• Limited to 10 meters (approx)
• Consumes less power
• Requires less bandwidth
• Fewer security features

• Range limited to 100 meters (approx)
• Consumes more power
• Requires more bandwidth
• More security features

The Penrose is one of the best headset options for console owners due to the fact that it specifically comes in an Xbox and PlayStation variant. These come natively compatible with each respective gaming system (plug & play) and use wireless audio via the included USB dongle. These will also work with PC and MAC via the dongle, as well as USB-C with the included charging cable. The Penrose comes equipped with Bluetooth as well to mobile devices, PC, etc, and makes for a much more affordable entry point to high-fidelity gaming audio than the big brother Mobius. The Main differences are that the Penrose does not include head-tracking technology and comes with a different broadcast-quality microphone. If you're a console player, the Penrose should definitely be a consideration.

The Mobius is the Penrose's big brother, with added technology that makes even the most seasoned gamer say, "whoa." 3D head tracking is the real star of the Mobius, along with the same excellent-sounding planar magnetic drivers that will make your music and game audio level up. The on-ear volume and mic controls make for easy adjustment on the fly and the rugged construction will assure that it will still be fine after your latest rage-quitting episode. The Mobius is one of my favorite gaming headphones on the market, but I also really enjoy using them for listening to music. The closed-back design of the planar driver gives tons of energy to the music - great accuracy, spatial audioimaging, and just an overall pleasant sonic experience. The head tracking is a neat feature and shines in VR scenarios, as well as lets you experience your favorite music in a whole new way. Connect via the USB-C for USB audio on a PC, or use Bluetooth and high-resolution codecs to go wireless. The detachable boom mic is nice when you just want to listen to music and comfortability is top-notch. The Mobius is the best of both gamer and audiophile worlds for a headphone under $500.

If you're looking for a true audiophile-grade headphone that can do double-duty as a gaming headset then look no further. The Ananda BT is almost identical to its wired counterpart, except for the omission of the headphone jacks and the addition of a boom mic. The "BT" stands for Bluetooth since the physical headphone jacks are removed and it's the only way other than the USB cable to use it. Back when we reviewed the Anandas we were simply amazed at the sound quality and fidelity coming from a pair of wireless headphones. The large, open-back planar drivers are going to bring out amazing details in your gaming sessions, and the added [removable] boom mic will allow you to talk smack to the opposing team to your heart's content. Keep in mind that because these are Bluetooth and USB Audio only, they will not be compatible for console owners without 3rd party solutions. If running USB Audio out, then the PS5 will be compatible. The Ananda BT makes one of the best hi-res wireless options for those wanting to game on PC, MAC, Switch, or mobile.

If you're already an audiophile, then the format of the LCD-GX probably looks pretty familiar already. The LCD-GX is stylistically a lot like Audeze's other LCD lineup of headphones, only this time they offer you a cable option with a built-in microphone. The nice thing about the mic is that it's terminated before the headphones, meaning you can swap it out at any time for a regular cable (included) for listening to music. The departure from other headsets on this list is that the LCD-GX doesn't have any of the other wireless connection options for audio. That being said, we also recommend pairing the LCD-GX with a headphone amplifier to get the full potential from the planar-magnetic drivers. The open-back design will also provide a great soundstage and airiness to your music and game audio alike. The Audeze LCD-GX is one of the most premium headset options to upgrade your gaming experience when it comes to sound and fidelity.

The Momentum 4 is Sennheiser's latest wireless noise-canceling headphone. They've made some great updates this year, and the new styling is similar to the popular Sony WH-1000XM5. The sleek black design, minimalist ear cups with added gesture/touch controls, and improved comfort make the Momentum 4 a serious contender for best do-it-all headphone. Where the Momentum 4 surpasses the XM5 is when it comes to the sound quality. Sennheiser has always had some of the best analytical audiophile-grade sound quality in all their headphones, no matter the cost, and the Momentum 4 trumps other consumer-grade ANC headphones in this regard. Clear, detailed, with plenty of bass - it's the crispness of the sound that stands out. I had a blast using these on-the-go with my Nintendo Switch, and the added noise-canceling aided in the overall immersion while gaming on the couch or wherever. If you prefer better sound quality over noise-canceling or other smart-app integration, then be sure to check out the Sennheiser Momentum 4. Your games and music will thank you.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is one of our favorite multi-purpose headphones at Moon Audio. This thing not only does it all, but it sounds dang good while doing it. Hi-res Bluetooth, wired, noise-canceling, built-in mic, gesture/touch controls, app integration, and more, the XM5 is the swiss-army knife for almost every ergonomic scenario. Sony's headphones and sound signature put you "in the action" with a close soundstage and V-shaped signature, making it a great option for gaming. The noise-canceling is the best on the market, and if you're gaming in a noisy environment and want to block everything out but your game, then there is no better option than the XM5. They're extremely efficient as well, so you won't need any external amplification, which also saves on the excellent battery life when used passively. Connecting via Bluetooth will prevent them from working natively with console, but there are workarounds. Gesture controls are great and let you make quick adjustments during gaming sessions (great for mobile or streaming on phones). The newer style and driver design for 2022 also improves comfort and sound quality over the previous generation, which is why we recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5 every chance we get.

