There’s no better way to put the fear of God into your enemies other than sporting a couple of cat ears on your noggin, especially while you’re executing them mid-stream at Apex Legends or Fortnite.
Cute cat ear headphones have been all the rage in Japan and Korea for a few years now, but they’ve recently become mainstream in the west. Even PewDiePie wears cat ear headphones on his videos, and I have to admit: it’s cute, funny, and definitely helps engage with the audience.
So for this lineup, I’m going to list out some of the best cat ear headphones on the market. I’ll explain the specs you need to look out for, along with some original cat ear headphones (and headsets) that will suit your gaming/streaming needs.
| Best Cat Headphones for GamingSee On Amazon |  | Razer Kraken Kitty Gaming Headset | See On Amazon |
| Best Cat Headphones for Casual UseSee On Amazon |  | Censi Cat Ear Headphones | See On Amazon |
| Best Cat Headphones for StreamingSee On Amazon |  | SOMIC G951 | See On Amazon |
| Best Looking Cat Ear HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | EARSARS Pink Gaming Headset | See On Amazon |
| Best Cat Ear Headphones OverallSee On Amazon |  | HECATE Edifier HECATE G2 II | See On Amazon |
| Best Headphones for Battery lifeSee On Amazon |  | YOWU RGB Cat Ear Headphone | See On Amazon |
| Best Cat Ear Headphones For KidsSee On Amazon |  | Riwbox CT-7S | See On Amazon |
| Best Affordable Wireless Cat Ear HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | TCJJ Cat Ear Headphones | See On Amazon |
| Best Cat Ear Headphones That Fit Both Kids and AdultsSee On Amazon |  | Luckyu Wireless Cat Ear headphones | See On Amazon |
| Best Battery Life Kids' HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Mindkoo Cat Ear Headphones | See On Amazon |
If you don’t mind spending a couple of extra bucks for a more immersive gaming experience while also looking cute in the process, then the Razer Kraken Kitty RGB gaming headphones are what you need. It’s got support for high-end 7.1 surround sound, USB wired connectivity, and awesome noise cancellation for the microphone.
Specs
What’s In The Box
The Razer Kraken Kitty RGB headset is the best in the business in terms of performance and quality. Its got outstanding sound quality with THX 7.1 surround sound and fully customizable Razer Chroma RGB.
The cat ear headphones market exploded when Razer flooded the market with these gaming headsets. In terms of design, the ear cups are well-padded, and these cushioned ear pads have a breathable material, making them ideal for long-term gaming sessions.
The overall build quality on these over-ear headphones is pretty solid; everything feels very sturdy, from the adjustable headband to the outer ear cups. Also, the Razer Chroma LED lights offer you the ability to customize tons of RGB colors and effects.
Since these are wired cat ear headphones, the inline controller is quite simple. There is a toggle switch for muting the microphone and an infinitely scrollable control knob for the volume. No more, no less.
The retractable microphone is also simple to use. You can drag it to extend it and adjust it as you see fit. However, I found that it’s best not to bend it all the way up to the headband.
Unfortunately, the device does not include Bluetooth pairing; it’s got a wired-only option with a 4ft long 1/8″ TRRS cable that carries both stereo audio and microphone signals. (Check here for more information about TRS and TRRS headphone jacks)
You can connect these headphones to a desktop PC without a splitter (if you know how to) or you can also use the included two-way splitter cable.
I’ve found that the sound quality is reasonably decent. The overall frequency response is good, and the mids and highs are surprisingly accurate.
However, I have some mixed reservations about the noise reduction capabilities. Although it performs very well against high-pitched background noise (such as air-conditioners and PC case fans), it fails to block out low-mid frequency external noise such as ones emitted by engines and people’s mouths. (Yes, you won’t be able to avoid the he-said-she-said.)
Despite the middling noise isolation, the built-in microphone is quite amazing. I found that my voice comes out very clearly on the other side.
Along with that, the background noise isolation for the microphone is top-notch. Razer should be commended for designing a particularly effective system.
The Censi Cat Ear headphones have a simple design. Nevertheless, you can always rely on them to provide quality audio at an affordable price tag. Even though it’s not the most ideal for PC gaming, it’s great for listening to music and playing some casual games on your phone or Nintendo switch. Besides, the cat ears look great, and they are more flexible thanks to the silicone-based design.
Specs
What’s In The Box
These Censi cat ear headphones are an affordable and reliable alternative. Key features include a 10-hour battery, detachable cat ear design, and foldable ear cups.
Even though these cat ear headphones don’t fit the requirements for a full-pink gaming headset, I believe that the white color scheme (with pink accents on the earcups and cat ears) definitely gives it a more minimalistic and stylish aesthetic.
