Should you get a gaming headset, headphones, or would you rather play with earbuds? You are doing your research before you commit. So, are earbuds good for gaming?
Yes, earbuds are good for gaming. Gamers like earbuds because they deliver a more immersive listening experience than speakers or over-the-ear headphones. They’re comfortable, easy to use, and they can be used while doing anything else besides gaming.
Let’s dig into the topic a bit more and discuss whether or not earbuds are the best for you when playing games.
Are Earbuds Good For Gaming?
Earbuds with high-end sound quality are generally favored over headphones by regular and pro gamers. Earbuds are the closest to the eardrum and have the shortest delay while transmitting sound.
The external auditory canal is completely sealed up, thus blocking all outside noise. The design and structure allow earbuds to create a more immersive experience for gamers.
Casual and Serious Gamers
For casual gamers, ease of use and portability is paramount. They want an immersive experience. However, they do not want to spend their entire budget on high-end headphones with noise cancellation functionality. Such gamers find the best of both worlds with earbuds.
Alternatively, serious or pro gamers have more extensive needs and spend money to compete in online gaming tournaments. The quality of the headphones or earbuds matters the most as they can make or break concentration. For such gamers, earbuds make more sense for mobile gaming and headphones for competitive PC gaming.
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What Features Should Gamers Look For?
Choosing earbuds for gaming requires consideration of several factors. Comfort should be the driving factor when choosing the best gaming earbuds. Earbuds are generally worn for prolonged hours during intense gaming sessions. Other factors to consider include noise cancellation, build quality, frequency response, and supported audio drivers.
Related article – How To Keep Wireless Earbuds From Falling Out
What Is Better For Gaming Earbuds Or Headphones?
There’s a huge debate over which is better: a gaming earphone or a headset. Earbuds are always preferable as they can deliver exceptional sound quality. The design of earbuds also means they can also block out most external noise.
However, when it comes to comfort, earbuds could be a bit uncomfortable for longer gaming sessions and may also start to feel heavy and itchy around the ears.
A decent pair of earbuds will give you superior sound quality as well as a high-quality mic. This is generally more affordable than a high-end gaming headset. My suggestion is that you should choose earbuds if your gaming sessions are not longer than 2 hours. But if you game for long periods, it is better to invest in a high-end gaming headset with proper cushioning for comfort.
Related article – Why Are Earbuds Better Than Headphones?
Wired vs. Wireless Earbuds: Let’s Talk About Latency
Typically, wired earphones have lower latency. Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.0 or above offer a low latency of about 50ms, making them suitable for gaming. High-end earbuds are geared with capabilities like ultra-low latency mode, which further minimizes latency.
The lowest delay to visual inputs is desirable in video games for kinesthetic awareness. When it comes to auditory inputs, quality matters more than perfect synchronicity. This is because humans perceive quicker than they listen.
Wireless earbuds are an ideal solution if you like flexibility and can live with a battery life of up to 6 hours. You’ll have to shell out at least $150 for a quality set of wireless earbuds, but this is still more affordable than getting a premium set of gaming headphones with noise cancellation features.
Related article – Where Is The Microphone On Earbuds?
Which Earbuds are Best for Gaming?
When it comes to gaming earbuds, one looks for comfort, sound quality, active noise cancellations, and additional smart features. In our opinion, for professional gamers who do not have much of a budget constraint, we recommend – Bose QuietComfort Truly Wireless Bluetooth In-Ear Earbuds.
For gamers looking for the best budget earbuds for gaming, it is worth considering Razer Hammerhead Truly Wireless Bluetooth In-Ear Earbuds.
You can’t go wrong with either option, but it’ll be really just up to your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are earbuds good for gaming? Well, there are many burning questions around this topic. Let us answer the most popular questions one by one.
Why Do Pro Gamers Wear Earbuds?
The majority of gaming tournaments come to a close with a live finale in front of an audience. White noise from a headset is used to filter out extraneous sounds. Via earbuds, gamers can concentrate better on the game’s audio.
Quite a few professional gamers use earbuds as they practice for contests. Furthermore, premium earbuds provide the best acoustics. Some gamers wear both earbuds and headphones. The headphones’ cushioning provides an extra layer of blocking of white noise.
It’s not uncommon for pro gamers to wear the third headset as well. It is typically done for product placement by sponsors. Sometimes a third headset also comes into play when the rest of the two units lack mic functionality.
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What Is Better For Gaming Earbuds Or Headphones?
It depends on the intensity of the user as a gamer. Casual gamers who game for less than 2 hours can consider getting earbuds. Due to their design, the earbuds can feel uncomfortable for prolonged gaming sessions and cause unwanted itchiness around the ears.
Of course, gamers can get them customized as per the shape of their ears, but that will stretch the budget massively.
Serious gamers who game for prolonged sessions should get premium gaming headphones with high-end sound quality and comfortable cushioning around earcups.
If you are a mobile gamer who plays games like PUBG or Fortnite, you may find earbuds to be a far better pick over gaming-specific headphones.
Learn more – How To Make My Bluetooth Earbuds Louder
Summary
Several factors come into play when deciding between a headset for gaming or earbuds for gaming. It all boils down to priorities. If comfort is your top priority and you are a serious gamer who plays at a stretch, you are better off with premium quality gaming headphones.
However, if you are a casual gamer who games for leisure, earbuds are the best bet for you as they are highly portable and offer an immersive experience.
Interesting read – Do Earbuds Degrade Over Time?
