Audio

Short answer: Bose headphones are good for relaxed gaming, such as story games, racing and single-player titles, especially plugged in. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the best Bose for it, because their USB-C audio gives low-latency sound on a PC, Mac or phone. Over Bluetooth, though, every Bose model has the usual delay, and none of them connects to a PS5 or Xbox wirelessly. For competitive shooters and console chat, a gaming headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is the better tool.

Check the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on Bose’s own announcements and specifications, platform documentation from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, and published latency information (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.

Can you use Bose headphones for gaming?

Yes, but how well they work depends on how you connect them:

• USB-C audio (QC Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen only): Bose added wired USB-C audio to the second-generation QC Ultra Headphones and says it brings “low-latency audio for gaming on a desktop or mobile device” (Bose). This is the best way to game with Bose on a PC, Mac, tablet or phone.
• 3.5 mm audio cable: Bose over-ear models come with an analog cable (a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm cable on the QC Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen, per Bose’s specifications). An analog cable has no Bluetooth delay, and it’s the way to use Bose with a PS5 or Xbox: plug it into the controller’s 3.5 mm jack. Don’t count on the headphones’ own microphones over the cable; use the controller’s mic (the PS5 DualSense has one built in) or a separate mic.
• Standard Bluetooth: roughly 150–200 ms of delay on most devices, which is fine for story and turn-based games but noticeable in shooters and rhythm games. Our Bluetooth headphones for gaming guide explains why.
• aptX Adaptive: the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) support aptX Adaptive, which Bose says adapts to “low-latency processing” with Snapdragon Sound-certified devices (Bose). That helps on some Android phones only; iPhones, Windows PCs and consoles don’t support it.

Bose for gaming, platform by platform

Which Bose headphones are best for gaming?

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): best Bose for gaming

The second-generation QC Ultra Headphones (October 2025) are the only current Bose headphones with USB-C audio, and Bose pitches it at gamers: lossless, low-latency sound over the included USB-C cable, while charging at the same time. They also add aptX Adaptive for lower latency on Snapdragon Sound phones, and Bose rates the battery at up to 30 hours with noise cancelling, or 45 with it off (Bose). The plush, light fit that makes them good for long flights also suits long gaming sessions.

Bose’s announcement doesn’t say whether the microphones work over USB-C. If they don’t appear as an input on your PC, use a separate mic for chat.

Check the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) on Amazon →

Older QuietComfort Ultra and QuietComfort Headphones: wired or casual only

The first-generation QC Ultra Headphones and the QuietComfort Headphones don’t have USB-C audio, so for gaming you’re choosing between Bluetooth delay and the analog cable. Plugged into a controller or a PC, they’re good-sounding, comfortable headphones for single-player games. See our QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) page for how the two generations differ.

QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): mobile games only

Bose’s earbuds are Bluetooth only, with no cable or dongle option. They’re excellent for noise cancelling and fine for casual mobile games, but on a PC they have standard Bluetooth delay, and they can’t connect to a PS5 or Xbox. If you want earbuds for gaming, see the picks below.

Bose on PS5 and Xbox

Neither console supports Bluetooth audio, so Bose headphones can’t connect to a PS5 or Xbox wirelessly (What Hi-Fi?). The reliable setup is the analog cable in the controller’s 3.5 mm jack: no delay, and you talk through the DualSense’s built-in mic on a PS5, or a separate mic on Xbox. You can also join party chat from your phone in the PlayStation App or Xbox app with the headphones connected to the phone over Bluetooth, but then game sound still comes from the TV (Xbox Support).

Bose on a Windows PC

On a PC, use the USB-C cable on the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), or the analog cable on older models, for game sound without delay. Over Bluetooth, expect the usual lag, plus one more catch: when Discord or a game turns on the headphones’ microphone, Windows switches them to its “Hands-Free” profile, and game audio drops to thin, mono call quality until the mic closes (BGR, describing the same issue with AirPods). The fix is to choose the stereo “Headphones” output and set your input to a different mic.

Bose on the Nintendo Switch 2

The Switch 2 supports Bluetooth audio, so Bose headphones work for game sound. But Bluetooth microphones aren’t supported for GameChat, you can only use two wireless controllers while they’re connected, and Nintendo warns you may notice audio delay (Nintendo). In handheld mode, the analog cable in the console’s headphone jack avoids the delay. More options are in our best headphones for Switch 2.

Better options if you mainly game

The Arctis Nova 5 (up to 60 hours of battery per SteelSeries) is the easy pick if you play on several systems; get the Nova 5X for Xbox. The Razer BlackShark V3 is our top gaming headset overall for PC and PS5. Both have low-latency wireless and a real boom mic, the two things Bose headphones lack. See our best gaming headsets for more.

