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SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds Review
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The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are presented as a true wireless gaming headset. With a 2.4 GHz dongle offering ultra-low latency for gaming and Bluetooth providing everyday usability, they create a hybrid solution appealing to both PC gamers and mobile users. In this review, we cover everything from design and battery life to sound quality and software integration. Enjoy reading.
Right when I opened the Arctis GameBuds box, the first thing that stood out was the charging case's stylish and compact design, along with its weight: not too light, but not overly heavy either. The magnetic lid closure securely holds the case shut, greatly minimizing the chance of the earbuds falling out if the case is dropped or opened suddenly.
The earbuds themselves are ergonomically designed and come with three different silicone tip sizes. It didn’t take me long to find the most comfortable fit among the small, medium, and large tips included in the box. Although the medium tips that came pre-installed fit my ears well, I opted to continue using the largest ones since in-ear earbuds often tend to fall out of my ears.
Although I initially felt some pressure similar to what I've experienced with other TWS earbuds, wearing the GameBuds for over an hour didn’t cause me any significant discomfort. In fact, even during a two-hour Call of Duty session, I didn’t notice any notable pain or sweating in my ears.
Both the left and right earbuds feature small physical buttons on their back, which are easy to reach and press. You can customize the single or double press actions of these buttons through the software, giving you a wide range of personalization options with the GameBuds.
When it comes to comfort, I spend entire days working, gaming, and watching videos at my computer. Wearing large over-ear headphones all day can sometimes be tiring, so I often switch to my monitor’s speakers. However, that’s not always ideal since the sound is audible to everyone around me. Having struggled with AirPods on my Windows PC before, I can say that the GameBuds are exactly the solution I’ve been looking for. The only thing that I had experienced while wearing them almost from morning until night, they did cause a slight discomfort at one point, but nothing painful or unbearable.
Whether it’s the long battery life or its gaming performance, the GameBuds have never let me down. In competitive games like VALORANT, there’s hardly any noticeable difference compared to over-ear headphones. I’ll go into more detail about gaming performance in the next section, but overall, I can confidently say that they’ve become an essential part of my daily routine, making things much easier for me.
It’s worth noting that the Arctis GameBuds are available in two separate versions for PlayStation and Xbox. The PlayStation model comes in black, white, and orange, and I used the black one myself.
I actively used the Arctis GameBuds for about a month. As someone who spends all day at the computer, not having a bulky headset on my head is truly comfortable. As a gamer, I tested the GameBuds extensively in games like VALORANT, CS2, Call of Duty, Diablo IV, EA FC 25, and Minecraft. I can confidently say that the headset performs really well in competitive games. With over 100 presets available in its software, you can switch between finely tuned equalizer profiles tailored for each game, ensuring maximum performance every time.
As an example, the preset equalizer for VALORANT makes it much easier to hear footsteps clearly. The importance of sound in FPS games goes without saying—you all know how crucial it is. Despite being in-ear earbuds, the 2.4 GHz connection option allows for very low latency and crisp audio.
Of course, if you connect via Bluetooth, latency increases somewhat. I always used the dongle with the 2.4 GHz option on my PC, while I connected via Bluetooth on my phone, MacBook, and PlayStation. Bluetooth is perfectly fine for listening to music or watching shows and movies on mobile devices. However, for fast-paced games like FPS titles, the dongle connection clearly offers a much better experience. The overall sound profile is balanced: bass is sufficiently present without overpowering, and there’s no loss between mids and highs. Vocals come through clearly in music, and environmental sounds are well separated in games. To get the best performance, though, you should experiment with different equalizer settings and find the one that suits you best.
While wearing the earbuds, you can toggle noise cancellation on and off and switch between different modes. The active noise cancellation minimizes external sounds, allowing you to fully focus on your game, music, or videos. Thanks to the built-in microphones, you can also communicate with your team during voice chats without needing an extra mic.
As for microphone quality, I’d say it’s neither excellent nor poor. For an in-ear headset, the GameBuds’ mic performs quite well. However, this can vary depending on your connection. For example, in 2.4 GHz mode, the microphone applies heavy compression and noise suppression. While your voice is generally clear, sometimes the person on the other end might miss parts of what you say, requiring you to repeat yourself.
When connected via Bluetooth, the microphone performance tends to be a bit better because there’s less noise cancellation and fewer voice dropouts. Of course, you can fine-tune these settings in detail using SteelSeries Sonar to get the most out of the microphone. It’s definitely worth taking the time to customize and optimize all these adjustments.
Below, you’ll find several voice recordings so you can judge the microphone quality of the GameBuds for yourself. I’ll leave the final verdict up to you.
