They sound rich and clear in every genre. The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are a balanced, lively pair of earbuds that sound consistently good. Gunshots punch and echo, rain pitter patters, music thrums. No one element dominates and I always felt I could pick out individual details of a game’s soundscape. Outside of games they’re not as rich as the absolute best earbuds, but I enjoyed the vocal clarity of podcasts and listening to music: while they’re not particularly bassy, I still felt a thump.

You can customize them easily to fit the game you’re playing. The GameBuds app is relatively sparse, but its library of equalizers – EQs – is massive. EQs boost or dampen parts of the audio frequency range to create a different sound profile, and the GameBuds have prebuilt EQs for hundreds of individual games. I loved how easy it was to boot up a game, open the app, and tap a few buttons to get sound tailored to what I was about to play. The EQs meaningfully changed the audio and, in nearly every case, made it sound better. I also enjoyed selecting EQs from different games until I found one that suited my ears.

It’s obvious where sounds are coming from. This helps create atmosphere in games such as Breath of the Wild when a fire crackles behind you, but it’s arguably most important in multiplayer shooters. Guessing an enemy’s direction and rough distance from their footsteps, gunshots and gadgets creates a huge advantage – the GameBuds won’t be as good as over-ear headphones at this, but I still felt confident that I knew exactly what was going on around me. I could, for example, pinpoint the exact location of a buzzing claymore in Marathon.

They can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. That’s the official figure: in practice, I got between eight and nine hours, but I was also draining the battery by flicking between noise canceling and transparency mode, constantly adjusting EQs, and swapping devices. I felt confident these buds would last through even my longest gaming sessions, and with three full charges in the case you can probably go a week between plugging them in.

They connect quickly and switch between devices seamlessly. I had zero issues switching between PC and consoles, whether I was using the USB dongle or Bluetooth. They always connected fast, and never dropped signal. Notably, they can simultaneously connect to your console through the USB dongle and to your phone via Bluetooth. Not every bud can manage this, and it meant I could fiddle with the EQs on my phone app while playing.

They’ll work on every console, including Xbox. You’ll need to buy a specific Xbox version of the earbuds if you want to play on Microsoft’s console, but it will also work on PS5, PC, Switch and Steam Deck (it comes with a small switch in the dongle to flip between Xbox and everything else).

Their physical button is more reliable than touch controls. This is personal preference, but I find physical buttons far more reliable than tapping, hoping that your input has registered. The GameBuds’ button is snappy and reliable.

They’re comfortable to wear all day. Everyone’s ears are different, but they fit me well. They never irritated my ears and when I wore them for a walk or run I felt no discomfort. Most other reviewers agree.

Their ANC and mic are good enough. The ANC was below-average among the buds I tested, and the mic is merely passable. I still think they’re fine for most people: they’ll reduce surrounding noise so you can focus on the game, and your teammates will still be able to hear your call-outs.

The best sounding gaming earbuds I’ve ever used. The Sony InZone Buds are rich, bassy, and clear. I loved the atmosphere they created in Breath of the Wild, the music interplaying with the whoosh of the wind. They use the same drivers as some of Sony’s high-end audiophile earbuds, and it shows: I’d happily wear them everyday and listen to my favourite tracks. They’re mega expensive at $240, but you get the sound you pay for.

Every footstep is clear and obvious. In Marathon, these buds gave me so much information: I could hear both the direction of other runners and their distance from me. I could distinguish between multiple sets of footsteps, and I could clearly tell the difference between healing items, even at a distance. The “Spatial Sound” setting in the Inzone app amplified everything.

Sony’s PC-only app is comprehensive. On top of Spatial Sound, you can switch between thoughtful equalizer options, including one dedicated to footsteps and gunshots, and tweak the dynamic range to boost quieter sounds. Other bells and whistles include sound field personalization and sound tone personalization, which conduct a series of hearing tests and then tunes your audio. It’s a generous tool set.

They last more than 11 hours on a single charge. Session-for-session, they’re the longest-lasting dedicated gaming buds and even if you played all day, you’d still have some juice left. They lack both fast and wireless charging, and the case itself holds fewer charges than other buds, but the single-charge lifespan makes up for it.

Their looser fit is comfortable. Some earbuds really stick into you but the Inzone buds are slightly looser in my ear canals. That sacrifices a smidgeon of noise canceling – still fine – and means they don’t quite match the sound of Sony’s high-end non-gaming earbuds, despite having the same drivers. But the advantage is that you can wear them forever without aching.

They look distinctive. Style is subjective, of course, but you can’t deny that they’re so very Sony. The colors, the sharp angles, the smooth, reflective surface of the touch area. They look like a gaming accessory, and the bold design stands out on my desk.

Their connection is reliable and stable – but doesn’t work with everything. I never dropped a connection when I was playing, but they won’t link up with every device. They only support Bluetooth LE, which limits them to modern Android phones for Bluetooth, so you’ll have to plug the dongle in every time you play on your PC, Switch, Steam Deck, or PS5 (they, like many other earbuds, don’t work with Xbox). Unfortunately, the dongle sticks out more than others and feels wobbly. It’s not fatal to these buds, but it’s annoying.

