If youre in search of some new IEMs for gaming then youve come to the right place.
IEMs (In-Ear Monitors) have become increasingly popular with gamers in recent years.
Compared to a bulky headset, many prefer them for their lightweight form thats free of any clamping force.
In this post, we will cover the best IEMs for gaming right now.
What Is the Best IEM for Gaming?
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TheBL-07is a single dynamic driver IEM from the company that brought us the highly acclaimed BL-03.
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
Aesthetically, it has an interesting design with a metallic, geometric shell.
This unique architecture houses a 10mm, fiber diaphragm driver capable of outputting high-resolution sound.
The 0.78mm braided silver cable feels nice as well, with shielding that runs all the way down.
This prevents any tangles and softens the loop over your ear.
Due to being medium size, the BLON BL-07 should be a good fit (for most people).
They dont bury overly deep into the ear canal or protrude out too far either.
The lows are the star of the show here, reaching deep sub-bass and thick mid-bass.
In comparison to its older brother, the bass has less bloat and is not quite as dark.
As for the mids, these are slightly shallower than the BL-03 but still clear.
Micro-details such as footsteps and minor cues are accurate enough and the imaging is good.
These moldings then snap into a silver-plated cable encased in transparent silicone.
Additionally, each bud has a 2-pin connector that sticks out from the body.
Fortunately, the cable is lightweight too, so there is no awkward, downward pull.
After curving the cables over your ears, the weight mostly disappears.
Much like the BL-07, the low-end bass is quite deep.
The bass sort of falls off at higher levels though, but the general beefiness never departs.
Admittedly, the mids are a little flat and weak.
However, the treble is bright, noticeable, and yields a lot of detail throughout the listening experience.
All in all, the Zax is a clear and powerful, high clarity IEM thats worth the price.
This attractive chassis design houses a high-performance 10mm driver with a liquid crystal, vibration-killing diaphragm.
3D printed from environmental resin, the T3 Plus has a hardy and durable shell that doesnt damage easily.
Its not thin or prone to fraying, but admittedly, it is prone to tangling.
Designed for ergonomics and comfort, the T3 Plus fits smoothly in the ear cavity and feels non-restrictive.
Additionally, we like that the earbuds arent overly heavy.
(Image credit: Sennheiser)
It doesnt have the best bass in its class but theres no roll-off or bleed.
Overall, the Tin T3 Plus offers incredible value and provides a fabulous well-rounded package.
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TheTRN VX Prois a hybrid flagship monitor retailing for less than $100.
It boasts a 10mm, dual-magnet dynamic driver, along with a +8 balanced armature driver in each earpiece.
Moreover, to improve the smoothness of the sound, it features a carbon, nanotube diaphragm.
The TRN VX Pro has an incredibly simple yet pleasing aesthetic design.
The entire shell is solid through and through except where it connects to the wire cable.
The wire cable wraps around the ear for a more ergonomic and weight-relieving fit.
When combined with its reasonably sized nozzle, it slots in your ear seamlessly.
Unfortunately, the sound isolation is quite poor though.
As a result, you will hear cars passing by if you use them on the move.
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TheMoondrop Ariaexploded onto the scene early last year to a chorus of outstanding reviews.
The cord is black as well and connects to the 2-pin connectors in each earpiece.
With the Aria, youre getting a medium-size IEM thats not too bulky or small.
We would describe the soundstage of the Aria as holographic.
By filling the vertical space, you have an impression that the soundstage is slightly better/ bigger than usual.
The sound signature is mostly neutral, though leaning on the warmer end of the spectrum.
You still get plenty of mids and treble-detail sparkles without it becoming painful.
Moreover, while the bass is present, these are not for bass-heads.
It has some thump but its more controlled.
Currently, the Aria is our best value IEM for gaming.
They set the standard in this price range and provide a great first-time user experience.
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Debuting at $199, theIKKO OH10takes things up another notch.
For that price, youre getting a sleek design with a powerful driver within.
We especially like the OH10s copper-cavity-shell that gives off a liquid metal vibe.
Under bright light, this results in a stunning chrome blue shine.
Despite this, they are still comfortable to wear.
7HZ Timeless
Connectivity: WiredImpedance: 14.8 Sensitivity: 104 dBFrequency range: 5 40 KHzWeight: 0.19 oz.
The7Hz Timelessis one of the hottest-selling planar IEMs right now for its sound quality and price/ performance value.
For ease of use, the package comes with a detachable MMCX cable.
