Buying Guide
The Best Wired Gaming Earbuds
From the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the Zero:BLUE2: five headsets ranked on driver size and connection, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Wired earbuds avoid battery and latency worries and are light enough for long sessions. Every pick is in-ear and wired, ordered by driver size.
We sorted these picks by driver size, connection and design, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
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)
Inline Mic
CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic
An inline mic microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want an inline mic microphone.
Our take Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
KZ ZS10 Pro In-Ear Monitors
A five-driver hybrid per side.
Best for: Buyers who want five-driver hybrid per side.
Our take Check price for KZ ZS10 Pro In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED
Dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm).
Best for: Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm).
Our take Check price for TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2
Dual dynamic drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers.
Our take Check price for TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2 (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) |
| An inline mic microphone. | Buyers who want an inline mic microphone. | Check price for CCZ DC03 In-Ear Monitors with Mic (opens in a new tab) |
| A five-driver hybrid per side. | Buyers who want five-driver hybrid per side. | Check price for KZ ZS10 Pro In-Ear Monitors (opens in a new tab) |
| Dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm). | Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm). | Check price for TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED (opens in a new tab) |
| Dual dynamic drivers. | Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers. | Check price for TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2 (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.
It also comes with 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. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. It undercut the CCZ DC03 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
Inline Mic2 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 an inline mic microphone.
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. 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 5, between the cheaper Yeabomy AK3FILE and the pricier KZ ZS10 Pro, 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 dynamic driver
- Inline mic
- Ear-hook design
Cons
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
KZ ZS10 Pro In-Ear Monitors on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
KZ's ZS10 Pro packs four balanced armatures and a dynamic driver into each shell.
Best for
- Buyers who want five-driver hybrid per side.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no built-in microphon is a problem.
Why we like it
The cable detaches. Its five drivers per side include four balanced armatures, in a resin shell with a stainless steel faceplate. The shell is moulded to stay in place during movement.
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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing. It was priced above the CCZ DC03 and below the Zero:RED at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear, 4BA+1DD hybrid
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Five-driver hybrid per side
- Four balanced armatures
- Detachable cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:RED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle's Zero:RED uses dual dynamic drivers per side.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm).
Skip if
- Pass on it if no built-in microphon rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It sits in the mid price tier for IEMs. Its DLP-3D printed shell is usually reserved for high-end IEMs, and it comes with a thicker copper-plated silver cable. The two dynamic drivers measure 10mm and 7.8mm.
It also offers a dual-cavity magnetic circuit. 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. It also brings no charging or pairing needed. When we checked, only the KZ ZS10 Pro and cheaper picks cost less, and the Zero:BLUE2 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 10mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Design: In-ear, dual dynamic
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm)
- Dual-cavity magnetic circuit
- Detachable cable
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:BLUE2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Zero:BLUE2 brings to the table is dual dynamic drivers, plus a detachable cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no built-in microphone.
Why we like it
It also offers a 10mm driver size. The two dynamic drivers measure 10mm and 7.8mm, and the smaller one is tuned for mid and high frequencies. The cable is detachable with a 0.78mm 2-pin connection and a 3.5mm plug.
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. 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, dual dynamic
- Microphone: None
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Dual dynamic drivers
- Detachable cable
- Silica diaphragm on the 10mm driver
Cons
- No built-in microphone
- Costs more than the Yeabomy AK3FILE at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wired Gaming Earbuds
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five headsets on driver size, connection, design and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Yeabomy AK3FILE to the Zero:BLUE2, state driver size, connection and design and share Wired 3.5mm connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Yeabomy AK3FILE gives no microphone.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Yeabomy AK3FILE (under $50) to the Zero:BLUE2 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in Wired Gaming Earbuds
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The KZ ZS10 Pro: four balanced armatures. The Zero:RED: a dual-cavity magnetic circuit. The Zero:BLUE2: a detachable cable.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Yeabomy AK3FILE and the CCZ DC03; $50 to $100 buys the KZ ZS10 Pro, the Zero:RED and the Zero:BLUE2 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money: the Yeabomy AK3FILE. Buyers who want an inline mic microphone: the CCZ DC03.
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.
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.
How to Choose Wired 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 an inline mic microphone | CCZ DC03 | An inline mic microphone |
| Buyers who want five-driver hybrid per side | KZ ZS10 Pro | A five-driver hybrid per side |
| Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm) | Zero:RED | Dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm) |
| Buyers who want dual dynamic drivers | Zero:BLUE2 | Dual dynamic drivers |
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 |
| KZ ZS10 Pro | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear, 4BA+1DD hybrid | None |
| Zero:RED | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear, dual dynamic | None |
| Zero:BLUE2 | 10mm | Wired 3.5mm | In-ear, dual dynamic | None |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Yeabomy AK3FILE was the lowest-priced pick and the Zero:BLUE2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Yeabomy AK3FILE, CCZ DC03 |
| About $50 to $100 | KZ ZS10 Pro, Zero:RED, Zero:BLUE2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the CCZ DC03 the Inline Mic?
It earns the label for an inline mic microphone. It suits anyone who wants an inline mic microphone.
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 KZ ZS10 Pro: a five-driver hybrid per side.
Should I pick the Yeabomy AK3FILE or the Zero:BLUE2?
The Yeabomy AK3FILE suits getting 10mm dynamic driver for the least money; the Zero:BLUE2 suits buyers who want dual dynamic drivers.
What else do the Zero:RED and the Zero:BLUE2 offer?
The Zero:RED: a detachable cable. The Zero:BLUE2: a silica diaphragm on the 10mm driver.
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 an inline mic microphone, the KZ ZS10 Pro for a five-driver hybrid per side and the Zero:RED for dual dynamic drivers (10mm and 7.8mm) if those matter more to you.
Check the plug type; some use USB-C instead of a 3.5mm jack.