Best gaming earbuds in 2024

The best gaming earbuds offer players a much more immersive experience than your TV's in-built speakers, despite their more compact size in comparison to regular headsets. Many of the best gaming earbuds don't compromise in terms of audio quality, which means that getting immersed in games on the go - whether you're out traveling or simply on your daily commute - is more achievable than ever.

Notable brands like Razer and Sony manufacture excellent gaming earbuds, so there's no doubt that you'll be able to find something that suits your needs. It's also worth considering that their small form factor makes the best gaming earbuds ideal for handheld gaming devices such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.

Of course, earbuds aren't for everyone, and if you'd prefer a more traditional gaming headset, we've got guides for the best Xbox Series X headsets and the best PS5 headsets to peruse. If you're still keen to find something to suit your handheld gaming needs, you can check out our top picks for the best Nintendo Switch headphones.

The Quick List

The best gaming earbuds in 2024

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Best overall gaming earbuds

Epos GTW 270

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming earbuds

Specifications

Connection: Bluetooth, USB-C
Noise cancelling: Yes
Compatibility: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Battery life: 16 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Great sound quality
+
Excellent build and design
+
USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for all ear shapes 
-
No mic with dongle
Buy it if

You want something sturdy. These earbuds are built to last, which is ideal if you're looking for a product to take with you on your travels, especially if you're using them with a console like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. 

You need something for longer sessions. In addition to their sturdy build, these earbuds also boast a solid battery life, meaning you won't have to worry about running out of charge mid-session. 

Don't buy it if

You want a more versatile mic: While the mic here is surprisingly good, it'll only work via Bluetooth connectivity, and not with the included dongle.

The Epos GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds easily take the top spot as our number-one pick for the best gaming earbuds due to their incredible sound quality, great design, and long battery life. This option can be used both conventionally plugged in and through Bluetooth. We found in our testing that you can expect around five hours of heavy use, with the case itself able to go for three rounds (holding up to 16 hours all told). 

Priced at $199 / £179, the Epos GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds are certainly a premium offering, but we think that this price point is certainly competitive when you compare them to what's available from other high-end earbuds from Apple and Samsung. In our testing, we found that these were excellent for both listening to music and gaming alike wired and wireless, which means taking pole position was an easy choice here. 

It's in the smaller details that we appreciate these earphones, too. The design truly feels expensive and solid, and that's carried over from the buds themselves to the aluminum charging case. It feels like no expense was spared here. There are even magnets in the case which snap the Epos GTW 270s into place giving you peace of mind that they're actually charging and not just sitting in there at an awkward angle. 

Best wired gaming earbuds

1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones

(Image credit: Future)
The best wired earbuds

Specifications

Connection: 3.5mm jack
Noise cancelling: Yes
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Sound quality is excellent
+
Build and design are fantastic
+
Value for money is unmatched

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheap-feeling plastic remote
Buy it if

You appreciate value. This pair of headphones isn't the most expensive, but that doesn't mean any corners are cut on quality. They boast some fantastic sound quality, despite their slightly lower-than-expected price tag. 

You prefer a wired model. Although wired headphones feel more convenient in terms of form factor, wired models will more often than not offer better sound quality, and the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones certainly match up.

Don't buy it if

You want to use them for music too. These headphones are great for gaming, but if you want something to use for music too then it might be worth looking for something with sturdier controls. 

The cable-packing 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones are the best wired earbuds you can buy in 2024. The rubber cable can tangle and the remote is a bit plasticky, but it's hard to find a genuine fault at the price here.

For a mere $100 / £100 (around AU$168), you'll be hard-pressed to find a more sonically pleasing pair of earbuds than 1MORE's Triple Driver. 

Those that want a little more luxury from materials in their earbuds can look further down this list for the Quad Driver version – though expect to pay roughly twice as much. The triple drivers tick pretty much every box, though.

After extended testing periods spent with both the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones and the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones, we were taken aback by the value of each set of earbuds, given their relatively low price points. These ones give you a lush sound simply by plugging them into the headphone jack on your controller or PC. They punch way above their weight. 

Best budget gaming earbuds

Turtle Beach Battle Buds

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget gaming earbuds

Specifications

Connection: 3.5mm jack
Noise cancelling: None
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic value for money
+
Detachable mic provides added versatility
+
Cheap price point 

Reasons to avoid

-
Very basic sound
-
Overly sensitive microphone
Buy it if

You want something cheaper for online gaming. The microphone that these buds come with makes them fantastic for multiplayer games, so you're free to jump in and out of games without having to worry about your audio.

You want something versatile. The detachable mic that accompanies these buds means you're free to use them for music or calls outside of your gaming. They are also easy to store, too. 

Don't buy it if

You want to use them for recording audio. Despite the microphone being a handy addition to this pair, it can be pretty sensitive, meaning they are not ideal for streaming or recording audio. 

