Gaming earbuds give you competitive advantage with perfect zero-latency synchronization that eliminates audio delay—a crucial factor for reacting to in-game cues within milliseconds. Many also include passive noise isolation and an app with a graphic EQ to fine-tune your sound profile.
They deliver spot-on synchronization and spatial details that reveal precisely where enemies are around you. Plus, they have a powerful bassy sound signature that pumps out explosions and gunshots with real weight and impact.
1. MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK
The MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK are a pair of premium in-ear monitors that make an excellent gaming companion. Their dual hybrid drivers deliver detailed Hi-Fi sound, and their aptX Adaptive codec keeps latency very low in Gaming Mode. That means your game audio will always be perfectly synced with on-screen action, and you’ll hear footsteps and explosions when they should.
These buds offer a comfortable fit and are fairly light. They come with a hard case that feels great and has a pouch on the inside to store accessories. The cable that connects to each earbud has a small connector that could get ripped off by an accidental tug, so be careful when handling them.
Like other MOONDROP earbuds, the DUSK have a warm sound profile with boosted bass and recessed treble. It’s not an ideal sound for everyone, but it can be a good choice if you prefer a richer listening experience.
As a wired headset, they have the added benefit of zero-latency audio, which is a key advantage in competitive multiplayer games. They also provide excellent spatial detail, so you can hear enemy movements even if they’re only a few steps away from you.
2. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are the first collaboratively developed IEMs from newcomer manufacturer TRUTHEAR and high-profile audio influencer and IEM tuning expert Crinacle. They use two dynamic drivers to deliver a balanced sound profile tuned to Harman’s 2019 IEM target curve and are available for a much more wallet-friendly price than IEMs from more established manufacturers. The earbuds are made from medical-grade resin that’s been 3D printed to create a uniform housing with no obvious flaws and feature 2-pin connectors rather than the more common MMCX ones for increased durability. The nozzles are covered by protective metal grilles to prevent them from getting clogged with ear wax, and they come with a pleather carrying pouch for easy transport.
Our tests showed the Zero Red to have a very natural tuning, with excellent balance between the bass and lower mids and subdued treble notes. Their excellent Timbre score and low Distortion rating mean you won’t miss out on any vital frequencies, and their immersiveness rating of 4.8 is good enough for competitive gamers to locate sound sources easily.
The earbuds have a comfortable fit with a wide nozzle that’s designed to seal in the ears. They can be used in a stationary position for long periods of time and remain stable, even when you laugh, talk, or move your head around. They’re also more durable than IEMs with a similar price, including the bulky KZ AS16 Pro and the 1MORE Triple Driver IEMs.
3. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
SteelSeries’ Arctis GameBuds are an ergonomic pair of in-ear gaming earbuds that offer great passive noise isolation with a secure fit, a high quality ANC feature and good compatibility. They’re also quite comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and can easily be paired with other devices for music and calls.
The earbuds come with memory foam and silicone tips in three sizes for the best comfort, seal, and sound quality. They’re featherweight at only 5.5 grams, too. They’re compatible with both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, the latter allowing them to be used without any latency. This is especially helpful when gaming, reducing the delay between your actions and your in-game audio.
The earbuds have a dedicated FPS EQ mode for better sound tuning to in-game audio, with enhanced bass tones and more prominent mid and high frequencies. They also offer a few customizable EQ modes for different audio preferences.
4. ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova combine a small and compact design with a wealth of gaming features, including eye-catching RGB lighting, comprehensive software customization, PC and console compatibility, effective active noise cancellation, and a powerful microphone. They offer impressive battery life, a V-shaped sound signature that emphasizes bass and treble, and the ability to tinker with their audio profile to suit different genres of music.
Their sound profile prioritizes detail and spatial awareness, which can give you a competitive advantage when gaming. In our tests, they had excellent clarity for positional audio cues in games such as Valorant and Fortnite. Meanwhile, the earbuds had deep bass and a noticeable elevation around 3- 5 kHz for impressive impact and rumble from explosions and environmental effects. On the other hand, this boost can make vocals in some tracks more difficult to hear.
They pair over Bluetooth with a dedicated low-latency 2.4GHz USB dongle that works on PCs, PS4, and Nintendo Switch consoles as well as Android and iOS phones. With a little tinkering in their app, you can also access compression and EQ effects to optimize their performance for gaming. They’re also good for listening to music, with rich bass and a slight treble lift that enhances musical details.
5. Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless
Whether you play on a PS5 or a PC, these Sony buds can connect to two audio sources at once (audio from gaming and a playlist on your phone, for instance). They also offer impressively low latency when in Gaming Mode. That means you can hear footsteps, gunshots, and explosions hit precisely when they should in-game, with perfect synchronization.
The buds have a dual hybrid driver and use aptX Adaptive to deliver Hi-Fi audio with lower latency than you’ll find on most standard earbuds. That’s thanks to an algorithm that analyzes the incoming audio and determines which frequencies to boost, which to suppress, and how much to adjust. The result is a set of buds that offer a full sound profile, with plenty of bass, clear mids, and balanced treble.
They also have some unique features that make them more appealing to gamers. They have physical buttons on each bud that work independently from your device’s volume controls, so you can quickly change the earbud volume without taking your hands off the controller. Plus, they have an optional in-line mic for voice chat. Like the other wired earbuds in this guide, they can run for an extended period of time on a single charge.
6. EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Truly Wireless
As a gaming true wireless earbud, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid delivers impressive low-latency audio. They’re comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and the included charging case keeps them safe from damage. They handled the hectic audio of a match in Apex Legends on PC and the varied soundscape of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PlayStation 5 with ease, demonstrating that they can offer full-size headset fidelity in a compact package.
These earbuds connect to platforms like the Nintendo Switch, PS4 and 5, and PC over Bluetooth with support for the SBC and aptX codecs. They also come with a USB-C dongle that can be used to pair them with mobile devices. They do lose some functionality when they’re paired with the dongle, though. The multi-function button loses its ability to control playback and the microphone stops working in gaming mode (although this isn’t a huge deal).
They have a simple, minimalist design that feels premium in the hand and ear. The buds have a soft, ergonomic shape that easily adjusts to the ear and seals in place for hours of comfort. The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid comes with multiple silicone ear tips in different sizes to ensure you can find the right fit for your ears.
7. Earfun Air 2 NC
Earfun Air 2 NC isn’t the most sexy pair of wireless earbuds, but it offers solid performance across all key categories. Its low price, good ANC and strong battery life make it an outstanding competitor in the budget earbuds category.
Its 6mm dynamic drivers aren’t quite as open as the best earbuds, but they do an excellent job of lifting lower mid-tones and giving music warmth and clarity. Its EQ tab also offers plenty of options for tailoring the sound to your tastes.
They’re not compatible with Apple’s high-res music streaming codec, and you’ll need to connect via Bluetooth for audio-video synchronisation to work properly. However, they do support the lossless aptX codec that’s compatible with Android phones.
They’re comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. They have a handy Theater Mode that automatically pauses music when you remove the earbuds. They’re also water and sweatproof, with IPX5 rating for rain and IPX4 for workouts. They do lack the ability to detect and adjust to your voice automatically, which is a common feature on more expensive earbuds. They also don’t have the LDAC codec for Android phones, but it’s probably not worth paying extra for.
