Buying Guide
The Best IEMs with a Mic for Gaming
Four in-ear monitors with a mic, from a $19 pair to a six-driver USB-C set.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
In-ear monitors are light and isolate well, but many have no mic. These four each list one, either inline or on the cable.
An inline mic sits farther from your mouth than a boom, so voice pickup is simpler.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best USB-C Pick
Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors
A USB-C DSP cable with an inline mic.
Best for: Handhelds and PCs.
Our take Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
Best 3.5mm Pick
TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic
A 10mm driver with an inline mic.
Best for: Controllers.
Our take Check price for TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab)
Most Drivers
KZ ZS12 PRO 2 USB-C In-Ear Monitors
Six drivers per side with USB-C.
Best for: Detail-focused listening.
Our take Check price for KZ ZS12 PRO 2 USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic
An inline mic near $19.
Best for: Tight budgets.
Our take Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A USB-C DSP cable with an inline mic. | Handhelds and PCs. | Check price for Moondrop CHU II DSP USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab) |
| A 10mm driver with an inline mic. | Controllers. | Check price for TRUTHEAR GATE In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab) |
| Six drivers per side with USB-C. | Detail-focused listening. | Check price for KZ ZS12 PRO 2 USB-C In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab) |
| An inline mic near $19. | Tight budgets. | Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best USB-C Pick1 of 4
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
- Handhelds and PCs.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
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.
It shares a wired USB-C connection with the KZ ZS12 PRO 2; the CCZ DC03 goes with a wired 3.5mm connection. Like the TRUTHEAR GATE and CCZ DC03, it has an inline mic microphone, while the KZ ZS12 PRO 2 uses an included microphone. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC.
It was priced above the TRUTHEAR GATE and below the KZ ZS12 PRO 2 at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the TRUTHEAR GATE 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 CCZ DC03 at the time of writing
Best 3.5mm Pick2 of 4
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
- Controllers.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the CCZ DC03 was cheaper at our last price check.
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. Like the CCZ DC03, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the CHU II DSP uses a wired USB-C connection.
It shares an inline mic microphone with the CHU II DSP and CCZ DC03; the KZ ZS12 PRO 2 goes with an included microphone. 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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper CCZ DC03 and the pricier CHU II DSP, at the time of writing.
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 CCZ DC03 at the time of writing
Most Drivers3 of 4
KZ ZS12 PRO 2 USB-C In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
KZ's ZS12 PRO 2 uses six drivers per side and a USB-C plug with a mic.
Best for
- Detail-focused listening.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the CCZ DC03 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It connects directly to phones, handhelds and PCs with a USB-C port. Like the CHU II DSP, it has a wired USB-C connection, while the TRUTHEAR GATE uses a wired 3.5mm connection. You get an included microphone here, which sets it apart from the CHU II DSP and its an inline mic microphone.
It also offers a six-driver hybrid per side and a 10mm dynamic bass driver. It connects over USB, which also handles the audio processing on your PC. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the CHU II DSP and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired USB-C
- Design: In-ear, 5BA+1DD hybrid
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Six-driver hybrid per side
- USB-C plug
- 10mm dynamic bass driver
Cons
- Costs more than the CCZ DC03 at the time of writing
Lowest Price4 of 4
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
- Tight budgets.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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. Like the TRUTHEAR GATE, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the CHU II DSP uses a wired USB-C connection.
It shares an inline mic microphone with the CHU II DSP and TRUTHEAR GATE; the KZ ZS12 PRO 2 goes with an included microphone. It undercut the TRUTHEAR GATE and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is driver size; for more, the TRUTHEAR GATE comes in at 10mm.
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
How We Chose These IEMs with Mic for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
- Connection options
- We recorded each headset's connections, since they decide which systems it works with and how much latency to expect.
- 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 an IEM with Mic for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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 an IEM with Mic for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Handhelds and PCs | CHU II DSP | A USB-C DSP cable with an inline mic |
| Controllers | TRUTHEAR GATE | A 10mm driver with an inline mic |
| Detail-focused listening | KZ ZS12 PRO 2 | Six drivers per side with USB-C |
| Tight budgets | CCZ DC03 | An inline mic near $19 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Design | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHU II DSP | Not listed | Wired USB-C | In-ear | Inline mic |
| TRUTHEAR GATE | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | Inline mic |
| KZ ZS12 PRO 2 | 10mm | Wired USB-C | In-ear, 5BA+1DD hybrid | Included |
| CCZ DC03 | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear | Inline mic |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | CCZ DC03, TRUTHEAR GATE, CHU II DSP |
| About $50 to $100 | KZ ZS12 PRO 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
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.
Do I need a separate microphone?
Only if your headphones do not include one or you stream. Most gaming headsets include a usable microphone.
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.
Bottom Line
Moondrop's CHU II DSP is the USB-C pick. TRUTHEAR's GATE keeps a 3.5mm plug, and KZ's ZS12 PRO 2 has the most drivers.