SONY WH-1000XM4

When playing games that require concentration, you need complete immersion – and that means shutting yourself off from that noisy nuisance known as the real world. In our review, we called Sony’s WH-1000XM4S the best all-round noise-cancelling headphones you can buy. They’re ideal for thinky games, whether you’re playing the in-game soundtrack or just pumping in mellow tunes in order to keep your brain working smoothly. And of course, these comfy cans are superb for listening to music too. £240 / sony.co.uk

Need to briefly pay attention to something beyond your game? Hold your hand to the right earcup to temporarily trigger ambient mode.