Check the Arctis Nova 5 on Amazon →

Specs from the makers, side by side

Every figure below comes from the manufacturer’s own spec page, taken from our earbuds and headphones spec database. “Not stated” means the maker doesn’t publish it, not that the feature is missing.

Our verdict

If you already own Bose headphones, plug them in and they’re good for single-player and casual gaming on any platform. The QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the best Bose for gaming thanks to low-latency USB-C audio on a PC, Mac or phone. Over Bluetooth, Bose has the same delay as other wireless headphones, no Bose model connects to a PS5 or Xbox wirelessly, and the mic is limited for console chat. If gaming is a main reason you’re buying, get a gaming headset like the Arctis Nova 5 and keep the Bose for travel.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Bluetooth headphones for gaming: latency explained
• Are AirPods good for gaming?
• Are the Sony XM5 and XM6 good for gaming?
• Best gaming headsets
• Best noise-cancelling headphones
• Can you use Bluetooth headphones on Xbox?

Short answer: AirPods are good for gaming on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, where Apple’s Game Mode cuts their audio delay. They’re fine for casual games on a Windows PC, but not for competitive shooters. On consoles they’re limited: they work for game sound on the Switch 2, but not on a PS5 or Xbox without workarounds, and their microphone doesn’t work for in-game chat on any of the three. If you want wireless earbuds for console or PC gaming, get a pair with its own USB-C dongle, such as the Sony INZONE Buds.

Check the Sony INZONE Buds on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on Apple’s, Microsoft’s, Sony’s and Nintendo’s own documentation and on published latency measurements (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.

Can you use AirPods for gaming? Platform by platform

How much delay do AirPods have?

Apple doesn’t publish latency figures for AirPods. The best-known independent measurement is older: developer Stephen Coyle measured the first AirPods Pro at about 144 ms on an iPhone, against 178 ms for the AirPods 2 and 274 ms for the original AirPods (MacRumors). Newer models are expected to do better on Apple devices, but no free independent measurement of the current models has been published yet.

For comparison, standard Bluetooth on other devices adds roughly 150–200 ms, while gaming headsets with a 2.4GHz USB dongle stay low enough that you won’t notice it. At 150 ms you hear footsteps and gunshots a beat after you see them, which matters in shooters and rhythm games but not in a turn-based RPG or a puzzle game. Our Bluetooth headphones for gaming guide explains the numbers in detail.

Game Mode is the reason AirPods do better on Apple devices. On an iPhone or iPad with iOS 18 or later, and on an Apple silicon Mac with macOS Sonoma or later, Game Mode turns on by itself when a game goes full screen. Apple says it “doubles the Bluetooth sampling rate, which reduces input latency and audio latency for wireless accessories like game controllers and AirPods” (Apple Support). A Windows PC, a Switch 2 or an Android phone doesn’t have it, so AirPods behave like any other Bluetooth earbuds there.

Which AirPods are best for gaming?

AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Max (USB-C): best for gaming

The AirPods Max are the only AirPods that can skip Bluetooth. Since a firmware update in April 2025, the USB-C AirPods Max play lossless audio with “ultra-low latency” over the included USB-C cable, which Apple says is on par with the built-in speakers on a Mac, iPad or iPhone and is aimed at gamers and livestreamers (Apple Newsroom). Apple also sells a USB-C to 3.5 mm cable, so you can plug them into a 3.5 mm jack, such as the one on a PS5 or Xbox controller, for game sound without Bluetooth delay. Apple doesn’t say the microphone works over that cable, so plan on game sound only.

The AirPods Max 2 (April 2026) keep the USB-C lossless audio and add lower wireless latency: Apple says “reduced wireless audio latency also makes gaming even better” in Game Mode (Apple Newsroom). They’re the AirPods to get if gaming matters to you, though the same money also buys a top gaming headset and a pair of earbuds.

Check the AirPods Max 2 on Amazon →

AirPods Pro 3: good on iPhone and Mac

The AirPods Pro 3 are Bluetooth only, so they rely on Game Mode for lower delay on Apple devices. Their sealed silicone tips and strong noise cancelling help you hear quiet sounds in a game, and the microphones are good for chat on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. On a Windows PC they’re casual-game earbuds like any others.

Check the AirPods Pro 3 on Amazon →

AirPods 5: fine for casual mobile games

The AirPods 5 (September 2026, $129, or $149 with a wireless charging case) now have noise cancelling on both models (Apple Newsroom). Apple didn’t mention gaming or latency for them, so expect the same Game Mode benefit on Apple devices and standard Bluetooth delay elsewhere. The open fit with no ear tips lets in more room noise than the Pro 3, which makes quiet game sounds harder to pick out.

