Not everyone likes the feeling of having a bulky gaming headset on their head for hours on end, which is where the best gaming earbuds come in. The compact buds not only take a (sometimes) massiv🥃e weight off your noggin but can securely keep their position in your ear so you don't miss a beat.
I'm old-school and still prefer to have the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming headsets at my disposal. But with every new release from the biggest names in tech, from Apple, Beats,🐠 Sony, Sennheiser, Razer, Cambridge Audio, Roccat, 1More, Samsung, and more, I've been slowly by surely becoming more and more of a gaming earbud convert. The best gaming earbuds so far are ♕undoubtedly the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for their powerful audio, expansive library of in-app EQ presets, wireless charging case, and versatile compatibility, but their price point isn't for everyone.
Fortunately, more and more tech brands have released their own earbuds, and there's no shortage of budget options and high-end alternatives if you have the cash to splash. Gaming earbuds still won't have the same amount of power as the best gaming headsets, but they make up for it with their versatility and portability if that’s your thing. I've gotten hands-on experience with the lot, and you can find out what buds are worth yꦑour time, and are the best value for money below.
If you're after a simple wired connection, 1More Triple Driv🦄ers should be top of the list. You're getting fantastic audio, wi🦂th an inbuilt mice, easily accessible controls and a snappy response as well.
The Syn Buds Core are just under $25 / £25, but they 🎃still offer an impressive audio quality that stands on its own two-feet for lighter sessions - and an inline microphone to boot.
The Scout Airs are a little cheaper b🉐ut offer a solid set of features and an impressive soundsta𝔉ge considering their low price. Plus you're still getting a decent battery.
If you're putting pure sound quality first, the EPOS GTW 270s are still looking good all these years l♈ater. Plus, the USB-C receiver keeps things nicely compatible as well.
The Raz𝕴er Morays impressed us with their source handling and excellent sound qualiꦆty. The in-ear monitors are built for streamers, and their quality shows.
While new to the GamesRadar+ hardware team, I've been reviewing and getting hands-on accessories like gaming earbuds for almost as long as I've been a writer. They may still be relatively new foꦐr those used to a headset, or even just a pair of headphones, but gaming earbuds can be a great low latency and more portable alternative and I'm here to use my experience so you can find the earbuds right for you and your budget.
Recent updates
May 14 - Like the month before, our list of the best gaming earbuds has remained unchanged. While I recently tested the Corsair Void Wireless V2and Sennheiser HD 550, as a gaming headset and pair of headphones, they don't qualify for any part in this guide. That being said, I did get to spend time using the brand-new 'Glorange' SteelSeries gaming buds, a new limited edition version of the best gaming earbuds on this list.
With that in mind, I have updated the Arctis GameBuds section to include new images and information surrounding this new limited edition design.
April 7 - For this update, our list of the best gaming earbuds has remained unchanged. Right now, I have a lot of gaming headsets on my testing bench, and so they don't qualify to be a part of this list. Regardless, for this update, I removed the review quotes to make each product easier to read at a glance. Additionally, I updated the FAQ to include more up-to-date answers to our given questions, especially when it comes to referencing our recently changed top pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds.
Reliable button controls are much better than taps
+
Strong battery life
Reasons to avoid
-
Wear detection can play up
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the in-ear headphones we've been crying out for for quite some time.ꦓ A sturdy battery life, comfortable design, and powerful a🌳udio? What more could you want from a set of everyday companion buds. Perhaps a massive range of compatible devices hitting everything from your phone to an Xbox Series X - but SteelSeries nails that as well.
Buy it if:
✅ You don't want to think about charging: There's 40 hours of extra battery life in the case and 10 hours stored in each bud - in testing I barely ever thought about charging these up, and I spent a goo🅘d few months 🍎with them.
✅ You play across a range of consoles: The black GameBuds are compatible with everything under the sun, thanks to 2.4GHz and Bluetoot🔯h wireless connections. That means you can🐟 easily hop from Nintendo Switch to your phone and more.