The Arctis GameBuds connect instantly to devices like PCs and PlayStations via the USB-C dongle. Thanks to Bluetooth support, they also pair easily with mobile devices, tablets, and platforms like the MacBook. With memory for up to three paired devices, switching between them is seamless. Plus, toggling between connection modes is simple using Fn key combinations.
You can connect and use the GameBuds effortlessly with all of the following devices.
I used the Arctis GameBuds continuously for 8 hours on my PC via the 2.4 GHz connection while playing music in the background, and when connected via Bluetooth, the battery life extended to around 9 to 10 hours. Once the earbuds ran out of power, I simply recharged them in the case, which provides up to 32 hours of total usage. Additionally, a quick 15-minute charge delivers about 1.5 hours of playback, making daily use much more convenient.
During my one-week routine use, I only had to charge the case twice. The fact that the case charges via USB-C meant I didn’t need to carry an extra charging cable with me. Plus, the LED indicators on the back of the case let you quickly check the charging status at a glance.
Of course, the customizable settings aren’t limited to just these, there are many more options and adjustments available. You can even choose from hundreds of finely tuned presets tailored specifically for individual games.
For example, when you select the VALORANT profile, you’ll be able to hear your opponents’ footsteps much more clearly. The software interface is clean and user-friendly. Updates download automatically, so there’s no need for any extra installation steps.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds offer a portable solution that combines gaming and music experiences across both PC and mobile platforms without sacrificing convenience. With its compact charging case, you can easily carry it in your pocket, and thanks to the IP55 certification, you’re protected even during light rain or sweaty workouts.
In competitive gaming, the 2.4 GHz dongle mode delivers ultra-low latency, giving you the edge to quietly catch your opponents even through walls. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth mode lets you quickly switch to music or shows on any platform you choose. Ergonomic silicone tips and a long-lasting battery make these earbuds a comfortable companion for long ranked matches or your daily commute.
Overall, the Arctis GameBuds provide gamers with the flexibility of ultra-low latency gaming and convenient Bluetooth connectivity, combined with a design and comfort level suited for all-day wear. This makes them a versatile and premium true wireless option. Naturally, the price is an important factor to keep in mind, at the time of this review, they are priced at approximately 6,799 TRY in Turkey.
Right when I opened the Arctis GameBuds box, the first thing that stood out was the charging case's stylish and compact design, along with its weight: not too light, but not overly heavy either. The magnetic lid closure securely holds the case shut, greatly minimizing the chance of the earbuds falling out if the case is dropped or opened suddenly.
The earbuds themselves are ergonomically designed and come with three different silicone tip sizes. It didn’t take me long to find the most comfortable fit among the small, medium, and large tips included in the box. Although the medium tips that came pre-installed fit my ears well, I opted to continue using the largest ones since in-ear earbuds often tend to fall out of my ears.
Although I initially felt some pressure similar to what I've experienced with other TWS earbuds, wearing the GameBuds for over an hour didn’t cause me any significant discomfort. In fact, even during a two-hour Call of Duty session, I didn’t notice any notable pain or sweating in my ears.
Both the left and right earbuds feature small physical buttons on their back, which are easy to reach and press. You can customize the single or double press actions of these buttons through the software, giving you a wide range of personalization options with the GameBuds.
When it comes to comfort, I spend entire days working, gaming, and watching videos at my computer. Wearing large over-ear headphones all day can sometimes be tiring, so I often switch to my monitor’s speakers. However, that’s not always ideal since the sound is audible to everyone around me. Having struggled with AirPods on my Windows PC before, I can say that the GameBuds are exactly the solution I’ve been looking for. The only thing that I had experienced while wearing them almost from morning until night, they did cause a slight discomfort at one point, but nothing painful or unbearable.
Whether it’s the long battery life or its gaming performance, the GameBuds have never let me down. In competitive games like VALORANT, there’s hardly any noticeable difference compared to over-ear headphones. I’ll go into more detail about gaming performance in the next section, but overall, I can confidently say that they’ve become an essential part of my daily routine, making things much easier for me.
It’s worth noting that the Arctis GameBuds are available in two separate versions for PlayStation and Xbox. The PlayStation model comes in black, white, and orange, and I used the black one myself.
I actively used the Arctis GameBuds for about a month. As someone who spends all day at the computer, not having a bulky headset on my head is truly comfortable. As a gamer, I tested the GameBuds extensively in games like VALORANT, CS2, Call of Duty, Diablo IV, EA FC 25, and Minecraft. I can confidently say that the headset performs really well in competitive games. With over 100 presets available in its software, you can switch between finely tuned equalizer profiles tailored for each game, ensuring maximum performance every time.
As an example, the preset equalizer for VALORANT makes it much easier to hear footsteps clearly. The importance of sound in FPS games goes without saying—you all know how crucial it is. Despite being in-ear earbuds, the 2.4 GHz connection option allows for very low latency and crisp audio.
Of course, if you connect via Bluetooth, latency increases somewhat. I always used the dongle with the 2.4 GHz option on my PC, while I connected via Bluetooth on my phone, MacBook, and PlayStation. Bluetooth is perfectly fine for listening to music or watching shows and movies on mobile devices. However, for fast-paced games like FPS titles, the dongle connection clearly offers a much better experience. The overall sound profile is balanced: bass is sufficiently present without overpowering, and there’s no loss between mids and highs. Vocals come through clearly in music, and environmental sounds are well separated in games. To get the best performance, though, you should experiment with different equalizer settings and find the one that suits you best.
While wearing the earbuds, you can toggle noise cancellation on and off and switch between different modes. The active noise cancellation minimizes external sounds, allowing you to fully focus on your game, music, or videos. Thanks to the built-in microphones, you can also communicate with your team during voice chats without needing an extra mic.
As for microphone quality, I’d say it’s neither excellent nor poor. For an in-ear headset, the GameBuds’ mic performs quite well. However, this can vary depending on your connection. For example, in 2.4 GHz mode, the microphone applies heavy compression and noise suppression. While your voice is generally clear, sometimes the person on the other end might miss parts of what you say, requiring you to repeat yourself.
When connected via Bluetooth, the microphone performance tends to be a bit better because there’s less noise cancellation and fewer voice dropouts. Of course, you can fine-tune these settings in detail using SteelSeries Sonar to get the most out of the microphone. It’s definitely worth taking the time to customize and optimize all these adjustments.
Below, you’ll find several voice recordings so you can judge the microphone quality of the GameBuds for yourself. I’ll leave the final verdict up to you.
The Arctis GameBuds connect instantly to devices like PCs and PlayStations via the USB-C dongle. Thanks to Bluetooth support, they also pair easily with mobile devices, tablets, and platforms like the MacBook. With memory for up to three paired devices, switching between them is seamless. Plus, toggling between connection modes is simple using Fn key combinations.
You can connect and use the GameBuds effortlessly with all of the following devices.
I used the Arctis GameBuds continuously for 8 hours on my PC via the 2.4 GHz connection while playing music in the background, and when connected via Bluetooth, the battery life extended to around 9 to 10 hours. Once the earbuds ran out of power, I simply recharged them in the case, which provides up to 32 hours of total usage. Additionally, a quick 15-minute charge delivers about 1.5 hours of playback, making daily use much more convenient.
During my one-week routine use, I only had to charge the case twice. The fact that the case charges via USB-C meant I didn’t need to carry an extra charging cable with me. Plus, the LED indicators on the back of the case let you quickly check the charging status at a glance.
- Drivers: 6 mm neodymium dynamic drivers
- Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless (USB-C dongle) + Bluetooth 5.2
- Latency: Ultra-low latency gaming mode (via dongle)
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Yes
- Transparency Mode: Yes
- Microphone: Dual beamforming microphones, integrated into the earbuds
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours (earbuds), up to 40 hours total with charging case
- Quick Charge: 15 minutes charging = up to 1.5 hours of use
- Software Support: SteelSeries GG (PC), SteelSeries Arctis App (mobile)
- Protection Rating: IP55 water and dust resistance
- Color Options: Black
- Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Android, iOS, Mac, Meta Quest
- Weight: Lightweight design (earbuds and case total approximately 50-60 grams)
Of course, the customizable settings aren’t limited to just these, there are many more options and adjustments available. You can even choose from hundreds of finely tuned presets tailored specifically for individual games.
For example, when you select the VALORANT profile, you’ll be able to hear your opponents’ footsteps much more clearly. The software interface is clean and user-friendly. Updates download automatically, so there’s no need for any extra installation steps.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds offer a portable solution that combines gaming and music experiences across both PC and mobile platforms without sacrificing convenience. With its compact charging case, you can easily carry it in your pocket, and thanks to the IP55 certification, you’re protected even during light rain or sweaty workouts.
In competitive gaming, the 2.4 GHz dongle mode delivers ultra-low latency, giving you the edge to quietly catch your opponents even through walls. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth mode lets you quickly switch to music or shows on any platform you choose. Ergonomic silicone tips and a long-lasting battery make these earbuds a comfortable companion for long ranked matches or your daily commute.
Overall, the Arctis GameBuds provide gamers with the flexibility of ultra-low latency gaming and convenient Bluetooth connectivity, combined with a design and comfort level suited for all-day wear. This makes them a versatile and premium true wireless option. Naturally, the price is an important factor to keep in mind, at the time of this review, they are priced at approximately 6,799 TRY in Turkey.
