When it comes to gaming peripherals, earbuds are not typically associated with gaming gear, but that has changed. In a market dominated by gaming headsets, gaming earbuds have carved out a niche, and a lot of gamers have switched over to using earbuds instead of headsets. That's not to say that the reign of headsets in the gaming world is coming to an end, as there are still gobs of gaming headsets worth buying. However, the convenience and comfort offered by earbuds cannot be matched by your typical bulky gaming headsets or headphones.

Gaming earbuds are available from many trusted brand names like SteelSeries, Logitech, Anker, and Razer, and come in an array of wired and wireless options. Some models pile on the features, ranging from spatial audio and active noise cancelation to custom ear molding and wireless charging. Others keep things basic and budget-friendly. In short, there's something for everyone. Game ZXC has put together a list of the best gaming earbuds you can currently buy.

Updated on June 5, 2024 by Vineet Washington: Some more information has been highlighted to better describe the potential of these gaming earbuds. The 'Best Wireless' option has been removed for consistency, as the best overall gaming earbud is already wireless. The "How to Choose the Best Earbud for Gaming" section has been tweaked to show more information to help make the purchase decision easier.

  • Anker Soundcore VR P10 Wireless Earbud
    Anker Soundcore VR P10 Wireless Earbuds
    Best Overall Gaming Earbuds
    $50 at Amazon
  • Sony INZONE Buds
    Sony Inzone Buds
    Best Earbuds for Gaming on PS5
    $178 at Amazon
  • Black SteelSeries Tusq In-ear Mobile Gaming Headset
    SteelSeries Tusq In-Ear Mobile Gaming Headset
    Best Gaming Earbuds with Mic
    $40 at SteelSeries
  • Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
    Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
    Best Premium Gaming Earbuds
    $168 at Amazon
  • Black ASUS ROG Cetra II earbuds
    ASUS ROG Cetra II
    Best Wired Gaming Earbuds
    $103 at Amazon
  • best earbuds deals
    Turtle Beach Scout Air True Wireless Earbuds
    Best Budget Gaming Earbuds
    $28 at Amazon
  • Black Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
    Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
    Best Gaming Earbuds for Noise Cancelation
    $189 at Amazon
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Game ZXC's Picks For The Best Gaming Earbuds in 2024

The Anker Soundcore VR P10 is our pick for the best overall gaming earbuds. Designed for use with the Meta Quest 2 VR headset, they are so much more versatile than just that and can be used as PS5 earbuds and Xbox earbuds, too. Plus, thanks to the USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle, it boasts an ultra-low latency of under 30ms. The VR P10 earbuds are perfect if you want a reasonably priced pair of earbuds that sound great, offer excellent wireless connection no matter the platform, and are very comfortable.

In Game ZXC's full review of the Anker Soundcore VR P10, we found that the sound is clean and crisp while gaming, with the mids and highs fairly represented. The 11mm drivers do a great job of delivering clear and noise-free sound output. However, by default, Soundcore's Super Hearing is turned on, which boosts the bass and tends to override some of the mids and highs in action scenes. The boosted bass is a reasonably common EQ on most gaming headsets and earbuds, so it doesn't feel too out of place, and gamers can easily turn it off if it's not to their liking.

The USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle makes these earbuds incredibly easy to pair with pretty much any console. Just plug it in, and you're ready to game. This is not revolutionary for gaming earbuds; the Razer Hammerhead Pro earbuds feature the same thing, but where they differ is the latency. Even at the lower price point, the VR P10s boasts a latency of just 30ms, whereas the Hammerhead Pros sit around 80ms. On top of that, the Soundcore VR P10 can connect over Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz mode simultaneously, which means you can pair two devices at the same time and seamlessly switch between the two.

The Sony INZONE Buds are a prime example of why first-party accessories are the best. They are perfect if you like to spend countless hours on your PlayStation 5 and want to be isolated from the world. They follow the PlayStation theme and are offered in black-and-white or all-black colorways. They boast 8.4mm dynamic drivers that, along with noise cancelation, offer an immersive and seamless experience. They have a hybrid design which means gamers can connect to their phones using Bluetooth 5.3 or to their console using the 2.4 GHz dongle. Of course, it can be connected to a PC as well with a 2.4 GHz dongle.

In terms of battery life, Sony says the INZONE Buds can last 12 hours with noise cancelation off and connected via the dongle. On Bluetooth, they can last up to 24 hours, giving them one of the best battery lives on the market. They also feature 360 spacial sound for better pinpointing the location of footsteps, gunshots, and enemies. What makes these earbuds perfect for gaming is the low 30ms latency via the 2.4 GHz connection. Sony has clearly put a lot of thought into making these earbuds gamer-friendly.

It should be noted that the INZONE Buds do not support SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC codecs, which means those looking to enjoy listening to music would be better off with a different set of earbuds.