✅ You value high quality audio: This is a SteelSeries audio pꦉroduct, a brand with a huge pedigree when it comes to your ears. That signa𝓀ture sound is perfectly translated in these smaller drivers, offering a super rich experience across both games and music.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You prefer tap gestures: If you don't like having a physical button on the⛎ side of your buds, you might prefer a tap sensitive alternative.
❌ You need a stronger microphone: The mic on the GameBuds gets by for casual sittings and phone call🐷s while out and about, but if you're streaming or☂ broadcasting you might need something more dedicated.
Design: I tested both the black and white versions of the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, and while the black model is more widely compatible wiܫth Xbox Series X, I have to say I prefer the crisp white design. This is a clean aesthetic with a super fresh final coat of pain🦩t - even the SteelSeries logo on the top looks slick.
That compact pill-style clamshell never felt heavy or bulky in my pocket while out and about, and provides a satisfyingly tight hinge and with a sturdy build overall. That durability continues through to the squat, well-curved buds themselves, with an IP55 water resistance rating. These are particularly comfortable earbuds - that bulbous design means they plug straight into the ear and stay there. I only ever needed to adjust their position a few times while walking.
As of May 13, the Arctis GameBuds are now available in a limited edition "Glorange" design, which swaps the black and white colorways for a transparent tech throwback. The MSRP has remained the same, along with all the features and tech specs inside. However, now it harkens back to the late 90s 🌳with a bright, almost fluorescent orange look which is reminiscent of the transpa🥀rent-styled Nintendo 64s from the past.
Features: If you want it on your gaming earbuds, SteelSeries has provided it. The Arctis GameBuds pack a powerful ANC punch across both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, with plenty of battery power packed in. Two features stood out in particular during testing, though. First up it's the return of the Arctis mobile app (previously only ever seen on the SteelSeries Arctis 5 Wireless headset). This is where you'll customize some button gestures and sort ou𝕴t your mic monitoring and ANC settings, but it also hous🍬es a massive library of per-game EQ presets finetuned by sound engineers and developers. It's a massive benefit, particularly when paired with a set of on-the-go earbuds.
My second favorite feature was the physical buttons on each side of the buds themselves. This isn't going to go down with everyone, but I'm tired of tap and touch gestures simply not registering. It was a big issue with our previous top dog in this race, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeeds, but in using a simple clicker button SteelSeries has taken all🌟 t♍he guess work out.
Performance: I'm a big fan of SteelSeries' audio profile - it's effortlessly smooth but also packs a punch with multi-textured soundstages and brings a powerful bass layer to the party as well. It's tough to squeeze all that down into a set of 6mm drivers, but the Arctis GameBuds pull it off. While directional audio isn't quite as sophisticated as you'll find 🎉on a fully fledged gaming headset, there's an impressive amount of space between these buds. Between PS5, Nintendo Switch, and even just casual podcast listening, the sophistication of this audio ♊system is obvious.
Verdict: If you're looking for a set of gaming-specific earbuds, but still want your music and podcas😼ts to sound great, I'd head nowhere other than the SteelSeries Arctis🎃 GameBuds.
The 1MORE Triple Driver earbuds are a delightfully stylish pair of earphones that oꦿffer an impressive quality of sound and build fo🔯r an affordable price.
Buy it if:
✅ You don't need a wireless connection: Mobile players will miss the Bluetooth option here, but the 3.5mm port will suffice for 🧔the majority of consoles.
✅ You value audio quality over extra features: The feature list is slim to make s🃏ure enough attention is paid to the audio quality in this price.
✅ You don't want to worry about battery: That cable comes with one obvious benefit - you're getting high quality audio whenever you need it here, without having to worry about keeping them💜 charged.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You regularly commute: The lack of noise cancellation means using these buds for a comဣmute might be a🔴 little taxing.
❌ You prefer a wireless connection: That wired formatౠ does have some significant drawbacks - especially if you're playing on mobile. If you'd prefer to keep the cables out the way you'll likely be spending a little more for this kind of audio quality though.
Design: With aluminium earbuds and a braided cable, the build quality is sturdy, and there are a couple of different colour options 🥃to give them a touch more pizzazz, like the rose gold colorway. It's a stripped back approach, but one that still manages to shine with the almost chrome ac🍷cents and slimline appearance. These aren't going to stand out from the crowd, but if you're just after a decent set of wired gaming earbuds you might not want them to.
