Connect with us

#GameTechie

Review: EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds

Great performance and a hefty price tag.

epos gtw 270 earbuds in case
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie
The Good
Great, clear sound even at full volume
Very comfortable after long gaming sessions
Hybrid connection via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz with easy switching between the two
The Bad
They feel a bit heavy in-ear
The price is a little high, even with recent discounts
8.1
Overall

Gaming setups typically consist of a console or computer, a solid display, and gaming accessories like controllers and headsets.

But what if you’re looking for a closed sound without a bulky headset? That’s where a nice pair of gaming earbuds come in.

Sure, you can use any old pair of earbuds with your setup. But a pair dedicated to gaming, like the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds, will serve you much better.

Editor’s Choice
image of EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds

Quick Verdict

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds provide great sound and no lag in a comfortable set of wireless earbuds designed with gaming in mind. They have wide compatibility with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, so you can listen on just about any device.

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a low-latency pair of true wireless gaming earbuds tuned specifically for performance in-game.

epos gtw 270 earbuds in hand
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

It has wide compatibility with Bluetooth or a dedicated dongle, so it’ll work with several different gaming setups.

Why choose the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds?

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds are designed with gamers in mind. They provide an alternative to gaudy headsets that make up most of the gaming market.

I often wear headsets when I’m gaming because they’re typically tuned specifically with gaming sounds in mind.

But being able to switch to earbuds when I don’t want to deal with a headset is incredibly convenient.

epos gtw 270 earbuds by themselves
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

And they’re not limited to just gaming, either. You can connect them to any Bluetooth-capable device and use them like any other earbuds.

For avid gamers, the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds likely won’t replace your gaming headset. However, they can be a great alternative when you don’t want to break out a headset.

GTW 270 Specifications

Ear coupling:In-ear
Transducer principle:Dynamic, closed
Dimensions:23.8 x 23.2 x 23.7 mm / 0.94 x 0.91 x 0.93 in
Weight:12.7g
Noise cancellation:Passive
Connectivity:Low-latency and Bluetooth® 5.1
Extension cable:1.5 m USB cable
Connector plugs:USB-C
Compatibility:Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Mobile / Tablet
Listening time:Up to 5 hours + 15 hours additional time via charge case (3 recharge cycles)
Low-latency gaming time:Up to 5 hours
Charging time:1.5 hours
Rechargeable battery (built-in):Lithium Polymer / 3.7 V DC / 60 mAh
Frequency range:2402 – 2480 MHz
Range:Up to 15 m Bluetooth / 5 m in low-latency
Sound pressure level:100 dB
Pick-up pattern:Bidirectional ECM
Sensitivity:-22 dBV/Pa
Charge case connection type:USB-C
Case charging time:1.75 hours
Rechargeable battery (built-in):Lithium Polymer / 3.7 V DC / 500 mAh
Max charging voltage via USB:5.25 V DC / max. current 500 mA

Using the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds

For anyone who has used a pair of true wireless earbuds in the past, the GTW 270 Hybrid will feel pretty familiar. They come in a plastic charging case with magnetic ports to keep them charged.

They also resemble many true wireless earbuds, with rubber tips and a larger body that helps with passive noise canceling.

EPOS didn’t go for the AirPod style with the stem coming down but a more in-ear approach.

You can flip the earbuds out of their case after charging and hook them up to a device using Bluetooth. The pairing process is similar to other earbuds.

You just hold the button on the case for a few seconds and wait for the lights to start flashing. Find them on your device, and you’re ready to go.

epos gtw 270 earbuds inside
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

And then there’s the dedicated 2.4GHz dongle for connecting to other devices, like your PC. That process is even easier, with the earbuds connecting automatically as soon as you plug the dongle in.

The Hybrid in the earbuds’ name means that you can be connected to two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. However, the earbuds won’t let you listen to both devices at the same time.

You can’t play sound on one device while it’s playing on the other. Instead, you have to use the button on the left earbud to switch between the two.

It would have been nice to be able to play sound from both devices at the same time, like you can with the EPOS H3Pro Hybrid headset.

What I like about the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds

So on to the things I like about the GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds. First things first, the sound on the earbuds is great.

The earbuds are tuned for game sound, offering crisp, clear sound. But they’re not limited to gaming, as the bass sounds pretty good when listening to music.

The sound still doesn’t compete with a premium gaming headset. But it is surprisingly loud and clear for a pair of earbuds.

And on that same note, there was little to no lag when playing games on my PC. I used the 2.4GHz connection for gaming and found it works just as well as any wireless gaming headset I’ve used.

epos gtw 270 wireless gaming earbuds close case
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

Sound does sound a bit better using the 2.4GHz connection. Bluetooth sound is still loud and clear, but the dedicated dongle offers a little more power and volume at the top.

Maybe even more importantly, they’re comfortable. It’s not uncommon for earbuds to cause irritation after long use, but that’s not the case with the GTW 270 Hybrids.

Like many other wireless earbuds, they come with a few different sizes of silicon tips that you can switch in and out to find the right size.

I found the tips that came on the earbuds fit me perfectly. But there are plenty of options to choose from.

The GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds are a success in terms of overall performance.

Even the five-hour battery estimate was pretty accurate, and that’s a solid amount of time on a single charge for some gaming earbuds.

What could improve on the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds

epos gtw 270 earbuds with tips
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

While the earbuds offer solid performance, there are a few things EPOS could improve on next time. Here are a few things that I noticed could be better:

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

  • No touch controls

    These earbuds don’t have touch controls for volume, play/pause, or skipping tracks. Instead, that’s left to a single button on the left earbud that’s sometimes hard to work when the buds are in-ear.

  • They’re a bit heavy

    The GTW 270 Hybrids are on the heavy side. It’s not a problem when you’re not moving around, but I found that they tend to move a lot when I’m walking or moving my head.

  • Slightly expensive

    $149.99 is a little pricy, even for wireless gaming earbuds with these capabilities. It’s better than the original $199.99 price tag but still a little steep for what they offer.

These aren’t the worst issues in the world, but they’re worth considering when looking for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds.

Alternative wireless gaming earbuds

There are plenty of gaming earbuds on the market. If the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds don’t sound right, check out some of the options below.

ImageㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤProductPrice
Razer Hammerhead Pro with ANC

Razer Hammerhead Pro with ANCPremium Pick

  • Active noise canceling
  • 60ms low latency gaming mode
  • Touch controls
  • $199.99
Learn MoreRead the Reviews
Razer Hammerhead

Razer Hammerhead Best Budget Pick

  • In-ear design with stem
  • Passive noise cancelling
  • 60ms input latency
  • $39.99
Learn MoreRead the Reviews
JBL Quantum TWS

JBL Quantum TWSBest for PC gaming

  • Embedded microphone
  • Active noise canceling
  • 2.4GHz dongle
  • $149.95
Learn MoreRead the Reviews
Gravastar Sirius Pro

Gravastar Sirius ProEditor’s Pick

  • Unique design
  • 65ms low latency gaming mode
  • 5.1 virtual surround sound
  • $129.95
Learn MoreRead the Reviews
ASUS ROG Cetra true wireless earbuds

ASUS ROG Cetra true wireless earbudsQuality Choice

  • Low-latency gaming mode
  • Active noise canceling
  • Large battery life
  • Touch controls
  • $99.99
Learn MoreRead the Reviews

Those are just a few of the alternative options available on the market today. Check out some user reviews to see which options fit you best.

Final thoughts

epos gtw 270 earbuds case closed
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

If you’re looking for a pair of dedicated wireless gaming earbuds, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a solid option.

You’ll be thankful for their great sound and comfort during long gaming sessions. And their versatility with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections make them a great option for many devices and gaming consoles.

I particularly enjoyed using these earbuds with my Steam Deck. They connect easily via Bluetooth and let me listen to my games peacefully without disturbing anyone around me.

With very little lag and a simple connection, they’re a great option for anyone looking for an alternative to a bulky gaming headset. But, they aren’t perfect.

They don’t have a mic or touch controls and feel much heavier than most earbuds. So if those are big turn-offs for you, you might consider a different option.

Editor’s Note: EPOS tells KnowTechie GTWs does have a mic, and a firmware update earlier this year added mic support via a dongle connection

Pricing and where to find them

epos gtw 270 earbuds in case
Image: Alex Gatewood / KnowTechie

You can find the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds on Amazon for $149.99 or at Best Buy for the same price. They’re also available on the company’s website.

Editor’s Pick
Lepow 15.6 FHD C2 Portable Display - $129

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds

If you’re looking for a pair of dedicated wireless gaming earbuds, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is a solid option.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The Good
Great, clear sound even at full volume
Very comfortable after long gaming sessions
Hybrid connection via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz with easy switching between the two
The Bad
They feel a bit heavy in-ear
The price is a little high, even with recent discounts
8.1
Overall

More in #GameTechie