Assessing the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds: An In-Depth Analysis

I gaze at the SteelSeries' $160 Arctis GameBuds' carrying case, and my face contorts into a tight knot of bewilderment. I'm not perplexed by the GameBuds themselves, a fairly straightforward design for delivering high-quality gaming audio on the move. It's the fact that more companies haven't employed a solution as straightforward as SteelSeries that has me stumped. They've innovatively housed the dongle within the buds case. If you're in the market for personal, wireless audio for your Steam Deck or handheld device, the GameBuds are your best bet.

Bluetooth earbuds are popular and widely available, but strangely, the low-profile design has yet to gain traction amongst gamers. Brands specializing in gaming gear haven't shown as much enthusiasm for wireless earbuds as they have for headphones. The most notable attempt this year was Sony's PlayStation Pulse Earbuds, an addition to the Pulse Elite headset. Despite supporting the PlayStation 5's 3D audio features, the case was bulkier than desired, making them less transportable.

Other wireless bud options, such as Razer's Hammerhead Hyperspeed and Turtle Beach's budget-friendly Scout Air, lack 2.4 GHz connectivity. For me, the ideal blend of 2.4 Ghz connectivity and Bluetooth in a portable package is what I crave from gaming earbuds. SteelSeries manages to achieve this by incorporating both the buds and dongle into the same case. One of the few other earbuds with a similar design comes from Sony with the $200 InZone buds.

The GameBuds are the successors to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Headset. While the over-ear headphones were decent for the price, their low-profile dongle was poorly designed and often blocked other USB-C slots on consoles or PCs. The GameBuds' USB-C dongle is offset, allowing for two to be plugged into a PlayStation 5 Slim's front ports without protruding. This reduces the risk of damage when the Steam Deck is moved.

Despite some minor issues with disconnections when the buds jostle within the ear, the GameBuds deliver good audio with strong ANC, impressive battery life, and a comfortable fit. The only significant issue I encountered was occasional automatic shutoffs when the buds moved within my ear. This can be adjusted through the app, though this may be inconvenient if you're used to similar features on your AirPods or other high-end earbuds.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Review: Build Quality and Comfort

I generally struggle with earbud comfort. I often need to try various sizes of silicone in-ear buds, and even then, they tend to slip out of reach. The design of the GameBuds is a pleasant compromise for me, for the most part. Occasionally, I may need to adjust one or both when walking, but they generally fit snugly and provide comfort.

The buds are not free from your perception, but there's no sensation of pressure either. The plastic is designed to sit flush against your ear, ensuring the automatic shutoff function will activate if the buds are removed. Temporary issues may arise when moving, causing the buds to jiggle within the ear and accidentally switch off, though this seldom happens in a static gaming environment. The feature can be turned off in the app, but this may be inconvenient if you're accustomed to similar functionality on your AirPods or other premium earbuds.

The GameBuds feature tactile buttons for their controls, instead of capacitive ones found on pricier buds like the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The right side handles song or game control, while the left toggles between transparency and ANC modes. A triple-tap on the buds allows you to switch between 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. While you may require the Arctis app for more elaborate customization, direct control is available via the physical buttons. Once connected through Bluetooth, the app allows you to fine-tune the ANC settings, adjust microphone sidetones, and even switch between different EQ presets. However, switching between the app and Bluetooth connectivity can be problematic.

SteelSeries reports that the GameBuds should offer a 40-hour battery life using the case or approximately 10 hours per bud when used independently. In my practical experience, the battery life meets expectations when used for gaming and music daily for a full week. Even after extending its use for over a week and a half, the GameBuds retained enough charge for use during this review.

The Arctis app also provides an extensive collection of EQ presets, totaling 179, claimed to be tailored for specific games. I found that even the regular Flat EQ preset offered a comfortable experience in most games. Depending on the game, the differences in sound quality might be noticeable, but in general, the difference is modest.

You won't find an excessively loud set of earbuds with the Arctis Gamebuds, but they deliver immersive audio well for both console and PC gaming. I've tested them on PC, Steam Deck, and even PC, and they've proven to be a great addition in all situations, despite not providing the same intensity as over-ear headsets.

I was pleasantly surprised with the bass levels on the Gamebuds, considering their price tag of $160. The treble was decent, though the sound quality might vary based on the game. I enjoyed the audio in games like Cyberpunk, but found it only fair in Mortal Kombat 1, regardless of the separate EQ profiles for each game. In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor with 3D audio on PS5, the EQ profiles drastically affected the audio quality, transforming it from acceptable to excellent, with the lightsaber kick feeling incredibly close.

On Steam Deck, I've used the Gamebuds to play Metaphor: Refantazio on the couch while my roommate finished Persona 5. Though there's no EQ profile for that game, I still appreciated its soundtrack. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works well, suppressing high and low frequencies effectively. I've even used the Gamebuds as my daily pair of earbuds, and the ANC is adequate enough to block out most sounds, except for a passing subway train. It even managed to drown out a busking bongo player on a moving train, which is impressive.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Review: Conclusion

In essence, these buds serve as an excellent companion for a portable gaming device like the Steam Deck. I've encountered connectivity issues with my Bluetooth earbuds on my Steam Deck and Windows 11 handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go.

These earbuds are versatile enough to provide good audio regardless of whether you're using them with a Steam Deck, PS5, Switch, or even your PC. There's a separate pair for Xbox that's also compatible with PC, but considering its open audio design, I'd recommend choosing the more versatile option. While there are other high-quality earbuds available at similar prices, I currently prefer SteelSeries for its exceptional portability in gaming on the move.

The lack of wireless earbuds with both 2.4 GHz connectivity and a portable design in the gaming market has been notable, with companies like Sony and Razer failing to deliver a solution that meets gamers' expectations. However, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds stand out by incorporating both the buds and dongle into a single case, offering an ideal blend of features.

Looking towards the future, the successful implementation of this design by SteelSeries in the GameBuds could potentially encourage other brands specializing in gaming gear to explore and invest more in wireless earbud technology, providing more options for gamers seeking portable, high-quality audio solutions.