different head sizes.

So, don’t worry if you have a large head. Instead, be grateful that you are a person with above-average intelligence.

The most impressive feature of these headsets is its amazing soundstage.

The newly designed drivers with bobbin-wound CCAW voice coils can provide superior power handling with amazing spatial sound.

It will help you detect where the enemies are in FPS games.

It features a highly conductive OFC single-sided cord with an elastic TPE sheath to prevent tangles.

Besides gaming, you can also use these ATH-AD700X headphones for critical indoor listening. They will ensure an above-average sound perception for any usage.

Lastly, I can say that if your game doesn’t need voice chatting, this headphone will ensure a luxurious quality.

Our next headset can give you a mixed acoustic feeling.

Let’s see how!

5. Robust Build Quality: ASTRO Gaming A40 TR X-Edition Headset

★★★★★

ASTRO is very popular for developing high-quality gaming headsets. This TR X-Edition is almost a carbon copy of the previous A40 model.

It just comes with a couple of changes to the colors and finishes.

I am telling you more about this headset.

Before that, have a glance at the key specs.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: Over-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black-red.
• Transducer Principle: Dynamic.
• Connection: 3.5 mm.
• Cable Feature: Single-sided.
• Cable Length: 1 m.
• Boom Mic: 6 mm unidirectional.
• Compatibility: Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch.
• Dimension: 3.62 x 7.95 x 7.09 inches.

This headset is quite different in terms of the acoustic system. It is built for consoles, computers, and mobile gaming.

Though it’s an open-back headset, you can turn it into a closed-back noise-isolating tournament headset with Mod Kit Ready.

Mod Kit is sold separately, which features sealed Speaker Tags, a voice-isolating mic, and more.

We prefer to have everything in our own way. It’s not possible all the time, though.

However, this headset can give you a lot of customization options to colorize your favorite gaming headset.

Its Magnetic Speaker Tag system will let you personalize your headset with your own Logos and art.

Do you know what the most surprising thing about this headset is?

It has been developed with the help of pro gamers and game designers to ensure clear and detailed in-game sound delivery at every frequency and volume level.

This pro-quality ASTRO Audio will give you distinct advantages in competitive gameplay.

To provide you with long-lasting comfort during all-night gaming sessions, this headset features a lightweight construction with high-quality materials.

Its highly adjustable pressure-free fit and cloth ear cushions offer you maximum comfort and exceptional acoustic performance.

If you want to enjoy high-quality voice communication with background noise minimization, this A40 TR X-Edition is ready to serve you too.

Besides, a highly sensitive swappable precision mic is also there for you to focus on your voice for the best voice pick-up, positioning, and ensuring supreme flexibility.

6. Top-Class Inexpensive Pick: EKSA E900 Gaming Headset

★★★★★

You will get what you have paid for!

One of the best open air gaming headsets, EKSA E900, has been launched in the market to prove this statement wrong.

You have to pay less for it, but what you will get in return is not any less.

I know you are curious about the details.

I won’t let you wait anymore.

Let’s explore it after a peek at the key specs.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: Over-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Audio Control: In-line.
• Sound: Stereo sound.
• Magnet Type: Pluggable noise canceling.
• Connection: 3.5 mm.
• Earpads: High-quality padded ear cushions.
• Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch, etc.
• Warranty: 2 years.

EKSA claimed to have spent two years researching the market. And then, they put all the best elements together to develop this headset, especially for hardcore gamers.

Sounds impressive! Two years is a long time, and no doubt its ultimate fruit will be sweet.

I can’t agree more with the previous line after playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with this legendary headset!

If you want to hear more audio cues, this gaming headset will be your perfect companion.

Its larger speaker drivers and standard frequency response will give you a more expansive sound profile.

The fit and comfort of this headset are also up to the mark.

Apart from these, I need to inform you of their quality build.

The metal frame headset is durable and sturdy enough to last for a long time. On top of that, you are getting two years of warranty with this product.

See! How confident they are about their product!

They don’t lag behind in terms of user convenience as well.

