Quick Answer
When choosing gaming earbuds, prioritize sound quality, low latency, and battery life. The SteelSeries Arctis and Asus ROG Cetra SpeedNova top the list, while the Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao, Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, and HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2 are excellent premium options. For value, the discounted Soundcore VR P10 is a standout, with the Turtle Beach Scout Air as a close second. Sony Inzone Buds are ideal for Sony and PlayStation users but less versatile with other devices.
With gaming reaching even higher levels of popularity, the number of good games coming out is also on the rise. Since gaming is all about experience, you need an equally top-class shelf of accessories and equipment to enjoy it to the fullest. Other than having a capable gaming device, be it a PC, console, or mobile, peripherals, such as audio gear, are usually taken for granted.
Gamers know the importance of a good and precise audio setup while gaming, which contributes as much as the visual experience. With most devices skipping out on an audio port, opting for wireless earbuds tailored for gaming makes sense. Wireless gaming earbuds are widely available, and here are our top eight recommendations. Let’s get started!
Things You Should Consider Before Getting Gaming Earbuds
Since it’s wireless earbuds we are talking about, the primary demerit every gamer rants about is latency. Latency is the delay caused between an action and its response. Despite being measured in mere milliseconds, it’s noticeable enough when you are fully absorbed in your favorite game. This is because it’s impossible to have zero latency over a Bluetooth connection. So, it’s essential gaming earbuds that support low-latency gaming.
Since gaming sessions know no bounds, you could play for the entire day without realizing it. However, for that, your earbuds need to last as long. In other words, you must ensure your gaming earbuds have a respectable battery claim. Additionally, having support for fast charging is recommended, as you can easily top up the earbuds to last a good few hours after minutes of charging.
Last but not least, since the primary purpose of earbuds is to produce sound, you must ensure it’s being well taken care of. More important than the sound quality, a precise output is crucial for gamers to identify the sounds produced while playing games. It’s even better if there is support for surround sound technology, which helps determine the positioning of the sound much better, which is especially helpful in first-person shooter games that we all love to play.
Best Gaming Earbuds
Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
If you are into gaming, even the slightest bit, you would know Razer well. It may come as a surprise that Razer makes gaming earbuds, which is true because there aren’t many models on offer. Alongside the standard Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, the Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed has an ace up its sleeve: the 2.4GHz HyperSpeed dongle that eliminates latency to an unimaginable extent. The concept is similar to wireless mice using a proprietary 2.4GHz dongle to reduce wireless latency.
In case you’re wondering, compatibility isn’t an issue, as you can connect the earbuds to a PC, PlayStation console, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, smartphone, or even Steam Deck with the included dongle. Since it’s Razer we are talking about, there’s support for Chroma RGB lighting to fulfill your gamer needs. The one area we felt concerned about was battery life, which is considerably low at a little over 3 hours when paired with the HyperSpeed dongle and ANC turned on. You will have to let go of features like RGB lighting and ANC to get over 4-5 hours of battery life out of the earbuds, which is still average.
The sound quality from the 10 mm drivers inside is excellent and equally precise for gaming. The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed offers active noise cancellation (ANC), IPX4 water resistance, remappable touch controls, and additional features, thanks to Razer Audio app compatibility. The case supports wireless charging and can refill the earbuds nearly three times more. Retailing at $170, the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, although expensive, is among the best gaming earbuds you can buy.
Buy Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
- HyperSpeed dongle for low-latency gaming
- Sound quality is precise enough for gaming
- Razer Audio app enables thoughtful software features
- Sub-par battery life
- Latency in Bluetooth mode could have been lower
- Slightly expensive
HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2
Another well-known brand in the industry, HyperX, has just one wireless earbud on offer, the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2, and it’s a good one. Like the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, this one also opts for a 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle alongside the standard Bluetooth 5.3 LE (low energy) codec for reduced latency. The result? A claimed latency of as low as 20ms is insanely good for a pair of wireless earbuds.
Other features include hybrid active noise cancellation, AI noise-reducing microphones for better audio reception, and ambient sound mode to keep you aware of your surroundings. Although the AirPods-like design is tried and tested, some reviews report issues related to fit and comfort. However, the fit may vary from person to person, so it’s something you should keep in mind.
With 9mm drivers inside, the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2 sound great for gaming. You can choose between different audio profiles within the HyperX Ngenuity software. The earbuds have a claimed battery life of 7 hours for the buds and 19 hours for the case, bringing the total to 26 hours, which is adequate for most stretched gaming sessions. The HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2 retail for $150, making them somewhat expensive but a recommended pair of gaming earbuds.
