Customer Ratings & Reviews

I prefer these over the Steelseries Nova Pro Wireless headphones since they isolate noise much better and don’t cause my ears to overheat. I haven’t used my NPW’s since I got these. The battery runtimes seem adequate for my gaming sessions and I play mmorpg’s. Time will tell how the battery holds up though, since they can’t be freely swapped out like the NPW’s. Sound is good enough and I’m using the same custom EQ from my NPW’s (from GadgetryTech on youtube). They’re also loud enough but I haven’t tested for distortion at the higher output levels. Hooks into the Steelseries software platform just like any other hardware just fine. It automatically switches to my speakers when I place the earbuds in the case. Sometimes I need to remove and place again because it doesn’t register but so far it just one retry. Minus 1 star because they’re not as comfy as I would like.

Steel Series newest gaming audio device. These are pretty simple to setup they come with a usb-c dongle to plug into your pc/laptop (usb-a) adapter included. They sync automatically to the adapter but you can also add a 2nd device via bluetooth and switch between them easy enough tapping on the earbuds themselves. The 2.4ghz connection to the pc is rock solid and have not experienced any issues there. The sound quality is medium I was not blown away by anything here but in my use case I like having just one earbud in to game and still have an open ear to deal with real life family drama. Bluetooth is pretty average what you would expect from any other pair of earbuds, nothing fancy to write home about here. The buttons themselves on the earbuds are mechanical meaning they actually press/depress which is nice and I didn't feel like I was crushing the earbuds into my ear canals using them. Of course there is yet another app to customize everything via steel series on your phone. Battery life is solid I have not had to stop gaming to recharge yet they have lasted through all my gaming sessions without interruption. Case is wireless charge compatible and charges via included usb c to usb c cable. Overall I think the best use case here is if you are dead set on wanting to game via earbuds instead of headphones this is it. You won't find much better suited for gaming and comfort, the connection over 2.4ghz is what really sets it apart from something like a bose or sony option. I'm not overly impressed overall I would rate them as average sound wise but they are perfect for what I was looking for in my particular gaming setup. Make sure you grab the right ones for your console/pc (xbox ones have a special chip so make sure to pay attention you are buying the correct ones).

I have always been a big fan of SteelSeries headsets and I have used them regularly throughout the last few years. Their quality has always been top tier even on less expensive sets, so I was very excited when I saw they had come out with a new pair of earbuds and with good reason! While the earbud design doesn't allow for quite as much sound quality as a full headset, the drop off would only be noticed by the highest tier of audiophile. These earbuds come likely as close as can reasonably be expected. When paired with the companion app on your mobile phone, these will really shine. There are tons of audio presets for a variety of situations and listening modes. I have primarily used these on my Xbox Series X and my mobile phone. Setup on both was super easy and convenient. Same goes for switching between bluetooth and Xbox. I highly recommend connecting to both and using the phone app to control things and set everything up. These earbuds fit comfortably in my ear which as far as I know is fairly normal sized. The noise cancellation works amazingly as I have tested running on a treadmill in the gym since there's not a lot of outside noise interference at home. Not once in the miles I put in did they fall out while running which is a very important requirement for the gym so as to not have any funny security videos of you falling off the treadmill trying to catch them go viral. Directional sound in gaming also works excellent as I do tend to play a lot of the online games such as Call of Duty or Fortnite.

