I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds for Xbox — Every gamer should replace their AirPods with these

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Can earbuds replace your gaming headset? SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds say “yes.”

Recently, SteelSeries provided us with a review sample of their latest Arctis Gamebuds – noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds, also offering USB-C 2.4 wireless connectivity, along with mobile and computer applications for enhanced functionality.

In my experience, I’ve tried several “gaming” earbuds in the past, and most of them didn’t live up to my expectations. Ideally, I prefer a versatile headset that can handle gaming, calls, travel, and music, among other things. However, the available options either tend to be quite pricey or lack reliability.

In simpler terms, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are the first earbuds designed for gaming on both Xbox and PC that I believe meet all the essential requirements, considering performance, features, and affordability. To me, they stand out as one of the top-notch Xbox headsets available at this moment in their class.

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating a product similar to this, it’s important to continue reading as there are certain drawbacks you should be aware of.

Arctis Gamebuds: Price and specifications

Compared to other earbuds available, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds aren’t the most budget-friendly, yet they stand out with a remarkable list of exceptional features.

The package includes ear tips, two USB-C charging cables, a USB-C adapter for use on computers or Xbox consoles equipped with a switch, the earbuds featuring on-ear controls, and a portable case that supports both wired and wireless recharging. This case serves as a convenient storage solution for all the accessories. The total battery life is approximately 30 hours.

In the U.S., you can expect to pay approximately $160 for the total cost of the product (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price). However, within the short term, factors such as tariffs might influence the price upward.

Arctis Gamebuds: Build quality and features

For journeys, I usually opt for Samsung’s Galaxy Buds earphones, but to be honest, I’m not a big fan of them. Despite being the best-fitting earbuds for my Galaxy S24, they have an unusual design that makes me wonder if Samsung designed them with humans in mind.

Gladly, the Arctis Gamebuds feel significantly more comfortable compared to others. In truth, I believe they could be the most comfortable in-ear headphones I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.

The Arctis Gamebuds include several ear tip options to customize the listening experience for your unique ear structure. Moreover, their rounded design and pliable plastic exterior provide a comfortably smooth feel against your skin, offering an exceptional ergonomic fit.

One feature I appreciate about this device is the tactile buttons instead of touch-sensitive ones. My Galaxy Buds often mistakenly register taps or clicks when I’m just scratching an itch, which can be quite annoying.

It’s crucial that you actively engage these control features, as it seems essential for virtually every headset worldwide.

Switching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz signals on your device is effortless with triple taps. This allows you to seamlessly transition between your mobile devices and main gaming platform. Additional gestures can be customized through the apps available for both PC and mobile platforms, which boast quality construction, intuitive design, and a polished finish.

It can be somewhat inconvenient that app usage requires account creation, including tasks like updating firmware. However, it seems that this is a common requirement in 2025. Once logged in, the user experience is positive, offering a significant level of customization options.

As an analyst, I’m sharing that SteelSeries collaborates with game publishers to develop customized audio profiles for popular games globally, along with some built-in Equalization (EQ) presets such as Bass Boost. In my opinion, it would be beneficial to see more universal pre-sets in the future. However, SteelSeries regularly introduces additional ones through updates. Additionally, users have the flexibility to create their own custom EQ settings too.

For a more appealing offer, this headset includes active noise cancellation – a feature I personally consider essential for modern travel earbuds.

It’s beneficial that the earbuds serve as a versatile all-in-one tool, and it’s reassuring to find this feature incorporated. Notably, they offer an on-demand transparency mode for situations where you might need to listen to someone without needing to remove them from your ears.

This device is conveniently simple to configure on both Xbox and PC platforms. All you need to do is insert the USB-C adapter directly into your system or use the provided USB-A cable, and voila! You’re all set. A switch on the adapter allows you to select either Xbox or PC, ensuring a stronger signal compared to Bluetooth connectivity.

Unfortunately, unlike certain gadgets, you can’t blend signals as you might be accustomed to. However, nowadays, you can enjoy Spotify music and handle Discord calls simultaneously on your Xbox without needing any extra equipment.

Arctis Gamebuds: Sound and microphone quality

SteelSeries nails the feature set with the Arctis Gamebuds, but how does it perform sound-wise?

Indeed, earbuds typically create a more personal audio experience compared to larger driver headphones, affecting positioning and spatial perception somewhat.

