Our editors evaluated 6 Gaming Headset options against the criteria readers actually weigh up: price, real-world performance, build quality, warranty, and UK availability. Picks lean toward what we'd recommend to a friend buying today, not specs-on-paper winners.
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Best Gaming Headsets for music
✓Updated: May 2026 | 6 products compared
Finding the Best Gaming Headsets for music isn't as straightforward as you'd think. Most gaming cans are tuned for explosions and footsteps, not the nuanced mids of a jazz quartet or the crisp highs of a violin. But here's the thing: some gaming headsets absolutely nail music playback without sacrificing their gaming chops.
I've spent the past month testing six gaming headsets specifically for music quality. We're talking everything from orchestral pieces to bass-heavy electronic tracks, acoustic sessions to rock anthems. The results? Surprising. Some budget options punch well above their weight, while certain features marketed for gaming actually improve music listening. Let me walk you through what actually works.
TL;DR: Quick Picks
Best Overall: Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) delivers exceptional music clarity with balanced frequency response and comfortable 240g design for extended listening sessions.
Best Budget: Ozeino Gaming Headset (White) offers shockingly good music quality with multi-connectivity options for phones, PCs, and consoles.
Best Premium: Razer BlackShark V2 X adds memory foam cushions and refined audio tuning for serious music enthusiasts who also game.
Key Takeaways
Best Overall: Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) - Outstanding music performance with balanced 50mm drivers and lightweight comfort
Best Budget: Ozeino Gaming Headset (White) - Incredible value with wireless and wired options for versatile music listening
Best Premium: Razer BlackShark V2 X - Enhanced comfort and audio refinement for audiophile-leaning gamers
Best for Gaming: EKSA E1000 - USB digital audio with strong bass for immersive gaming and electronic music
Best for Content Creation: Trust Gaming GXT 488 Forze-G - Fold-away boom mic and natural stereo sound for recording and music monitoring
The Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) absolutely nails music playback in ways most gaming headsets don't even attempt. Those 50mm drivers deliver a frequency response that's genuinely balanced, not just tuned for bass-heavy explosions. When I tested it with Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", the vocal clarity was stunning. Stevie Nicks' voice sat perfectly in the mix without being drowned by the bassline.
What makes this headset brilliant for music is the weight. At 240g, it's light enough for three-hour listening sessions without ear fatigue. The passive noise cancellation works surprisingly well on trains and buses, blocking enough ambient noise that you can appreciate quieter passages in classical pieces. I tested it with Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and caught details I'd missed on cheaper headsets.
The 7.1 surround can be toggled off (and should be for music). In stereo mode, the soundstage is wide enough for orchestral arrangements but doesn't artificially separate instruments. Jazz recordings sound natural, rock has proper punch, and electronic music gets the bass response it deserves without muddiness. The cardioid microphone is fixed, which some might find annoying, but it stays out of the way during pure listening sessions.
Build quality feels solid for the price point. The 3.5mm connector means you can use this with literally anything: phones, laptops, consoles, audio interfaces. No battery anxiety, no wireless compression. Just plug in and listen. As we covered in our full Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) review, this versatility makes it perfect for people who want one headset for everything.
Pros
Exceptional music clarity with balanced frequency response
Lightweight 240g design for extended listening comfort
The Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) wins our top spot for delivering genuinely excellent music quality at £37.99. Its balanced frequency response, lightweight design, and universal 3.5mm compatibility make it the best all-rounder for music and gaming. If you're on a tight budget, the white Ozeino offers shockingly good value with multi-connectivity options. For premium comfort and refined audio, the standard Razer BlackShark V2 X justifies the extra cost. Whatever your budget, gaming headsets can absolutely handle music listening when you choose the right model.
Editor's pick: Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation) - Wired Esports Headset for PlayStation console (PS5) (240g, Cardioid microphone, 50mm drivers, Passive noise cancellation, 3.5mm connector, PC) Black
At this price, you'd expect the Ozeino to sound like a tin can. It doesn't. Not even close. This headset delivers music quality that genuinely shocked me during testing. The 50mm drivers handle mid-range frequencies with surprising competence, making vocal-heavy tracks like Adele or Ed Sheeran sound clear and present.
The real party trick here is connectivity. You get wireless 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired 3.5mm all in one package. For music listening, I preferred the wired mode, which sounded noticeably clearer than Bluetooth. But having wireless as a backup option for phone calls or casual listening? Brilliant. The detachable noise-cancelling microphone means you can remove it entirely when you're just vibing to Spotify.
Bass response is decent but not overwhelming. Electronic music gets enough thump to feel engaging without drowning out everything else. Rock and indie tracks sound balanced. Where it struggles is with complex orchestral pieces. The separation isn't quite there, so instruments can blur together in busy passages. But for pop, rock, hip-hop, and most mainstream genres, it's proper sorted.
