That doesn't mean you have to give up the best sound quality: we've done extensive research and rounded up the best in-ear headphones for gaming so you can make an informed decision about what best suits your desires and budget.
Over the past few years, we've seen how popular mobile gaming has become. Nintendo released the Switch, Valve announced the Steam Deck, and traditional handheld consoles continue to sell like hotcakes, as well as incredibly popular mobile games like Pokemon Go.
So what does this mean?
In short, more and more people are looking for headphones that can be used for gaming on the go. In-ear headphones are popular - they're more portable than over-ear headphones, but the problem is that not all models are worth the money.
Before we get into our product reviews, we'd like to talk a little about in-ear headphones. They are deceptively simple, and many people think that because they are so small, there isn't much difference between the devices.
The truth is that there are a number of different things that separate high-quality in-ear headphones from the pairs you'll find in a regular store.
How to choose the right in-ear headphones
To clear things up, we've created a short guide explaining some of the things you should pay attention to before purchasing a new pair of headphones.
Frequency range
Most pairs of headphones that cost 1200 rubles or more will have frequency characteristics indicated (usually on the packaging). So what does this really mean?
Well, simply put, it shows the range of sounds that headphones can reproduce accurately and without distortion. 20 Hz - 20 kHz is a fairly standard frequency response (this is also the range of human hearing for most people), but a wider range does not mean a better product.
There are a number of other factors, including the headphone's sound profile, impedance, and drivers, that affect sound quality. For this reason, we recommend trying headphones wherever possible.
Sound profile
When someone talks about the sound profile of a product, what they are talking about is sound reproduction. For example, if you had a pair of headphones that have large drivers and heavily emphasize bass frequencies, you could say that they had a bass-heavy sound profile.
The products that work best usually have a very balanced profile that doesn't fluctuate too much at either end of the spectrum. Ideally, you want strong bass and highs with a sweet spot in between so that no sounds are drowned out. Pretty simple, right?
Unfortunately, there's no real way to know a product's profile without listening to it, so it's worth doing your due diligence - asking around, trying to find a video of the product playing music, maybe even making a trip to the store. If it saves you from buying a bad pair of headphones, it's worth it.
Noise Isolation vs Noise Canceling
We've all had a terrible pair of headphones, right? You turn on the music, but the sound keeps leaking out and everyone around you hears what you are playing at one time or another. Or perhaps it's the other way around - you're trying to concentrate on something, but even if you turn on music, you can still hear what's going on around you.
There are two ways headphones can handle this. They may have sound insulation or noise reduction.
Basically, noise-isolating headphones create a tighter seal in the ear. This virtually cancels out the sound of the outside world.
Noise-canceling headphones, on the other hand, use a microphone to listen to the noise around you. They apply the opposite audio signal to the sounds you hear.
This effectively eliminates external noise so you only hear the sound you want. Because of all the extra software and technology that comes with headphones, they tend to be a little more expensive than noise-isolating headphones, but if you can't afford to be distracted, this might be a good idea.
AKG Y 20
Another inexpensive headphone that is ideal for home gaming. Yes, they don’t have a microphone, so if you want to talk to your teammates and tell them how you’re doing on Skype, you’ll need to buy a separate microphone, but we’re not talking about that now. I recommend these headphones to gamers because of their excellent ergonomics - we can easily select ear pads from the three options included in the set and the headphones fit snugly in the auricle, sounds can be heard clearly, there is no discomfort during the game. In addition, frequencies from 13 to 22500 Hz are supported here. In games, we don’t need high frequencies so much, but the lower and mid frequencies allow us to hear footsteps, shots, grenade throws, and so on. These headphones perfectly listen to the frequencies needed for games, have decent bass, so playing shooters is quite comfortable. Besides, this is AKG - they have never made bad headphones. In addition, the resistance here is only 16 ohms, so even the weakest sound card can squeeze normal volume out of these ears, and even in a smartphone the quality is decent. The cost of the headphones is 1,400 rubles.
Best Budget In-Ear Headphones for Gaming
Let us share a secret with you: there is a difference between cheap headphones and budget headphones. What?
Cheap headphones are for those who don't care about sound quality, while budget headphones are a great compromise.