The headphones have a simple design with lots of plastic incorporated into the housing. However, the surface has a nice finish and the earcups have enough padding to feel comfortable. Unfortunately, these cat ear headphones cannot swivel or rotate; hence, it will be a bit uncomfortable to get used to it.
Also, because of the above reasons, it will be difficult to store and transport these headphones.
In my opinion, the controls on these Bluetooth cat ear headphones are okay for casual music listening but not great for gaming.
The controls are located on the left ear cup, and they are rather basic. There is a power button and a couple of buttons for the volume controls. These aren’t ideal for gaming, and instead, I think these cat ear headphones could have done better with an inline controller.
There are two options available for purchase; you can go with the wired-only cat ear headphones or the Bluetooth ones. I recommend going for the one with the Bluetooth connection because it has a wired option on top of the 10-hour battery life. Besides, the price difference is only around $10.
In regards to the sound quality, I can’t guarantee pitch-perfect frequency response, and experienced audiophiles are going to spot the distortion and lack of rich bass audio right off the bat. Nonetheless, it’s great for casual use, and most listeners won’t have an issue with it.
The microphone is okay, and its recording quality is similar to that of a smartphone; hence, your voice is going to be recognizable, but it’s not going to sound very clean.
Exceptional noise handling is not something you can expect from a $50 pair of headphones. However, these SOMIC G951 gaming headphones can even give those expensive gaming headsets a run for their money. The microphone is that good, and I highly recommend it for anybody who’s looking to do some streaming or multiplayer gaming.
Specs
What’s In The Box
My first impression of the SOMIC G951 Pink Gaming wired cat ear headphones is quite good. These are a solid pair of wired headphones with a sturdy plastic exterior.
What I love most about this headset is the elastic automatically adjustable headband and support for 7.1 virtual surround sound. If you want to buy cat ear headphones for the looks as well as gaming performance, this is quite the bargain.
Unlike many cat ear headphones, these utilize a USB audio cable to interface with a desktop or laptop; hence, they will not work with a mobile phone or other devices that solely rely on a 3.5mm (1/8″) port. Nonetheless, the USB interface allows for a more stable interference-free audio that’s coming straight from the DAC on the headphones itself. (Want to know the difference between an amplifier and a DAC? Check out this article.)
The controls are set up in the left earcup, and it’s got the basics covered with the mic toggle and volume control knob. Apart from that, there are two other buttons for the inbuilt LED light and vibration.
Unfortunately, USB-gaming headsets are supposed to be better than this, and I was a bit disappointed with the sound quality. I could excuse the middling mids and highs, but I draw the line with weak bass, especially when it’s next to nothing.
However, the microphone on this device is surprisingly good. Voices are clear, sound natural, and these wired cat ear headphones do an impressive job of isolating the voice from the background.
Also, there is a small white LED light on the microphone that switches off when you mute the mic.
For cute cat headphones, what matters (the most) is aesthetics. So if you want the cutest pair of cat ear headphones with an all-pink color scheme and RGB cat ears, these EARSARS Pink cat ear headphone is going to be a great choice.
Specs
What’s In The Box
Right off the bat, these EASARS cat ear headphones are quite bulkier than other cat ear headphones, and it’s a good option for anyone with a larger head. (Check here for other large size gaming headset options)
What hooked me in was the 50mm drivers and the cool-looking cat ears (with a limited RGB LED light system). However, I didn’t appreciate the lack of USB support on the wireless cat ear headphones. (The wired headphones have complete USB functionality.)
Also, the wireless mode is only compatible with smartphones and smaller devices; hence, I recommend sticking with the wired USB option if you’re going to be using this for gaming/streaming.
Apart from the aesthetics, the other good thing these cat ear headphones have got going for them is the comfortable fit. The earcups and the underside of the headband are well padded. Even though the closed-back design might get a little hot, it’s not much of an issue.
Unfortunately, these Bluetooth cat ear headphones have subpar sound quality. The bass is not very powerful, and the microphone recording quality is also not up to standard. Considering the price tag, these are definitely not high-quality headphones, and I can only recommend them for aesthetics, not for hardcore gaming.
In terms of “value for money,” the Edifier Hecate G2 II is the best cat ear headphones you can find. It’s got a very attractive price tag (of no more than $50), a decent-looking pink setup with removable cat ears, a wired USB configuration, and a removable microphone with decent noise cancellation. So far, it’s the best (and most viable) pair of cat ear headphones for gaming.
Specs
What’s In The Box
Also featured in our list of the best gaming headsets under $100, the Edifier Hecate G2 II wired headphones are a force to be reckoned with.
My favorite aspects of this cat ear headphone are the affordable price tag, USB functionality, and sturdy design. It’s one of the best cat ear headphones out there and one that very much requires your consideration.