Features: With no wireless connections to speak of, the feature list is relatively slim. You're getting a simple 3.5mm connection to hook up to a range of console platforms, and an inline microphone to handle game chat. That mic isn't going to hold up to 🌼much, though. It's a little underwhelming, making this more of a 🗹solo play venture. The in-line remote with volume control is compatible with Android and iOS, which is handy for on-the-go gaming as well as on the couch.
With a slew of silicon tips, you'll also be♔ able to find a size that will give you a comfortable fit, and seal out any ambient noise, but as with a lot of the earbuds on this list, there's no active noise cancellation.
Audio: The triple drivers for which they're named give a balanced sound at high and low ends, with enough bass so as not to overwhelm – which is great for both gaming and music. That sound quality really does punch above this price tag, offering clear, dynamic and well balanced soundstages that feel effortlessly energetic. Plus, the wired connection means you don't have to worry abo🍷ut latencies.
Verdict: 1MORE is a less well known brand, but 🌜if you're looking for the best gaming earbuds at an affordable price, you shou✤ld give these a closer look.
Compatibility: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Mic: Yes
Reasons to buy
+
Impressive performance in lighter soundscapes
+
Excellent price
+
Comfortable
Reasons to avoid
-
Struggles with heavier soundscapes
-
Choppy directional audio
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Roccat Syn Buds Core are the perfect Nintendo Switch c🤪ompanion. There's a no fuss approach to these gaming earbuds, with an affordable price point and simple inline mic and volume controls.
Buy it if:
✅ You want a spare pair of headphones for Switch: If you want to stock up your setup without breaking the bank, they're an excellent addition.
✅ Budgets are tight: Of course, being able to listen to your games on the go doesn't need to cost the Earth. The Syn Buds Core prove that - the sound in here can easily be a daily driver if you're not too picky with your au🍷dio.
✅ You play games with a lighter soundstage: A lighter arena is where these buds shine. We we🦹re impressed by the audio on offer in this scenario, soꦕ you're getting excellent value if your playstyle matches up.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You play competitive online games: There's just not enough ꧅directional grunt in ꧃these earbuds to qualify them for competitive use.
❌ You want the best audio quality possible: It goes without saying a $25 pair of earbuds isn't going to give you the best audio quality. You're better off putting that cash towards a more expensi🉐ve set if you're big on sound finesse.
❌ A wireless connection is a must: The 3.5mm✨ connection is going to be a little limiting outside of Nintendo Switch play.
Design: We were particularly struck by the overall comfort of the Roccat Syn Buds Core. These buds hold up well even during longer play sessions, never falling out or rubbing against the inner ear. It's surprising to see considering the cheaper price point here, and certainly weಌlcome amongst the less durable models on the market right now. The aesthetic isn't anything to get too excited a꧟bout, and the rubber cable is concerning, but for the price these buds don't need to look great to prove their worth.
Features: As you might expect from this rock bottܫom price category, the Syn Buds Core doesn't sport a long feature list. You're getting everything you need, though; inline volume and mic controls, a cable mic, 10mm drivers, and three ear tip size options. That's all you can really ask for at $25, especially considering some other buds will deny you the microphone at all.
Audio: In the right soundstage these🃏 buds shine far beyond their humble feature list. We were impressed by the handling of finer details in games with lighter, more delicate audio, with the bass and melodic trills of Super Mario Sunshine offering a particularly notable balancing act.
That $24.99 / £24.99 price point does show itself during heavier audio moments, however. The Syn Buds Core struggle to keep up with the messier soundscapes of Doom and can't quite position directional audio with the same precision of a more premium buy. Howe🎐ver, for everyday on the go Nintendo Switch action, and considering you'rꦡe not breaking $30, you're getting solid value for money in performance overall.
Verdict: The Roccat Syn Buds Core are the perfect just in case companion or a budget set of buds for those who aren't too serious about their audio. You're getting everyt𒐪hing you need in a comfortable form factor, as wellꦑ as a sound profile that really does impress when the stage is right.
