10 Best Earbuds for Gaming of 2023

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Whether you play casually or competitively, these earbuds for gaming make your experience as immersive and dramatic as the developers intended.

Regardless of whether you’re playing a 2D scroller on your tablet or dropping into an immersive open-world masterpiece on the latest console, crisp, high-quality audio matters in video games. While for some this means purchasing a set of quality speakers, for anyone who wants closer, more detailed sound or a loud, powerful experience without waking up the rest of the house, gaming earbuds are a great option.

Earbuds for gaming are designed consciously to improve your in-game experience with clear, crisp audio that has very little latency. Earbuds built for gaming have grown in popularity as more people look for smaller, less bulky alternatives to over-ear headsets. Gaming earbuds are a more portable option than headphones, and with the rapid rise of mobile gaming, earbuds are a much more convenient choice.

Gaming earbuds come in many different shapes and with several unique features that are incredibly useful depending on the type of games you like to play. Before you go all in on a pair, make sure to check out our list of the best gaming earbuds below.

Before buying earbuds for gaming, there are several features and specifications to keep in mind. This is includes several specs that are relevant to any earbuds, and a few that are far more important to consider for gaming.

Wired earbuds connect directly to your computer, phone, or console and are nearly faultless when it comes to latency. Wired earbuds don't require charging and have no limited battery life, and they’re typically cheaper than wireless options.

Wireless earbuds usually connect to your device via Bluetooth or a small plug-in Bluetooth or wireless transmitter. Many wireless earbuds, especially ones designed for gaming, are in near-perfect sync with the in-game sounds and controller inputs.

The durability of gaming earbuds is vitally important, especially considering you’ll likely tote them around with your handheld console or phone. While gaming headsets almost never leave the living room, gaming earbuds might see public transportation, the outdoors, or friends’ houses relatively often. As a result, many gamers shop for earbuds with high waterproof and dustproof ratings. Most earbuds have a rating of IPX4, which means they’re water- but not dust-proof, though you can find even more durable options if you need.

Sound quality almost feels like an afterthought in comparison some extra features, despite its obvious value when shopping for earbuds. Many gaming earbuds come equipped with advanced chips or dynamic drivers to improve clarity and volume capacity. The driver size also plays a correlative factor in the loudness of the earbuds. The larger the driver, typically, the more powerful the speakers are—earbuds also rely on factors like sound isolation and fit to make the audio louder.

Any gamer should also consider active noise cancelation and built-in microphones. Active noise cancelation reduces ambient, exterior sounds to improve in-game immersion and focus. Earbuds with built-in microphones make it easier to communicate with other players online or your own team during a heated game.

We selected the best earbuds for gaming after extensive research of reviews from our colleagues at Best Products and Esquire, as well as trusted publications like Rtings and TechRadar. Additionally, we researched thousands of verified online reviews.

As a gamer myself, the earbuds I wear while talking to my teammates or listening to in-game sounds matter a lot, so I took my own experiences into account, too. Whether you’re a casual mobile gamer or full-time esports player, these are the best earbuds for gaming.

The EPOS GTW 270 wireless earbuds are designed specifically with gaming in mind. The earbuds connect with consoles or handhelds via Bluetooth or a direct wireless connection through the USB-C dongle for even lower latency. The dongle plugs directly into computers or consoles—including the Nintendo Switch—for in-game audio from the source.

The wireless earbuds are equipped with up to five hours of battery life on a single charge and a total of 20 with the portable charging case. They also have a built-in mic, but they don't have two-channel audio.

For a gamer on a budget, there are few options that offer the same quality as the Turtle Beach Battle Buds in-ear gaming headset. The earbuds come with a detachable boom mic to communicate directly with your friends and teammates mid-game.

The earbuds also come with multiple sizes of the ear tips and the stabilizers to customize the fit to your ears. The 10-millimeter drivers also offer loud, clear sound when playing on a console, phone, or computer.

When it comes to noise-canceling earbuds for gaming, the Razer Hammerhead true wireless earbuds are some of the best. With active technology to recognize and nullify ambient noise, the earbuds are built to keep you focused on gaming without outside distractions.

The earbuds also have a dual noise-canceling feature that isolates voices on calls to improve clarity and communication between you and your friends. The Razer earbuds come with a connected mobile app to customize your audio and equalization to your exact personal preferences.

If you want a pair of earbuds to use for gaming and walking down the street, the Logitech G333 gaming earphones are a great option. The earbuds are understated and come with multiple silicone tips for a comfortable fit. They have built-in controls and a clear mic for phone calls.

The earbuds have dual dynamic drivers in each ear to provide a wider ranger of sound levels with relative ease. Logitech also offers the earbuds in multiple colors to fit your taste.

The JBL Quantum TWS gaming earbuds come with a low-latency USB-C dongle that connects directly into a computer or gaming console to reduce potential lag between the in-game audio and your earbuds. The earbuds are also designed with active noise-canceling technology that reduces outside, ambient noise and improves your gaming experience.

Even without the USB-C dongle, the earbuds can easily connect with any Bluetooth compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.

The HyperX Cloud earbuds are gaming earbuds built for fun and durability. The portable carrying case allows for easy travel without potential damage, and the rubberized anti-tangle wires reduce a lot of hassle.

That being said, the earbuds are by no means a sacrifice when it comes to audio quality. The HyperX buds come with a relatively powerful 14-mm driver for loud, clear sound as you play.

With easily the most unique design of the bunch, the Hecate GX07 earbuds assert themselves as true gaming earbuds for enthusiasts. The sleek butterfly door charging case is just the beginning.

The earbuds come with an impressive active noise canceling feature that can nullify up to 38 decibels of exterior sound effectively. They also come with an IP54 rating for added protection against both dust and water. Hecate GX07s have impressive audio and bass in particular which make in-game and soundtrack audio a treat to listen to.

The Samsung AKG earbuds are built with more than just gaming in mind. The dual drivers provide powerful, clear audio that benefits music and movies alongside gaming. The earbuds don't come with active noise cancelation, but the passive noise cancelation, a.k.a. a snug fit, helps block out ambient noise and let you focus on the audio.

The earbuds' biggest downside is that the wire is USB-C, so it doesn't connect with traditional headphone jack ports.

With four drivers in each ear, the 1MORE quad driver earbuds are built for powerful audio. The earbuds are designed with a 45-degree angled option for increased comfort over long periods of time. 1MORE provides up to nine unique ear tip sizes to ensure the right fit for your ears.

The earbuds have in-line controls for easier volume changes mid-game. The unique wiring material also prevents tangling, even if you stuff them in your pockets.

Apple Airpods Pro are the best pick for earbuds for gaming on your iPad or iPhone since they're so easy to use with other Apple devices. The buds have high-quality noise-canceling technology that adjust levels based on your head movements and ambient sounds in the environment.

The earbuds also have direct voice controls with easy switching between Apple devices. The Airpods Pro also boast up to six hours of playtime with noise canceling enabled, which is lengthy compared to other models.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Commerce for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.

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