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Updated: 2026-09-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a do-everything wired gaming headset that seals you off from the room with closed-back cups and memory foam, choose Sennheiser EPOS I GSP; if you need headphones built specifically to lock you into a Meta Quest 2 or Quest 3 with a custom-length cable and a full accessory kit, choose sarlar VR Gaming Headphones.
• Sennheiser EPOS I GSP — biggest strength: closed acoustic, over-ear design with XL memory foam pads that create a real acoustic seal, plus a lift-to-mute boom mic and on-cup volume wheel.
• Sennheiser EPOS I GSP — biggest trade-off: it's a wired, general-purpose headset, so it isn't tailored to a single VR platform and the "noise control" listing (active noise cancellation) sits oddly next to a passive, closed-back design.
• sarlar VR Gaming Headphones — biggest strength: purpose-built for Meta Quest 2/Quest 3 with a custom-length 3.5mm cable, 45mm drivers, enlarged protein ear pads for noise isolation, and a bundle of extras.
• sarlar VR Gaming Headphones — biggest trade-off: it's a niche VR accessory — if you're not using a Quest headset, the custom cable and bundled accessories do far less for you.
• Who each is for: pick the Sennheiser for PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch play with team chat; pick the sarlar for VR sessions where you want to disappear into the headset.
The GSP is a classic closed-back gaming headset, and closed-back is the whole point here. The over-ear cups use XL memory foam pads that press around your ears to form an acoustic seal, which passively attenuates outside noise. That's the practical version of "noise isolating" for most gamers: you're not getting a lab-grade silence bubble, but you are getting a set of cups that keeps the room's chatter, keyboard clatter and fan hum from bleeding into your game. The product description leans into this directly, describing the closed back as the thing that lets you "enjoy your game to the fullest."
For communication, the flexible boom arm can be positioned for the best voice pick-up, and it mutes automatically when you raise it — a genuinely handy feature mid-match when you don't want to fumble for a button. There's also an integrated volume wheel on the right ear cup, so loudness changes happen without dropping out of your game. The ball-joint hinge lets you angle the cups to fit different head shapes, and the 3.5mm jack plus the bundled PCV 05 combo audio adaptor means it travels across PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and smartphones. Drivers are dynamic, with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and 19-ohm impedance, and the sound is tuned bass-heavy for immersion with the crisp mid-range you want for team chat.
Who should buy it: anyone who plays across multiple platforms, wants a mic that's always ready, and values a seal that keeps the outside world out during long sessions. Who should skip it: if your gaming lives entirely inside a Quest 2 or Quest 3, or if you specifically want headphones that were designed around a VR headset's cable routing, this isn't the specialist pick.
The sarlar set is a different animal: it's a VR accessory first. The 3.5mm cable is cut to a custom length for the Oculus Quest 2 and Quest 3, which matters more than it sounds — a too-long cable dangling off a headset you're physically moving around in is a genuine annoyance, and a matched length keeps things tidy with minimal latency. Inside, 45mm large-aperture drivers handle the audio, and the enlarged protein ear pads are the noise-isolating element: they're built to block outside noise so you stay inside the VR experience.
Comfort is clearly a priority in the design. The fuselage is lightweight, and the protein ear pads and headband are meant to support extended VR sessions — the kind where you're standing, turning and ducking for an hour, not sitting still at a desk. The adjustable headband helps it settle onto different head sizes.
Then there's the accessory bundle, which is unusually complete for this category: an extended headphone cable, a VR lens protect cover, a Velcro tie, a microfiber cleaning cloth and a carrying case. If you've priced out those items separately for a Quest setup, you can see why sarlar treats them as part of the package.
Who should buy it: Quest 2 or Quest 3 owners who want better audio than the headset's built-in speakers, a cable that doesn't get in the way, and a kit that protects the lenses and carries the whole thing. Who should skip it: anyone gaming on PC, console or Switch as their primary platform — the custom-length cable and VR-specific accessories won't earn their keep, and the Sennheiser's boom mic is a better fit for voice chat.
• Best for noise isolation while gaming → both lean on padding rather than electronics, but the Sennheiser's closed acoustic cups and XL memory foam seal are the more versatile option; the sarlar's enlarged protein pads are tuned for blocking out the real world during VR.
• Best for voice chat and team play → Sennheiser EPOS I GSP, thanks to the flexible lift-to-mute boom mic and integrated volume wheel.
• Best for VR immersion on Quest 2/Quest 3 → sarlar VR Gaming Headphones, with its custom-length cable and minimal-latency wired connection.
• Best for multi-platform gaming → Sennheiser EPOS I GSP, which covers PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Switch and smartphone via 3.5mm.
• Best for long-session comfort in VR → sarlar, with its lightweight body, protein ear pads and adjustable headband.
• Best bundle out of the box → sarlar, which includes an extended cable, lens protect cover, Velcro tie, cleaning cloth and carrying case.
• Best for big-driver sound → sarlar's 45mm drivers are the larger aperture on paper; the Sennheiser's tuning targets bass-heavy immersion with clear chat audio.
• Best for buyers who want one headset for everything → Sennheiser EPOS I GSP.
In my opinion, the Sennheiser EPOS I GSP is the safer buy for most people, because it works across nearly every platform you own, ships with a proper boom mic, and its closed-back memory foam design gives you the noise-isolating seal the keyword is really about — without tying you to one headset. I'd only steer you to the sarlar VR Gaming Headphones if your gaming is genuinely VR-first on a Quest 2 or Quest 3. In that case the custom-length cable, lightweight fit and accessory bundle make it the more thoughtful choice, and the noise-isolating protein pads do exactly what a VR player needs. Two different jobs, two different winners — pick the one that matches where you actually play.
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise isolation headphones reduce how much outside sound reaches your ears using physical design rather than electronics — typically closed-back cups and thick, sealing ear pads. Both headsets here work this way: the Sennheiser uses closed acoustic cups with XL memory foam pads, and the sarlar uses enlarged protein ear pads to block outside noise.
are noise cancelling headphones good for gaming
That depends on the type. Active noise cancellation uses electronics to cancel ambient sound, while passive isolation relies on the seal of the cups and pads. The Sennheiser GSP is described as a closed acoustic headset with passive attenuation from its memory foam pads, although its control listing names active noise cancellation — so check which behavior you actually want before buying. For gaming, a good seal is usually what keeps you focused.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
There's no single answer, because "best" depends on your platform. If you need a mic, multi-platform support and a closed-back seal for PC, console or Switch play, I'd point you to the Sennheiser EPOS I GSP. If your gaming is VR on a Quest 2 or Quest 3 and you want a custom-length cable with noise-isolating protein pads, the sarlar set is the one I'd pick.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes, though many gaming headsets — including these two — rely on passive isolation from closed cups and padded ear pads rather than electronic cancellation. The Sennheiser GSP is built as a closed acoustic headset for a focused, immersive experience, and the sarlar VR set is explicitly designed to block outside noise so you stay immersed.
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