The Turtle Beach Scout Air gaming earbuds are the brand's first entry into the truly wirelꦜess space (console-specific Recon Air pieces notwithstanding). The Scout Airs are fairly comfortable at $99.99 / £89.99, with a solid soundstage that will suit wider open world games and the twinkly melodies of a Super Mario Sunshine run and an impressive per-bud battery life that just edges ahead of industry average.
Buy it if:
✅ You want true wireless without the cost: These days the Scout Airs are fa🅠r closer to $50 than their $100 MSRP - and that's difficult to argue with considering their true wireless design.
✅ You want to use touch gestures: Reliable 𓃲and handy, these tap gestures got us through a Spotify play෴list or two particularly well.
✅ You prefer emphasis on higher ranges: There's a strong level of detailing these upಞper ranges, so if you prefer lighter soundtracks to more gravelly ones you're sorted here.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a premium feeling build quality: These ꦏare cheap earbuds and unfortunately they do feel like it. The plastic material isn't going to satisfy those a✨fter luxury.
❌ You regularly play online with chat: While there a♏re dual mics in here, they're not up to the standard of other models in this MSRP range. If you prioritise online play it's time to look somewhere else.
❌ You play a lot of bass heavy games: The lower ranges do struggle compared to the highs, which means bassier soundtracks aren't going to sound grea🃏t.
Design: We were a little l🎶et down by the cheaper feeling build quality of the plastic case and the materials of the earbuds themselves. While lightweight, products this close $100 / £100 should be offering a slightly more premium build quality - though to their credit we never had any issues with scuffs or scratches on the Scout Airs in our testing. The domed shape charging case off𒀰ers a comfortable house for the two long stemmed buds, with a subtle aesthetic overall.
Features: Each earbud offers touch-sensitive controls with has🍒sle-free playback controls, and a notably long stem to hold the dual-mics present. We woul❀dn't put too much stock in those mics though, we found them particularly weak at picking voices out from a busy background and overall the sound quality here was muffled on both chat and video calls. With no 2.4GHz dongle you're relying on Bluetooth connection here, but in our testing it ran fast enough in everyday play to keep us nimble on the battlefield.
Audio: Running the Turtle Beach Scout Airs on lighter soundtracks like Crash Bandicoot and Hand of Fate 2 yielded some impressive results. There was plenty of detailing across the mids and high ranges in our ꦚtesting, and a commendable balance during more intense moments of gameplay. However, the bassier ranges are particularly flattened here - something we noticed quickly when switching to a heavier gun in Doom on Nintendo Switch and Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC. This dampened bass persisted through to bass-heavy music as well.
Verdict: At $99.99 / £89.99, though, the Turtle Beach Scout Airs really do work hard to bring you an untethered gaming earbud experience without ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚbreaking the bank. At $129.99 / £129.99, RGB lovers and those in the market for noise cancellation should be seeking out the Razer Hammer꧟heads, but if you're up against a strict budget there's plenty to love here.
The EPOS GTW 70 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds focus on offering a high-end aud🐷io experience for a 🦩range of platforms. While the lack of microphone use in 2.4GHz mode means they're not the greatest for online play, the soundstage on offer here is stunning.
Buy it if:
✅ You prioritize audio quality: While they're a little older, we still stand by the crisp, dynamic sound pumping out the GTW 270s. While mic support isn't qui𓆏te all there, those who value audio over online chat are going to be pleasantly surprised.
✅ You want Bluetooth support for your phone: One of the biggest features here is that Bluet𒉰ooth connectivity - that's a massive benefit for mobile players and those looking to double up for ﷽music and streaming.
✅ You don't have a heavy commute: The lack of ANC means these buds are better suited to♔ quieter environments if you're concerned about getting distracted.
Don't buy it if:
❌ Active noise cancellation is a must: Despite the premium finish elsewhere, the GTW 270s came just a little before active noise can🦹cellation was so widespread.
❌ Versatile online chat is important: The mic won't work 🌺with the 2.4GHz connection, so competitive players will want to lo𝐆ok elsewhere.
