Excellent sound quality, comfortable design, and a smart USB-C transmitter with passthrough charging.
The Cetra Open Wireless earbuds are unlike typical gaming earbuds. Their large, open-style design allows game audio to blend with ambient sounds. This can be immersive, provided the surrounding area is quiet, though increasing the volume might make your audio audible to others nearby.
Even if you’re a fan of open-style headphones, as I am, you’ll likely agree that they’re not ideal for every listener or situation. Nonetheless, the Cetra Open are among the most comfortable and feature-rich gaming earbuds I’ve used. While the sound quality, particularly bass, might not match earbuds with a tighter seal, it’s still impressive. Moreover, they come with an exceptional USB-C 2.4GHz audio transmitter that includes a passthrough USB-C port, allowing you to charge a device or accessory while listening.
Prior to testing the Cetra Open, I often used the SteelSeries Arctis Buds and Sony InZone Buds for gaming, both featuring active noise cancellation, snug fit, solid sound, and USB-C transmitters that simplify game audio on devices like my Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2. However, after starting with the Cetra Open, I didn’t feel the need to revert to my previous earbuds. They managed to deliver the exceptional sound design of games like Silent Hill F and Esoteric Ebb on my Steam Deck and performed well with my PlayStation 5.
Many companies likely wish they’d created the USB-C transmitter Asus included with the Cetra Open, as it makes them a must-have for frequent gamers on handhelds like the Switch 2 or Steam Deck. That being said, the transmitter is limited to power passthrough only—it doesn’t support video or data. Asus spokesperson Katie Grayum informed The Verge that it supports up to 60W one-way charging, which is more than adequate for contemporary gaming devices.
Regarding sound performance, the Cetra Open provide a robust output with unexpectedly strong bass and mids, thanks to Asus’ Phantom Bass feature, which is enabled by default. I regularly use them during work to listen to music, but their real magic comes to life while gaming on the couch at night. They allow me to keep the game audio at a reasonable level and still engage in conversations with my wife without needing to remove an earbud.
The case, which charges via USB-C, offers quick charging for the earbuds, though it lacks wireless charging capability. According to Asus, the earbuds can last up to 16 hours per charge in Bluetooth mode with RGB LEDs and microphones turned off (fewer hours in 2.4GHz mode, yielding around 10 hours per charge in my tests). I’ve only needed to recharge the case twice throughout my testing, and the earbuds charge swiftly from 70% to full capacity in under 20 minutes.
Furthermore, the Cetra Open support multipoint connectivity, enabling connection to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously or to one Bluetooth device and its 2.4GHz transmitter at the same time. Switching between audio sources is generally seamless, with no buttons required. However, listening to two audio sources simultaneously isn’t supported.
Asus provides several methods for adjusting earbud settings while connected to the USB-C transmitter. You can download the Armoury Crate app for your phone for customization. Alternatively, on a PC, their Gear Link browser site, which requires no download, allows for audio, mic settings, brightness, and lighting effects adjustments. Users can customize commands for each button on the earbuds, choose audio prompts in English or Chinese, or opt for non-voice sound prompts.
Prior to the Cetra Open, great wireless earbuds for gaming already existed. The InZone Buds and Arctis Buds may be preferred for those prioritizing a snug fit and active noise cancellation. However, Asus’ new earbuds excel in their own right, being comfortable, non-isolating, and offering the versatility of charging while gaming via their USB-C transmitter.
Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge