SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds vs ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (#1, best overall) vs ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova (#2): in our Earbuds for Gaming scoring the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds totals 9/10 and the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova 9/10.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds | ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $117.04 |
| Latency | 34.4ms (dongle) / 218.9ms (Bluetooth) | ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) |
| Battery | 10h / 40h+ total | 11h / 46h total |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 + USB-C 2.4GHz dongle | — |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox*, Switch, Mobile | PC, PS5, Switch, Mobile |
| Audio Quality | — | 24-bit/96kHz (Hi-Res certified) |
How they differ in real use
Built from our earbuds gaming scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova made our Top 5 Earbuds for Gaming, at #1 (best overall) and #2. The only earbuds with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch support—universal gaming with 12ms latency and quick-switch dock. Best microphone quality with boom mic option, plus hi-res audio support for the best-sounding gaming earbuds.
We score earbuds for gaming on Latency (35%), Positional Audio (25%), Microphone Quality (20%), Platform Support (10%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds totals 9 out of 10 and the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova 9. The widest gap is Microphone Quality, where the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova scores 9.5 against 8 for the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds — voice clarity for team chat. Platform Support also separates them: 10 for the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds versus 8 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Latency — 34.4ms (dongle) / 218.9ms (Bluetooth) on the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds versus ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova; Battery — 10h / 40h+ total on the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds versus 11h / 46h total on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova; Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox*, Switch, Mobile on the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds versus PC, PS5, Switch, Mobile on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova.
Pricing as of August 12, 2026: $199.99 for the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and $117.04 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova, a $82.95 difference in the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova's favor. Owners praise the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds for 34.4ms latency (excellent) and 100+ game-specific EQ presets; the most common complaint is only SBC codec for Bluetooth music. Owners praise the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova for ~30ms latency (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) and 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res certified; the most common complaint is no Xbox support.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
- 34.4ms latency (excellent)
- 100+ game-specific EQ presets
- Dongle stores in case
- Xbox version available (separate SKU)
- Only SBC codec for Bluetooth music
- Microphone serviceable but not exceptional
ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
- ~30ms latency (SpeedNova 2.4GHz)
- 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res certified
- Bone-conduction microphone
- Dirac Opteo spatial sound
- No Xbox support
- Expensive at $249
- RGB drains battery
Which should you buy?
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds is the better fit for multi-platform gamers and xbox users (only option) — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Platform Support and Latency. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is the better fit for team communication priority and hi-res audio gamers, and the stronger choice if Microphone Quality matters more to you than the overall score. If the $82.95 saving matters more than Microphone Quality, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is the better value. The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds is a poor fit for music-first users; the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is a poor fit for xbox users.
Choose the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds if
- Multi-platform gamers
- Xbox users (only option)
- Competitive players wanting versatility
Skip it if
- Music-first users
- Those prioritizing mic quality
Choose the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova if
- Team communication priority
- Hi-res audio gamers
- PC/PS5 players
Skip it if
- Xbox users
- Budget gamers
Common questions
Is the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds better than the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova?
In our Earbuds for Gaming ranking the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds scores higher overall, 9 to 9, with the biggest advantage in Microphone Quality. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova is stronger on Microphone Quality, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds cost than the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova?
$82.95 more as of August 12, 2026: $199.99 for the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds against $117.04 for the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Microphone Quality — 9.5 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova?
The headline spec difference is Latency: 34.4ms (dongle) / 218.9ms (Bluetooth) on the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds versus ~30ms (SpeedNova 2.4GHz) on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova. In use, the gap that matters most is Microphone Quality (8 vs 9.5 in our scoring): voice clarity for team chat.