The best thing about playing video games is getting fully immersed in the game and forgetting about real life for some time. Video games are one of the best means of escape one could turn to, thanks to their dialogue, story, soundtracks, and sound effects.
A pro gamer knows that the audio is not any less important than the visuals. You will want to hear your enemy’s footsteps and any sounds that would help make you win. This is especially important in multiplayer games.
For this reason, you’ll want to buy a pair of closed-back headphones as they block all the surrounding noises and help you get immersed in the video game’s story. And since there are many factors to consider in order not to buy low-quality headphones, I’ve decided to compile a list of the best closed-back headphones for gaming.
Comparison Table
| Headphones | Weight | Frequency | Noise-cancellation |
| ASTRO Gaming A40 | 1.47 pounds | 20Hz – 20KHz | Yes |
| HyperX Cloud Stinger | 0.6 pounds | 18Hz – 23KHz | Yes |
| EPOS I Sennheiser GSP 600 | 1.15 pounds | 10Hz to 18KHz | Yes |
| EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE | 1.38 pounds | 15Hz – 28KHz | Yes |
| EPOS Sennheiser GSP 302 | 0.00075 pounds | 15Hz – 26KHz | Yes |
The 5 Best Closed-back Headphones For Gaming in 2022
To help you make a more informed decision, I’ve compiled the following list, which comprises some of the best gaming headsets along with the pros and cons of each one.
1. ASTRO Gaming A40 – Best For Professional Gamers
Are you a hardcore gamer? If yes, then ASTRO Gaming A40 is for you. They come with several features that make them perfect for professional gamers.
One of their best features is that they come with a Mod kit, which means that you can turn them from having a closed-back design to having an open-back design if you want to allow for airflow. They’re also very comfortable and don’t add any pressure on your head.
As for the sound quality, they have a great frequency range that falls between 20Hz to 20KHz, and they feature ACC software that allows the users to control their voice communication and adjust anything they need in the audio settings.
You can use these headphones with live streaming because the MixAmp Pro TR has all the digital items that prevent lagging. They also feature Dolby Digital Surround Sound processing, which delivers a 3D gaming experience.
What’s more, they come with noise-canceling padded ear cushions, a padded headband that offers absolute comfort, a noise-isolating microphone, and closed-back speaker tags.
Some might complain that this set is very expensive, yet it’s worth every penny as it’s very durable and will last for years.
Pros:
- Excellent audio quality
- 3D gaming experience
- Mod kit
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Expensive
Bottom Line
ASTRO Gaming A40 are the best gaming headphones for pro gamers. They offer an exquisite 3D sound experience and are very comfortable to wear for long periods.
2. HyperX Cloud Stinger – Budget Pick
HyperX Cloud Stinger is a suitable pick for beginners who don’t want to spend a lot of money on gaming headphones. Yet, they are not the best headphones for professionals.
This pair of headphones is very lightweight as it is only 0.6 pounds. Further, they have padded and spacious ear cups that can rotate up to 90 degrees, making the set suitable for all people. When you combine their lightness with how comfortable they are, you’ll realize that you can wear them for extended hours without suffering from any pressure on your ears.
Since this is a pair of over-ear headphones, they don’t provide much breathability, so your ears will get hot if you use them. However, it’s nothing that a break or two between games wouldn’t fix.
Moreover, they are pretty durable even though they are made of plastic. And they feature a thin metal headband that helps make them a bit flexible. You can also use them with multiple devices like Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
Further, their frequency range lies between 18Hz and 23KHz, and they’re equipped with 50mm directional drivers, which means that you’ll listen to amazing audio quality, and you’ll hear all of the audios that might exist in a video game. Their noise-canceling property is average as they can block all noise resulting from people’s conversation, but they don’t block much of the street noise, for example.
Another reason why they’re excellent for beginners and amateurs is that they have average controls, including volume control on the earcups. You can also swivel to mute the microphone, which means you won’t be confused whether you’re muted or not while being so immersed in a game.
Sadly, they are not foldable, so if you put them in a bag, they’ll take a lot of space. Plus, they feature undetachable cables, which means that if they suffer any damage, you’ll have to throw the whole set away.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Wide frequency range
- Durable
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Rotating ear cups
- Affordable
Cons:
- Undetachable cables
- Not foldable
Bottom Line
If you’re a beginner who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a gaming headset, HyperX Cloud Stinger is for you. They work well with users who don’t demand much out of their headphones.
