12 Best Headphones for Music and Gaming in 2023

It is quite unlikely to kill two birds with one stone. However, it is not entirely impossible. If you’re a gamer and enjoy music, getting your hands on a headphone that will last you for months could be quite a task to handle. 

As you may be aware, some headphones are made specifically for listening to music and some for playing video/pc games. As a result, if you use them for multiple uses, they’ll only work best for only one. 

To choose a pair of headphones, there are many factors to consider. Some of them could be the noise-canceling feature, durability, and the type of headband used. When choosing these headsets, we have prioritized factors that maximize the gaming experience as well as music.

To avoid buying an inferior pair of headphones, be sure to read up on the differences between headphones. Here are some of the Best Headphones for Music and Gaming that might appeal to you.

General Comparison: Headphones For Music And Gaming

Top 12 Best Headphones For Music And Gaming You Should Consider

1. Razer ManO’War – Best Wireless Headset For Gaming

In the design department, its headband features a flexible yet rigid plastic material, which helps keep the headphone in place. 

More importantly, the cups of the Razer headset are large enough to cater to almost every user’s ear size. The circular-shaped ear-covering cups supply the best music experience for music as well as high-resolution games.

By just looking at it, it might look like one of the most challenging things to put around your head, but it fits surprisingly well due mainly to the extending cups with the help of an attached metal inside. 

The Razer ManO’War wireless PC gaming headset features lag-free 2.4 GHz wireless technology that is designed specifically for gaming. 

Only one 2.4GHz dongle needs to be plugged into a USB 3.0 port to use the ManO’War. Instead of plugging in multiple audio cables or a large mixing amplifier, the setup is much simpler.

With the help of Immersive 7.1 surround sound and high-performance Neodymium magnet drivers, the headset detects the smallest of movements or sounds. FPS gamers are going to love this headset. 

On a single charge, the Razer ManO’War can provide seven days of wireless gaming or 14 hours of uninterrupted usage, depending on whether you’re streaming or watching a movie. 

Beyond gaming, ManO’War delivers a decent music performance. The sound is crisp and crystal clear, plus the overall comfort adds to a rich experience. 

2. V-MODA Crossfade M-100 – Best for listening to music

Good build quality is the highlight feature of the Crossfade M-100. The headband is lightweight, and the metal frame allows it to withstand a reasonable amount of physical stress. 

One button and a microphone are all that are included in the standard audio cable. 

However, there are no volume controls on the button. 

A decent pair of headphones, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 headphones are a little tight on the head. Most people’s ears can be accommodated by large ear cups, which are available in various sizes. Its cup size is a bit small, and the headband is a bit stifling.

Despite their Closed-back Design, these headphones suffer from poor noise isolation. Also, the lack of active noise cancellation makes it worse. 

They deliver decent sound quality with good bass, well-balanced instruments and vocals, and a decent soundstage. Good for music lovers, and acceptable for gamers.

The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 is above-average for neutral listening. The pair can provide a bass of 0.96 dB, which is far better for people willing to buy it for a good music experience.

When it comes to sports, the Crossfade M-100 from V-MODA is a decent option. In addition, the ear cups are flat on your ears, so they won’t move around while you’re running or exercising. As a result of this, they’re a bit cumbersome during intense workouts, especially if you sweat profusely. 

These headsets are best for music lovers,  but when it comes to competitive gaming they lag far behind.

3. Turtle Beach Elite Pro

The Turtle Beach is one of the most accommodating headsets you’ll ever find in your search for the best headphone for gaming and music.  

The Elite Pro is comfortable in every other way. The padding on the ear cups is thickly cushioned, which is beneficial for long hours of usage. However, the ear holes are relatively small, which can be quite a trouble for some users. 

The slide-up and down plastic arms attached to the headband allow you to find the perfect fit for your head size. 

Turtle Beach headphones have a unique noise cancellation feature. With the help of large ear cups and cushioned pads, any external voice is cut out, and the sound focus is improved.

Featuring easy to remove and replace microphone, this headset has both analog 3.5mm connectors and USB digital connectors for various devices. 

On the cord, there’s also a volume dial and mute toggle for the microphone. There are plenty of ways to connect your headphones to your PS4 or Xbox One controller, PC, and many other devices that have the same type of 3.5mm connector.

It is easily preferred by gamers looking for some quality noise-cutting features and comfort on extended usage. Quite evidently, the headset is fitting for gaming specs and expectations and might be useful for a good music experience as well.

