General Information
One thing I lacked was a truly portable option for my Switch or on-the-go music. Enter the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. These earbuds showcase SteelSeries' audio, comfort, and usability prowess, with just one small snag that's easy to fix if you know how.
Let's cover the GameBuds' key features: While designed for consoles (PlayStation or Xbox), they use Bluetooth, making them compatible with almost everything. The quick 2.4GHz wireless works for games that need it, whether on Switch, PlayStation, or handheld PCs like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. Even if you never game with them (despite the name), they'll serve you well. The only limitation is needing separate dongles for Xbox and PlayStation use.
The GameBuds boast impressive battery life, offering at least 40 hours when paired with the storage dock, and about 8-10 hours before the buds themselves need charging. You'd have to use them for an incredibly long time to worry about battery life.
At first glance, the dock seems bulky and impractical. But once opened, you'll see it's actually very handy. It uses magnets and stores your 2.4GHz dongle. Having lost these with at least two other devices, I can say confidently that every device with a 2.4GHz dongle should include onboard storage from now on - it's a brilliant feature.
The GameBuds themselves are well-built. I never worried about them falling out, despite their design resembling other earbuds I've struggled with. They're lightweight, comfy, and importantly, water-resistant. This means I can take them to dance practice. You can't imagine how crucial it is to have your own earbuds when the studio's packed and everyone's competing for sound system time.
Controlling the GameBuds is a breeze, thanks to a companion app that connects to the device for easy management. Much like the app for the Nova 5 headset we reviewed earlier this year, this one allows you to switch between noise cancelling and transparency modes, and choose from 179 equalizer profiles on the go. These profiles are essentially custom settings designed to optimize sound quality for specific games. So, when switching from Call of Duty to Mario Kart, you can enjoy fully optimized audio with just a tap, instead of having to create your own settings. While 179 games don't cover every title out there - you'll find popular games like Elden Ring rather than niche ones like Hatsune Miku - it's generally easy to find a close match for most games you'll play.
As premium earbuds, the ANC is impressive, blocking out most ambient noise around you. On a quiet train carriage, you can immerse yourself in music without being bothered by fellow passengers who, being in Australia, might ignore the signs and chat loudly. On a plane, you'll be able to enjoy in-flight entertainment by overcoming much of the aircraft noise. While not as effective as over-ear headsets for higher frequency sounds, it's more than adequate for most situations.
The GameBuds deliver excellent sound quality across various gaming scenarios. In horror games, the clear ambience will keep you on edge. For multiplayer shooters where distinguishing between loud gunfire and subtle footsteps is crucial, these earbuds have you covered. Rhythm games are a joy (when paired with the dongle to minimize lag), and for less intense, dialogue-heavy games with orchestral soundtracks, you can easily lose yourself in the experience. The GameBuds even excel at capturing the vinyl-like quality of retro music when using the Nintendo Music app or playing on an emulator.
I encountered only one minor issue, worth mentioning because it's easy to fix if you experience it and worry something's wrong with your device. With many equalizer settings, if you're doing something the setting isn't designed for (like listening to regular music) and have ANC turned on, you might hear an uncomfortable "pop" at higher volumes. Simply switch back to the "Flat" equalizer setting, and you'll be fine at any volume level.
Regarding volume, the GameBuds have a maximum level that might seem low to some users, especially those with hearing issues. This is due to European regulations. However, you can easily fix this by turning off the "Volume Limiter" in the app. Unfortunately, this option isn't available for European users. Luckily, in Australia, we're free to enjoy our music at any volume we choose. And I certainly do.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds come with a hefty price tag of $AUD359.00, putting them in the same league as high-end audio brands like Denon. It's a bold move, but the GameBuds have an edge with their 2.4GHz option and customizable equalizer profiles for gaming. While I might prefer my Denon PerL earbuds for pure music listening, I rarely stick to just one activity. For a mix of gaming, video calls, music, and more, the GameBuds are hard to beat.
These earbuds offer a versatile solution for users who juggle multiple audio needs. Their ability to switch between different modes and profiles makes them a strong contender in the premium earbud market. Despite the high price, the GameBuds deliver value through their multi-functional design and quality performance across various audio scenarios.
