Gaming earbuds have plenty of advantages over full-sized headsets. They're more portable, more versatile – many can connect to your phone for commuting and moseying around – and ditching the headband makes them more comfortable for many people, too.
They're ideal for handheld consoles like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 but the best earbuds can also become your go-to audio device for your gaming PC or console, delivering clear sound and crisp communication with your teammates.Here are seven of the best, broken down into categories so you can pick the one that suits you most.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Earbuds:
The Best Gaming Earbuds
Gaming Earbuds With the Best Battery Life
Best-Sounding Earbuds That Also Work for Gaming
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Earbuds
Best Budget Wired Gaming Earbuds
Most Comfortable Gaming Earbuds
Best Gaming Earbuds for PS5
Best for Travel
Price is one of the biggest factors when choosing gaming earbuds. You’ll find solid budget gaming earbuds for as low as $25 or high-end ones for upwards of $200. If these earbuds get daily usage at home and on the go, you might want to spend more for the feature set and sound quality 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.
Connectivity also matters. Wired sets will bring a more reliable connection, but you'll be tethered to your device. If you go with wireless, consider getting earbuds that offer a 2.4GHz dongle – you’ll experience less latency and a more stable connection than Bluetooth. Just be sure the 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 stick with an Xbox headset.
Battery life is big with wireless earbuds, and what you need really depends on how long your gaming sessions will last. Obviously, try to find the best-sounding buds that last as long as possible, but you shouldn't settle for anything less than four hours.
Design is also important; the earbuds need to fit comfortably. 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, figure out which extra features are important to you. Some gaming earbuds can offer just as many bells and whistles as 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 preferences, while a decent microphone ensures you're audible to your teammates. RGB lighting adds a subtle gamer aesthetic.
What is the difference between gaming earbuds and normal earbuds?
Wireless gaming earbuds tend to include a 2.4GHz dongle to connect to gaming devices. This wireless receiver makes for lower-latency and more reliable link to your consoles or PC: If you're playing with a regular set of earbuds, you might notice a delay between what you see on screen and what you hear.
Gaming earbuds also tend to have better quality mics than regular earbuds, making them better for voice comms.
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 gaming headsets and even feature similar connectivity options, so there’s no reason you can’t grab gaming earbuds over a traditional headset.
If you opt for wireless gaming earbuds, many 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 (although triple check compatibility, because not every bud works with every console). Most wireless options also feature Bluetooth connectivity. For the most reliable link between your earbuds and console, wired are the way to go and slot into a controller or directly into the console itself.
Can AirPods be used as gaming earbuds?
AirPods aren’t designed for gaming. If you’re concerned about latency in some games and simple connectivity on certain consoles, you're likely better off going with earbuds specifically designed for gaming.
Still, if you’re dead set on using AirPods for gaming, you’ll connect via Bluetooth to your devices. Connecting consoles is a bit more involved than simply connecting to your phone, so be sure to check out our guide on how to connect AirPods for more info.
When do gaming earbuds go on sale?
Gaming earbuds, much like the best gaming headsets, can be an expensive purchase. If you're hoping to find earbuds specifically for gaming at a discount, there are a few sales events every year that usually bring the price down. Amazon Prime Day in July is a great time to find deals in the summer and Black Friday in November is the overall best time to buy headphones and earbuds in general.
Fallout season 2 is streaming one day early