This is available in either a 3.5mm or a 4.4mm termination.
The design of the 7Hz has a huge faceplate that resembles a circular, disc-like configuration.
Attached to this is an oddly shaped nozzle that separates from the rest of the shell.
The nozzle is a little on the shorter side, therefore it doesnt protrude too deeply into the ear.
Although the 7Hz may look to have a heavy and peculiar fit, surprisingly they do not.
Despite their odd shape, they are relatively comfortable, particularly for larger ears.
The large faceplate sits outside the ear and holds its position well.
As a result, you might wear them safely for long periods.
Its worth noting that the Timeless do require more current to reach their full potential.
After we hooked them up to a pre-amp, thats when their audio prowess really began to shine.
Currently, the 7HZ Timeless is the best planar IEM for gaming, providing great technicality and clarity.
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TheFD7is FiiOs flagship IEM featuring pure-beryllium 12mm diaphragm dynamic drivers and a semi-open acoustic design.
As you might expect with a pair of IEMs at this price point, the build quality is top-tier.
Moreover, the Litz-style braided cable is tough and has plenty of strength.
We especially like that the cable handles well, and doesnt feel too thick in your hand.
Another neat thing about the cable is that the end integrates a clever twist-lock mechanism.
This helps lower the distortion while achieving a higher transient response and greater sound control.
As a result, the performance of this next-gen model goes one step beyond.
Unlike the FD5 which has a classic V-shape tuning, the FD7 is more balanced.
Instead, the highs are smoother and less fatiguing for long-term usage.
This makes the sound more comfortable, which is ideal for those for who love their extended gaming sessions.
They push ergonomically into the ear and feel less obnoxious over time.
The large selection of included interchangeable ear channels also makes them easier to tailor the fit.
Currently, the FD5 has one of the best soundstage performances of all IEMs under $1000.
It offers a stellar bass response and outstanding technical ability.
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TheSennheiser IE600is a single dynamic driver IEM that combines meticulous craftsmanship and exquisitely neutral sound.
Aesthetically, it has an almost cast-iron textured look with recessed pitting.
Although it may not be the most flashy, its durability is sure to last you a lifetime.
The design of the IE600 is relatively low profile, which makes them very comfortable to wear.
Moreover, due to their space-grade material, they are surprisingly light, at just 0.21 oz.
Packed in each shell is a 7mm TrueResponse dynamic driver.
These deliver an extra-wide 4 Hz 46.5 kHz frequency response at 18 ohms of impedance.
In terms of audio, youre looking at a U-shaped signature that trends towards bright neutral.
Expect powerful yet controlled sub-bass, detailed upper mids, and highly extended (and somewhat spicy) treble.
Although the treble is energetic and delightful, it might be a touch sparkly for some people.
Despite having a slight bump, the bass is fast, accurate but not too overbearing.
Furthermore, the separation is clear allowing you to easily distinguish between subtle directional cues on the battlefield.
All this adds together to make an IEM that sounds straight-up enjoyable and immersive.
Those who have the money to spend will want to get their hands on this highly-rated product.
Are IEM good for gaming?
Theres little doubt that while gaming can be a blast, its only truly idyllic when theres immersive sound.
Besides being lightweight and comfortable, one of the greatest benefits of IEMs is their sound isolation abilities.
Sound isolation is difficult to find with gaming headsets, at least for a true level of sound isolation.
Generally, IEMs dont leak sound nearly as much.
IEMs are capable of creating a more intimate gaming experience with greater immersion than many other peripherals.
They are also surprisingly affordable.
Although their price ranges, budget IEMs can still sound surprisingly good.
This is because they focus on audio, rather than tons of features.
Comfort
IEMs truly shine in terms of comfort.
The fact that you’re able to choose your silicone tip size already sets IEMs apart.
Additionally, too much weight can create in-ear fatigue.
Better imaging will help with directional cues.
Moreover, a wider soundstage can create a greater sense of immersion in large in-game environments.
footsteps, and directional cues.
Noise Isolation
Some IEMs feature noise canceling technology, which shouldnt be confused with noise isolation.
Its also difficult to associate a frequency with sound quality because everyones ears are different.
If you have an opportunity to test them out before buying, take advantage of it.
Budget
Fortunately, IEMs are very budget-friendly.
Even those on the low end are going to provide you with a great gaming experience.
Thats the joy of shopping for IEMs.
You have a lot of freedom to choose between a wide range of costs.
We hope you found an IEM for gaming on this list.