4. Sony WH-1000XM4

Nothing really different from its predecessor 1000XM3, the outside is made of high-quality polycarbonate, and the inside is made of soft faux leather.

With the band and earcups being evenly distributed, the product feels both comfortable and durable. 

For power and pairing, the earcups have two physical control buttons and a button that toggles between noise cancellation and ambient sound. They also have a 3.5mm aux-in port, as well as USB-C charging ports.

Touch-capacitive controls on the right earcup allow you to play, pause, skip and adjust the volume by touching the outer part of the earcup.

Two microphones are used to capture sound and analyze it with the QN1 noise-canceling processor. They can adjust their noise cancellation response at a rate of more than 700 times per second. It’s compelling and doesn’t interfere with your music at all, which is excellent.

Appreciable and effective additions include earcup sensors that automatically pause the music when the headphones are holstered and resume playback when the headphones are put back on.

As soon as they’ve been inactive for a few minutes, they’ll automatically shut down to conserve battery life. In addition, a new multipoint connection lets the headphones be connected to two devices simultaneously, intelligently switching between them as needed. 

It is nothing less than a technologically advanced headset. Considerably, the noise blocking feature and extra sensitive quality make it durable for music lovers. However, it lies on a bit heavy-on-the-pocket side.

5. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

When it comes to neutral listening, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a good choice. With a good balance between bass and mid-range tones and treble tones, they have a great sound. 

However, compared to some other neutral listening models such as the DTS-770 and the ATH-M50x, instruments, and vocals did not sound as forward as they could have been. 

This pair of 280 Pros has a moderate amount of comfort to them. This pair of headphones comes with large, well-padded earcups that easily fit around most ear canals without a problem.

But the removable padding on the headband is a bit of a snooze. A tight headband completes the picture. However, the pads do help to reduce the clamping force a little to some extent. 

Made of dense plastic that can handle physical stress, this headset’s headband and ears cups are built to last a long time. To be honest, the most likely places for the ear cup joints to break are on the headphones themselves. Hinges that pivot is also thin.

Moreover, When it comes to loud environments, their passive isolation isn’t enough. While on the road, you’ll hear a lot of background noise. These devices are clunky and uncomfortable, and there is no way to operate them using a mobile device’s control scheme.

The set however is quite capable of good audio reproduction that packs a lot of basses. People who are looking for a headset to experience better sound quality are usually the ones who buy this.

For casual gaming, these headsets work fine, but if you are into competitive gaming, better skip this one. 

6. HIFIMAN Arya

There are some similarities between this and the HiFiMan Ananda, such as the large ear cups and the ski band design on the headband.

Despite this, they have an all-black finish, especially on the ear cup grilles, which gives them a sleek and premium appearance.

The headset features ear cups that are large and the headphones don’t clamp too tightly to your head. Because of its padding, the faux leather headband is able to evenly distribute its weight.

Arya’s from HiFiMan have a passable level of breathability. Their open-back design helps improve their airflow circulation compared to other over-ear headphones. On the other hand, there is a big magnet in the middle of the motor that can trap heat over time. These headphones aren’t very portable.

When you move your head, they can move around your head, even if you don’t do anything strenuous with them. When listening to casual conversations, they should keep the same stance as before, but not too far apart. Consistency in frequency response is excellent. With a little effort, you should be able to achieve the same sound quality every time you use them.

The Arya headset is best used for streaming purposes or watching movies when the user is inclined towards having a theatrical experience. They are mostly compatible with long hours of watching shows and listening to high profile music, however, they might not be so suitable around noisy environments and for competitive gaming.

7. Sony MDR7506

As a result of its ergonomic design, this unobtrusive, lightweight reference headphone is ideal for long-term use in broadcast and studio environments. 

The speaker’s 40mm PET diaphragm and neodymium magnet provide performance well beyond that of digital audio sources.

Sound monitoring in recording studios, radio, film production, video, electronic news gathering – and virtually any application where high-quality sound is required – is made easy with the Sony MDR7506 Professional Stereo Headphones.

Pro and home recording studios love the MDR-7506’s closed-ear design. A rugged design, a convenient folding construction, 40mm driver units, gold connectors, and an OFC (oxygen-free copper) cord are all included in this model’s features.