SteelSeries is a respected mainstream brand when it comes to gaming headsets, so I had high expectations when it came to the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. While these earbuds are not without their flaws, for gaming, they work. Fit... It's very important when dealing with earbuds. It's also a very much a personal issue. I've tried so many different earbuds. Gaming earbuds, phone earbuds, earbuds for working out...lots of earbuds. I've NEVER had an issue with fit...until now. For some reason the right earbud of the SteelSeries Arctis seems to feel a little weird in my ear It doesn't necessarily fall out, but I wouldn't run to go shoot hoops with these in. It doesn't impact the noise cancellation, but it just feels like it's in my ear differently. Sound...the most important thing when it comes to headphones overall. These sound great! I tried these with my PS5 Pro, I tried these with my Rog Ally X...both of which they sounded great. Via the app, there are game presets for tons of games and they are definitely different per game. I messed with them a little bit and that's a nice little extra detail. Random, the wireless dongle has a weird design to it. When I tested these out on my phone to listen to music...it's a no. Absolute lack of volume on the highest level. I'm not sure if maybe the headphones were trying to protect me from myself. I know these are "GameBuds" but if you give people wireless earbuds with Bluetooth functionality, they're going to try them via Bluetooth. Don't. The ANC on these is very subtle. With nothing playing and the ANC on, I didn't notice it was on until I cut it off in a "Oh, it WAS on" type of way. With sound on, the ANC didn't shut out the background noise. It is there...but...subtle Originally, I had issues with the button presses. Switching modes wasn't working...but after a few days and trying them again, no problem with the button presses. Strictly for gaming, the SteelSeries Artis GameBuds are solid...the game presets is a nice little extra feature for a pair of "GameBuds." That is strictly for gaming though, as I would not recommend using these for anything else

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are a nice-looking set of Earbuds. They sit comfortably enough in ear as well. As for the sound quality game wise, I wasn’t blown away by them. I’ve used so many pairs of earbuds over the years ranging in price from as little as a $100 to some as much as $500 but price doesn’t always determine quality. Trying the various EQ settings, I didn’t really find one that I preferred. I did try out a few of the games that there was already support for while having them paired up to my Steam Deck as well as my PS5 Pro. I could hear some minor differences between a standard setting like flat to using one for something say Gran Turismo but it wasn’t a stark enough difference. For Music and Videos/Movies, I found them even more middling. There really didn’t seem to be much difference between the music settings. The Punchy and Deep Bass settings sounded identical to me. Perhaps I’m just picky or my ears just can’t discern such minute differences as much anymore. The app to set them up and customize them is quite intuitive. I did like the ability to toggle between WiFI and Bluetooth based connections. Pairing them was also a breeze and took all of 10 or so seconds. The controls on the earbuds themselves are easy to use and you can also change what each does from inside the Arctis app. You can toggle between the different Noise Cancelling modes or disable completely with just a couple taps of the right Earbud. Adjusting other things such as volume was easy as well. They’re a decent pair of earbuds, but for the price and so many options out there, you’d be better served by another pair, be that more or less expensive. I really wanted to like these especially after all the great things I’ve heard from my friends that have sworn by the Arctis Pro Headphones but I just feel that these are lacking.

HenryW's review is completely wrong about everything he said. His device(s) is/are likely the issue, not these earbuds. He clearly didn't read the product info and thinks that these are dual channel audio. They're single channel and you have to manually switch between 2.4 and Bluetooth. Despite a horrible experience actually purchasing this product in-store, I'm very happy with the product itself. - Amazing audio quality - Crystal-clear transition between 2.4 and Bluetooth using triple-tap button command - Case battery lasts multiple days with constant use - Impressive microphone quality, tested for multiple days at my job as a phone tech support agent - Decent active noise canceling, great transparency mode, satisfactory physical ear-plugging effect, tested at a punk show with 100 decibel music - Generally intuitive default commands - Powerful and fast audio customization via SteelSeries Arctis mobile app - Additional detailed gaming customization via SteelSeries GG

