If you’re in search of some new earbuds for the Valve Steam Deck then you’ve come to the right place.
A top pair of gaming earbuds should provide comfort, audio quality, and a solid microphone for communicating with your teammates/ friends.
Moreover, wireless pairs should benefit from the latest Bluetooth version, and offer compatibility with both Linux/ Windows operating systems.
With this in mind, we will cover the best earbuds for the Steam Deck right now.
What are the best earbuds for the Steam Deck?
10. Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Weight: 12.8 oz
Battery life: –
Turtle Beach has a reputation for producing top-tier budget gaming headsets, and these earbuds follow that trend. The quality 10 mm speakers, removable high-sensitivity microphone, and almost universal platform compatibility make these a go-to choice for competitive gamers.
Comfort is king with the Battle Buds. They ship with “medium” earbud tips that are likely to fit most people but also include six pairs of different-sized tips for a custom fit. Secure them in place with a bit of a twist and you’ll be surprised just how lean and lightweight they feel.
The 10 mm speaker drivers are responsible for crisp, authentic, high-quality sound output. You get perfect highs, balanced mids, and plenty of bass to immerse you completely in your favorite games. Moreover, thanks to the multi-function in-line controller, volume control is effortless, too.
Online gamers that like to jump into party chat or VoIP with other players will also appreciate the microphone on show. Attach the boom mic to enjoy loud and clear communications with your squad. Alternatively, removie it for lower qualiy calls or voice commands via the in-line mic.
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9. TOZO G1 Wireless Earbuds
The TOZO G1 is an affordable pair of low-latency wireless earbuds. They boast just 45ms of latency, as well as TWS (True Wireless Stereo) for an asynchronous Bluetooth transmission. We also like that they include their very own charging case that provides up to thirty hours of battery life.
Each individual earbud weighs 0.14 oz. (almost weightless), and several earbud tips are included to get a real custom fit. Once installed properly with the correct silicone tip, we found they were quite comfortable. They should allow you to play for a couple of hours or more without any irritation.
While they are cheap, don’t be fooled into thinking that these earbuds can’t deliver high-quality sound. The sound drivers produce clean, accurate audio for an authentic gaming soundscape. Moreover, the buds go quite deep into your ear canal to provide decent passive sound isolation.
Finally, the next-generation Bluetooth technology in these earbuds makes connectivity effortless. It takes less than a few seconds to hook up to your Steam Deck and then you are good to go. The connection is solid as well, so you won’t have to worry about any drops in signal.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
8. HyperX Cloud Earbuds
Gamers looking for simple yet comfortable wired earbuds for their Steam Deck will find that the tried and tested HyperX Cloud fit the bill perfectly. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, they deliver a rich audio experience – as soon as you turn on your portable console.
The HyperX Cloud come with three individual tips: small, medium, and large. Generally, medium will fit most people but it’s nice to have the freedom to dial in the fit. The lightweight design of these earbuds help them almost disappear, even after wearing them for only a minute or two.
In terms of materials, the HyperX Cloud primarily use silicone. The silicone ear tips have a patented design that “stick” to the inside of your ears. Additionally, they feature a rubberized tangle-free cable. We particularly like that this has a 90-degree angled plug so you can twist it out of the way.
A ton of engineering went into making these earbuds sound as good as they do. While other earbud options might sound washed out, the HyperX Cloud are great for picking up on ambient and background sounds. Action sounds (particularly heavy with bass) really boom, too.
The in-line microphone with these earbuds is decent, though not necessarily spectacular. It gets the job done for game chat but can also double duty as a microphone for voice commands. Overall, the HyperX Cloud is a popular bit of kit that won’t give you much to complain about.
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7. Razer Hammerhead Duo Wired Earbuds
The Razer Hammerhead Duo is a low-profile, wired option for console gamers seeking an accurate frequency response. Lightweight, portable, and with the kind of sound you’d expect from a much bigger (and more expensive brand), gamers have good reason to jump on this accessory.
In terms of the build, these buds mix and match a few different materials. The lightweight aluminum chassis provides maximum durability. They also feature three different-sized silicone tips for enhancing comfort, as well as braided cables so you won’t have to worry about tangles ever again.
In terms of comfort, there’s a lot to like about these earbuds. The default tips provide enough cushioning, without muffling the sound. Moreover, thanks to the angled design, we found that they are nice and easy to slip in your ear while providing excellent grip inside the canal.
