If you've been following my journey over the past five years, you'll know I love audio equipment. For years I searched out the best gaming earbuds. Headsets were too bulky, and I wanted something that would stay put while providing me with quality sound. By searching out affordable earbuds specifically made for gaming, I found just the type of products I needed: sleek, high quality, and affordable.
Favorite Gaming Earbuds Comparison
What to Look For When Shopping for Gaming Earbuds
We’ve all been there — one minute you’re sure you need something, and the next you’re standing in front of a shelf of options, unable to make a decision. To make a great decision, you need to know what you’re looking at. This is how I developed my personal criteria.
How to Choose The Right Earbuds for Gaming
Headphones are a very personal choice, so picking earbuds comes down to finding what style you’re looking for. Do you value bass? If so, bass maximization may be a good fit for you. Do you need to have hands-free access to phone calls, or to pause or play your music? Then having a built-in microphone would benefit you.
Wireless Earbuds VS Wired Earbuds: What is the best choice?
Wireless earbuds are increasingly popular, however they have some pretty significant drawbacks. The first is that they attach directly to the ear in some circumstances, meaning that you may not have the most comfortable fit. There is no way for you to answer phone calls or truly be hands-free with wireless earbuds. Finally, they require charging. Lots of charging. Extended gameplay can be interrupted by needing to charge wireless headphones. Earbuds for gaming need to last no matter how long the campaign, so personally I go for wired headphones for my gaming.
Best Earbuds for Gaming We Reviewed
Editor's Rating: 4.8/5
Features:
- Immersive audio experience provides quality sound during game play
- Durable cords allow you to live your life without worry of damage
- Incredibly comfortable earbuds mean you can wear them all day
- Useful remote makes it convenient to take calls or change volumes
- Sleek, subtle look
The LUDOS CLAMOR earbuds are the best wired earbuds I have ever used, and are, in my opinion, the best gaming earbuds on this list. The Editors rated this 4.4/5 stars, and I can see why. The memory foam earbuds provide the utmost in comfort, and can be worn for hours, with a 40% increase in comfort as listed by LUDOS’ studies. With professionally developed sound quality, they provide an immersive listener experience that allows you to really saturate yourself in the sound.
LUMOS CLAMOR Earbuds | Header |
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Impedance | 32Ω ± 15% |
Sensitivity | 92dB to 1 kHz |
Sound pressure | 92 ±3 dB |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-20000Hz |
Their new high quality pads are secure in my ears, and don’t cause me any soreness overtime unlike more oddly shaped earbuds. This is because they’re formed from memory foam instead of silicon, and are therefore not only more comfortable, but more resistant as well. These are the most durable earbuds I’ve had, while simultaneously providing me with the comfort I need.
The LUDOS Clamor Wired Headphones are durable due to their quality speakers and highly resistant wiring. The company’s focus on comfort didn’t inhibit the quality of the sound, as LUDOS incorporated high quality speakers that support higher levels of bass. Mids and trebles are perfectly balanced in this speaker system, so you can get lost in an immersive sound experience. These are the best gaming earbuds for sound quality.
There is a three button remote integrated into the headphones as well, which you can use as a speaker or to control the volume. Using the remote to answer calls means that I don’t have to interrupt my flow if I’m out and about.
If you don’t want to be the person walking around with dangling, delicate white earphones like everyone else, these are perfect for you. They come in a choice of several colors, ranging from black to vibrant accents, and they are both fashionable and sleek.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.6/5
Features:
Bass-driven stereo sound provides a great listening experience
Ear adaptors in different sizes allow you to find the optimal fit
Optimized headphone jack allows you to use these on different systems
Noise isolation provides great focus and blocks out ambient noises.
The Betron B750s earbuds balance being incredibly affordable with being very high quality. The stereo sound of these headphones is bass-driven, giving you a noise isolating, rich, musical experience that you can indulge in while you game. The mid to low frequencies on these headphones are incredibly appealing and rich in sound quality, as well. This lends the earbuds their high clarity and appealing sound.
