Review | SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds 'Comfort and Connectivity'

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds offer an impressive, compact alternative to traditional gaming headsets, tailored to players seeking quality sound and comfort.

While they’re not likely to replace dedicated headphones for online gaming and voice chat, these earbuds shine in single player experiences and everyday use, delivering clarity and immersion in a lightweight package.

*Ignoring the grey hairs, the GameBuds sit quite comfortably in my ears without protruding too far.*

With customisable features, fast connectivity, and surprisingly rich audio, the GameBuds prove that ‘size matters not’. I’ve been using them daily for three weeks now, let’s take a closer look at what makes them stand out.

Comfort and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)

*Plug and play with the 2.4GHz adaptor.*

Wearing the GameBuds for an extended two-hour flight was a comfortable experience. While the ANC isn’t changing the game, it performed well enough to block out most background noise. Additionally, a transparency mode lets in surrounding sounds, useful for those moments when you still want some awareness of your environment. This mode was particularly helpful when gaming around family — I could keep the game’s audio contained while chatting with my kids (they didn’t need to hear people burning alive from magic fire blasts).

Compared to other similar models, such as the Pulse Explore, the Arctis GameBuds feel less bulky and more comfortable for extended gaming sessions. This portability is particularly noticeable with setups like the PlayStation VR2, where the lightweight earbuds provide some bonus comfort — which is often hard to find with a bulky VR headset on.

*SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds (left) and the PlayStation Pulse Explore (right)*.

These are the most comfortable gaming earbuds I’ve ever used. I haven’t had any irritation and they have never felt like they were going to fall from my ears.

Design and Customisation

The Arctis Gamebuds, like most gaming earbuds, protrude slightly from the ear, but their minimalist one-button design is functional and well considered. Instead of relying on a touch sensor, these earbuds provide a reassuring physical click when pressed, which makes control feel precise.

Equipped with wear detection sensors, the Gamebuds automatically pause audio when removed, a feature configurable via the SteelSeries app. While useful, I found this feature can be a bit too sensitive, causing playback to stop unexpectedly during movement, even when the buds are securely in place. I opted out of Wear Sense for this reason; while walking home from the train station my music would continuously pause — and it wasn’t for lack of fit, these were super comfy and snug.

Through the app, you can also customise single and double-press functions for tasks like volume control and track skipping. This level of personalisation isn’t common across gaming earbuds, giving these buds an edge for users seeking tailored controls.

Plug-and-play functionality with devices like the Nintendo Switch adds to their appeal. Upon connecting the 2.4GHz adapter, they paired almost instantly with my Switch, highlighting the simplicity that’s essential for gaming gear today.

Gaming Experience

Switching to the Arctis GameBuds from a heavy duty headset like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless on my PS5 was a bit of a change, but the GameBuds held their own. Just like other SteelSeries Arctis headphones, the app/software is second to none.

Download: Apple Store / Google Play

*In the Arctis app, you’re able to choose audio profiles, connect to 2.4Ghz or Bluetooth, adjust ANC modes and customise button presses.*

I used the GameBuds while playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which already has robust audio settings, and while there isn’t a custom audio profile for the game in the Arctis app — at least not yet — other preset profiles offered similar immersive effects. The range of profiles available for different games is extensive and convenient for quickly optimising audio quality.

How good is the microphone quality?

The GameBuds have a microphone, so voice chat is an option, though the audio quality wasn’t overly loud or clear. According to friends on the other end, I sounded muffled and quiet; adjusting the position of the earbuds didn’t help the microphone quality. Even after playing with the settings, and changing the mic’s sensitivity set to maximum in the app, the quality didn’t improve — this was using 2.4Hz mode. However, phone call quality over Bluetooth was notably better, with conversations coming through clearly, even on a busy train commute.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery life is outstanding, especially with both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes available. The buds seamlessly switched between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz with a single press, making transitions between devices a breeze. They also connected quickly to both my Switch and PS5 using the included adapter, making them perfect for mixed use gaming and everyday activities. I also used the dongle with my phone for super crisp music and Balatro beats, it’s nonintrusive and the dongle slots perfectly back into the GameBuds case when not in use.

While there’s no dual connectivity available, the aforementioned single button makes it easy to swap between mobile and console. You can also switch with the app.

*The Arctis GameBuds are also available in black*

As much as I’d love them to, the GameBuds aren’t compatible with the PlayStation Portal. The Portal gatekeeps third-party audio devices by dismissing Bluetooth; you’re only able to connect with PlayStation Link-enabled devices. For now, I’ll continue using the Pulse Explore here…

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds?

Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds deliver excellent audio and customisation options for gamers who want a more flexible audio setup. SteelSeries has established a reputation for quality and comfort, and these GameBuds largely uphold that, with customisation options, and reliable connectivity that make them a solid investment.

At $359 AUD, they’re on the pricier side, but for gamers in search of portability and performance, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are a strong contender.