3. EPOS I Sennheiser GSP 600 – Best Value
If you want to buy high-quality gaming headphones and pay a reasonable sum of money, go for EPOS I Sennheiser GSP 600.
Have you ever worn a pair of headphones but felt that they have too much or too little pressure? This will never be the case if you’re wearing Sennheiser GSP 600 since they feature an adjustable pressure function, allowing you to customize the fit until it’s most comfortable for you.
Moreover, the metal hinge joint and the dual-material ear pads help maintain proper airflow, so you don’t feel irritated if you play for many hours. They also provide passive noise attenuation.
They are also very durable, so you can rest assured that you’re investing in a gaming headset that will last for years. You can use the metal hinges several times, and it’ll stay as good as new. Plus, the cover plates and ear pads are exchangeable, and you’ll find spares at their store.
The sound quality is exquisite with a 10Hz to 18KHz frequency range and the closed acoustic design that makes you believe that you’re one of the video game characters. Also, the ear pads are designed in a way that cancels any sound around you. Besides, the proprietary transducers deliver exceptional audio clarity, so you can even listen to your enemy’s footsteps.
If there is a lot of noise around you that you don’t want your teammate to hear, you can easily mute the mic by flipping it. The microphone also comes with an adjustable boom arm that allows you to adjust it to the best position to pick up your voice.
And because the company knows how valuable every second is while gaming, they have manufactured a built-in volume wheel that you’ll find on the right ear cup. This works great as it allows you to adjust the volume in a second rather than stop the game and go to the settings menu.
Another great feature about the EPOS I Sennheiser GSP 600 is their wide compatibility with lots of devices like Mac, Xbox One, PC, and PS4. You can also use them with other consoles that have a 3.5 mm jack input.
Pros:
- Two-year warranty
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Wide-compatibility
- Nice controls
- Durable
- Exquisite sound quality
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Somewhat expensive
Bottom Line
EPOS I Sennheiser GSP 600 is an excellent pair of gaming headphones as they provide excellent sound quality, prevent any leakage, and offer outstanding noise cancellation.
4. EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE – Classic Design
If you love the classic look, you’ll love EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE. It features a classic and slim silhouette that makes it look oldish. They are also very comfortable as they come with a padded headband and wide ear pads to fit all people without causing any discomfort.
The sound quality is also pretty good and offers natural sounds, thanks to the open acoustics. They deliver precise HiFi audio, allowing you to hear all the details as if they are real, which provides for entertaining gaming performance.
Further, the sound quality is this good, thanks to the proprietary speaker system that delivers fantastic audio clarity. They also feature a noise-canceling microphone, which means that you won’t hear much of the noisy background.
Plus, the mic features an adjustable boom, so you can adjust it until it picks your voice accurately, so you can converse with your teammates with no problems that could cost you the game. And it has controls that facilitate your gaming experience, like a volume control on the right ear cup. You can also mute the mic by merely raising the boom arm.
EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE is very comfortable as they weigh 1.38 pounds only. They also have an open-back design, which allows for airflow, so you can wear them for as long as you want.
What’s more, you can use them with various platforms, including PC, Mac, Consoles, mobiles, and tablets that have a 3.5mm jack input.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compatible with many devices
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Great sound quality
- Allow for breathability
- Have many controls
Cons:
- The mic is too quiet
Bottom Line
EPOS I Sennheiser GAME ONE are great headphones not only for their classic look but also for their outstanding sound quality, lightness, breathability, and durability.
5. EPOS Sennheiser GSP 302 – Most Comfortable
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 302 is one of the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market as they are the lightest on this list (0.00075 pounds). They also come with a ball-joint hinge, which allows them to be adjusted to different head sizes. This way, you can use them with your family or friends.
This closed acoustic gaming headset comes with very comfortable ear cups that have XL memory foam pads. And when you combine these two features, you can be sure that you’ll experience a wonderful and real-life audio experience. Moreover, the earpads allow for passive noise attenuation.
