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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 3 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)
Premium Pick
Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear MonitorsThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable.
Best for: Buyers who want a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs.
Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check 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 on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable. | Buyers who want a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs. | Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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.
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 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
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 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
Moondrop's CHU II DSP uses a USB-C cable with built-in DSP and an inline mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
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 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
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up three headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and driver size and microphone are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the CHU II DSP, state connection and design and share In-ear design.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CHU II DSP gives no driver size; the Yeabomy AK3FILE gives no microphone.
- Price range
- From the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the CHU II DSP, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in Gaming Earbuds With Mic
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The Yeabomy AK3FILE: a listing aimed at music, gaming and video calls. The CCZ DC03: an inline mic.
How much to spend
All 3 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the low end to the CHU II DSP at the top, so decide on features first.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Start from what matters most
Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money: the Yeabomy AK3FILE. Buyers who want a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs: the CHU II DSP.
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.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit 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 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 a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs | 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
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 |
| CHU II DSP | Not listed | Wired USB-C | In-ear | Inline mic |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the CHU II DSP our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a USB-C DSP cable. It suits anyone who wants a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs.
Do the Yeabomy AK3FILE and the CHU II DSP differ on connection?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE and the CCZ DC03 use Wired 3.5mm; the CHU II DSP uses Wired USB-C.
What extras do the Yeabomy AK3FILE and the CCZ DC03 include?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE: a 10mm dynamic driver. The CCZ DC03: a 10mm dynamic driver. The CHU II DSP: a USB-C DSP cable.
Who should choose the Yeabomy AK3FILE?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the CCZ DC03 on price when we checked. It ranks first of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money.
Should I pick the Yeabomy AK3FILE or the CHU II DSP?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE suits getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money; the CHU II DSP suits buyers who want a USB-C DSP cable and can spend more than the CCZ DC03 costs.
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.
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
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesUSB vs XLR microphones: what each needs and what each gives you
- Similar guideThe Best IEMs with a Mic for Gaming
- 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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