Betron B750s Noise Isolating Earbuds | Header |
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Impedance | 16Ω |
Sensitivity | 96dB |
Output power | 3mW |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-20000Hz |
For cheap earbuds, the Betron B750s are very comfortable. This is because you have six differently sized, ergonomic rubber ear buds to pick from so you can optimize your listening. You will not get sore when using these headphones. This gives your earbuds a personalized fit.
The versatile headphone jack allows you to have a truly all-purpose earbud, which is especially useful if you’re using multiple gaming systems. Whether you’re using an iPhone, a PC, a tablet, or a handheld game, these headphones provide the necessary listening experience to fully immerse you in gameplay without the high price point of some of its competitors.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.4/5
Features:
Incredibly clear sound for an immersive experience
Comfortable, patented fit for the ear
Great noise isolating fit
Useful built-in microphone
Lack of distortion
The Easy KZ ST Colorful Hybrid Banlance earbuds are the best noise canceling headphones on this list. Aside from having beautiful colors on the buds themselves, these earbuds are also ergonomically formed. Due to the memory wire technology, the in-ear earbuds themselves stay tightly fitted to the ear, all while staying incredibly comfortable. If you’re a “jumper” while you’re playing video games like me, these headphones will not fall out. The Editors rated these 4.3/5 stars.
Easy KZ ZST Colorful HiFi Headset | Header |
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Impedance | 10 ohm |
Sensitivity | 106dB/mW |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-40000Hz |
Because there is an independent sound channel for each driver, there won’t be any distortion. These earbuds have an intense range, and provide rich and energetic sound for the listener. The mids, treble, and bass all are given a strong platform to work off of, and really make listening not only easy, but pleasurable.
These gaming earbuds are more comfortable than you’d expect due to the patented technology silicon tips. They help get the sound directly to the eardrum with less interference than a standard earbud.
I’ve never lost these earbuds. They have bright acoustic resin materials which make them easy to see from across the room. Another interesting visual aspect is the twist of the wires inside of the chord. This is utilitarian, as it provides lower resistance, however it is also aesthetically beautiful.
The KZ ZST has 1BA 1DD drivers, and are wired gaming earbuds. There is also a built-in microphone.
In particular, these headphones were designed for Apple products, however they can be used on any device with a 3.5mm jack, including Androids, laptops, tablets, and mp3 players.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.3/5
Features:
Very durable gaming earbuds to stand up to an active lifestyle
Quality microphone for hands-free calls
High quality sound with a strong base and clarity
Ergonomic tips fit in the ear comfortably
Long headphone cord
The Moxking Wired Durable Metal Earphones are powerful. They have a strong base and incredibly clear sound, and provide an experience that allows you to feel the music almost like it’s playing inside of your head. They are loud and clear, and while they are not noise canceling, they can definitely be noise-inhibiting. Editors rated these 4.4/5 stars as well.
Moxking Wired Durable Metal Earphones | Header |
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Impedance | 10ohm |
Sensitivity | 106dB/mW |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-40000Hz |
With an ergonomic design and five sizes of silicon tips to choose from, you can be sure that you are getting a proper fit from these earbuds, and can increase your ability to block out noise by going up a size. This customization definitely makes a difference when I’m using these earbuds, as I can swap them out for a smaller size if my ears get irritated.
The microphone on these headphones allows you to pick up calls and control volume, but also gives you the ability to play and pause, as well as skip through the tracks. Even in a noisy environment, I haven’t had a problem with echo due to the mic on these headphones.
These are also incredibly durable headphones. They are hard aluminum with sturdy wire and a reinforced jack. The earbuds as well as the y-joint and jack are metal as well, providing you with a quality product that won’t break or crack under different conditions. The jack is also versatile, coming in at 3.55 mm, meaning that you can use this in your phone, computer, tablet, or mp3 player without any problems. These are probably the most durable earbuds, and can be used in multiple circumstances.
