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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• PHOINIKAS biggest strength: 40mm dynamic drivers, over-ear sound isolation, a noise-cancelling mic, and a 3.5mm jack that reaches PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, Xbox Series X/S, laptops, iOS, and phones.
• PHOINIKAS biggest trade-off: it is wired only, it is built around a smaller head circumference, and older Xbox One consoles need a separate Microsoft adapter that is not in the box.
• ZRTXBA biggest strength: a two-pack of USB-C in-ear buds with passive noise isolation, an inline one-button remote, and a built-in mic — plug and play on iPhone 15/16/17, iPad, MacBook, Galaxy, and Pixel.
• ZRTXBA biggest trade-off: no over-ear cups, so isolation is only as good as the tip seal, and it only fits devices with a USB-C port.
• Pick PHOINIKAS if you play on a console or PC and want one headset for long sessions.
• Pick ZRTXBA if you want something small for calls, travel, and phone audio.
The PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset is the classic wired-gaming formula, and it leans hard into isolation. The over-ear design uses breathable materials that the spec sheet ties directly to enhanced sound insulation, and the noise control is listed as sound isolation rather than active cancellation. In practice that means the cups and the padding are doing the work of keeping the room out and keeping the game in — no battery, no pairing, no charging cable to remember.
The core of it is a 40mm dynamic driver with 32 ohm impedance and a 20Hz–20,000Hz range. That combination is what the brand points to for the stereo surround soundstage: precise acoustic positioning and sensitive speaker units so footsteps, engine noise, and directional cues land where they should. There's a noise-cancelling mic on board plus a volume wheel under the ear cup. One thing to know: there is no separate mute button, so the wheel is your only on-headset control, and the headset has no light.
Who should buy it: console and PC players who want a durable wired headset with a boom mic and real passive isolation, and who like the idea of never thinking about a battery. Who should skip it: anyone with a larger head circumference, since the fit is tuned for smaller heads, and anyone who wants wireless freedom or a dedicated mute button. If you mostly listen on a phone, this isn't the shape you want.
ZRTXBA USB C Headphones: Who It's For
The ZRTXBA USB C Headphones go the opposite direction: small, in-ear, and built for devices that no longer have a headphone jack. You get two identical sets in the box, which is genuinely useful if you keep one at home and one in a bag. The connection is USB-C, the driver is a dynamic type with a 20Hz–20,000Hz range, and noise control is listed as passive noise cancellation — in-ear tips physically blocking outside sound rather than electronics doing it.
The spec sheet calls out a built-in DAC chip, which is the piece that keeps the digital-to-analog conversion clean and the audio high-resolution without buzzing or popping. Metal-plated connectors are there to cut down on poor contact, and the 1.2-meter cable is described as stretch resistant. The inline remote is the other headline: one button handles answer/end, reject, play/pause, and volume, so you're not digging your phone out mid-call. The high-sensitivity built-in mic covers driving, work calls, video conferencing, and gaming.
Compatibility is the widest part of the pitch — iPhone 17/17 Pro/17 Pro Max, 16 series, 15 series, iPad Pro 12.9 and 11-inch, iPad Air 4/5, iPad Mini 6, MacBook and MacBook Pro, Galaxy S25/S24/S23/S22/S21/S20, and Pixel 9 down through the older Pixel generations, plus other USB-C devices. It's rated for adults and carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty, which is a longer coverage window than most small earbuds offer.
Who should buy it: commuters, students, and anyone on calls all day who wants a spare pair and doesn't want to charge anything. Who should skip it: gamers who want an over-ear headset with a boom mic, and anyone still on a device with a 3.5mm jack but no USB-C port.
• Best for noise isolating gaming headphones → PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset. Over-ear cups plus a noise-cancelling mic and a 40mm driver tuned for positional audio.
• Best for phone and tablet audio → ZRTXBA USB C Headphones. USB-C plug-and-play with a built-in DAC and an inline remote.
• Best for console play → PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset. PS5, PS4, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S via 3.5mm; just budget for the Microsoft adapter on older Xbox One.
• Best for calls on the go → ZRTXBA USB C Headphones. One-button call control and a high-sensitivity mic in a package that lives in your pocket.
• Best for long sessions without charging → PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset. Fully wired, no battery to manage, breathable over-ear padding.
• Best for keeping a spare → ZRTXBA USB C Headphones. Two sets in one box.
• Best for smaller heads → PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset. The fit is explicitly designed for smaller head circumferences.
• Best for USB-C-only devices → ZRTXBA USB C Headphones. If your phone dropped the headphone jack, this is the one that connects.
• Warranty coverage → ZRTXBA USB C Headphones carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty versus 1 year on the PHOINIKAS.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the PHOINIKAS Gaming Headset — but only because this comparison is about noise isolating gaming headphones, and that's exactly the job it was built for. The over-ear isolation, 40mm driver, noise-cancelling mic, and broad console compatibility line up with what a gamer actually needs, and the wired design means it just works every time. The ZRTXBA is the better pick the moment your priority shifts to phone calls, travel, or USB-C simplicity. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the one thing specs can't tell you.
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise isolation means the headphones physically block outside sound rather than cancelling it electronically. The PHOINIKAS uses over-ear cups with breathable padding for sound insulation, while the ZRTXBA relies on in-ear tips — both are listed as isolation/passive, not active cancellation.
are noise cancelling headphones good for gaming
Passive isolation is genuinely useful for gaming because it cuts room noise without adding latency or a battery. The PHOINIKAS pairs that isolation with a 40mm dynamic driver and stereo surround tuning, which is the setup most players want for positional audio.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
There's no single answer, but for a wired, isolation-first pick the PHOINIKAS checks the boxes: over-ear fit, 40mm drivers, a noise-cancelling mic, and a volume wheel under the ear cup. It's my recommendation for console and PC players who don't want to charge anything.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes — though many "gaming" sets, including the PHOINIKAS, use passive sound isolation rather than active noise cancellation. If you want true active cancellation you'd be looking at a different category entirely, and you'd be paying for a battery and electronics you don't need for gaming.
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See also: XOSDA 10 vs AOC Gaming Headset: Teen Headphones, PRIME ANIS Gaming Headphones vs GTaiTia USB-C, EKSA USB Gaming Headset vs AOC Headset: Wireless Noise