Pick #1
RANK #1
Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3
The Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 is a wired open-back gaming headset designed for PC and console gaming. It is one of the lightest gaming headsets in this group, weighing about 220 grams without the cable. Its open-back design produces a spacious soundstage, but it also allows substantial sound leakage, so it is better suited to a quiet room than a shared environment.
The headset uses a 45 mm driver and comes with a detachable microphone and detachable cables. The included cables allow it to be used with devices that have a combined headphone/microphone connection as well as computers with separate audio and microphone connections. Audio-Technica’s current 2026 catalog continues to list the ATH-GDL3, including its lightweight design, detachable microphone, detachable cable, and 45 mm drivers.
Pros
- The ATH-GDL3 has a lightweight design that makes it easy to wear during long gaming sessions.
- It provides great audio reproduction with a spacious soundstage.
Cons
- The bass can feel weak for listeners who prefer a stronger low-end presentation.
- The earcups may feel uncomfortable for some users during extended gaming sessions.
The lightweight plastic construction keeps the headset easy to wear for long gaming sessions. The headband uses a metal support structure for adjustment, while the fabric ear pads are relatively breathable.
The microphone is another strong point. My source testing found the microphone picked up the voice clearly and naturally, making the ATH-GDL3 particularly useful for gaming where clear voice communication matters.
The sound is energetic, with strong and controlled bass impact once the headset settles in. The open-back design also helps keep explosions and other loud game effects from completely masking quieter sounds such as footsteps. The treble can sound bright, though, so listeners who are sensitive to brighter headphones may find it less comfortable.
The ATH-GDL3 does not use companion software, EQ controls, or virtual 7.1 processing. That makes it simple to use, although gamers who want software-based sound customization will have to use EQ through their source device instead.
Philips SHP9600MB
The Philips SHP9600MB is an open-back dynamic headphone with a spacious presentation and a comfortable design. Philips lists a 32-ohm impedance, 101 dB sensitivity, 50 mm drivers, and a detachable 3-meter cable with a 6.3 mm adapter.
Its low impedance and high sensitivity mean it is easy to power from a wide range of devices. In the source review, it performed well from both onboard audio and a dedicated headphone amplifier without requiring an amplifier to reach useful listening levels.
Pros
- The SHP9600MB provides a wide and spacious presentation that works well for gaming.
- It offers good overall sound quality for music and gaming.
- The comfortable design makes it suitable for long listening sessions.
- Its low impedance and high sensitivity make it easy to drive.
Cons
- The open-back design produces high sound leakage.
- The treble can become fatiguing for some listeners during prolonged use.
The build is mostly plastic with a steel-reinforced headband. At about 330 grams, the headphones are lightweight for their size, and the low clamp force makes them comfortable for long listening sessions. The large earcups also provide plenty of room for the ears.
The sound has a slightly colored but energetic character, with some bass emphasis and treble accentuation. The bass has surprisingly good extension for an open-back headphone, while the midrange has a relatively natural and balanced character. The treble is improved over the older SHP9500 but can still sound somewhat bright or fatiguing during prolonged listening.
For gaming, the SHP9600’s imaging and separation are among its stronger qualities. The source review found it capable of conveying direction and positioning effectively in multiplayer games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
The main limitation is that the SHP9600MB is a headphone rather than a dedicated gaming headset, so it does not include a built-in gaming microphone. A separate microphone or mod mic is needed for voice chat.
One current consideration is availability. Philips currently lists the SHP9600MB/00 as discontinued, while the SHP9600MB/37 still has a support page, so availability can vary by region.
Pick #2
RANK #2
EPOS GAME ONE
The EPOS GAME ONE is an open acoustic gaming headset designed around comfort and clear communication. Its lightweight construction and padded headband make it suitable for extended gaming sessions.
The headset uses large velvet ear pads and an adjustable headband. The ear pads are particularly comfortable, although some users may find that the material becomes warm during longer sessions. The headband also provides good padding without creating excessive pressure on the top of the head.
Pros
- The GAME ONE has a comfortable and durable design that is suitable for long gaming sessions.
- Its clear microphone provides good voice communication during gaming.
- The open acoustic design provides a spacious presentation and awareness of surrounding sounds.
- The overall design provides good long-session comfort.
Cons
- The bulky design may not be ideal for users who prefer a more compact headset.
- The headset has limited color options.
- Gaming portfolio availability is now limited.
The GAME ONE uses an analog connection and includes cables for different setups. Its microphone has a flexible boom arm and automatically mutes when raised. EPOS’s product documentation lists a 15–28,000 Hz headphone frequency response, 116 dB sound pressure level, detachable cables, and PC/Mac/PS4 compatibility in its product documentation.
The open acoustic design provides the benefits expected from this type of headset: a more spacious presentation and awareness of surrounding sounds. The tradeoff is sound leakage, so it is not a good choice for quiet shared spaces where other people are nearby.
There is also an important 2026 availability consideration. EPOS says it has decided to wind down its gaming-headset portfolio and focus more heavily on enterprise solutions. That means the GAME ONE is better treated as an older open-back gaming option rather than a current-generation gaming headset with an active product roadmap.
Pick #3
RANK #3
Drop + EPOS PC38X
The Drop + EPOS PC38X is an open-back gaming headset based on the Sennheiser/EPOS gaming design. It combines a dedicated boom microphone with an open-back headphone design, making it particularly well suited to gamers who want good positional audio without buying a separate microphone.
The PC38X uses a simple wired connection, so there is no need for companion software to operate the headset. That keeps the setup straightforward, although users who want software-based EQ or other digital controls will not find them built into the headset.
