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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a gaming in-ear that works with virtually any console, laptop or phone you already own, choose Mad Catz E.S PRO 1; if you need a native USB-C connection with a detachable boom mic for modern devices, choose Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming.
• Mad Catz E.S PRO 1 — biggest strength: a 3.5 mm wired connection plus a 13.5 mm balanced-armature driver and dual microphones (one detachable omnidirectional boom) make it a flexible fit for console controllers, laptops and mobile devices.
• Mad Catz E.S PRO 1 — biggest trade-off: it's a 3.5 mm analog set, so phones and tablets without a headphone jack need an adapter, and there's no USB-C option.
• Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming — biggest strength: a USB Type-C plug with a built-in smart DAC chip for plug-and-play digital audio, plus a detachable mic and RGB lighting.
• Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming — biggest trade-off: it only works with USB-C devices, so older consoles, controllers and laptops with 3.5 mm jacks are off the table.
• Who each is for: Mad Catz suits a multi-device gamer who wants one set for console, PC and phone; Poihiom suits someone whose gear is all USB-C and who wants a clean digital signal.
The E.S PRO 1 is built around flexibility. The headline spec is the 13.5 mm balanced-armature driver, which Mad Catz positions as larger than most gaming earbuds, paired with a bigger ear-can for clarity and bass response. That's a design choice aimed at people who want the punch of a headset in something that fits in a pocket. The dual-microphone setup is the other standout: an omnidirectional boom mic for gaming that detaches when you just want to listen to music or watch a movie. That detachability is a genuinely useful touch, because it turns a chat headset into a normal set of earbuds in one motion.
Connectivity is where this product lives or dies for a buyer. The 3.5 mm jack links directly to console controllers, laptops and mobile devices, which means it works with the widest range of gear you probably already own. In-line remote controls let you adjust volume or mute the mic without pausing the action. It ships with multiple earbud sizes and inner-ear supports to keep the buds seated during long sessions. At 2.08 ounces and in a green plastic enclosure, it's a lightweight, no-fuss wired set.
Buy it if you game across a mix of devices, want a detachable boom mic, and prefer a cable that plugs into almost anything. Skip it if every device you own is USB-C only, or if you specifically want a digital connection rather than an analog one. In my opinion, this is the set for the tinkerer with a drawer full of controllers and adapters.
The Poihiom set goes the other direction: it's a dedicated USB-C headset. The built-in smart DAC chip is the core feature — it converts audio digitally at the plug, which the brand says delivers Hi-Fi stereo sound with no buzzing or popping, low latency and low power consumption. If your phone, tablet, handheld or laptop uses USB-C, this is genuinely plug-and-play. The 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range and dynamic driver cover the full audible spectrum, which is what you'd expect for gaming, music and movies alike.
The fit story is also deliberate. A decompression-gap ear-hook design adjusts to your ear size so the buds sit deeper and stay put, and Poihiom explicitly notes that the right earbud tip matters for both sound and call quality. It comes with a detachable high-sensitivity mic for clear chat, plus a built-in inline mic for when you're out and about. Add RGB lighting and a black metal-and-plastic build, and you get a set clearly styled for the gaming crowd. It carries a one-year warranty and weighs 1.28 ounces.
Buy it if all your gear is USB-C, you want a clean digital signal, and you like the look of a gaming-themed earbud with RGB. Skip it if you still game on older consoles, 3.5 mm controllers, or a laptop without USB-C. In my opinion, this is the pick for someone who's fully moved to modern USB-C devices.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for device compatibility → Mad Catz E.S PRO 1. The 3.5 mm jack reaches consoles, laptops and phones; the Poihiom set only works with USB-C.
• Best for chat flexibility → Mad Catz E.S PRO 1. Two mics, including a detachable omnidirectional boom, versus the Poihiom's detachable mic plus inline mic.
• Best for a secure fit during movement → Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming. The ear-hook design is specifically aimed at keeping buds seated.
• Best for larger drivers and bass emphasis → Mad Catz E.S PRO 1. The 13.5 mm balanced-armature driver is a deliberate size advantage.
• Best for a low-latency, no-adapter setup → Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming. Plug-and-play with no dongle needed on USB-C gear.
• Best for keeping the mic out of the way for music → Mad Catz E.S PRO 1. The boom detaches cleanly when you're not chatting.
• Best for gaming-styled looks → Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming. RGB lighting and a black metal-and-plastic finish.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Mad Catz E.S PRO 1. The reason is simple: the 3.5 mm connection works with the widest spread of devices I'd actually own — console controllers, a laptop, a phone with a jack — and the detachable boom mic plus the 13.5 mm driver make it the more versatile all-rounder. I'd choose the Poihiom USB-C in-Ear Gaming instead if every device I owned was USB-C and I wanted the convenience of a digital plug, a snug ear-hook fit and RGB styling. Neither is objectively better; they're built for two different setups. Before buying either, check the current price on Amazon, since that's the one thing that can tip a close call.
Both work for PC, but it depends on your ports. The Mad Catz uses a 3.5 mm jack that fits standard PC audio outputs, while the Poihiom needs a USB-C port. If your PC lacks USB-C, the Mad Catz is the safer pick.
No — they're USB-C only. If you game on older consoles or controllers with a 3.5 mm jack, the Mad Catz E.S PRO 1 is the better fit because it plugs straight into that jack.
The Mad Catz E.S PRO 1 has two microphones, including a detachable omnidirectional boom, which suits longer chat sessions. The Poihiom uses a detachable high-sensitivity mic plus an inline mic for on-the-go calls.
Yes, and both address it. Mad Catz includes multiple earbud sizes and inner-ear supports, while Poihiom uses an adjustable ear-hook design and notes that the correct tip size is key to good sound and call quality.
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