The closed-ear design provides both comfort and excellent noise reduction in the MDR-7506s. It’s not just the padding on the headband that makes it more comfortable.

No matter if you’re the performer or an audio engineer, the 9.8-foot coiled cord provides more than enough slack to work in an audio studio without removing your phones.

An extremely powerful neodymium magnet and 40-millimeter drivers produce high-quality sound with a frequency response of 10 Hz – 20kHz. The pair is one of the best headphones around high music production and streaming services.

8. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT

The Virtuoso weighs 13.5 ounces, which isn’t as light as other gaming headsets. With a mic, there is a 3.5mm and USB-C charging port on the left side of the headset.

To make matters worse, the right earcup is overloaded with controls: a wheel for volume adjustment and an on/off switch as well as separate Bluetooth volume buttons. 

There are a series of numbered notches on the steel headband that allow you to find and memorize the perfect fit. Because of this, sharing the headset with family members will be much more convenient than ever before. 

Especially in games, the rich and nuanced audio makes a great impression. it can render everything from gunshots to explosions to music and dialogue.

In comparison to other similar gaming headsets, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT offers Bluetooth connectivity as well as USB wireless. It is therefore compatible with a variety of mobile devices, smart TVs, and streaming players. It’s a great feature that works exactly as it should.

15-hour battery life may not seem like much because most of its competitors run between 20 and 30 hours. It is significantly considered one of the best headsets for gaming due to its high-performing sound features. 

It can be used for music purposes. However, it is quite skeptical that the performance would be as good as when playing video games.

9. Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset

The ProX Gaming Headsets are very comfortable headphones to wear for extended periods of time while playing video games. 

The earcups are large and deep, so they should fit most ear sizes and shapes without any issues whatsoever. However, the earcups don’t have a lot of space and could feel too tight and surrounded for some users. 

The frame is made of metal, and the padding is thick and comfortable, so you’ll be able to relax for hours on end. 

There are large, deep cups with a gleaming silver metal accent on their backsides that give them an upscale feel. There is a simple way to remove the microphone, so you can listen to music without the mic being an annoyance. 

Both audio cables have different in-line remotes for these headphones. Due to the mic-mute switch and volume wheel on the braided cable, it is ideal for gaming. 

There’s a multipurpose button on the normal audio cable that lets you play and pause your music, but there’s no volume wheel. A lot of heat is trapped inside these gaming headphones, which can make you sweat more when you’re working out. 

Considerably, these are more of a gaming headset than a music one. Well, they could be used to listen to music or streaming sites, but they’d be well put to use when competing in a rather lag-free game.

10. SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks X3

Similar to previous on-ear versions, this one also has completely interchangeable components, including the microphone.

There are a number of ways to customize the look of the headphones, including changing the cable, headband, and the X3 Sound Engines (cups). 

Designed to deliver powerful bass, crystal-clear highs, and vocal accuracy, these headphones deliver on all fronts. 

Incorporated into the cable are three-button volume control, playback control, and a microphone. There is no doubt that the SOL Republic Master Tracks feature an outstanding design. 

With an indestructible headband and fully replaceable components, these headphones are ideal for anyone who is hard on their headphones. If you’re looking for a big, bass-heavy sound, these are the ones for you. 

People fond of music or who like to listen to high-bass hip-hop music are more than appropriate for this product. The displayed features are well adapted to provide a great music experience. However, the gaming experience wouldn’t be as great as you may find in other headsets in this roundup.

11. Audio-Technica ATH-G1

With its large cans and steel struts and dividers combined with matte black plastic and foam padding, the Audio-Technica ATH-G1 has a pleasing industrial look. Solid and well-made, with metal sliders that let you adjust the headband to the perfect fit for your head. 

You can connect it to your gaming PC as easily as a console controller in your hand thanks to the 2m (6.5ft) cable that runs from the left-ear cup and terminates in a dual-3.5mm audio/microphone port. Be aware, however, that this cable is permanent and cannot be replaced, so you’ll want to be careful with its storage.

For gamers, the ATH-G1 is a warm and precise headset that offers a more dynamic range than other similar-style gaming headsets on the market today. What the 45mm drivers have to offer in terms of detail and cinematic precision will appeal to gamers 

The ATH-G1 is a great headset for listening to music as well as watching movies. While the headphones’ relatively neutral sound can be used for a wide range of genres, from classical to rock, the headphones also have enough bass impact to keep upbeat dance tracks moving, not to mention the clarity they provide for podcasts.