With dual-sound drivers tucked into each earbud, gamers can experience a dynamic and balanced armature that produces crystal clear audio. Sounds from across the gaming soundstage – background, foreground, bass, etc. – come through with near-perfect authenticity.
As for the inline microphone, Razer has stepped up the game here in a big way, too. While there are still some limitations to what a standard inline mic can do, this Razer one actually sounds pretty good. What’s nice is that you don’t have a big boom mic hanging in from of your face, either.
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6. ROG Cetra II Core
Weight: 0.63 oz
Battery life: –
The Cetra II Core is an impressive pair of in-ear headphones from the Asus ROG line-up. They flaunt a cutting-edge set of 9.4mm liquid silicone rubber (LSR) “Essence” drivers. Moreover, for ease of compatibility (with the Steam Deck), they employ a wire cable with a 90 degree, 3.5mm connector.
Designed to produce impeccable audio quality, the Essence drivers are the star of the show, here. During testing, we found the bass to be deep, thick, and capable of bringing real excitement into our games. As for the highs and mids, they sound well balanced and have an awesome vocal presence.
Besides the Essence drivers, the fins and ear tips use the same (LSR) silicone material. Roughly three times more malleable than the previous model, this has a comfortable, squidgy texture. As a result, they produce close to zero ear fatigue while still providing a tight seal for top noise isolation.
In terms of the build, both the fins and ear tips mount onto an aluminum chassis. This is not only durable but also has a high-quality, moonlight finish. The same color finish follows down to the in-line controls. Here you will find two-volume buttons (up/ down) and a single play/ pause button.
Finally, the user-friendly, inline controls incorporate a built-in omnidirectional microphone, too. This has a 40 ± 3 dB sensitivity and a 50Hz – 10 kHz frequency response. Considering Its small stature, we have to say that the microphone sounds surprisingly good with great passive noise suppression.
Currently, the Cetra II Core are some of the best-wired earbuds for the Steam Deck.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live True
Weight: 0.2 oz (per bud)
Battery life: 8 hours; 29 hours (with case)
The Galaxy Buds Live True are Samsungs take on the Apple AirPods – but without the triple-digit price tag. Compact, sleek, and truly wireless, they work just as well with the Steam Deck as they do with any other Bluetooth device. It’s a breeze to pair them up in just a few quick steps.
If you are familiar with Samsung earbuds; then you will know that there are a few different types of Galaxy Buds, with the most popular pairs being the “Lives” and the “Pro”. In contrast to the Buds Pro that offer brilliant passive isolation, the Lives have an open design that lets more outside noise in.
While this does hinder their ability to perform in situations with a lot of background noise, it instead helps them produce a more natural sound in quiet environments. Consequently, this makes them the superior choice for communicating with teammates at home, such as in a game or stream room.
In terms of the design, the Buds Live have a comfortable, bean-shape silhouette that won’t drop out of your ear. They’re sturdy, lightweight but not too “floaty”. Furthermore, on each bud is a single touch-sensitive control. This performs various customizable actions for a single up to a triple press.
Besides the touch controls, each earbud equips a 12mm AKG-tuned speaker driver. Despite having such a small form factor, the audio drivers produce full, stereo sound that has plenty of volume and depth. In particular, the highs/ mids are well pronounced and the bass is strong yet not overriding.
Finally, the Bluetooth range and latency of these earbuds is also pretty good. The Bluetooth range has a maximum distance of about 15-20 feet, which is considered acceptable. We can say the same about the low audio/ video latency (with a delay of just 160 to 180 ms) using the default SBC codec.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about these Steam Deck earbuds for some casual gaming.
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4. Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is a premium pair of true wireless earbuds. Designed to take industry-leading noise canceling and audio quality to the next level, they integrate Sony’s V1 processor and support the LDAC codec. Moreover, they feature up to 24 hours of battery life via wireless charging.
With a choice of three in-ear tips (S, M, L); the WF-1000XM4 is extremely comfortable for all ear-sizes. Compared to other true wireless buds, the memory foam tips provide a tight seal that adheres to the shape of your ear. Due to this, any gaps are eliminated and sound is completely insulated.
Advanced ANC is one of the standout features of the Sony WF-1000XM4. By adjusting sliders on the Sony app, it’s possible to control how much background noise you let in – and how much you let out. As a result, you can quickly adjust the level of “hear-through” for a variety of settings.
Anybody not wanting to keep going into the app will appreciate the intelligent on-the-move settings. Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations. Alternatively, program the touch response buttons on the left/ right earbuds themselves.
