Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Earbuds
Five headsets compared, from the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the KZ ZSN Pro X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gaming earbuds and in-ear monitors trade the boom microphone for a lighter fit and passive noise isolation. Every pick is an in-ear design.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: driver size, connection and design come from each maker's published specs; a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds
Undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money.
Our take Check price for Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic
A 10mm dynamic driver.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm dynamic driver.
Our take Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
7Hz Salnotes Zero In-Ear Monitors
A 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Our take Check price for 7Hz Salnotes Zero In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic
A 10mm N52 dynamic driver.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm N52 dynamic driver.
Our take Check price for TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
KZ ZSN Pro X In-Ear Monitors
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 1BA+1DD hybrid.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for KZ ZSN Pro X In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Yeabomy AK3FILE brings to the table is a 10mm dynamic driver, plus a listing aimed at music, gaming and video calls.
Best for
- Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Memory-wire ear hooks hold the earbuds in place, and the seal blocks much of the ambient noise. The wired connection avoids any Bluetooth delay. Three pairs of ear tips come in the box, so you can find a seal that blocks around 90% of ambient noise.
You also get the lowest price tier here. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the CCZ DC03 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 10mm dynamic driver
- Listing aimed at music, gaming and video calls
- The lowest price tier here
Also Consider2 of 5
CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CCZ's DC03 is a 10mm dynamic in-ear with an inline mic and ear hooks.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10mm dynamic driver.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Yeabomy AK3FILE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest IEM with a mic here. A 10mm dynamic driver with a PET diaphragm aims for a balanced tuning, and an inline mic handles voice chat. It is a low-cost wired option for handhelds and controllers.
CCZ's patented ear fin and hook hold the earbuds in place, and the shell is sturdy but light. It is an upgrade on the DC02. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Its price falls between the Yeabomy AK3FILE and the 7Hz Zero, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear
- Microphone: Inline mic
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 10mm dynamic driver
- Inline mic
- Ear-hook design
Cons
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
7Hz Salnotes Zero In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
7Hz's Salnotes Zero uses a 10mm metal composite diaphragm and a 0.78mm 2-pin cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no built-in microphone.
Why we like it
It sits in the budget tier. Its 10mm dynamic driver sits in a metal housing, and the ergonomic shells suit long listening. It is a budget IEM known for a neutral tuning.
Its cable detaches at standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, so a broken cable is easy to replace. An N52 magnet drives the 10mm driver. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.
Worth noting too: no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the CCZ DC03 and cheaper picks cost less, and the TRUTHEAR GATE cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 10mm metal composite diaphragm
- 0.78mm 2-pin cable
- Budget price tier
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TRUTHEAR's GATE is a 10mm dynamic in-ear with an inline mic version.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10mm N52 dynamic driver.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Yeabomy AK3FILE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It keeps a 3.5mm plug. An N52 magnet driver with a carbon LCP diaphragm sits in a lighter shell than earlier TRUTHEAR models. The mic cable handles voice chat.
A front-cavity filter smooths the treble, and the transparent faceplate shows the internals. It builds on TRUTHEAR's HOLA tuning. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.
Another plus is no charging or pairing needed. Another plus is 0.78mm 2-pin cable. If driver size is your priority, the Yeabomy AK3FILE (10mm) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear
- Microphone: Inline mic
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 10mm N52 dynamic driver
- Version with an inline mic
- 0.78mm 2-pin cable
Cons
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
KZ ZSN Pro X In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The KZ ZSN Pro X stands out for a 1BA+1DD hybrid, and it adds a gold-plated 3.5mm plug.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no built-in microphon rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its silver-plated cable and zinc alloy shells are a step up from typical budget earbuds. The 3.5mm plug works with controllers and PCs without an adapter. The shells are shaped to sit tightly in the ear, which helps isolation, and it carries a 12-month warranty.
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Only the TRUTHEAR GATE came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the Yeabomy AK3FILE comes in at 10mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear, 1BA+1DD hybrid
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- 1BA+1DD hybrid
- Gold-plated 3.5mm plug
- Detachable cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Earbuds
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
What to Look for in Gaming Earbuds
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
Virtual surround is software
7.1 and spatial audio labels usually describe software processing, not extra drivers. They can help locate sounds in some games and hurt music in others.
Make sure you can switch it off in the headset's software.
Battery life claims vary with lighting
Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.
Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.
How to Choose Gaming Earbuds
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money | Yeabomy AK3FILE | Undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 10mm dynamic driver | CCZ DC03 | A 10mm dynamic driver |
| Buyers who want 10mm metal composite diaphragm | 7Hz Zero | A 10mm metal composite diaphragm |
| Buyers who want 10mm N52 dynamic driver | TRUTHEAR GATE | A 10mm N52 dynamic driver |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | KZ ZSN Pro X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 1BA+1DD hybrid |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeabomy AK3FILE | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | Not listed |
| CCZ DC03 | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | Inline mic |
| 7Hz Zero | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | None |
| TRUTHEAR GATE | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | Inline mic |
| KZ ZSN Pro X | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear, 1BA+1DD hybrid | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the Yeabomy AK3FILE was the cheapest pick and the KZ ZSN Pro X the most expensive; the CCZ DC03 was the next step up from the Yeabomy AK3FILE.
Are gaming headsets comfortable with glasses?
Softer memory foam pads and lighter clamp help. Look for listings that mention glasses support if it matters to you.
Is Bluetooth good enough for gaming?
For casual games it is fine, but 2.4GHz dongles have noticeably lower latency. Use the dongle for competitive play.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Yeabomy AK3FILE, chosen for undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked. Look at the CCZ DC03 for a 10mm dynamic driver, the 7Hz Zero for a 10mm metal composite diaphragm and the TRUTHEAR GATE for a 10mm N52 dynamic driver if those matter more to you.
Check whether the listing includes a microphone; many IEMs do not.