❌ You want app support: There are no EQ settings or connection options to tinker with here, so if you're keen to 𓃲set up your audio how you like it this isn't going to be the best option.
Design: From the anodized aluminium charging case to the slick, subtle earbuds themselves, the GTW 270s are a luxury affair. A black and gray aesthetic keeps everything streamlined, with the plug form factor of the buds൩ themselves forming a perfect seal every time during our testing.
Features: The GTW 270s come with a USB-C dongle, allowing you to plug them directly into your Nintendo Switch and PS5, as well as a cable that will allow you to plug the doꩲngle into a PS4. On top of that, they also support Bluetooth, so you can sync them with any device𒉰 that supports it.
While they do come with an in-built microphone, this only works when you’re connected through Bluetooth, rather than the USB-C dongle. That’s because the dongle is focused on providing low-latency audio, so there is minimal disruption between what’s happening in your game and what you’📖re hearing. However, it does mean that you won’t be able to communicate with team-mates online.
Audio: These earbuds boast the sort of audio quality you’d expect from the team at EPOS, with deep bass, rich mid-tones, and fantastic directional audio making them as impressive playing games on your Switch or P🌊S5 as ဣthey are listening to your favourite tunes through your phone.
Verdict: If you're after a pair of earbuds that can juggle music and gaming responsibilities, the EPOS GTW 270 ♓Hybrids are the perfect go-to. While their feature set doesn't quite hold up as a competitive companion, single player games will sound incredible and the build quality will last as well. Whether you're listening to music, diving into your PS5 library, or streaming your favori♋te show, these buds will show up every time.
The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Morays are 💧specialized, but if you're after a set of gaming earbuds expressly for streaming there's very little out there like them. These are in-ear monitors for balancing a range of diffe💮rent audio sources and producing incredible audio all the while.
Buy it if:
✅ You want quality over everyday features: Razer 🐠has baked some fantastic audio into these buds but at the expense of more everyday quality-of-life features like wireless c𝓡onnections and a built-in mic.
✅ You play for longer sessions: You'll need comfort to see you through long sessions, and the Morays e༺xcel in this area thanks to a well-considered ergonomic desಌign.
✅ You don't mind a deep fit: These monitors plug into your ears and stay there - while that can be a little discomforting for some, those on t🎃he hunt for a secure seal will be pleased.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a set of everyday earbuds: Without a mic or𒉰 wireless connection, the Morays aren't designed to be used🎶 out and about.
Design: Razer has taken a fully ergonomic approach to designing its Moray buds. The shape of each side is perfectly molded to rest deep within the ꦬear while still remaining comfortable. That means you're good for longer play sessions and you won't have to worry about losing a bud halfway through more frantic maneuvers. It also helps the Morays achieve a solid level of passive noise isolation. Aesthetically there's nothing too surprising here - you're getting a set of plastic buds set atop an adjustable OFC MMCX cable to hook over the top of the ears🌃.
Features: Thꦜe Morays wa💝nt to put all their eggs in the audio basket, so additional features and few and far between. This is a strictly wired set of buds, so there's no Bluetooth to use with your phone while out and about. However, Razer does send you home with a handy pouch to keep the varied selection of additional ear tips at the ready.
Performance: This isღ an incredibly powerful set of earbuds. Volume levels can go incredibly (probably dangerously) high. Thankfully, you don't need to turn that dial up to get detailed, clear, spacious audio. There's weight to gunshots, nuance to footsteps, and directionality to wider environmental sounds. Not only that, but we noticed these buds were particularly well adept at handling multiple audio inputs in tesওting. That's perfect for streamers, but also content creators.
Verdict: The Razer Morays aren't going to appeal to the masses, but they don't need to. If you're prioritiꦏzing incredible audio quality over additional quality-of-life features you're goin🌱g to be particularly well served here.
On April 4, tech brand Moondrop launched its new $99 'Rays' gaming earbuds, which utilize a USB-C cable for smartphone compatibility. The new earbuds are also decked out with a 7Hz and 39kHz frequency range, and its sound can be customized through its accompanying software, which features sound presets for competitive games from Counter Strike 2 to Apex Legends.
