SteelSeries is entering the gaming earbuds market with the new Arctis GameBuds, set to launch on October 29.
These wireless earbuds offer a 2.4GHz wireless connection via a small dongle and Bluetooth compatibility. They feature tiny in-ear buds with active noise-canceling technology and are available for preorder at $160 from Best Buy.
Just like their wireless headsets, the Arctis GameBuds come in two versions: one for Xbox and PC, and another for PlayStation and PC. Interestingly, the Xbox version works with PlayStation, but the PlayStation version does not work with Xbox. This is because of Microsoft’s unique wireless protocol, while PlayStation uses a more standard one.
Both versions come in black, but PlayStation users can also choose a white model to match their console.
SteelSeries claims the GameBuds provide over 10 hours of battery life on a full charge. With the charging case, you can get up to 40 hours before needing to recharge the case itself. The charging case supports both Qi wireless charging and USB-C charging, with a quick-charge feature that gives you three hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging.
SteelSeries designed these earbuds by scanning over 62,000 ears to ensure a comfortable fit for everyone. The GameBuds come with three sets of silicone eartips. After inserting them, you twist the earbud to lock it in place. So far, I find them lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
The audio and microphone performance is impressive, similar to the more expensive Arctis Nova 7, but not quite as good. While headsets generally provide a better audio experience, the GameBuds still offer features like 360-degree spatial audio and PS5‘s Tempest 3D audio tech. The built-in microphones work well, and I didn’t have to raise my voice while making calls on my iPhone. During brief gaming sessions on PS5, the microphones performed without issues.
Earlier this year, SteelSeries launched the Arctis Nova 5, a mid-range wireless gaming headset that came with a mobile app for customizing audio settings. The GameBuds will also support this app at launch, allowing users to switch between ANC and transparency modes, change connections, and pause playback with on-ear buttons instead of touch sensors.
Having both ANC and transparency modes makes these earbuds versatile for everyday use. My initial experience with ANC on the GameBuds is comparable to the Arctis Nova Pro, which is quite impressive for $160 compared to the Nova Pro’s $350 price tag.
We often find that gaming gear doesn’t offer the same level of ANC as premium headphones like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. However, the Sony Inzone Buds for PC and PS5 do offer a high level of ANC thanks to tech borrowed from Sony’s XM5 earbuds. The downside is that they only support Bluetooth LE and are more expensive at $200.
Fans can use the GameBuds with multiple platforms like Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Meta Quest headsets.
If you like over-ear headphones, Amazon has deals on SteelSeries Arctis Nova wireless gaming headsets.
