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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming EarbudsUndercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money.
Check price for Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with MicA 10mm dynamic driver.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm dynamic driver.
Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
7Hz Salnotes Zero In-Ear MonitorsA 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Check price for 7Hz Salnotes Zero In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with MicA 10mm N52 dynamic driver.
Best for: Buyers who want 10mm N52 dynamic driver.
Check price for TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
KZ ZSN Pro X In-Ear MonitorsThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 1BA+1DD hybrid.
Best for: Buyers who want a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs.
Check price for KZ ZSN Pro X In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds
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: no charging or pairing needed. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the CCZ DC03 was the next step up.
Key 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
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 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
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.
You also get this: no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the CCZ DC03 and cheaper picks cost less, and the TRUTHEAR GATE cost more.
Key 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
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: no charging or pairing needed. Another plus: 0.78mm 2-pin cable. If driver size is your priority, the Yeabomy AK3FILE (10mm) is the stronger choice.
Key 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
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 a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no built-in microphone 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 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
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out driver size.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the KZ ZSN Pro X, state connection and design and share Wired 3.5mm connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The KZ ZSN Pro X gives no driver size; the Yeabomy AK3FILE gives no microphone.
- Price range
- From the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the KZ ZSN Pro X, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in Gaming Earbuds
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The 7Hz Zero: a 0.78mm 2-pin cable. The TRUTHEAR GATE: a version with an inline mic. The KZ ZSN Pro X: a gold-plated 3.5mm plug.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 5: the Yeabomy AK3FILE through the KZ ZSN Pro X all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers Match the pick to your priority
Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money: the Yeabomy AK3FILE. Buyers who want a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs: the KZ ZSN Pro X.
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.
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers 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.
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 a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs | 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
The Yeabomy AK3FILE, the CCZ DC03 and the rest, as their makers list 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
What makes the Yeabomy AK3FILE the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked. It suits getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Yeabomy AK3FILE and the CCZ DC03 apart?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE: a 10mm dynamic driver. The CCZ DC03: a 10mm dynamic driver. The 7Hz Zero: a 10mm metal composite diaphragm.
Who should choose the KZ ZSN Pro X?
The KZ ZSN Pro X carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 1BA+1DD hybrid. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs.
Should I pick the Yeabomy AK3FILE or the KZ ZSN Pro X?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE suits getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money; the KZ ZSN Pro X suits buyers who want a 1BA+1DD hybrid and can spend more than the TRUTHEAR GATE costs.
What else do the TRUTHEAR GATE and the KZ ZSN Pro X offer?
The TRUTHEAR GATE: a 0.78mm 2-pin cable. The KZ ZSN Pro X: a detachable cable.
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 earbuds include a microphone; many IEMs do not.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
- Related guideThe Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Gaming Headsets
- Similar guideThe Best Gaming Earbuds With Mic
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesHow to Choose a USB Microphone for Your PC
- Similar guideThe Best Wired Gaming Earbuds
- Topic hubAll headsets and headphones guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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