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours playing Overwatch, and even after that length of time, I discovered that they were effective in identifying the locations of Cassidy and Sombra who were attempting to sneak up on me from behind.

The sound quality of these earbuds is quite good too. While they might not have the same level of punch or impressiveness as pricier over-ear gaming headphones such as SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova or Turtle Beach Stealth 700, they still manage to provide a satisfactory audio experience.

The Arctis Gamebuds offer exceptional audio separation for earbuds. Listening to music with boosted bass allows each instrument to stand out distinctly and deliver a crisp performance, even in genres as intense as death metal. While I might suggest a slightly higher maximum volume level, it’s probably just my personal preference – considering I’m not exactly young anymore!

The audio output delivered into your ears for this gadget is truly remarkable, but the sound clarity your companions might experience could potentially suffer.

https://w.soundcloud.com/player/

As an analyst, I’ve noticed that over-the-ear microphones have seen remarkable quality improvements over the years. However, when opting for these types instead of a dedicated boom mic, there is inevitably a compromise to consider. The compromise in this case is quite substantial, as evidenced by the audio clip I’ve recorded directly from my SteelSeries Arctis headset to my PC.

The microphone’s audio is generally acceptable for casual conversations at a party, but it’s decent enough for playing competitive games such as World of Warcraft and Overwatch. I used it over several evenings without anyone reporting any difficulties in hearing me or expressing dissatisfaction with the sound quality. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that there might still be room for improvement.

In summary, I am extremely satisfied with the sound quality of the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds. They are excellent for listening to music, surpassing my Galaxy Buds. They perform well in gaming situations, and their compact size and rechargeable feature make them more practical in many scenarios. Additionally, their features justify their price.

Arctis Gamebuds: The competition

To discuss the primary rivalry in question, it’s worth mentioning the Razer Hammerhead series, a product that I genuinely hoped to appreciate.

Typically, I lean towards Razer for many of my gaming gadgets, however, the signal disruption on the Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed for Xbox was so severe that it became completely unworkable.

Or:

I usually opt for Razer when it comes to most of my gaming equipment, but the signal interference on the Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed for Xbox was so pronounced that it rendered the device unusable.

Both sentences convey the same meaning and are easy to read.

Additionally, I discovered that the stated battery life didn’t meet my expectations in real-world usage. Despite finding them aesthetically pleasing compared to SteelSeries, and offering a more comfortable travel case, I believe the savings aren’t justified given this drawback.

In fact, you can find these Arctis Gamebuds priced at around $130 on Amazon currently. While they may be a bit more expensive by $30, I strongly believe their overall quality makes them well worth the investment.

The significant point that might not be openly discussed is that the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) generally outperform other options, even though they are priced comparably at around $160 on Amazon. However, it’s important to note that these headphones are not earbuds and do not possess active noise cancellation capabilities.

The design of Gamebuds is tailored to a specific shape, and compacting the technology so it can comfortably fit within your ear requires some additional engineering finesse.

Without question, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are currently the top-tier earbuds for gaming on Xbox, PC, and mobile devices. However, their value is optimized when you have a preference for earbuds over other types of headphones.

Arctis Gamebuds: Should you buy them?

I must admit, I’m genuinely blown away by the offerings from SteelSeries in this product. It boasts a comprehensive set of features, including Qi wireless charging, active noise cancellation, robust apps, great sound quality, and top-tier comfort. In my opinion, considering its $160 retail price, it’s an excellent value for money.

Among the limited number of gaming earbuds available that are completely wireless and compatible with Xbox, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds stand out as the top choice.

✅ You should buy this if …

  • You want a truly “everything” headset for Xbox and PC gaming, music, travel, and beyond.
  • You don’t mind spending a bit more for things like ANC.
  • You’re specifically looking for earbuds for Xbox and PC gaming.

❌ You should not buy this if …

  • You’re not planning to use them everywhere. There are better dedicated headsets for gaming for a similar price.

Absolutely! If you’re in search of versatile audio equipment, the SteelSeries Arctis Earbuds stand out as an excellent choice. While there are other headphones and earbuds that excel in specific areas for Xbox or mobile music, the Arctis Earbuds offer a unique blend of performance across multiple platforms, making them your top pick at this moment.

If you have any questions about them, hit the comments!

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2025-04-07 15:10