With ANC on, the Sony WF-1000XM4 battery can last eight hours or up to 24 (with a fully charged case). We particularly like that there’s a LED indicator on the case itself so you can quickly see the charging status. Also that the case is quite petite and slim enough to slot into your pocket.
Finally, the audio quality is just as you would expect from a Sony product. During testing, we found them to be clear, natural, and have punchy but not overdone bass. By adjusting the equalizer in the app to pre-set settings or your own custom settings, tweaking the sound is effortless, too.
All in all, there’s no going wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM4. While these earbuds are more on the expensive side, the noise canceling is a game-changer for busy locations with the Steam Deck.
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3. EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
Weight: 2.15 oz
Battery life: 5 hours; 24 hours (with case)
The GTW 270 Hybrid (TWS) earbuds from EPOS deliver great audio with an imperceptible amount of lag. To achieve this, they incorporate multiple connection options. This includes the ability to pair over Bluetooth 5.1, as well as aptX-LL via the optional USB-C dongle.
Compared to other industry-leading earbuds, the integrated LL-aptX codec is what makes the GTW 270 so ideal for gaming. By compressing and decompressing the audio, it significantly lowers the streaming latency, resulting in lag-free playback with close to non-existent delay.
Sadly, connecting by aptX-LL does have one drawback. Due to only supporting a single playback channel, the GTW 270’s microphone cannot operate at the same time as its audio. That means you won’t be able to use it for communication when you connect the earbuds in this way.
Despite this, the overall quality is quite impressive. The closed-back, in-ear design feels supremely comfortable and provides admirable sound isolation. Moreover, the sound they produce is fantastic, too. Powerful bass, natural mids, and sparkling highs let you enjoy the game’s true audio realism.
We also appreciate that the package includes an aluminum portable charging case. This extends the standard listening time from five hours up to twenty hours on a full charge. Overall, if you’re not too bothered about the mic, these earbuds are a top choice for the Steam Deck.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Apple AirPods Pro
Weight: 0.2 oz (per bud)
Battery life: 4.5 hours; 24 hours (with case)
The AirPods Pro is one of the best-selling sets of wireless earbuds on the planet right now. Sleek, compact, and extremely comfortable, it’s not hard to see how they’ve gained their reputation. They’re also compatible with pretty much any device imaginable including the Valve Steam Deck.
If there’s one area that Apple products excel at every time, it’s the ergonomics. These earbuds fit perfectly, with just the right weight distribution to keep them in place. Super light and super refined, they almost disappear into your ears when worn for extended periods.
Compared to dedicated gaming earbuds, the audio quality isn’t quite as impressive for gameplay as it is for music but it’s not at all bad. In particular, the bass is a little lackluster and doesn’t have that same kind of “punch”. Nonetheless, it still produces fantastic mid-tones and clean highs.
You’ll be glad to know that ANC is a standout feature of the AirPods Pro. This uses noise-canceling speakers to reduce unwanted background noise and then lets natural sound pass through when talking to people nearby. We found this works incredibly well and is really quite impressive.
Like most other ANC earbuds, the AirPods Pro features two tiny microphones on both the inside and outside. As for the mic itself, the is one of the best we have come across on a pair of earbuds. During use, the quality was lovely and clear and should give you no problems for multiplayer gaming.
Finally, the box comes with all the essentials. This includes a wired/ wireless charging case, three sizes of tapered silicone tips, and directions for getting it set up and running. All in all the AirPods Pro earbuds are not only fabulous for general use but also for gaming on the Steam Deck as well.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
1. Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro
Weight: 0.18 oz
Battery life: 4.5 hours; 20 hours (with case)
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro is a combination of sleek looks and crisp/ responsive sound. They boast just 60ms of latency (in gaming mode), as well as 10mm driver technology. Additionally, they feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and THX Spatial Audio.
Aesthetically, the True Wireless Pro are visually discreet. Apart from the small green Razer logo on the back of the bud, they’re completely jet-black in color. The low-profile design adds to this discreetness, too. Essentially, you’re getting a stealthy pair of Airpods that are optimized for gaming.
Similar to the Apple Airpods, the True Wireless Pro comes with a built-in mic and a charging case. The charging case keeps them topped up with power in between sessions. On a full charge, the True Pro Wireless can last up to twenty hours (with its case), or up to 4.5 hours without it.
