Wired IEMs are an increasingly common choice for gaming: they have no lag, weigh very little, do not get hot in long sessions and work with your controller, PC or phone. These are the KZ we recommend for gaming, and why.
Quick answer
- Designed for gaming, with dual microphone and a USB-C version: KZ Gale (the most affordable), KZ Axas (tuned for FPS) and KZ Phantom (the most complete).
- Bass you feel in explosions: KZ Vibe X, with a vibration driver.
- Cheapest: KZ DQS.
- Always choose the version with a mic if you are going to use voice chat.
What matters in gaming earphones
- No lag. With a cable, sound arrives instantly. With Bluetooth there is always some latency.
- Sound separation. To tell footsteps, gunshots and voices apart at the same time.
- Microphone. On KZ earphones it's on the cable; the gaming models have a dual microphone.
- Comfort. They are light and do not squeeze your head.
KZ earphones designed for gaming
KZ has a line of in-ear monitors designed for gaming. They all come with three cable options: 3.5 mm jack without microphone, 3.5 mm jack with dual microphone, and USB-C with dual microphone and a sound card.
| Model | Drivers per side | Why |
|---|---|---|
| KZ Gale | 1 super-linear dynamic | The most affordable of the line. It boosts the bass of explosions and gunshots without masking footsteps. |
| KZ Axas | 1 dynamic | Tuned with FPS players to locate footsteps and gunshots. Dual microphone with noise cancellation. In white or black. |
| KZ Duonic | 1 planar + 1 × 8 mm dynamic | Hybrid with a planar driver; standard version or with 4 switches. |
| KZ Vibe X | 1 × 13 mm vibration driver + 1 dynamic | Bass you can feel in explosions, engines and drums. |
| KZ Phantom | 1 second-gen “Dome Core” dynamic | The most complete: metal shell, 4 switches and tuning developed with FPS players. |
Gaming & movie earphones, Dynamic drivers, KZ
52,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page-
Gaming & movie earphones, Everyday earphones, Dynamic drivers, KZ
78,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Gaming & movie earphones, Dynamic drivers, KZ
104,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Gaming & movie earphones, Everyday earphones, Dynamic drivers, KZ
87,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
If you change the cable, check the connector: the Gale uses a 0.75 mm 2-pin, and the Axas, Duonic, Vibe X and Phantom a 0.78 mm 2-pin.
3.5 mm jack or USB-C?
- 3.5 mm jack: plugs into the PS5 or Xbox controller, the Switch, a PC and phones with a headphone jack.
- USB-C: has a sound card (DSP) with several sound modes and plugs straight into a PC, console or phone via USB-C. If your phone has no jack, it saves you the adapter.
Other KZ earphones that work well for gaming
They aren't gaming models, but these work very well for gaming thanks to their sound separation or their price:
| Model | Drivers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| KZ DQS | Dynamic | The cheapest of the selection |
| KZ ZSN Pro | Hybrid | Entry-level hybrid |
| KZ ZVX Pro | 1 dynamic | Dynamic with a flat cable |
| KZ ZSN Pro X | 1DD + 1BA | Hybrid with a silver-plated cable |
| KZ ZSN Pro 2 | 1DD + 1BA | The latest version in the ZSN family |
| KZ ZAR | 1DD + 7BA | The most drivers: maximum separation |
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Gaming & movie earphones, Dynamic drivers, KZ
34,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Gaming & movie earphones, Hybrids, KZ
52,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Gaming & movie earphones, Hybrids, KZ, Musicians & stage
112,95 €Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How to connect them
- PS5 and Xbox: to the 3.5 mm jack on the controller.
- Nintendo Switch: to the jack on the console.
- PC: into the headphone output; if the microphone doesn't work, you may need an audio and mic splitter. With the USB-C version, straight into a USB-C port.
- Phone: directly, or with a USB-C adapter if it has no jack.
What about Bluetooth?
For competitive games, go wired. If you want to play wirelessly, the KZ Sora has a stated latency of 55 ms, designed for video and gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Which is best for shooters (FPS)?
The Axas and the Phantom were tuned with FPS players to locate footsteps and gunshots. If you want to spend less, the Gale.
What does the sound card in the USB-C version do?
It processes the sound and lets you choose between several modes; four on the Gale and the Phantom. The 3.5 mm versions don't have it.
Do they have surround sound?
They are stereo. 3D sound is applied by the console or PC (Tempest 3D, Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos) and works with any stereo earphones.
Is the microphone any good?
The gaming models have a dual microphone on the cable, designed for voice chat; the Axas's has noise cancellation. For streaming, a dedicated microphone is better.
Do they block out noise?
Yes, passively, as long as the ear tip seals well.
Keep reading
Every KZ Componentes order comes with a 3-year warranty, 30-day returns and support from our team in Spain. Torn between models? Write to us and we will help you choose.
Your next step
Still not sure which to choose?
Five questions about what you need them for, your budget and how you will plug them in. We tell you which model fits and why.
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