ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Review 2026

Gaming audio just took a bold new turn. ASUS dropped the ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds in early 2026, and the gaming community is buzzing. These are not your typical in-ear gaming buds.

They sit outside your ear canal with a fully open design. That means you hear your game and the world around you at the same time.

Priced at $229.99, they promise low-latency 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 6, quad AI mics, and 16 hours of battery life per bud. They even come with a sporty neck strap and IPX5 splash resistance. But do they actually deliver for serious gamers? Is the open-ear concept a gimmick or a genuine advantage?

Key Takeaways:

• The ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds use a fully open-ear design that lets you hear your surroundings at all times. This makes them great for home gaming, outdoor activity, and work-from-home setups where you need awareness.
• Sound quality is surprisingly strong for open earbuds. The 14.2mm Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) drivers deliver clear mids, solid upper bass, and detailed highs. Sub bass is weak, but most music genres and games still sound satisfying.
• Dual-mode wireless is a standout feature. You get ultra-low-latency ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz via a USB-C dongle and Bluetooth 6. You can connect to your PC and phone at the same time.
• Battery life hits up to 16 hours per bud with mics and RGB off. The charging case adds another 48 hours. With mics and lighting on, expect closer to 7 or 8 hours.
• The price tag of $229.99 is steep. Competitors like the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds offer ANC, compact design, and similar features for around $159.99. The ROG Cetra Open Wireless must justify its premium with the unique open-ear experience.
• Comfort is mostly excellent but varies. The ear hooks keep the buds secure during activity. However, some users may notice pressure spots after long sessions depending on ear shape.

ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds: Overview

The ASUS ROG Cetra Open Wireless represent ASUS’s first attempt at open-ear gaming earbuds. They launched in the US in March 2026 at $229.99. You can find them at the ASUS eStore, Amazon, Micro Center, and Newegg.

These earbuds break from the traditional gaming earbud formula. Most gaming earbuds seal inside your ear canal and use ANC to block outside noise. The ROG Cetra Open Wireless does the opposite. They rest on the outer ear and leave the ear canal completely open.

ASUS built these for two audiences. Gamers get the low-latency 2.4GHz dongle and RGB lighting. Active users get the ear hooks, neck strap, and IPX5 water resistance. The idea is one pair of earbuds for your desk and your workout.

The included USB-C dongle even has a passthrough port. You can plug it into your Steam Deck or ROG Ally and still charge the device. That small detail shows ASUS thought about handheld gamers too.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you notice is the charging case. It is larger than an AirPods Pro case and bigger than the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds case. It measures 61 x 48 x 25 mm and weighs about 110g with the buds and dongle inside. It will not fit in a small jeans pocket.

The earbuds have a distinctive look. Each bud features an ear hook and a chunky cylinder on the back that houses the battery. The ROG logo sits on each bud with customizable RGB backlighting. The styling is bold but not overly flashy.

Build quality feels solid on the buds themselves. The case has a more plastic feel and lacks the satisfying snap of premium cases like the AirPods. The IPX5 rating means these can handle sweat and light rain but should not be submerged.

Each bud weighs just 11.4 grams. That light weight helps with long gaming sessions and workouts. ASUS also includes a reflective neck strap that connects both buds. This strap is useful for running at night since the reflective material increases visibility.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is a strong point for the ROG Cetra Open Wireless, with a few caveats. The ear hooks wrap over the top of your ears and hold the buds in place. The buds rest in the concha area of the outer ear without entering the ear canal at all.

This outer-ear fit feels liberating compared to in-ear buds. There is no pressure inside your ear canal. Many users may forget they are wearing these during long sessions. That is a major comfort advantage for people who dislike the plugged-up feeling of traditional earbuds.

However, pressure points can develop over time. The bud may press against the upper edge of the concha or other outer ear structures. This varies by ear shape. A quick adjustment usually fixes it, but some users may want breaks during very long sessions.

