The Best Gaming Earbuds [2024]

Earbuds offer a number of great advantages over our bulkier headphones. They’re portable, lightweight, small, and you can wear them without feeling the weight on your ears which is perfect if you plan on gaming for a long period of time.

Unlike large and bulky gaming headsets, which most of the time you only use during your gaming sessions, earbuds offer a more general use and versatility. You can use them in playing games and while commuting, working out, and pretty much for casual everyday use.

Even though they have less quality than their high-end headset counterparts, they still offer a decent sound quality for gaming at a lower price. So if you want portability, affordability, versatility, and good sound quality, keep reading. We have compiled the best gaming earbuds in the market to give you exactly what you’re looking for.

With such a wide variety of choices, it’s easy to make the wrong choice. That’s why we give you this buying guide that will teach you how to pick the best earbuds for you, from wired and wireless earbuds to budget and expensive ones that would give you the best value for your money.

Should I Buy Gaming Earbuds?

Earbuds won’t be able to carry the impact of a high-end gaming headset, so why should you buy them anyway? Here are the situations and reasons why it would be more practical to buy earbuds rather than a full-fledged gaming headset.

Price. Gaming headphones are generally more expensive, and if you are on a budget but you want to get the best possible audio for gaming, then getting a pair of earbuds is the cheapest alternative. They cost way less but deliver great performance close to that of a gaming headset.

Portability. Gaming headsets can be really bulky, and you might only be able to use them during your gaming sessions. Meanwhile, earbuds are small, lightweight, and you can carry them anywhere you go. They are perfect for gaming on the go and for working out, traveling, and other outdoor activities.

Best for handheld gaming. Headphones offer great audio fidelity, but your mobile devices may not even be able to fully utilize them. So you would be spending more on features that you won’t even benefit from. So if you are more of a mobile gamer, it might be better to settle with a good gaming earbud.

Great for daily use. Because of their portability, earbuds are great daily drivers not only for gaming but also for listening to music. With their size, you can fit them in your pocket or purse and use them anytime, anywhere.

Lowkey.  Nobody wants to look like they’re begging for attention wearing a huge bulky gaming headset on the street. Besides gaming, your earbuds can be used anywhere else because of their low profile that is stylish but doesn’t stand out too much.

No sweaty ears. Headsets can make your ears feel hot and can cause your ears to sweat, especially if you’re gaming for a long period. With earbuds, you won’t experience this even when you’re on a gaming marathon.

Things To Look For in Gaming Earbuds

Buying earbuds can be as simple as picking one that looks cool, and that’s where mistakes and regrets come from. To avoid that, we have created this guide for you to learn about the important factors and characteristics that you should consider when you want to buy gaming earbuds.

Drivers

In sound devices like earbuds, speakers, and headsets, drivers refer to two things. First is the software that lets your computer use your audio device, and second is the hardware inside your device that produces its sounds.

Generally, the more and bigger drivers you have, the better the quality of sound produced. Headsets typically have more than two drivers for different frequency ranges giving them a better and cleaner sound.

Meanwhile, earbuds being their smaller and less expensive counterparts, come in only one or two drivers. So, as a rule of thumb, we should prefer earbuds with more drivers and bigger ones.

Durability

Besides your gaming sessions, your earbuds will be used as a daily driver, and you might bring them along during different tasks. Jogging, working, traveling, and other activities may put your earbuds at risk of physical damage.

Stretching, falling, and sitting on it are things that you should avoid but still may happen. So your earbuds should have the durability to withstand being used while you are active. It’s good to consider the materials your earbuds are made of and what resistances it has.

Compatibility

Most earbuds come with a 3.5 mm jack that is compatible with your mobile phone, console, and Nintendo switch. There are also earbuds that support connection through Bluetooth, but they don’t offer latency-free connection like wired headsets. It would work on your PC but as either mic or audio output device only, which leads us to another thing to consider.

Sweat Resistance

Your earbuds would be used when you are active and outside, so they should be more durable and weatherproof. Sweat resistance is also a must to keep your ears cool and fresh. Earbuds offer this perk over their headset cousins.