Like most earwear, comfort is fundamental for long gaming sessions. Fortunately, the True Pro Wireless includes three different-style sets of foam and silicone in-ear tips (in sizes S, M, and L). As a result, you can find the right pair of tips for your ears that have a secure, snug, fit.
In terms of audio quality, the custom-tuned drivers produce amazing bass and clarity. The bass is abundant, but not muddy in any way. Moreover, the highs are natural, with no sharpness to speak of. By activating THX Spatial Audio in the native app, enhancing the cinematic experience is a breeze.
To sum up, if you’re searching for a solid, functional pair of wireless earbuds for the Steam Deck, you will be very satisfied with this product. Not only do they look and sound great, but they also feel very lightweight in your ear.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Can I Use Earbuds with the Steam Deck?
You can use both wired and wireless earbuds with the Steam Deck for a more discreet portable gaming experience. The diverse connectivity (Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, and USB-C port) allows you to use most earbuds you already own without stressing about compatibility.
The Steam Deck allows you to plug earbuds into the 3.5mm audio jack or the USB-C port, covering the ground for most wired earbuds options. The traditional 3.5mm option retrofits the most popular audio connection, while the USB-C capabilities work with newer, more evolved options.
Because both options are available, you don’t need to worry about carrying around an adapter for your favorite pair.
The most popular wireless option to use earbuds with the Steam Deck is Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to maximize the cords-free portability of the steam deck while working with a reliable audio connection.
In certain cases, you may find earbuds that use a USB dongle to provide better audio quality or range. As long as you find an option or an adapter that plugs into the USB-C port, these earbuds work with your Steam Deck.
How to Choose Earbuds for the Steam Deck
You can use your favorite earbuds with the Steam Deck, but you might find other options to better suit your needs.
Consider the points made before committing to a pair of earbuds for your Steam Deck.
Build Quality
You want a pair of earbuds with a higher quality build.
If you go the wired route, make sure the cords are not prone to breakage and the plug sits in the port reliably. Most wired headphones fall short because their cords break easily, so finding a pair without this issue is like finding gold.
When looking for wireless earbuds for the Steam Deck, consider how well the case is built. While your earbuds should have a good lifespan, the case is what takes a beating during travel. Look for something sturdy that won’t break at the hinges or lose charging capability early on.
Comfort
A few factors go into comfort. This includes the bud shape, and the ear tips material. Depending on whether the tips use silicone, foam, or some other material, this will affect the comfort.
Look for earbuds that fit the shape of your ear canal. They should be large enough that they will not fall out of your ear, but small enough that they are not keeping constant pressure on your ear.
Audio Quality
While earbuds aren’t as powerful as headphones, they can still pack a punch when it comes to audio quality. Avoid any earbuds with reviews that repeatedly note issues like static or interference.
The easiest way to determine audio quality is by giving them a test listen, but when ordering online pay attention to specs such as range and sound-dampening qualities.
Connectivity Options/ Latency
While wired earphones are the least popular option, they give you an edge when gaming on your Steam Deck. Most wired headphones have lower latency, so you hear in-game sounds as close to their actuation as possible.
If you opt for wireless earbuds, consider using a dongle over a Bluetooth connection. This requires keeping up with another piece of hardware, but you benefit from lower latency without sacrificing the benefits of wireless.
Battery Life
Pay attention to the battery life of your wireless earbuds If you decide to use them for your Steam Deck A short battery life can become irritating. For instance, if you lose earbud use mid-game or when you’re out and about.
You may not need a 30-hour battery life, but sitting in this range gives you plenty of wiggle room in case you forget to charge your earbuds.
Features
Earbuds come with many additional features, including built-in remote controls and noise canceling.
Some earbuds go above and beyond with Active Noise Canceling (ANC) or Bluetooth multipoint.
Make sure you understand the features available to you so you can take full advantage of them.
We hope you found a pair of Steam Deck earbuds on this list.
Click here for the 7 best Wireless Headsets for the Steam Deck!
Click here for the best Power Banks for the Steam Deck!
I recognize this is not the ideal place for this question, but I’m desperate. I’ve got the Sony WF-1000XM3 buds, one gen older than the ones featured here. Any tips for pairing, from anyone seeing this? My Steam Deck recognizes and pairs with them, but will not actually transmit any sound. I quickly repaired them with my Switch to make sure the buds were properly charged and functioning, with no problem.
Hi, sorry, I don’t own the older gen. Asking the question on Reddit is probably the best way to get your answer.