Buy HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2
- 2.4GHz dongle enables 20ms low-latency gaming
- Good battery life
- HyperX NGENUITY software enabled additional audio profiles
- Some reviews report fit issues
- Slightly expensive
Sony Inzone Buds
The Sony Inzone Buds gets a lot of things right. Being the Red Dot Design Award winner for 2024, the Sony Inzone Buds are some of the most comfortable and well-designed gaming earbuds you’ll find. Since Sony makes PlayStation, you get to enjoy immaculate compatibility. However, the Inzone Buds doesn’t support any Bluetooth codec other than Bluetooth LE (low energy), so you can’t connect it to devices that don’t support Bluetooth LE codecs, like iPhones and iPads, for example. The dongle enables 30ms low-latency usage, which is excellent for all gaming needs.
Thanks to the same 8.4mm drivers as Sony’s flagship WF1000XM5 earbuds, you can only imagine how good the earbuds sound. The Inzone Buds also feature 360-degree spatial sound, which needs to be enabled via the mobile app, but in return, you get precise sound and directional response, which is one of a kind. On the PC side of things, the Inzone Hub PC software enables a truckload of other valuable features.
Despite the extensive feature list, the Sony Inzone Buds have an impressive claimed battery life of up to 12 hours on a single charge with 2.4GHz connection. The charging case doubles this number while supporting fast charging. The earbuds also feature active noise cancellation, a must-have feature for gamers. Although the $170 price tag is still faintly expensive, the value proposition is simply unmatched if you are willing to empty your pockets.
Buy Sony Inzone Buds
Pros:
- Excellent compatibility with PlayStation
- Great sound quality and ANC
- Superb battery life
- Not compatible with devices that don’t support Bluetooth LE audio connection, like iPhones and iPads
- Earbuds are marginally heavy at nearly 6.5 grams each
Soundcore VR P10
If you are a little tight on budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, look no further than the Soundcore VR P10 wireless gaming earbuds. While designed for the Meta Quest 2 with superior compatibility and features like pass-through charging, the Soundcore VR P10 is compatible with other devices using the bundled 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle. The earbuds also support Bluetooth 5.2, which can be used in tandem with the 2.4GHz dongle for the best dual-device connectivity experience.
The earbuds follow the usual stem-style design language and sit securely inside the ears. There is no active noise cancellation, which is only a minor nitpick if you ask us since the passive noise cancellation is adequate. The earbuds have three LED strips that glow magenta by default, but you can customize them within the Soundcore mobile app. With the claimed battery life of 6 hours for the earbuds alone and an additional 24 hours with the case, you shouldn’t run out of juice during a gaming session.
Thanks to the beefy 11 mm drivers and Soundcore’s proprietary BassUp technology, the sound quality, as per numerous reviews online, is very good. When used with the 2.4 GHz dongle, the latency drops below 30ms, which is perfect for most games. The Soundcore VR P10 retails for around $100, but you can regularly find them selling for $50 or less. In fact, the Amazon listing at the time of writing this article is $48, which is insanely good.
Buy Soundcore VR P10
- Value for money
- Seamless compatibility with Meta Quest 2
- A great package overall
- No ANC
- Reviews suggest mediocre mic performance
Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
No one takes gaming seriously other than ROG, and the ROG Cetra SpeedNova continues this legacy. Since it’s earbuds we are talking about, sound quality should be the topmost priority, and these earbuds know it well. With support for hi-res 24-bit 96KHz audio enhanced using Dirac Opteo, you can be assured of a legendary sound experience. Such high-quality playback support is unheard of in the wireless gaming earbuds industry, and when paired with ANC, the experience is unmatched.
Another crucial aspect the ROG Cetra SpeedNova gets right is the battery life, which is rated at a ridiculous 11 hours for the earbuds themselves and a total of 46 hours with the case in Bluetooth mode with ANC and RGB lights turned off. Even if you use the earphones in the most demanding configuration, that is, using the 2.4 GHz dongle with ANC and RGB lights turned on, the buds can last 5 hours on a single charge, whereas the case can last an additional 15 hours.
Speaking of the RGB lighting, you can go all out and customize it using Asus’ Armoury Crate software. The bundled 2.4GHz dongle can bring down the latency to 30ms while gaming. The funky design won the Red Dot Design award for 2023, and the reviews say so, including the comfort, which is pretty good. Instead of the standard microphones, the ROG Cetra SpeedNova uses bone-conduction technology to pick up your voices better. All in all, the $170 price tag, albeit a tiny bit expensive, feels much more worth paying for.