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Do you prioritize being able to clearly and consistently communicate with your teammates over anything else while gaming? If that sounds like you, then our recommendation for the best earbuds with a mic is the SteelSeries Tusq In-ear Mobile Gaming Headset. Many wired gaming earbuds like the Logitech G333 rely on an inline microphone for communicating with teammates, but the Tusq earbuds with mic take that a step further by adding a boom mic.

The boom mic on these earbuds does a great job of delivering clear and full-sounding voice input. The wrap-around design of the cable makes these earbuds very comfortable to wear. The weight of the earbuds is placed on the back part of the user's ear instead of the ear canal. However, the design is a little too reminiscent of those old-school Bluetooth headsets to be comfortably worn in public, though you can detach the microphone and use just the earbuds. Being wired earbuds, they connect to devices using a single 3.5mm audio jack, so compatibility with newer mobile phones is questionable. They should work just fine with PCs and consoles.

Sound-wise, these earbuds are very bass-heavy with punchy lows, making games feel much more immersive, but the mids and highs tend to be overpowered and a bit muddy. Unlike the Soundcore VR P10, the Tusq earbuds don't have any EQ customization, so unfortunately, there is no way to improve the sound. But these are quite serviceable for gaming, especially at this price point and with the high-quality mic, which can be muted using the in-line controls.

For a premium feeling while gaming with earbuds, we recommend the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed. With Active Noise Cancellation creating an isolated sound environment and proprietary 2.4GHz low-latency connection tech, the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed has just about all the under-the-hood features a buyer could ask for. And it wouldn't be a Razer peripheral without some RGB flair, so don't worry, there's some of that on these buds, too. The high price tag might sway some gamers, but for those who want excellent performance and an ultra-low latency connection, they are well worth the higher price point. These aren't just good earbuds, they are some of the best!

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In Game ZXC's full review of the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, we found that one drawback of these earbuds is that they're less than competitive in the battery life department, lasting roughly four-and-a-half hours per charge during real-time testing, which is arguably underwhelming performance for $200 earbuds. But overall, these buds are a powerful yet efficient option that gets the job done without add-ons that more casual players may consider over-the-top, like surround or spatial audio. It should be noted that the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds are not the ones with the lowest latency, as Razer advertises less than 40ms and other gaming earbuds offer 30ms or lower.

An easy pick for the best-wired gaming earbuds, the ASUS ROG Cetra II is loaded with attractive features. These earbuds are a strong option for gamers who primarily play on the Nintendo Switch or Android phones (and newer iPhones), thanks to their USB-C wired connection. You also get multi-color RGB lighting that is customizable, a feature that would typically be on much more expensive gaming earbuds.

Unlike many other wired earbud options like the Logitech G333, the Cetra II offers ANC, which performs quite well even in louder environments. Of course, they don't compete with the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II as far as ANC goes, but these earbuds make it easy to focus on a game while on public transit or a plane. The mics used to perform the ANC can also be used as input mics, which deliver a clear and full-sounding voice recording.

As far as comfort is concerned, the Cetra II feels very similar to most wired earbuds; they are relatively comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods. Furthermore, they come with ear fins in three sizes, making them feel very secure, so as long as gamers get a good fit, they are not going anywhere.

Turtle Beach is well known when it comes to gaming peripherals, especially gaming headsets and controllers. The Scout Air True Wireless Earbuds bring the company's expertise in a small yet powerful package. These Bluetooth 5.1 earbuds have a stem-style design, and they feature 6mm Neodymium drivers, which are not the largest among the competition. Still, the Scout Air excels when it comes to latency. There is a Game Mode that brings the latency down to 60ms instead of the standard 100ms for a more accurate auditory experience.

For talking with teammates, the Scout Air gaming earbuds have built-in dual omni-directional microphones that also allow for communication with a voice assistant if the earbuds are connected to an Android or iOS device. They have an IPX4 rating, which means sweaty situations will not affect the performance of the Scout Air. The earbuds can deliver 20 hours of playback till both the case and earbuds run out. The charging case can power up the earbuds for five hours of use with a quick 15-minute charge.

Gamers should note that they will need to update the firmware in order to use the Scout Air with the Nintendo Switch. Game Mode can be turned on from the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, available on both Android and iOS.

The Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds are the first-round pick for players who prefer absolute noise cancelation. With their 9mm transducers, the sound performance on these Bose buds is undeniably impressive, but the active noise cancelation and proprietary ActiveSense technology are what really make these buds a gamer-on-the-go's dream.

Compared to the Razer Hammerhead Pro earbuds, Bose dulls the hum of unimportant environmental noise while selectively allowing listeners to hear sudden noises that may be important like someone yelling or a car honking. ActiveSense can be disabled, however, if users want the active noise cancelation to fully take charge and fade the world out completely.

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When gaming on the go, intuitive, easy-to-use controls are important. In this regard, the second generation of the Quiet Comfort earbud delivers. Answering or dismissing calls mid-game, adjusting volume or noise cancelation mode, or hitting pause are all critical functions easily controlled by the QuietComfort IIs. The included stability bands ensure that users won't lose a bud under their subway seat, on a busy sidewalk, or where mobile gaming takes them.

