SteelSeries has announced the release of new earbuds designed for compatibility with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch consoles, PCs, and mobile phones. Priced at $159.99, the Arctis GameBuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC), Qi wireless charging, and the capability to quickly switch between mobile Bluetooth and console or PC gaming modes.

The Arctis GameBuds are similar in appearance to many existing earbuds on the market and include various silicone tips to accommodate different ear shapes. They are equipped with a four-microphone ANC system to block out external noises during gaming, while a transparency mode allows users to hear their surroundings when needed.

These GameBuds connect to Xbox or PlayStation consoles through a compact USB-C dongle, providing 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. Users can switch between Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile devices and the 2.4GHz wireless connection for consoles and PCs by triple-tapping a button on the earbuds. The earbuds do not support simultaneous audio over Bluetooth and 2.4GHz but can quickly switch between the two.

SteelSeries’ mobile companion app offers various EQ settings, with more than 100 audio presets for popular games such as “Call of Duty,” “Destiny 2,” “EA Sports FC 24,” “Fortnite,” and “Valorant.” These presets are similar to those found in the SteelSeries GG desktop PC app with Sonar. The app also allows users to toggle between ANC and transparency modes, adjust the levels of noise cancellation, and monitor battery life for each earbud and the charging case.

The ANC function effectively filters out background sounds during music playback or gaming, though some ambient noise may still be audible at lower volumes or in quieter games. The charging case is claimed to provide 40 hours of battery life, with 10 hours per charge and three additional charges from the case. The case supports wireless Qi charging (not Qi2) and has a USB-C connector that offers around three hours of playtime with 15 minutes of fast charging.

Two different models are available for Xbox and PlayStation. The PlayStation model is compatible only with Sony’s consoles, PC, and mobile devices, while the Xbox version works across all platforms and includes an additional chip to meet Microsoft’s security requirements. The Xbox variant also has a slider button for Xbox compatibility. The PlayStation model is available in white, whereas a black version is available for both Xbox and PlayStation.

SteelSeries enters a competitive gaming earbud market, facing competitors such as Sony, Razer, and Logitech. The Arctis GameBuds are priced lower than Sony’s $199 PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds and include ANC, which Sony’s buds lack. Sony’s $199 InZone Buds offer ANC and a longer 12-hour battery life but do not include a wireless charging case. Razer’s $149 Hammerhead HyperSpeed buds include ANC but provide only three hours per charge, whereas Logitech’s $179 G Fits have a seven-hour battery life but no ANC. SteelSeries offers a combination of low latency, Bluetooth connectivity, a mobile app, ANC, and a wireless charging case at a competitive price of $159.

Preorders for the Arctis GameBuds are open, with models available in black and white for $159.99 (€169.99). The official release date is set for October 29th.

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