Saramonic GamesMonic SR-BH60-R

Great for mobile gaming, mediocre for everything else. The low-latency mode is real, but the battery and call quality will frustrate you daily.

The 8mm drivers push out a sound signature that's bass-forward and fun for explosions and gunfire, but music lovers will notice the lack of refinement. Sound quality sits at the 70th percentile, which is fine, not great. The real surprise is the build. For a gaming-focused bud, the ergonomic design with integrated retainers is genuinely comfortable and secure, and the IPX5 rating means sweat won't kill them. But the battery is a letdown. Seven hours in the buds and 17 in the case puts it at the 45th percentile, which is mediocre for true wireless earbuds in this class. And the call quality? A 36 out of 100. That's rough for something marketed with a noise-canceling mic.

The obvious comparison is the Nothing Buds 2, which offer better sound, better battery, and a more modern Bluetooth experience for similar money. The Sony WF-1000XM6 absolutely destroys the Saramonic in call quality and ANC, but you'll pay more. The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation are the default choice for iPhone users and they're better in almost every way except price. The Saramonic's only real edge is the dedicated gaming mode, and even that is a niche feature. If you're not gaming on mobile, skip these and get the Nothing Buds 2.

At $125 USD, the SR-BH60-R is not a bargain. You're paying for the gaming mode and the build quality, but you're sacrificing battery life and call performance. If you're a mobile gamer who needs low latency and doesn't care about taking calls, it's a reasonable buy. For everyone else, there are better all-rounders at this price.

The Saramonic GamesMonic SR-BH60-R is a niche product that knows exactly what it wants to be: a low-latency gaming bud for mobile players. The headline feature is the Gaming Mode, activated with a triple-tap on the right bud, and it genuinely helps sync audio with on-screen action. But outside that specific use case, these buds are a tough sell. The build quality is surprisingly good for the price, landing in the 91st percentile, and the ANC is solid too. Still, the overall package feels like it's fighting with one hand tied behind its back when you look at battery life and call quality.

If you're looking for an all-purpose pair of earbuds for music, calls, and daily use, this isn't it. Go get the Nothing Buds 2 or stretch your budget for the Sony WF-1000XM6. The Saramonic is for mobile gamers only, and even then, only if you can live with the battery trade-off.

The Saramonic GamesMonic SR-BH60-R is a one-trick pony, but it's a decent trick. If you're a mobile gamer who wants low latency and a secure fit, these buds deliver. The build quality is genuinely impressive and the ANC is better than expected. But the weak battery, terrible call quality, and dated Bluetooth 5.0 make them a hard pass for anyone who wants a daily driver. Buy them for gaming, not for life.