In Game ZXC's full review of the Bose Quiet Comfort II earbuds, we found that relative to other earbuds, it takes a while to achieve a full charge in the case (around three hours), but the initial fast-charging boost is an added perk for mobile gamers that seek a quick gassing-up of their earbuds. Plus, a charge impressively offers about six hours of use, which is great for long sessions on handheld consoles. Unfortunately, the QuietComfort IIs sit at a bit of a painful price point at $299, but the first-generation QuietComforts can usually be found for sale at roughly $75 cheaper.

How To Choose The Best Earbud For Gaming

Below are crucial factors buyers need to consider when shopping for gaming earbuds:

Audio Quality

Gamers need the best audio quality for satisfying gameplay. If possible, they should test the earbuds to determine the bass, mids, and more, to see how good they will be. Earbuds with add-ons like noise cancelation generally offer a more immersive experience. Audio quality also includes surround sound effects and the accuracy of the sound. Gamers need to know where the enemy is or where the shots are coming from just through audio queues.

Connectivity

Wired gaming earbuds offer some of the most simple, easy-to-use, and affordable options. There are no individual buds to hassle with (and inevitably lose) and no dongle to keep track of. If maintaining an ultra-low latency is a priority, wired earbuds would be the most reliable option. They are typically cheaper as well. Most major peripheral brands offer solid wireless gaming earbuds, and these options have some unique offerings compared to wired buds, including active noise cancelation, and are generally more compatible since there's no worry about ports and adapters.

Within the wireless connectivity spectrum, some gaming earbuds come with a 2.4 GHz connection, while others come with Bluetooth, and some even have both. The 2.4 GHz is a low latency connection, but you will need a USB port for the dongle. The battery also takes a greater hit when on a low-latency connection.

Battery Life

With the selection of wireless gaming earbuds comes the matter of battery life. Many wireless earbuds' battery life caps out at roughly seven hours of nonstop playback time, and it's likely even less if mic usage is involved. Is that enough? Most models come with a charging carrying case that adds another couple of rounds of battery life. The best wireless gaming earbuds offer at least 20 hours of battery with the case's capacity included. Features like ANC and RGB lighting also negatively impact battery life, so keep that in mind.

Comfort

Another important consideration is fit style. A common reason why gamers choose headsets over earbuds is an uncomfortable earbud fit after several hours of play. The ear cups on headsets sit unobtrusively around the outer ear, while poorly fitting earbuds may leave the inner ear sore or irritated. Some brands combat the issue with custom-fitting earbud tips; an excellent example is the Logitech G FITS, earbuds that use proprietary Lightform tech to custom-mold the tips to the gamer's ear. Some others come with ear fins for a more secure fit.

Convenience

Convenience comes into play in several instances, mainly ear comfort and battery life. A decent earbud should be comfy on the ear and have a lengthy battery life. Additionally, the earbud should have a longer range for ample mobility. Wireless gaming earbuds can be considered more convenient as they can be put inside a small case and carried in your pocket. However, they come with the added fear of losing one earbud.

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FAQ

Q: What makes earbuds good for gaming?

The essential features of earbuds for gaming vary from player to player, but here are a few qualities buyers can look for if uncertain: a custom in-ear fit to minimize discomfort during long gaming sessions; high mic performance for crisp, clear audio when playing with others; low latency to combat frustrating playback delays; and active noise cancellation to batter back environmental noise.

Q: Do gaming earbuds need to be wired?

Choosing between wired versus wireless gaming earbuds is, in most cases, a matter of preference. You don't have to choose a wired gaming set, especially given the capabilities of modern wireless earbuds. While latency discrepancies between wired and wireless audio devices have improved over the years, wired sets still maintain a (slight) advantage.

Q: How do buyers know if a set of earbuds is compatible with their console?

Wireless earbuds will connect to a system (PC or console) via Bluetooth or a dongle. Some brands utilize proprietary technology for a faster, lower-latency wireless connection, like Logitech G's Lightspeed technology. In recent generations of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, wired earbuds using a 3.5mm headphone jack can plug directly into the controller. Unfortunately, players with older controllers or third-party controllers may need to invest in a stereo headset adapter to plug wired earbuds into their system. Nintendo Switch consoles, including the Lite, all have headphone jacks.

Q: Are earbuds OK for gaming?

For users who fancy solo casual titles such as Cookie Run: Kingdom, earbuds will do the job. While some, especially the cheap ones(not in this guide, though), might not sound like the high-end ones, they will do the job.

Q: What is the difference between gaming earbuds and standard earbuds?

Gaming-specific earbuds are designed to give users a competitive advantage when gaming. Unlike normal earbuds, gaming earbuds have advanced features such as EQ presets, noise cancelation, and surround sound.