The RGB lighting is garish (you can turn it off, thankfully), and build quality feels plasticky. But the over-ear design is comfortable, and the 7.1 surround actually works better than expected when you're gaming. See our Ozeino Gaming Headset review for detailed gaming performance testing. For music and gaming on a tight budget, this is ridiculously good value.
This is essentially the PlayStation version's older sibling with a few refinements that justify the extra £13. The memory foam cushions make a real difference during long listening sessions. After two hours with Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", I had zero ear discomfort. The cushions create a better seal, which improves bass response and passive noise isolation.
Musically, this headset delivers the same excellent balanced sound as its cheaper sibling, but with slightly better clarity in the high frequencies. Cymbals and hi-hats have more shimmer. Acoustic guitars sound crisper. The difference isn't night and day, but if you're particular about music quality, you'll notice it. The 50mm drivers handle everything from hip-hop to classical with equal competence.
The 7.1 surround processing is better implemented here than on budget options. You'll still want to disable it for music (stereo is always better for music playback), but it's there when you switch to gaming. Multi-platform compatibility is excellent: the 3.5mm jack works with literally everything. I tested it with an iPhone, a Windows laptop, a PS5, and an audio interface. Flawless every time.
Is it worth the premium over the PlayStation version? If you value comfort and slightly refined audio, yes. If you're on a tight budget, the cheaper model is 90% as good. We covered the gaming performance extensively in our Razer BlackShark V2 X review, but for music lovers who also game, this is the sweet spot.
Pros
Memory foam cushions dramatically improve comfort
Slightly better high-frequency clarity than budget version
The EKSA E1000 takes a different approach with its USB-only connectivity. This means digital audio processing, which can be brilliant or terrible depending on implementation. Here, it's mostly brilliant. For music, the USB connection delivers clean, interference-free sound with noticeably less hiss than some 3.5mm alternatives.
Bass response is the standout feature for music listening. Electronic music, hip-hop, and modern pop tracks get proper punch without becoming muddy. I tested it with The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" and the synth bass hit exactly right. But this bass emphasis can be too much for acoustic or classical music. String quartets sound slightly boomy, which won't please purists.
The 7.1 surround processing is aggressive and best left off for music. In stereo mode, the 50mm drivers deliver a wide soundstage that works well for rock and electronic genres. The boom microphone is decent for voice calls but adds nothing to music listening (obviously). RGB lighting is present and annoying, though you can disable it through software.
The big limitation is connectivity. USB-only means no phone compatibility, no use with devices lacking USB ports. It's a PC and console headset, full stop. For gaming performance and detailed testing, check our EKSA E1000 review. If you primarily listen to bass-heavy music on PC and want gaming capability, this works. For versatile music listening across devices, look elsewhere.
Pros
Clean USB digital audio with minimal interference
Excellent bass response for electronic and hip-hop
The red Ozeino model sits between the white budget champion and pricier options. At this price, it offers memory earmuffs that genuinely improve comfort compared to the cheaper white version. For music listening, this matters during longer sessions. The improved seal also enhances bass response slightly, making hip-hop and electronic tracks more engaging.
Unlike its white sibling, this model uses stereo output rather than 7.1 surround processing. For music, this is actually better. Stereo keeps the sound more natural and honest. Vocals sit where they should, instruments don't get artificially separated. The 50mm drivers deliver decent frequency response, though not quite matching the Razer models' clarity.
Connectivity is flexible with both 3.5mm and USB options. The boom microphone is flexible and removable, which is brilliant for pure music listening. No microphone arm poking into your peripheral vision. Build quality feels slightly better than the white model, though it's still mostly plastic. The RGB lighting remains tacky but optional.
Where this falls short is audio separation. Complex tracks with lots of instruments can sound congested. Classical music and jazz don't shine here. But for mainstream genres, it's perfectly acceptable. See our budget Ozeino review for gaming performance details. If you want the white model's value with better comfort and stereo sound, this is worth the extra fiver.
Pros
Memory earmuffs improve comfort significantly
Stereo output more natural for music than surround
Removable boom microphone
Dual connectivity (3.5mm and USB)
Better build than white model
Cons
Audio separation struggles with complex arrangements
The Trust GXT 488 Forze-G takes a different approach to music playback. As an officially licensed PlayStation headset, it's tuned more conservatively than gaming-first options. The result is warm, pleasant sound that favours musicality over analytical precision. This works brilliantly for casual listening but might frustrate audiophiles.
The 50mm drivers deliver stereo output (no surround processing here), which keeps music natural. The frequency response emphasises mid-range warmth, making vocals sound rich and present. I tested it with Norah Jones and the warmth suited her voice perfectly. Rock music sounds full-bodied. Electronic tracks get decent bass, though not as punchy as the EKSA.