Microphone

Communication is vital, especially in multiplayer gaming, where teamwork is a key part of the victory. You must have a decent mic so that you can shotcall and rally your teammates properly. So look for an earbud that has a good-quality mic that’s decent for gaming.

Adapter

Your earbuds would have only one jack, and most PCs are not able to use it as both mic and headset from a single input. This is why you will need an adaptor to use your earbuds both as a mic and listening device. So if you’re planning to buy one, it would be nice to have that free adaptor with the package.

The 7 Best Gaming Earbuds

So with all these factors considered, we have rounded up 7 of the best gaming earbuds you can find in the market. Now you don’t have to spend countless hours trying to search for a decent one online because we will show you 7 options that would be totally worth your money.

From the best cheap budget earbuds to the high-end ones that would make your gaming experience sound as epic as it feels. Let’s hop right to it.

Logitech G333

Let’s start off this list with a pretty solid budget earphone. For only around $35, you already have a great earbud with premium features and Oculus Quest 2 support. This earpiece is specifically designed for VR gamers and is one of the best earbuds to buy if you want to immerse yourself inside your game.

It contains gaming-grade dual dynamic drivers with one dedicated to highs/mids and one for bass. The dedicated drivers will give you a richer, cleaner, and better quality of sound that is optimal for gaming in the virtual world. The accuracy of these earbuds is quite a way over its price.

The Logitech G333 comes with a 3.5mm jack compatible with Oculus Quest and other devices. Another awesome thing is you get to customize the length of your cable. You can keep it short if you don’t want to be bothered by dangling lines, or you can go with a longer cable for everyday use.

For comfort, it comes with three different silicone tips that are pretty soft and comfortable to wear, which is perfect for long gaming sessions. It is made with aluminum housing that ensures durability and longevity.

So for its price, the Logitech G333 offers quite amazing features. If you want a cheap VR gaming earbud, this is the one for you.

Turtle Beach Battle Buds

If you’re looking for earbuds for gaming on the go, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds offers a snug fit at a great price. These earbuds are more directed towards mobile gamers and Nintendo Switch players.

It is specifically designed to be lightweight, easily portable, and comfortable for gaming on the move. It has three interchangeable ear tips and stabilizers of different sizes so that you can find the best fit for your ears. This is really practical and useful, especially when you play while you are traveling or walking.

The sound quality is pretty good for an inexpensive earbud. Thanks to its 10mm speakers, it produces clear and deep bass while maintaining crisp highs. They described the lows as thundering, but it’s not overpowering to the ear at all. For sound quality, we’d say that these buds are great for their price

For the microphone, it has a built-in inline mic and a high-sensitivity omnidirectional detachable boom mic that picks up your voice loud and clear. Although it is designed to work best on mobile and Nintendo Switch, it is still compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PS4 Pro, PS4, and PC, and it can do the job decently too.

So if you are on a budget, this is a great option. Or, if you are more into mobile and handheld gaming, take the Turtle Beach Battle Buds because this is where it really shines.

1MORE Triple Driver

If you want value for money, then we have the earbud just for you. A high-quality earbud that offers premium features at a not so premium price. For just around 50 bucks, the performance you’ll get from these earbuds is superb.

For starters, it has three drivers, which is rare in earbuds at this price range. It has two balanced armatures and one dynamic driver. This combination gives you a clear, accurate, high-quality sound that delivers not only a great experience in gaming but in listening to music as well.

The bass is quite deep but not to the point that it’s overwhelming, and the highs are pretty crisp too. The speakers are perfectly tuned so that it delivers clear and precise sounds.

For comfort, they blessed these buds with an oblique design that perfectly matches the shape of your ear canal. It comes with a set of 9 ear tip sizes( 6 sets of silicone ear tips, 3 sets of foam ear tips) that ensures your buds would fit no matter the size of your ear. They are less likely to fall than other earbuds, so you can also use these for gaming on the go.

The durability of its build is really great as well. It has aluminum earbuds and a braided cable that ensures you get the most out of your buds for as long as possible.

