What Is AAC in Headphones and Why Should You Care?

If you’ve ever browsed wireless headphones and seen “AAC” in the specs but kept scrolling, I get it. It doesn’t sound like much — no fancy numbers, no “HD” or “Hi‑Res” badge. But here’s the thing: AAC is everywhere. iPhones use it by default. Tons of budget earbuds rely on it. And for a lot of gamers, especially on mobile, AAC is what they’re actually hearing — whether they realize it or not.

AAC stands for Advanced Audio Coding. It’s a lossy codec, which means it compresses audio to make it easier to stream wirelessly. But unlike the older SBC codec, AAC does a better job of keeping the sound clean while shaving down the file size.

Now, is it the best codec out there? No. But is it enough for most people playing games or watching YouTube on their phone? That depends on how picky your ears are — and what gear you’re using.

How AAC Performs in Gaming Scenarios

I tested a few earbuds recently — including some budget picks from SoundPEATS and a couple from Anker — all running AAC on an iPhone. What stood out wasn’t the audio quality (though it was fine) — it was the latency.

AAC tends to have higher latency than codecs like aptX Adaptive or LC3, which means sound can arrive just a bit late. In casual games like Stardew Valley or Alto’s Odyssey, that doesn’t matter much. But when I tried COD Mobile, I definitely felt a delay between tapping the screen and hearing the gunfire.

Still, not every AAC experience is the same. Apple devices actually handle AAC really well, thanks to deep system-level optimization. On Android? That’s where things get dicey. The exact performance can vary wildly depending on your phone, Bluetooth chip, and how the manufacturer implemented the codec.

So if you're gaming on an iPhone and using decent wireless earbuds, AAC might be just fine. But if you're an Android user or you’re big into fast-paced shooters, you might want to look for something with aptX or LDAC.

Is AAC “Good Enough” for Music and Movies?

Yes — with a few caveats.

I threw on some FLAC files and streamed them over AAC through Poweramp, just to see what got lost in translation. The soundstage wasn’t as wide as LDAC, and the layering felt a bit compressed, but honestly? It still sounded good. Clean mids, solid vocals, and enough low-end punch to carry most tracks.

When I switched to Dune on Netflix, the explosions had enough weight, and dialogue was easy to follow. I wasn't blown away, but I didn’t feel like I was missing much either.

The biggest downside was that I couldn’t force a higher quality stream. AAC adjusts on the fly depending on signal strength and device capabilities — which is great for stability, but not if you’re chasing the highest bitrate possible.

AAC vs Other Codecs: Where Does It Stand?

Here's the quick version:

SBC: Always the worst option. Avoid if you care about sound at all.

AAC: Better quality than SBC, especially on Apple gear. Decent balance between file size and fidelity.

aptX/aptX HD: Usually better on Android, lower latency, and higher quality if your gear supports it.

LDAC: Highest quality overall, but more power-hungry and less stable at max bitrate.

LC3 (LE Audio): Still new, but likely to replace AAC in the next few years thanks to better performance at lower bitrates.

So, AAC is kind of the “middle child.” It doesn’t wow, but it rarely disappoints — at least if you’re using the right setup.

Is AAC Enough for Competitive Gaming?

Honestly, probably not.

If you’re the kind of gamer who needs to hear every footstep in Valorant or line up shots based on audio cues in Apex, AAC isn’t your best friend. The latency, while not horrible, is just enough to make a difference when timing matters.

But if you’re more into narrative games, casual co-op titles, or watching Twitch streams on your phone — AAC works. It's stable, compatible with most wireless headphones, and doesn’t tank battery life.

What We Noticed While Testing at Best Tech Radar

On our Best Tech Radar blog, we’ve already covered how audio codecs like LDAC and aptX impact sound quality and gaming latency. But while testing affordable earbuds with AAC, we noticed something important: it’s not about specs — it’s about consistency.

Some earbuds with “premium” codecs sounded worse than AAC earbuds tuned properly. Brands that focus on driver tuning, enclosure quality, and DSP optimization can still deliver surprisingly immersive sound, even over AAC.

It’s a reminder that the codec is just one part of the story.

Final Thoughts: Should You Care About AAC in 2025?

If you’re using an iPhone and don’t play twitch-based shooters, you’ll probably never notice anything wrong with AAC.

If you’re on Android or gaming competitively, it’s worth looking for earbuds or headphones that support aptX or LDAC. Not just for sound quality — but to avoid that frustrating audio delay that can throw off your whole session.

Still, AAC remains a reliable, low-drama choice. It works on nearly everything, it sounds decent, and it gets the job done — no extra apps, settings, or tweaks required.

And in the end? Sometimes simplicity is worth more than perfect specs on paper.