While I haven't been able to test these new buds for myself, I did get to spend time with the brand-new Glorange Arctis GameBuds from SteelSeries. These new buds are the same ones currently sitting at the top of our best gaming earbuds list, however, they've had a retro makeover𒀰, now sporting a bright, transparent orange design. Currently, the design is limited edition, and as of typing, only available through the official SteelSeries website for an MSRP of $159.99, the same as the black and white versions.
How we test gaming earbuds
Whenever a new set of gaming earbuds lands in our roster, they go through a se🐲ries of in-game and everyday tests to see where they fall in our ratings. We live, work, and play with each set for a minimum of two weeks before writing up our reviews and making our recommendations. They're not thrown in a cupboard after that, though. The earbuds that make it into our top list are continually tested against new entries to ensure we're always recommending the best of the market.
Our testing process consists of using the earbuds as we would usually every day; streaming movies, walking the dog๊, commuting, listening to music and podcasts. During this time we're focusing on comfort, battery life, ANC strength, volume levels, charge times, and overall audio profile. We're also double checking how well the connection options fit with a work / play hybrid use-case, noting the use of extra 2.4GHz dongles and Bluetooth pairing processes, for example.
However, they're also tested in more dedicated gaming scenarios, using competitive shooters like CS:2 and Marvel Rivals to test directiona♑l audio and detailing, and larger open worlds like Horizon: Forbidden West for more environmental balancing qualities. We use the same games to test all our earbuds, and our current roster is filled with a range of different genres.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales, for example, is used to test the directional spacing and balance in a wider open scene as well as the earbuds' handling of a more cluttered soundstage across the mission "Time to Rally". Meanwhile, Dead by Daylജight, the asymmetrical online horror game, allows us to see hꦍow the earbuds cope with a more atmospheric soundscape and how it places voice chat delicately within that space.
After our ꩵfull testing period has been completed, we assign each set of earbuds a series of scores based on our most important principles; comfort, audio, battery, microphone, versatility, and build ♌quality.
The Razer H𓆉ammerhead Hyperspeed earbuds used to sit at the top spot as our favorite gaming earbuds until the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds knocked it down a peg. While it may no longer have the top spot, these earbuds are still some the best we've used to date and provide excellent value for money and a surprisingly wide soundstage. Additionally, they're decked out with active noise canceling, dual connectivity, and a long battery life.
The Cambridge Audio Melamania M100 gaming earbuds are more tailored to audiophiles than for gaming, and their built-in 'gaming mode' doesn't keep up the pace with your favorite games. If you need a pair of buds that'll make your music sound its best, then the M100's pack a serious punch. But as far as gaming earbuds go, their latency issues can't keep up with whate💞ver game you through their way.
Sony's Inzone Buds are a 🍷$199.99 / £179.99 pair of gaming earbuds, but despite being from 🍷Sony, aren't laser-focused on compatibility with the PS5, and miss out on some key features. Namely, the microphone quality isn't of the standard you'd expect for buds aimed at the gaming market, and their use of Bluetooth LE means they aren't compatible with smartphones, laptops, and the Nintendo Switch.
The Logitech G Fits earbuds are comfortable🐻 to pop in your ears and creatꦅe an ideal seal, but their sound doesn't quite live up to the quality set by the best gaming earbuds like the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. At $229.99 / £229, the Logitech G Fits are also on the pricier side and don't feel like a fully fledged pair of gaming earbuds. Instead, they feel like more like a pair of buds that exist to show off Logitech's personalized molding tech.
Gaming-specific earbuds are still a niche market, which means there are fewer brands in this space than you'll find with full-blown gaming headsets or with everyday earbuds. Of course, there are hundreds of 'gaming'-branded ea🃏rbuds, but you'll find the brands we most consistently 🌱look to just below.
Asus | Asus has its ROG Cetra line of both wired and true wireless gaming earbuds. These are well celebrated audio devices, with a particular focus on low-latency connections and affordability.
HyperX | HyperX's range of Cloud wired earbuds are well known for their value. These are cheaper buds designed to fit into pretty much any setup for under $40 / £40. You'll find a few wireless options available as well.
Razer | Razer has a large selection of gaming earbuds on the market right now, and it's one of the few brands offering dedicated Xbox variations of its wireless Hammerhead buds. These are some of the pricier options, but they're excellent all-rounders with more features than you'll find elsewhere.
Sony | Sony has two sets of gaming earbuds in the market right now, its Inzone model and Pulse Explore. The latter is far more PS5 focused with reduced compatibility compared to Inzone.
Turtle Beach | Turtle Beach used to specialize in its wired Battle Buds, but has since branched out into wireless options as well. Both ranges are aimed at a cheaper budget, making them excellent value overall.
Glossary
Whether you're buying your first set of gaming earbuds or you're jumping back into the game꧑, there's o🦄ften a lot of jargon to wade through. In order to make your decision a little clearer, you'll find all the biggest terms explained below.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:2.4GHz
A low latency connection option that provides faster response times via a receiver dongle (u♏sually 🗹USB-C or USB-A)
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:ANC (Active noise cancellation)
The process by which a set of earbuds cancels out external unwanted sounds using a separa⛦te blocking frequency.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Bluetooth
A slower but more versatile wireless ꦬconnection type useable🤪 across mobile gaming, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Distortion
An unwanted quality-reducing effect on sound (usually in the🌳 lower ranges) due to high volume or poorly tuned d🍌rivers.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Driver
The part of a gaming e⛦arbud that produces audio, convert🏅ing electrical signals into sound waves.
ENC (Environmental noise cancellation)
Used in microphones, unwanted en☂vironmental noise is blocked by a separate frequency so that calls and chat are clearer.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:EQ
Short forꦬ Equalizer - EQ settings can be tweaked to enhance or reduce the presence of certain ranges in your sound; usually 𒀰via an interactive graph available on extra software.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Frequency range
The range of soun📖ds your earbuds are capable of producing, usually 20Hz ൩to 20kHz.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Inline controls
A set of med൲ia / call controls and sometimes a microphone placed on the cable of a🍒 wired set of earbuds.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Isolation
▨The natural blocking of external sound when a set of ea𒐪rbuds is placed in the ear, without any extra processing or software.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Latency
The speed at which your earbuds can repeat 🐼information from the dꦡevice you are connected to. A high latency will be less desirable for gaming.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Sidetone
A process that allows you to hear yourself when speaking through a microphone, for monitoring volume during streams🌊.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Simultaneous connection
A feature present more in gaming headsets, but making its way to earbuds, that allows for multiple wireless connections t🅷o run at the same time; usually one via a 2.4GHz receiver and another via Bluetooth.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Soundstage
The auditory space around you cr🃏eated by a set of earb⭕uds.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Touch control
Or capacitive touch control, the ability to control media p𝔉layback, volume, or call information via tap gestures on the side of earbuds.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Transparency Mode
A noise cancellation setting that picks up on human voice or certain traffic / announcement frequencies for extra awareness while still⛦ blocking sounds.
How to choose the best gaming earbuds
Finding the right gaming earbuds for you comes down to multiple factors; what, how, where, and when you play. Each of these factors has a different bearing on the connection, how they hold position in your ears, overall design, and battery life of your buds. Of course, we all wa🦋nt the best audio experience possible - but finding the right combination of these extra features can help you get the best value for money overall.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Form Factor
Anything that's going to be popped into your ears for a lengthy amount of time needs to be comfortable. The design and overall form factor of gaming earbuds will determine whether or not you'll spend most of your time fiddling about to get them to sit right, or have such a comfortable experience you forget they're in your ears altogether.
A lot, but not all, 🅘gaming earbuds also come with different-sized ear tips so you can pick the perfect ones for your ear shape and size. However, not every pair is shaped the same, just like our ears, so ensuring bo🎐th the tip and the earbuds themselves can sit comfortably in your ears without being lost in the aether is all dependent on its design.
Wired or Wireless
One of the most important factors when choosing the best gaming earbuds comes down to whether a wired or wireless connection type is right for you. With wired earbuds, you have less latency at your disposal and better compatibility with more tech. However, with fewer devices sporting a 3.5mm jack port, that's slowly becoming less of a concern.
