If you already have other Apple products and you’re looking for gaming earbuds, why not give the Apple AirPods Pro a go? They aren’t made specifically for gaming, but they’re still one of the best earbuds you can use for playing video games on mobile, on the Nintendo Switch, or on the Steam Deck. They pair quickly with these gaming devices, too. The sound profile of the AirPods Pro is expectedly strong even in gaming, and the active noise cancellation is effective as well. Like the Jabra Elite 85t buds, the AirPods Pro allows you to hear what’s going on around you by switching to Transparency mode.
On top of that, the AirPods Pro offers low latency technology, so the game visuals and audio will always be in sync. On the downside, their battery life isn’t the best. You’ll only get to use these buds for 4.5 hours after each charging cycle. But with a fully-charged case, you’ll get around 24 hours of battery life, which is enough for several gaming sessions.
The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless earphones have everything you need in a pair of gaming earbuds. They produce high-end sound quality with directional audio as well as clear mid-tones and deep, rich bass. You also get noise isolation for a more realistic gaming experience. Although they’re primarily Bluetooth gaming earbuds, they also come pre-packed with a USB-C dongle for when you’re playing on your Switch or PS5 and another cable for the PS4. There’s also a built-in mic that does a good job of reducing ambient noises. However, you can only use the mic when you’re connected via Bluetooth.
The battery life of the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds is average, lasting around five hours. With the case, though, you’ll get 20 hours at most. As for the sweat and water resistance rating, the gaming earbuds are rated IPX5.
The Turtle Beach Battle Buds are a great option if you’re looking for gaming earbuds that have the basics and are also low-cost. They’re compatible with smartphones as well as the Nintendo Switch. The audio quality is decent for the price point, but it isn’t the best, especially in terms of producing bass. Plus, there tends to be some sound leakage if you’re gaming at max (or almost max) volume. However, considering that they’re only around $30, the sound profile is good enough, especially if you’re gaming on the go.
Though they don’t have noise cancellation, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds do come with multiple ear tips that help reduce ambient noise while you’re gaming. Plus, they’ll fit snugly in your ears as well. These gaming earbuds also come with a detachable high-sensitivity mic that extends to your mouth, helping your voice sound clearer during voice chats with your teammates.
Here’s another pair of Razer gaming earbuds for you. But this time, it’s the Hammerhead Duo wired earbuds, suitably named for their dual-driver technology. With this feature, you get one driver that solely produces the bass and another one that produces mid and high tones. As a result, you get audio that’s layered and rich, although sounds in the higher-end frequencies do tend to be a bit too sharp. The gaming earbuds come with three sets of silicone tip replacements to fit your ears perfectly. Besides being soft and comfortable, these ear tips also provide passive noise isolation for more immersive gaming.
The Razer Hammerhead Duo wired earbuds also have easy-to-use controls for adjusting the volume, playing and pausing media, and taking calls. There’s a built-in mic as well that captures your voice quality accurately during calls. Plus, these earbuds are built to last, thanks to their aluminum frame and braided cables.
The Logitech G333 gaming earbuds are another great choice if you’re on a tight budget. They offer superior comfort due to their flexible ear tips, and they are packed with six extra tips that fit all types of ears. As such, you can go on endless hours of gaming with these earbuds on. With their solid aluminum exterior, they’re also one of the most durable earpieces you can find on the market.
In terms of sound quality, the Logitech G333 gaming earbuds won’t leave you disappointed as well. They do a particularly good job of delivering bass-heavy audio, which makes playing action-packed games all the more realistic and immersive. On top of that, they come with a USB-C adapter, so you can use it even on devices that don’t have audio jacks anymore. They also have an in-line mic that picks up your voice pretty decently. However, it might struggle to isolate your voice if you’re in a noisy environment, so it’s best to only use these gaming buds in relatively quiet places.
How to Choose the Perfect Gaming Earbuds for You
Before placing an order on a pair of gaming earbuds, you should closely examine first if it’s the right one for you. In this section, we go over the key factors you should consider when buying gaming earbuds.
Wired vs. Wireless
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The first thing you should consider is if you want to buy wired earbuds or go completely wireless. Neither is better than the other, and they each have their own pros and cons. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of charging your earbuds every few hours of gaming, then you might be better off with wired gaming earbuds. Since these don’t make use of Bluetooth technology, there’s no need to charge them at all. You also won’t need to worry about audio-visual lag, since it’s usually only wireless earbuds that have this issue. On the downside, lots of manufacturers are slowly ditching the audio jack, so it’s not guaranteed that your wired earbuds will be compatible with all gaming devices. Wireless gaming earbuds, on the other hand, are compatible with almost any device. They also don’t give you the hassle of dealing with tangled wires or damaged cables.
If you want to get the best of both worlds, opt for gaming earbuds that can be used wireless or wired, like the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds.
Drivers
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Drivers are another thing you should look into when shopping for gaming earbuds. These are the parts that produce the sound in earbuds. Essentially, the more drivers there are in a pair of earbuds, the better sounding they are. That’s because the job of producing bass, mid, and high tones is split between these drivers.
Now, due to present-day earbuds being more compact than their predecessors, the ones in the market nowadays usually don’t have the best and the most number of drivers. So, settle for our picks that have two or three in them, like the Razer Hammerhead Duo earbuds or the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones.
Compatibility
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You should also make sure that the earbuds you’re going to buy are compatible with the devices you’re going to use them with. For instance, if you’re going to use a newer iPhone (one that doesn’t have a headphone jack) for gaming, make sure that your earbuds are Bluetooth-enabled, at the very least. Also, consider those that have a dongle or a headphone jack adapter.
On the other hand, a lot of handheld gaming consoles and Android phones aren’t as complicated. Most of them are compatible with most earbuds, as long as they’re either Bluetooth-enabled or fit a 3.5mm audio jack, which most wired earbuds do.
Sweat Resistance
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If you’re going to be gaming for long hours and you know you’re going to be sweating, it’s also important that you pick gaming earbuds that are sweat-resistant. That way, the moisture won’t damage them. Consider getting earbuds that are at least equipped with IPX4-rated protection. This type of protection ensures that your earbuds won’t malfunction just because of splashes of water.
People Also Ask
Below, we give you the answers to the most frequently asked questions about gaming earbuds:
Are earbuds good for gaming?
Earbuds are good for gaming, provided, of course, that you choose the right ones for you. They’re especially great for mobile gaming given that they’re small and portable. Plus, they’re significantly more lightweight and are therefore usually more comfortable to wear during long gaming sessions than headsets. As such, you can focus more on winning a game with gaming earbuds on. On top of that, they’re a lot more versatile than gaming headsets since you can use them on a wider range of devices.
That said, if you’re looking for superior sound quality, longer battery life, and a better mic, gaming headsets usually offer those. But if you want something compact, portable, lightweight, and generally more affordable, then go for earbuds.
What earbuds do gamers use?
You’ll find many of the gaming earbuds that pro gamers usually go for in this list. While some prefer earbuds that are made specifically for gaming, others also use entry-level earpieces. Razer earbuds are a common choice among pro gamers, as are Bose QuietComfort, EPOS, and HyperX buds. You’ll also see some of them use Apple AirPods occasionally.
Why do pro gamers use earbuds?
If you watch esports competitions, you may have noticed that pro gamers usually wear a pair of headsets and earbuds. The headsets help them focus on the game since they have better noise-canceling capabilities. It also prevents them from being coached by members of the audience or their team. The earbuds are there mostly to provide directional audio. That way, they can better hear the sounds coming from the game.