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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Picun V1 — biggest strength: a 15 ms low-latency figure over a 2.4 GHz USB dongle, plus dual 10 mm dynamic drivers tuned for 3D stereo surround sound and a 20-hour total battery setup.
• Picun V1 — biggest trade-off: its 2.4 GHz dongle story is aimed at PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and VR, so it's a generalist gaming pick rather than something purpose-built for one headset.
• PowerA Earbuds — biggest strength: a low-latency wireless USB-C adapter, 12 mm drivers, 3 EQ modes (Dynamic, Balanced, FPS) and dial-based audio controls on the earbuds themselves.
• PowerA Earbuds — biggest trade-off: it's positioned around Meta Quest 3 / 3S, and Bluetooth mode is the fallback for phones and music rather than the low-latency path.
• Who each pick is for: Picun V1 for multi-platform players who want one set for PC, PlayStation, Switch and VR; PowerA Earbuds for Quest 3 / 3S owners who want tuned FPS audio and controls within reach.
The Picun V1 leads with its latency claim: 15 ms over 2.4 GHz wireless. That number matters because latency is the whole reason gaming earbuds exist as a category. Wired audio has effectively no delay; standard Bluetooth can add enough lag that a gunshot or footstep lands slightly after the frame it belongs to. A 2.4 GHz dongle sidesteps most of that, and Picun pairs it with Bluetooth 5.4 as a second, more convenient connection option.
The setup is clearly designed for plug-and-play across platforms. You insert the USB-C dongle (a USB-C to USB-A adapter is included for older ports), the driver installs, and the earbuds reconnect automatically. The description walks through PC and PS4/PS5 specifically, and the feature list extends that to Switch and VR headsets. On Windows you do need to manually set the V1 as the input and output device the first time — a small but real step worth knowing before you buy.
Audio-wise, dual 10 mm dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range and are tuned for 3D stereo surround, which is the practical part of gaming audio: directional cues for footsteps and gunshots. The mic is pitched at real-time, lag-free teammate chat, and the ergonomic in-ear design with three ear cap sizes aims for a sealing fit that physically blocks outside noise — useful alongside the active noise cancellation. IPX4 covers sweat and light splashes, so workouts and long sessions aren't a problem. Battery is listed at 6 hours per charge in music mode with a 20-hour figure tied to the case, and a full charge takes about an hour. A voice prompt warns you below 5%.
PowerA Earbuds: Who It's For
The PowerA Earbuds are built around one job: audio for Meta Quest 3 / 3S. The low-latency path is the included wireless USB-C adapter, which the spec sheet says provides interference-free audio even in crowded Wi-Fi environments. That last detail is more useful than it sounds — a shared living room with a busy router is exactly where 2.4 GHz audio tends to stutter, and PowerA is explicitly addressing it.
The audio side is where this pair differentiates itself. The 12 mm drivers are larger than the Picun's 10 mm units, and PowerA gives you three EQ modes — Dynamic, Balanced and FPS — so you can push a footsteps-and-gunfire profile for shooters and switch to something fuller for music. The controls are the standout feature: dials on the left and right earbuds handle volume, mute, switching between the two connection types, EQ changes and track skipping. No app, no menu diving, no reaching for your phone mid-match.
Battery is listed at up to 10 hours on a single charge, with the rechargeable case adding up to 12 more hours and a USB-C cable included to charge the case. PowerA notes these are estimates and that real results vary with usage. Physically, it's an over-the-ear design with three swappable tips to keep the buds seated during active play, and the adapter has a USB-C passthrough so you can charge the headset while the adapter stays connected.
Buy the PowerA Earbuds if you own a Meta Quest 3 or 3S and want low-latency audio with FPS tuning and controls you can hit without looking. Skip it if your gaming is mainly on PC, PlayStation or Switch — the adapter is aimed at the Quest, and Bluetooth is the music-and-calls fallback rather than the low-latency route.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Lowest stated latency → Picun V1 (15 ms over 2.4 GHz).
• Most gaming platforms supported → Picun V1 (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, VR via dongle or Bluetooth 5.4).
• Best in-game audio tuning → PowerA Earbuds (3 EQ modes including a dedicated FPS setting).
• Best on-earbud controls → PowerA Earbuds (dials for volume, mute, EQ, connection switching and tracks).
• Longest single-charge listening → PowerA Earbuds (up to 10 hours vs 6 hours on the Picun V1 in music mode).
• Best total playtime with the case → Picun V1 (20 hours combined vs up to 10 + 12 hours for PowerA).
• Best for sweaty sessions and light rain → Picun V1 (IPX4 rating; the PowerA sheet doesn't list an IP rating).
• Best for charging while you play → PowerA Earbuds (USB-C passthrough on the adapter for the headset).
In my opinion, most people shopping this comparison should buy the Picun V1. For roughly the same job — low-latency gaming audio — it covers far more hardware: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and VR, with a dongle and Bluetooth in the box, dual 10 mm drivers and IPX4 durability. The PowerA Earbuds are the better pick only if a Meta Quest 3 / 3S is your main gaming device, where the FPS EQ mode, on-earbud dials and charging passthrough genuinely earn their place. If you're on the fence, decide by your headset first — that answer picks the product for you.
what is low latency gaming in earbuds
It means the earbuds send audio to your ears with very little delay between the action on screen and the sound you hear. Bluetooth adds noticeable lag; a dedicated connection like a 2.4 GHz dongle or a wireless USB-C adapter cuts it down. The Picun V1 states 15 ms, and the PowerA Earbuds use their adapter for the same purpose.
which low latency is best for gaming earbuds
Lower milliseconds is better, because a smaller gap keeps footsteps and gunshots aligned with what you see. The Picun V1 publishes a 15 ms figure; PowerA describes its adapter connection as low-latency but doesn't list a number. In my opinion, for competitive play the Picun V1's stated figure is the more concrete starting point.
It's the mode that prioritizes fast audio transmission over other connection features, usually by pairing the earbuds with a dongle or adapter instead of standard Bluetooth. On the Picun V1 that's the 2.4 GHz dongle; on the PowerA Earbuds it's the included wireless USB-C adapter. Bluetooth on both is best kept for music and calls.
do these earbuds work with a phone?
Yes, both support Bluetooth for music and calls. The Picun V1 uses Bluetooth 5.4, and PowerA lists Bluetooth as its second connection type alongside the adapter. Just remember Bluetooth is the convenience path, not the low-latency one — check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
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