Looking for a great discount on a unique gaming headset? I’ve been using the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (9/10, WIRED Recommends) for months for both gaming and everyday use, and they’re currently marked down at Amazon to just $128, in both a black Xbox version, and a white Playstation version.
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
SteelSeries
Arctis GameBuds
While most gamers opt for over-ear headsets, there are actually quite a few advantages to using earbuds instead. For starters, they’re much more portable, which is particularly important if you play on your phone or a gaming handheld. My favorite Switch 2 carrying case has a convenient storage pocket inside that these slip right into, so I don’t have to go hunting for them in the overhead compartment once I’m already buckled in for a long flight.
They also have great compatibility, with the discounted versions supporting either Xbox or PlayStation, and both styles playing well with Switch, PC, and smartphones without any additional software or drivers. The compact USB-C dongle fits right into the case, and has a horizontal layout that lets it sit cleanly on top of consoles or phones, providing low-latency 2.4GHz audio, as well as BLuetooth for just listening to tunes. Battery life is right up there with other wireless earbuds, managing around 10 hours in just the buds, and pushing 40 total with the charging case.
I also really appreciate the SteelSeries mobile app. In addition to the normal settings you’d expect for active noise-canceling, there’s a huge library of equalizer settings for popular games. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference these make, letting you switch between ideal setups for different games without having to set up any profiles or remember frequencies.
They’re really comfortable too, so much so that they’ve become my go-to earbuds for walking the dog or working out. They have a great fit and sound isolation, and even though it’s personal preference, but the use of actual buttons instead of capacitive touch for controls makes bumping pause less likely.
If gaming earbuds don’t sound like your speed, make sure to check out our roundup of other great gaming headsets. You might be surprised by how well modern earbuds can work for both gaming and regular life though, so don’t be afraid to give these a shot, particularly at the discounted price.
