While I’ve tested a lot of gaming headsets meant for sitting on a couch or at a desk, very few are easy to pocket and take on the go. The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds fill that need, and are perfectly matched for consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and ROG Xbox Ally. They’re currently marked down to just $160 at Best Buy, a $40 discount from their usual price.
Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
SteelSeries
Arctis GameBuds
While most gamers prefer over-ear headsets for the sound isolation and comfort, these earbuds have some special features that help them bridge the gap. The Arctis mobile app has a huge variety of sound profiles for individual games, letting you quickly swap your EQ when you move from a shooter to a racing game. The included USB-C dongle ensures a latency-free 2.4-GHz wireless connection, much better than Bluetooth for the serious gamer on the go. They have great battery life, too, at around 10 hours on a single charge, and up to 40 when you include the battery in the case. They’re compact enough that they fit in the extra compartment on my favorite Switch 2 carrying case, the Belkin Charger Case.
They aren’t just great for gaming, either. I often use these while I’m out doing yard work or walking the dog, thanks to their snug fit. I also appreciate that they have physical buttons instead of touch controls, which helps prevent accidental track skips during intense workouts. While they may not sound as sharp as some of our other favorite nongaming wireless earbuds, they have a clear and punchy sound profile that works just fine for a little Steely Dan. The noise canceling is surprisingly adept too. I recently took a short flight with just these and didn’t bring my usual Sony over-ear ANC headset, and they worked perfectly for squeezing in a few hours of Donkey Kong Bonanza without missing out on that great soundtrack.
If you’re ready to turn your portable gaming up a notch, head on over to Best Buy for a $40 discount on the black Arctis Earbuds, or check out our other favorite gaming headsets for something more traditional.
