Asus Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds Nail the Gaming Sweet Spot

Gaming earbuds have long faced a fundamental trade-off: seal out the world for immersion, or stay aware of your surroundings at the cost of audio quality. The Asus Cetra Open Wireless earbuds brilliantly sidestep this dilemma with an open-ear design that delivers exceptional comfort and surprisingly rich sound for $230.

Unlike traditional gaming earbuds that jam into your ear canal, the Cetra Open Wireless rest just outside your ears, allowing game audio to blend naturally with environmental sounds. This design philosophy makes them ideal for handheld gaming sessions where you might need to hear a doorbell, family member, or roommate without constantly removing your earbuds.

Gaming-First Features That Actually Matter

What sets the Cetra Open apart from competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis Buds and Sony InZone Buds isn't just the open design—it's the thoughtful engineering around real gaming scenarios. The included USB-C 2.4GHz transmitter features passthrough charging, meaning you can power your Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch while maintaining low-latency audio connection.

This seemingly simple feature solves a major pain point for handheld gamers who've had to choose between charging their device or using wireless audio. The transmitter is compact enough that it doesn't dominate the USB-C port, and the magnetic case has dedicated storage for both the earbuds and transmitter.

Sound Quality Meets Comfort

While the open design naturally sacrifices some bass response compared to sealed earbuds, the Cetra Open Wireless deliver impressive audio quality for gaming. The reviewer noted excellent performance with atmospheric titles like Silent Hill F and Esoteric Ebb on Steam Deck, suggesting these earbuds excel at reproducing the nuanced soundscapes that make modern games immersive.

The comfort factor cannot be overstated. Extended gaming sessions often become uncomfortable with traditional in-ear designs, but the Cetra Open's external positioning eliminates ear fatigue entirely. For marathon gaming sessions or all-day wear, this design advantage becomes increasingly valuable.

Smart Design Touches

Asus included thoughtful details that show they understand their target audience. The case uses magnetic components throughout, making it easy to properly store the earbuds and transmitter even in dim lighting. An included reflective band can connect the earbuds behind your neck, addressing the primary concern with open earbuds—accidentally losing them.

Optional RGB LED effects add gaming flair without being obnoxious, and the earbuds work seamlessly across platforms, from Steam Deck to PlayStation 5.

The Bottom Line

At $230, the Asus Cetra Open Wireless aren't cheap, but they solve real problems for handheld gamers. The combination of all-day comfort, clever USB-C transmitter design, and solid audio quality makes them a compelling choice for anyone who prioritizes extended gaming sessions over absolute audio isolation.

For gamers who've struggled with ear fatigue from traditional gaming earbuds or wanted to stay connected to their environment while gaming, the Cetra Open Wireless represent a genuinely innovative approach to portable gaming audio.

Sources

• The Verge: Asus' new open earbuds are a wonderful companion for handheld gaming