Sure, you can buy a pair of headphones for a few hundred rubles, but more often than not they will sound terrible and break within a few weeks. Conversely, all of the in-ear headphones below are available for less than RUB 1,200 and are excellent for this price point.
Ritmix RH-428BTH
The Ritmix RH-428BTH headphones connect via Bluetooth, fit securely inside the ear, and even have a built-in slot for a memory card, which allows you to turn them into a standalone music player.
They lack playback volume, but at the same time the sound quality is very acceptable.
You should only use this model for gaming if you have no other options left, but its price outweighs most of the disadvantages.
Koss The Plug
These headphones have an unusual name and an even more unusual appearance. Koss The Plug earbuds are designed with a conical shape and are designed to provide a secure seal without the need for multiple sizes of silicone tips.
The model has memory foam earbuds, but they definitely have a downside: they are too loose and can be uncomfortable.
The headphones have a slightly higher frequency response than other budget options, but only by ten hertz (10 Hz-20 kHz). However, the device wins in volume. The earbuds are capable of outputting 112dB, but we don't recommend it. They have a nice sound profile, with fairly even highs and lows.
Philips SHE3590BK/28
The headphones have a nice, simple design, and as a bonus, there are seven color variations.
These in-ear headphones have a very strong mid-range and exceptional highs. The bass is a little muted, but still punchy enough to breathe some life into your favorite tracks.
There's no microphone or in-line controls, but given the price range, you wouldn't want to rely on communicating with teammates while gaming. When you're spending $1,000 on headphones, the last thing you want is for some of that money to go towards a fairly mediocre microphone.
Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120
While the look of these hard plastic headphones leaves something to be desired, they come in nine different colors and hold up very well despite the budget price.
The low frequencies are a bit suppressed during bass-heavy tracks, but the sound is fairly clear in the highs without drowning out anything in the midrange.
The only downside is that the cable is very thin and doesn't seem to last very long. However, the headphones have an L-shaped jack. Not only does this help prevent damage caused by excessive pressure on the connector, but it also means that the cable will fit more naturally to the game console controller.
Both this model and the Phillips have a fairly standard frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz, but you really can't find anything better in this price range.
SVEN E-290M
SVEN E-290M continues the selection of inexpensive headphones. Despite the modest price, they are able to offer the owner many advantages, including an aluminum case, a flat cable, replaceable ear pads and a control panel.
In terms of sound, they cannot boast of outstanding quality, but they fulfill their price tag one hundred percent.
Logitech G435
headphone type | closed, play, full-size |
channel transmission | Bluetooth, radio channel |
frequency range | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
maximum volume | |
operating time on one charge | until 18 o'clock |
Advantages of the model:
- Good sound without any major drawbacks. For their price, headphones allow you to feel quite comfortable: catch the direction of sounds, guess the distance, etc.
- Comfortable “ears” (cups) that do not press and allow you to wear the headset for hours without experiencing problems.
- Bluetooth connection with high quality. Communication is stable within a radius of up to 10 meters.
- A nice price that even beginner streamers can afford.
Disadvantages of the model:
- Built-in microphone. This is a disadvantage for users who prefer a remote one.
- Inability to connect via Bluetooth and radio at the same time.
- Not the most expensive, rather easily soiled plastic.
Best Mid-Range In-Ear Headphones
If your budget is a little larger, you can take advantage of the improved sound quality by purchasing one of the mid-range pairs of in-ear headphones. We've selected some amazing models, all of which offer exceptional sound and, best of all, are affordable.
Logitech G333
The Logitech G333 is one of the best budget in-ear gaming headphones.
This model is compatible with PCs, mobile devices and modern consoles, supports connection using a 3.5 mm plug and a USB-C adapter, is equipped with specially designed dual diffusers for transmitting all frequency spectrums and a high-quality microphone with convenient volume control.
In addition, the headphones fit comfortably in the ear, and the aluminum body ensures durability. They only lack the noise reduction function, but otherwise they are an ideal option for gaming.
Sennheiser CX 5.00G
These headphones actually come in two colors (black and white) and have specific options depending on whether you'll be using an Android or iOS device.