On the cable of the headset, you will find the mute on/off and volume buttons to get easy access to the microphone mute option and volume adjustment.

After gaming, if you want a refreshment, just remove the mic and enjoy your favorite playlist.

EKSA is providing the opportunity of enjoying a sensational gaming experience without hurting your wallets.

It is the best budget open-back headphones for gaming.

Anyway, now I am going to reveal such a headphone that can offer high-quality sound even in low-powered devices.

7. Good for Any device: Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi

★★★★

The Philips Audio SHP9500 headphone works with a very low impedance.

Therefore, you can enjoy higher sound transparency and frequency irrespective of devices.

If you want an open back gaming headset and, at the same time, greater sound without an amplifier, there is no better option than these headphones.

Now, see the key specs in a blink.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: On-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Magnet type: Neodymium.
• Maximum Power Input: 200 mW.
• Sensitivity: 101 dB.
• Connection: 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm (adapter included).
• Cable Feature: Detachable.
• Cable Length: 1.5 m.
• Dimensions: 6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches.

This headphone of Philips is equipped with a larger driver than ASTRO Gaming A40 TR X-Edition. And the drivers are manufactured to fit into the natural geometry of an ear.

You can enjoy high-precision sound because of this significant speaker driver.

Sounds are directly transmitted into the ears to provide a dynamic and immersive listening experience.

You know what?

Philips Audio successfully draws the audio industry’s attention after marketing this excellent headset at such an affordable price.

Philips SHP9500 headphones are a perfect match even for low-powered devices.

Therefore, I must say, besides gaming, these headphones are ideal for any kind of indoor listening also.

Let me inform you of their comfort feature now.

They have a double-layered and soft cushioned headband that allows airflow to keep you sweat-free.

So, you may listen to your favorite tracks for a prolonged period without any nuisance.

Another noteworthy feature is that their headband is made of cold-rolled steel.

It sounds like something heavy! Right?

But, don’t worry. It won’t put any additional pressure on your head. On top of that, it is also adjustable to fit in any head shape.

Better performance and extra comfort; Philips Audio SHP9500 combines these two features really well.

Whether it’s mobile or any high-end device, this headphone is always ready to give you the best.

I have almost reached the end of discussing eight headphones. There is only one left now.

The last one is a semi-open back headphone.

8. Price Surpassing Audio: Samson Technologies SR850

★★★★

Samson Technologies SR850 headphones might come with an average look, but what it offers at this price range is eligible enough to get compliments.

These headphones are mainly designed for studio use, but they are always ready to give you an immersive experience even if you play games or listen to music.

Get a quick look at the key specs before going deeper.

Key Specifications

• Form Factor: Over-ear.
• Connectivity: Wired.
• Color: Black.
• Magnet Type: Neodymium.
• Sensitivity: 98 dB at 1 kHz.
• Connection: Gold-plated 3.5 mm stereo mini connector with gold-plated 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter.
• Cable Type: Straight.
• Cable Length: 2.5 m.
• Dimension: 8 x 8 x 4.8 inches.

The cable of this Samson Technologies SR850 is 1 m longer than the cable of Philips Audio SHP9500 headphones.

So, you will get more movability with Samson.

Anyway, the most fantastic thing about these is their sound quality.

The SR850 offers its listeners an airy high-end brilliance, a true mid-range that highlights even the subtle changes. Besides, the low-end is delivered with punch and pronounced depth.

Its wide frequency response will allow you to hear audio the way it was intended to be heard. It shows a clear dedication to audio accuracy, maintaining an authentic natural tone.

We know that open headphones offer an open and spacious soundstage, but what about the semi-open ones?

Don’t worry. It also offers you an extensive and broad soundstage to immerse you completely in the gaming world.

I know besides the sound, you have a concern about comfort and fit also.

How can you carry on your long gaming session in continuous discomfort?

Keep all your worries aside, and be sure that its soft velour earpads and the self-adjustable headband provide enhanced fatigue-free comfort and sung fit all the time.

