If you have been eyeing good gaming earbuds, it is worth checking out the new SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. The latest offering from SteelSeries works perfectly with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch consoles, PCs, and even smartphones. One of the handy features it comes with is the ability to swap between mobile Bluetooth usage and console or PC gaming.
SteelSeries’ new Arctis GameBuds work on Xbox, PlayStation, PCs & smartphones
Talking of design, the Arctis GameBuds Gaming Earbuds look pretty much similar to any other earbuds you’d find currently in the market. It comes with a variety of silicone tips so that users with different ear shapes don’t find it difficult to use it. These gaming earbuds boast an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature and have four microphones on the inside.
As usual, the ANC feature on the Arctis GameBuds blocks the outside noise giving you an immersive audio experience while gaming. Besides, it also comes with a transparency mode. When enabled, this feature allows the outside noise to pass through so that you’re aware of your surroundings.
The Arctis GameBuds connect to an Xbox or PlayStation console through a small USB-C dongle ensuring 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. You can even triple-tap on the earbuds to swap between Bluetooth 5.3 for smartphones and 2.4GHz wireless signals for consoles or PCs. While it handles the swapping part well, it doesn’t offer simultaneous audio support over Bluetooth and 2.4GHz.
There’s even an app that you can use to make audio-related adjustments. In fact, the EQ settings within the app include hundreds of audio presets for major game titles like Valorant, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and more. You can also toggle ANC and transparency modes in the mobile app. It is important to note that all the settings can be controlled using SteelSeries desktop apps too. Besides, both mobile and desktop apps will display the battery levels for the gaming earbuds and the charging case.
Battery life, price, and availability
SteelSeries claims that the charging case offers 40 hours of battery life. In addition to 10 hours of audio playtime on the earbuds, the case ensures 30 additional hours of audio across three extra charges. You can charge the case using a USB-C cable as well as Qi wireless chargers. The USB-C connection offers three hours of playtime with just 15 minutes of fast charging.
It’s worth noting that there are separate models for both Xbox and PlayStation. While the Xbox version works with all platforms, the PlayStation model only works on Sony’s consoles, PC, or mobile. The Xbox model comes with an additional chip built-in to comply with Microsoft’s security policies. There’s also a slider that you can use to switch to Xbox compatibility.
Not to forget, the black model is compatible with both Xbox and PlayStation, while the white one is exclusive to PlayStation. As far as pricing is concerned, both the black and white models of the Arctis GameBuds are priced at $159.99. You can pre-order the Arctis GamedBuds starting today. Moreover, the GameBuds will be available worldwide on October 29, 2024.
