In the professional gaming space, the audio setup remains one of the crucial elements that cut across the higher echelons of the performance range. This raises a lot of questions, such as, “Why do pro gamers use earbuds?” 

Pro gamers use both earbuds and headphones to block out external noise and hear game sounds. The headphones cancel out crowd and commentator noise, while the earbuds provide high-quality game audio. Sometimes, a third headset is used for sponsorship visibility. This setup helps them focus and communicate effectively during tournaments. 

Why Do Pro Gamers Use Earbuds?

Pro gamers use earbuds for two main reasons: to eliminate external noise and to have their preferred audio experience.

1. Eliminating External Noise

Professional gamers compete in noisy tournament settings with crowds, commentators, and other ambient sounds that can distract them and interfere with their ability to hear in-game audio and team communications. To reduce the noise effect, pro gamers wear noise-canceling headphones provided by the tournament organizers. However, the headphones alone are often not enough to fully block out the external noise. 

This is where earbuds come into play. Pro gamers wear high-quality earbuds underneath the noise-canceling headphones. The earbuds provide superior noise isolation and sound clarity compared to the headsets provided at the event. This ensures the gamers can focus on the in-game audio and hear their teammates without distractions.

Additionally, tournament organizers often play white noise through the headphones to mask external sounds further.  The combination of noise-canceling headphones and noise-isolating earbuds creates a near-perfect audio environment for the pro gamers.

2. Players’ Audio Preference

Many pro gamers also prefer the sound quality of their earbuds over the headsets provided at tournaments.  The familiarity and comfort of using their audio equipment can give them a competitive edge, as they are accustomed to the audio experience.

High-end gaming earbuds often have superior sound quality, with features like noise cancellation that can outperform the tournament-issued headsets.  This allows the pro gamers to hear the game’s audio and their teammates’ communications with greater clarity and precision.

Why Do Pro Gamers Use Headphones?

High-quality headphones are standard gear for pro gamers to help them block out various other sounds during tournaments and competitions.

1. Noise Cancellation

Noise-canceling headphones provided by the event organizers use advanced active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to block out low-frequency effective sounds like crowd noise and commentator voices. The headphones are also designed to create a seal around the ears, providing additional passive noise isolation.

2. External Microphone

The external microphone is also one of the features offered in the headphones that professional players prefer. This microphone is also very important when it comes to team communication because the players can easily convey their voices to the other teammates even when they are in a tournament and the surroundings are full of noise. A commensurate external microphone ensures that pro gamers concentrate and communicate and, as such, have the upper hand in high-stakes eSports.

Why Do Pro Gamers Use a Third Headset?

Pro gamers sometimes wear a third headset around their neck in addition to the earbuds and noise-canceling headphones they use during tournaments. There are two main reasons for this:

• Sponsorship Requirements

Many pro gamers and esports teams have sponsorship deals with headset or audio equipment brands. As part of these sponsorship agreements, players are often required to wear or display the sponsor’s products during tournaments and events.

Wearing a third headset around the neck allows the player to showcase the sponsor’s branding and associate their image with the company’s products. This helps the sponsor gain visibility and exposure to the large audiences watching esports tournaments.

In some cases, the third headset may also serve as a backup communication device. If the primary headset’s microphone malfunctions or is not working properly, the player can switch to using the microphone on the neck-worn headset to communicate with their team.

• Tournament Rules

Tournament organizers may have specific rules regarding the equipment players can use during competitions. Some events require all players to use the headsets provided by the organizers, while others allow players to use their equipment.

If a tournament mandates the use of organizer-provided headsets, players may still wear their earbuds underneath for audio quality and noise isolation. However, they would not be able to use their primary sponsor headset as the main device.

In these cases, the third headset worn around the neck serves as a way for players to display their sponsor’s branding and maintain their sponsorship obligations, even if they are not using the sponsor’s headset for gameplay.

Are Earbuds Better than Headsets for Gaming?

While both earbuds and headsets have pros and cons regarding gaming audio, some stand out more than others. Let’s take a closer look at how they compare—much more when it comes to professional gaming.

General Comparison

Gaming earbuds are compact, lightweight, and portable, making them well-suited for mobile or on-the-go gaming. They sit snugly in the ear canal, providing a secure and comfortable fit even during long gaming sessions. Many high-end gaming earbuds also offer features like noise cancellation and surround sound to enhance the audio experience.

On the other hand, gaming headsets are larger and enclose the entire ear, creating a more immersive audio environment. They often have superior sound quality and better noise isolation compared to earbuds. Gaming headsets also typically include a built-in microphone for clear communication with teammates.

Specific Scenarios

For professional gamers, the choice between earbuds and headsets often comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the game or tournament setting.

Here, it can be seen that when it comes to portability, earphones are one up on headphones. They can easily be transported from one place to another and can be interchanged with other gaming gadgets in a short period; this suits professional gamers best because of the frequent machine transfers from one gaming venue to the other. 

Still, when it comes to sound reproduction and noise cancellation, gaming headsets are slightly superior to earbuds. Larger drivers and an enclosed design can offer better sound quality, as such designs are critical in gaming, where sound is a decisive factor.

Additionally, the built-in microphone of gaming headsets is often superior to the microphones on earbuds, ensuring clear communication with teammates during high-stakes esport matches.

Gaming Earbuds

Pros

• Compact and lightweight.
• Wireless options reduce cable clutter.

• Often costs less than high-end headsets.
• Wide range of affordable options.

• Connect to various platforms, PCs, and mobile devices.
• Versatile connectivity options.

Cons 

• Smaller drivers, less immersive sound.
• Less noise isolation.

• The in-ear design may cause discomfort.
• Poor fit can cause pain or fall out.

Gaming Headset/Headphones

Pros

• Superior audio quality.
• Better spatial awareness.

• Passive noise isolation.
• Active noise cancellation.

• Clear communication.
• Minimizes background noise.

• Adjustable, padded headbands and ear cups.
• Lightweight construction.

• Robust construction.
• Reinforced cables and sturdy hinges.

Cons

• Larger and heavier.
• Less portable, harder to store.

• Discomfort over long sessions.
• Clamping force leads to ear fatigue.

Final Thoughts

Pro gamers use both earbuds and headphones to reduce noise and hear game sounds clearly. The choice between earbuds and headsets depends on personal preference and game conditions. Gamers should prioritize audio quality, comfort, and mobility when selecting their audio setup.