This is because this model has a built-in controller with three buttons, as well as a main microphone. We were very impressed with the appearance of this product: the headphones look much more expensive than they actually are thanks to the premium aluminum body.
You get what you pay for, right?
In fact, the headphones have sound quality that far exceeds what you can expect from a product in this price range.
Music sounds bright at high power and smooth at low power. Obviously, the bass isn't as solid as on more expensive headsets, but we found that while it doesn't overpower the music, these headphones have pretty good balance.
Klispch R6i
These headphones have a very simplistic design, but since the body is made of plastic (in black or white options), the Klispch is worth spending a little more for the sound aspect.
This is true: the headphones have a bright, natural sound that breathes new life into acoustic tracks. The different instruments remain clearly distinguishable even at high volumes, and there is very little distortion.
The only real problem with this model is the cable. It is quite wide and covered with rubber, which causes the headphones to get tangled too often. They have a cable clamp to help minimize this problem, but it's still quite annoying.
Nevertheless, for less than 4,500 rubles, the sound in these headphones is very impressive. If looks aren't that important, the R6i is a good choice.
Audeze Mobius
The best computer headset for Premium gaming.
Audeze Mobius headphones ($470). The Bluetooth built into the headset supports SBC, AAC, LDAC codecs. The device is equipped with a DSP sensor that tracks the position of the head. Thanks to the changes made to the sound picture, a complete presence effect is created when, no matter how the body moves, the sound is in the same place. In general, the most top-end headphones in terms of sound quality.
It’s not suitable for everyone, but only for those who are willing to pay the cost of a full-fledged mid-level home computer for headphones.
Main characteristics
- Playback frequency: 10 – 50000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 120 dB
- Harmonic distortion: 0.1%
- Weight: 350 g
- Foldable design
- Detachable microphone
- Connector: USB / 2 x mini jack 3.5 mm
- Connector shape: straight
- Battery life: 10 hours
Equipment
- Headphones
- Replaceable ear pads
- USB cable
- Mini jack cable 3.5 mm
- Documentation
Video review
- Sound. Smooth, detailed and natural sound. Definitely worth its price.
- Convenient controls.
- High quality microphone.
- Detachable microphone and cable.
- Convenience and comfort.
- Price.
The best TWS headphones
Recently, TWS (true wireless stereo) headphones have become widespread. They are not connected by wire, which makes their use more comfortable, they work in pairs with each other as a stereo headset (in some models, each earphone can work independently), and are powered by the included charging case.
With the development of this segment of audio equipment, headsets have appeared that accommodate powerful speakers in a small body, support noise reduction and are equipped with gaming modes. We will talk about the best of them below.
Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Series
The well-known manufacturer of gaming peripherals has a whole series of TWS headphones called Hammerhead, which includes three models: the top-end Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro, the mid-range Razer Hammerhead True Wireless and the budget Razer Hammerhead True Wireless X.
Each has its own unique features: for example, the Hammerhead TW Pro is THX certified, which means it produces the highest quality sound. And the Hammerhead TW X is equipped with backlighting.
Finally, all of these headsets support Game Mode: it increases battery consumption, but significantly reduces audio latency, so you can play on mobile devices and PCs, watch streaming videos, without experiencing a lag between the sound and the image.
Bloody M70
The gaming brand Bloody has recently started releasing TWS headphones equipped with a low latency gaming mode, made in an aggressive gaming design and providing good sound at an affordable price tag.
The Bloody M70 model is just one of these: it has good sound and picture synchronization, a stable Bluetooth connection, high-quality membranes in the speakers and decent battery life. A good offer for those who want to play on a smartphone with maximum comfort.
Bloody M90
Bloody M90 is the senior model in the brand’s line of TWS gaming headsets.
It boasts active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.1 support, intuitive touch controls, ergonomic design, water and dust resistance and, of course, a gaming mode with minimal latency.
JBL TUNE 125 TWS
The JBL TUNE 125 TWS demonstrates advantages in several ways.
Firstly, the model boasts good battery life of up to 32 hours.
Secondly, it has excellent sound, which is further enhanced with the Pure Bass function. Thirdly, you have a wide choice of colors available to you, from strict black to compromise white, outstanding blue and soft pink.
In addition, the headphones quickly connect to your smartphone, have low sound latency and look very stylish.
Samsung Galaxy Buds+
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ headphones have a completely wireless design with miniature ear pads and two-way speakers.
The latter create a closed acoustic design of excellent quality, due to which this model is especially appreciated by music lovers.
Also, the design of the device provides as many as 3 microphones with a fixed mount in the housing: 2 external and 1 internal.
The features of the headphones also include touch control and the presence of one multifunction button.
Main functional characteristics:
- intracanal;
- Bluetooth 5.0;
- dynamic;
- operating time - 11 hours (from the battery in the case - 22 hours).
pros
- high-quality assembly;
- reliability;
- comfortable to wear.
Minuses
- not specified by users.
Best In-Ear Gaming Headphones with Mic
What separates a good pair of in-ear gaming headphones from a great pair is the microphone. There are a lot of products with a device that can be considered a standard microphone.
However, we know that for many, “good enough” is simply not good enough. That's why we found the best options.
Brainwavz Delta Silver
First up we have Brainwavz Delta Silver. This is an inexpensive pair of headphones priced at less than RUB 2,000. Despite this, they actually do a pretty good job in terms of sound quality and here's why:
They do well in the high frequencies, but the bass is quite dull.
The controls provided are quite simple: a regular play/pause button and a volume control button. Both Android and iOS versions are available, so you'll need to make sure you choose the right version.
The built-in microphone is of above average quality and transmits voice well. There's some slight distortion or crackling that built-in microphones are known for, but it's usable for gaming.
Each earbud has its own cable, and they're well separated to minimize the risk of tangling, which is great.
1MORE Triple Driver In-Ears
The 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ears include everything you'd expect from an affordable pair of headphones.
They have a pleasant sound profile that excels in the midrange and provides very little boost in the low frequencies. In addition, there is an additional driver: it allows you to play very loud music, while the sound remains as clear as possible.
The cable leading to the splitter is covered in fabric for added durability, but the individual headphone cables are covered in plastic.
This is a small minus, but it does not affect the sound quality. The built-in controls feel a little cheap, which is pretty bad considering how often they're used. The microphone on this model is great and doesn't seem to pick up too much outside noise.
Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless
Wireless full-size gaming headphones for PC with an interesting design and lighting.
Fourth place in the ranking of the best headphones with a microphone goes to Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless ($150), wireless full-size gaming headphones for PC with an interesting design and backlighting. Installing the software allows you to adjust the sound, color of burning elements and other aspects to suit you. These wireless headphones with a good microphone cannot be called new, but the model is still relevant and is not inferior to competitors on the market.
Best Wireless In-Ear Headphones for Gaming
It seems like everyone has been in this situation. You're in the middle of a crazy game, but your headphone cord is tangled up with your controller's charging cable!
Well, you don't have to put up with it anymore. We've found the best pairs of affordable wireless in-ear headphones to make sure this never happens again.
HyperX Cloud Buds Wireless
HyperX Cloud Buds Wireless are suitable for both gaming and outdoor activities.
Their bright colors are eye-catching, and the hard rim improves ergonomics, preventing the headphones from slipping off your neck. 14mm speakers provide powerful sound, and the battery lasts for 10 hours of continuous play.
With this model, you can listen to music, play games and communicate via voice, and in any case you will get impressive sound quality.
Beats Beats X Wireless
Like all headphones from Beats, these headphones are quite expensive and cost about 10 thousand rubles. The sound quality is excellent, but it makes up for the increased price. So what do they sound like?
The headset is fairly well balanced across all frequency ranges, and while the sound at maximum isn't as clear as we'd like, it's definitely a good performance.
They have very fast charging times. A five-minute charge provides about two hours of playback, and a full charge provides up to eight hours of continuous use.
Unfortunately, these earbuds are not very good at sealing out noise, so you may hear outside sounds in them.
Regardless, we wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone who plays for long periods of time.
Samsung Level U Pro
Next up is the Samsung Level U Pro. What's especially interesting is that the earbuds are magnetized and can stick to each other when not in use.
The headphones support the high ranges, actually boosting them slightly. Bass is also solid and never overwhelms the midrange, which is great.
If you are a fan of really explosive tracks, this model is not very suitable, but overall we are satisfied.
What about customization? Well, this point is only really relevant if you love gaming on an Android device, but you can download the free Level U app to expand the experience even further.
The add-on allows you to control the volume and use the equalizer to shift the treble a bit if you so choose. A full charge provides about nine hours of use, which is a decent result.
Jaybird X3
Finally we have the Jaybird X3. They're designed for athletes, but there are a few features that make the headset great for gaming, too.
Firstly, there are fasteners as well as a cable shortener so you can minimize the risk of getting tangled.
Good news for music lovers!
These headphones focus on low and high frequencies. This means that the mids can sometimes seem a little weak, but for situations with bass or vocals (like gaming) they work very well.
Considering the approximate price of 9,000 rubles, the Jaybird X3s are very good, and rarely suffer from disconnection - a common problem with wireless headphones. There is also an additional mobile app for iOS and Android that allows you to use the equalizer.
We liked that they save the last used sound profile - meaning you can find the perfect balance and then never have to worry about it again.
All of the above headphones have a built-in microphone, but they are all fairly standard. The focus here is on the wireless connectivity rather than the microphone itself, which is to be expected.
Editor's Choice
ASUS ROG Delta S
ASUS ROG Delta S. Photo: market.yandex.ru
Stylish headphones, ideal for communication, streaming and work, although they are positioned as gaming ones. They are distinguished by their original design: the ears are triangular in shape. There are soft linings that provide good sound insulation. There is a backlight that gives the model an even more stylish look. The optimal weight is 300 grams, and the folding design makes it possible to take these headphones with you.
The materials of the headphones are high-quality and durable, the wires do not break. There is a convenient volume control, and it is possible to mute the microphone. The movable microphone design is a great opportunity to customize the headphones completely to suit you.
Main characteristics
Headphone type | full size |
Impedance | 32 Ohm |
Weight | 300 g |
Noise canceling microphone | There is |
Microphone mount | movable |
Microphone sensitivity | -40 dB |
Advantages and disadvantages
Beautiful design, high-quality assembly and excellent sound, there is backlighting and textile linings
Sometimes in games the microphone does not work well and they cannot hear you; if it freezes, it does not save the last settings mode
show more
Best Premium In-Ear Gaming Headphones
If your budget allows for high-end devices, why not invest in a pair of headphones that provide the best possible sound quality?
We have recommendations in this segment, and we are confident that any of them will suit you.
Sennheiser CX 400BT
The high cost of the Sennheiser CX 400BT is justified by the brand's proprietary quality.
Everything here works to ensure that the user feels comfortable when using: from the anatomical shape developed by Sennheiser engineers to support for a large number of codecs, a built-in equalizer and a convenient application for settings.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2
Considering the consistent quality of Sennheiser products, it is not surprising that devices from this brand are located in the premium headphone segment.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 are TWS headphones with audiophile 7mm drivers that reproduce a wide range of sounds as clearly as possible, providing the listener with a detailed audio scene.
There is also active noise cancellation, high-capacity batteries, touch controls and a well-developed application in which you can fine-tune the sound of the headset.
Bose Quiet Comfort 20s
Bose is known for making fantastic headphones, and this model is no exception.
They have built-in noise canceling technology, so you can play in the noisiest environments and still hear everything very clearly.
They operate equally at all frequencies. The headphones allow each range to be clearly visible. What does it mean?
Essentially, you can experience punchy, clear highs at the same time as bass without feeling overloaded—a rare occurrence with in-ear headphones.
They also have good battery life; a two-hour charge provides up to 16 hours of use, and there's even an "awareness mode" that limits the noise-canceling effect so you can communicate with those around you.
Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2
Next we have the Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2 headphones. They retail for around RUB 11,000, so not everyone can afford them.
Therefore, for those who are still able to purchase this headset, the headphones will seem refined: the sound in the Series 2 is much clearer than in the original C5, which was also cool.
They have a fairly wide soundstage, and although they don't have surround sound, they do provide an immersive experience. Thus, the device is great for games, especially shooters or RPGs.
These headphones have loops to keep them attached to your ears at all times, but since they weren't designed for sports, they're not sweat-proof. So the headset is almost ideal for gaming - but what about music?