For under $500, HiFiMan brings their flagship-level tech from their Susvara all the way down to the Sundara, with their amazing-sounding stealth magnets technology. The Sundara is a closed-back planar magnetic driver, that creates highly-detailed and accurate sound reproduction. The ear cup design is reminiscent of the popular R10 series and helps add a much larger soundstage than other closed-back headphones. The Sundara is a great headphone for gaming due to the fact that they are easy to drive as well, and whereas you won't necessarily need an external headphone amp, we always recommend throwing as much power as possible at planar drivers for better performance. There is no USB or digital technology on the headphone, so you'll need to connect via the wired audio connection to your console controllers (via 3.5mm), the Switch, and/or PC. If you're looking for a no-frills great sounding headphone for gaming AND listening to music then look no further.

Lucky for this list, the Bathys was just released. Like the Sony XM5, the Bathys can do a lot, only when it comes to sound quality, it can do it a lot better. Focal put a lot of tech into their first noise-canceling headphone, and needless to say, it delivers. I don't think the noise canceling compares to the XM5, but it's effective, and combined with Focal driver technology, it delivers a much more premium sonic experience. But that is to be expected since the Bathys is twice the price of the XM5. The Bathys has a nice soundstage with plenty of clarity and dynamics, making it a great option for both gaming and music listening. Obviously, you'll be limited (natively at least) as a console user with Bluetooth, but the pairing process works just fine with the Switch and PC. However, you'll be able to use the Bathys wired on all platforms, but know that because of all the tech you'll need to have the headphone powered on for sound. Like the Penrose and Mobius, the Bathys can't be used passively, but I'll happily trade the option to save battery for a superior audio experience, and that's just what the Bathys offers.

If you want the best headphone sound that Sony provides, then you want the MDR-Z1R. It has an incredibly fun and crisp sound thanks to the magnesium dome and HD driver. Like other headphones on this list, you're not going to find any bells and whistles on the Z1R. It's a plug-and-play headphone, only for wired connection. They're also the largest headphones on this list, so they'll be better for at-home use as opposed to taking them on the road (but you could if you really wanted). Despite the size, the Z1R headphone is extremely light and comfortable. The cups are designed that they provide some good spaciousness and the audio sounds just as big as the headphones look. The MDR-Z1R is one of the best headphones at Moon Audio for those who like a fun and energetic sound to their music, and like it's tuned to do well with every music genre, it's also just as compatible with many types of games. That makes it a great choice for gamers AND audiophiles who can't decide which headphones they want. And with a brand like Sony, how could you go wrong?

To top our list of headphones is one that gamers and audiophiles everywhere revere for its grand soundstage and wonderful detail and clarity. The HD800S from Sennheiser is a favorite on both sides of pro and consumer audio, and that's saying a lot. Sennheiser is known for its clean analytical sound, and when it comes to open-back headphones, it's hard to find an equal for imaging and soundstage. That's why it makes for one of the best headphones all around for gaming. You'll want to pair the HD800 S with a headphone amp to get the most from it, but you'll be surprised with the amount of sound detail it will bring to your gaming experiences. The ear cups are large and extremely comfortable, and I find myself wearing them for hours at a time with no fatigue whatsoever. Of course, they are the most expensive headphone on our list too, but there is a reason why big-time streamers and gamers recommend the Sennheiser HD800 S for their setups. Better sound means better immersion which means better gaming experiences all around.

This DAC amp is insane. Of all the gear I've had the pleasure of checking out, reviewing, and testing in the past year, the Gryphon from iFi is by far my favorite device. I recently did a listening test and face-off with the popular mojo 2 a few months ago with everyone here at Moon Audio, and the big takeaway was that even though the Mojo 2 won out based on sound alone, the features and the very close sound quality, in comparison, makes the Gryphon the better buy. Bluetooth, USB Audio, unbalanced and balanced ins and outs, amazing sonic enhancements, and more, in a portable size that you can take with you anywhere? I don't know why you haven't pressed "Add to Cart" yet. It was one of the few products that worked natively with almost every gaming setup we tested. The Burr-Brown DAC chipset is natural-sounding, with plenty of bass response and a fun signature right out of the gate. The XBass and XSpace sound enhancements go a long way to legitimately increase the soundstage and the bass response when you want it. Read more about the Gryphon in the full review if you want, but I'll just save you time: just get one.

