If you enjoy gaming on your phone, a traditional gaming headset is likely too bulky to take you everywhere. Luckily, as mobile gaming has risen in popularity, more earbuds and in-ears are designed with that in mind. Generally, you want a gaming headset with a good microphone, a comfortable fit, and a well-balanced sound profile so all explosions and dialogue sound how they should. Latency can also be very important, as many Bluetooth headphones introduce noticeable lag, which can be an issue when gaming online with others.
We've tested over 330 pairs of earbuds and in-ears, and below are our picks for the best gamer-centric earbuds. Unlike traditional over-ear gaming headsets, we haven't tested nearly as many earbuds suitable for gaming yet, but we'll update this list as we test more. You can also check our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best in-ear headphones, and the best earbuds with a mic.
The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless are the best gaming earbuds we've tested. These in-ears have a wireless USB-C dongle for a low-latency gaming experience on PCs and PlayStation consoles. Want to connect via Bluetooth? Their companion app also offers 'Game Mode,' a setting that ensures your audio and visuals stay in sync during the heat of the moment. If that's not enough, they've got customizable RGB lighting so you can show off your style. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) system blocks a good amount of sound, like traffic from an open window; however, with both features on, their battery life tanks from four hours to three. Luckily, their case supplies four extra charges for when the battery needs a top-up.
They're decently comfortable for most people and have a somewhat balanced sound out of the box. While a dip in the mid-range makes dialogue and instruments sound a little hollow, their app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound. They also have a THX preset to help create a more 3D listening experience. If you play multi-player games, their mic offers good overall performance, and you'll have no trouble being understood clearly, even if you're talking in a noisy environment like a shared living room.
If you're concerned about their short continuous battery life, try the Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless. Their battery provides about 12 hours of continuous use from a single charge, so they'll last through long gaming marathons. However, they aren't as well-built, and although they support Bluetooth, they're limited to LC3 codec, so you'll need a compatible device if you want to use them this way. You can use them on PS5 consoles or your PC via their wireless dongle.
The EPOS GTW 270 Ηybrid Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for gaming we've tested at this price point. What sets them apart from our top pick is their support for multi-device pairing, which lets you simultaneously connect to your console and smartphone. They also support aptX-LL codec, which ensures low latency with Βluetooth-compatible PCs. However, while their dongle provides a fairly low-latency connection, users have reported connectivity issues after updating to the latest firmware. Unfortunately, this same firmware also lowered their original advertised battery life to just over three hours, which is pretty short. However, their carrying case supplies three extra charges.
These buds are very well-built and have a comfortable fit that's suitable for long gaming sessions. Their bass-rich sound profile can help bring out sound effects in action-packed games and can also be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in the headphones' companion app. They support Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound, which can help make your game audio more dimensional and immersive. Their integrated mic makes your voice sound clear and natural. However, unlike the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless' mic, your voice can easily be drowned out by background noise.
Check out the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO if you want something more budget-friendly. Unlike the previous picks, these buds are wired-only and lack a mic, and you won't find any companion app or software to add more customization to your gameplay audio. Don't let that stop you, though! If you already use a standalone mic or don't need to talk with others, their excited sound makes them a solid choice for gamers. Out of the box, these buds deliver extra thump and boom to help emphasize low-end sound effects like explosions. There's also a bit of added brightness to help dialogue and instruments stand out from the mix and retain their clarity.
They have a braided audio cable, which can be detached and replaced if it gets damaged. They're also lightweight and comfortable and come with a variety of tip options to help you get the best fit possible. Fans of the original ZERO may also be interested in the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. They deliver a more neutral bass and have a more balanced sound overall than their blue counterpart, which can be good for dialogue-centric games. Whether you go with the original ZERO or the new RED is ultimately up to your audio tastes, though, as the two buds otherwise have a similar fit and feel.
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are in-ear monitors (IEMs), so they have a straightforward design and lack a mic by default. However, if you don't need to talk with others while gaming or have a standalone mic, these wired buds offer a neutral sound worth your consideration. These headphones are much lighter on the bass than the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO but have a much more flat and neutral sound, which is nice if you play more soundtrack and dialogue-oriented games and want clear, present, and detailed instruments and vocals. They don't have any sound customization features, though.
These buds have a well-built design and are comfortable for long gaming sessions. They also come with several differently-sized pairs of ear tips to help you get the best fit. Their cables are also detachable, so you can swap them out if they get damaged or use them with a cable with an in-line mic. While they won't block out much bass-range noise like traffic from an open window, they passively isolate you from ambient chatter.
If you're looking for earbuds that ensure your friends can hear you clearly during online games, you'll want to check out the SteelSeries TUSQ. Thanks to their detachable boom mic, they stand out from the other picks on this list (and most earbuds in general). The detachable boom mic sits closer to your mouth than an integrated or in-line version, making your voice sound clearer and more full-bodied than the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Truly Wireless' mic. Their wired design lets you connect with PCs and consoles easily and eliminates latency. They have a very bass-heavy sound profile that adds intense thump, punch, and boom to your audio. It brings out sound effects like footsteps and explosions, which can make gameplay more immersive, but voices and instruments sound muddy.
Unfortunately, they don't have sound customization features. They're also best suited for quiet areas since they don't isolate you from much sound, and the mic has mediocre noise handling. If you're concerned about noise, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds also come equipped with a boom mic, and it's better at separating your voice from ambient sound, so people will understand you even with some noise in the background. However, they have a very muddy profile and aren't as well-built.
Aug 29, 2024: We added the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova to our Notable Mentions for their great Bluetooth connectivity and long battery life. But the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless have a better microphone, so the ASUS don't make it into our pick list.
May 24, 2024: Due to a price jump from the Logitech G333, we've removed the KZ AS10 and made the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO the 'Best Budget' pick. We've added the Logitech to the Notable Mentions.
Mar 28, 2024: We've checked to ensure all products remain in stock and our picks remain the same. However, we've added the Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless as a Notable Mention due to their great frequency response consistency and balanced default sound profile.
Feb 28, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are available.
Jan 04, 2024: We've added a comparison between the similarly priced Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless and the Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless. The Razer still offer a better overall performance, though.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best in-ear gaming headphones. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our in-ear and earbuds headphones reviews, sorted by their wired gaming scores. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection, especially if you don't care about having a microphone or wireless features.