Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK
The 45mm dynamic drivers deliver high-resolution audio from 10Hz to 35kHz, while the closed-back design provides solid sound isolation for immersive gaming. At under 230 grams, it's lightweight for long sessions, and the detachable boom mic with directional pickup ensures clear voice chat. Best for gamers who want a comfortable, wired headset for PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC play.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Elite mic, featherweight build, wired-only focus. Buy it for gaming, leave it at home for everything else.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Mic quality is elite, top 5% of our database 96th
- Featherweight at 230g, you'll forget it's on 94th
- Detachable boom mic and two included cables 87th
- Closed-back isolation is excellent for gaming
Cons
- No ANC, so it's useless on a commute
- Comfort scores are mediocre for long sessions
- Wired only, no Bluetooth or USB-C
- Music playback is just okay, not a do-it-all headset
The proof
Performance
The mic is the star here, sitting in the 96th percentile of our database. That's best-in-class territory for a headset at this price. The 45mm drivers push a 10Hz-35kHz range and handle Hi-Res audio with surprising finesse, landing the sound quality in the top 15% of everything we've tested. The closed-back design keeps game audio in and room noise out, which is exactly what you want for late-night sessions. Connectivity is just a 3.5mm jack, so it's simple and reliable, but don't expect any wireless freedom.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | No |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Stainless Steel |
| Headband | Stainless Steel |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 45 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 10 |
| Freq Max | 35000 |
| Impedance | 45 |
| Sensitivity | 98 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
| Cable Length | 3 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 1 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Boom Mic | Yes |
| Detachable Mic | Yes |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| Gaming Mode | Yes |
vs Competition
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are wireless ANC monsters, but they cost way more and their mics don't touch the GL3's clarity. The JBL Tune 670NC and TOZO HT3 are cheaper wireless options, but they're built for music and commuting, not competitive gaming. If you need Bluetooth and noise cancelling, skip the GL3 entirely. If you need a wired gaming headset with a killer mic, none of those come close.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | JBL Tune 670NC | TOZO HT3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 45 | 30 | 42 | 40 | 32 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 45 | 48 | 480 | - | 32 | 16 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 40 | 60 | 30 | 70 | 90 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK | 32 | 95.7 | 94.3 | 86.7 | 46 | 29.8 | 51.5 | 41.1 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 Compare | 98.2 | 89.4 | 76 | 89.8 | 82 | 80 | 99.3 | 98.7 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 Compare | 98.2 | 82.8 | 76 | 98.2 | 91.3 | 44.5 | 98.4 | 95.1 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98.2 | 99.3 | 94.3 | 99 | 76.6 | 52 | 97.7 | 95.1 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.3 | 76 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.2 | 99.1 | 98.7 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.8 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.7 | 52 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At USD 99 to USD 109 across Newegg listings, the ATH-GL3 is a solid deal if you grab the lower end of that spread. The black version is the one to get if you want the best price, the white model costs the same but sells out faster. For under USD 110, you're getting a mic that competes with headsets twice the price.
Read more
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-GL3 is a wired gaming headset that punches way above its weight where it counts: the mic and build quality. At under 230 grams, it's one of the lightest closed-back headsets we've tested, and the 45mm drivers deliver genuinely detailed sound. But don't expect wireless tricks or ANC, this is a focused tool for gamers who want clarity and comfort over flash.
Common Questions
Q: Does the ATH-GL3 work with PS5 and Xbox Series X?
Yes. The included 1.2m TRRS cable plugs directly into the controller on both consoles. The longer 3m cable with separate mic and headphone jacks is for PC.
Q: Is the microphone detachable?
Yes, the boom mic is detachable. You can pop it off and use the headset as regular headphones, though the sound tuning is still gaming-focused.
Q: How is the comfort for long gaming sessions?
It's incredibly light at 230g, which helps a lot. But our comfort testing puts it in the bottom third of headsets, so if you have a larger head or wear glasses, you might feel pressure after a few hours.
Who Should Skip This
If you want wireless, ANC, or a headset that doubles as your daily music driver, this isn't it. Go grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 instead. The GL3 is a gaming specialist, not a jack of all trades.
Verdict
The ATH-GL3 is a no-brainer for PC and console gamers who want a lightweight, wired headset with a genuinely great microphone. It's not for commuters, not for music lovers, and not for anyone who wants wireless. But for pure gaming performance per dollar, this thing is hard to beat.
