SteelSeries unveils $160 Arctis GameBuds with active noise cancellation

SteelSeries is taking its audio game to a new level with the launch of its latest product, the Arctis GameBuds. These sleek new earbuds, priced at $159.99, are designed to work seamlessly with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PCs, and even mobile phones. But what really sets them apart is the impressive list of features they pack for the price.

The GameBuds come with active noise cancellation (ANC), Qi wireless charging, and the ability to switch effortlessly between Bluetooth for mobile and wireless connectivity for consoles or PCs. Whether you’re gaming at home or on the go, SteelSeries has designed these earbuds to be flexible.

A pair of black SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds with a circular design, resting inside an open, oval-shaped charging case. The case has a glossy finish with the letters ‘GLHF’ embossed on the top lid. A small green LED indicator light is visible on the front of the case, signaling that it is charged or charging. The earbuds have ergonomic silicone tips and each features a central button with an icon that appears to be a power symbol. The background is white, emphasizing the sleek and modern design of the earbuds and their case.

A pair of white SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds with a circular design, resting inside an open, oval-shaped charging case. The case has a glossy finish with the letters ‘GLHF’ embossed on the top lid. A small green LED indicator light is visible on the front of the case, signaling that it is charged or charging. The earbuds have ergonomic silicone tips and each features a central button with an icon that appears to be a power symbol. The background is white, emphasizing the sleek and modern design of the earbuds and their case.

In terms of design, the Arctis GameBuds look like what you’d expect from modern wireless earbuds, offering various silicone tips for a comfortable fit. But the real magic happens with the four-microphone ANC system, which helps block out background noise during your gaming sessions. There’s even a transparency mode so you can still hear what’s going on around you when needed.

One of the standout features is how these earbuds connect to your devices. The GameBuds use a tiny USB-C dongle to connect to your console or PC via 2.4GHz wireless, ensuring low latency for gaming. If you want to switch over to your mobile phone for a quick call or listen to music, a simple triple tap on the earbuds will instantly switch you over to Bluetooth 5.3.

SteelSeries isn’t just about the hardware—it’s paying attention to the sound experience too. The Arctis GameBuds come pre-loaded with over 100 audio presets for popular games like Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Fortnite, and Valorant. These presets mirror the ones available on SteelSeries’ Sonar desktop app, and the difference is noticeable—especially in tactical games like Valorant, where every footstep counts.

Controlling features like ANC and transparency mode is also simple. You can make adjustments via the SteelSeries mobile app or the desktop version, where you can also monitor battery life for both the earbuds and the charging case. Speaking of the case, it promises up to 40 hours of battery life, with each earbud lasting around 10 hours per charge. In my testing, the earbuds held up, draining about 10% battery per hour when connected via 2.4GHz, so they should comfortably meet SteelSeries’ claims.

The charging case itself supports Qi wireless charging, although it doesn’t feature the latest Qi2 standard. For those who prefer a wired connection, there’s also a USB-C port on the back. A 15-minute fast charge can give you around three more hours of playtime, which is perfect for when you’re in a hurry.

If you’re thinking about picking up a pair, you should know that SteelSeries offers two models: one for PlayStation and one for Xbox. While the PlayStation model is compatible with Sony consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, the Xbox version works across all platforms, thanks to a specialized chip for Xbox compatibility. It’s also worth noting that the PlayStation version comes in white, while both Xbox and PlayStation fans can grab the black variant.

Preorders for the Arctis GameBuds are open now, with the black and white versions both priced at $159.99. The earbuds will be released on October 20th (according to Best Buy’s listing).