Steelseries has launched the Arctis Gamebuds, entering the Bluetooth in-ear headphone market. These earbuds offer features like noise reduction, a long battery life of 50 hours with the charging case, and compatibility with various gaming consoles and smartphones. Priced at €169.99, they compete with Sony’s Pulse Explore and Apple’s AirPods 4. While comfortable and IP55 certified for sports, they lack multipoint Bluetooth and have limitations in device switching and custom equalization settings.
Introducing the Steelseries Arctis Gamebuds
For many years, Steelseries has established itself in the gaming headset market with its Arctis lineup, offering both wired and wireless options. Now, with the launch of the Arctis Gamebuds, the brand is venturing into the realm of Bluetooth in-ear headphones. These innovative earbuds aim to provide gamers with a portable audio solution that pairs seamlessly with smartphones while maintaining compatibility with popular gaming consoles from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, depending on the chosen model.
Features and Compatibility
The Steelseries Arctis Gamebuds come packed with features commonly associated with portable audio devices. Users can enjoy ambient noise reduction, amplification, and a transparency mode, along with Bluetooth and dongle connectivity options. The headphones also support equalization settings and function management via a dedicated app. With an impressive battery life of 10 hours for the earbuds and an additional 40 hours when using the charging case, they’re designed for extended gaming sessions.
Priced at €169.99, the Arctis Gamebuds have few direct competitors in the gaming console realm, with Sony’s Pulse Explore headphones targeting the PlayStation 5 at a higher price point of €199.99. In the portable audio market, they can be compared to Apple’s AirPods 4, which retail for €149.
The tested version of the Steelseries Arctis Gamebuds is designed for PlayStation and PC users, featuring a striking white design. The case reflects a black and white aesthetic reminiscent of the PlayStation 5, with a white exterior and a contrasting black interior. The earbuds themselves alternate between white and black colors for a stylish look.
Overall, the build quality is commendable, with a nice semi-gloss finish. However, some elements, particularly the earbud design, could use refinement. The logo’s visibility can be a drawback, especially in the white version, as it tends to stand out more than desired. The black version features a subtler gradient that might appeal to users seeking a more understated appearance.
Inside the package, you’ll find the earbuds, charging case, two additional pairs of ear tips, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter for compatibility with various USB ports. Notably, the included dongle provides a proprietary 2.4 GHz connection for console use, in addition to standard Bluetooth.
While the Nintendo Switch can connect via standard Bluetooth, both Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox utilize a proprietary system for wireless audio. By plugging the USB-C dongle into the console, users can connect to the Arctis Gamebuds. The PlayStation version’s dongle is compatible with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, while the Xbox version works with Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles, as well as PlayStation and PC systems, offering broader compatibility.
Unfortunately, those hoping to use the Arctis Gamebuds with the PlayStation Portal will be disappointed. The dongle cannot connect directly to the Portal’s USB-C port due to space limitations, and even using an extension does not resolve the issue. Additionally, the lack of analog sound management means these earbuds cannot be used with Sony’s semi-portable systems or the PS-VR2.
In terms of portability, the charging case measures around 7 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 3 cm high, making it bulkier than many competitors like the AirPods 4, which boasts a more compact design at 5 x 4.5 x 2 cm.
Once the appropriate ear tips are selected, the Steelseries Arctis Gamebuds deliver a commendable fit. Testers found them comfortable and well-positioned within the ear, making them suitable for various activities, including sports, thanks to their IP55 certification, which protects against splashes and sweat.
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, these earbuds are compatible with a range of devices, including Android and iOS smartphones, tablets, and both Windows and MacOS PCs. Pairing is straightforward; simply press one of the earbuds for three seconds while they’re in their case for quick connectivity.
However, users should be aware that the Arctis Gamebuds lack multipoint Bluetooth capabilities. This means switching between devices can be cumbersome, often requiring multiple attempts to disconnect and reconnect.
Regardless of the platform, whether using Bluetooth or the dongle, users can access the Arctis app on iOS or Android for additional features. This free app provides control over various settings, including toggling between Bluetooth and dongle connections, activating ambient noise reduction, and adjusting equalization. The app’s user-friendly interface allows even novices to navigate its functionalities with ease, providing options for fine-tuning audio settings.
While the app includes a list of presets tailored to popular games, users may find that these do not significantly enhance the acoustic experience. Additionally, creating custom equalization settings is not possible directly through the app; users must connect to a PC via the Engine app to save personalized sound profiles, which can be an inconvenient limitation.