The build quality on these headphones is pretty good. An all-plastic housing may not be the most durable or rugged, but it helps keep the wired and wireless headphones as light as possible. (Thereby lessening the burden on your ears.) Apart from that, I really love the removable cat ears and RGB light despite being limited to several preconfigured patterns and colors.
The controls are also not half bad, there is an inline controller, and it includes a volume control knob, mute button, and two buttons to switch between the preset LED lights configurations. For most gaming/streaming situations, I think this will do a decent job.
Besides, it’s got a USB interface. This ensures that the audio signals have minimal interference and a better DAC delivering sound to the drivers. Even though you won’t be able to use your smartphone or any other device with a 3.5mm port, you will still be able to connect to your gaming PC/laptop or most consoles without any issue. (Except for Xbox.)
I have nothing but good things to say regarding the sound quality of these headphones. They aren’t perfect, and you could do a lot better, but considering that these kitty ear headphones are almost less than $50 (with sound quality better than most cat ear headphones in the $100 range), these, by far, have the best value for money.
The microphone recording quality is also pretty decent as long as there’s not too much noise in the background.
There aren’t a lot of wireless cat ear headphones with RGB support for the ears as well. Powering up the LEDs, especially on the cat ears, can drain a lot of juice. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the YOWU RGB cat ear headphones because these babies can run for almost 20 hours with the lights on and chargeback to 100% within just a couple of hours.
Specs
What’s In The Box
These YOWU RGB Bluetooth headphones are a decent mid-range pair of kitty headphones. When you are buying cat ear headphones, this is one of the first results that will pop up.
What I like most about these wireless headphones is the RGB customization. There is full freedom to set up your own colors on the ear cups and cat ears as long as you figure out how to set up the mobile app. (The instructions and mobile app is written in Chinese.)
I have to say, these are one of the best cat ear headphones in terms of looks because they’ve nailed the cute gamer aesthetic. These wireless headphones can be a bit large, but they aren’t too heavy or uncomfortable to wear. Also, thanks to the sturdy carrying case and the foldable design transporting them are very easy.
The controls are spread out on both ear cups, and they have got the basics covered. There are three buttons on each earcup, with two dedicated for volume control, one button for play/pause, and the remaining three are used for controlling the RGB setup. (Such as the colors, pattern, and power)
The sound quality is quite decent, with somewhat accurate mids and highs. The bass could do with some improvements. Overall, it’s okay for gaming, not so much for enjoying music.
Unfortunately, the in-built microphone is not great. Since it’s located inside the small-sized ear cups, it does a poor job of picking up your voice or even isolating it from the background.
The Riwbox CT-7S wireless cat ear headphones are the best choice for kids. It comes in two beautiful color variants and has RGB cat ears that light up with the music. Also, the headphones have an intuitive control scheme that you couldn’t find even on the best headphones or gaming headsets. These would be a great gift for your nephew or niece.
Specs
What’s In The Box
The Riwbox CT-7S cat ear headphones come in two color variants: purple with green accents and green with blue accents.
The headphones feel quite sturdy, especially the adjustable headband and cat ears. The outer ear cups can look a bit smaller than the headband, but it is very sturdy and feels hard enough to handle a few bumps and scrapes.
However, I’m not so sure about the exposed cable running from the earcups to the headband; a quick tug and this headphone will stop working altogether.
The controls setup is quite impressive though. There are four buttons located on the left earcup, and these allow you to change the volume, skip tracks, switch the LEDs and answer phone calls. It’s quite impressive, especially for a “kids headphone.”
Regarding the sound quality, I wouldn’t exactly call it amazing (since it’s built for kids’ ears), but they are somewhat decent. Mids and highs are okay, and the bass is not too loud or overemphasized. The microphone is not that amazing, but it’s clear enough for answering phone calls.
Also, the 85dB voice limit is a great choice to protect kids’ ears.
The TCJJ Cat Ear Headphones are a great budget-friendly option for kids and adults. These pink-colored headphones look very cute, and they have cool RGB lights on the earcups and cat ears. Also, it supports an SD card, and you can even use it as a standalone MP3 player. A great choice if you’re gift-giving on a budget.
Specs
These TCJJ wireless headphones are not ground-breaking by any means. It’s mostly designed for the cute pink aesthetic. However, it fits children very comfortably thanks to the adjustable headband and well-cushioned ear pads.
Since this is a closed-back headphone, it won’t keep the ears cool. Therefore, I recommend supervising children who are wearing it and making sure they take regular breaks between. Besides, it will give you some time to recharge the device.
Speaking of which, the battery life on this cat ear headphones wireless device is pretty good. The manufacturer claims that the battery charges up in a couple of hours, and it will keep playing music for a total of 10 hours. (Although continuous playback time will depend on the volume level and LED lights.)
The controls are located on the left earcup, and like our top pick, it’s got a fully-featured control panel with options to change volume, skip tracks, answer calls and switch on the RGB lights.
Along with that, there are controls to switch off the Bluetooth mode and enter the standalone mode, where you can use these headphones as an MP3 player. All you need is an SD card with music on it.
Since this is a $20 pair of wireless cat ear headphones, the drivers and the microphone isn’t going to do you any favors. A child might enjoy these cat ear headphones for a while, at least until you teach them about distortion and other aspects to look for when purchasing a good pair of headphones.
These wireless cat ear headphones are great for sharing. Despite being designed for kids, these headphones are flexible enough to fit most adults as long as they don’t have a large head. Apart from the universal fit, these headphones are very affordable and would make a great gift for both children and adults. (Although the adults might notice the low-end build quality.)
Specs
What’s In The Box?
These cat ear headphones by Luckyu have a simple yet efficient design. The headband is a little thin, and the earcups have limited cushioning. Nevertheless, these cat ear headphones will easily fit children and most adults.
Unfortunately, the build quality is not up to standard, the plastic feels cheap, and the whole thing looks like it could snap at any moment. Especially, if you bend them too much in the wrong direction.
As long as you or your children are careful with these, you will have a decent listening experience. For connectivity, the device has Bluetooth along with a 3.5mm port for a headphone jack (included in the box).
The controls are quite simple, there are four buttons with three of them dedicated to the audio. You can change the volume, skip tracks, pause music, and answer calls very easily. The fourth button is used for the RGB settings, where you can switch between seven colors.
However, please note that the RGB lights won’t work when you are using it wired through the headphone jack.
If you’re worried that the kids might break the headphones too easily or it might drain out the battery too soon, then the Mindkoo cat ear headphones will definitely be worth checking out. These headphones have a foldable design and a 900mAh rechargeable battery. So there’s nothing to worry about in terms of durability or ease of use.
Specs
What’s In The Box?
These MindKoo headphones have sturdy and rigid construction. The earcups can fold, and they can also rotate to lie flat on a table. Therefore, it won’t break so easily as long as you (or the kids) don’t fold it in the opposite direction.
The adjustable headband is also well-built with a decent amount of padding on the underside of the headband. All things considered, these cat ear headphones are going to be very comfortable for the kids. (And even for some adults.)
The audio quality on these headphones is quite decent, especially considering the low price tag. The ear cups create an exceptionally good seal around the ears which helps isolate most ambient noise. This helps keep the audio clear and distortion-free. Although, it can make your ears sweaty if it’s too hot outside.
Unfortunately, the microphone recording quality is very poor, and the built-in design does not make it ideal for gaming or answering phone calls.
Here are some quick specs you need to look out for if you’re going to find cat ear headphones to best suit your setup.
Audio Channels: Some of the best cat ear headphones will offer 7.1 surround sound channels for gaming while the more budget-friendly options will stick to stereo. Setting up 7.1 surround sound isn’t so straightforward, you need to download the drivers from the company’s website and follow some installation instructions. (Which may not be in English.) But once it’s set up, you’ll have better positional audio for gaming.
Microphone: Most cat ear headphones will come with a detachable microphone. The quality of the mic depends on how much you’re willing to spend on the headset. Some of the more expensive models will offer noise-cancelling mics that are great for streaming. They will be able to emphasize your voice over ambient noise. I highly suggest checking out the microphone quality if you are serious about gaming with these.
Connectivity Options: Most wireless headphones do a decent job of reducing lag and providing you with hours of playback time on a single charge. However, to have the best advantage over your opponents, I recommend getting a pair of kitty headphones with a USB wired connection.
RGB: Surely if you are going for cat ear headphones, you wouldn’t want to miss out on shiny RGB lights for the cat ears. Fortunately, most headphones on this list have cat ears with RGB lights. However, the degree of customization will be limited as cheaper headphones have only preconfigured colors and effects.
Therefore, if you need to pair your RGB configuration with the rest of your gaming setup, it’s best to go with a headphone that’s got fully customizable RGB system that syncs with your computer such as Razer Chroma RGB or ASUS AuraSync. (Unfortunately, these options are very limited for cat ear headphones.)
Battery Life: If you’re going for a wireless option, the battery life should also be a primary concern. You don’t want your headphones to die while you’re in a tight spot. Always make sure your headphones have at least 8 hours of continuous playback time and don’t trust 20, or 30-hour claims right off the bat. Most of these cat ear headphones can never endure that long, especially while it is powering the RGB lights.
The cat ear headphones (and headsets) didn’t come out till 2014. They are a recent trend that is slowly entering the mainstream. Even though our choices are limited, big-name brands (such as Razer) are taking notice and integrating the cat ear design into their line of gaming headsets.
Hopefully, this list helped you pick out a cute pair of cat ear headphones and if you need some stand recommendations for your headphones, you can check our article about the best headphone stands.