The Mojo 2 from Chord Electronics is by far one of the most popular portable DACs on the market. Chord has made some significant updates to the original Mojo portable DAC amp, including the configuration options and the overall amazing sound quality. The Mojo 2 makes an easy addition to any gaming setup due to its ability to connect via USB audio transmission, coax, and optical. Optical was the preferred connection choice for consoles, and USB Audio sounded superb as well on PC and Switch. The additional crossfeed, frequency and EQ adjustments, and revamped menu system makes the Mojo 2 a very customizable device, although the menu system can be complicated and require a bit of getting used to. It is the best-sounding portable DAC on the market in this price range, and the size and power make it the perfect companion and accessory for your gaming setup.

The NEO is one of my new favorite devices. I have one on my desk here and use it daily for my streaming. The NEO is iFi's 3-in-one DAC, amp, and streamer. You can connect it to your system in a variety of ways, including USB, optical, coax, XLR, and RCA. At home, I can do RCA out of my tv to some HD800s, or plug it into my gaming laptop via USB and connect to the XM5 using LDAC for nice clean hi-res audio. It's a versatile device for any setup, and will provide you with all the power you'll need for power-hungry planar headphones. The wireless options are nice too. From the perspective of an audiophile and a gamer, it's been one of my favorite additions to Moon Audio this year - and the price is fairly reasonable too for what you get.

The Diablo from iFi Audio is an incredibly powerful amp and DAC for the size. I mean, we're talking about almost getting into Astell&Kern KANN Alpha and Max territory. The Diablo's flashy red chassis is surprisingly sleek in person, and the form factor reminds me of the Anker portable power banks that are popular on the consumer market. Power is what the Diablo does well, and that power translates into some great-sounding audio. The low-end presence is striking for a device of this size, and textures and richness in the audio help create wonderfully full and dynamic performances. The Diablo has 3 modes: Turbo, Normal, and Eco for adjusting the amount of power and battery life you'll need. Maxing out at 12 hours of battery life, up to 19.2V at 600ohms, the Diablo can pack a punch when needed. If you have some planar magnetic headphones you'll really benefit from this. There are really no bells and whistles to the Diablo, just the quarter inch and 4.4mm headphone jacks, mode switch, and the volume knob which is also power on the front. On the back, there is the SPDIF, 4.4mm output, USB-c for charging and the male USB type A connector. You know what they say: "with great power comes great sound quality."

The Phonitor SE headphone amp from SPL is a great pairing with our favorite top-of-class gaming headphone: the HD800 S from Sennheiser. Drew personally recommends the Phonitor to his HD800 customers because of the output. It's a capable headphone amp for music listening, but I also enjoyed it for a lot of my gaming sessions. You can pair it with an optional DAC - which features the popular AKM 4490 and sounds rich and dynamic. One of the main draws too to the Phonitor is the switchable crossfeed, allowing you to listen and adjust to your game audio and music through headphones, with the sound experience of listening through speakers. Paired with the HD800 S was some of the most exciting auditory experiences I've had while gaming, but it works just as well with any headphones you throw at it, and that's why it makes this list.

The Auris Audio Euterpe headphone amp is a great option for those who want a smooth warm tone to their audio. Equipped with low and high-impedance settings, tubes, an ESS SABRE DAC chip, it also allows you to use digital sources like PC or mobile as well. It even has a built-in headphone stand as it's designed. Speaking of the design, the wood panels make the Euterpe stand out from the crowd, and the design aesthetic screams premium. It's also nice to stack it next to your console if you have it standing up too. I really like playing games through a tube amplifier, and the warmth and body of the sound it produces help the overall immersion when playing with headphones. Power-hungry headphones like planar drivers will sound great with the Euterpe as well. The back has RCA inputs, RCA pre outs, and USB. The Euterpe sounds as good as it looks, and the added horsepower goes a long way in making both game audio and music sound more dynamic and resolute with various headphone setups.

I wanted to make an honorable mention here with the Clarus CODA. The CODA is a handy little USB DAC that works with almost everything. Of course, it won't be compatible with consoles that can't do USB Audio, but it's good for just about everything else. Amazingly clear and detailed sound, no bigger than a flash drive, and it even has manual volume up and down buttons and filter options. It also comes with a USB Type A to C adapter for USB-C connections, making it an incredibly versatile DAC for almost any ergonomic scenario. I always bring a small USB DAC with me everywhere - you never know when you'll need one.