It might sound great to have gaming headphones, but there are cheaper, and arguably better alternatives. In spite of their popularity, gaming headphones may not be the best choice for you. Check out these three alternatives to gaming headphones that’ll help you save money and make your gaming and listening experience better.
Why gaming headphones aren’t for you:
Gamers shouldn’t shy away from gaming headphones, but they might not be the best option if you’re just starting out. There are a lot of features in gaming headsets that you probably won’t use, so they’re expensive. Most of the time they sound okay and aren’t very comfortable. Due to the closed-backs and sealed designs of gaming headsets, it’s hard to wear them for long periods of time.
You get mediocre comfort, sound quality, and microphone quality with an all-in-one solution. Sadly, you can’t find non-Bluetooth wireless headphones, so here are the best ones. Gaming headphones are the best alternative if 2.4GHz is a must. These alternatives are your gateway to a great audio experience, no matter what your budget is. Although none of these have microphones, they all sound better than built-in mics. In that list is an Amazon Basics microphone, it’s cheap but doesn’t sound like it.
1. Gaming-friendly in-ear monitors
The audiophile community loves in-ear monitors, and some of you might know someone who owns a pair. A new market called “chi-fi” (Chinese high-fidelity audio products) is coming up with crazy cheap IEMs that sound better than any gaming headset up to about $200.
They’re easy to carry around when you’re not gaming. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of ear tips to make sure they fit. Regardless of sound quality, these are worth a shot. You can find some for as little as $50 and they still sound great. That’s already better audio than most gaming headsets when you combine it with the $47 Amazon Basics microphone.
2. Gaming headphones with an open back
You can learn all about open-back headphones and how they differ from closed-back headphones if you haven’t heard about them yet. Gaming is giving open-back headphones more attention, but they’re still underrated. Previously, they were expensive and hard to get, but now there’s a lot of affordable and great-sounding options. Around $80 is the price for the Philips SHP 9500, but it’s often on sale for up to 50% off.
It beats many headphones even triple its price, including the HIFIMAN HE400se. There weren’t many headphones under $400 that used planar magnetic drivers before 2018. A planar magnetic driver’s quick response times make their sound super precise and muddy free. It’s hard to go back once you’ve tried open-back headphones. You can wear them for hours without getting sweaty because they don’t create a tight seal around your ears.
3. Gaming headphones with studio quality
Even though studio headphones sound expensive, audio technology has advanced so much that affordable options sound great. It’s hard to go wrong with Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Shure, or even Sennheiser under $100.
With these brands, you get a lot of experience and technology built into their more affordable products. Find great second-hand deals in your area on eBay or Facebook Marketplace if you want higher-end headphones for $100.
Headphones for gaming aren’t necessary
You might be better off with a wireless gaming headset unless 2.4GHz will be a deal breaker. A game’s audio design gets a lot of time and money, since audio is such an important part of the experience. Try other audio options before spending your money on gaming headphones if you’re just starting out or want a new pair.