Therefore, you can always hold your attention to gaming.

Step on it if you want studio-quality sound with studio comfort to take your gaming experience to the next level.

I finished describing all the eight.

After the top recommendation, now it’s time to show you the list of my best choices.

Best Choices

All the headphones are great with their own individual features. They have different attributes to serve different purposes.

Still, I think the following three are better performers than the others.

1. EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset
2. Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
3. ASTRO Gaming A40 TR X-Edition Headset

You can pick any of these three if the top recommendation is not capable enough to meet your needs.

Are you getting impatient already?

Have patience and take out a little more time if you don’t want to end up with a bad product.

Go through the following section, and you will understand it well.

How to Choose Best Open-Back Headphones for Gaming?

There are some facts that you need to check when buying open-air headphones for gaming. You will find the details below:

Acoustic Quality

The open-back headphone comes with a promise of delivering crystal clear sound. At the same time, they know how to make better utilization of the audio space.

It means you will feel the sound of every directional change and movement of your enemies.

With this, you can get into the virtual gaming world experiencing it in a real sense.

Therefore, make sure that your open air gaming headset can properly do it.

Drivers

The quality of your headphone drivers can significantly affect the gaming experience.

The best open back gaming headphones are equipped with magnetic drivers that are capable of providing a consistent output with minimal distortion. Also, they can generate clear, accurate, and natural sounds.

Relatively cheaper models use dynamic drivers, which are also good in quality. These drivers do a decent job with low volumes.

The size of the drivers is also an important thing to consider as it affects the frequency.

Don’t settle for anything less than 40mm for getting a reliable performance.

Frequency Response

The standard frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

However, if you get a broader range, that will give you extra benefits.

This range defines the frequencies that a headphone can reproduce.

So, the wider, the better!

Impedance & Sensitivity

The impedance of a headphone is how well it can resist the audio signal that passes through it.

The lower the impedance, the less power your headphone will need.

Most portable devices, such as smartphones, can’t deliver a lot of power. So, headphones with above 50 ohms impedance start to sound quiet and distorted with such low-powered devices.

However, high impedance headphone almost always offers better sound quality and a wider soundstage.

Therefore, if you are buying headphones with a higher impedance, make sure that your device or system can provide enough power.

Sensitivity is not as helpful as the impedance, but it helps.

The sensitivity indicates how loud a headphone will be at a given power level. If headphones X and Y have the same impedance but different sensitivity values, the headphone with higher sensitivity will be easier to drive.

So, to get high-quality sound, you need to check these technical specs before making the purchase.

Microphone Quality

When you play solo games, the mic is not a necessity in this case.

However, most of the competitive online games are multiplayer games. So, you need a good quality microphone to communicate properly with your teammates.

If the mic is noise-canceling, then it will be better for enjoying a crystal-clear chat.

Suppose you already have a gaming headphone that doesn’t have any microphone. In that case, you can just buy a removable boom mic for team chat.

No matter whether you buy a headset or a mic for your gaming headphone, don’t forget to check the quality of the mic.

Is It Comfortable?

You definitely need enhanced comfort to carry on all-day or all-night gaming sessions.

That’s why examine some common features such as the padding and material of headbands and ear cushions, weight, clamping force, adjustable options, etc., before the final deal.

Durability Is Important Too

Gaming is all about excitement and thrills. And if you have the habit of beating your headset out of that excitement, then a durable headphone is a must for you.

So, make sure that your headset is made with durable and sturdy materials. Then it is going to last long.

Also, go for those headsets that provide longer warranty features.

When all these requirements mentioned above are met, then you can get ready to finalize the deal.

Well, I have nothing more to inform you.

Let’s end it here.

Conclusion

After getting a vast idea about all these best open back headphones for gaming, now it’s your turn to choose.

I hope this writing will help you a lot in finding your perfect gaming partner.

Make the sound of your game come to life and enter into your virtual character to enjoy the fullest.

And lastly, happy gaming.

Thanks for being with me till now.

Frequently Asked Questions: