Sony INZONE Buds vs Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed: Which Earbuds are Better for Gaming?
By Naila Syifa
Updated December 2023
In October 2023, Sony released its first gaming-focused pair of wireless earbuds, the INZONE Buds, which quickly became a top choice among gamers due to their low latency, excellent sound quality, and comfortable fit.
However, Razer is a well-known brand in the gaming industry, and its pair of wireless earbuds, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed, is a strong contender with its own set of features and advantages.
So, how do the Sony INZONE Buds compare to the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed earbuds? Let's take a closer look at the 5 key aspects to determine which one is the better choice for gaming.
Key Takeaways
Sony INZONE Buds offer superior audio quality and noise cancellation, but the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed offers additional Bluetooth connectivity and Xbox compatibility. Choosing between the two means weighing between quality and flexibility.
Sony INZONE Buds
Quality Gaming Earbuds
✓ Personalized 360 Spatial Sound
✓ Noise Cancellation
✓ 30ms Low Latency
✓ 24 hours of battery life
Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed
Affordable Gaming Earbuds
✓ Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
✓ Dual Environmental Noise Cancelling (ENC) Microphones
✓ Customizable Lighting with Razer Chroma RGB
✓ 30 hours of battery life
#1 Price
Sony INZONE Buds
Sony INZONE Buds and Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed don't have a big price gap, but the difference may still matter for some people. While the INZONE Buds are available for around US$199, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed earbuds are slightly cheaper at around US$149, making them a more affordable option for gamers on a budget.
#2 Design
Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed
Both the INZONE Buds and Hammerhead HyperSpeed look sporty and great for gaming aesthetics, but there are some differences in their overall design. The INZONE Buds have more modern and stylish buds with matte surfaces and glossy touch-sensitive panels, while the Hammerhead HyperSpeed earbuds have a more traditional design with elongated stems.
However, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed is powered by Razer Chroma RGB, which allows you to customize the earbuds' lighting effects to match your gaming setup and preferences.
Both earbuds come with a charging case, which also looks similar with a flip-top lid design. However, it is worth noting that the charging case of INZONE Buds features a special compartment to store the included USB-C dongle, so you won't have to worry about losing it. This is different from the Hammerhead HyperSpeed, which lacks such a special compartment for safe storage.
#3 Audio Quality & Features
Sony INZONE Buds
Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed has a larger driver unit of 10 mm compared to the Sony INZONE Buds which feature an 8.4 mm driver. A larger driver unit typically produces louder and more powerful bass, but many users reported that the sound quality of the Hammerhead HyperSpeed is not that impressive, giving the INZONE Buds' 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X the edge in terms of overall audio quality.
Both models also feature active noise cancellation, which blocks out unwanted background noise so you can focus on your game. However, again, some users reported that the ANC in the Hammerhead HyperSpeed still has some room for improvement, making the INZONE Buds a superior choice backed up with Sony's top-tier noise-canceling technology.
Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed
If you want to stay aware of your surroundings while gaming, both earbuds have an Ambient Sound Mode that lets you hear some external sounds without removing the earbuds. For in-game communication, both earbuds also have built-in microphones with noise-reduction technology for clear voice pickup.
Sony INZONE Buds stand out with its 360 Spatial Sound, which allows you to pinpoint the direction and distance of opponents and other in-game sounds, giving you a more immersive gaming experience with a better chance of winning. If you play PlayStation 5 games, you can also enjoy PlayStation 5's Tempest 3D AudioTech for an even more realistic audio experience.
#4 Battery Life
Sony INZONE Buds
Battery life is an important factor for wireless earbuds, especially for gamers who don't want to be interrupted mid-game due to low battery. Overall, with the charging case, the Hammerhead Hyperspeed has a longer total battery life of up to 30 hours compared to the INZONE Buds with a total battery life of up to 24 hours.
However, without the charging case, the Hammerhead Hyperspeed has a much shorter battery life of only around 6 hours compared to INZONE Buds which can last for up to 12 hours on a single charge, the longest in the industry.
In addition, the INZONE Buds also support quick charging, allowing you to get 1 hour of playtime with just 5 minutes of charging, which can be very helpful in situations where you need to charge your earbuds quickly before a long gaming session.
#5 Connectivity
Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed
Both earbuds come with a USB-C dongle that provides a 2.4 GHz wireless connection between the earbuds and your PC, console, or mobile device. This connection provides low latency and stable connectivity, ensuring that you won't experience any lag or interruptions during your gaming sessions. While Razer doesn't officially state the latency numbers, Sony claims that the INZONE Buds have a latency of less than 30 ms.
Other than the 2.4 GHz wireless connection, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed also offers Bluetooth 5.2 to connect the earbuds with any Bluetooth-enabled device. The latency is not the best for gaming, but Bluetooth connection can be useful for non-gaming purposes like listening to music or taking calls while on the go, especially when you don't have the USB-C dongle with you.
Another thing worth noting is that while both earbuds are compatible with PlayStation, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed has an Xbox Licensed version that offers additional compatibility with Xbox consoles including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, and Xbox One S. This may be a deciding factor for gamers who own an Xbox console and want to use the same earbuds for both their console and PC.
Sony INZONE Buds vs Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed
Final Thoughts
Sony INZONE Buds
Overall, both the Sony INZONE Buds and Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed are great choices for gaming earbuds, each with its own set of strengths and limitations.
The INZONE Buds offer superior audio quality, noise cancellation, and 360 Spatial Sound, making them a great choice for gamers looking for an immersive and high-end audio experience. On the other hand, the Hammerhead HyperSpeed offers more connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Xbox compatibility.
If you like to read more about Gaming Earbuds/Headsets, check out our other relevant guides here:
Sony INZONE Buds vs PlayStation Pulse Explore
Sony INZONE Buds vs WF-1000XM5
Sony INZONE Buds vs INZONE H9
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