The Turtle Beach Battle Buds are what we consider to be the best gaming earbuds on a budget and that's because of their versatile nature. You've got a detachable mic, and durable build quality, which makes them ideal for carrying around with you on the go. They may not have the absolute highest sound quality as you'll find with more premium offerings in our roundup, but for what they are, they are hard to fault. 

That's because the Turtle Beach Battle Buds retail for just $29.99 / £28 but can frequently be found at cheaper rates, too. We don't see many quality branded earbuds aimed at gamers for around the $30 / £30 mark, which makes this offering from a trusted manufacturer well worth considering for those on a budget. 

We found that these earphones certainly sounded the part whether speaking or listening. That's because of the detachable mic, which while a little flimsy, was clear where it mattered most. Whether you're aiming to play on the Nintendo Switch or another console of choice through the 3.5mm jack, you'll be happy with what you're paying for here. 

Gaming earbuds with the best microphone

SteelSeries Tusq gaming earbuds with their microphone attached on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)
The gaming earbuds with the best microphone

Specifications

Connection: Wired
Noise cancelling: No
Compatibility: PS4, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
More affordable price
+
Great microphone quality
+
Wide compatibility

Reasons to avoid

-
Wired only
-
Build isn't perfect
Buy it if

✅ You want a good mic for less: The quality of the boom mic in the SteelSeries Tusq can be comparable to headsets of a similar price. This is a great mic in a small form factor for less.

You want a portable option: The SteelSeries Tusq is easily portable and even comes with a small carrying bad to help you take it out and about without losing any parts.

Don't buy it if

You want to listen to music: The sound of the SteelSeries Tusq seems to have been tuned specifically for gaming. This means that it sounds great while you play, but suffers from overly sharp middle-frequency sounds when you listen to music or watch movies.

The SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset is our top choice if you're searching for the gaming earbuds with the best microphone. Although the quality of the microphone here is not quite as high as some of the much more expensive entries on this list, the SteelSeries Tusq presents unparalleled value if your main concern is chatting with friends.

 It is a wired pair of gaming earbuds that features a detachable boom microphone in addition to a secondary integrated microphone. With the boom mic attached, you can expect your voice to come through loud and clear with little disruption from background sounds. The earbuds also sound great, offering plenty of clarity and good base. 

The use of a 3.5mm jack also ensures compatibility with a wide range of platforms, including all of the major consoles and mobile. The small size of the SteelSeries Tusq means that it can be easily taken out and about too, where you can sacrifice some recording quality in favor of portability by removing the boom mic and relying on the integrated one instead. They're a superb value option if you simply want to listen to your games and talk to your friends.

Best gaming earbuds for PS5

Sony Inzone Buds

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming earbuds for PS5

Specifications

Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth LE
Noise cancelling: Yes
Compatibility: PS5, PC
Battery life: Up to 24 hours with charging case

Reasons to buy

+
Active noise canceling works brilliantly
+
Overall sound quality is fantastic
+
Battery life is lengthy

Reasons to avoid

-
Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
-
Slightly muddy bassy audio
Buy it if

You value versatility: The Sony Inzone Buds are a top-notch choice for gaming as well as casual listening.

You're looking for strong audio quality: Despite their small size, the Inzone Buds have a very detailed audio profile perfect for music, audiobooks and podcasts.

Don't buy it if

You value clear lows and bass: The Inzone Buds' sound scale struggles on the lower end, and sounds slightly muddy despite its rich sound in the mids and highs.

Sony has achieved something truly great with the Inzone Buds; our recommendation for the best gaming earbuds for PlayStation 5 use. With phenomenal build quality and intuitive on-board touch controls (customizable via the PC's Inzone Hub app), they're an accessible and sturdy pair of buds that should last any user for years to come.

If they can stomach the rather high price tag, that is. At $199.99 / £179.99 / AU$249.95 they certainly don't come cheap, costing roughly the same as the Apple AirPods 3 and a good bit pricier than the Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed PS5 gaming earbuds.

We'll confidently say the Sony Inzone Buds are worth that price, however. They offer a crystal-clear sound that helps electronic-focused tracks and vocals really shine through. Their bass profile could stand to be better, but overall sound quality in the highs and mids was excellent. Battery life is also a high point here. You'll get 12 hours of charge via 2.4GHz dongle connectivity, with a further 24 provided by the charging case. 

Most powerful gaming earbuds

1More Quad Driver

(Image credit: Future)
The most powerful gaming earbuds

Specifications

Connection: 3.5mm jack
Noise cancelling: Yes
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Balanced sound sounds brilliant
+
Build quality feels very premium
+
iOS/Android-compatible remote controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Value isn't as good as its cheaper sibling
Buy it if

You value smartphone compatibility. When looking for a pair of earbuds for gaming, you might want to consider options that are also compatible with your phone to save yourself from having to carry two pairs with you. Fortunately, these headphones are pretty versatile and maintain an impressive sound quality, so you'll be set across the board for a decent listening experience. 

