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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Tatybo Gaming Headset — biggest strength: over-ear design with a noise-canceling mic, 7.1 surround sound, dual Bluetooth 5.3 + 2.4GHz wireless, and up to 40 hours of battery life.
• Tatybo Gaming Headset — biggest trade-off: it's a bulky over-ear headset, so it's not something you'd wear running or in the gym, and it relies on voice control rather than touch.
• Monster Open Ear AC311 — biggest strength: open-ear, near-weightless earbuds with touch control, Bluetooth 5.4, IPX5 water resistance, ENC call clarity and up to 30 hours with the charging case.
• Monster Open Ear AC311 — biggest trade-off: open-ear means you get no isolation and no boom mic, and it has no wired 3.5mm option for consoles.
• Pick Tatybo if you game on PS5, PC, Switch or laptop and want directional surround audio plus a dedicated mic.
• Pick Monster Open Ear AC311 if you want touch control headphones for running, commuting, calls and staying aware of your surroundings.
The Tatybo Gaming Headset is a purpose-built gaming headset, and its spec sheet reads like one. It's an over-ear design with nylon earcups and headband and a plastic outer shell, finished in red. Inside there's a dynamic driver covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz — a standard full-range figure, but paired with the headset's 7.1 surround sound processing it's aimed squarely at positional audio: footsteps, reloads, and the direction a fight is coming from in an FPS or battle royale.
The connection story is where it separates from most earbuds. It runs Bluetooth 5.3 and also supports a 2.4GHz low-latency mode, which is the mode you'd want when you care about audio staying in sync with what's on screen. There's also a 3.5mm jack, so you have a wired fallback for consoles and controllers that support it. Tatybo lists compatibility across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Xbox One, Switch, Mac and mobile, which is a wider net than most headsets bother to claim. The built-in noise-canceling mic is there for voice chat, and the battery is rated at 40 hours with a 3-hour charge time — enough that a weekly charging habit is realistic rather than an every-night chore.
Who should buy it: someone who plays on a console or PC, wants a mic that isn't a compromise, and doesn't mind a full-size headset on their head for a few hours at a time. The 3-year warranty description also suggests Tatybo expects this to be a long-term item.
Who should skip it: runners, gym-goers and anyone who wants to hear traffic or a training partner while listening. An over-ear headset with surround sound is the opposite of an awareness-first design, and there's no touch control here — the control method is voice. If you want taps and swipes on the earbud itself, this isn't that product.
The Monster Open Ear AC311 sits on the other end of the spectrum entirely. It's an open-ear earbud with a light black finish, a dynamic driver, and a 16.2mm large driver speaker that Monster describes as delivering rich air-conduction audio. The point of the open-ear shape is that nothing goes into your ear canal — the earbud rests outside it. Monster frames this as reducing the long-term wear discomfort that in-ear designs can cause, and it's the reason these are comfortable for extended listening rather than something you tolerate.
The headline feature for this comparison is touch control. Monster's intelligent touch design lets you tap to answer calls, switch tracks and adjust volume without pulling out your phone, with enhanced sensitivity for quicker feedback. That's the practical difference from the Tatybo: control lives on the earbud, not in your voice or on a boom mic. If touch control headphones are what you're after, this is the one of the two that has it.
Beyond that, the AC311 pairs Environmental Noise Cancellation with the open-ear design — an unusual combination, since ENC here is about cleaning up your voice on calls rather than blocking sound from reaching you. Bluetooth 5.4 handles the connection, which should mean faster pairing and a wider range than the older 5.3 standard. IPX5 protection covers sweat and light rain, so runs, rides and outdoor workouts are fair game. Battery is rated at 30 hours of playback including the charging case, with an 8-hour charge time via Type-C. There's no 3.5mm jack and no wired mode, so this is a wireless-only product.
Who should buy it: runners, cyclists, gym users, commuters and anyone who takes a lot of calls and wants their ears left open. The open design keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings, and the touch controls mean you're not digging for your phone mid-run.
Who should skip it: competitive gamers who want surround sound and a boom mic, and anyone who wants isolation from a noisy office or plane. Open-ear earbuds leak sound in and out by design, and there's no low-latency 2.4GHz mode listed here.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for touch control → Monster Open Ear AC311. Tap to answer calls, change tracks and adjust volume — the Tatybo uses voice control instead.
• Best for battery life on paper → Tatybo Gaming Headset at up to 40 hours, versus up to 30 hours including the case for the AC311.
• Best for workouts and outdoor use → Monster Open Ear AC311. IPX5 sweat and rain resistance plus a near-weightless open-ear fit.
• Best for awareness and safety → Monster Open Ear AC311. The open-ear design doesn't block your surroundings; the Tatybo's over-ear cups do.
• Best for voice chat and calls → split decision. Tatybo wins for gaming comms with a dedicated noise-canceling mic; the AC311 wins for phone calls thanks to ENC and touch-to-answer.
• Best for wired flexibility → Tatybo Gaming Headset. It has a 3.5mm jack; the AC311 has no jack at all.
• Best for all-day comfort in one spot → Monster Open Ear AC311, since the non-in-ear fit avoids the pressure an over-ear headset can create over long sessions.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: are you gaming or are you moving? If you're sitting down at a PS5, PC or Switch and you want positional audio, a real mic and the longest battery of the two, I'd buy the Tatybo Gaming Headset — it's the more capable tool for that job, and the 2.4GHz mode plus the 3.5mm jack give you options the AC311 simply doesn't have. If you're running, cycling, commuting or living on calls and you specifically want touch control headphones that leave your ears open, I'd buy the Monster Open Ear AC311. It's lighter, it's water-resistant, and the touch controls are the feature you'll actually use every day. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one variable a spec sheet can't settle for you.
How to disable touch controls on headphones
On most touch-control earbuds, including designs like the Monster Open Ear AC311, touch controls are managed either through the manufacturer's companion app or by a specific tap-and-hold combination on the earbud itself. The AC311's spec sheet lists touch control as a core feature with no app mentioned, so if you want to switch it off you'd need to check Monster's documentation for your model. If no toggle exists, the practical workaround is to keep the earbuds out of accidental reach or pause playback before handling them.
Why are my headphones controlling my phone
What is touch control on headphones
Touch control means the earbud surface is a touch sensor instead of a physical button. Monster describes enhanced sensitivity on the AC311 so taps give quick feedback, letting you answer calls, change tracks and adjust volume with a finger. It's the main reason someone shops for touch control headphones: no buttons to press, no phone to pull out. The Tatybo Gaming Headset doesn't use touch control at all — its listed control method is voice.
Which is better for gaming, Tatybo Gaming Headset or Monster Open Ear AC311?
For gaming, I'd point you to the Tatybo Gaming Headset. It has 7.1 surround sound for positional cues, a noise-canceling mic for team chat, 2.4GHz low-latency mode and a 3.5mm jack for consoles. The Monster Open Ear AC311 is built around open-ear comfort, touch control and IPX5 sweat resistance, which suits running and calls far more than competitive play.
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