You can mute the mic very easily by raising the boom arm, and you can adjust it until it is in the position that picks up the voice. There is also a volume control on the right ear cup, which allows you to adjust the volume without having to quit the game.
This gaming headset delivers nice audio quality with a 15Hz – 26KHz frequency range. It also delivers clear and crisp sounds, allowing you to get immersed in the game.
They are also pretty versatile since you can use them with your Mac, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, cell phones, and devices that feature a 3.5mm audio jack.
Pros:
- Most lightweight
- Great audio quality
- Very versatile
- Comfortable
- Fits different-sized heads
Cons:
- Quiet mic
Bottom Line
EPOS Sennheiser GSP 302 is the one for anyone looking for a comfortable pair of gaming headset. If you need to wear headphones for an extended period, these are the ones to buy.
Features To Look For When Buying Closed-back Gaming Headphones
Buying a pair of closed-back headphones for a gamer sounds heavenly, yet in order not to spend your money on a lousy pair, there are certain factors that you should consider.
Comfort
If you want to wear headphones for a long time, you must buy comfortable ones. You can make sure that the set of headphones is comfortable by checking if the headband and the ear cups are padded or not.
Ambient Noise
Most closed-back headphones block ambient noises to a great extent. However, some models isolate you from your surrounding environment better than others. For example, if you buy large closed-back headphones with big earcups, you’re more likely to enjoy better noise isolation. Yet, if you buy small ones with small ear cups, you’ll be able to hear some of the ambient noise.
Frequency Response Rate
Good headphones should be able to produce frequencies varying between 20Hz to 20KHz. You’ll find some headphones that produce a wider frequency range, yet note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that they produce better sound quality.
Connectivity Options
You can either go for wired or wireless headphones, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, wired ones won’t run out of battery, and you can always be sure that you’ll find them ready to use whenever needed. However, the cables might be a bit troublesome and get tangled a lot.
On the other hand, you won’t have to face tangled cables if you go for wireless headphones. But you might need to charge them.
Wireless Connectivity Range
If you choose to buy wireless headphones, pay attention to how they can be connected to your PC or laptop. For instance, some of them use Bluetooth, while others use NFC. The connectivity range of Bluetooth is wider as it goes as far as 30 feet, whereas that of NFC has a 20-cm range only.
Battery Life
Bluetooth’s major drawback is that it decreases the battery so quickly, so you should pick a pair with excellent battery life. Or else, the batteries might die at a very critical point of the video game.
The Difference Between Open-back and Closed-back Headphones
Would a gamer enjoy open-back or closed-back headphones? We can’t answer this question before knowing the difference between the two. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and only you can decide which is best for you.
The primary advantage of closed-back headphones is that they block most of the surrounding sounds. This means that you won’t be disturbed if you wear them while you’re on a noisy street. Moreover, this type of headphones does not allow for sound leakage.
Closed-back headphones work wonders in indoor environments as well, as they don’t allow for sound leakage. In other words, if you’re playing a video game in a room full of people, you won’t be disturbing anyone with the sounds of shots and so.
On the other hand, open-back headphones allow the outside sounds to mix with whatever you’re listening to. They may also leak some of the sounds to those around you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why Are Closed-back Headphones Good For Gaming?
They are good for gaming because they block the ambient noise so that you can get immersed in the video game. Plus, they don’t allow for sound leakage, which means you can listen to sounds at a high volume without disturbing anyone. They also offer superb bass quality.
2. Is Having Detachable Cables Any Good?
Yes. Having a gaming headset that comes with detachable cables means that if the cables suffer any damage, you can replace them with new ones instead of throwing the whole set away.
3. Which Kind of Headphones Is Better For Gaming: Closed-back or Open-back?
There isn’t a right and wrong answer to this question, as each user can decide for themselves.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, after reading about the best closed-back headphones for gaming, you’ve already decided which one you want to buy. Yet, if you’re still confused, allow me to highlight some products.
ASTRO Gaming A40 is the best one to buy if you’re a professional gamer. They deliver excellent sound quality and a 3D gaming experience. Besides, they prevent any lagging.
You can also go for HyperX Cloud Stinger if you don’t want to pay a lot of money. They’re very lightweight, comfortable, and deliver excellent sound quality.
Editors’ Recommendations