Are Open Back Headphones Good for Gaming? | Headset Reviews


Are Open Back Headphones Good for Gaming? This is very common question asked by gamers. The market is flooded with various types of gaming headsets. From surround sound to bone conduction, wireless and noise-canceling headphones, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, the trickiest part is to choose between open and closed-back headphones. And for those wondering,” Are open-back headphones good for gaming?”, this article is just for them.

Pros and Cons of Open Back Headphones

In open-back headphones, the speakers are uncovered, meaning there are more chances for the sound to be saturated in your surroundings. 

Open Back Headphones leak sound

In open back headphones, the earcups don’t hold the sound within the headphones. Therefore, there are more chances of sound leaking out from the headphones.

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Users remain aware of their surroundings

Open-back headphones are usually worn by people in public areas where they need to be more attentive and aware of their surroundings. 

They don’t offer noise-canceling feature

Since these headphones don’t come with a noise-canceling feature, they tend to leak sound. Therefore, whatever you are listening to can be heard by people near you. 

It is a great option for pro gamers

If you like to keep your playlist private, then open back headphones might not be your number one choice. However, for gamers, this is a great option for several reasons. 

For starters, open-back headphones give you more realistic audio, and it doesn’t increase the bass, thereby keeping the sound as authentic as possible.

Moreover, you tend to listen to every sound in your game. From footsteps to shooting guns, flying helicopters, and players attacking from behind, you can hear every single sound during your gameplays.

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They prevent sweat from building up

Another great feature of open-back headphones is the level of comfort it gives to its users. Since these headphones don’t come with tightly fitted ear cups, they let air pass through your ears. 

This helps to prevent moisture and sweat from building up in your ears. You feel more relaxed and comfortable while playing games.

They are light on the ears

Moreover, these headphones are usually less heavy than close back headphones and therefore, they are more portable and travel-friendly headphones.

You can easily use them in public places

Since these headphones don’t cancel out background sounds, you can easily use them in public places, offices, and banks where you need to stay attentive while wearing your headphones. 

Those who work as an operator or have to deal with customers on the front desk can benefit from open-back headphones. 

However, if you like playing games on high volumes, then an open back headphone may not be your best choice. Those who are near your gaming station can listen to what you are listening to and may get disturbed.

However, if you play games in a secluded area where there is no one around you, then you can opt for open-back headphones.

Since there is no one near your gaming room, you can play games on whatever volume you like playing at. Therefore, there are several pros and cons of using open-back headphones. 

Now, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of closed-back headphones in detail. 

Must Read: Top 12 Most Durable Wireless Headphones in 2022

Pros and Cons of Closed Back Headphones

Closed-back headphones offer more bass and if you enjoy games with extra crisp sounds, then a close back headphone is your go to pair of headphones.

Minimum sound leakage

These come with tightly fitted caps and therefore, you get minimum sound leakage. The sound quality, however, is not as natural as you get from open-back headphones.

However, for a more immersive gaming experience where you need to focus more, closed-back headphones come real handy.

They get hot real quick

The only downside is the weight of these headphones. They are comparatively heavy than open-back headphones and get hot real quick. 

Therefore, if you want to invest in closed-back headphones, then it is recommended to invest in a headset with a more soft and flexible body.

You can opt for a plastic exterior, but you need to make sure that they are made of premium plastic and isn’t too clunky or flimsy.

You can also use sweat-absorbing ear cups if you want to keep your ear cups dry and free from excessive moisture.

Related: Open Back Vs Closed Back Headphones For Gaming

No one get disturbed from your music

If you are conscious about what you hear on your headphones in public and don’t want others to get disturbed, then you can opt for closed-back headphones.

Heavy Bass

Moreover, you get to enjoy heavy bass in a more immersive and sound environment. This feature is something you don’t get to experience with open-back headphones.

Ideal for live streams

For competitive gaming, these headphones are usually preferred by gamers. Those who are professional streamers and play games online also prefer wearing these types of headphones.

In a live stream set up, there are several microphones installed. And if one uses an open back headphone during a live stream, then there are chances for the sound to leak out and get amplified by the multiple microphones installed.

This can cause distortion and your overall stream and performance can be badly affected. Therefore, the best way to avoid this is to invest in a closed-back headphone. This is probably one of the best reasons why one should opt for closed-back headphones for playing games.

Moreover, you get more bass and if you want that adrenaline rush that’s synonymous with pro gaming, then you need to invest in a pair of closed-back headphones.

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To Wrap up

No matter what type of headphones you choose, one of the main things you need to consider is the quality of your headphones. Their sound quality and overall built is something you need to check beforehand. No matter how cheap or expensive a pair of gaming headphones you chose for your gaming streams if they are poorly made, then no matter how what you do, they won’t give you pro-level sound quality. When you spend so much time and effort on setting up your gaming system. Getting cheap accessories don’t justify all the hard work that you have put into it. Therefore, we recommend considering all the factors that we have shared in this article to get the right type of gaming headset for your gaming set up.

Usman Mani
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Usman Mani

Md. Usman is a tech enthusiast with an experience of over 10 years in the field of affiliated marketing. He used both of his passions to come up with engaging content that's authentic, compelling and helps users buy the best products online.

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