Best Headphones for Gaming and Music

Gaming and music are the two biggest reasons why the headphones market is booming at any given time. Headphones are one of the most important accessories that both a video gamer and a music enthusiast can’t live without. Therefore, the companies enjoy their maximum sales from the gaming and music headphones department. 

A gamer needs a headset to get the most realistic and immersive audio experience out of the virtual gaming world and to them, a good headphone is an arsenal to get an advantage over their opponents. On the other hand, a music lover needs headphones to enjoy their favorite tunes more closely with their preferred settings and sound preference (whether a rumbling bass or a more neutral, balanced form). 

Nevertheless, can headphones designed for gaming be used for music and vice versa? Do both gaming and music headphones have different engineering? Here we will take a look at the best headphones for gaming and music.

Best Headphones for Gaming and Music

Why do a lot of people look for multifunctional headphones that can be used for both gaming and headphone? Well, honestly, a typical gaming headphone is designed for more convenient listening with an inclination towards the low and mid-frequency ranges and very little emphasis on the treble. Along with a wider frequency range, they are also packed with larger speaker drivers than the other consumer headphones. Most gaming-oriented headphones, therefore, have an extra boosted booming bass response (perfect to give goosebumps when you hear a gunshot or a bombing at a distance), and their overall sound profile isn’t always balanced. 

Using these headphones for music may not always yield the best results because of the cranked-up bass which kind of overpowers the mids and especially the high-frequency notes. 

Why Buy Multi-functional Headphones?

A good headphone for music is designed for a pleasing listening experience. This means it has to have a well-balanced sound signature with prominent bass and well-sculpted highs. Not to forget, the clear and well-defined mid-range so you can enjoy your vocal forward songs and individual instrumental presence as well. So basically, though not a neutral or flat frequency soundscape, if you want to enjoy every bit of your music, you tend to look for headphones that can give you a satisfying bassy sound with well-defined overall acoustics and comfort alike.

With that said, a lot of people look for headphones that they can use for gaming and music. One of the major reasons for this is the affordability or a high price tag associated with the headphone. Oftentimes, this comes in between them and their purchasing decision, which restricts them from buying more than one headphone. As a result, they end up giving either a happy gaming time or have a compromised listening of their favorite tracks. 

The good thing now is, with improvements in technology, and new variations coming up in the market, there are several options today that can give you satisfactory results if you want a more versatile type of headphone. These can be used for gameplay, music, work, and other casual use. If you have landed here looking for one such product, then we have got you covered. 

The next part of the article provides a listicle of some of the best headphones for gaming and music, their various features, and what makes them good ‘gaming and music headphones. Keep reading…

List of Best Headphones for Gaming and Music:

As mentioned earlier, not all headphones are meant for both music and gaming functions. If a headphone is great for gaming, then it may give sub-par performance when it comes to music. However, here are some of the best headphones for gaming and music, that prove it otherwise: 

Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 450: (Overall Best Gaming Headset for Music)

If you are looking for the best gaming headset for music, here’s a headphone from Turtle Beach that tops the list. Even though marketed primarily as a gaming headset, this audio gear delivers equally well when it comes to listening to your favorite numbers. 

The headphone features 7.1 surround sound with EQ settings having 4 presets, so you can choose as per your listening preference. As for the sound quality, it delivers an amazingly clear and crisp sound with a balance in every frequency level- good bass, defined mids, and undistorted highs. This makes this headphone a perfect option for gaming, music, and movies. 

The Audio presets enable these headsets to cover a wide frequency response because of which you can hear every minute detail in the recording. While on the gaming front, this gives you a competitive advantage over your virtual opponents as you can track their movements by hearing the sound and be ready for action. When it comes to music, this allows you to adjust the sound that satisfies your ears the most and gives you a detailed soundscape. 

