SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the first wireless earbuds for gaming developed by the company, and they are now available for pre-order. There are two versions of the Arctic GameBuds,one for PlayStation/PCand theother for Xbox/PC. Looking at the box, they look like any other pair of true wireless earbuds, but SteelSeries has done things a bit different in terms of connectivity and portability. Furthermore, the Arctis GameBuds focus on comfort as well and the company did a lot of research to finalize the right design and fit.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Design and Aesthetics
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the first wirless gaming earbuds from SteelSeries. They come with a 2.4GHz connection as well as Bluetooth 5.3 with an easy triple button press for switching between the two connections. They also feature hybrid ANC and 10 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. The charting case can add 30 more hours of playtime and supports Qi wireless charging.
The wireless earbuds come in two versions; a PlayStation and an Xbox version. The PlayStation version is available in black and white colors, while the Xbox version only comes in black. The fairly compact case houses not only the two earbuds but also the 2.4GHz dongle that enables alow latency gaming experience. The Arctis GameBuds do not have any touch controls, but actual button presses for various inputs. The earbuds themselves are quite compact as well, and they don’t stick out of the ear like some other bulky earbuds on the market.
To ensure maximum comfort, SteelSeries scanned the ears of 62,000 people and also involved pro esports player T1 to test how comfortable they are. The Arctis GameBuds deliver all day comfort, and you can find the right size of ear tip from the three different sizes included in the package.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Specifications and Features
In terms of specifications, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are powered by neodymiam magnetic drivers with a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz. Itsupports hybrid Active Noise Cancelation (ANC)using a four-mic setup. You also get a transparency mode that will help you listen to your surroundings better, and they can even detect when they are in your ears, so audio will be paused when you take them out.
The Arctis GameBuds support 360 spatial audio with Tempest 3D and Sonar Spatial, which takes immersion to the next level.
For connectivity, you’re able to either use Bluetooth 5.3 or the included 2.4GHz dongle to connect with a wide range of devices including PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch, iPhone, Android,handheld gaming consoles, and the Meta Quest VR headsets. On the subject of connectivity, the Arctis GameBuds also allow you to quickly and easily switch between a Bluetooth connection and the 2.4GHz connection via a triple tap on the earbuds.
Wireless peripherals need to be charged and that’s true with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. However, when at 100%, they can deliver 10 hours of playtime. This battery life is on Bluetooth with ANC off and volume at maximum, so results may vary under the 2.4GHz connection and ANC turned on. Typically, the battery life takes a significant hit when on a lower latency 2.4GHz connection and using noise cancelation. Fortunately, the case can charge the earbuds three times over for a total of 40 hours of playtime. It also supports Qi wireless charging as well as fast wired charging, so if you’re looking for a quick top-up, you can get three hours of use with just a 15-minute charge.
The Arctis GameBuds also get IP55 dust and water resistance to ensure optimal performance during sweaty gaming sessions.
There is also some customizability available with the gaming earbuds through the Arctis Companion app, available on both the Play Store and the App Store. Along with an EQ, you also get over 100 game presets to find the perfect balance of highs, mids, and lows. These presets are separate for the 2.4GHz connection and Bluetooth.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: Price and Availability
Both versions of the Arctis GameBuds are priced at $160 and are available for pre-order viaBest Buy. They will go on sale starting October 29 and should be available across all major retailers.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds vs Competition
Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed
The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed wireless gaming earbuds prove that headsets aren’t the only viable option for gamers. With both a 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed USB dongle and Bluetooth, buyers can connect the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed to PCs, PlayStation consoles, or mobile devices. Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation can isolate gamers from background distractions. The included fast charging case supplies an additional 24 hours of battery life and is compatible with Razer’s wireless charging pad.
Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Earbuds
Gamers looking for an effective wireless gaming earbuds will love the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed wireless gaming earbuds. The earbuds have a minimalist look, combining a pearl-white color scheme with black and blue details, making them stand out as fashion accessories.It delivers ultra-fast 2.4GHz connections through a USB-C dongle that ensures low-latency audio. It is compatible with many platforms and devices including Meta Quest VR headset, smartphone, PlayStation, PC, or any Bluetooth 5.2 supported devices. What’s more, users can enjoy up to 30 hours of battery life thanks to its charging case as well as optimized power management. Also, it is designed with smart mics that can identify and minimize unwanted noise, allowing users to be heard clearly when making calls or gaming.
ROG Cetra True Wireless Speednova Earbuds
Whether on a family road trip, on a crowded subway, or in a library, gaming with the on-the-go ROG Ally is easy. Not so easy, however, is explaining to the people around you why they have to listen to revving engines or gunfire just as much as you do. Using ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds ensures a low-latency 2.4GHz connection, seamless ROG ecosystem integration and pairing, a long battery life, and fast charging. you may also dull the world around you thanks to adaptive ANC, and keep active connections to your Ally and your smartphone with multipoint connectivity.
Gaming earbuds are nothing new and manufacturers like Razer, Anker, Sony, Turtle Beach, and ASUS have been dominating the market for a while now. Razer’s Hammerhead series of earbuds includes the standard Hammerhead for Xbox, PlayStation, and Meta Quest headsets, as well as the Hammerhead Pro for PlayStation consoles. The Xbox and PlayStation compatible Razer Hammerhead earbuds are priced at $100 (at the time of writing) while the Meta Quest version costs $150. The Hammerhead Pro, on the other hand, is priced at $160, the same as the Arctis GameBuds. But the SteelSeries offering beats out the Razer offering in terms of battery life, weight, and IP rating. What the Razer offering does have is RGB lighting and touch controls. Check out our fullreview of the Promodel for more information.
Similarly, ASUS has its ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova gaming earbuds that come with a host of features like Dirac Opteo support, bone conduction AI microphones, adaptive ANC, and longer battery life than both the SteelSeries and Razer offerings. All these features come with a steeper price tag as well and the ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds cost $200 when not on sale.
FAQ
Q: Is SteelSeries a good gaming headset brand?
SteelSeries is one of the top gaming headset manufacturers and is famous for its Arctis lineup of headsets. The Arctis Pro headset is often at the top of the best gaming headset list as a premium offering, but the company has quite a few solid budget-friendly options as well.
Q: Is SteelSeries a Chinese brand?
No, SteelSeries is a Danish company that was acquired by Axcel, a Nordic private equity firm in July 2019. In 2022, it was acquired by another Danish company called GN Store Nord.