The 55 inch wire gives you room to move as you play your game, run, go to the gym, or handle your business. This, paired with the ability to talk through the microphone, make for a hands-free experience.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.2/5
Features:
Smart Button provides easy, straightforward call answering or music pausing
Bass enhancements provide a high quality sound
Customized adaptors allow you to determine your fit
Clear, detailed, and immersive sounds provide an enticing listening experience
Suppression of ambient noises
These Sennheiser CX 300s In-Ear gaming earbuds are convenient. Through high-precision German technology, they have high sound quality. With only one button on the remote, they don’t provide the same control that other wired earbuds may have, but you can still receive calls due to the ability to answer them with this button. A microphone is embedded around the button as well. The Editors rated these earbuds 4.3/5 stars overall.
Sennheiser CX 300S | Header |
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Impedance | 18ohm |
Sound Pressure Level | 121dB/mW |
Frequency Response | 17Hz-21000Hz |
While these ear adapters aren’t necessarily ergonomically designed, each pair of earbuds comes with four different sizes of adaptors so that you can find a fit that works for you. Increasing the size of the tip will also decrease the amount of sound that you experience. And while they may not be ergonomically designed, they’re definitely created for a secure fit to reduce ambient noise.
They provide clear, detailed sound that you can enjoy. In particular, I enjoy the bass enhancement on these earbuds. Customizing your fit with the different adaptors makes for a comfortable listening experience, especially when more harsh earbuds may not give you that inner-ear protection from the bass.
These earbuds have an 18-ohm transducer, which lends itself to compatibility with a large majority of different jacks, meaning that these can be your one-stop-shop earbuds if you use many different devices. If you’re looking for PS4 earbuds, for instance, these may be your guy.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.1/5
Features:
Engineered to create a high quality bass sound, these earphones deliver what they promise
Tangle-free wires prevent you from getting caught up
Integrated microphone and remote allow for hands free communication
Use of Neodymium Magnets improves sound for the use
The Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbuds are high quality for bass sounds in particular. Their dome-type driver technology supplies the fullest base of the headphones on this list. This, paired with the integrated microphone and the smartphone playback control provide quality sounds for your listening pleasure paired with the ability to make and take calls at will. The Editors also rated these at 4.4/5 stars.
Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headphones | Header |
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Impedance | 16ohm |
Sensitivity | 110dB/mW |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-20000Hz |
The earbuds themselves are hybrid silicone, and promise a secure, comfortable fit. These, I found, are not as comfortable as some of the other earbuds on this list, but they do provide a snug fit that does reduce some sounds. They come in four different sizes, similar to other headphones on this list, but they don’t quite sit right to prevent your ears from becoming a little uncomfortable if you wear them for too long of a time.
Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbuds come with a tangle-free y-wire with a 100 mW capacity, so you can trust that they’ll provide the sound they promise. High energy neodymium magnets provide quality sound by the means of a deep, powerful base. This is amplified by the earbuds’ tightly sealed acoustic design. By isolating the sound, the earbuds are able to provide a truly crisp base. This focus on the bass in music pairs well with the score trends that are currently popular in video games.
If you were wondering why I glossed over the “tangle-free” wire, it was because I wanted to give it a little bit more of a focus. Tangled headphone wires drive me insane. However, this flat wire is 1.2 meters long and is tangle-free by design. This is the only pair of headphones on this list that exhibits that feature.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Editor's Rating: 4.1/5
Features:
These are very affordable
The interchangeable memory foam buds allow a truly custom fit
The company provides a warranty
Quality standard headphones
The KLIM Fusion Earbuds were rated by the Editors at 4.1/5 stars, which is understandably the lowest rating on this list. This doesn’t mean, however, that these are poor quality headphones, it just means that they aren’t my favorite on this list.