Buy Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
- Outstanding sound quality
- Long-lasting battery life
- Asus Armoury Crate is one of the best apps in the market
- Slightly expensive
- No support for directional audio
Turtle Beach Scout Air
If you are looking for a pair of budget truly wireless earbuds, the Turtle Beach Scout Air could be a great pick. To get the price right, at a little over $30, you are getting quite a lot of things for the money. Firstly, a tried-and-tested stem-style design that fits well. While you don’t get any flashy RGB lights, we wouldn’t complain much for the price. Furthermore, the case has three LEDs to tell you the battery percentage, which is a thoughtful addition.
With 6mm neodymium drivers inside, the Turtle Beach Scout Air doesn’t sound exciting, but they certainly get the job done. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, you can connect the earbuds to any Bluetooth-supported device with ease. A rated latency of 60ms is about as good as most Bluetooth low-latency modes can go, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
The battery life, too, is acceptable at 5 hours for the earbuds and an additional 15 hours for the case, bringing the total to 20 hours. Additionally, the Turtle Beach Scout Air comes with app support, IPX4 water resistance, dual microphones, and touch controls. Overall, we would recommend the Turtle Beach Scout Air solely for the price, which is very well justified for the features it offers.
Buy Turtle Beach Scout Air
- Pocket-friendly pricing
- LED charge indicators
- App support for added functionality
- Average sound quality
- Battery life isn’t very good
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
Rated as the best wireless gaming earbuds by many, the SteelSeries Arctis is among the best money can buy. The reason? While most expensive earbuds miss out on one thing or the other, be it proper app support, compatibility with all devices, or wireless charging, the SteelSeries Arctis has all of that, plus a lot more. For starters, this one doesn’t follow the same stem-style design language as others and instead opts for a much smaller footprint that fits well.
The strong neodymium drivers coupled with active noise cancellation ensure your ears are well-treated. Like others, the SteelSeries Arctis earbuds comes with a bundled 2.4 GHz USB Type-C dongle that’s compatible with Xbox, PS5, and other devices. In fact, separate versions are available for both Xbox and PS5. Furthermore, with support for Bluetooth 5.3, you need not worry about connectivity at all.
The SteelSeries Arctis companion app is blissful, with ample audio presets and an equalizer to create your custom profile. We found the reviews about the app praiseworthy. Despite all the bells and whistles, the battery life is rated at an impressive 10 hours for the earbuds and an additional 30 hours for the case, bringing the total to 40 hours. The case can wirelessly charge, too. For the asking price of $160, the SteelSeries Arctis gaming earbuds offer great value for money.
Buy SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
- Excellent battery life
- Well-rounded package for the price
- SteelSeries companion app is great
- No RGB lighting
- No support for directional audio
Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao
If you have money to shell out on a pair of wireless earbuds, the Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao is worth checking out. Nubia goes all out with its Redmagic gaming products, and it’s no different for the Cyberbuds Dao. As for the exclusives, it offers a unique transparent design language, both for the buds and the case. Of course, the earbuds have RGB lighting, which is almost quintessential for gamers. A metal build puts the cherry on top of the fantastic design.
The 11 mm graphene drivers paired with the Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 Sound Platform and support for LHDC 5.0 codec ensure you get an impeccable sound experience. Furthermore, 48dB of AI ANC is worth admiring in a pair of gaming earbuds. Alongside usual in-box contents, the Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao comes with a wireless charging station that enables wireless charging, RGB lighting, and houses additional USB Type-C ports for connecting the 2.4GHz dongle and charging cable. It also houses a volume knob to adjust volume levels instantly.
The dongle lowers down the latency to 28 ms, which is a sigh of relief for gamers who wouldn’t want to connect the earphones using the Bluetooth 5.3 codec. Despite all these features, the battery life is rated at 7.5 hours for the earbuds themselves and a total of about 70 hours with the case, which is impressive nonetheless. Regardless, the $200 price tag may still seem unworthy, but you are definitely getting a lot of exclusives with the Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao.
Buy Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao
- The wireless charging station is a unique addition
- Impressive battery life
- App support is a plus point
- Expensive for what these offer
Pick the Right Wireless Gaming Earbuds for You
Picking the right pair of wireless gaming earbuds can be challenging with so many options around. As per this listicle, we wholeheartedly recommend the SteelSeries Arctis and the Asus ROG Cetra SpeedNova wireless gaming earbuds as our top choices. They are closely followed by the Sony Inzone Buds and the Soundcore VR P10 for their value proposition and seamless compatibility. The Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed, Redmagic Cyberbuds Dao, HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2, and the Turtle Beach Scout Air aren’t bad choices either and are worth checking out.
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