For glasses wearers, there is an adjustment period. The ear hooks can snag on glasses arms, and long hair can get caught during the process of putting them on. Once seated, the buds coexist with glasses without problems.

Stability during exercise is excellent. The hook design keeps the buds secure during running, gym workouts, and general movement. Only extreme shaking dislodges them. For casual sports, the neck strap is optional. For contact sports, the strap adds welcome insurance.

Sound Quality and Audio Performance

This is where the ROG Cetra Open Wireless genuinely surprised me. Open-ear earbuds have a reputation for thin, weak sound. These break that expectation.

The 14.2mm DLC-coated drivers produce a warm, detailed sound. Upper bass is strong enough to give music body and avoid a tinny quality. Mids are clear, and highs have good detail without harshness. The stereo image is impressive for earbuds of this type.

Rock, indie, classical, vocal, and country genres sound genuinely enjoyable. The natural, uncolored tuning works well across most music styles. EDM and hip-hop fans will miss the deep sub bass, though. The open design simply cannot push enough air for that floor-shaking low-end rumble.

ASUS included two special audio modes. Phantom Bass enhances low-end perception without actual bass boost. Immersion Mode gently reduces background noise for a more focused listening experience. Both are accessible through on-board controls and the companion app.

For the price, the sound quality is competitive with many dedicated sports earbuds. It does not match the bass depth of sealed in-ear options like the Arctis GameBuds. But it offers a more natural and spacious listening experience that many users will prefer.

Top 3 Alternatives for ROG Cetra Open Wireless

Gaming Performance and Latency

The ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz wireless mode is the star feature for gamers. It delivers ultra-low-latency audio that keeps sound and visuals perfectly synced. This matters for fast-paced shooters, rhythm games, and any title where audio timing is critical.

The included USB-C dongle plugs directly into your PC, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Nintendo Switch. A smart addition is the USB-C passthrough on the dongle. You can charge your handheld device while the dongle stays connected. ASUS clearly designed this with portable gaming in mind.

In practice, I noticed no perceptible delay during competitive gaming sessions. Footsteps in shooters were easy to pinpoint. Audio cues in rhythm games landed on beat. The 2.4GHz connection performs on par with the best gaming earbuds on the market.

The open-ear design does change the gaming experience, though. You will hear your keyboard, your household, and other ambient sounds alongside your game audio. This is a feature for some and a drawback for others. If you need total immersion and noise isolation, these are not the right choice.

For casual gaming and handheld gaming on the go, the open design works well. You stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying quality game audio. This is ideal for gaming on public transport or in shared spaces.

Microphone Quality

The ROG Cetra Open Wireless pack four microphones total, two per bud. These mics use beam-forming technology and AI noise cancellation to capture your voice clearly while reducing background noise.

In testing, voice quality was surprisingly good. Voices came through clear and full during Discord calls and in-game voice chat. The AI noise cancellation did a decent job filtering out keyboard clicks and ambient room noise.

These mics outperform most entry-level gaming headsets. They sit on par with other premium gaming earbuds. Your teammates will hear you clearly during intense gaming sessions.

For work calls and video meetings, the mics also perform well. The open design means your microphone may pick up more ambient sound than sealed earbuds would. In a quiet home office, this is not an issue. In a noisy coffee shop, it could be problematic.

The mic can be toggled on and off with a triple tap of the physical button on each bud. This is convenient for quick muting during calls or gaming sessions.

Battery Life and Charging

ASUS claims 16 hours of battery life per bud and up to 64 hours total with the charging case. These numbers hold up in real-world testing, but there is a catch. The 16-hour figure applies only when the microphone and RGB lighting are turned off.

With both the mic and RGB active, expect closer to 7 to 8 hours per charge. That is still solid for a full day of gaming or work, but it falls short of the headline number. Turning off the RGB lighting alone adds significant battery life back.