The Bluetooth connectivity has seamless pairing with your source device including connectivity to PC. This makes it one of the best PC headphones for music as well if you are looking for one. With the detachable mic, you can pull it off easily when you are in music mode. The battery life of 15 hours on a single charge gives you enough time to enjoy your music or gaming. Click on the link for the price. 

Pros: 

• Great sound suitable for both gaming and music.
• Wireless – allows free movement.
• Battery life is impressive.

Con: 

• Some users mentioned that the comfort level is average, especially the headband.
• The ear padding is minimal.

HyperX Cloud II: (Best Gaming Headset for Music for Budget Buyers)

Yet another solid contender in the best headphones for gaming and music that provides you a solid sound. The headphone boasts 53 mm large drivers that deliver powerful sound with superior detailing. This is perfect for gaming as well as music. The 7.1 surround sound gives you an immersive listening experience with in-depth sound. The headset uses a USB sound card to provide this level of acoustics. 

The headphones fair pretty well when it comes to the comfort factor. Made out of memory foam with leather lining, the ear pads are designed for ultimate comfort and long hours of use. The earpads are also fairly large which makes them ideal for people with large ears. 

The headphone has a detachable noise-canceling microphone that you can keep in while playing games and unplug when casually listening to music. Its adaptability with PCs along with other devices like phones or consoles also makes it one of the best PC headphones for music. With a price tag of $99.00, this pair of cans are suitable for people with tight budgets. 

Pros: 

• Superior comfort and durable build.
• Amazing sound. 

Cons: 

• Mic quality could have been better.

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: (Best Headphones for Gaming and Music in Budget for Sound and Comfort)

Another affordable pair of gaming and music headphones, HD 280 Pro offers great sound and comfort. Although the headphone is not specifically oriented for gaming, its extended frequency response of 8 Hz to 25 kHz,  large enough drivers and the sound pressure of 113 dB delivers accurate and clear sound. This in return ensures that you hear every little detail of the scene in your game. 

The extended low frequency reproduces deep bass, along with clean mids and perfectly sculpted treble that makes your music extremely enjoyable. The headphone also maintains a natural and well-balanced sound profile because of which many prefer it for studio use as well. 

This model from Sennheiser is not visually appealing, but when you combine comfort and performance, this is what HD 280 Pro is all about. The headphone has thick ear paddings and a padded headband to keep you comfortable if you want to wear it for long hours. You will get this product at a price tag of $99.95. If you are looking for a pair of the best headphones for iPhone, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is not the deal for you.

Pros:

• Dynamic sound with extended frequency.
• Comfortable build for long-hour use.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have an aesthetic look. 

Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Over-Ear Headphone: (Best Gaming Headset for Music for Bass Lovers)

If you are a bass head and do not enjoy music without a rumbling bass, this is what you need to go or. In addition, this will make a great wireless gaming headset as well. Skullcandy Crusher has a bass slider that allows you to adjust the bass response as per your listening preference. This gives a more accurate sound based on the situation. You can put the bass slider to the highest level when playing games for the most enjoyable sound effect. 

The headphone has an outstanding battery of 40 hours so you do not have to worry about having to plug in the headphones for a good three days or more depending on the usage. Now do remember that the battery may even exceed 40 hours if you keep the bass slider off and use the headset at a moderate volume and vice versa.

The Bluetooth connectivity ensures a seamless and quick pairing but has a range of 10 feet which is not the longest range. So when playing games, you should make sure that you are within the range for uninterrupted gaming with low latency. 

But with all the features, the price tag of $100, and the wide soundscape, it is sure one of the best headphones for gaming and music within a budget range.

Pros:

• Solid thumping bass.
• Great sound signature for gaming as well as music lovers who love a boosted bass in their tracks. 
• Amazing battery life.
• Bass adjustment slider.
• Best PC headphones for music

Cons: 

• Not everyone may like the booming bass.
• The build quality is subpar. 

Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum: (Best PC Headphones for Music)

Slightly on the higher-end of the pricing scale, this pair of gaming and music headphones give a solid audio performance on both fronts. While the headphone is engineered with the cutting edge, superior surround sound technology that a pro gaming headset should have, this also provides a solid platform for music lovers to enjoy their tracks too.

The headphone has a stylish design with RGB lighting that portrays its representation in the gaming department. The best part of this audio gear is, it offers both wired and wireless Bluetooth connections which makes it compatible with a wider range of devices including your PC. This makes it yet another option if you are looking for the best PC headphones for music. 

You will get a battery of up to 12 hours on a single charge with the lights turned off but this will reduce if the lights are on throughout your gaming session. The headphone is super comfortable to wear with over-ear-designed ear cups and thick ear padding that support the ear well without exerting pressure. This device cannot withstand exposure to liquid or even moisture for that matter. If you are in the market for a pair of waterproof headphones or something that can be used during your workouts, this isn’t the one for you.

This model also comes with two different cables: One is the USB cable for connecting to the PC for gaming, and one 3.5 mm cable with inline volume control for when you want to listen to music. You can easily transition from one cable to another with a single button on the headphone. G933 Artemis Spectrum has a price tag of $229.00. 

Pros:

• Outstanding sound signature with 7.1 surround sound for a realistic feeling.
• Ability to connect to multiple devices at once (one wireless and two wired), so you can seamlessly transition to the devices. 
• Bundled with different cables enable use for gaming and music. 
• Headphones are extremely customizable.

Cons: 

• Bulky design, so portability may be an issue.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: (Best Gaming Headset for Music- Open Back)

With a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 35 kHz, the headphone delivers high-quality and detailed sound. This model is available in both 80 Ohm and 250 Ohm impedance and you can choose one depending on your requirement. If you go for the 250 Ohm headset, you will need an amplifier to get the maximum out of its sound quality.  

The headphone features an open-ear back for a spatial transparent sound that allows you to hear every little sound. It is equally good at delivering deep bass and a clean treble offering a wide stereo sound. This makes it one of the best gaming headsets for music editing and studio applications as well.  

From the comfort standpoint, the headphone has an on-ear design with soft padding that absorbs the pressure on the ears making it ideal for long hours of wear. 

Pros: 

• A great option for bespectacled people.
• Incredible sound delivery.
• Open back design for better sound clarity 

Cons: 

• The cable of the headphone is not detachable so, in case of damage, the headphone needs to be replaced completely. 

Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II Bluetooth Headset: (Wireless Best Headphones for Gaming and Music)

When it comes to the audio department, Bose is a name that ranks high on the list. The Quiet Comfort series from Bose are specifically designed, so you can leave the rest of the world outside and get indulged completely into its sound. 

Quiet Comfort 35 II is packed with some very powerful traits that make it one of the best headphones for gaming and music if you want to go wireless. With its three-level, noise cancellation attribute, adjust the ambiance as per your preferred listening. This also ensures that the quality of the sound remains intact, giving you the maximum benefit of the company’s signature sound. It also gives an immersive and realistic listening experience during your gaming sessions making you feel the virtual world. 

The overall audio is extremely well balanced with in-depth bass response, and clear mids and highs allowing you to enjoy any music genre you love to hear. The noise-isolating dual-mic technology pics up your voice efficiently and makes you sound loud and clear. This is a huge plus when you are gaming because your teammates do not have to struggle to hear you. The headphone has smart features like the Alexa voice control, that will help access the music hands-free. 

If you do not mind an extended budget then this high-end model retailed at $299.00 is one of the gaming and music headphones you would never want to miss. 

Pros: 

• Well balanced and immersive sound.
• Smart voice control feature.
• Seamless wireless pairing without any latency.
• Premium grade components.

Cons: 

• Expensive option.