Pros
- The PC38X has a comfortable design that works well for extended gaming sessions.
- It provides excellent recording and microphone quality for voice communication.
- The headset offers strong gaming performance with good positional audio.
- Its natural and engaging sound works well for both gaming and general listening.
Cons
- The headset does not include companion software for additional sound customization.
- The microphone can struggle with plosive sounds in some situations.
- The open-back design provides no meaningful isolation from surrounding sounds.
The headset is comfortable and has good build quality. Its drivers deliver a warmer and more energetic presentation than the older PC37X, with stronger bass extension while retaining the spacious qualities that make open-back headsets useful for gaming.
The source review found the imaging and separation strong, while the overall sound was particularly effective for gaming. The open-back design also makes it possible to hear the surrounding environment, although this means other people can hear your game audio as well.
One limitation is the permanently attached boom microphone. It works well for gaming communication, but it reduces the headset’s flexibility compared with a standard headphone that can be paired with a separate microphone.
The PC38X remains associated with Drop in 2026, including both the standard and yellow versions, although availability can vary. Drop’s current support material also lists the Drop + EPOS PC38X among supported products.
Pick #4
RANK #4
HiFiMAN HE400SE
The HiFiMAN HE400SE is an entry-level planar magnetic open-back headphone and one of the more interesting options in this group for listeners who want to move beyond conventional dynamic drivers.
The HE400SE uses planar magnetic drivers and has a circumaural open-back design. HiFiMAN currently lists the HE400se with a 32-ohm impedance, 91 dB sensitivity, and a weight of about 385 grams.
Pros
- The HE400SE is comfortable to use during long listening sessions.
- It offers good build quality for an entry-level planar magnetic headphone.
- Its planar magnetic drivers provide a different listening experience from conventional dynamic drivers.
- The open-back design provides a spacious presentation that works well for gaming, music, and movies.
Cons
- The HE400SE benefits from a capable source or amplifier.
- It is heavier than the other options in this group.
- Its midrange can sound somewhat recessed.
The source review found that the HE400SE benefits from additional power and performed better with a dedicated DAC/amp than with some basic sources. At the same time, it was usable from simpler devices, so an amplifier is not necessarily required for every setup.
The sound has good bass extension for an open-back headphone, although the bass is not as pronounced as on some alternatives. The midrange is somewhat more prominent than on the earlier HE400i 2020, while the overall presentation remains somewhat V-shaped.
Soundstage, imaging, and instrument separation are some of the HE400SE’s stronger qualities. The spacious presentation works well for music, movies, and gaming, particularly when positional information matters.
The build quality is also good for an entry-level planar magnetic headphone. The adjustable headband, soft padding, and relatively light clamp make it comfortable for long periods of use, although its roughly 385–390 gram weight makes it heavier than the ATH-GDL3 and Philips SHP9600.
Which Open-Back Headphone Is Best for Gaming?
Each of these headphones has a different strength.
The Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 stands out for its lightweight design, clear microphone, and straightforward gaming-focused setup.
The Philips SHP9600MB is a strong choice for listeners who prioritize comfort, soundstage, and a headphone-style design, although it requires a separate microphone for gaming chat.
The EPOS GAME ONE offers a comfortable open-back gaming design and a good built-in microphone, but its status as an older product matters in 2026 because EPOS is winding down its gaming portfolio.
The Drop + EPOS PC38X is one of the strongest all-around gaming options in this group, combining good positional performance, a capable microphone, and an engaging sound.
The HiFiMAN HE400SE is the most different option here because of its planar magnetic drivers. It is particularly appealing to listeners who also want to use their headphones for music and movies, although it benefits from a capable source.
Our Methodology
We publish independent headphone reviews and buying guides, updated regularly, so you can buy with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
Yes. Open-back headphones can be excellent for gaming because their spacious presentation and strong imaging can make it easier to identify the direction and position of sounds such as footsteps, gunfire, and other game effects. They are less suitable in noisy environments because they provide little isolation.
Do open-back gaming headphones leak sound?
Yes. Sound leakage is one of the main characteristics of an open-back design. People nearby can usually hear some of the audio coming from the headphones, while you can also hear sounds from the surrounding environment.
Are open-back headphones better for FPS games?
They can be. A good open-back headphone with accurate imaging can make directional sounds easier to place, which can be useful in competitive FPS games. However, soundstage width alone does not determine gaming performance; imaging, tuning, comfort, and the game’s audio design also matter.
Do open-back headphones need an amplifier?
Not always. Some models, such as the Philips SHP9600, are easy to drive from standard headphone outputs. Other headphones, including planar magnetic models such as the HiFiMAN HE400SE, can benefit from a more capable source or amplifier.
Can you use open-back headphones in a shared room?
You can, but the sound leakage may disturb other people. Open-back headphones are generally better suited to a private or quiet room where the leakage is not a concern.
Is the HiFiMAN HE400SE good for gaming?
Yes. Its open-back planar magnetic design provides a spacious presentation with good imaging and instrument separation. It is also useful for music and movies, making it a versatile option for someone who wants one headphone for several types of entertainment.
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3 still a good gaming headset?
Yes. The ATH-GDL3 is still a good gaming headset, particularly for gamers who value a very lightweight design, open-back sound, a detachable microphone, and simple wired connectivity.
Are open-back headphones good for competitive gaming?
They can be, especially when accurate imaging helps you identify where sounds are coming from. The best choice depends on the headphone’s tuning and imaging rather than simply whether it is oen-back.