Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite tech-loving jokester, Nuked, here to bring you some exciting news from the gaming world!

SteelSeries is stepping up its game with the launch of new gaming earbuds priced at $160. The Arctis GameBuds are designed to seamlessly connect with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PCs, and even mobile devices. With features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and Qi wireless charging, these earbuds are ready to elevate your gaming experience. I’ve had the chance to test them out recently, and while I’m impressed so far, I need a bit more time for a complete review.

In terms of design, the Arctis GameBuds look quite similar to many earbuds available today. They come with a selection of silicone tips to ensure a snug fit for various ear shapes. SteelSeries has incorporated a four-microphone ANC system to help block out distractions during your gaming sessions. Plus, there’s a transparency mode if you want to stay aware of your surroundings.

The GameBuds come nestled in a handy wireless charging case. To connect them to your console, there’s a tiny USB-C dongle that provides 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. A quick triple-tap on the earbuds allows you to switch between Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile use and the 2.4GHz signal for console or PC gaming. The audio switching is surprisingly swift, although it doesn’t support simultaneous audio like Sony’s Pulse Explore earbuds.

One feature that caught my attention is the EQ settings available in the mobile companion app. With over 100 audio presets tailored for popular games like Call of Duty and Fortnite, you’ll be able to fine-tune your sound experience. These presets align closely with those found in SteelSeries’ GG desktop app, and they deliver impressive results—especially in games where every footstep counts.

You can also control ANC and transparency modes through the mobile app and adjust how much sound gets canceled or let in. Both the mobile and desktop apps display battery life levels for each earbud as well as the charging case.

The ANC is quite effective at filtering out ambient noise when you’re deep into a game or listening to music; however, some background sounds may still seep through if your volume is low or if the game isn’t particularly loud.

SteelSeries claims that the charging case provides an impressive 40 hours of battery life—10 hours per use along with three additional charges from the case itself. My testing shows that battery consumption is around 10 percent per hour when using the 2.4GHz connection, so it looks promising overall. The case also features wireless Qi charging (not Qi2) and comes equipped with a USB-C port that offers about three hours of playtime after just 15 minutes of fast charging.

While these GameBuds work well across various platforms, it’s worth noting that separate models exist for Xbox and PlayStation users. If you opt for the PlayStation version, it will only function on Sony consoles, PCs, and mobile devices; however, the Xbox variant supports all platforms and includes an extra chip to comply with Microsoft’s security requirements.

The black model caters specifically to Xbox players while the white version is exclusive to PlayStation users. As SteelSeries dives into the competitive earbud market alongside giants like Sony and Razer, their $159 price tag makes them an attractive option compared to Sony’s $199 Pulse Explore earbuds—which notably lacks ANC support.

For reference, Razer’s $149 Hammerhead HyperSpeed buds offer ANC but only last three hours per charge, while Logitech’s $179 G Fits provide better battery life at seven hours but skip on ANC altogether. Clearly, SteelSeries has identified a niche by offering low-latency earbuds with Bluetooth connectivity, ANC features, and a wireless charging case—all at a reasonable price.

The Arctis GameBuds are now available for preorder in both black and white versions at $159.99 (€169.99), with a worldwide release set for October 29th. Get ready to level up your gaming experience!