Can I Use AirPods Pro for PC Gaming?

Apple Inc. is renowned for its exclusive array of Mac laptops and iOS mobile gadgets. Among the company’s best additions is 2019’s pair of wireless AirPods Pro earphones, upon which a second-generation line-up has already taken over since the end of September 2022.

Boasting incredible audio quality for their astoundingly small size, the AirPods Pro already has a respectable following to date, but can it also be used for PC gaming as well?

Yes, we can use AirPods Pro to enjoy clear, unparalleled sound quality while playing video games on the computer. Incorporating state-of-the-art hardware in the form of tiny earbuds, they are extremely comfortable to wear, convenient to store, and very portable.

YouTuber, Saucy, showcases some actual gaming time while pairing his gaming PC with the AirPods Pro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzC4r1TxVzQ

It would seem that the AirPods Pro might be a worthwhile purchase for any Apple-user gamers out there, especially when it comes to playing online games on the PC. In fact, it might even be compatible with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate too, letting us soak in the atmosphere of open-world games like Starfield!

How Do I Use AirPods Pro to Play PC Games?

So, since we now know that AirPods Pro can be used as genuine gaming earphones, how do we use them to play games on the PC?

Well, there are a few different ways to connect our AirPods Pro to the computer (all of which are easy!) but here’s the most comprehensive one:

1. Click the Windows icon located at the bottom-left corner of the home screen.
2. Select Settings, and then open Devices to access the “Bluetooth & other devices” screen.
3. Enable Bluetooth by toggling its option, and then selecting “Add Bluetooth or other devices”.
4. Choose Bluetooth from the available options provided, and then leave it scanning for any compatible devices to be paired with.
5. Open the AirPods Pro’s top casing and leave it open.
6. Press and hold the power button found at the back of the casing, until a white light flashes at the front of the casing (the AirPods Pro is now ready to be connected via Bluetooth).
7. Back to the computer’s Bluetooth pairing screen, the PC will detect the AirPods Pro and show it on the screen.
8. Select the respective AirPods Pro model/ name, and that’s it!

I know, just by reading these, it might seem a bit more complicated than it actually is. So, here’s a YouTube short made by Daniel Henry, explaining another simple way to enter the computer’s Bluetooth settings to pair with the AirPods Pro:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wPAluSfhPhA

Now, we’re all set! Friendly advice, though; always remember to update our computer drivers to their latest versions to ensure optimum quality and performance for gaming, including the AirPods Pro’s audio drivers if available.

With everything done and dusted, test the AirPods Pro out by playing some free-to-play (F2P) games on the computer first!

Are AirPods Pro Better than Gaming Headsets?

As a bona fide Apple device, we all know the AirPods Pro is priced quite expensively. For PC gamers, does this suggest the AirPods Pro is better at what it does than other gaming headsets?

No, the AirPods Pro isn’t completely better than gaming headsets despite its exceptional audio quality.

For one, many players consider its built-in microphone to be less reliable than a laptop’s, while many others rightfully argue that other impeccable headsets, such as the HyperX Cloud III Wireless, are much cheaper with more features.

Personally, I believe the AirPods Pro has its place, particularly for watching movies via streaming or hearing music during workouts. On the other hand, although its sound technology produces great audio while gaming, it lacks the added touches that a gamer would want, such as cupped paddings to ease the ears.

Just imagine playing the best baseball game on the computer with a high-end gaming headset in place; hearing the crowd cheering, players motivating each other, and the play-by-play commentators enthusiastically sharing their opinions make us feel like we’re actually there on the field!

Should I Game Using AirPods Pro instead of Headsets?

At the end of the day, should we opt for the AirPods Pro for playing video games or not?

It’s entirely based on circumstances.

Don’t have a proper gaming headset at home? Grab the AirPods Pro and we’re good to go! Need something more feasible to communicate with friends while playing Apex Legends? A proven gaming headset is recommended.

Couple that with a top-grade gaming keyboard instead of a normal one too, and we’ll find ourselves glued to the computer monitor for hours on end!