If you've been looking for AirPods-like convenience for your console of choice, we've got good news the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds offer just what you're looking forTech06:00, 31 Dec 2024There's even noise cancelling tech insideWhen AirPods first launched, they were memed to high heaven but if you've been on a bus, train, or to an airport recently there's a good chance you've seen plenty of people using them.Apple's nifty buds have helped popularise 'truly wireless' audio, even if some other brands do it just as well (or better), but gaming is starting to get in on the act, too.While a few manufacturers (including Sony) have been giving gamers fantastic audio quality in a diminutive design, I've been testing the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds for a few weeks now and I think they might be the best of the bunch. In fact, it'll take some convincing to go back to a standard headset.The SteelSeries Gamebuds are ideal for any platform, or going out and aboutIf you've been using any earbuds in the last few years, you'll likely have a good idea of what to expect when opening up the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds.They come in a pocketable case (although not as small as some non-gaming options) which acts as a portable charger, and they also have a slot for the USB-C dongle that connects them to your system of choice.Each bud can be used on their own, and there are a variety of eartips to not only maximise comfort, but also to prevent a more secure seal. That's important for the Arctis Gamebuds' noise cancellation feature, but I'll come to that shortly.The SteelSeries Gamebuds let you ditch your old headsetSetup is simple, with Bluetooth supported and a 2.4Ghz setting available via the aforementioned dongle, although you may need to use a cable to hook it up to your console (I plugged it into my PS5 Pro via the cable, and then hid it behind the console).The buds are comfortable, too. In the name of science I popped mine in for a quick weights session at the gym, and while the average gamer might not take them for a bench press session, they'll undoubtedly stay in your ears when you're kicking back on the sofa, even with no 'fin' like some brands use.Each of the buds has built-in controls, letting you switch between connectivity modes, but the SteelSeries Arctis app also lets you fiddle with things like EQ, noise cancelling and more if you don't want to learn the various button presses.I may never use a headset on my PS5 againSo, how do they sound? In short, very impressive indeed. The first thing I noticed about the Gamebuds is just how loud they can get. Even if you're not in noise cancellation mode, they can block out pretty much everything around you if you turn them up loud enough, much to my wife's chagrin. There is a noise limiter, though, which is ideal if your hearing is better than mine and you want to keep it that way.The Arctis app on iOS and Android has over 100 presets you can use, and while Black Ops 6 is missing, the Modern Warfare 3 one works just as well. Other options included everything from Baldur's Gate 3 to Black Myth: Wukong, and while not all of them make a huge difference, they help keep things feeling pretty well-tuned to whatever you're playing.In Call of Duty, for example, I appreciated the deep bass of explosions and some impressive directional audio, while switching over to something like Diablo 4 has more of a middle-range. You can create your own presets, too, and I could quite easily spend days tweaking audio settings for titles like Path of Exile 2 and more.SteelSeries' earbuds are like AirPods for your console(Image: Amazon)My only complaint, audio-wise, comes from the mic. When using the buds in Marvel Rivals, my Discord group couldn't hear me until I adjusted the input settings to increase the volume of the mic in the PS5's settings. It's not a deal-breaker, and it works perfectly now, but it's worth mentioning when you first pop them in.Something I absolutely love is the noise cancellation. This really helps get you in the zone, and actually helped me hone in on an opponents' footsteps in Call of Duty Warzone by virtue of being able to hear them better.Over-ear headphones tend to provide a better seal for audio, but for earbuds you can keep in your pocket and wear on the street, these are a perfect fit for my more competitive moments on the PS5.Minor mic hurdle aside, I can't see myself returning to a full headset option on my PS5 for the foreseeable future. The compact SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds offer great audio quality, the convenience of being able to go anywhere, and noise cancelling for those clutch moments.Article continues belowReview unit provided by the manufacturer.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED