SteelSeries recently launched its first pair of earbuds, which we will feature in this SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review. This product is an all-in-one solution that SteelSeries developed to combine console gaming and daily use. It offers solid audio quality and a broad range of presets for a competitive price.
Aside from superior sound, the Gamebuds combine 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. With multiple connectivity options, you will not need to leave your handy Bluetooth earbuds when playing on PS5 or Xbox. The Gamebuds also let you enjoy other features like active noise cancelling, customisable controls, and more.
Can these earbuds eliminate the need for two pairs for gaming and daily use? Our SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review will discuss its design, features, audio quality, and other details to answer this question.
SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Packaging
SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review – Design and Functionality
The earbuds featured in our SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review are the PS5 version, available in black or white. SteelSeries also offers an Xbox version of this product. It uses two wireless connectivity options: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
The Gamebuds have a sleek, subtle, and rounded design without protruding sections. They also do not have a flashy design since the earbuds only sport the low-profile SteelSeries logo.
SteelSeries includes multiple ear tip sizes in the box, allowing you to choose the best fit for your ears. We changed our ear tips before testing the product for this SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review to enjoy a comfortable fit.
Unlike most earbuds featuring touch controls, SteelSeries used programmable physical buttons for the Gamebuds. You can configure these controls via the Arctis app, which you can install on Android and iOS.
The charging case is bulkier than others and houses the earbuds with the 2.4GHZ USB-C dongle. It charges via USB-C or wireless Qi charging, which can hold up to four charges for the earbuds.
Key Features of the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds
What makes these earbuds an excellent option for gaming and daily use? Our SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review will discuss the primary product features.
2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth Modes
2.4GHz wireless lets you access high-speed gaming opnPC, PS5, Xbox, handheld gaming consoles, and more. It also uses Bluetooth 5.3 when connecting to mobile devices.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
ANC mutes environmental noise, while transparency mode keeps you alert while listening on the Arctis Gamebuds. With Neodymium magnetic drivers, you can enjoy enhanced sound.
Over a Hundred Game Audio Presets With the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds
A unique feature worth highlighting in our SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review is its access to over 100 presets. Each preset is for specific games, and you can access them via the Arctis app for optimised gaming experiences. Aside from audio presets, the app offers other customisation options for the microphone and earbud controls.
40 Hours Total Battery Life – 10 Hours Per Charge
The charging case provides up to 40 hours of total listening time. It recharges via USB-C or Qi wireless charger.
Hands-on with the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds
Before we discuss our experience with the Gamebuds, we will focus on its companion software, the Arctis app.
We downloaded the Arctis app to maximise the earbuds while testing for this SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review. This app is also a requirement since the earbuds have two separate modes, allowing connection with multiple devices.
The Arctis app boasts 179 presets at launch. These can enhance your gaming experiences since they have tuning for different titles.
The app allows you to create separate settings for Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity. It also has microphone settings, including transparency, sidetones, volume limiters, idle timers, and ANC modes.
In addition, the Arctis app lets you configure the actions and commands when pressing the earbud buttons once or twice.
Sound quality is crucial when choosing audio gear, so we tested it to share our experience. We were surprised with the audio quality of these earbuds when we tested them for this SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review. The audio was impressive for gaming and music, and it did not feel like the first earbuds from SteelSeries.
The Gamebuds delivered adequate spaciousness in music and gaming audio. As a result, there was room for sounds to breathe, and audio elements did not sound cramped into a tiny audio driver.
These earbuds offered balanced bass, mid, and high responses with sufficient punch to deliver more cinematic audio. These frequency responses were accompanied by superior clarity, making in-game battles more immersive and dramatic.
We did not use the Gamebuds for competitive gaming, but they worked well for casual gaming. These made guns and explosions sound bold while making audio cues like footsteps more audible. As a result, we spotted the locations of enemies.
Of course, these earbuds have limitations and will not deliver the same level of positional audio precision as gaming headsets. Despite that, the Gamebuds delivered more detail and clarity than other earbuds.
We recommend using the presets in the Arctis app to tweak the audio. These made noticeable changes during our tests, making our gaming experiences more enjoyable.
We also used the earbuds for music and podcasts. With their balanced response, we enjoyed the overall audio quality. Podcasts were easy on the ears since the earbuds delivered vocals with clarity.
The two wireless connectivity modes also worked perfectly. There were minimal lags and no audio-to-video synchronisation issues.
The active noise cancelling worked excellently in blocking out noise in our surroundings. It did not block out everything, but it eliminated most distracting sounds. Also, the earbuds have three levels of ANC, allowing adjustment for different scenarios.
Transparency mode allowed us to hear our surroundings while enjoying our music and games. We appreciate having easy button touches to switch between the two modes since it makes things more convenient.
We used the microphone for voice chats while testing the earbuds for this review. It delivered adequate clarity when speaking in-game or over Discord, making speech intelligible.
SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds Review Summary
The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are a versatile first entry into the earbud market for the brand, offering solid performance for gaming and daily use. With dual wireless connectivity (2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3), they are designed to seamlessly transition between consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.
The combination of active noise cancelling, transparency mode, and a customisable app enhances their functionality and appeal, making them suitable for various use cases.
In terms of sound quality, the Gamebuds deliver balanced audio with sufficient bass, mid, and high response, ensuring immersive gaming and enjoyable music listening.
Their 100+ game-specific presets in the Arctis app further enhance the gaming experience, while ANC effectively reduces environmental noise. Transparency mode and the intuitive button controls are welcome additions, ensuring convenience and adaptability.
The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds excel as a multipurpose solution for gamers and casual listeners, eliminating the need for separate devices. Their strong feature set, premium sound quality, and user-friendly design make them a compelling choice, particularly for those looking to consolidate their audio gear for gaming and everyday use.