I got these Arctis Gamebuds to try out on my switch and pc. I had luck with another brand's 2.4ghz connection working on the switch, so I figured I'd try these, and they worked, mic and all. Since they are buds, very portable. I had been using an auxiliary Bluetooth plugged into the switch and Bluetooth setting on other headphones to go wireless. Now it’s all one brands unit, less funbling, and the connection is way more solid. The build on these are fairly good, very lite, but the plastics and feel are like similarly priced regular earbuds. They do feel lighter than many of mine. The fit in ear is good, and the seal is not bad either. With noise cancelation on, it is difficult to hear people as close as 8 feet to me talking. What I am going to have to clearly deduct a point for is setup and instructions. I had issues the first time working with these. First, I downloaded the app, then connected to the Phone like they said, and I saw a lot of settings in there. But you cannot update firmware by phone. It immediately wanted me to do and update, and it clicked on the instructions on how to download the program on the computer to do that connected by 2.4ghz. Fair enough, I did that hooked up the dongle and nothing, no sound, no mic. I fumbled around for 45 minutes or so then gave up the first night because of other commitments. The second time I went to hook it up, it all connected right away. It set up 3 different things to choose from under sound manager I noticed, and apparently I had not picked the right one. It was also recognized in the program, and then I could update the firmware and play with the mixer. This came with virtually no instructions on what to do,and I had to rely on their website help links, which I do not find laid out the best. Call me old, which I am, but I’m a guy who likes to read instructions before doing something that has multiple steps. The only instructions included on the box were what the buttons do. I’m annoyed because really, there was no need to set up on my phone, but again, I did what the qr code said. I guess I can change the setting before I use the switch. In the box there is a usbc to usb adapter, and a usbc charging cord and 2 sets of tips (small and large) Once I got these working, they sound good. I set up a custom equilizer, but there are a ton of game tweeked versions for over 100 games. Pretty cool. Overall it is a solid 4 stars because they work good.

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are the wireless earbuds I’ve been searching for! I was really excited to try these because I’ve always preferred a lighter, more compact option compared to the heavier, bulkier headsets most people have grown accustomed to. These "Gamebuds" (a clever name for gaming earbuds) offer a fantastic alternative to those larger headsets. They fit very comfortably in my ears, with no issues of falling out or becoming uncomfortable even after extended use. The app is decent, but the advertised presets don’t seem to differ significantly from one another. However, the voice chat performance on this device is excellent, which is a major plus. The earbuds are fairly intuitive in terms of touch controls, although I still find it helpful to have my phone nearby with the app running as I’m learning to memorize the specific touch and press commands. One major disappointment, though, is the poor bass quality. As someone who has reviewed other listening products over the years, I feel SteelSeries has a long way to go if they want to compete with higher-end options on the market. Honestly, I was surprised they didn’t partner with a company (one whose name rhymes with “Close”) to improve this aspect. That said, these earbuds do a great job for what they are. Just keep in mind that if you’re expecting an experience comparable to a full home theater setup, you’re likely to be disappointed. These earbuds are fantastic otherwise. Cool Bonus: you can also use just one earbud for a wireless microphone.

Sound quality is not bad for earbuds. Doesn't beat IEMs in terms of sound quality but the trade-off is a TWS with great battery life and strong connection. It's a bit pricey, if this was $150, I would give a 5-star.

These true wireless earbuds are meant for gaming to connect to your Sony PlayStation 5 but also to your phone phone be it an iPhone or an Android device, PC or Nintendo Switch. You can even download an app for your iPhone or Android to control some functions of these earbuds. The case is also wireless Qi chargeable which is nice to have. You also get a dongle inside the case to use on pc, switch or PlayStation 5. You can also use Bluetooth for like your phone. You do need to connect it to your PC if you want to download the latest firmware or make custom EQ’s on their software. Nice to have but why can’t we do custom EQ’s through the mobile app on your phone ? Anyways they also have ANC which is nice. As terms of performance goes it’s nice to have an option for earbuds to use with my PlayStation 5 because sometimes I don’t like big over ears on my head. The mics work good enough but if you want the best quality I would go with the over the ear type headphones. Also used these a bit to listen to music as just earbuds and if you just want one device for gaming and music this will do fine.

