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The best earbuds for gaming use their own USB-C wireless dongle instead of Bluetooth, which cuts the delay you’d otherwise hear in fast games. The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the best all-rounder: a 2.4GHz dongle plus Bluetooth 5.3, noise cancelling, up to 40 hours with the case, and versions for PlayStation or Xbox. The Sony INZONE Buds are the pick for PC, PS5 and Switch 2, and the Razer Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed ($129.99) cost a little less.
Check the Arctis GameBuds on Amazon →
How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ official specifications and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.
Best earbuds for gaming compared
| Earbuds | Best for | Low-latency connection | Battery (with case) | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds | Best overall; PlayStation or Xbox versions | 2.4GHz USB-C dongle + Bluetooth 5.3 | 10 hr (40 hr) | $199.99 | Check price |
| Sony INZONE Buds | PC, PS5 and Switch 2 | USB-C dongle (Sony rates under 30 ms) + Bluetooth LE Audio | 12 hr (24 hr) | Check price | Check price |
| Razer Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed | Value | 2.4GHz HyperSpeed dongle + Bluetooth 6.0 | 10 hr (40 hr) | $129.99 | Check price |
| PlayStation Pulse Explore | PS5 and PlayStation Portal | PlayStation Link + Bluetooth at the same time | 5 hr (15 hr) | $141.55 | Check price |
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | Mobile gaming on a budget | Bluetooth with a low-latency game mode | Up to 7.5 hr with ANC | $62.99 | Check price |
Why gaming earbuds need a dongle
Regular Bluetooth earbuds add roughly 150–200 ms of delay on most devices, enough to hear footsteps and gunshots after you see them, and the PS5 and Xbox don’t support Bluetooth audio at all. Gaming earbuds solve both problems with a small USB-C dongle that plugs into a PC, PS5, Switch 2 or handheld, and they keep Bluetooth for your phone. Our Bluetooth headphones for gaming guide explains the numbers. If you already own regular earbuds, see whether they’ll do: AirPods, Galaxy Buds, Beats or Bose.
The best earbuds for gaming in 2026
1. SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: best overall
The Arctis GameBuds ($199.99) pair a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle, which SteelSeries says is up to 7x faster than Bluetooth, with Bluetooth 5.3, and a triple tap switches between the two. They add 4-mic hybrid noise cancelling with a transparency mode, IP55 water resistance, up to 10 hours per charge (40 hours with the case, and 15 minutes of charging gives 3 hours), and 100+ game audio presets in the Arctis Companion app (SteelSeries). TechRadar’s review headline calls them “small in stature, huge in performance” (TechRadar). Good to know: there are separate PlayStation and Xbox versions; the PlayStation one also works with Switch, PC and VR, so buy the version for your console.
Check the Arctis GameBuds on Amazon →
2. Sony INZONE Buds: best for PC, PS5 and Switch 2
Sony’s gaming earbuds connect through a small USB-C dongle with latency Sony rates at under 30 ms, which also makes them a neat fit for a Switch 2, a Steam Deck or a USB-C Android phone. They add active noise cancelling and Bluetooth LE Audio, and Sony rates the battery at up to 12 hours (24 with the case). More in our Sony gaming headphones guide.
Check the INZONE Buds on Amazon →
3. Razer Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed: best value
Razer’s 2026 gaming earbuds start at $129.99 and combine its 2.4GHz HyperSpeed wireless with Bluetooth 6.0, switching between them with SmartSwitch. They have hybrid noise cancelling that Razer says is up to 50% better than the previous generation, up to 10 hours per charge (40 hours with the case), and the dongle can be used on its own or you can plug in the case to play and charge at once (Razer). They work with PC, PS5, Steam Deck and phones.
Check the Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed on Amazon →
Check the Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed at Razer.com →
4. PlayStation Pulse Explore: best for PS5
Sony’s own PlayStation earbuds use PlayStation Link, its lossless, low-latency wireless, through an adapter for the PS5, PC or Mac, and connect to the PlayStation Portal directly. They can stay connected to your phone over Bluetooth at the same time (PlayStation). Good to know: they were $141.55 on Amazon on October 15 and last about 5 hours per charge (15 with the case), less than the picks above. More in our best PS5 headsets.
Check the Pulse Explore on Amazon →
5. EarFun Air Pro 4: best budget for mobile gaming
If you mostly play on your phone, you don’t need a dongle. The EarFun Air Pro 4 ($62.99) have a low-latency game mode, adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and multipoint, and SoundGuys liked their sound, noise cancelling and app at the price (SoundGuys). Good to know: they’re still Bluetooth, so they won’t work for game audio on a PS5 or Xbox.
Check the EarFun Air Pro 4 on Amazon →
Our verdict
For gaming, buy earbuds with their own wireless dongle. The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the best all-rounder, with PlayStation and Xbox versions, noise cancelling and long battery life. The Sony INZONE Buds are the neatest option for PC, PS5 and Switch 2, the Razer Hammerhead V3 HyperSpeed cost a little less, and the PlayStation Pulse Explore are made for PS5 and the Portal. For phone gaming only, the EarFun Air Pro 4 are a cheap option with a game mode. Prefer a headset? See our best gaming headsets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best earbuds for gaming?
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for most people: a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle plus Bluetooth 5.3, noise cancelling and up to 40 hours with the case. The Sony INZONE Buds are the pick for PC, PS5 and Switch 2.
Are wireless earbuds good for gaming?
Gaming earbuds with a USB-C dongle are. Regular Bluetooth earbuds add roughly 150–200 ms of delay and can’t connect to a PS5 or Xbox, so they’re best kept for casual mobile games.
Which earbuds work with PS5?
Earbuds with their own dongle or PlayStation Link, such as the Arctis GameBuds (PlayStation version), Sony INZONE Buds or PlayStation Pulse Explore. The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio.
Which earbuds work with Xbox?
Ones made for Xbox, such as the Xbox version of the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. Xbox consoles don’t support Bluetooth audio, so regular earbuds won’t connect.
Do gaming earbuds have a good mic?
They have built-in microphones for chat; check the maker’s specs for mic support on your console. For streaming or long competitive sessions, a headset with a boom mic usually sounds clearer.