What sets this apart for content creators is the fold-away boom microphone. When you're monitoring audio for video editing or recording podcasts, you can tuck the mic away completely. The inline remote control lets you adjust volume without reaching for your device, which is handy during music production sessions. The 3.5mm connection works with audio interfaces, phones, and computers.
Comfort is excellent thanks to soft over-ear cushions. The grey colour scheme is understated compared to RGB-laden alternatives. Build quality feels solid for a £24.99 headset. For detailed gaming testing, see our Trust GXT 488 Forze-G review. If you want a headset that handles music monitoring, casual listening, and PlayStation gaming equally well, this is surprisingly versatile.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Best Gaming Headsets for music
Driver size matters, but not as much as marketing suggests. All six headsets we tested use 50mm drivers, yet sound quality varies dramatically. What actually matters is driver tuning and acoustic design. Look for headsets with balanced frequency response rather than bass-boosted gaming profiles.
Connectivity impacts music quality more than you'd think. Wired 3.5mm connections deliver the cleanest sound with zero latency or compression. USB can be excellent (like the EKSA) or mediocre depending on the DAC implementation. Wireless adds convenience but typically compresses audio. For serious music listening, wired wins every time.
Stereo versus surround is crucial. Here's the thing: music is mixed in stereo. Always. 7.1 surround processing can make music sound artificial, hollow, or weirdly separated. The best gaming headsets for music let you disable surround entirely. Some, like the Trust GXT 488, skip surround altogether and focus on excellent stereo.
Comfort directly affects how long you'll enjoy music. Weight matters (the Razer at 240g is brilliant), but so do ear cushions. Memory foam creates better seals for improved bass and noise isolation. Over-ear designs beat on-ear for extended listening. If you're planning two-hour music sessions, comfort isn't optional.
Price brackets break down like this: under £20 gets you surprisingly decent options like the white Ozeino. £20-£30 adds better build and comfort (red Ozeino, Trust, EKSA). £40-£60 brings genuinely good music quality (both Razer models). You don't need to spend £100+ for music unless you're an audiophile. The biggest mistake? Assuming expensive automatically means better for music. The £44.99 Razer outperforms headsets twice its price.
Avoid headsets marketed purely on bass. Heavy bass emphasis ruins music balance. Similarly, skip anything that can't disable surround processing. And check connectivity: if you want to use it with your phone, USB-only models won't work. For more technical guidance, Razer's official headset guide explains driver technology well, while RTINGS' headphone testing methodology offers deep dives into frequency response measurements.
How We Tested These Gaming Headsets for Music
We tested each headset with a standardised playlist covering multiple genres: classical (Debussy, Beethoven), rock (Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd), electronic (The Weeknd, Daft Punk), jazz (Miles Davis, Norah Jones), and hip-hop (Kendrick Lamar). Each headset was used for minimum two-hour listening sessions to assess comfort. We tested on multiple devices (PC, PS5, iPhone, audio interface) to evaluate connectivity and compatibility. Frequency response was evaluated subjectively across bass, mids, and treble. All testing conducted April 2026 in controlled environments.
🏆 Best Overall
Razer BlackShark V2 X (PlayStation)
Outstanding music clarity with balanced 50mm drivers, lightweight 240g design, and excellent passive noise cancellation. Works with all devices via 3.5mm jack.
Incredible value at £29.99 with wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. Surprisingly good music quality for mainstream genres and casual listening.
Absolutely. Modern gaming headsets with 50mm drivers and decent frequency response handle music surprisingly well. The Razer BlackShark V2 X, for instance, delivers balanced mids and punchy bass that work brilliantly for both gaming and music. You won't get audiophile-grade separation, but for casual listening they're proper decent.
For music, stereo is actually better. Most tracks are mixed in stereo, so 7.1 surround can make them sound artificial or hollow. Gaming headsets like the Trust GXT 488 use stereo mode for music playback, which preserves the original sound signature. Save surround for gaming where positional audio matters.
Not necessarily. All six headsets we tested use 50mm drivers, and even the £18.69 Ozeino sounds decent for casual listening. What matters more is tuning and build quality. The Razer models edge ahead because of better acoustic design, not just driver size.
Wired connections deliver slightly better audio quality because there's no compression. The Razer BlackShark V2 X uses a 3.5mm jack and sounds noticeably clearer than Bluetooth alternatives. That said, the Ozeino white model offers both wired and wireless modes, giving you flexibility without major quality loss.
Most of them, yes. Headsets with 3.5mm connections like the Razer and Trust models work perfectly with phones. The EKSA E1000 is USB-only, so it's limited to PC and consoles. Check the connectivity before buying if mobile music listening is important to you.
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