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 340 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.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Earbuds For Gaming
WirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingYesRecording Quality6.5Sports And Fitness8.2Travel7.5Office Work7.0Wireless Gaming (In Development)7.2Wired Gaming (In Development)5.8Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.5Noise Isolation7.3Microphone (In Development)6.0See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency8.5The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds 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, PlayStation, and Xbox. We tested the PlayStation variant, so if you need support for Xbox, make sure to pick up the corresponding version. The buds can connect simultaneously to a Bluetooth device and via their dongle. They also have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system that blocks a good amount of sound, like traffic noise from an open window. With the feature enabled, the SteelSeries' battery lasts for a respectable 8.25 hours of continuous playback, with an extra three charges in the case.
They're decently comfortable for most people and have a balanced sound out of the box. While a dip in the treble can make the earbuds sound uneven or closed off, their app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound. They also support Spatial Audio through the SteelSeries GG software and on PlayStation 5 (with the PlayStation variant). If you play multiplayer games, their mic offers passable overall performance, and you'll have no trouble being understood clearly. However, you'll likely be drowned out by background noise if you're on Discord in a chaotic environment like a shared living room.
If you're concerned about their ability to separate your voice from background noise, check out the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless. Their microphone sounds better in quiet and noisy environments, though they have a shorter 5.1-hour battery life.
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Best Mid-Range Gaming Earbuds
WirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsRecording Quality7.5The 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 the aptX-LL codec, which helps lower latency with compatible devices. However, users have reported connectivity issues after updating to the latest firmware using their lower-latency dedicated dongle. Unfortunately, this same firmware also reduced their original advertised battery life to just over three hours, which is quite short compared to that of our top pick, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. Still, the EPOS also support multi-device pairing with two Bluetooth devices, while the SteelSeries requires one device to use their dongle connection.
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 up to Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound, which can help make your game audio more dimensional and immersive.
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Best Budget Gaming Earbuds
WirelessNoTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSports And Fitness6.8Travel6.8Office Work4.9Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.2Wired Gaming (In Development)6.2Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.8Noise Isolation6.3See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency8.6Consider the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option. Unlike the previous picks, these buds are wired-only and don't have a mic. You also won't find any companion app or software to add more customization to your gameplay audio. Don't let that stop you, though! You can always EQ the earbuds if your connected device supports it. If you already use a standalone mic or don't need to talk with others, their V-shaped sound signature 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 mid-range and treble to help dialogue and instruments stand out from the mix and retain their clarity.
They have a braided audio cable that can be detached and replaced if it becomes 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 flatter bass and mid-range response, which some gamers might prefer. Whether you go with the original ZERO or the new RED is ultimately up to your listening preferences, though, as the two buds otherwise have a similar fit and feel.
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Best Wired Gaming Earbuds
WirelessNoTransducerHybridNoise CancellingNoRecording Quality6.6Sports And Fitness6.8Travel6.9Office Work6.9Wireless Gaming (In Development)5.1Wired Gaming (In Development)7.1Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.4Noise Isolation6.8Microphone (In Development)6.3See all our test resultsFrequency Response Consistency7.3The MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK are versatile, premium-built in-ear monitors (IEMs). Part of their versatility lies in their in-line mic and the option to use the buds via USB-C or 3.5 mm, allowing you to connect to a variety of devices, from smartphones to PCs and consoles. Their in-line controls also let you adjust your volume in the midst of gameplay, and the absence of a battery means you can marathon the latest release without worrying about recharging.
The low-bass boost adds immersive tension to foreboding cutscenes, the mid-range produces clear dialogue, and the slightly warm treble response won't cause early fatigue. If you use them with an Android device, you can access the companion app, which opens up the possibility of equalizing the sound to suit your tastes. Unfortunately, the app is limited to Android and is otherwise sparse.
The microphone sounds alright, too, but it doesn't have added features such as an adjustable noise gate. The mic only works when you're connected over USB-C, which means it won't work if you primarily use consoles. If you already have a standalone microphone or only play solo, consider the MOONDROP Blessing 3, a fantastic wired set of IEMs with a slightly brighter treble response. They lack an in-line remote, mic, and USB-C connectivity, but you can always replace the analog cable with an aftermarket option that has a mic. Otherwise, both sets of IEMs isolate you from noise with similar effectiveness; only the DUSK IEMs offer more flexibility.
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Best Boom Mic Earbuds For Gaming
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 mic sits closer to your mouth than an integrated or in-line version, helping you keep your voice clearer and more full-bodied than on 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 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, and they're more suited to controlled environments since they don't effectively isolate you from external sounds. If you're concerned about noise, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds also come equipped with a boom mic, which is better at separating your voice from ambient sound, so people will understand you even with some background noise. However, they have a muddy profile and aren't as well-built.
Notable Mentions
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ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova:
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova have a similar battery life to the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and can connect to two devices via their dongle and Bluetooth. That said, they don't have an Xbox-compatible variant, and their frequency response fluctuates a lot relative to their excited sound signature.
See our review -
Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless:
The Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless are wireless gaming earbuds with planar magnetic drivers. They're not as well-built as the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and have a worse mic recording quality. However, they have slightly lower wireless dongle audio latency when compared to the SteelSeries, though you likely won't notice the difference.
See our review - Samsung AKG Type-C: The Samsung AKG Type-C are wired headphones compatible with devices with a USΒ-C port, making them a solid choice for mobile gaming. They have low latency and a comfortable fit, but unlike the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO, they aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. See our review
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Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless:
The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless rely solely on Bluetooth LE's LC3 codec. Although this newer codec enables low-latency connections without a dongle, it's not widely supported. Fortunately, the earbuds come with a compatible dongle to help mitigate compatibility issues. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, the Sony don't have a variant that works with Xbox consoles.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 31, 2025:
We've verified our picks are still valid and in stock and updated the text for clarity.
Jun 25, 2025:
We've replaced the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds as our top pick.
Feb 26, 2025:
The MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK have been added as the best wired gaming earbuds, with the MOONDROP Blessing 3 allocated as an alternative.
Dec 04, 2024:
We removed the Logitech G333 and MOONDROP Aria from our Notable Mentions because they're out of stock, but we haven't changed our picks.
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.
All Reviews
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 headphone 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.