The Appeal of Low-Latency Wireless Earphones

What is Low Latency? How Technology Reduces Audio Lag

Low latency refers to technology that transmits audio signals from the source device to the earphones quickly, minimizing audio lag. In wireless earphones, audio data is transferred via Bluetooth, and controlling the time lag during this transfer is key to low-latency performance.
Some products use high-performance codecs like AptX or LC3 to efficiently compress and transfer audio, providing a smooth experience with minimal delay.

Why Low Latency Matters in Movies and Gaming

In movies and games, audio and video must be synchronized to avoid frustration. For example, if the actor’s speech is out of sync with the audio, immersion in the story is disrupted.
In games, especially FPS or rhythm games, audio delay can affect performance. Delayed gunfire or enemy footsteps can slow reactions and significantly impact the gaming experience. Low-latency wireless earphones solve these issues, allowing real-time enjoyment of movies and games.

Key Points for a Comfortable Experience with Wireless Earphones

When choosing low-latency wireless earphones, there are a few important points. First, check if the earphones support low-latency codecs (e.g., AptX Low Latency or LC3).
Next, to ensure stable connections, choose models using the latest Bluetooth versions. Additionally, earphones with dedicated settings for gaming or video playback provide optimal latency for each usage scenario. Considering these points ensures the best audio experience during movies or gaming.

Recommended Low-Latency Wireless Earphone Models

SONY INZONE Buds: WF-G700N｜Noise Cancelling, 3D Sound

By connecting a dongle (similar to a USB connector), these earphones enable low-latency performance for gaming. In game mode, they achieve impressive latency of under 30ms, delivering a high-level performance.

JBL QUANTUM TWS｜Low Latency with High Stability

By attaching a wireless dongle, this model also enables a low-latency mode.
While it is recommended to switch modes between gaming and everyday use, it delivers excellent low-latency performance.

CYBER｜Professional Wireless Gaming Earphones

By using the included multi-receiver, this model achieves an ultra-low latency of 25ms.
The key difference from other earphones is that it maintains low latency of 40ms even during normal use. While it has a strong gaming-earphone aesthetic, it also features noise cancellation for calls, making it suitable for both gaming and everyday use.

SOUNDPEATS Sonic｜Approximately 60ms Latency in Game Mode

Equipped with the QCC3040 chip, this model reduces latency to approximately 60ms in game mode. It combines high sound quality with low latency, making it suitable for music and movies as well!
It supports various codecs including SBC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive, and features a dedicated gaming mode (low-latency mode).

Edifier Neobuds Pro2｜Spatial Audio, Ultra-Low Latency Game Mode

These earphones, awarded the VGP2024 Gold Prize, feature spatial audio and have received relatively high reviews. They also include a low-latency mode; however, specific latency figures are not provided, so it’s important to note that the term "ultra-low latency" may not correspond to exact millisecond values.

EarFun Free Pro｜Ambient Sound Mode & Game Mode Equipped

Priced in the 500$ range, these earphones feature noise cancellation, ambient sound mode, and game mode. Offering excellent cost performance, they provide a well-balanced combination of sound quality and functionality, allowing you to fully focus on gaming.

AVIOT TE-V1R｜Gaming (Low-Latency) Mode

Featuring dual drivers focused on noise cancellation and sound quality, this model allows use of Game Mode via the dedicated AVIOT SOUND ME app.
While highly functional, it should be noted that it does not achieve ultra-low latency for gaming, so keep this in mind.

EarFun Air 2｜Achieves 55ms Low Latency

In Game Mode, it achieves a maximum low latency of 55ms. Not limited to gaming, it also features high-resolution certification and IP7-level water resistance. With its rich set of functions at an affordable price, it is popular as a cost-performance earphone.

Points to Consider When Purchasing

Importance of Battery Performance and Charging Case

When choosing wireless earphones for gaming, battery performance and the quality of the charging case are very important factors. Earphones that can last through long gaming sessions without worrying about running out of battery provide a comfortable gaming environment.

Additionally, the battery capacity and portability of the charging case are also crucial. Especially when frequently using fast wireless connections, the earphones’ battery life can be shorter, so the charging case plays a complementary role.

Other Features to Pay Attention to Besides Low Latency

While low latency is a key feature for gaming earphones, there are other important functions to check. For example, noise-canceling features block external noise and enhance the immersive experience of games. Models with high-quality microphones enable clear communication in voice chats. Moreover, water resistance and a lightweight design for comfortable wear are also highly recommended by many users.

Article Summary

This concludes our introduction to low-latency earphones suitable for both gaming and movie watching.
These are not earphones limited to gaming use; they come with practical features that make them versatile for everyday use. If you are looking for earphones that focus on gaming but are also suitable for various other uses, this article can serve as a helpful reference.