I Tested Over a Dozen Gaming Earbuds, These Are the Best Ones

After testing 13 gaming earbuds, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds rose to the top due to their comfortable fit, well-balanced sound, and a large selection of built-in equalizers that adjust audio for different games. However, if an open-ear design or strong noise cancellation is a priority for easy commuting, another set would be more suitable.

Here's why. I'm a journalist with over a dozen years of experience writing about games and technology. I reviewed my first audio product seven years ago, and for the past year, I've served as IGN's lead earbud reviewer, primarily testing gaming earbuds that connect wirelessly via USB dongles to PCs or consoles, as opposed to relying on Bluetooth, which tends to have higher latency.

To determine the best gaming earbuds, they must be comfortable for extended wear, have sufficient battery life for long gaming sessions, and deliver audio with minimal delay. They should also provide clear and rich sound across various genres, help distinguish audio elements such as footsteps, and include a decent microphone. Connectivity should be quick and reliable across multiple gaming devices.

While powerful noise cancellation and a transparency mode can be useful, they aren't essential for gaming. To compile my list, I considered various earbuds that had potential, including those I've tested before and read numerous reviews from critics and users on platforms like IGN, Sound Guys, RTings, Eurogamer, and gaming and audio subreddits.

I prioritized dedicated gaming earbuds that typically come with a USB-C dongle for reduced latency. Although Bluetooth works for some casual games, it can create a noticeable delay between in-game actions and audio, which is undesirable. Nonetheless, a couple of non-gaming earbuds made my list based on their recurring recommendations across various sources.

I ensured that the earbuds would be compatible with both PCs and multiple consoles, including Xbox, thanks to Xbox's proprietary wireless technology, which only supports certain earbuds. To accommodate a range of price points, I included several budget options under $50. My longlist eventually grew to 25 earbuds. Next, I narrowed down my selection to around a dozen earbuds for hands-on testing.

I thoroughly researched each earbud on my original list, examining additional reviews from critics and users. Any earbuds with consistent quality control issues or significant flaws were eliminated. I also excluded earbuds that were not widely available or had been discontinued, such as Logitech's G333 earbuds, which are often recommended but aren't readily available.

I required that all earbuds have a dedicated lower-latency mode since this guide focuses on gaming earbuds for use across various platforms, not just casual gaming. This eliminated earbuds like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds, which require an extra dongle for low latency, and Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, whose lower-latency mode only works on phones.

Additionally, I considered subcategories during this stage, aiming to recommend earbuds suitable for budget-friendly, open-ear use, and everyday use alongside gaming. However, I faced difficulties acquiring certain earbuds from my shortlist, including Logitech's G Fits, Sony WF-1000XM6, and Truthear Hexa. These will be tested later, and I will update this guide accordingly.

During testing, I evaluated each pair of earbuds, often switching between different models to compare their performance. After briefly inspecting the case and feeling the buds in my hand, I checked their durability and premium quality. I then placed the buds in my ears without any sound, assessing the fit and determining if I needed to adjust the size of the eartips, which most pairs came with in various sizes.

Since I was testing earbuds specifically for gaming, most of my time was spent in the lowest-latency mode, either through the dongle or a separate Bluetooth gaming mode. Marathon and GTA 5 served as my primary games for testing, as I wanted to assess the earbuds' ability to handle complex sound designs and deliver clear, directional audio.

Marathon's intricate sound design, featuring various sounds simultaneously, tested the earbuds' clarity, detail, and distance perception, while GTA 5 evaluated their overall audio performance.