So as far as sound quality and price goes, we would say that the 1MORE Triple Driver earbud is one of the best when it comes to value for money. You definitely won’t regret buying this one.

Hyperx Cloud Earbuds

Here we have a basic earbud with all the essentials you need. This budget-friendly earbud comes with a decent performance and quality and is specifically designed to work best with the Nintendo Switch.

The design is optimized for handheld mode and taking your game outside. It has a 90-degree angled cable connector, tangle-free cable, and a travel case that gives you the flexibility and ease of bringing it along wherever you go.

It comes with 3 different silicone tips for comfort and a nice fit. However, even the smallest size can be a little big, especially if you have really small ears. We suggest looking at other options on this list if that is the case. But it would work for most people, though.

The inline microphone is pretty good for communicating with your team as it provides a clear sound that can even be used in meetings. It also has a very convenient inline multi-function button that lets you easily control your earbuds.

The sound quality is also decent for gaming and is hard to beat at its price. With enhanced bass and treble, the HyperX Cloud Earbuds produces a clear and vibrant sound that only a select number of earbuds can match at its price range.

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds

If you don’t want to see any cables and go with wireless gaming, the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds are the answer. Its solid performance and minimum latency make this our top pick for the best wireless gaming earbuds.

The sound quality is mainly determined by its custom-tuned 13mm driver that gives it immersive full-range audio perfect for gaming, listening to music, virtual meetings, and calls. For comfort, it has silicone tips that ensure a better grip and fit, and you don’t have to worry about tangling cables anymore.

It supports Bluetooth 5.0 Auto Pairing with a very low latency of only 60 ms, which makes it the best wireless earbud for gamers. It can last for up to 15 hours when fully charged, so you can definitely go on gaming marathons with these babies.

They are quite durable as well with a Water Resistant Design: IPX4 rated that lets you splash your earbuds without damaging them. You should still be careful, though. The Earbuds have a touch-sensitive control which gives you a lot of convenience in operation. The only setback is because of its sensitivity, you might have a lot of accidental touches.

Basically, the design and sound quality rival that of Apple’s Airpods, but the price is significantly lower. So if you have used Airpods before, you already have an idea of how the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds sound and feel like.

Sennheiser Ie 80 S

If volume and a snug fit to your ears are what you’re looking for, Sennheiser has the headset for you. The German brand’s Sennheiser IE 80 S is a go-to pick for people who are unsure of what to choose. The brand is one of the longest-running in the market and is completely trusted even by audiophile customers.

It is a high-end ear-canal earphone equipped with a dynamic transducer designed with precision to deliver a superb sound quality across the whole frequency range that would satisfy even our audiophile friends. When it comes to sound accuracy, detail, and dynamics, this earbud is exceptional.

The housing is made of stainless steel for durability with convenient details like red markings so that you can easily recognize the sides.

Another unique feature it has is the  Sennheiser proprietary 2-pin connector, which allows you to detach your cable for easy replacement and customization. So if you want to use the Sennheiser smart remote cable or any other optional cable, you will find this feature very useful.

When it comes to comfort, their package comes with Comply memory foam tips from small to large, ensuring it fits you no matter your ear size. Pair this with the ergonomically engineered housing, and you have an earbud that is designed to improve comfort and quality of sound.

The in-ear canal listening style provides noise isolation of up to 26db, blocking out external noises for an immersive and undisturbed listening experience for gaming and listening to your favorite songs. It can perform at a high volume without compromising audio quality, so it’s perfect for times when you want to immerse yourself in sound.

Overall the Sennheiser IE 80 S is a great premium pair of earbuds, and only a select few can match the sound quality and features it offers.

Bose Quietcomfort 20

Let’s finish off this list with our top pick for the best all-around gaming earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort 20. The first in-ear noise-canceling from Vose offers the best immersive experience. Although the price is a bit on the expensive side, this pair of earbuds would never fail you.

The main highlight of this product is the beauty of its noise cancellation. Using Bose noise-canceling technology, you can shut out your surroundings and dive completely into gaming or music.

