SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are true wireless gaming earbuds with a low-latency 2.4GHz connection for PS5 and PC, plus Bluetooth 5.3 for everything else. They offer strong ANC, a clear mic, and 100+ game audio presets, but comfort is a weak spot and sound quality is good, not great. At $269 USD, they're best for gamers who want one pair of buds for gaming and daily use.

In our database, the Arctis Gamebuds land in the 94th percentile for connectivity, which makes sense given the dual wireless setup. The 2.4GHz dongle is the star here. Latency is low enough that we didn't notice any audio delay in fast-paced games, and that's the whole point of buying a gaming-focused earbud. The Bluetooth side is equally solid, with multipoint working smoothly when jumping between a phone and a laptop. ANC performance is also a standout, ranking in the 93rd percentile. The hybrid 4-mic system does a great job of cutting out low-end rumble like fans and traffic, though it's not quite at the level of the best from Sony or Bose.

Sound quality sits at the 76th percentile, which is good but not exceptional. The custom neodymium drivers deliver a balanced profile with decent bass extension, and the 360° Spatial Audio adds a nice sense of directionality in supported games. It's not the most detailed or dynamic sound we've heard at this price, but it's more than capable for gaming and casual listening. The mic ranks in the 92nd percentile, which is impressive for earbuds. Voice comes through clear and the noise cancellation on the mic helps in louder environments. Battery life is at the 77th percentile, so it's above average but not a headline feature. Build quality is a strong point at the 91st percentile, with a solid feel to both the buds and the case.

The most direct comparison is with the Sony WF-1000XM6, which is the current benchmark for ANC and sound quality in true wireless earbuds. The Sony buds sound better and are more comfortable, but they don't have the 2.4GHz gaming connection that makes the Arctis Gamebuds special. If you're a PS5 or PC gamer who wants zero latency, the SteelSeries wins that specific battle. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are another obvious alternative, especially if you're in the Apple ecosystem. They offer better comfort and a more seamless experience with iPhones, but again, no low-latency gaming mode. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is worth a look if sound quality is your top priority. It's one of the best-sounding true wireless buds we've tested, but it's not built for gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro sits in a similar price bracket and offers great ANC and comfort, but it's more of a general-purpose bud. The Soundcore P31i is the budget option, and while it can't match the SteelSeries on features, it's a fraction of the price.

At $269 USD, the Arctis Gamebuds are priced like a premium pair of earbuds, and that's a tough spot to be in. You're paying for the 2.4GHz gaming connection, which is genuinely unique in this form factor, but you're also giving up some things. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 both offer better sound quality and comfort for similar money, though neither has the low-latency gaming link. If you're primarily a gamer who also wants a solid pair of everyday earbuds, the value proposition makes sense. If you're mostly listening to music and taking calls, you can get better audio and comfort elsewhere for the same price or less. The budget score of 45.3 out of 100 in our database reflects that tension.

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are true wireless earbuds aimed squarely at gamers who want one pair of buds for their PS5, PC, and phone. They sit at $269 USD, which puts them in premium territory alongside heavy hitters like the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3. The pitch is simple: high-speed 2.4GHz wireless for low-latency gaming, Bluetooth 5.3 for everything else, and hybrid ANC to block out the world while you play. On paper, that's a compelling combo. In practice, it mostly works, with a few comfort caveats worth knowing about before you buy.

A lot of people searching for these are asking the same thing: are the Arctis Gamebuds good for gaming on PS5? The short answer is yes, and the 2.4GHz connection is the reason. It's the same kind of low-latency link you'd get from a dedicated gaming headset, just in a much smaller package. You also get 100+ game audio presets through the SteelSeries Arctis Companion App, which let you boost footsteps, gunshots, or dialogue depending on what you're playing. It's a genuinely useful feature if you play competitive shooters.

But these aren't just gaming buds. The Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint means you can stay connected to your phone and your gaming device at the same time. ANC is handled by a 4-mic hybrid system, and there's a transparency mode for when you need to hear your surroundings. Battery life is 10 hours on the buds and up to 40 with the Qi charging case. That's solid, though not class-leading. The IP55 rating means they'll survive sweat and light rain, which is nice for a product that'll likely see some gym or commute time.

If you're not a gamer, or if gaming is just an occasional thing, you should probably skip the Arctis Gamebuds. The $269 price tag is hard to justify when the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Technics EAH-AZ100 offer better sound quality and comfort for similar money. If you have smaller ears or are sensitive to earbud fit, the comfort issues here could be a dealbreaker. And if you're on a budget, the Soundcore P31i gets you decent true wireless performance for a fraction of the cost. These are gaming earbuds first, and everything else second.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds? If you're a gamer who wants true wireless earbuds with a low-latency connection to your PS5 or PC, these are one of the best options on the market right now. The 2.4GHz wireless is the killer feature, and it works as advertised. The ANC is strong, the mic is clear, and the 100+ game presets add real value for competitive players. But if you're not a gamer, or if gaming is a secondary use case, there are better options for the money. The comfort issues are real, and the sound quality, while good, doesn't justify the price on its own. For the right person, these are a great buy. For everyone else, they're a niche product with a premium price tag.