Steelseries Arctis GameBuds
Feature
Small, but feature packed
Design and Comfort
Out of the box, the Steelseries Arctis GameBuds look very much like most other gaming earbuds, available in white or black variations. For our review, we received the black model, which generally stays cleaner for longer. Apart from the colour variations, there are two variations of the GameBuds - one set has been designed for Playstation (the set we received) whilst the other variant was designed for Xbox. Whilst designed for these two consoles, they can be used for a range of devices.
The GameBuds come in a compact storage case which doubles as a charging station, along with a USB-C dongle. The 2.4Ghz dongle allows the GameBuds to be paired to a PC, a Playstation (with the included USB-A adapter), Nintendo Switch or even an Android device, ensuring a wide range of uses. Further to that, the Arctis GameBuds have Bluetooth connectivity which further increases the options.
The Arctis GameBuds comes with three different sized eartips, so there will likely be a size that suits most ear canals. Once seated in the ear, the GameBuds do stick out a touch, but this is pretty standard for ear buds. During my review period this was never an issue though, as they did not fall out even when I brushed past them. The GameBuds do sit comfortably, even when sitting in the ear for a reasonable amount of time.
Having said that, even if they were to fall, the Arctis GameBuds do feature IP55 Protection, so they are resistant to dust and dirt if dropped on the ground. The IP55 Protection also helps if dropped in some water, but they are water resistant, not waterproof, so I would suggest against it where possible.
Features and controls
The gesture controls on the GameBuds are intuitive and simple to use. The right earbud answers incoming phone calls and increases the volume (with a quick double tap) whilst the left earbud decreases the volume and controls the different modes. Holding either button for a short period will mute the microphone.
Using the gesture controls, it is simple to switch between the 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth modes. Indeed, if you’re listening to tunes on a PC via the dongle, you can still take calls via the bluetooth on your phone.
As well as using the GameBuds for answering mobile calls, I also tested them with Teams calling. The Active Noise Cancellation does a great job of blocking out background noise from an audio point of view. The microphone does pick up voices clearly, but background noises do come through. Although there is noticeable background noise, it isn’t overpowering. The Steelseries Arctis Companion App on Android or iPhone can be used to customise some of the settings, including preset audio styles for a range of games.
Gaming sessions are comfortable, and with a 10-hour battery life will mean that gamers will not likely need to recharge mid way through a session. However, the Qi Wireless Charging Case allows for 40 hours total, so players can simply place them back into the charging case to recharge. Both the GameBuds and the charging case have lights that indicate their current charge level.
Verdict
For gaming, I'm not usually a fan of bud style headphones, as I do prefer the immersion that a closed headset provides...but the Steelseries Arctis GameBuds are swaying me to the dark side. The snug fitting nature of the GameBuds combined with the Active Noise Control definitely reduces outside noise, ensuring that you're not distracted by what is going on outside the game. The fact that the GameBuds can be used across multiple devices with the dual connectivity is also a bonus. The simple gesture controls and the customisation within the Steelseries Arctis Companion App ensure that the Arctis GameBuds are great for most occasions.
In the box:
● Arctis GameBuds
● Charging Case
● USB-C to USB-C charging cable
● USB-C Wireless 2.4Ghz dongle
● USB-C Female to USB-A Male Dongle Adapter
● S/M/L Ear Tips
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