The earbuds are so immersive that you may not be aware of your surroundings while using them. Good thing that it comes with Aware Mode that lets you hear your surroundings at the press of a button.

So if you really want to dive deeper into your game, these buds are perfect for you.  The sound quality also deserves its price. This product is powered by Bose Active EQ and TriPort technology, producing extremely accurate life-like digital sounds that you wouldn’t think possible with in-ear headphones.

For comfort, they have their unique proprietary StayHear+ tips that create a soft and stable fit. The cone-shaped design is engineered to give comfort to your ears and for full-spectrum noise reduction.

The controls are conveniently positioned so you can easily access them with your fingertips for full control over your earbuds. Plus, these earbuds can last for over 4-5 years, so you’ll definitely get the most out of the money you spent.

From the sound quality and awesome noise reduction to the comfort and longevity it offers, we undoubtedly chose Bose QuietComfort 20 as the best all-around earbuds.

FAQs About Gaming Earbuds

Now you have a lot of knowledge on how to choose a gaming earbud for yourself. But how do you take care of them once you buy them? We’re sure that there are some underlying questions on your mind regarding these products. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about gaming earbuds and our take on these inquiries.

Can Earbuds Damage Your Hearing?

This may only happen if your earbuds are too loud. Turning up your volume too high may cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This is more common, especially on kids and teenagers with sensitive ears.

But don’t worry because this won’t happen instantly without you noticing. You will only suffer from loss of hearing if you listen to very loud noises for a long period of time, which is over an hour for earbuds at maximum volume. Also, not all earbuds are capable of producing a sound loud enough to damage your ears.

How Long Do Earbuds Last?

On average, earbuds tend to last for as long as 3-6 months, depending on the frequency of use and how you take care of them. Note, however, that the earbuds on our list are tested and proven to be durable and last you long. One can even last for up to 5 years.

How To Clean Your Earbuds?

Cleaning is very important in taking care of your earbuds. Dirt, earwax, sweat, and other unpleasant debris can accumulate in your earbuds. This is why you should ensure that your earbuds are cleaned regularly in a proper way. How do you do this?

• Make sure the earbuds aren’t connected to any device and are powered off.
• Never use alcohol to clean your buds, as it can deteriorate the coloring and leather of your earbuds.
• Clean the inside of your earbuds using a clean, soft brush to remove debris, dirt, and wax build-up.
• Use a damp cloth to wipe your earbuds’ tips.
• Immediately wipe it with a dry cloth
• Clean the charging case using a dry cloth

How Often Should You Clean Your Earbuds?

There is no rule written in stone on how frequently you should be cleaning your buds. It all depends on how and when you use them. Do you use them while in the gym? What are you doing while you are using them? Where do you use them?

Gaming earbuds should be cleaned at least every week. The same goes for earbuds you use in meetings and indoors or in your room only. Earbuds that you use while you are active like when you are at the gym or traveling, need to be cleaned after every use if possible. This is because they tend to accumulate more dirt and sweat than when you use them indoors.

The most common indicator you should be monitoring is the visible physical build-up of dirt and debris. If you see that your buds are already dirty, use the previous methods we taught you and clean them properly.

How To Make Your Earbuds Last as Long as Possible?

To get the most out of your earbuds and ensure their longevity, you need to take care of them properly. Never let them fall or hit anything hard, as this can damage your precious earbuds instantly. Regularly clean them and make sure to keep them inside their case or bag when not in use.

Also, you should keep in mind that they can also be damaged by temperature. Make sure that you don’t store them in places with temperatures that are too high or too low. Moisture is also your enemy so always keep your earbuds dry.

Another part that needs to be taken care of is your cable. Don’t wrap your cable around your phone or device while your earbud is still plugged in, as this can bend the cable in a way that it meets the plug end at a sharp angle, and eventually, it will pull it out of the housing.

Final Thoughts

With all this knowledge and information, you are now more than ready to choose, buy, and maintain your gaming earbuds. It is finally time to invest in a gaming earbud and enjoy plays that sound as epic as they look.