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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a pair of earbuds that jump between console gaming and your phone without skipping a beat, choose SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds; if you need a full-size over-ear headset built around planar magnetic drivers and a boom mic, choose ausounds Gaming Headset. These two sit in completely different categories, and that's the whole story here. One is a pocket-sized dual-wireless earbud; the other is a desk-bound over-ear rig. Pick your form factor first, and the rest falls into place.
• SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds — biggest strength: Quick-Switch dual wireless, with high-speed 2.4GHz for consoles and Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile, plus 4-mic hybrid ANC and up to 40 hours total via a Qi charging case.
• SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds — biggest trade-off: In-ear earbuds mean no boom microphone, and the 2.4GHz dongle route doesn't cover Xbox over Bluetooth — you need the dongle for that.
• ausounds Gaming Headset — biggest strength: Planar magnetic drivers, 7.1 surround spatial audio, a noise-cancelling boom mic and a 2.4G transmitter for low-latency PC play.
• ausounds Gaming Headset — biggest trade-off: It's an over-ear wired headset at 1.1 pounds, so it's tethered to your setup and not something you'll toss in a pocket.
• Who each pick is for: Earbuds for players who game across console, handheld and phone and want one gadget for all of it. Over-ear for PC players who want a dedicated, immersive station with a proper mic.
The Arctis GameBuds are built around one idea: kill the friction between gaming and everything else. The 2.4GHz USB-C nano dongle is plug-and-play on Xbox, Switch, PC, VR and tablets, and its L-shaped body leaves your other ports free. When you're done, triple-tap to hop over to Bluetooth 5.3 for music or calls, or single-tap to answer a call instantly. The app keeps your Bluetooth and Xbox presets locked independently, so neither mode gets muddled by the other. That's a genuinely tidy bit of design thinking.
Battery is the headline number: 10 hours per charge, extended by a Qi charging case that adds roughly three extra charges for up to 40 hours total. IP55 water resistance means sweat and light rain aren't a problem, and at 9.07 g they're light enough to forget you're wearing them. One-year warranty included.
Buy these if you split your time between a console, a handheld and a phone and refuse to carry two audio devices. Skip them if you need a boom mic for team chat, want over-ear isolation, or plan to game on Xbox over Bluetooth — that requires the dongle.
ausounds Gaming Headset: Who It's For
The ausounds AU-GX Pro goes the opposite direction. This is a full-size over-ear headset with oval earcups, a black finish and the "Infinity Mirror" lighting effect that gives it a distinct look on a desk. It's heavier at 1.1 pounds, but that weight buys you the hardware inside: planar magnetic drivers.
Planar magnetic drivers are the reason to care here. They're known for low-distortion, detailed reproduction, and ausounds frames that around competitive play — precise enemy footsteps and weapon cues, with 3D spatial audio building ambience around you. Combined with 7.1 surround, the pitch is directional accuracy and clean separation between sounds, which matters more in a shooter than raw volume.
The rest of the kit is station-focused. There's an AI noise-reduction microphone rated at 32K with head-tracking-style distraction suppression, so your voice cuts through. An inline volume dial sits on the cable for quick adjustments, and RGB lighting lets you tune the look of your setup. In the box you get a USB-C to USB-A adapter, a 2.4G Type-C transmitter, the mic, a charging cable, a storage bag and a quick start guide. One-year manufacturer warranty.
Buy these if you play at a desk, want planar magnetic detail and 7.1 surround, and need a boom mic for comms. Skip them if you want something portable, wireless-only, or usable away from your PC.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for multi-device flexibility → SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth 5.3 in one pair of earbuds, with independent presets for each mode.
• Best for battery life → SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. 10 hours per charge and up to 40 hours with the Qi charging case.
• Best for voice chat → ausounds Gaming Headset. A dedicated AI noise-reduction boom mic beats earbud mics for team comms.
• Best for noise control on the go → SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. 4-mic hybrid ANC with a transparency mode for awareness.
• Best for portability → SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. 9.07 g earbuds in a charging case versus a 1.1-pound over-ear headset.
• Best for console + handheld coverage → SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. Plug-and-play 2.4GHz across Xbox, Switch, PC and VR with an L-shaped dongle.
• Best for a fixed desk setup → ausounds Gaming Headset. Wired connectivity, inline volume dial and lighting effects suit a permanent station.
In my opinion, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the smarter buy for most people, because most people don't game in one place. The dual-wireless switching, ANC, IP55 rating and 40-hour case give you one device that covers console, handheld and phone without compromise. I'd only steer you to the ausounds Gaming Headset if your gaming is genuinely desk-bound and you want planar magnetic detail plus a boom mic. If that's your setup, the AU-GX Pro is the more purpose-built pick. Everyone else: get the earbuds.
Yes. They use a 2.4GHz USB-C nano dongle for gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile, and you can switch between the two with a triple tap. Note that Xbox gaming runs over the 2.4GHz dongle, not Bluetooth.
Yes. It ships with a boom microphone featuring AI noise reduction, and the box also includes a 2.4G Type-C transmitter, a USB-C to USB-A adapter and a storage bag.
The ausounds Gaming Headset leans harder into competitive audio with planar magnetic drivers, 7.1 surround and low-distortion tuning aimed at footsteps and directional cues. The Arctis GameBuds counter with 360° spatial audio and 100+ game presets via the SteelSeries app.
Yes. Bluetooth 5.3 handles music and calls, and a single tap answers an incoming call. The app keeps your Bluetooth and Xbox presets stored separately so each mode sounds right.
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