The charging case holds enough juice for three additional full charges. A USB-C cable is included for charging the case. There is no wireless charging option, which is a miss at this price point.

Charging speed is reasonable. A quick charge session gives you a few hours of playback from a short time in the case. For most users, dropping the buds in the case during breaks keeps them topped up throughout the day.

Battery life is a genuine strength here. Even at the lower real-world numbers, these earbuds last longer than many competitors in the gaming earbud space.

Wireless Connectivity and Bluetooth

The ROG Cetra Open Wireless support two connection modes. The first is the ROG SpeedNova 2.4GHz wireless mode via the USB-C dongle. The second is Bluetooth 6 for connecting to phones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices.

You can use both modes at the same time. Connect the dongle to your PC for gaming audio and pair Bluetooth to your phone for calls. Switching between sources is smooth. An incoming call on your phone can interrupt your game audio, and the earbuds handle the transition without fuss.

Bluetooth 6 is the latest standard, and it brings improved stability, range, and power efficiency. In testing, the Bluetooth connection stayed strong within a typical home environment. I experienced no dropouts during normal use.

The 2.4GHz dongle connection is rock solid for gaming. It maintains a stable, low-latency link even in environments with heavy wireless traffic. The dongle’s small size makes it easy to leave plugged into your PC or handheld at all times.

Pairing is simple. Hold the button on the buds to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. The dongle connects automatically as soon as you plug it in and power on the earbuds.

Software and Customization

ASUS provides the Armoury Crate app for customizing the ROG Cetra Open Wireless. Through the app, you can adjust EQ settings, change RGB lighting colors and effects, update firmware, and configure audio modes.

The EQ options give you control over the sound profile. You can boost bass, sharpen treble, or create custom presets for different use cases. The Phantom Bass and Immersion Mode settings are also accessible through the app.

RGB customization lets you change the color of the backlit ROG logo on each bud. You can sync the lighting with other ASUS ROG devices for a unified look. Or you can turn it off entirely to save battery life. Most users will probably keep it off.

The app interface is clean and easy to use. Firmware updates happen over the air without any complicated steps. ASUS has a good track record of pushing updates that improve performance and fix bugs.

One limitation is that full software features require a Windows PC with Armoury Crate installed. The mobile app offers basic controls, but the desktop version provides the complete experience.

Open Ear Design: Pros and Cons

The open-ear design is the defining feature of these earbuds. It is also the most divisive. Let’s break down the clear advantages and disadvantages.

The pros are significant. You maintain full awareness of your surroundings at all times. Conversations happen naturally without removing your earbuds. Doorbells, alarms, and traffic sounds reach you without any delay or filtering. For safety during outdoor exercise, this is a major benefit.

Comfort is another pro. No ear canal pressure means less fatigue during long sessions. People who find in-ear buds irritating or uncomfortable will appreciate this approach.

The cons are equally real. There is zero noise isolation. In a noisy environment, game audio competes with background sounds. You must turn up the volume in loud settings, which is not great for hearing health. Sub bass is physically impossible to reproduce without a sealed ear canal.

Privacy is also a concern. At higher volumes, people near you can hear your audio. This makes these less suitable for quiet libraries, offices, or shared spaces where your sound could bother others.

The open design works best in controlled environments. A quiet home office, a personal gaming den, or outdoor exercise paths are ideal settings. Crowded, noisy, or quiet shared spaces are not.

Who Should Buy the ROG Cetra Open Wireless?

These earbuds serve a specific type of user very well. If you match one or more of these profiles, the ROG Cetra Open Wireless could be perfect for you.

Gamers who work from home benefit the most. You can game, take calls, listen to music, and hear everything around you without ever removing your earbuds. The dual wireless connection means your PC and phone stay connected simultaneously.

Active gamers who want one set of earbuds for the gym and the gaming desk will appreciate the ear hooks, neck strap, and IPX5 rating. The 2.4GHz dongle gives you low-latency gaming at home. Bluetooth handles your phone during workouts.