With wireless earbuds, you aren't beholden to any annoying wires and have more freedom to move around a🥀s you see fit. However, in this case, this is why you always want to ensure they have the right type of fit so you don't lose any of your expensive buds while ex♋pressing your newly found freedom of movement.
澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Battery life
Gaming earbuds like the Razer Hammerhead (2023 model) added a 2.4GHz 'Hyperspeed' connection option for improved battery life. This meant Razer could introduce PS5 and Xbox Series X-specific variations of its earbuds, and even be a viable option for listening to music on the go. If you plan to make your earbuds everywhere, having a long battery life you can rely on should be one of your number one priorities.
Just like with the best gaming headsets, nothing is worse than scrambling to sort your audio when your battery life has failed you. Not all earbuds will have fast charging, which is worth considering if you plan to use your earbuds day in and day out and don't want to spend all your time ensuring they've got enough juice.
Best gaming earbuds: FAQ
(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)
What are the best gaming earbuds?
The best gaming earbuds right now are the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds. They pack on the high-quality audio expected of the brand, alongside loads of per-game EQ settings, physical buttons on either bud, and an impressive battery life and wireless charging capabilities with its case to boot. However, if you're after the best sound quality possible (at the expense of additional features),ܫ you're better off with the Epos GTW 270 Hybrids.
What is the best gaming earbud brand?
There's a plethora of big names attached to the best gaming earbuds, and we've gone into more detail on the subject above. However, through our time testing, we've found that Razer, Turtle Beach, Epos, 1More and Roccat are behind some of the best gaming earbuds around. Most recentl🐻y, SteelSeries has also joined that group, with the release of their Arctis Game Buds.
Are gaming earbuds better than headsets?
Now this is not ♍a totally straightforward answer, as each type have their pros and cons. And that's because earbuds and headsets offer wildly different solutions to wildly different problems and desire.
If you're looking for something super portable, geared toward mobile gaming or taking your Nintendo Switch out and about, then you can't beatಞ gaming earbuds - they do have it over headsets in this capacity.
However, gaming headsets will offer superior audio quality, just because they can draw on larger drivers due to theiﷺ📖r larger, over-ear design. Earbuds just can't compete on this. Headsets can also offer more buttons and features because of this, and will often have better mics. This seems to make it a clear cut thing, but if you need something for pure mobile convenience then gaming earbuds will take the biscuit.
Can I use earbuds for gaming?
Well, the answer to this question is both yes, and no. As you've landed on this ܫguide to the best gaming earbuds, the broad answer is a profound yes - and they can really be very good indeed. However, the more detailed answer is no, on some platforms. The ability to use earbuds on PlayStation and Xbox consoles is far less prevalent than on mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, and even PC. You'll just need toꦗ make sure that each set of gaming earbuds is compatible with the device you want to use, and then you'll be away!
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 compatible with gaming earbuds?
With the Nintendo Switch 2 launching on June 5, 2025, we haven't yet been able to put to the test what gaming earbuds are compatible with the upcoming handheld. That being said, the console is set to include Bluetooth support, and features USB-C ports on both the handheld itself, and the dock, so it's likely compatible with 2.4GHz dongles found on buds like the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds.
It's safe to assume that plenty of the bes💜t gaming earbuds will be compatible with the Switch 2, but I will let𝔉 you know exactly what's compatible (and what isn't) after launch.
Ever since I first held a NES controller in my hand I've been obsessed with gaming, and the hardware it runs on. I could hook up a NES and SNES to a telly, without instructions, before I could walk. Even now, nothing is more exciting then taking a console, or handheld, out the box for the first tim﷽e and setting it up. This obsession transformed into a love of games and game music, which lead to my music degree and dream of becoming the Scottish Nobuo Uematsu. After sharing my love of games through music, I began to share my love through words on sites like TechRadar and iMore. This lead to becoming a Hardware staff writer for PCGamesN, and later the Senior Tech Writer for Dexerto, covering all things Steam Deck, PlayStation and Nintendo. With that experience, I was able to level up as Hardware Editor for GamesRadar+, where I'm still just as Nintendo, PlayStation and gaming tech obsessed as ever.
