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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• ASUS ROG Cetra II — biggest strength: ASUS Essence drivers made of liquid silicone rubber, a 20Hz–40KHz frequency range and a lightweight aluminum housing built for gaming-grade sound and durability.
• ASUS ROG Cetra II — biggest trade-off: It's a 3.5 mm wired set with passive noise cancellation only — no active noise cancelling, and you're tethered to a cable.
• KASOTT Battle Buds Pro — biggest strength: A dual-microphone setup (boom mic plus in-line mic), a slide-type volume remote, and a three-pole adapter cable that splits headphone and mic signals for older PCs and consoles.
• KASOTT Battle Buds Pro — biggest trade-off: A narrower 20Hz–20,000Hz range, 16 ohm impedance and a rubber housing — it's plainer on paper than the ASUS.
• Who each is for: Pick the ASUS ROG Cetra II if you want the nicer-sounding, better-built wired earbud for PC gaming; pick the KASOTT Battle Buds Pro if you want maximum input flexibility and a detachable mic on a budget-friendly set.
The ROG Cetra II Core Moonlight White is an in-ear wired headset that ASUS clearly designed around gaming audio. The headline is the ASUS Essence driver made of liquid silicone rubber (LSR). ASUS says this material is chosen for more stable speaker performance and "incredibly strong bass" — and on the spec sheet that lines up with a 20Hz–40KHz frequency range, which is wide for an in-ear set and suggests it can reach both deep lows and high-frequency detail.
Who should buy it? If your priority is sound quality on PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch and mobile, this is the pick. The 3.5 mm jack means it plugs into a controller, a laptop or a desktop's headphone port without adapters. The 90° cable connector is a small but genuinely smart design choice — it keeps the cable out of the way during handheld or portable gaming, so it doesn't snag or jab your hand. The aluminum housing is another point in its favor: ASUS calls it lightweight, scratch-resistant and elegant, and aluminum generally holds up better than plastic over years of daily use.
Who should skip it? If you need a boom microphone for voice chat, look elsewhere — this is a 3.5 mm wired set with passive noise cancellation and touch/push-button controls, and the spec sheet lists no dedicated microphone system. And if you want wireless freedom, this isn't it; it's a cabled headset. Also worth noting: ASUS itself flags that fit matters — if the earbud tips don't match your ear canals, sound and call performance suffer, so plan to swap tips. In my opinion, this is the better pick for someone who treats PC gaming audio as the main event.
The KASOTT Battle Buds Pro (Red) is a different animal. It's a wired in-ear gaming headset built around flexibility and connectivity rather than premium materials. The core audio claim is a 10 mm dynamic driver paired with an "optimized internal sound chamber" for a 3D surround effect — KASOTT specifically calls out hearing monster footsteps and enemy gunshots, which is exactly the positional-audio pitch that matters in shooters.
The real differentiator is the microphone setup. It ships with a dual-microphone structure: a boom mic plus an in-line mic on the cable. You can position the boom mic where you want it, or fall back to the in-line mic for phone calls and quick chat. That's a lot of input options for an in-ear set. KASOTT also includes a three-pole adapter cable that separates the headphone and mic signals, which is what lets it work with "old type PC" setups, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, MacBook and smartphones.
The remote is another practical touch: a slide-type volume control that adjusts from 0 to max, rather than the stepped volume you get on many in-line remotes. The single button handles play/pause, next track and previous track. KASOTT also emphasizes weight — under 35 g — and a flexible canal-fit design that stays put during long sessions.
Who should buy it? If you're gaming on a mix of devices, especially an older PC or console that needs a splitter, and you want a mic you can actually position, this makes sense. Who should skip it? If you care about build materials and a wider frequency range, the 16 ohm impedance and 20Hz–20,000Hz range are more modest, and the rubber housing isn't the aluminum you get on the ASUS. In my opinion it's the more versatile, budget-minded choice rather than the more refined one.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for pure audio quality on PC → ASUS ROG Cetra II. The LSR Essence driver and 20Hz–40KHz range are the stronger audio story.
• Best for build quality and longevity → ASUS ROG Cetra II. Aluminum housing with scratch resistance beats a rubber enclosure.
• Best for older PCs and consoles → KASOTT Battle Buds Pro. The included three-pole adapter cable splits headphone and mic signals, which older setups often need.
• Best for adjusting volume precisely → KASOTT Battle Buds Pro. The slide-type remote goes from 0 to max instead of stepped levels.
• Best for handheld and mobile gaming → ASUS ROG Cetra II. The 90° connector keeps the cable out of your way on the go.
• Best for lightweight long sessions → KASOTT Battle Buds Pro. Under 35 g with a flexible canal fit is built for marathon play.
• Best for a do-everything budget set → KASOTT Battle Buds Pro. Games, calls, music and movies across many devices from one pair.
If I were buying for PC gaming specifically, I'd take the ASUS ROG Cetra II. The LSR Essence driver, the wider 20Hz–40KHz range and the aluminum housing make it the more serious gaming headset, and the 90° connector is a thoughtful detail for anyone who also plays handheld. The catch is the missing mic, so if voice chat is non-negotiable, the KASOTT Battle Buds Pro is the smarter buy — its dual-mic design and splitter cable cover more ground for less. In my opinion, the ASUS wins on sound and build; the KASOTT wins on flexibility. Whichever you lean toward, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
how to connect gaming headphones to pc
Both of these are wired 3.5 mm sets, so the basic step is the same: plug the 3.5 mm jack into your PC's headphone port or your controller. The ASUS ROG Cetra II uses a straightforward 3.5 mm connection. The KASOTT Battle Buds Pro also includes a three-pole adapter cable that separates the headphone and mic signals, which you'll want on older PCs that have separate ports.
how to use gaming headphones on pc
Plug in, then set the device as your default playback (and recording, if it has a mic) in your operating system's sound settings. The ASUS ROG Cetra II relies on its touch and push-button controls plus passive noise cancellation. The KASOTT Battle Buds Pro adds a slide-type volume remote and a single button for play/pause and track skipping, so most of your day-to-day control happens on the cable.
what is the best gaming headphones for pc
That depends on what you value. If audio quality and build are your priorities, I'd point to the ASUS ROG Cetra II, thanks to its LSR Essence driver, 20Hz–40KHz range and aluminum housing. If you need a positionable microphone and broad device compatibility, the KASOTT Battle Buds Pro is the more practical pick with its dual-mic design and adapter cable.
what is the best pc gaming headphones
For a wired in-ear setup, the ASUS ROG Cetra II is the stronger pick for pure PC gaming sound, with its wide frequency range and stable-bass driver design. The KASOTT Battle Buds Pro is the better fit if you're juggling multiple devices and want a mic plus splitter cable included. Neither is wireless, so if cable-free gaming matters most, look at a different category entirely.
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