Handheld gamers using a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Nintendo Switch get a great companion. The USB-C dongle with passthrough charging is a smart design choice for on-the-go play.

If you need noise isolation, prefer deep bass, or game in loud environments, these are not for you. Traditional in-ear gaming earbuds like the Arctis GameBuds or Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed will serve you better.

The $229.99 price also means budget-conscious buyers should look elsewhere. Several strong gaming earbuds exist below the $150 mark.

Price and Value Assessment

At $229.99, the ROG Cetra Open Wireless sit in premium territory. That price competes with top-tier sports earbuds from established audio brands like Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser. It also sits above most gaming earbuds.

For reference, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds launched at $199.99 and now sell for around $159.99. They include ANC, a compact case, and the same 2.4GHz wireless connection. The ROG Cetra must justify a $70 premium primarily through the open-ear design and sport features.

The included accessories add some value. You get the USB-C dongle with passthrough, the reflective neck strap, and a generous charging case. RGB lighting is a nice touch but does not justify extra cost for most buyers.

Value depends on your use case. If the open-ear design solves a real problem for you, the price is reasonable. If you just want good gaming earbuds, cheaper options deliver more features per dollar. The niche appeal of these earbuds limits their value proposition for the general gaming audience.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy Them?

The ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds are a bold and unique product. ASUS took a risk by combining open-ear audio with gaming-grade wireless, and the result is genuinely interesting. Sound quality impresses for an open design. Battery life is strong. The dual wireless connectivity works flawlessly.

But the niche appeal is undeniable. The open-ear design limits bass depth and noise isolation. The large case is less portable than competitors. The $229.99 price tag sits above most alternatives that offer more features.

If you want gaming earbuds that double as sport earbuds and value situational awareness, these deliver. If you want maximum immersion, deep bass, and noise cancellation, look at the Arctis GameBuds or Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed instead.

Score: 7 out of 10. A strong product for a specific audience, but too niche and too expensive to recommend broadly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the ROG Cetra Open Wireless good for competitive gaming?

Yes, the 2.4GHz SpeedNova connection provides ultra-low latency that works well for competitive titles. Audio cues are accurate and well-positioned in the stereo field. The main limitation is the open design, which lets in background noise that could distract during intense matches. In a quiet room, they perform excellently for competitive play.

Do the ROG Cetra Open Wireless have active noise cancellation?

No, these earbuds do not include ANC. The open-ear design is the opposite of noise cancellation. You hear everything around you at all times. ASUS does include an Immersion Mode that gently reduces some background noise perception, but it is not true ANC. If you need noise cancellation, consider sealed in-ear gaming earbuds instead.

Can I use the ROG Cetra Open Wireless with a PS5 or Xbox?

The USB-C dongle works with any device that has a USB-C port. The PS5 supports USB-C audio dongles, so these earbuds work with PlayStation. Xbox consoles currently do not support USB audio for wireless earbuds. You can use Bluetooth mode with Xbox if your console supports it, but latency will be higher than the 2.4GHz mode.

How long does the battery last with RGB on?

With both the microphone and RGB lighting active, battery life drops to roughly 7 to 8 hours per charge. Turning off RGB alone extends battery life closer to 10 to 12 hours. For maximum battery, disable both the mic and RGB to reach the full 16-hour claim.

Are the ROG Cetra Open Wireless worth $230?

That depends on your needs. If you specifically want open-ear gaming earbuds with sport features and dual wireless, these are the best option available right now. If you just want great gaming earbuds, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds at $159.99 offer better overall value with ANC, compact design, and similar wireless performance.

Are the ROG Cetra Open Wireless waterproof?

They carry an IPX5 rating, which means they resist water jets from any direction. They handle sweat, light rain, and splashes without issue. However, they are not fully waterproof and should not be submerged in water. They also lack a dust protection rating, so avoid sandy or very dusty environments.