AirPods on iPhone, iPad and Mac

This is where AirPods work best. They pair automatically, switch between your Apple devices, and Game Mode lowers their delay as soon as a game goes full screen. The microphone works for in-game voice chat and for Discord on all three devices. For mobile games and most Mac games, AirPods are a perfectly good choice. If you play competitive shooters on a Mac, a wired headset or one with a USB dongle is still faster.

AirPods on a Windows gaming PC

AirPods pair with Windows like any Bluetooth earbuds: put them in pairing mode (Apple’s steps for non-Apple devices), then add them under Bluetooth & devices. Two things to know:

• Delay: Windows has no Game Mode for AirPods, so you get standard Bluetooth delay. That’s fine for strategy, story and single-player games, and noticeable in fast shooters.
• Sound quality drops when the mic is on. Bluetooth can’t carry full-quality stereo and a live microphone at the same time, so when Discord or a game opens the AirPods’ mic, Windows switches them to the “Hands-Free” profile and the sound turns thin and mono (BGR). The fix: in Windows sound settings, set the output to “Headphones (AirPods Stereo)” and the input to your laptop’s built-in mic, a webcam mic or a USB mic.

AirPods on the Nintendo Switch 2

The Switch 2 supports Bluetooth audio, so AirPods work for game sound. You pair them under System Settings, one Bluetooth audio device at a time. But the Switch 2 doesn’t support Bluetooth microphones, so the AirPods’ mic won’t work in GameChat. While they’re connected you can only use two wireless controllers (a pair of Joy-Con 2 counts as two), Bluetooth audio disconnects during local wireless multiplayer, and Nintendo warns that you may notice audio delay (Nintendo). The console’s built-in mic can pick up your voice for GameChat instead. Our best headphones for Switch 2 guide covers options that do both.

AirPods on Xbox

Xbox consoles don’t support Bluetooth audio, so AirPods can’t connect to an Xbox directly (What Hi-Fi?). There are two partial workarounds:

• Party chat through your phone: connect the AirPods to your phone and join your Xbox party in the Xbox mobile app, which supports voice chat with a headset paired to the phone (Xbox Support). Game sound still comes from the TV.
• Game sound through the controller: a small Bluetooth transmitter plugged into the controller’s 3.5 mm jack can send game audio to AirPods. It adds Bluetooth delay, and most transmitters carry sound only, so you’d still need the phone for chat.

If you play on Xbox a lot, a headset made for it is simpler. See our best Xbox headsets.

AirPods on PS5

The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio either. The workarounds are the same idea as on Xbox: voice chat in a party through the PlayStation App on your phone, which supports voice chat with up to 15 friends (PlayStation Blog), or a Bluetooth transmitter in the DualSense controller’s 3.5 mm jack for game sound with added delay. AirPods Max owners can use Apple’s USB-C to 3.5 mm cable in the controller jack instead, for game sound without Bluetooth delay.

Sony’s own answer for earbuds is the PlayStation Pulse Explore. They connect to the PS5 over PlayStation Link, Sony’s low-latency wireless, and to your phone over Bluetooth at the same time (PlayStation). More picks are in our best PS5 headsets guide.

Better earbuds and headsets for gaming

If you want earbuds or a headset mainly for gaming, these avoid the problems above by using their own wireless link instead of Bluetooth:

The Sony INZONE Buds are the closest thing to “AirPods for gaming”: small earbuds with noise cancelling, but their USB-C dongle gives low delay and a working mic on PC, PS5 and Switch 2, where AirPods fall short. The Arctis Nova 5 (up to 60 hours of battery per SteelSeries) is the easy headset pick if you play on several systems; get the Nova 5X for Xbox (SteelSeries). For more, see our best gaming headsets.

Check the Arctis Nova 5 on Amazon →

Our verdict

If you game on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, the AirPods you already own are good enough, and Game Mode keeps the delay low. On a Windows PC they’re fine for casual games once you move the mic to another device. On consoles they’re a stopgap: game sound only on the Switch 2, and workarounds on PS5 and Xbox. The AirPods Max are the exception, because their cable removes the Bluetooth delay. If you’re buying earbuds for console or PC gaming, get a pair with its own dongle, such as the Sony INZONE Buds.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Bluetooth headphones for gaming: latency explained
• Are the Sony XM5 and XM6 good for gaming?
• Best gaming headsets
• Best earbuds for iPhone
• Best AirPods alternatives
• Can you use Bluetooth headphones on Xbox?