SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Overview: Premier Gaming Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation

SteelSeries has launched the new Arctis GameBuds, designed for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile phones, at a price of $159.99. Available for pre-order now and hitting stores globally on October 29th, these gaming earbuds are equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC), Qi wireless charging, and seamless switching between mobile Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity for consoles or PCs through a USB-C dongle. This is prepared by SSP.

The Arctis GameBuds come with a variety of silicone tips for various ear shapes and feature a four-microphone ANC system to block ambient noise while gaming. A transparency mode allows users to hear their surroundings when needed. The earbuds connect rapidly between mobile and gaming devices; however, simultaneous audio over both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz isn’t supported. They stand out in a crowded market competing against Sony, Razer, and Logitech with a feature set that includes low latency, a mobile app, ANC, and a wireless charging case.

Technical characteristics of the Arctis GameBuds include:

- 2.4GHz wireless via USB-C and Bluetooth 5.3.

- More than 100 EQ presets via the mobile app for games like Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite.

- Adjustable ANC for customizable sound transparency.

- Neodymium magnetic drivers for 360-degree spatial audio.

- 40 hours of battery life: 10 hours per charge plus three extra charges in the IP55 waterproof Qi charging case, which supports fast charging via USB-C.

Initial impressions have highlighted strong EQ settings and effective ANC. Battery performance is solid, with around 10% drain per hour using the 2.4GHz connection. The PlayStation model works only with Sony's consoles, PC, and mobile, while the Xbox version supports all platforms, containing an extra chip to comply with Microsoft's policies.