 Audio-Technica ATH-M50X: (Best PC Headphones for Music and Gaming)

Here’s one from yet another well-reputed brand that is well known in the market for offering professional-grade headphones for a wide range of applications. One of the best headphones for gaming and music, you can never go wrong with the ATH-M50X. The headphone is packed with 45 mm large neodymium drivers that deliver an impressively powerful sound signature. With in-depth heavy bass along with well-sculpted mid-range and flawless highs, there is a good balance across the entire frequency spectrum. 

The frequency of 15 Hz to 28 kHz allows every little sound to be clear and audible. Owing to its high-grade engineering and critically acclaimed performance, the headphone is a perfect fit for both game and music lovers. Being an all-rounder pair, it doesn’t compromise on the look and the comfort as well. The over-ear style ear cups are plush and sit well over the ears isolating the noise efficiently for better hearing.

Pros:

• Versatile headphone; can be used for different applications.
• Exceptional sound quality.
• Makes great PC headphones for music.

Cons: 

• No downside as such.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX: (Best Headphones for Gaming and Music- Premium)

If you are ready to invest in a premium product, then Beoplay HX from Bang & Olufsen represents the company perfectly with its premium design and build along with premium pricing. When it comes to the performance, the headphone delivers equally upscale performance.

While you can see the elegance in its appearance, you must be wondering about the comfort of the product. The brand claims that the headphone is designed keeping in mind the comfort factor, which shows in its lightweight aluminum and high-quality plastic construction with memory foam and leather finish earcups. The tactile buttons are easy to 

Beoplay HX features cutting-edge noise cancellation technology that filters the surrounding sound, allowing you to get involved in your game completely. With that said, for a price like this, this may not be the ideal product if you want to get a headphone only for gaming purposes. But if you are looking for the best headphones for gaming and music which can also be used for work or casual use (more from a multi-functional perspective), then this is a great premium headphone set to consider. 

The sound signature of the product is equally pleasing as its looks. There is a well-balanced sound with boosted bass, fine treble, and clear mid-range. The sound stage is fairly decent. So basically, the overall sound profile is sure to make your music listening moments quite enjoyable. There is a dedicated app from the company that allows you to adjust the EQ settings as per your sound preference. 

These headphones will cost you $499.00 which is super expensive but if you have a thing for owning an opulent product as a symbol of pride, then this one is sure something to keep in mind.

Pros: 

• Bright sound with balance across the entire frequency range.
• Feel good factor – about owning a luxury product.
• App is expansive and has several useful features to try out. 

Cons:

• Extremely high end price tag.
• Noise isolation function could have been better.

Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR: (Best PC Headphones for Music and Gaming)

Phillips has done a wonderful job with this pair of headsets when it comes to sound performance. With a fuller sound, amazing thumping bass, a wide soundstage, and perfectly accurate sound imaging, this headphone makes a solid contender for the list of the best gaming headset for music. The accuracy in the sound imaging offers you the ability to hear the sound of the placement of objects distinctively, which means that you can hear the sound of footsteps approaching, distant voices, the rustling of the leaves, shooting crystal clear in a gaming scene. This will give you an advantage over your enemies while playing video games. 

The headset has 50 mm, big drivers, for accurate and dynamic sound over a wide frequency range. Whether you want to play games or listen to your favorite music genre, the headphone will give an exceptionally well-balanced and pure sound with prominent and undistorted low, mid and high frequencies. The build of the headphone is suitable for anyone whether you are bespectacled, or have long hair over your ears; in any case, the bass response doesn’t get affected at all. 

Ergonomically designed headphone fits over the ears in a way that it is compact yet comfortable. It also comes with a detachable mic, which you can unplug at your convenience. You will get the headphone at $159.99 which is mid-priced. 

Pros: 

• Well balanced sound.
• Durable and comfortable build.
• Best PC headphones for music, this can be connected to your computer easily.

Cons: 

• Sound leaks to some extent due to the open back design.
• Noise isolation is less due to the design. 