They are stylish and solid. Sub-$50 earbuds never feel this good, and they use their higher-quality materials in all the right places. Both the cable and the buds are light, but they’re finished with a metallic material that is reassuringly sturdy. The design feels like it blends modern and retro aesthetics into something elegant.

They sound brilliant for the money. I liked their sound profile more than some buds that were far more expensive. Clean and smooth are the two words that come to mind: They’re bassy enough for most people but it’s in the mid-ranges and the splash of high notes that they come alive. They sound natural, no one element dominates, and their soundscape feels wide and detailed. I especially loved listening to the playful melodies of Astro Bot, punctuated by the ping of collecting coins.

They’re surprisingly comfortable. I worried about the foam eartips, but I needn’t. Their flat shape stayed fixed in my ear, never sliding around or rubbing against my skin. Some people are irritated by eartips sticking into their ear canal – this design avoids that problem.

The high-quality cable never tangles. The braided cable is fully flexible but holds its shape just enough that it won’t curl up into a ball: I never had to untangle it when I opened up the handy carry case to play a game. It’s also fully detachable from the buds, if ever you need to repair it or swap it out for something longer.

They’ll work with Xbox. I tested the 3.5mm headphone jack version of these buds, which doesn’t work with my phone but does with everything else, including modern Xbox consoles. Having a wire can feel unwieldy if you’re used to wireless buds, but I like the flexibility of being able to connect instantly to anything with an audio socket – such as an Xbox or PS5 controller – with zero setup.

You can choose a USB-C version if you want a mic. The model I tested has no mic, so when I played multiplayer I had to use a separate one I already own. If you don’t have a mic and need one with your headphones, they Sivga sells a USB-C version with a mic. This model supports Hi-Res audio and so should sound slightly better, in ideal conditions. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to connect to your PS5 or Xbox consoles with it, although Switch, PC and Steam Deck will work fine.

You’re sacrificing nonessential features. For this price you’re always compromising but I don’t think the lack of features damages its gaming credentials. You don’t get noise canceling, but most people play games inside in a room that’s at least relatively quiet. You need to put up with a wire, but again, when you’re playing a game you’re normally sat in one comfortable position rather than moving around, so you can easily forget the wire exists. And while the audio isn’t top-tier, it’s still fantastic.

They keep you aware of your surroundings. The Asus Rog Cetra Open are the only dedicated gaming buds I’ve seen with an open-ear design. While most gaming earbuds use a “transparency mode” to amplify external noise, these earbuds simply sit on your ears, rather than in them, leaving space for sounds to pass through. I could play while still hearing a delivery at the doorbell, or my newborn waking up from a nap.

They’re the most comfortable gaming earbuds. The bonus of the design is that your inner ear never touches the buds, so there’s no chance of discomfort. The straps that go around your ear, and the cylinder that holds them in place, are chunky and ugly but they never budge or chafe. I could happily wear them all day, and overnight too. I’ve also been running with these buds without any problems.

Their sound isn’t the most detailed, but it’s still immersive. Their audio weaknesses match those of other open-ear buds: they feel less immediate and less detailed, because there’s simply more space before the sound source and your inner ear (think of the difference between somebody talking next to you versus across the room). They’re not my favorite for music but in games like Breath of the Wild they still create a wide, immersive soundscape with plenty of depth. And in Marathon, I could still pinpoint enemy footsteps and gunshots.

They last a long time. Asus says you can get up to 16 hours straight with them, but that’s with no Bluetooth, a muted mic, and no RGB lighting. For me, they’ve lasted between 8 and 10 hours, depending on my settings – that still makes them one of the longest-lasting gaming earbuds.

They’re one of the few earbuds with pass-through charging on their USB dongle. The Steam Deck and the Switch have a single USB port on the top, so plugging in an earbud dongle blocks charging. Asus’ dongle, however, has its own USB-C port on it, and you can plug your charger into that, charging the console at the same time as you’re using the buds. It’s a cool – and genuinely useful – party trick

But they’re not perfect. As well as their chunky price, you have to deal with a massive, clunky case and a slightly confusing companion app. Remember too that their design makes noise canceling virtually impossible. They therefore aren’t for everyone – but for some people, these are the best pick.

They’re wonderfully built. The metal case is hefty and feels more solid than anything else I tested, and a rubber portion on the bottom stops it from scratching your desk. The buds themselves are compact and attractive – I like the contrast between the transparent section that reveals their innards and their plain black body. They, too, feel premium, and the Jlab logo lends texture to the touch area.

They’re comfortable for runs or the commute. I used these buds at the gym, where they stayed securely in my ears, and enjoyed listening to podcasts during a two-hour walk. They canceled more noise than most of the buds I tested, making them viable buds for everyday use – they don’t match the absolute best noise-canceling buds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra but they’re good enough for working in a busy cafe or traveling on a bus.

They sound bassy and powerful. When I first used them, music sounded slightly muddy. But fiddling with the EQs – there are three presets, plus a fully-customizable option – quickly landed me somewhere I liked, with powerful bass that didn’t overwhelm vocals or instruments. In Dave’s “100M’s” these buds clearly separate the vocals, bass, synthesiser and the crisp hi-hats. I like how they sounded while gaming, and their detail shines in atmospheric games like Breath of the Wild.