Well, since this model focuses on delivering very clear sound, older and lower quality recordings will sound worse, so keep that in mind if you're a fan of vintage music.
When using premium headphones, most of the additional cost goes towards creating a high-quality sound balance.
Best In-Ear Gaming Headphones
All the in-ear headphones we've seen up to this point have been pretty specialized. Sometimes you just want the best product at a given price point, and that's what this section covers.
We've highlighted several headphone options that provide great sound.
Focal Sphears
Let's start with Focal Sphears.
They cost around RUB 7,000 and have a neat design complemented by sleek black and silver stainless steel construction. These headphones produce very bright sound with punchy bass and crisp highs.
They keep the sound level across all ranges, but aggressive tracks may be a little weaker than you'd expect.
The model has fairly good sound insulation and comes with an additional set of foam inserts.
Unfortunately, they do not completely block out external noise. The microphone is hidden in the center of the Focal logo. It works relatively well, with little distortion, since, while built-in, it is still far from a real, dedicated microphone.
Marshall Mode EQ
Marshall Mode EQ headphones, priced at about 4,000 rubles, offer the audiophile quality sound that Marshall has built its reputation on.
By the way, there are two equalizer presets: the first focuses on bass, and the second on treble.
Instruments are neatly separated - although they aren't virtual surround headphones, the model does provide one of the best stereo systems around.
These headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and the 3.5mm jack has an L-shaped design to minimize the risk of damage.
The overall design of the model is attractive, but it looks a little cheap due to the plastic construction. The headphones look great with the black and gold color scheme.
HiFiMan RE-400
Last on our list are the HiFiMan RE-400. Priced at around 7,000 rubles, they offer audiophile-level clear sound for the average budget. How do they do this?
Simply put, they don't focus on all the ranges compared to other models: the sound from the headphones is smooth and natural.
They do a great job of blocking out external noise to allow you to fully appreciate the music. The bass is a bit weak, however, so if you like heavy music, the RE-400 may not be the best choice.
There is one drawback: the headphones do not have built-in controls or microphones. This means that when gaming, they are best used in conjunction with a separate microphone.
Luckily, you can buy plug-in microphones like ModMic to solve the problem. With the RE-400, you understand where certain sounds are coming from - this becomes very obvious when listening to orchestral scores or listening to music recorded in a place with strong echoes.
JBL C100SI
The review ends with inexpensive headphones from JBL. You can buy them for less than 1000 rubles, which is almost free for such a model. The C100SI delivers clear, spacious sound with an emphasis on bass and provides noise-canceling performance when listening to music outdoors or on public transport. The C100SI are compact and comfortable, making them easy to use while traveling.
The device is suitable for listening to music from a phone, player, tablet or computer. It is equipped with a 3.5 mm jack and a long cable (1.2 m).
There is a universal control panel on the wire, with which you can easily switch to the headset. The set includes ear pads in three sizes. This allows you to adjust the earbuds to your ear size.
Connection method | Wired |
Frequency | 20-20000 Hz |
Sensitivity | 103 dB |
Impedance | 16 ohm |
Weight | 10 g |
Pros and cons: detailed sound with equalizer; availability; comfortable fit; sensitive microphone; durable body. not identified.
The best in-ear headphones
If you're looking for something that can help you tune out the outside world and immerse yourself in your music, in-ear headphones may be for you.
They are similar to standard in-ear headphones, except that they usually cover the ear completely. They also provide better sound quality because they are more expensive and sold by real audio professionals.
For best results, the headphones can be used in conjunction with a portable amplifier, but this is not necessary.
MEE audio M6 Pro
We'll look at the M6 PRO first. They sell for about 4,000 rubles and have an interesting transparent design.
The sound profile is geared towards high power - vocals and instruments sound loud and clear, but that doesn't mean there's a lack of bass. In fact, it's the other way around.
It is rather sharper and harsher. The M6 PRO offer a balanced profile and sound quality that is exceptional for the price.
Don't get us wrong, they're unlikely to compete with more expensive in-ear headphones, but for those on a budget, this model is a great starting point.
The headphones are comfortable, block out external noise very well and make minimal demands on the amplifier.
We liked the bright sound, but you can customize the sound profile using the software equalizer.
ETYMOTIC HF3
Next we have HF3 from Etymotic Research. The first thing you will notice about these headphones is the tips.
They're designed to fit perfectly regardless of ear size and shape, and the model does a fantastic job of isolating sound without being uncomfortable.
The peculiarity of the HF3 is that the device makes the sound very clear and crisp. This is great if you're listening to high-quality recordings, but older, vintage-style tracks may sound a little distorted.
This isn't a big deal if you're using them for gaming, but it could be an issue if you want the headphones to be versatile. What about management?
The left cable houses a three-button remote, and as a result, the microphone is much closer to your mouth than most other offerings on the market. This, at the very least, makes this model an excellent choice for gamers.
RHA T10i
We also like the RHA T10i. They cost about 14,000 rubles, so we expected excellent results and, fortunately, we were not disappointed.
They have flexible metal hooks and, despite the material, are not heavy. In terms of sound quality, the T10i focus heavily on the low frequencies.
The bass is heavy, thumping and impressive. This does help with immersion, but even with the EQ setting focused on the treble, there's not much bass.
If your device has a treble booster, you'll probably want to turn it on. There are also solid built-in controls and a microphone.
The controls are designed for use on Apple devices, so you may find that some features don't work when you use another platform, such as Android. Despite this, this model is quite powerful and worth the money.
Creative Sound BlasterX P5
If previous headphone options were more of a compromise for those who want to play games comfortably, but don’t have the money for something more professional, then the Creative Sound BlasterX P5 headphones are an example of a professional tool for a gamer. The diameter of the membrane here is only 7 mm, but this does not prevent the plugs from producing a cool sound at high volumes; frequencies are supported from 10 to 23000 Hz, which gives you an excellent understanding of the situation in games - steps, jumps, reloads around the corner, aiming the enemy, all this will happen it is clearly audible and clear in which direction this is happening. On the headphone wire there is a remote control for volume and track switching, and an omnidirectional condenser microphone is also located here. This is what makes the gadget attractive to gamers - the sound is transmitted well, we are heard, understood and obeyed. Despite the fact that the headphones have one 3.5 mm jack at the end, the kit includes an adapter for two jacks so that you can connect the headphones to your computer and have a working microphone. The cost of this gadget is already 6,300 rubles and you shouldn’t be surprised - the product is used in the eSports arena.
The Longest Lasting In-Ear Gaming Headphones
How many pairs of headphones have you broken in the past? We bet you've encountered this at least once.
However, it's not your fault: even if you're really careful, over time, connectors break, cables wear out, and sound quality drops noticeably.
To help you out, we've rounded up the most durable in-ear headphones on the market. Considering that they are a little more expensive, you can also expect better sound quality.
HONOR Sport AM61
HONOR Sport AM61 is already a classic in some way: the model has been on the market for several years, but the manufacturer does not remove it from sale, since it is very popular.
All thanks to the ergonomic shape, secure fit, good protection from dust and moisture, as well as pretty good sound.
This is a sports model, but it can also be used for mobile games.
Westone W40
The Westone W40s are made from hard plastic, which not only makes them impact-resistant but also reduces overall weight.
This means that they are very comfortable to wear even after several hours of use.
As for the sound, the device is more focused on low frequencies. The bass is powerful and detailed, while the treble is quite clear, with only a slight drop in quality at the top end.
These headphones are a great option for bass lovers or bass-heavy gaming enthusiasts. For example, first-person shooters are excellent when paired with the W40s - every shot and explosion delivers the effect gamers expect.
If you're looking primarily for music, however, they may not be the best choice.
Shure SE215m+SPE
The Shure SE215m+ is another fantastic option for gaming. It's part of the SE215 series, which includes a built-in three-button controller and microphone, so it has plenty to offer for gamers who like to use party chat.
These headphones did what few competitors have done - create rich sound with a sense of depth and detail.
In short, the headphones have a sound profile that is usually only found in much more expensive models.
Considering the price of 7,500 rubles, this is incredible. Combined with molded plastic construction and a Kevlar-reinforced cable, the model not only sounds great, but is also incredibly resistant to the daily wear and tear that all headphones face.