The best gaming earbuds pair well with portable consoles like the Steam Deck OLED, Nintendo Switch, and other handheld gaming PCs. If one of the best gaming headsets is too much to carry around, then a pair of gaming earbuds could be just what you’re looking for.
And hey, even if you do prefer your gaming PC to a console, gaming earbuds still work a treat, offering hours of comfort and immersive audio in a smaller package.
TL;DR – These are the best gaming earbuds to shop:
- Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed – Best Overall Pick
- HyperX Cloud Mix Buds – Best for battery life
- Logitech G FITS – Personalized earbud insulation
- ASUS ROG Cetra – Best budget pick
- Logitech G333 – Best wired option
- Turtle Beach Battle Buds – Best with detachable mic
- Soundcore VR P10 – Most versatile
- JBL Quantum TWS Noise Canceling Gaming Earbuds – Best mid-range
- Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova – Most comfortable
- Sony InZone Buds – Best for PS5
No matter whether you’re looking for wireless earbuds, or are happy to stay tethered to your device, there are loads of great gaming earbuds for you to consider.
1. Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Earbuds
The best gaming earbuds on the market
If you’ve been considering wireless gaming earbuds but haven’t quite made the leap, the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed gaming earbuds might change your mind. Not only do they offer Bluetooth connectivity, but also Hyperspeed via a wireless dongle. The result – virtually no input lag, making these earbuds a solid choice for PC, console, and mobile gamers.
When gaming, you don’t want to miss a beat (literally), so you’ll be pleased to hear that these gaming earbuds are THX certified. This means you’ll feel fully immersed in whatever game you’re playing, allowing you to focus on your enemy’s footsteps or the environment around you. Plus with 60ms low latency connection, your game’s audio won’t feel out of sync.
Included you get six additional sets of silicone tips. The secure fit works well for gaming, making them a comfortable choice during longer sessions. The sound isolation and ANC is also really good, but if you need to adjust your focus, you can use the earbuds’ Quick Attention mode to let outside sound in when required.
2. HyperX Cloud Mix Buds
Best gaming earbuds for battery life
Using Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz transmitter, the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds are extremely versatile. So no matter what type of gamer you are, you can comfortably listen to in-game sounds and audio for up to 33 hours on a single charge. For PC gamers, however, DTS Headphone:X offers a far more immersive experience thanks to virtual 3D spatial audio.
Like the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed gaming earbuds, these also come with multiple ear tip options included, so you can find the perfect fit for your ears. As an added bonus, the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds are IPX4 rated for a little added durability.
If you’re looking for gaming earbuds that come in at under $100, offer decent battery life, and great audio, it’s hard not to love HyperX’s Cloud Mix Buds.
3. Logitech G FITS
Personalized earbud insulation
An expensive purchase at $229, Logitech G Fits features LIGHTFORM technology that actually molds to your ears in only a minute. This makes for great sound isolation and therefore better audio quality. Although the included USB-C dongle is the best way to go, Bluetooth does offer a game-focused mode to reduce latency.
4. ASUS ROG Cetra
Best budget wireless gaming earbuds
The $99 ROG Cetra earbuds feature low-latency wireless through Armoury Crate, which is Asus’ specialized app for various personalization features. The Asus earbuds also feature active noise cancellation if you really want to immerse yourself in the game. As an added touch, the Cetra features fast and wireless charging.
5. Logitech G333
Best budget (wired) gaming earbuds
Logitech fans who can’t afford the G FIT or want a wired earbud solution can try out the G333 wired earbuds. Featuring dual dedicated drivers, they’re available in three colors including purple/yellow, black/blue and white/purple. Beyond having an integrated mic, there are also media controls as well. All of this comes at a super affordable $80 price point.
6. Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Best gaming earbuds with detachable mic
The Turtle Beach Battle Buds are wired gaming earbuds that feature a 10mm neodymium driver, making for excellent audio quality. An in line mic features media controls and multifunctional button alongside an additional detachable mic. The earbuds also come with three earbud tips and three stabilizer wings. To keep everything in order, the Battle Buds even come with a nice sized bag.
7. Soundcore VR P10
Best versatile gaming earbuds
One of the coolest features of the under $100 Soundcore VR P10 is that the transmitter features a passthrough USB-C port for Meta Quest 2 users. When it comes to mobile gaming, the earbuds feature low latency gaming through its 11mm drivers. Expect about 6 hours of battery with an extra 24 hours through the included charging case.
8. JBL Quantum TWS Noise Canceling Gaming Earbuds
Best mid-range gaming earbuds
The JBL Quantum TWS gaming earbuds use a 2.4GHz transmitter and Bluetooth 5.2 and allow dual connection. When it comes to audio quality, the earbuds feature adaptive noise canceling and ambient aware capabilities just in case you need real world situational awareness. For communication, the JBL Quantum TWS also has six beamforming microphones with Google Assistant compatibility.
9. Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
Most comfortable gaming earbuds
If you’re after a comfortable, lightweight pair of earbuds that work great for gaming, listening to music, or taking calls, grab the Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova. These headphones deliver the familiar stem and bud shape with a commendable build quality and three different ear tip sizes to find the best fit. Though we already have a pair of ROG Cetra’s on this list, you get a reliable USB-C dongle for a low latency connection in addition to Bluetooth with this option.
You don’t miss out on any features with the SpeedNovas, so you’ll enjoy a solid battery life, HD audio support, RGB lighting, a bone-condensing AI microphone that comes across clear to teammates, and active noise cancellation with a transparency mode for focus — the best noise-canceling headphones do it better. The EQ straight out of the box is well-balanced and warm, but you can always adjust the settings using the Armoury Crate. However, these earbuds lack the directional audio that is handy for shooters and other games.
10. Sony InZone Buds
Best gaming earbuds for PS5
When gaming on the PlayStation 5, sometimes the best PS5 headsets can be too bulky, and that’s where Sony’s own InZone Buds come into play. These earbuds are lightweight, secure, and comfortable for long gaming sessions. And given the impressive 12-hour battery life and additional juice in the case, you’ll rarely worry about charging them.
The Sony InZone Buds don’t skimp on features either. From powerful ANC and quality spatial audio to remappable gesture controls and more personalization opportunities, there’s a lot on offer with these gaming earbuds. You’ll also enjoy a low-latency connection via a 2.4GHz dongle. Bluetooth LE is another connectivity option. Although, it doesn’t support many traditional codecs and isn’t compatible with a range of devices.
How to choose the best gaming earbuds
Price is the biggest factor when choosing gaming earbuds. You’ll find solid budget gaming headset options for as low as $25 or feature-rich, high-end gaming headsets for upwards of $200. If these earbuds get daily usage at home and on the go, you might want to spend more for the added versatility and better sound that pricier earbuds can bring. But if you’ll only occasionally pick up these earbuds to play on your handheld gaming PC or smartphone during a short commute, stick with a budget option.
Of course, connectivity is another major consideration. Wired will bring a more reliable connection, but you will be tethered to your device. If you go with wireless, consider getting earbuds that offer a 2.4GHz dongle, as you’ll experience less latency and a more stable connection than Bluetooth. Just be sure earbuds are compatible with your choice of gaming device. Unfortunately, a good chunk of our picks aren’t compatible with Xbox. So you may want to consult our guide to the best Xbox headsets if that’s what you’re after. Battery life must also be taken into account with wireless earbuds, and what you need really depends on how long your gaming sessions will last; 4 hours is usually a good minimum.
Design is also important, as you want the gaming earbuds to fit in your ear and be comfortable. Finding lightweight options with different ear tip sizes is a great place to start. From there, it's a matter of personal preference. You’ll also want a compact case for your wireless earbuds, so they’re easier to take on the go.
Beyond that, extra features are important, with some gaming earbuds offering just as many as gaming headsets. Noise-canceling will help keep distractions at bay while you’re out in the world. EQ adjustments let you tune the sound to your ears, while a great microphone ensures you sound great to your teammates. RGB lighting adds a nice subtle gamer aesthetic. There is a whole realm of possibilities for amping up your gaming earbud experience.
Gaming earbuds FAQs
What is the difference between gaming earbuds and normal earbuds?
The main difference between gaming and non-gaming earbuds is a built-in microphone. While many earbuds do include a built-in microphone, the microphone quality in gaming earbuds tends to be far superior, making them a much better choice for gamers that spend a lot of time in Discord communicating with their teammates.
Do gaming earbuds work with consoles?
Gaming earbuds are lightweight, comfortable, and compact, making them great for every type of gamer. But best of all, they often work just as seamlessly with your consoles as the best gaming headsets and even feature similar connectivity options, so there’s no reason you can’t grab gaming earbuds over a traditional headset.
Just like wireless gaming headsets, if you opt for wireless gaming earbuds, many now come with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle. The dongle easily ports into consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S and delivers a low-latency connection, so you never miss a moment of the action. Most wireless options also feature Bluetooth connectivity, making for simple pairing with the Nintendo Switch, the best gaming phones, and more. For the most reliable link between your earbuds and console, wired are the way to go and slot directly into the console itself or even a controller.
Can AirPods be used as gaming earbuds?
Many of the best AirPods are viable gaming earbud options thanks to their quality sound, comfortable fit, and host of features, including ANC on the AirPods Pro. However, AirPods aren’t designed for gaming, so if you’re concerned about latency in some games and simple connectivity on certain consoles, you may want to grab the best AirPods alternative or one of the earbuds we listed above instead.
Still, if you’re deadset on using AirPods for gaming, you’ll connect via Bluetooth to your devices. Gaming PCs, gaming phones, and the Nintendo Switch are relatively easy to pair with AirPods. But consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are a bit more involved, so be sure to check out our guide on how to connect AirPods for more info.
Ural Garrett is an Inglewood-based writer, contributing to IGN Tech buying guides.
