Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Earbuds With Mic
Three headsets ranked on driver size and connection; the Yeabomy AK3FILE is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Earbuds are lighter than a headset for long sessions, but the mic sits far from your mouth. Every pick is an in-ear set with a microphone, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these headsets on driver size, connection and design using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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)
Premium Pick
Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked. | Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money. | Check price for Yeabomy AK3FILE Wired Gaming Earbuds (opens in a new tab) |
| A 10mm dynamic driver. | Buyers who want 10mm dynamic driver. | Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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.
It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the CCZ DC03; the CHU II DSP goes with a wired USB-C connection. It also offers 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the CCZ DC03 was closest.
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 3
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
- Price-first buyers should look at the Yeabomy AK3FILE, which 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. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the Yeabomy AK3FILE; the CHU II DSP goes with a wired USB-C connection.
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. When we checked, only the Yeabomy AK3FILE cost less, and the CHU II DSP cost more.
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
Premium Pick3 of 3
Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Moondrop's CHU II DSP uses a USB-C cable with built-in DSP and an inline mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
The 0.78mm cable can be swapped. Its aluminium-magnesium dome diaphragm sits in a cast alloy shell, and a USB-C DSP cable handles the tuning. It plugs straight into USB-C handhelds and phones.
No other pick in this guide offers a wired USB-C connection; compare the Yeabomy AK3FILE, which has a wired 3.5mm connection. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the CCZ DC03. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the Yeabomy AK3FILE, which comes in at 10mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired USB-C
- Design: In-ear
- Microphone: Inline mic
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- USB-C DSP cable
- Inline mic
- 0.78mm interchangeable cable
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Earbuds With Mic
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.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
What to Look for in Gaming Earbuds With Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
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.
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.
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.
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 With Mic
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 the most complete package | CHU II DSP | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable |
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 |
| CHU II DSP | Not listed | Wired USB-C | In-ear | Inline mic |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least I can spend on one of these headsets?
That was the Yeabomy AK3FILE at our last check; if you can stretch, the CCZ DC03 is the next step up and the CHU II DSP the priciest.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
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.
Can I use one headset on PC and console?
Many can, but check the connection for each system. Xbox-specific wireless headsets often need a matching adapter or Bluetooth on PC.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
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 and the CHU II DSP for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable if those matter more to you.
Try every ear-tip size; the seal decides bass and isolation.