How we chose

We chose five gaming earbuds whose makers list a clear connection method and platform support. We did not test them. Battery figures are the makers' ratings. We left out anything we could not confirm on the maker's page, such as weights.

Dongle or Bluetooth

Console play usually needs a USB dongle. PlayStation does not send game audio over Bluetooth, and Xbox needs its own licensed hardware, which is why SteelSeries sells a separate Xbox GameBuds model. Bluetooth earbuds are for phones, PCs and Switch.

Some earbuds, like the Logitech G FITS, offer both a dongle and Bluetooth in the same pair. Others, like the Scout Air, are Bluetooth only with a game mode to cut delay.

Earbuds + donglePS5 / PCBluetooth onlyPhone / PCGame audioMusic, calls
How gaming earbuds connect. Console-ready earbuds ship with a small USB dongle. Plain Bluetooth earbuds are for phones and PCs.
Editorial photograph of a gaming headset's boom microphone shown up close
A headset boom mic is the benchmark for chat clarity.

Battery and fit

Earbuds are small, so battery life is shorter than a headset: the picks here run from about 5 to 10 hours per charge, with more in the case. For long sessions, check the case figure and whether you can charge the case with a cable.

Fit decides comfort and passive noise reduction. Most come with several ear tips. Active noise cancelling, on the GameBuds, helps on a train but can drain the battery faster.

Sponsored

As an Amazon Associate, GameGearLab earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure. Images are generic illustrations, not the exact listing.

Mics and chat

Earbud mics sit near your ear, not your mouth, so they usually sound less full than a boom mic. If voice chat matters to you most, an over-ear headset is a better fit; see our wireless headset picks. Test your setup with the free Mic Test.

Setting earbuds up on a PS5

Plug the dongle into a USB port on the console, switch the earbuds on and let them pair, then open the console's sound settings and set the output to headphones. SteelSeries notes a front USB-C port and the all-audio-to-headphones setting for its GameBuds. If you hear nothing, check that the dongle is fully seated and that no other headset is paired.

Checklist before you buy

  • Is your console named for the exact model?
  • Does it ship with a dongle, or is it Bluetooth only?
  • Does the maker list hours per charge and for the case?
  • Are spare ear tips included, and is the fit adjustable?
  • For Switch, is Bluetooth audio fine for the games you play?