Audio
What is latency in earbuds and controllers?
Latency is the delay between something happening and you perceiving it: between a shot on screen and its sound, or between pressing a button and the response. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower, the better. On Bluetooth earbuds it matters for gaming and for watching video.
Where you notice it
Listening to music you do not perceive it, because there is no picture to compare it with. In video, high latency puts lips out of sync with the voice. In games you hear footsteps or shots late, and with a controller the character responds with a delay.
What low-latency mode is
Many wireless earbuds have a "game mode" that cuts the delay in exchange for a little stability or battery. On controllers and peripherals, a 2.4 GHz USB receiver usually responds faster than Bluetooth, and a cable is still the option with the least delay.
What to check before you buy
- For gaming, look for earbuds with a low-latency mode or a 2.4 GHz receiver.
- For music and calls, latency is not an important criterion.
Frequently asked questions
The lower, the better. As a reference, below a few tens of milliseconds most people no longer perceive a delay.