The KLIM Fusion Earbuds | Header |
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Impedance | 16ohm |
Sensitivity | 100dB/mW |
Frequency Response | 20Hz-20000Hz |
If you want convertible memory foam earbuds, this is the only set of earbuds on this list that provides that feature. The earbuds come with multiple memory foam buds, that you can swap for a truly precise fit. They are also durable, with the product itself coming with a five year warranty.
For the price range, the KIM Fusion earbuds do a standup job. They don’t have the bass specialization or radically clear acoustics of some of the other headphones on this list, but they aren’t bad in the slightest. These are quality headphones at an affordable price, and provide an excellent audio quality for their price.
With a standard audio jack, you’ll find that these affordable earbuds can go with you everywhere, and that they are also durable. They also have the most “gamer” look to them, if you are after a particular aesthetic
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Gaming Earbuds
When choosing gaming earbuds, you really need to consider comfort. Some earbuds are shaped differently than others, and every ear is an individual. You need to pick earbuds that work well for you, in your ears.
Another important factor is the level of durability you may need. Do you jump around? Are you notorious for leaving your headphones plugged in dangling? If so, prioritize durability. Trust me.
And finally, what game stations are you playing on? If you are using earbuds for a ps4, for instance, you don’t want too long of a headphone jack. This causes wiggling, which can damage your headphone jack.
Consider Other Audio Equipment
Yeah, one thing to know is to make sure you actually want earbuds as opposed to other equipment. For example, we have posts on headphones under $200, headphones under $50, gaming headsets under $100, and gaming headsets under $50,
Technical Specifications To Look For
1. Frequency Response
Frequency response characterizes the dynamics of a system that provides sound. It basically accounts for the mids, treble, and bass, and is important for the function of the headphones. If the frequency response is poor, you won’t get a rich quality in the sound. Typically, poor frequency response sounds a little bit flat.
2. Sound Profile
A sound profile refers to what the headphones highlight. The current trend in sound profiles is elevating the lows and the highs, which creates a dynamic sound. Taking this into account can give you a more exciting experience.
3. Noise Isolation
Noise isolation merely means that the headphone blocks out the ambient sounds around you. They dull them out, and allow you to feel more isolated.
4. Noise Cancellation
Noise canceling headphones, however use the headphones to provide feedback to inverse a sound wave to cancel out ambient sounds. This is a farm more technical experience, and therefore typically requires a more expensive headphone. I have also found that noise isolating headphones are more practical.
5. Drivers
A driver unit is a three-part sound creation unit. It uses magnets, voice coils, and a “diaphragm” to create kind of a speaker system within the headphone. It’s a tiny loudspeaker, and develops the sounds that you hear when you use earbuds.
6. Impedance and Impedance Matching
Impedance is the amount that a circuit restricts the flow of electricity. Impedance matching is making sure that the amount that a circuit restricts the flow of electricity matches other parts of the same circuit. By making sure that the impedance is matched in headphones, you get clearer sound and a finer quality microphone.
7. Total Harmonic Distortion
Total Harmonic Distortion, or THD, is sometimes also called the Distortion Factor, and relates to the amount of distortion present in an audio. The lower the THD, the clearer your sound becomes. If you were to pull up the TDH, you’d find that your audio clip would audibly distort itself over time.
8. Sensitivity and Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
The Sound Pressure Level is, incredibly simply, the amount of pressure that sound as a wave exerts on air. It literally creates the sounds that we interpret. The higher the level, the more defined the sounds.
Comfort Factors
1. Fit and Wear
The fit of the headphone is going to make all of the difference in gaming. If you constantly have a poorly-fitted plug jammed into your ear, you could get headaches, earaches, and potentially sores in the ear. How it sits in your ear is the biggest thing to consider for gaming earbuds, and should be a top priority.
2. Design
The design of the earbud plays into the fit, but also accounts for how the sound travels through your ear. Something that blocks off all outside sound through noise isolation but simultaneously has an increased bass boost may vibrate inside of your ear, which is something you should consider. Design is a fundamental part of how the earbud functions, and therefore can’t be discounted. A poorly designed earbud is an earbud you don’t want.