Don't buy it if

You have a tighter budget. Even though the Quad Driver in-ear headphones do have impressive sound quality, they are more expensive than their equally performing sibling.  

If you've got the cash to splash, the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are the best-quality, pound-for-pound, buck-for-buck, wired headphones out there. 1MORE delivered a smashing flagship pair of wired earbuds with the Quad Driver set, thanks to their balanced sound build quality, smartphone compatibility, and price. 

These in-ear headphones will make mobile audiophiles very happy and do justice to modern gaming's 3D audio and virtualized Dolby Atmos settings. Priced at $199 / £200, these aren't exactly cheap as far as wired earphones go, but the quality you're getting out of them certainly makes all the difference.

What's more, they're now frequently discounted more commonly to around the $179.99 / £80 mark if you know where to look at certain retailers such as Amazon. Overall we found the voicing and sound profile of the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones to truly deliver where it matters most, so your gaming experience should be top-drawer with these in your ears. 

Best gaming earbuds for music

SoundMagic E11C

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming earphones for music

Specifications

Connection: 3.5mm jack
Noise cancelling: Yes
Compatibility: All platforms
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Solid build quality
+
Respectable volume levels
+
Noise isolation stops most sound leakage

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly muddy-sounding bass
Buy it if

✅ You value noise isolation. Having additional functionality outside of decent audio is pretty important for gaming earphones, so if that's something you value in your choices, the E11C is a perfect match. 

✅ You don't want plastic earbuds. The vast majority of earbuds currently available are made of plastic, which makes them feel cheap and breakable, but this pair are made of aluminum which adds to their quality.

Don't buy it if

You appreciate bass-heavy audio. Although we praise the SoundMagic E11C for being excellent for music alongside gaming, the bass can occasionally sound slightly muddy. 

The SoundMagic E11C in-ear headphones certainly position themselves as what we think as the best gaming earphones for enjoying music. That's because they have an excellent sound profile and retail for an aggressive price point at just $50 / £49 / AU$90. There's little more you could really want at this wallet-friendly rate all told. 

We found in our testing that the SoundMagic E11C earbuds held their own mostly for casual gaming experiences and listening to music, whereas some other models were better for the former. These earphones are made of aluminum, so you're not settling for cheap plastic construction here, which really lends to a premium feel despite the humble sticker price.

What's particularly cool about these over some other options in our list is the silver-plated copper cable with we found to produce far less noise and disruption when in use. The noise isolation on the whole worked exceptionally well, too. The only minor gripe we found in our experience was that the bass could come through a little muddy with certain songs, but we're willing to forgive this fault when factoring in everything else they get right.

Best gaming earbuds - FAQs

We've put our knowledge and expertise of the best gaming earbuds to answer some of the internet's burning questions. If you're after more of a deep dive then we've got you covered below. 

Are earbuds better for gaming?

Using earbuds rather than a dedicated gaming headset may not offer the same sound quality, but their smaller form makes them significantly more convenient than a gaming headset if you're travelling. If you're predominantly a mobile gamer, or your designated console is a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, they may be better for your experience. 

Which brand of gaming earbuds are best?

There are a number of reputable earbud brands perfect for gaming, such as Turtle Beach, 1More, and Razer, but the decision of which is best will largely come down to personal preference. Every product in our list is one of our top picks, making it even harder to narrow down which is best, but we guarantee every product we have chosen will deliver a solid performance. 

Should I buy earbuds or headphones?

It really depends on how you like to game. If you like to play portably with Nintendo Switch, for example, then a pair of gaming earbuds are a marvelous fit, especially considering the console supports Bluetooth connectivity. On the other hand, you may find a pair of gaming headphones to suit you better if you play at home, or prefer a wired 3.5mm connection.

How we test the best gaming earbuds

There's a lot that goes into what makes a product one of the best, and we put a lot of work into testing gaming earbuds to ensure our list is the most truthful representation of the products currently on the market. Of course sound quality is the most important factor, but we take a lot of alternative factors into consideration. 

Things like comfort and battery life play a huge part in what makes some of the earbuds designed for gaming perform better over others. If you're trying to immerse yourself into a longer gaming session, the last thing you want is a short battery life to interrupt your playtime, and you also want a product that won't cause any discomfort after a while too. 

We update our best of lists regularly to ensure the products we feature are always the best of the best. With new products being added to the market pretty often, especially in a market as broad as gaming earbuds and headphones, it's important to keep up to date with new products to ensure everyone is having the best experience possible regardless of console. 

After more handheld-friendly hardware? You may want to check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch accessories for peripherals designed to bolster your gaming experience on the portable console.

Rhys Wood
Hardware Editor

Rhys is TRG's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.

With contributions from