12. HyperX Cloud Flight

In terms of design, they have a more traditional headband with a detachable boom mic, and decently-sized oval, rotating ear cups. That way, you can wear them as your daily drivers with ease, especially when the LEDs are off. 

They’re comfortable, but not as well cushioned as the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II or the HyperX Cloud Alpha headphones. Because they’re made of more plastic, they’re a bit lighter than those headphones. The headband isn’t too tight on the head, and the ear cups are a good size for a headset of this type.

Controls in Cloud Flight are simple and intuitive. A volume dial and mute button are located on the right ear cup of these earbuds. In addition, the power button allows you to change the LED lighting patterns. 

When you turn up the volume to maximum, the dial keeps spinning even though there are no discrete notches or endpoints. Although the buttons are also slightly mushy, pressing them provides enough tactile feedback for the user to feel comfortable.

Sound-wise, the HyperX Cloud Flight has a well-balanced but energetic sound. For genres such as hip-hop or EDM, they have a bit of extra bass, but it’s not too much for rock. Most popular genres and content can be accommodated.

Buying Guide: 2-in-1 Headsets For Gaming and Music

When considering a headset pair for both gaming and music needs, you are particularly looking for an overlap of features. Of course, these headsets may not be ideal for one particular activity.

To clarify, we focused on the gaming headsets primarily but only on those with the added benefit of a quality music experience. Not the other way around.

The given features are a must-read if you want to make sense of why we select these headsets.

Headphone Type:

Over-ear vs On-ear, Closed-back vs Open back, wired vs wireless? You need to ask these questions to yourself if you are aiming for the ideal fit. All of them have their share of advantages and disadvantages.

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Over-Ear	Effective Noise CancellationComfortable Fit	Big and Clunky
On-Ear	Portable	Poor Noise Cancellation
Closed Back	Better Outside Noise  Isolation	Won’t Sound Natural
Open Back	Sound more natural and  clear	Leak Sound Out
Wired	Good Sound Quality	Wire get tangled
Wireless	Ease of movement adds to overall convenience.	The sound quality is not up to the mark. Have to recharge daily

Build Quality:

The build quality encompasses the construction material of the headband and earcups and the strength of the hinges. A good fit should also be prioritized.

For marathon sessions, a bad fit can be physically painful. Also, the trapped heat, sweat, and friction can lead to discomfort.

A good headset pair should be comfortable for long gaming sessions and music time. A little extra weight in the wrong spot can give you neck pains. Slight pressure in the band can lead to sore ears or full-on headaches.

The headband size, ear cup material, and eyewear channels determine the overall comfort of the headsets.

More importantly, it should be strong enough to withstand mild abuse (gaming headsets along with the mouse often become a prime target when we lose a close battle)  

For a headset to last for months if not years it must have metallic construction. A red flag for this is the creaking sound when you resize the headset or twist it. Avoid cheap, flimsy plastic construction material.

Noise Cancellation:

Headphones that leak sound are bad for a rich gaming and music experience. Noise cancellation both passive and active is highly desirable.

Most Over-ear headphones offer better noise cancellation as by covering your head completely they block out the ambient noise. You will be able to play games and music with utmost concentration.

Headsets with active noise cancellation that detects and cancels out the noise. These headsets might demand top dollar for this feature alone, but it’s worth the extra dollars.

Surround Sound:

If you are an FPS gamer, surround sound should be at the top of your list. Interestingly, this particular feature can also add to your music or movie experience.

Headsets with surround sound (5.1 or 7.1) offer up to 360-degree coverage, with multiple speakers covering each ear. The direction cues in FPS games can give you a real competitive edge.

Mic Quality:

For MOBA/MMO gamers, who like to play games like League of Legends and Star Wars, the quality of the mic determines the overall good/bad gaming experience. The mic should be able to cancel the ambient noise, should be adjustable, and should not be of inferior quality.

Music lovers won’t want to carry the mic all the time, so a detachable type works best.

Frequency Range, Driver, and Impedance:

The headsets must be able to reproduce a wide frequency range, 20-20K Hz is ideal as it is exactly the range of human hearing. If a headset deviates little, it should not be a deal-breaker.

The driver’s technology and size should be given due consideration. Large drivers have a slight advantage over smaller units.

The impedance of the headphones should be on the larger side for better sound quality.