As an avid gamer, I’ve often wondered if my AirPods could be used for gaming. After much research and testing, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about using AirPods for gaming, including the solutions I found and how I solved the issue.
Luckily, AirPods can be used for gaming, especially of the light to moderate variety. However, games that have advanced settings and graphics may not be the best to pair with AirPods. This is simply because the earbuds won’t give you the immersive experience you’ll be looking for.
| Tips for Using AirPods for Gaming |
|---|
| Make sure your PC or console supports Bluetooth connectivity before trying to pair your AirPods. |
| Turn off the microphone on your AirPods if you want to use them for audio output only. |
| AirPods are best used for light to moderate gaming, so avoid using them for more advanced games. |
| Consider getting a dedicated gaming headset for a more immersive experience. |
| To avoid discomfort, take regular breaks to give your ears a rest. |
| Make sure your AirPods are fully charged before using them for gaming. |
Table of Contents
What Are the Perks of Using AirPods for Gaming?
You must know this by now: AirPods only perform best with other Apple devices like an iPhone, Mac, or iPad. So, it’s normal to assume that they won’t be as great when connecting them to a PC or a gaming console.
Still, they’re not an absolute no-no, and here’s why:
Less Strain on the Ears
Let’s face it, having large headphones over your ears for hours is uncomfortable, even if you have the most ergonomic gaming pair out there. There will still be pressure on your ears, which can cause soreness and even headaches the more you leave them on.
Plus, headphones also press against your temples and upper head, another reason why you struggle with a migraine after an intense League of Legends session with the bros!
Hopefully, AirPods can put an end to that thanks to their low footprint. They’re less than a couple of inches long, go directly into your ears, and don’t press against your ears or head.
Read more: Can you leave AirPods in the charging case?
Some Models Are Fit for Advanced Gaming
Remember how we mentioned that AirPods aren’t generally compatible with advanced gaming? While this is true, some models perform better in this regard than others, namely the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Those two fellas can handle moderate to advanced gaming to an impressive degree. Sure, they won’t be as immersive as a designated pair of gaming headphones, but they’ll offer you the following:
- Incredible noise cancellation
- Great sound quality
- A wider audio range
- Directional sound
Plus, the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have far higher battery lives than the second and third generation of AirPods. With those two, you can expect up to 4.5 and 20 hours of listening time, respectively.
As for the games that they work with, these include:
- High-action games
- First-person shooters
- Online play (casual and not pro)
What Are the Drawbacks of Using AirPods for Gaming?
Unfortunately, the downsides of using AirPods for gaming are many, which is why you won’t find most pro-gamers using them on a regular basis.
Read more: Should I let my AirPods die before charging?
Lagging, Delay, and Less Immersion With Advanced Games
Even if you’re using the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, there’s a limit to their performance with pro-gaming. Because advanced games have a high audio output, which is much more than the AirPods are designed to handle, you can expect lags and delays.
In addition to that, the limited features of AirPods, as opposed to gaming headphones, won’t allow you to become immersed in the game. So, you can still use those tiny speakerphones occasionally, but they won’t be as satisfying as a full-fledged pair of headphones.
Limited Battery Life
AirPods have decent battery life between charges, but only if you compare them to other earbuds on the market. Their lifespan is a speck of dust compared to that of a gaming headset, which is often around 40 hours.
More interestingly, some high-end headphones boast a battery life of 300 hours, which is fascinating for a hardcore gamer to have!
Inability to Use Both the Audio Input and Output
In other words, using the AirPods for both listening and talking to your buddies won’t be as seamless as you’ll want it to be. This is because the Bluetooth bandwidth will be limited, so, if you use both features, you can expect the audio quality to drop significantly.
A good way to overcome this issue is by disabling the microphone on your AirPods and only using them for the audio output. To reach out to your squad in the game, you may want to use a standalone mic instead.
However, since this sounds like so much hassle just to be able to use your AirPods, why not take the easy way out and go back to your loyal headphones?
Pros of Using AirPods for Gaming
- Less strain on the ears
- Some models are fit for advanced gaming
- Good sound quality
- A wider audio range
- Directional sound
Cons of Using AirPods for Gaming
- Lagging, delay, and less immersion with advanced games
- Limited battery life
- Inability to use both audio input and output
Final Thoughts
As a seasoned gamer, you must’ve asked at one point: can AirPods be used for gaming?
Yes, AirPods can be technically used for gaming as long as your PC or console supports Bluetooth connectivity. Yet, you’ll most definitely face latency and lagging issues if you use them in this setting, especially if you’re all about advanced gaming.
AirPods perform better with light to moderate gaming, so you can occasionally use them for this purpose to take a break from your bulky headphones!