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Headphones for Gaming and Music

When you are out buying a good headphone that can be used for both music and gaming, it may require a thorough investigation of the headphones at every angle to see if it fits the dual functionality.

Noise Cancellation:

One of the traits of the best gaming headset for music is its ability to eliminate outside noise. Both gaming and listening to music demand a quieter environment for a delightful experience. So going with headphones that have an active noise-canceling feature, or, at least good noise isolating capability.

Wired or Wireless:

Video games are best played with wired headsets. But when you are looking for both music and games, pick a headphone that has both wireless and wired connections. This way you can go into a wireless mode when listening to the music. Wired headphones also make the best PC headphones for music than the wireless ones. However, if you choose to go with a completely wireless headset, make sure it has a long-range so you can move around freely and sit at a decent distance in case you intend to play a game on TV. 

Battery Life:

Going for a wireless headphone option automatically means that the battery life has to be extremely well. Both gaming and listening to music may need long hours of headphone usage. So, long battery life is one of the important factors that matter.

Size of the Driver:

The larger the driver, the better is the sound quality of a headset. For a casual headset made for music or work, a 40 mm or 45 mm driver works great. But when you are looking for the best gaming headset for music, a typical one found in the market will be a 50 mm large driver or even bigger. Go for the ones with bigger drivers. 

Impedance:

Higher impedance, if your gaming and music headphones have higher impedance above 250 ohms, you will need a good headphone amplifier to go with it so you get the most accurate sound at all frequencies especially at the treble. 

Microphone Capabilities:

A headset, especially for multiplayer games, needs a microphone so you can interact with your team’s players. Therefore, it is important to go to one that has a noise-canceling mic. The headset will have a detachable mic that you can remove when listening to the music and plugin back while on the games mode. 

Surround Sound:

While a high-quality stereo sound is sufficient for a music headphone if you want to use the headset for gaming as well, having a surround sound headset will be the best pick. Some headsets are equipped with 360 surround sound technology giving you a wide soundscape. 

Is There a Difference Between Gaming Headsets and Regular Headsets?

Well, yes there is. The headsets that are geared for gaming purposes do have some significant differences from the ones that are made for casual use. 

They look different! While this may not be a deciding factor on a gaming headphone, when it comes to the looks, you will find the gaming headsets to be very flashy and attractive. Some even have RGB lighting for an elevated look when compared with the regular headsets. 

Presence of Microphone

Gaming headphones always come with a microphone as it is an essential feature that helps maintain communication between the players. Music headphones on the other hand need not have a microphone unless you use them for other purposes like recording, or making work calls, etc. Nevertheless, we have also listed out a podcast headset with mic, for those looking for something of the sort.

Surround Sound Feature

Most manufacturers these days include surround sound technology that offers an immersive listening experience to the gamer. This means that they get three-dimensional High-Res sound effects that make them feel that they are present in the virtual world. It also gives them a competitive edge over their enemies in the game by alerting them with their footsteps or their presence even when they cannot be seen. Regular headphones do not need this technology as such unless you want something for watching movies.

They Differ in Audio Profiles

A typical gaming headset has a heightened and explosive sound, with a bass level high up. The mid and especially the high notes often get covered by the heavy bass. On the other hand, regular headphones have an extremely well-balanced sound profile with equal emphasis on all levels. 

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best headphones for gaming and music without breaking your bank, then there are quite a few good options available out there that can perform exceptionally well in both departments. While both gaming and music have their specific requirements when it comes to sound profile, some headphones are made to suit both needs. However, you need to know that there is a lack somewhere. One can be more oriented towards gaming, where, the other can be more biased towards music and other casual uses. 

You need to decide which one is your priority and then go for headphones so you know exactly where you can compromise a bit. This way you can enjoy both music and gaming without getting disappointed. That said, in this article, we have narrowed down the list to some of the best gaming headsets for music that can fulfill both your gaming and music needs in the best possible way.  

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s):