Best IEMs for Gaming in 2025 | Audio46
by Delaney Czernikowski
(Updated )
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In-ear monitors are a great listening tool, and it's likely that not a lot of people realize they can be used for things other than live performers or casual audiophile listening. With the rise of online gaming, even brands that specialize in in-ear monitors are taking a stab at catering to a new audience. Today, we’ve pulled a few worthy candidates to see what IEMs for gaming are on the market that would make for a great addition to your gaming setup. It's worth noting that not all these IEMs or earbuds are specifically marketed for gaming purposes, but that should not deter you from considering them as an option. These models are among the best headphones for gaming, offering exceptional sound and comfort for immersive gaming.
CAMPFIRE AXION
Campfire Audio is not a brand I expected to dabble in the best gaming IEM world, but I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy the sound of their latest USB-C connection model. The Campfire Axion has mid-range frequencies that are a bit boosted, which is great for games that are dialogue heavy and need that extra attention. A dynamic soundstage also helps these move near the top of my list, and the easy connection into the phone or laptop via USB-C makes them a perfect piece of equipment for any source. The microphone in the cable also makes them great for online gamers who chat while they play. They were comfortable to wear throughout testing, and I’m sure I could have worn them all day without issue. These in-ear monitor gaming IEMs offer a fantastic balance of sound quality and comfort for extended gaming sessions.
STRAUSS & WAGNER SI201 / EM8C
Are you someone who still has an older generation iPhone? Fear not, we still have options for you to skip the adapter! Strauss & Wagner has cleverly made a pair of earbuds for $50 that includes all the same perks as similar models. The lightning termination option, the SI201, is perfect for on-the-go traveling, and the microphone on the cable is great for phone calls and online gameplay. The sound isn't anything off the charts; however, it's clean and direct, which will be great for any mobile game.
For Samsung and iPhone 15 / 16 /17 users, there is a USB-C option as well! The EM8C is a great option with the same sound quality and handy controls that will get you to experience your mobile gaming to best of your ability. For a $50 price point, it's a great deal for when you want a reliable earphone for traveling and can't take your expensive setup on the go.
MEZE ALBA
Meze Alba does not have many IEMs, but the ones it does have are a worthy contender for gaming in-ear monitors. You get a wide soundstage and clear sound, and it immerses you in your listening very easily. Their Advar IEMs retail at a pretty high price and deliver great sound, so if you’re looking for the same quality, Alba is here with a great compromise. With the Albas, you can listen to a top brand and not have to break the bank to do it. Their lightweight design makes them easy on the ears, and I can definitely imagine these being a great addition to anyone’s gaming setup.
SONY INZONE E9
Sony is another popular brand that people will know for delivering some great value goods. Their latest release, the Inzone E9, is a great IEM that has the traveling gamer in mind. The comfortable in-ear fit is perfect for longer gaming sessions, and the different included eartips make it easy to find the fit that is right for you. The isolation is very effective, and the imaging makes this ideal for gaming. You can easily place instruments in the stereo field so you can get a good picture of the instruments or sound effects in front of you. Also included with the Inzone E9 is a USB-C DAC, so you can use this right out of the box and plug it directly into your phone or device. Also included is a small carrying case, so you can take this on the go with ease. For $149.99, you can't go wrong with the crisp and balanced sound Sony is known for.
BEYERDYNAMIC DT 70 IE
From Beyerdynamic, normally, we see over-ear headphones that are designed with studio sound in mind. They have some exclusive gaming headphones, and their latest IEM series is one that is turning some heads. Priced at just at $500, there are 4 different tunings in the DT IE series that are best suited for different musicians. The DT 70 IE is ideal for gaming, with its balanced sound and wide sound signature that is perfect for wide sound fields that you need to place textural elements in your game. For people who prefer more bass, the DT 71 IE may be a good choice as well, but the DT 70 IE proves to be great for that balanced sound gamers love.
SENNHEISER IE 600
Sennheiser is a reliable brand, and their in-ear monitors are no exception. You can go for a lot of their IE models, like the cheaper IE200 or the even more expensive IE900, and you’ll still get a great sound out of all of them. The later models do show their worth in terms of quality and detail. I liked the Sennheiser IE 600 review best in-ear monitors for gaming accuracy during my testing, with its wide stage and powerful low end. I could imagine explosions and combat hits being very impactful on these, if the low-tone soundtracks were any clue to go by for those. They were comfortable to wear and I imagine they would be great for long gaming sessions.
WHICH ARE YOUR NEXT GAMING IEMS?
In conclusion, there are a lot of great in ear monitors for gaming that can serve as a fine replacement for chunky gaming headsets (prefer full-size headphones for gaming? Don’t miss our Best Headphones for Gaming in 2025 guide for top over-ear picks this year). There are a lot of options to choose from, and this list doesn’t even cover half of the IEM for gaming that are available. To find what's right for you, I highly recommend testing them yourself. I really enjoyed testing to see what monitors would be the best IEMs for gaming accuracy in setting, and I walked away with some favorites and an idea of what I would look for in an IEM. It's up to your personal taste to see what IEMs you think are best.
You can find all of these IEMs and more at Audio46.
If you need help selecting best IEM or earbuds for gaming, please feel free to reach out to us via email or live chat now. You can also call us at (212) 354-6424 and visit our NYC store. Our sales engineers and technicians are happy to help and/or discuss any questions you may have about IEMs for gaming.
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