After spending a couple days using these earbuds I was very surprised with the sound. The sound is very similar to the Xbox wireless headset with a couple of exceptions missing. I played Indiana Jones and could tell which way the footsteps were coming from. The sound was crisp and clear. The ANC-active noise canceling worked pretty good as I couldn't hear my wife talking to me when trying to play. It took me a little bit to get used to the controls but I finally figured out how to use the mute and the volume up/down. Now with the exceptions I mentioned. The have to do with chat/mic and game sound. From what I could tell there is now toggle for chat and game volume. The earbuds seem to keep both at half as a balance. I tried to change it in the chat mixer on my Xbox but it was all grayed out and would t allow me to change this setting. Perhaps it can be changed with the mobile app that can be downloaded on your phone that includes a bunch of presets or even allow me tk set up a custom config but from what I could tell in the mobile app it only allowed the change for game sound. I saw a few of my friends playing COD and they had a private party set up so I decided to join the party and see how their voices sound and how my voice was heard by them. Their voices were crystal clear on my end but they were actually using the Xbox wireless headset that has a better mic. When they were hearing my voice they said it was crystal clear but the only difference was thag it sounded like I was talking through a tin can. They said it was not bad though as they could understand everything that I was saying so the mic on the earbuds is pretty good and I can only see it getting better with future technology changing. I was contemplating wether or not to give these earbuds 4 or 5 stars but I decided on 5 based on the quality of the product and the effort that steel series has made. The chargeable case is sturdy and even has wireless charging. The case hold the earbuds and the usb s dongle all in one safe place for safe keeping. It was not hard at all to pair the headset to my Xbox. As soon as I plugged it in it automatically connected. Effortless just how I like. I ended up giving these earbuds a 5 star review because I was not too sure at first only owning over the ear headsets but I was very surprised by the sound and quality. I would recommend these to any consumer looking for an affordable audio option and mutiple device options.

When I think of an ideal headset for gaming, rarely if ever, prior to trying out the arctus game buds, do I think of earbuds instead of headphones. That has all changed with the Arctis Game Buds. Let me first talk about convenience. I have a great gaming setup, but every time I get something new, it becomes more cluttered. These are one of the first accessories that I have gotten that do not clutter the area more, and in fact, keep it much. Tidier. Another feature that these have that you do not expect out of earbuds is both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity via a USBC dongle. I can confirm that these work on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo switch, and my cell phone. I suspect, however, that using the dongle these may even work on Xbox One. I mentioned before space saving, these are also great for people who can live in more confined spaces and don't have a dedicated gaming area. The active noise canceling and targeted microphone make these excellent for use even in a crowded apartment. For those audiophiles out there, you can download the app for these to get hundreds of preset audio settings for various games on PlayStation 5, tweaked to enhance the enjoyment of each individual game. On a lighter note, I found it very funny that there were so many warnings on this product, presumably because it is for children, but talking about how you can die if you swallow these. So just in case you were thinking about it, these are not edible.

These earbuds exceeded my expectations. I was very weary of gaming headsets that aren't "headphones" but this one seemed very interesting because it seems very similar to other earbuds that you might use on the daily so it's very portable and I'm not disappointed with it so far. The customization you get with it is very in-depth SteelSeries GG app on the PC. You can customize your 5 channel equalizer to your liking. You can choose to have more chat or game in your earbuds too. You can also choose to have the spatial audio as well which can give that sense of direction to your hearing. I personally cannot figure it out too much so I leave it off. There is a volume boost option as well which might be useful for some games. The phone app has customization options too like the ANC option but if you really want to customize this, you have to use their PC app. The ANC seems to work fairly well and it'll get you by just fine. The sound quality is superb though and I find it very nice listening to music, playing games, and watching movies. You can obviously customize the EQ to fit your liking so your mileage will vary with this one, but it does come with a lot of presets already so you might just have to tinker with that. The case itself is pill shaped and it can easily fit in your pocket. The earbuds design is very slick and stylish, but I find that it's hard to grasp when in your ear. I end up clicking the button on it. Overall, this earbud is a great portable setup for whatever you might need. Gaming at home and on the go.

