If you've been looking for AirPods-like convenience for your console of choice, we've got good news: the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds offer just what you're looking for.
When AirPods were first released, they were very famous, but if you've been on a bus, train, or airport recently, there's a good chance you've seen plenty of people wearing them.
Apple's nifty headphones have helped popularize “truly wireless” audio, even if other brands do it just as well (or better), but gaming is starting to enter the picture, too.
While some manufacturers (including Sony) have given gamers fantastic audio quality in a tiny design, I've been testing the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds for a few weeks now and think they might be the best of the bunch. In fact, it will take some convincing to go back to using standard headphones.
Small but mighty
If you've been using headphones in the past few years, you'll probably have a good idea of what to expect when you open up the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds.
They come in a pocket-sized case (though not as small as some non-gaming options) that acts as a portable charger, and they also have a USB-C dongle slot that connects them to the system of your choice.
Each button can be used on its own and there are a variety of ear tips to not only maximize comfort but also prevent a more secure seal. This is important for the noise cancellation feature of the Arctis Gamebuds, but I'll get to that shortly.
Setup is simple, with Bluetooth supported and a 2.4Ghz setup available via the dongle mentioned above, although you may need to use a cable to connect it to your console (I connected it to my PS5 Pro via the cable and then I hid behind). the console).
The buds are also comfortable. In the name of science, I used mine for a quick weights session at the gym, and while the average player may not use them for a bench press session, they'll certainly stay in your ears when you lay back on the couch. , even without 'fin' as some brands use.
Each of the buttons has built-in controls, allowing you to switch between connectivity modes, but the SteelSeries Arctis app also lets you play with things like the equalizer, noise cancellation, and more if you don't want to learn how to press the various buttons.
keep it low
So how do they sound? In short, very impressive. The first thing I noticed about the Gamebuds is how loud they can be. Even if you're not in noise cancellation mode, they can block out virtually everything around you if you turn them up high enough, much to my wife's chagrin. However, there is a noise limiter, which is ideal if your hearing is better than mine and you want to keep it that way.
The Arctis app on iOS and Android has over 100 presets you can use, and while Black Ops 6 is missing, Modern Warfare 3 works just as well. Other options include everything from Baldur's Gate 3 to Black Myth: Wukong, and while they don't all make a huge difference, they help make everything feel pretty well suited to whatever you're playing.
In Call of Duty, for example, I appreciated deep bass from explosions and impressive directional audio, while switching to something like Diablo 4 has more mid-range. You can also create your own presets, and you could easily spend days adjusting audio settings for titles like Path of Exile 2 and more.
My only complaint, audio-wise, comes from the microphone. When I was using the headset in Marvel Rivals, my Discord group couldn't hear me until I adjusted the input settings to increase the microphone volume in the PS5 settings. It's not a deal breaker and works perfectly now, but it's worth mentioning when you first install them.
Something I love is the noise cancellation. This really helps you get into the zone and actually helped me focus on my opponents' footsteps in Call of Duty Warzone by being able to hear them better.
Over-ear headphones tend to provide a better seal for audio, but headphones that you can put in your pocket and use on the road are perfect for my more competitive moments on the PS5.
The verdict
The small obstacle of the microphone aside, I don't see myself going back to having a full headset option on my PS5 in the foreseeable future. The compact SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds offer excellent audio quality, go-anywhere convenience, and noise cancellation for those difficult moments.
5/5
Review unit provided by the manufacturer.
For the latest news and stories from around the world from the Daily Star, sign up to our newsletters.