The low-latency dongle matches dedicated gaming buds. These aren’t made for gaming, but the USB-C dongle cuts the latency as well as the best gaming buds I tested. On PC, Steam Deck and Switch, my connection felt instant and responsive. They work with PS5 too, but weirdly their volume is limited to 20%. I could boost the volume through the console’s Audio Focus settings, reaching a level that was playable in a quiet room, but it’s not ideal and I hope Jlab fixed it.

They last a long time. JLab says they’ll last up to 13 hours. If you’re gaming with the dongle and tweaking settings in the app, you’re not going to reach anywhere near that, but you should still get 8 hours from them. Then, when you’re out and about, flip to Bluetooth to save your juice. The case holds more than three full charges, too.

Jlab’s simple app has a built-in volume limiter. I enjoyed the Jlab app’s simple, sleek layout. It’s easy to find everything you need quickly, and it’s all listed on a single screen. I particularly appreciate the built-in volume limiter: you can turn it off or pick between 85 and 95 dB of sound. Most of us, including me, listen at a volume far in excess of what’s recommended by health experts – this setting is a handy reminder, and might just prolong your hearing.

Other Gaming Earbuds I Tested

Asus ROG Cetra SpeedNova: On sound alone, these buds have the edge on the Steelseries Arctis GameBuds. But their two fatal flaws are, first, a fiddly case that’s frustrating to open, especially with one hand, and, second, lack of storage space for the USB-C dongle. I hope Asus fixes this for the next iteration, because I love using them.

Razer Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed: Well-priced low-latency earbuds with a smart case that can double as the wireless dongle (although a smaller USB-C dongle is housed within). They don’t win here because I prefer the sound, build quality, and fit of the GameBuds.

EarFun Air Pro 4+: The best mid-budget earbuds I’ve ever used. They’re comfortable, they sound great, and they have tons of settings to tinker with. They lose out because their low-latency gaming mode is nowhere near as responsive as the Jlab dongle.

Soundcore Liberty 5: Affordable earbuds that sound good for casual games. Their noise canceling isn’t what I’d hope for with an everyday set of buds, and even in gaming mode their latency is noticeable.

Final VR3000 in-ear: Excellent sound for this budget price, but putting them on – looping them around your ear, and adjusting the microphone – is too fiddly.

Final VR500: Another solid budget pick, but the Sivga M260s sound better and come with a higher-quality cable.

Edifier NeoBuds Planar: Sound matches their $200 price, but they’re let down by mediocre battery (5 hours with ANC) and a game mode that still feels laggy compared to the Jlab’s dongle.

Nothing Ear (3): I love the design of Nothing’s earbuds, and they sound lively if a little too bassy by default. Again, for gaming, it’s the low-latency mode that lets them down compared to the Jlab buds. They’ll be fine for casual games, but not for competitive shooters.

Gaming Earbuds FAQs

What is the difference between gaming earbuds and normal earbuds?

Gaming earbuds are like regular Bluetooth earbuds, but they come with an extra 2.4GHz dongle. This dongle, usually USB-C, plugs into your PC or games console for a connection that’s both faster and more reliable than Bluetooth. By cutting the latency, you reduce the delay between what’s happening on screen and what you’re hearing, eliminating the lag you might hear from Bluetooth earbuds.

In my experience, gaming earbuds also tend to have slightly better battery life, although that varies device-to-device.

Does latency matter, and when is it noticeable?

Latency is simply a measure of delay: For earbuds, it’s measured in milliseconds (ms), and it’s the delay between the sound being triggered (by, for example, in a game) and it playing through your buds.

Standard Bluetooth latency is typically between 150 and 300ms. Some Bluetooth codecs – basically, programs that package and transfer your data, from source to output – can reduce that to below 100ms. Gaming earbuds’ dongles reduce latency further, typically to below 40ms.

Everyone has different sensitivities to latency. Some people, such as musicians in live performances, can feel delays of 10-15ms. For most people latency becomes noticeable somewhere between 30 and 50ms. And the vast majority of people can tell the difference between 50 and 100ms.

So, in short: yes, latency matters, and Bluetooth latency is noticeable. However, your brain will adjust and for casual games, you’ll probably be fine with latencies above 100ms.

Can you use regular earbuds like AirPods for gaming?

Yes, but as stated above, you’ll notice a delay between your screen and your ears, and they won’t connect to your PS5 or Xbox.

Do gaming earbuds work with consoles?

You can connect most earbuds over Bluetooth to your Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.

If your earbuds have a 2.4Ghz USB-C dongle, then they will happily plug into your Switch, Steam Deck and PS5 for a lower-latency connection.

Xbox is a different matter: the console’s wireless tech isn’t standard and only supports certain earbuds. Product pages should list their compatibility (our top pick, the Steelseries Arctis GameBuds, has a specific Xbox edition).

Wired earbuds are, arguably, the most versatile. All the major consoles have a headphone jack either on the console or on the controller.