I got these specifically to game on PC. If you've ever used bluetooth headphones or buds to game with then, if you're like me, the lag/sync will drive you crazy. Even with low latency buds there's still enough lag to make me want to trash the sets. Having a set of gaming buds with dongles are essential. Since these are buds there's some quality you give up versus using a set of headphones. Biggest are soundstage and location. While even headphones aren't as good as a 5.1 or larger set up, they're pretty decent for locating the source of the sound. Buds, while great for isolation, just don't perform as good when it comes to location. It's an issue you have to deal with that comes with the portability. While some are a bit better, none I've tried ever come close to headphones. Out of the box, playing music on the PC was decent. Bass is too heavy, highs not bright enough, and the volume has to be cranked to 3x what I set it for my other headphones. This is with turning on some of Window's audio enhancements and without. I couldn't match the level of two other buds I use for gaming. So, I figured I'd download the software and see if I could tweak the sound. Installed, icon in the tray, launch the UI and a big black blank window pops up. Force quit, try again. Same thing. Reboot, same issue. Uninstall, reboot, install, reboot, lanuch. Still no go on the app. Tried on a laptop...same issue. So basically I'm stuck with the preconfig sound which is horrible for gaming. It sounds like I'm playing underwater with the muffled sounds clouded by too much bass and not enough everything else. So, these are going into storage until the next version of the software and hope I can actually make them sound better than just decent.

I will start by saying that if you’re looking for a pair of gaming headphones for competitive play these are not it. There are other options out there around the same price range, BUT if you are looking for some gaming headphones that do the job and you can use outside of gaming for music and exercise, then I think these might be great for you! Personally, I am the type of gamer that sometimes plays competitive fps games and so I need me over the ear headset with a great microphone. However, other times, I am casually playing a story game mode or good RPG game, and I just need good sound, so I don’t disturb the wife the sound from the game. I have found that these Arctics GameBuds are perfect for me in these scenarios. Further, when I am done playing, and I want to listen to some music while cooking or cleaning the house, these have been my go-to headphones. I have some AirPods, but I actually find myself grabbing these now because of the audio files provided by the Arctis app. There are so many audio profiles it’s awesome. I love it! Likewise, using them at the gym while running or doing some weightlifting, has been a good experience for me. I have the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for my serious gaming, and these are now my favorite for my casual gaming. Love them! I highly recommend them if you think you need some casual gaming buds that you can use outside of gaming as well.

I bought these to be my daily driver earbuds. I typically listen to things throughout the day sometimes upwards of 4 hours a day. The battery in the case has lasted really well all week and kept the earbuds charged as I took them in and out all day. The ANC is really clean and doesn't add any distortion or odd tone to the music, podcast, or audiobook I'm listening to. The transparent mode is the best I have hear outside of really high-end noise canceling over ear headphones I use when I fly. They charge really fast for the amount of power the case seems to have. I liked the mobile app to be able to control the ANC and to choose from the preloaded EQ options. I didn't like that I couldn't customize one on the app. The PC application is used to update the firmware and to make custom EQ. It was not impressed as I turned on the option to use the game specific EQ and ended up with the software taking over my PC audio settings. Every time I logged in, it changed my default audio to the USB-C dongle even if it wasn't plugged in. I would change it and then next time I logged in it was change it back. If you use the PC application, don't set it to automatically run unless you are going to use these for your PC audio all the time. Overall, I like them and foresee using them for a long time.

These are the best earbuds I have ever bought. They have better noise cancelation then Jabra and sound quality is on par with all other SteelSeries products. They also fit in my ears more comfortably than any Jabra, Samsung or cheap set of earbuds I have bought in the last several years. Would highly recommend.

These are pretty solid gaming earbuds if you're looking for something wireless that works across multiple platforms. The noise cancelling is a nice touch too, especially if you're gaming in a noisy environment or just want to block out distractions. Sound quality seems decent for gaming. SteelSeries usually does a good job with audio, so you should get clear directional sound for competitive games where footsteps and stuff matter. Battery life is around 10 hours which is pretty standard for wireless earbuds, maybe a bit less if you're using ANC constantly. Price-wise, they're in that premium range - you're paying for the multi-platform compatibility and gaming-specific features. If you just need something basic, there are cheaper options, but if you want something that's actually built for gaming and works everywhere, these are a solid choice. The white color looks clean but might show dirt over time, just something to keep in mind.

The audio on these are much better than I could of imagined, great sound quality and you can change your settings insanely on the SteelSeries app, highly recommended!

I use this mainly for gaming. These are great earbuds. Sound quality is nice and using the app is easy. Earbuds are secure enough to do a full workout with as well.