Asus’ Open Earbuds Offer A Comfortable New Option For Handheld Gaming

ASUS has introduced a different take on wireless gaming audio with its Cetra Open Wireless earbuds, a pair designed not to seal inside the ear but to rest just outside it. The idea is simple but unusual in the gaming market. Instead of isolating players from the world around them, the earbuds allow environmental sound to mix naturally with game audio.

That open approach immediately changes how they feel in everyday use. Traditional gaming earbuds often rely on tight-fitting tips and active noise cancellation to block outside noise. ASUS has gone in the opposite direction, focusing on comfort and awareness of surroundings.

The Cetra Open are physically larger than typical earbuds, shaped to sit gently near the ear rather than inside it. The design allows players to hear game sound clearly while still noticing what is happening around them. In quiet environments, that balance can make long gaming sessions feel less isolating.

Review testing found the earbuds particularly comfortable over extended periods. Their sound profile delivers clear mids and a fuller tone than many open earbuds typically manage. Bass is naturally lighter compared with sealed designs, but ASUS attempts to compensate with its Phantom Bass feature, which is enabled by default.

The earbuds were tested with handheld systems including the Steam Deck and also worked smoothly with consoles such as the PlayStation 5. In those situations, the audio remained detailed enough to preserve the atmosphere of modern games without requiring the tight seal that many players find fatiguing over time.

A USB-C Transmitter Designed For Handheld Devices

One of the most distinctive parts of the package is the included USB-C wireless transmitter. Rather than occupying the entire port on a handheld device, ASUS designed the transmitter with passthrough charging.

That means users can keep their gaming system powered while using the earbuds. According to ASUS, the passthrough supports one-way charging up to 60 watts, which is sufficient for current handheld gaming devices.

The transmitter does not support video or data transfer, but its simple charging passthrough solves a common inconvenience for handheld players who rely on USB-C audio adapters.

The charging case itself is fairly large but practical. It stores both earbuds and the transmitter inside, and the components are magnetized so they settle neatly into place. The case charges through USB-C and can recharge the earbuds multiple times before needing power again.

Battery life varies depending on connection mode. ASUS says the earbuds can reach up to 16 hours in Bluetooth mode when RGB lighting and microphones are disabled. In testing with the 2.4GHz wireless connection used for gaming, playback lasted closer to 10 hours per charge.

The earbuds also support multipoint connectivity, allowing them to stay connected to two Bluetooth devices at once, or to a Bluetooth device alongside the USB-C transmitter. Switching between sources happens automatically without needing to press buttons.

Settings can be adjusted through the Armoury Crate mobile app or through ASUS’ browser-based Gear Link tool on PC. These allow users to modify audio settings, microphone options, and lighting effects, along with customizing the buttons located on the top of each earbud.

Gaming earbuds have existed for years, often built around noise cancellation and tight seals for competitive play. ASUS is exploring a different path here. The Cetra Open aim to keep players comfortable and aware of their surroundings while still delivering strong wireless performance.

For players who prefer that balance, especially on handheld systems, the design offers an interesting alternative in a market that has mostly focused on isolation.