Soundbar vs. Headphones: What is the best audio setup for gaming?

It’s closer than some think, but headsets are narrowly considered the best audio choice for gaming. Ultimately, both of these audio options are configuration dependent, but headsets tend to fit better in more setups than soundbars. That’s not to say that soundbars don’t have their use cases; They’ve come a long way in the last decade, and a quality soundbar can quickly transform any home console setup into an impressive budget home theater experience.

The best gaming headsets, however, come with a series of benefits that adapt well to gamers of all shapes and sizes; Whether you’re casual or competitive, console or PC, or building a budget or high-end setup, the right headset will complement and enhance the way you play your favorite games. They also have headset-specific benefits, like a microphone for multiplayer communication, that soundbars can’t offer.

There is also a third option in this discussion: buy both. Get the best of both worlds; a headset for multiplayer gaming and privacy, and a soundbar for family entertainment and headphone-free listening. If you’re considering either, headsets are the way to go. Read on for more details on exactly why headphones win out, but soundbars are also worth considering.

If you’re a competitive online gamer, headphones are the clear winner; this is due to the way the audio is delivered, as well as software-specific benefits such as positional audio. While soundbars are excellent for large, open stages and booming boss music because of the way they spread sound throughout the room, headphones excel at identifying specific audio cues and locating enemies because the sound is transmitted directly to your ears. The same concept also allows headphones to provide better positional audio, meaning you can better recognize whether an enemy is approaching from the left or right side than if you were wearing a soundbar.

Gaming headsets almost always have built-in microphones. This is essential for multiplayer communication in games where teamwork and execution are essential to success, and it’s also a great way to relax and play board games with friends. Going hand in hand with these conversations, headphones also provide a layer of privacy that soundbars definitely don’t offer. Additionally, many headphone options today offer noise-canceling features and customizable EQ profiles to better target these audio signals and conversations.

Soundbars also need to be positioned, which means you need clear space on your desk or entertainment center (or a wall mount) to house one. Conversely, headphones store easily just about anywhere and don’t require specific positioning for optimal sound. Based on this, it can be annoying to change the volume on a soundbar from across the room (unless it comes with a remote), whereas headsets often have a volume wheel or buttons built in for quick adjustments. Overall, headsets like the Sony Inzone H9 II offer gamers a more robust and applicable set of benefits than soundbars – but there’s still one area where soundbars blow headsets out of the water.

If your gaming setup also serves as a home entertainment system for your family, a soundbar is hands down the best audio setup for gaming. While headphones can still be helpful in preventing game audio from disturbing your family members, the benefits that the best soundbars offer in this situation cannot be overlooked.

For example, if you like to create a fireplace or put music on the TV during the holidays, a soundbar is the ideal partner. The same goes if you like watching movies and TV series with your family. Headphones keep the sound only in your ears, but quality soundbars are able to fill the room with sound, giving you epic, earth-shattering sound as you encounter a boss or watch the protagonist tempt fate.

Soundbars also offer a nice quality of life feature over headphones, that is, you don’t have to wear anything during long gaming sessions. While headphones are generally quite comfortable these days, they can get hot and stuffy after a few hours of constant wear. Likewise, if you’re having trouble finding headphones that fit your head well, a soundbar might be a better option for added comfort.