Are Noise Cancelling Headphones Good For Gaming? (Important Facts!) -

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There are three types of noise cancelling—passive, active, and advanced active. Unfortunately, none of the noise-cancelling features has much to do with the essential component of gaming, which is the lack of lag.

Noise-cancelling headphones can be good for competitive, fast-twitch gaming if they are designed for it. For slower, more methodical games, such as RPGs and turn-based strategy, noise-cancelling headphones are perfectly fine.

In competitive, fast-paced gaming—Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Battlefield, etc—it’s crucial that the audio lines up with the action in front of you. Spacial audio and gaming mode options certainly help. It’s extremely helpful to hear footsteps and various sounds around you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Gaming

There is a such thing as noise-cancelling “gaming” earbuds. They’re much like regular earbuds, not the over-the-ear headsets most gamers are used to. These earbuds, like most, feature noise-cancelling technology.

Advantages

If gaming earbuds include noise-cancelling, it stands to reason there are some advantages to using them.

Eliminates excess noise

Improves gaming performance (as long as other factors are present)
Improves the feel of the game
They’re more convenient than traditional headsets

The excess noise is probably the biggest advantage you get from a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds. Reducing outside noise reduces distraction and also improves your own immersion in the game.

They also improve your game, so long as you’re not dealing with lag, especially in fast-paced, FPS-type games. For instance, the Edifier Hecate GX07 earbuds are ANC (Active-Noise Cancelling) earbuds and they are designed to minimize lag.

The feel of the game is improved. Noise-cancelling allows you to hear your surroundings better, so the boost is even more noticeable in FPS games or other, highly competitive games where the sound around you is just as important as what’s in front of you.

They’re also more convenient. Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds are often more portable, and it’s easier to pick them up and run off with your mobile gaming device, syncing whenever you’re ready to.

The added portability is nice, especially since most Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headphones usually have a ton of standby time before the battery dies.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages are noticeable, but as time goes on, the gulf between noise-cancelling headphones and gaming headsets is slowly narrowing.

It’s easy to see with the addition of “gaming” earbuds like the above-mentioned Hecate, along with Razer Hammerheads, Creative Outlier Pros, Gravastar Sirius Pros, and EPOS Audio GTW 270.

A reduction in immersive sound
Lag

Battery Life

One of the problems gamers often point to is how noise-cancelling kind of flattens the overall sound experience. Active-Noise Cancelling to be precise. While that’s true to a degree, it’s becoming less and less of an issue as technology continues to advance.

Lag is the most critical issue with noise-cancelling headphones. If they’re wired, it’s not so much of a problem, though they still can’t match a good gaming headset. Wireless earbuds have always had a problem keeping up with games, especially fast-paced ones.

However, noise-cancelling headphones are catching up, especially in terms of earbuds like the above-mentioned, Bluetooth gaming earbuds. Unfortunately, those very same “gaming” headphones lead us to the next potential disadvantage—battery.

When you place these gaming headphones in gaming mode, utilizing active noise cancelling, it’s a serious drain on the tiny batteries inside them. We’re talking down to two and three hours on a 6 or 7-hour battery (when used for just regular listening). That’s something that needs to improve.

What to Look for in Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Gaming

The number one thing to look for is the word “gaming.” But don’t just stop there. Any headphone manufacturer can claim their headphones are “gaming” headphones. There are a few terms you should keep an eye out for.

Ultra-low latency
Bluetooth 5.0 or later
Noise cancelation (preferably ANC or Advanced ANC)

Low power consumption
Tap or button accuracy
Comfort

If you like to play FPS, especially competitively, low latency is a must, or you’re doing yourself a disservice. The sound has to match up with what’s going on or you will lose the advantage in-game.

Bluetooth technology is steadily advancing, and 5.0 or better is crucial for connection stability. Active-noise cancelation is known for having a semi-deadening effect on the sound. However, with gaming headphones, that effect is often reduced or eliminated.

Low-power consumption is hard to find right now. There is a lot you’re demanding of a pair of gaming earbuds or headphones but, like everything else, the technology is improving.

Bottom Line

Noise-cancelling headphones, in general, are not the best choice for gaming. Fortunately, there are some out there, and they’re made almost exclusively for gaming. Just be sure to study the specs and reviews on anything labeled “gaming headphones or earbuds,” so you know you’re getting what you pay for.